Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

Missionary NumberLESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 24, 1955WrtnessVOLUME LV WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1955 NUMBER 1Missions'Changing Picture in the Holy LandBy Bernice C. GibsonIn Moody MonthlyMissionary work in what is now Israel haschanged greatly since the beginning of World WarII. On the outburst of hostilities the work of Germanmission institutions, as might have been expected,came to an abrupt end. Following the partition ofPalestine in November, 1947, and the end of theBritish mandate in May, 1948, a number of othermission institutions were either closed or movedfrom Jewish to Arab territory. These institutionshad ministered mainly to the Arab population, theJews having preferred their own hospitals, schools,relief organizations,youth centers and hostels.Naturally, those institutions had ministeredmore to the urban than to the rural populations.There had been considerable work done through theyears past among the Arab peasants, and one systematic campaign had been made to visit every Jewish colony during these visits. Later the number ofunreached Jews in such colonies doubled and tripledas their memberships were swelled by immigration.Thus it is safe to say that during this period immediately before the creation of the new state, missionswere not touching more than 1 per cent of the Jews.During this time, however, the few Christianworkers who were venturing to visit Jewish settlements detected the rise of a new attitude less opposition to their visits and message, more spiritualhunger, more eagerness to receive and read the NewTestament. It was becoming evident that a new generation of Jews was growing up in the land, a generation freer from prejudice, freer to investigate, notless religious than their fathers but seekingsomething which they had despaired of finding in thesynagogues or in German philosophy. This changegradually continued until Israel became a state in1948, and then a further and more abrupt changewas noticed.The long centuries of persecution and betrayalby Gentiles who were identified in the Jewish mindas Christians and Christian nations had helped toproduce widespread skepticism in the Jewish mind.And the apparent silence of God during their periodsof terrible suffering had left many avowed atheists.Now suddenly the Gentile nations had taken a decisive step in their favor and God Himself had defended them against enemies many times strongerthan they. Skepticism, prejudice and unbelief fledbefore these evidences of favor with God and man.Moreover, many Zionists had feared that if alarge number of their people should turn to Christ,they would cease to be Jews and would become assimilated into the predominately Gentile church andwould mean thecommunities. This, the Zionists felt,promises of a national restoration for Israel couldnever come to pass. Now with the realization ofZionist hopes, these fears and the conviction that itcould not therefore possibly be God's will for Jewsto become Christians, were happily forgotten.Missionaries were no longer suspected of beingagents of mandatory and other foreign powers. Wewere obviously a small minority group who chose toremain among them and put ourselves at their mercy. They could afford to be gracious to us, and they(Continued on page 6)

earth."severe"schools."scientists."years."people."Glimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen, D. D.Temperance in FranceThe Christian Herald gives the following informationconcerning efforts to reduce liquor consumption in France.Premier Pierre Mendes-France was a dramatic crusaderagainst alcohol, in consequence calling down upon himselfthe wrath of the wine and liquor industry in France and thescoffs of theircoincidentallyor not, Mendes-France was thrown out of hisopposite numbers in the U. S. Finally,job. But liquor promoters had better not yet heave theirsigh of relief. The new Premier, Edgar Faure, is on theirtrail. Not many weeks after entering office, he convenedhis Cabinet to consider a program designed to reduce Frenchconsumption of alcohol (which is the highest in the world).The proposed decrees are "much lesssuggested by his predecessor, but theytheless.than thoseare decrees neverCanadian Railway Mission Marks FoundingRailway Missions, an international, interdenominationalgroup of Christian laymen, celebrated its 25th anniversarywith a convention in Toronto last month.The group, founded in 1930 by William A. Fuller, holdsgospel meetings in railroad workshops in Canada and theU. S. during lunch hours. A monthly publication, The Broadcaster and Christian Railroader,bers and their fellow workers.reaches some 17,000 memNow 75 years old, Fuller was ordained to the Methodistministry in England in 1903 and gave up his pastorate towork with railroaders in 1930.Champion Sheep Shearer(Moody Monthly)Ivan Bowen, world champion sheep shearer, has beenappearing at youth meetings in New Zealand with a clearcuttestimony. "I am a humble Christian in my daily life,"he declares, "and I set out to prove a man can be a Christian and a champion, too. I prayed to God before I started. . . and was helped by a greater power than we find anywhere on thisMissionaries in ColombiaThe U.E.A. gives the following information about Protestant Missionaries in Colombia.For many months the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Colombia has been pushing the government to emphasize thenumber of Protestant missionaries which have "flooded"the country. In order to have a more accurate knowledgeof the situation the American Embassy in Bogota undertooka survey which would show the exact number of missionaries now in Colombia in comparison with other years. The results of this survey have proven very interesting.Today there are only 66 Protestant men missionaries inColombia, in comparison with 86 in 1952 and 85 in 1943.Wives of missionaries and single lady missionaries now total75 as compared with 96 in 1952 and 91 in 1943. Lay missionaries now total ten as compared with 11 in 1952 and20 in 1943.Age ofthe EarthIn a booklet on Tlie Age of the Earth just issued bythe Student Service Commission of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Prof. John W. Kiotz of River Forest, 111.,declares "Scripture does not tell us exactly how old theearth is. God did not feel that it was necessary to informus of that detail."Dr. Klotz goes on to say, however, that "At the sametime, a careful study of the Bible indicates that figures ofmillions and billions of years cannot be accepted by theChristian. The Bible indicates very clearly that we arelivingon a 'young' earth whose age is measured in thousands, rather than in millions or billions ofThe author, associate professor of biology at ConcordiaTeachers College in River Forest, discusses scientific methods for determination of the age of the earth, including theuranium time clock, and methods for determination of theage of organic remains, including the fluorine method andradiocarbon dating. He summarizes the shortcomings of themethods, and reaches the conclusion "It certainly would bea mistake to reject the clear indication of Scripture thatwe are living on a young earth in favor of the datings available at present to theDr. Klotz, an ordained clergyman of the Missouri Synod,holds a Ph.D., in genetics from the University of Pittsburgh.(United Evangelical Action)The Bible a Political IssueChristians of Charlotte, N. C, have put forth a vigorouseffort to keep the Bible in the schools as indicated in thefollowing article from the above paper.Petitions pledging the signers not to vote for Rev. Edward A. Cahill, a Unitarian minister seeking election to theCity Council, because he opposes teaching the Bible in public school, are being circulated here by a Protestant laymen's group.J. B. Spillman, director of the Way and Truth LifeClub which is sponsoring the petitions, said they had beensent to every clergyman in Mecklenburg County and that400 to 500 signatures already have been obtained.He added that the completed petitions will be presentedto the Charlotte andMecklenburg school boards in supportof the club's campaign to have a daily period of Bible reading instituted in every public school classroom. Bible instruction now is offered in public schools here on an elective basis with the salaries of the instructors being paidbyprivate sources.Petition signers pledge themselves not to vote for "anyman or woman for public office who denies the deity ofthe Lord Jesus Christ or who opposes the reading andteaching of the Bible, the word of God, in our publicA letter sent to clergymen with the petition askedwhether the "Christian people of Charlotte are going tosupport for office a man who will use his influence to suppress the teaching of God's word to our youngVisual Aids in BurmaThe Burma Christian Council has located its audiovisual worker, Leonard A. Crain, in Mandalay, and an energetic evangelistic program, using various visual methods,has brought encouraging results. The Christian Home and(Continued on page 8)COVENANTER WITNESS

ight"Current EventsBy Prof. William H. Russell, Ph.D.BIRTHDAY PARTYThe celebration, in San Francisco, of the tenth anniversary of the signing of the U. N. Charter, ended with therededication of the sixtymember nations to the cause ofworld peace. The general mood was one of cautious hope.The week-long observance produced much oratory, with theBig Four foreign ministers making statements which wouldindicate their positions at the Geneva meeting. Thirty-eightforeign ministers were present and a total of 260 delegates,representing one and a half billion people.Since 1945, Americans and other peace-loving peopleshave lost some of their first optimism about the U. N. Ithas been bypassed or ignored in many disputes, and Sovietvetoes have paralyzed the Security Council. Yet it has dealtsuccessfully with many political problems, and has evengreater achievements in humanitarian work and the economic development of backward areas. The U. N. is probablyas strong as can be expected of anymembers retain complete sovereigntyorganization whoseand cooperate on avoluntary basis. There seems to be little demand for anybasic revisions in the U. N. Charter.WELCOME APOLOGYA major threat to the Big Four conference at Genevaseems to have been averted. American feelings ran highwhen two Soviet jet planes shot down a U. S. Navy patrolplane without warning just south of the Bering Straits, between Alaska and Siberia. This is where American and Russian territory come closest together, with onlythree milesbetween some of the islands. Both countries maintain constant air patrols over the Bering Sea. In the past five years,the Russians or Chinese Communists have made thirteensuch attacks on American planes,always claiming that theAmericans fired first or were over Communist territory.However, the recent incident came when the Russians weretrying to impress everyone with their peace efforts. SovietForeign Minister Molotov issued a note maintaining thatthe American plane had crossed the Russian border, but headded an unprecedented apology, and offered to pay half thedamages. This will probably ease the tension.BOOM TIMESOne of America's greatest advantages in internationalbargaining comes from her record-breaking prosperity. InMay, total civilian employment reached an alltime peak of62.7 million. Stock market averages and the index of industrial production have both set new records. This springour gross national product reached a rate of $370 billion ayear. Manufacturingprofits for the first half of the yearalso seem sure to set new records. Automobile and steelproduction have attained new peaks, though they are likelyto fall off later this year. The general optimism is supportedby the announcement that General Motors will spend anadditional $500 million for plant expansion by the end ofnext. year. The most encouragingnote is that the businessupswing, which began last fall, cannot be attributed to anyincrease in government spending.PASSPORT RIGHTSThe U. S. Court of Appeals has ruled unanimously thatAmerican citizens have a "naturalto travel abroad,and that the State Department therefore cannot refuse togrant a passport without "due process of law." The StateDepartment had always claimed exclusive discretion overpassports because they involve our foreign relations. TheCourt decision, which rests on the Fifth Amendment, meansthat the passport decisions of the State Department /become subject to judicial review. The case was brought by aman who had been refused a passport because he belongedto an organization which the Attorney General had listed assubversive. The Court ruled that this in itself was not sufficient grounds for denying him a passport. This is a valuable decision, for many of the State Department's passportrulings have been highly arbitrary,right of appeal.NEHRU AT MOSCOWwith no explanation orAn extraordinary welcome was given Prime Minister"Nehru of India on his recent fifteen-day tour of Russia.Everywhere he went, people were released from work orschool to put on enthusiastic demonstrations. Nehru andPremier Bulganin of the Soviet Union concluded their conierenceswith a joint communique on foreign policy.They'agreed on Red China's right to Formosa and to U. N. membership; on the necessity for disarmament and a ban onatomic weapons;and on the full enforcement of the Genevaagreement for elections in Indochina next summer. Both>countries have supported these ideas before, but the jointdeclaration will have propaganda value. Nehru and Bulganin1also reached an agreement on Soviet technical and economicaid for India. On his way home, Nehru was to visit Warsaw, Vienna, Belgrade, Rome, London, and Cairo. PremierBulganin will soon return Nehru's call by a trip to India.SMOKE FIGURESThe Census Bureau reports that a million and a halfpersons have stopped smoking since January, 1954. Thisleaves 38 million still puffing away. These are estimatesfrom a sample of 40,000 persons scattered over the country,made for the National Cancer Institute of the Public HealthService. Most of those who gave up smoking were under 45years of age. One million were men, and half a millionwomen. The survey found about the same ratio for thosecontinuing to smoke. Two out of three men aged 25 to 64smoke regularly in some form. Most of them consumeten to twenty cigarettes a day; but half a million smokemore than forty (two packs) a day.WHEAT CONTROLSAmerica's wheat farmers have voted to continue marketing quotas for the 1956 crop, to avoid piling up moresurpluses. If the quota system had not been approved, thesupport level would automatically have dropped to 50 percent of parity. Last year, when supports were at 82.5 percent of parity, the vote to uphold marketing quotas on the1955 crop was just over the necessary two-thirds majority.With the flexible price support system now in effect, thesupport price for the 1956 crop will be dropped to 76 percent. But the farmers apparentlypreferred to accept thisrather than risk disastrous competition, for 77.5 per centvoted to continue the marketing quotas, which provide asharp limit on production.July 6, 1955

staff."year."Editorial NotesBy Walter McCarrollBoard's Report. What changes may have beenmade at Synod, if any, is not known at this writing.These comments are on the Report as adopted by theBoard.In the section on Cyprus we note the followingstatement: "The Board has recommended to Dr.Weir that weekly classes be conducted in 'Covenanter Philosophy' and the Distinctive principles of theReformed Presbyterian Church be maintained anddefended by the schoolThis recommendationseems to confuse church and school. Are these weekly classes in "Covenanter Philosophy" to be conducted in the church or in the school ? Are these classesto be required of all pupils in the schools or only ofcandidates for church membership? In what wayare the principles of the Reformed PresbyterianChurch to be maintained and defended by the schoolstaff? Does that mean that all members of the schoolstaff are to do this ? If they are not members of theReformed Presbyterian Church are they to be dismissed from the school? Are all the professors inGeneva College required to maintain and defend theprinciples of the Reformed Presbyterian Church?The school is not the church, and to put such a straitjacket on the school is an indirect way of chokingit to death. All candidates for admission into thechurch should of course be instructed in the distinctive principles of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.Classes in "Covenanter Philosophy." What is meant~by "Covenanter Philosophy" ? Is it the intention thata department of political philosophy similar to thatdepartment in Geneva College be set up? This is arecommendation that leaves much to be desired inthe way of clarification and modification.Then we note this further recommendation, "Thatthe schools in Syria teach Bible to all students whoattend. This change not to take effect till the schoolyear '56-'57 if commitments have already been madefor the coming Here again the situation inSyria has to be understood before one can appraisethis recommendation aright. The law in Syria forbids the giving of religious instruction to the children of another faith. At present our schools in Syriacan teach the Bible only to children of parents whoprofess the Christian religion. About one half of thestudents come from Moslem homes, and half of theincome of the schools comes from these pupils. Theenforcement of this recommendation would mean theexclusion of all Moslem pupils and this would be regarded as a great insult by the Moslem population,and would practically result in the suppression of allevangelism outside of the schools. Then the blow tothe prestige of the schools would be so great thatchildren of professing Christians would gradually bewithdrawn. Many of the Moslem pupils who now attend become interested in some of the extra-curricular Christian activities of the school and voluntarilyattend. The enforcement of this recommendationcould work great harm to the work of the Missionas a whole in its every department.Again the Board's report says, "The Near Eastthat our school increase itscolleges are demandingphysical plant. Unless this is done the scholasticstanding which the school has worked hard to attainstanding."Inwill be lost. Already it has lost somethis age of modern education a school has to maintain a high standard in the scholastic world or it isdoomed to a loss of standing and gradually to a lossof good teachers and to the loss of the very pupils wewant to reach. It may be argued that we should nottry to have schools in Syria, but since we have,there seems to be no alternative but to have schoolsof a high scholastic standing. If not that, then theforthright closing of the schools rather than theslow process of strangulation. This should constitutea burden of prayer on the Lord's intercessors.TREASURER'S REPORT (Condensed)RECEIPTSFrom living donors $32,369.62From Dividends 13,292.77From Bequests 900.00Total receipts $46,562.39Transferred from Gihon Estate 7,500.00Total brought into the Current Account $54,062.39EXPENDITURESTravel Expenses $ 9,176.77Cyprus 8,458.35Syria 18,837.05Japan 12,643,70Miscellaneous 2,745.23Pension Premiums 1,267.94Overdraft from last year 1,264.72Total Expenditures $54,393.76Overdraft March 31, 1955Comments331.37The expenditures exceeded the actual receiptsfrom current income by nearly eight thousand dollars. This in spite of the fact that Synod's budgetwas raised in full plus another twelve thousand dollars. The $46,562.39 receipts in the Current Accountdoes not mark the total giving of our Church to Missions. The Japan Missionary Account seems to havereceived $5,000, the Cyprus Building Funds, $2,389,and the Accomodation Account another $1,500, or atotal of more than eight thousand dollars. The income from bequests this year seems to have beenmuch below the average. The expenditures for travelTHE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERLAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street. Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka. Kansatto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions 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., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen. D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas, S3. 00 : Single Copies10 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons. B.A., Limavady, N". Ireland, Agent for theBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansasunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.COVENANTER WITNESS

missionary."missionary."personality."preaching."winning.'expenses for the past two years have been veryheavy because of so many furloughs falling due inthese years. This item should be much less after thisyear. Again we have to note that since the Boardended the financial year with an empty treasury, sofar as the Current Account is concerned, the treasurer has to draw on the Restricted Funds almost atonce in order to meet current obligations. We thencan be thankful that the Board has these restrictedfunds from which to borrow. But what is borrowedmust be repaid. The balance of the Gihon estate however is not a restricted fund and can be used for thecurrent account. This amounts to $7,500.Appointment of Eleanor Faris. The Board reported to Synod the appointment of Miss EleanorFaris as missionary to Japan but under unusual conditions. The report says, "Miss Eleanor Faris appliedfor appointment but the Board does not feel it wiseto assume the financial obligation necessary to support anotherBut Miss Faris was willing to go without salary and trust the Lord to provide for her needs. The Board accepted her offer andgave her the necessary appointment. The first intimation that the Lord was calling her to Japan camein a letter last year from Miss Huston. This wasstrengthened when a delay in her sailing permittedOrlena Lynn to visit Portland. Our Mission in Japangave her a statement guaranteeing her support andhousing for the purpose of obtaining a visa from theJapanese Consulate in this country. Thus the Lordhas cleared away the difficulties in her path. She expects to sail from Seattle August 3 along with ourother missionaries scheduled to sail on that date.This too is a venture of faith that needs to be undergirdedwith prayer."The Measure of a Missionary." That is thetitle of a brochure published some thirty years ago.Here are some excerpts which are as pertinent andapplicable today as then:"The successful candidate must have a soundbody with a normal nervous system, a clear resourceful mind trained in the best educational institutions,a friendly personality with a genius for unselfishcooperation, and a developed spiritual life includingthe missionary motive that Jesus Christ alone is themen."Saviour of"The relation of temperament to the physicalhealth of missionaries is so important that our Boardnow has on this subject a special set of questionswhich are asked the friends of candidates. Nothingin the application papers is scrutinized more carefully than the replies to these particular questions,which cover the lack of emotional control, a tendencyto worry, over-sensitiveness, and 'a tendency to ardent but unstable friendships,' all of which can easilyaffect the physical as well as the mental well-beingof a"Here are some of the individual traits aboutwhich we ask in the case of every candidate : attracreluctance totiveness, friendliness, sense of humor,criticize, freedom from race-prejudice, tact, willingness to subordinate personal ambitions and preferences. Some of these mayseem unimportant for success in America, but they assume tremendous proportions on the mission field. ... No apter phrasequalities'than 'team-work can better express thosedesired in the missionaryJuly 6, 1955"A Board secretary of long experience put itpositively as follows : 'I wish among the other qualifications might somewhere be included the one word'unselfishness.'Many persons of great force are tremendously selfish. And the worst offenders arethose who don't recognize that they are selfish. Theyfind some other way to do what they want, and thencall it doing what God wants ! All of us are in danger of developing that type of personality, so fatalto missionary success, and the only sure antidote forVolunteers is to model themselves all through theyears of preparation on the personality of JesusChrist."Evangelism in Syria. While the aim of all ourwork in Syria is evangelism or the proclaiming ofthe good news that we have a Saviour who is mightyto save them to the uttermost that come unto Godby Him, yet this evangelism takes different forms.There is evangelism in and through the schools, inand through the work of the Bible women and colporteurs, in and through tract distribution, in andthrough the formal worship and preaching services,in and through special services held in differenttowns and villages. Mr. Hays finds that going outand making direct contact with individuals in different villages is regarded with suspicion and disfavorby the powers that be. He speaks of some of the difficulties that hinder direct evangelism, viz, "the lackof faith of all of us,"materialism, the unpopularityof foreigners who helped the Jews to establish theState of Israel, and Communism. "Now we are notdespairing because of difficulties," he writes, "forthey teach us to rely upon the Lord actually and notjust in ourHe adds: "So the work goeson. Each evangelist in his place, making contactsconstantly. Every month we have a meetingand this winter have been reviewing Dr. Torrey'sbook, 'Personal work in soul They have received much good from this."Reformation Translation Fellowship. The American representative, Dr. Vos, in a foreword to the annual financial statement, says, "Our work of translation and publication is proceeding and we hope foryour continued support by prayer and by contributions from time to time." The financial report reveals that contributions of approximately $4,000have been received. The larger part of this was expended for work of the Fellowship in Hong Kong,in Japan, for translation work in U.S.A. and for theexpenses in the administration of the work. A printed report of the work for the year 1954 is in preparation and will be in the mail shortly. This is a farreaching ministry capable of influencing potentialChristian leaders in different parts of the world.Southland Parish. Dan L. Thrapp in the Los Angeles Times has a squib on Money and Missions thathas a bearing on our own mission work. He says:"When I was a boy, going with mother tochurch, I noticed that people seemed to put less inthe red side of the envelop that was for missions,than in the black side for themselves and theirchurch."I wondered about that because I had thoughtthe real work of the church was in spreading theWord. The place the Word needed spreading most, Ibelieved,was in pagan lands where people had nevereven heard of it."So when I put money into the old-fashioned

epainting?"on."envelopes, I put more in for missions than for thechurch."Most churches don't seem to use that sort ofenvelopes any more, but their budgets reveal thatthe same situation exists most of the money staysat home. The other day I heard a preacher explainthis."He said he wasn't very enthusiastic about helping some destitute Indians in a neighboring State.'There is so much to do here,' he said."I suppose he is right. Why save souls in NewGuinea, for instance, when the home church needsSuzurandai. A paragraph or two from a formletter by David Hansen :"How often I wish for the opportunity to bethere and tell you personally of the joy of this workand the unlimited possibilities that lie open beforeus here. Never has there been a finer opportunity topreach the Word and see the amazing quick resultsin the lives of the people. Not that everyone acceptsChrist but those that do grow so quickly in theirthere are so many people here who have not yetheard the Gospel. There are villages like this all overJapan where the majority of the people live, yetmost of the missionaries are concentrated in a fewlarge cities. And even if they were evenly distributedthe proportion would not be higher than one missionary to 800,000 people. What a wonderful openingthere is and how wonderful it would be if we as agroup of God's people could find it within our meansreach suchto provide even one other worker to helpa mass of people."We have seen the Lord Avorking in many wonderful ways and yet I don't want to pass on to youthe idea that everything is rosy here now. Theprayers of the church at home are needed todayperhaps more than at any previous time. Withoutthem this work could dwindle away and the goodstart be lost. Please don't slack off now. If you'vebeen remembering us but once each day in your devotions, remember us twice each day from this timeFurloughs. The Hays family was scheduled toleave Latakia June 16 and to arrive in New Yorkabout the middle of July. They were booked to sailon the S. S. Hymdan of the Holland-American Lineacross the Atlantic.It is expected that Miss Huston will returnhome in the fall, and will be retired from activeservice in the foreign field.MISSIONS'CHANGING PICTURE from front pagewere ! Indeed, it became very apparent that the missionaries who remained in or returned to the Stateof Israel wêre in hearty sympathy with the nationalresurrection of Israel, believing it to be another stepin the direction of God's gracious plan and purposefor His ancient people.When the influx of new Jewish immigrantsfrom fifty-six or more different countries began,there were rumors that there were a good number ofbaptized Jews among them. Doubtless some of thesewere only nominal Christians, baptized in times ofdanger and pressure in Europe. These would naturally revert to the status of Jews upon arriving inIsrael.Those who were real believers found themselvesin a peculiar position. There was the necessity of accepting new conditions gracefully and making thebest of them, of finding their places and means oflivelihood in the new state. These circumstancesprevented some of the real believers from makingthemselves knowm to the nearest missionaries atonce. Gradually, however, they were able to do thisand were welcomed into Christian groups for fellowship.Like some who had come before them, Some ofthe new immigrants had been atheists before comingto Israel. But it was harder than ever for a Jew toremain an atheist in the land. Every mountain andevery valley reminded him of the time when Goddwelt among Israel, when He spoke to them throughthe prophets and delivered them from their enemies.The fact that the new little state had been enabled,as soon as it was born, to hold its own against acoalition of enemies many times its number, andwith every military advantage on their side, nowquickened faith in the hearts of many of the newimmigrants who had had no faith before.Thousands of the new arrivals began to desireto read the Scriptures. Bibles were very scarce andtype had been destroyed during the war. Hundredsof would-be purchasers had to be turned away fromthe Bible shops without them. The missionaries united in prayer that the Bible Society might soon beable to meet the need, and God answered prayer.About two and a half years after the founding of theState of Israel, shipments of Bibles in the variouslanguages needed began to arrive. Chief among themwas, of course, Hebrew. The Bible shops in Haifa,Tel Aviv and Jerusalem were busy places and newBible shops were opened in at least two centers, Tiberius and Beersheba.During 1951-1953, the Bible Society sold 30,000whole Bibles in Israel. The Million Testaments Campaigns provided 10,000 whole Hebrew Bibles in 1952and 1953 to be given free to the public schools. TheBiblical Research Society presented whole HebrewBibles to every library in the land, including thebookshelves of the smallest colonies.An estimated average of 15,000 New Testaments in various languages, mostly provided by theMillion Testaments Campaigns, had been given yearly to individuals who wish to read them.water"Thus is God sprinkling "clean thecleansing Word upon His people Israel, accordingto His promise in Ezekiel 36:25. And we are challenged to claim the rest of the promise, "and ye shallclean,"be and to stand upon it until we see the glorious fulfillment, a people renewed and fully blessed.In no other country is witnessingfor Christ quite the same as inthe land where He once lived and taught"Mr.Glory-Face"Adoniram Judson went as a missionary to Burma. He so burned with the desire to preach the gospel before he learned the language that he walkedup to a Burman and embraced him. The man wenthome and reported that he had seen an angel. Theliving Christ was so radiant in Judson's countenancethat men called him Mr. Glory-Face.The United BrethrenCOVENANTER WTTNESS

And Now Africa !R. V. HerboldIt couldn't happen in Russia but it did! Itcouldn't happen in Poland, in Czechoslovakia but itdid ! It couldn't happen in China but it did !We thought that Communism would not spread,would not take root, would not bear fruit, but wewere wrong; sadly, tragically wrong: For godless,pagan Communism has blighted the mind, warpedthe soul, and enslaved the body of millions of menand women. Now their countries are closed to theGospel, Christian missionaries are banished, and anyworship must be done in secret and by stealth.And now Africa stands in the path of this vilething. Africa, with newly awakened minds and national awareness is being mesmerized by communism. Literature, enticing and subversive,is flooding the country. First-generation literatesare grasping feverishly at anything printed, arelending attentive ears to broadcasts that incite rebellion and create unrest.This is the dark Africa of Missions. This is thelast continent to show signs of awakening it can bethe lost continent if the Christian Missions are hampered or go too slowly.Flooding the African cities are magazines andpapers sent from Prague, China, Russia. Beautifullyprinted and illustrated in two, three, and four colors,they appeal to the eye, and plant seeds in the mind.Sold far below cost, they are within the reach of allwho can read, and are made available for one purpose only: PROPAGANDA.The president of a college in Africa said histeachers go to bed early, setting alarm clocks for1:00 a.m., when they can get Radio Moscow withclearest reception. Forsaking sleep, they listen, andin listening they can fall into the snare of Communism.What can we do ? Those who have fled tyranny,darkness, and death of Communism know that onlythe Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ can save andhold off this iniquitous tide. But we must meet theenemyon his own ground.In Liberia, the Sudan Interior Mission has begun the building and erecting of a radio station,ELWA. This will beam Gospel programs into homesand hearts in many countries of Africa. We cannottake funds by force for propaganda, as is true in theCommunist state. But we do cry to God and Hisstewards for the means to rush the completion ofELWA that we might thus preach the Gospel andsave some.But it is in the field of literature that we standcommitted to fight the enemy. Communism boaststhat China was won through the pen. The same tactics are being tised now in Africa, the plum thatCommunism seeks. The unbelievable wealth in menand material is the prize for which Communism isstriving.But it is their souls we seek, and this is thegreatest prize of all.What can we do ? We have launched The AfricanChallenge, now Africa's leading monthlyand theonly Christian newspaper in Africa. At present wecan only print 35,000 copies, whereas hundreds ofJuly 6, 1955thousands are needed. There seems to be no limit tothe demand for The Challenge. But there is a limitto our resources in printing it. With equipment,funds, and men, we could well see The African Challenge as the Gospel standard raised against the enemy.It is with a sense of urgency that we write this.Things are happening in Africa, and to paraphrasePhil. 1:12, we would that the things which are happening would fall out rather unto the furtherance ofthe Gospel.We say again, Africa is no longer awakeningit is awake. Awake to the benefits of education andindustry. Awake to the incalculable value of its vastcontinent. Awake to the pride of national autonomy.Awake to everything but the danger which confrontsit.The vast wealth of Africa is being sought bysubversive, soul-enslaving powers. To an awakenedpeople the blandishments and overtures of Communism are appealing. To an ignorant people theyare captivating.The people of Africa must know of the dangersconfronting them. They must hear the Gospel now,while their country is still open, and freedom topreach is still possible.United Evangelical ActionEFMA at a GlanceBryant K. SchlutowIf we were to pause for a moment and reflecton the world missionary picture in this year of 1954,we can rejoice that there is in the world today thelargest number of missionaries working overseasthat the world has even known. Of almost 29,000missionaries scattered in over 100 countries, morethan 18,000 of these are from North America. Evenmore encouraging to us is the very large percentageof these that are evangelical.The Evangelical Foreign Missions Association,which is a little more than nine years old, has amembership today of 41 mission agencies, 25 morethan the original number, with over 3,600 missionaries serving under them. These missions and theirstaffs are serving in 91 foreign countries. In view ofthe fact that we recognize 108 mission fields in theworld, it is easily seen what a wide coverage EFMAhas.EFMA is unique in evangelical circles. Its standards of ethics, policy and evangelical doctrine are ashigh as any in America, and mission agencies areclosely checked before being granted membership.It is unique in that it is the only evangelicalagency established in America that receives as members and serves both denominational and non-denominational boards. Of its total membership, thirteenagencies are non-denominational or "faith" boards.In addition to this unique characteristic the Association differs from all other evangelical agencies inthat it is both a service organization and the officialrepresentative of its missions before foreign governments, colonial offices, and the many departments of our own government.In order to serve effectively both its members

and other evangelical groups, the Association maintains three offices : The Washington office, handlingall diplomatic matters; the Purchasing Office inNew York City, buying missionary equipment atwholesale to the extent of about half a million dollarsannually ; and the Universal Travel Service in Chicago, official agency of the EFMA serving most of ourmember missions to the amount of $469,000 lastyear. As part of the services rendered in the Washington office, there is a daily contact maintainedwith the Passport Division, obtaining approximately275 passports during each of our fiscal years formember and cooperating missions. In addition, theoffice secures over 200 visas from those foreign governments maintaining visa services in the nation'scapitol. Many countries not granting visas in Washington usually have consular sei*vices in New YorkCity or Chicago where our offices there assist in obtaining these visas.The activities of EFMA include all functionsthat the Association can perform for the missionagencies without duplicating their efforts. We maintain excellent relations with the government inWashington so that whenever it becomes necessarywe can intercede for our member missions. Thus farwe have sponsored two annual retreats for missionary executives that have been greatly appreciatedfor the helpful suggestions received from the various boards represented and for the valuable information given on the activities performed by missionstations all around the world. In cooperation with aswide a constituency as possible, the Association hasmade a complete surveyof all evangelical Spanishliterature (having perhaps the most complete libraryof evangelical Spanish literature in the Westernhemisphere in its Washington office), has printed acatalog that was widely distributed in Central andSouth America, and has just concluded a second surof Spanish literature.veyEFMA enjoys a unique privilege in that as anAssociation of mission agencies it can lean back onthe NAE constituency when ever such a constituency is needed as a basis of authority in dealing withUnited States or foreign government. Through theWashington office the NAE officially serves evangelical missions in their problems with the selectiveservice, immigration, and the State Department. Thetremendous effort made on behalf of religious liberty for our missionaries and national Christianswhere intolerance or violence has caused intense suffering is always done in the name of the NAE andnot by the mission boards. This gives us greater influence with governments, Congress, and also keepsthe names of our mission boards out of these struggles.In addition to all of these activities the Association endeavors to keepour missions informed regarding the many changes that occur in missionarymechanics ; that is, requirements for visas, permits,travel, laws, etc. In all of these matters, the EFMAoffices are used by approximately 100 mission agencies, a majority of whom are not members. TheBoard of Directors of EFMA has felt that the spiritof service of this Association must reflect the spiritand zeal of Christ in assisting all who need help incarrying the Gospel of Christ to the ends of theearth.8United Evangelical ActionSYNOD'S BUDGET FOR 1955-1956DEPARTMENTSGRANTEDForeign Missions $32,400Home Missions 9,000Southern MissionNoneIndian Mission 2,400Kentucky Mission 4,000Home Mission Secretary 4,000Young People's Secretary 350Woman's Association 6,000Theological Seminary9,000Student's Aid 1,550Ministerial Relief 12,000Widows and Orphans 2,000Geneva College 15,000Covenanter Witness (Preferred claim) 7,800Witness Committee 13,500Christian Education 500Miscellaneous Fund 400National Assn. of Evangelicals 100GLIMPSES from page 2TOTAL $120,000Family Life Committee continue.strong programs there.Distribution of Christian literature, new publications, andtranslations are major efforts. A correspondence course inBible study has been offered for the first time.Missions Threatened in Nigeria(Watchman-Examiner)Missionary activity among the Moslems in Nigeria willbe paralyzed if the new government, which assumes powernext July 1, does not retract some of its announced restrictions. Unless the government does back down, most evangelical missions have threatened to close their medical andeducational work on behalf of Moslems.The situation became tense when evangelicals learnedthat the new government would require all missionaries toabide by the followingconditions with regard to workamong the Moslems: 1) No church or open air meetingsamong Moslems; 2) No indoctrination in hospitals whereMoslems are present; 3) No indoctrination of Moslem pupilsin schools; 4) No evangelism in leprosariums where Moslems are present; 5) No entering Moslem homes and compounds to evangelize.All missionaries are to be required to sign this agreement or be expelled from the country. The same five conditions will be written into the entry permits of missionaries going to Nigeria.The Sudan Interior Mission and the National Council ofChurches of Nigeria have advised the Government that suchclauses are not acceptable, and further action is awaited.(The Banner)A Tithing BankerJohn Sewart Kennedy, the great New Yorkbanker, rose from very humble circumstances. Hebegan his business career by giving God a tenth ofhis income. In one of his account books he wrote:"Behold, the tenth of all I give unto Thee."In it he kept his account with God, whose steward he was. During his lifetime he entered severalmillion of. dollars in this account. At his death hebequeathed nearly $30,000,000 to religious, charitable and educational work.The United BrethrenCOVENANTER WITNESS

QUESTIONSgeneration'Lesson Helps for the Week of July 24, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICSTUDIES IN COLOSSIANSChapter 1, 2.Comments and questions byAlvin W. Smith, D.D.Psalms: 47:1-7, page 120.Prayers :68:31-34,page 165.1. For new workers going to the mission fields.2. For the giving to Christ full honorfor all that He is and has done.3. For the cleansing of the churchfrom false and erroneous teachings.4. For God's blessing upon all of thesummer camps; that vacations will notbe vacations from God.IntroductionThe church in Colosse was one ofseveral churches, the care of whichcame upon Paul daily (2 Cor. 11:28).Although he had not founded it orvisited it himself, he had friends there,such as Epaphras, Philemon and Onesimus who were members of it. Colosse,a city in southwest Phrygia, close toLaodicea, had probably been evangelized by Epaphras, one of the Colossians,while Paul labored in Ephesus.Read Aloud Chapters 1 and 2PLACE AND DATE OF WRITING.There is reason to believe that Colossians was written from Rome duringPaul's first imprisonment about 62 A. D.Two other epistles also were written atthe same time, that to the Ephesiansand to Philemon. "Tychicus carried thefirst two to their respective destinationson the same trip and he was accompanied by the converted slave Onesimuswho bore the letter to Philemon."The Occasion and Object of WritingPaul was evidentlymoved to writethe Colossians on account of the visitto him made by Epaphras, the newswhich he brought and the advice whichhe sought from the apostle.Epaphras'report brought Paul both pleasure andgrave concern. Insidious and dangerousfalse teaching was beginning to threaten the very life of the church in Colosse. The leaders of this heresy were evidently Jewish Christians.to the tactics of those who made trouIn contrastble among the Galatians; these made noassault on Paul's apostolic authority butcontended themselves with hereticalteachings.This False Teaching'It was a system "partlyoriental andtheosophistic in its character (2:18) andJuly 6, 1955partly Judaical and ceremonial (2:16),which wastending on the one hand toobscure the majesty and glory of Christ(1:15; 2:8), and on the other hand, tointroduce ritualistic observances, especially on the side of physical austerities (2:16-23) opposed alike to the simplicity and freedom of the gospel, andto all the vital and true union with therisen Lord (2:19;3:1)."Part of the difficultywas centeredaround the doctrine and worship ofangels. Some imagined that the worldwas full of angels and demons who presided over all the operations of natureand entered into the closest relationswith the life of man.The apostle had to combat the definite presence of Gnostic tendencies."The basis of Gnosticism is the doctrinethat matter is evil. In creation God cannot come into direct contact with matter. It is necessary therefore to posit anumber of emanations of deity, a number of spiritual beings germinating,as it were, the first from God, the second from the first and so on until theysink lower and lower and make contactwith matter possible. Only thus couldGod have created the universe and atthe same time maintained His holinessinviolate.""It follows, then, that these gradedangelic beings are in control of the material universe in which man has to live.He must, therefore, enlist the support ofspiritual beings who will protect himagainst the forces at work in the material universe. Thus the work of Christhas to be supplemented by a cult of angels."This was the false teaching.The Apostle's Counter-TeachingAlong with his earnest prayer forthem (in first chapter) Paul wrote ofthe Absolute Supremacy of Christ inthe Universe, Creator of all things andHead of the Church. Read again ch. 1:15-20. In addition, the apostle assuredthe believers of their completeness inChrist and that nothing but union withHim is requisite for the full experienceof salvation. Read carefully ch. 2:6-15.Note the statement, 'ye are complete inHim'in 2 :10.Tactful Warning, verses 4, 8, 16, 18.Why be the loser by exchanging completeness in Christ for any philosophythat falls short and is insufficient?1. To whom, in particular was theepistle directed? Define "saints.'2. For what graces in the Colossianscould Paul give thanks?3. Who brought word of this churchand its spiritual state to Paul?4. For what did Paul pray on their behalf? 1:9-14.5. List the various things declared ofthe Son, Christ Jesus 1:14-18.6. Note the similarity of teaching in1:20-22 with that in Eph. 2:12-19.7. Explain THE MYSTERY mentioned in 1:26, 27 and 2:2. (See alsoRom. 16:25 and Eph. 3:3-10.8. What is meant by 'circumcisionwithout hands'? 2:11; Jer. 4:4; Rom.2:9; Phil 3:3.9. Whydoes the fulness of Chrisfssufficiency preclude not only the worshiping of angels, but also the worshipof saints and the 'Virgin Mary'?10. How does the doctrine of Christthe Creator of all things condemn allteaching of 'spontaneoustaught widely in science classes alongwith the idea that all things came fromforces resident in nature?PsalmsMEMORY VERSESCh. 1:17-19 and 2:6.JUNIOR TOPICJuly 24, 1,55THE SPD3S, OR TEN MENAGAINST TWOBlanche Gilchrist, Walton, N. Y.Scripture Text: Numbers 13Memory Psalm for July : Psalm 44; 1-4, page 112Psalm 1:1-3, page 2Psalm 85 :l-2, 6-8, page 207Psalm 46:1-5,page 119When Miriam became well, the pillarof cloud rose and the children of Israelcontinued on their journey. They traveled until they came to the very borderof the promised land.God commanded Moses to pick outtwelve men. There was to be one manfrom each tribe. Each man was to be aruler of the tribe. Moses said to them,"Go into Canaan and spy it out. You areto see what the land is like. See whatpeople live there. Find out whether theyare strong or weak, few or many. Findout whether the land is good or bad.Discover whether the people live intents or cities. See whether there iswood there and bring back some of thefruit of the land."The spies entered the land at thesouth. Theytraveled northward to theborder. Then, they retraced their steps.They were gone forty days. They found

wonderful fruit. They cut a branch ofa grape vine. From this hung a bunch ofgrapes so large and so heavy that theyhad to bring it on a pole which wascarried by two men. They also broughtpomegranates and figs.The Israelites were very excited whenthe twelve returned. They crowdedaround to hear every word. The spiesreported that they had traveled throughthe land as they had been commanded.They said, "Surely it floweth with milkand honey: and this is the fruit of it."Then they went on to tell of the peoplewho they said were strong and dwellin walled cities. At last, they told of themen of Anak who were like Giants.The Israelites were disappointed whenthey heard about the giants, but Caleb,one of the spies, said, "Let us go up atonce and possess it for we are well ableto overcome it." Ten of the spies continued telling of the mighty men whomthey had seen in the land.The Israelites were very disappointed.They cried, moaned, and started to complain again. They cried all night.Theyagain forgot that God was able to helpthem. Not once did they pray for help.They forgot God's help in bringingthem out of Egypt. They forgot God'sprotection during the long journey.Fearing death at the hands of the people of Canaan, they wished they haddied in the wilderness.In the morning, the people decided tochoose another leader and go back toEgypt and slavery. Moses and Aaroncouldn't believe that the people couldbe so wicked. They could not imaginechoosing a leader without praying toGod about it. And how would the peopletravel back to Egypt without God's protection?Two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua,were faithful. They rent their clothes toshow how sorry they were because ofthe actions of the people. They told thepeople that the land of Canaan was anexceedingly good land. They told thepeople that if the Lord delighted inthem He would bring them into theland. They reminded the Israelites thateven giants could not hurt them if Godwas on their side. The people only threwstones at Caleb and Joshua.God knew of the people's wickednessand complaints. He told Moses that Hewould destroy the people and make ofMoses a great nation. Moses did not wishhis own glory. He pleaded that the Israelites would be saved. He was afraidthe Egyptians would hear of it andwould think Israel's God was not ableto bring the children of Israel into thepromised land. Moses prayed that Godwould forgive the people as He had doneso many times before.10God answered that He would forgivethem but all the people who had rebelled would never seethe promisedland. The two faithful spies and thechildren of the Israelites would enterthe land. Those, who had rebelled, mustwander fortyyears until all the rebellious ones had died. Only then, couldGod bring the children, who then wouldbe grown men, into the land of promise.Caleb and Joshua had found it veryhard to encourage the people. It is easyto destroy men's faith in God's help.It is much harder to build up than todestroy.We, too, have a promised land wherewe will see God. It is called Heaven.No man has gone to that land and returned to tell us of it. The Bible givesus some idea of what a wonderful placeHeaven is. We have many blessings hereon earth. These are but a foretaste ofwhat Heaven will be like.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONJuly 24, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on Internationa] Sunday SchoolLessons ; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Religious Education.)THE SOUTHERN KINGDOMOVERTHROWNScripture, Jeremiah 38, 39; 2 Kings 24:20b-25:21; Jer. 38:1-39:14Printed, Jer. 38:7-13; 2 Kings 24:20b:25:1-12Zedekiah, the last king of Judah,reigned eleven years. He quarreled withNebuchadnezzer all the time. He alsoquarreled with God. Jeremiah was giving him wise advice from the Lord, andhe still had the opportunity to obey andreceive help. Zedekiah would not listento the Word of the Lord, and was notskilled enough in diplomacy to read thesigns of the times.Jeremiah Councils Submission,Jer. 28:17The time for saving Jerusalem fromcomplete captivity had now passed.God's power for deliverance had beenshown many times. Zedekiah had refused God's help,and Jerusalem wasnow on the very brink of falling intocomplete captivity. When they wereactually falling, there was still a choiceto be made. Jeremiah advised that theysubmit rather than invite more severepunishment. If they must go to Babylon,it was better for them to go gracefully.Even the cowardly submission of Jehoakinwas better than the presumptuousresistance of Zedekiah, especially whenhe had the direct warning from God tosubmit. It is wrong at all times to submit in a moral issue. We will soon studythe example of Daniel and others whofaced death rather than bow to idols.Yet in all other things they obeyed theking and won his favor.How quickly the King and his leaderscould change the moral character andoutlook of the nation! Yet there wasalways a minority, large or small, orperhaps at times a submerged majority,that in heart remained faithful. Thesefaithful ones, such as Daniel and hisfriends, and apparently they weremany, commended themselves andtheir God to those whom they had toserve. In all slave holding nations, asin America, there have been manyfriendlyrelations between slaves andmasters. Surely a slave is wise to seekfriendly relations with his master byfaithful service. Ebedmelech befriendedJeremiah, and had influence with theKing. He saved the life of the prophet,and won a lasting memorial. Zedekiah'sreckless disobedience brought terriblepunishment to himself, and much embarrassment to all the captives.many byYettheir faithful conduct wonrecognition both for themselves andtheir people.WhenJeremiah was released fromprison, the King sought a secret interview, and was advised how he mightstill save his life with some degree ofhonor. The King was impressed, kepthis promise to spare the prophet's life,but was afraid to reveal the message tohis officers, whom he feared.The Fall of Jerusalem. 2 Kings 24, 25Nebuchadnezzer was having troublewith other nations, and this gave Zedekiah time to work on a plot. He soughtto make allies of the nations around,and set them at war with Babylon. Inthis he seemed for a time to be successful. But his own treachery was met bythe treachery of his neighbors, so that,when it came to the time that he haddepended on help, it did not come. TheKing of Babylon sent three expeditionsinto Judah trying to hold the people infear and subjection. Jerusalem waspractically under siege for three years.When the hosts of Nebuchadnezzercame upon the city from the North, thehungrysoldiers with neither food normorale, fled towards the south-east, followed by the King, into a land so difficult that it was an easy trap wherethey were quickly overtaken. The writerof 2 Kings (25:7) packs into one versea story of most shocking cruelty. I wonder if the TV will teach us to enjoy formere entertainment such cruel spectacles as were enjoyed by the ladies ofRome, and later byother unculturedpeople. Are Christian parents studying the effect on their children, or justlearning themselves to enjoy a pleasingCOVENANTER WITNESS

was,"readers.". . . HeAlfredconsist."thrill from scenes of torture and murder.The Remnant That Was Left Behind2 Kings 25:11, 12Nebuchadnezzer first tried to hold arich vassel state. When he failed to subdue them he tried to weaken them bydeporting the strongest of them. Whenthey still would not submit, he carriedoff all but the poorest of the land. Thoseleft were probably the tenant farmers.He set them at taking care of the landfor him. To remove the incentive tomove into the cityand live in grandhouses, he burned the Temple, and allthe fine houses. Sennacherib left an inscription placing the captives at about200,000. Those left behind are estimatedat about 40,000. To provide more farmers, especially in Samaria,new settlerswere sent across from the East, whomingled with the Jewsand adoptedtheir religion with some changes, andformed a new nation, the Samaritans.The treasure carried away is described in some detail. Since the precious metals had already been taken,they had a heavier burden this time inthe semi-precious metals, even carvedwood and stone. There was little leftfrom which to profit, except the soil.The Treatment Accorded to JeremiahNebuchadnezzer, in spite of his cruelty, had a sense of justice. Perhaps heknew of the advice Jeremiah had givenZedekiah, and felt that his influence oneither the captives or those left behindwould be for peace and harmony. So heleft him free to go or stay. Jeremiahchose to stay: Against his advice theremnant fled to Egypt, and carriedJeremiah along, and he died there, probably at the hand of those he tried tohelp.Zedekiah was blind before his eyeswere put out.The temple may be burned, but theTruth will survive the fire.Bondage in Babylon may be betterthan a refuge in Egypt.PRAYER MEETING TOPICJuly 27, 195gRev. John O. Edgar"THE AMENS OF JESUS"("THE GREAT 'I AM' ")John 8:58Our meditation centers around an important doctrine which is known as the"Pre-existence ofChrist."In the 8thchapter of John we find Jesus discoursing with the Jews who were trying tofind some fault in Him. In the discussionJesus said, "Verily, verily, (Amen, amenJuly 6, 1955truly, truly) I say unto you, if a mankeep my saying, he shall never seedeath."(v. 51) The Jews argued thatAbraham and the prophets were dead,and that it wasn't possible that therecould be a greater than Abraham. Jesusthen told them, "Your father Abrahamrejoiced to see ....my day BeforeAbraham was I AM" (56-58).Jesus Claims of Pre-existencePerhaps no more astonishing wordsever fell from the lips of Jesus. He isstating that he was not a contemporaryof Abraham, but actually existed beforehim. There can be no mistake concerning this meaning, for the Greek is veryspecific in the words which are used.Godet writes, "To become is to passfrom nothingness to existence; I AMdesignates a mode of existence which isnot due to such a transition." He doesnot say "I was before Abraham" but,"Before Abraham was, I AM." The expression "I AM" speaks of the timelessnessof Christ, His co-existence with theFather and the Spirit from all eternity.Some of the critics had declared thatJesus was speaking in figurative language and that He is stating that Hewas present in the divine intelligencefrom the beginning. In other words,they were declaring that the presence ofJesus with the Father was impersonal.However, the Greek word for I (ego)is definitely personal, and could not beused to imply an impersonal being.Moreover, Jesus was comparing Himselfto Abraham who is a historical character.In John 17:5 we find another passagein which Christ teaches His pre-existence. "Glorify thou me with thine ownself with the glory which I had withthee before the world was."No doubtthere was a certain amount of glory associated with Christ even in His earthlystate, but when He refers to "glorywhich I had with Thee before the worldence.it can refer only to His pre-existThe Pre-exictence Revealed to MosesWhen God called Moses to lead thechildren of Israel he objected on thegrounds that Pharaoh and the childrenof Israel would challenge his authority.What could he answer them when theyasked the name of the God who hadsent him? God's answer is found inExodus 3:15, "I AM THAT I AM; I AMhath sent me unto you."All the fullness of the godhead isfound in these words. If anyone is competent to make the claim of SupremeDivinity it is Christ. The "I" of Christis the "I" of God. "He that hath seenme hath seen the Father."The Pre-existence Presented in theForm of WisdomIn John 1 :1,2 we read, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word waswith God and the Word was God. Thesame was in the beginningwithGod."When John speaks of the Word he is referring to Jesus Christ. This is madeclear in John 1:14, 15, "The Word wasmade flesh. .writes, "Thisterm Co logos) used by John withoutexplanation, is used as one bearing ameaning which was well known to hisHe further states, "The answer to this will be found by tracing thegradual personification of the Word, orWisdom of God, in the Old Testamentand Jewish writings. We find traces ofthis personification in the Book ofPsalms 33:4-6; 119:89, 105; Isaiah 55:10, 11; Job 28:12-28." John also usedthis term in The Revelation 19:13.Wherever John uses the term "Word"it is synonymous with "Wisdom" in theOld Testament. In either form, theterms are personal and refer to theLord Jesus Christ.One of the most remarkable passagesis the 8th chapter of Proverbs. Miss Eugenia Price in her book "The Burdenis Light (pages 67-69) relates how thispassage came to her at the time of herconversion in a hotel room in New YorkCity. Picking up the Gideon Bible thatwas in her room, she let it fall open toEzekiel and began to read. She wasthrilled by the word pictures and kepton reading. The next morning when herfriend Ellen Riley came to her room,Miss Price told of her discovery of Ezekiel. Tactfully, Miss Riley began toread from Proverbs 8 the passageabout "Wisdom." Miss Price's questionwas, "Who is the T that is spoken of,and who or what is 'Wisdom'?" Then itwas revealed to her that "Wisdom" wasnone other than Christ.The Pre-existence Revealed by PaulIn Philippians 2:5-8 Paul pictures theglory of Christ which He had with theFather before He came to earth in theform of human flesh. Also, in Colossians1:12-17 he writes of Christ and how wehave redemption in His blood. Then hestates, "By him were all things createdis before all things and by Himall things Certainlystatement could be found of this docno clearertrine than is found in these passages.With so large a subject as this we canbut cite a few of the many evidences. Ofthis we may indeed be sure: Christ, asthe second person of the Godhead hasexisted from all eternity. He was present at the creation of the world; Hegave up His glory that He might descend to earth in the form of man; He11

gave His life upon the cross to redeemmen; He ascended again into heaven;and He will come again to judge theearth.Suggested Psalms:86:1, 6-8, page 21072:1-4, page 17433:1-4, page 77148:1-3, page 357For additional references, read thosethat are given in connection with thecomments.Discussion1. Why is it important that we lookupon Christ as having existence beforeHis birth in Bethlehem?2. Why are "Wisdom"and"TheWord" appropriate terms to use in explaining the person of Christ?Prayer Suggestions1. For our C. Y. P. U. conferences.2. That young men will dedicate theirlives to the Christian ministry.3. For the temperance cause, andSynod's Temperance committee.W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor.Prayer Hour, 1:00 P.M. MondayA Thought For You:Clipping from a current salesmanship magazine:Human basis wants1. To get things for our own advantage2. To feel important3. To save money or add to our possessions4. To have a good reputation5. To have friends and social acceptance6. To protect our home and family7. To be personally safe and secure8. To be strong and healthy9. To get personal enjoyment10. To satisfy our tastes.. ... , ,.Mrs.A representative of merchandiseSELLS his WARES by convincing theters and cards have been written sinceour last general meeting.We have 95 societies with 1671 members. One new society, The Women'sGuild, San Diego, Cal., is reported thisyear. Associate membership has risenfrom 95 to 121a good sign. Averageattendance at regular meetings is 56%.For attendance honorable mentionshould be made ofStafford, Hetherton,Santa Ana's King's Daughters, BearRun-Mahoning, Connellsville, FirstBeaver Falls, and Wilkinsburg YoungPeople's with average attendance equalto membership. Portland and San Diegohave average attendance above totalmembership. Geneva's attendance equaled their membership. Attendance ofCambridge Missionary Guild lacks oneof equaling their membership.Overall average in standard of efficiency has been raised from 82 to 84%.Total receipts of $36,120.00 were$29.00 larger than last year. Total disbursements $32,637.00 $240.00 abovelast year.Boxes distributed9639 pounds. Balance in local treasuries this year $3,-854.00.Respectfully submittedMrs. M. W. DaughertyDonations to the HOMEMrs. Kaercher and familycake and ice cream.Rev. and Mrs. K. S. Edgarand ice cream.Birthday3 cakesMiss Margaret Stewart ice creamfor all on her birthday.U. S. Government 45 lb. cheese.Miss Elizabeth Beattie cherry pieand ice cream for all.Misses E. and M. McFarland1 pr.pillow cases, 1 blanket, 2 large knives,kitchen scissors, 1 pr. double sheets.Mrs. Sterrett,Mrs. R. M. Youngnuts.Cup cakes.3*2 dozen doughWm. Esler Donation Ch.customer this sale will fulfill her a WOMAN'S IMPRESSIONS OFWANTS.SYNODAs representatives of our Lord Jesus Packing to go happy anticipationChrist can we convince others of HIS beauty of the country sideTRUTH "Seek ye first the Kingdom of at last the green hills of "Penn's Woods"God and all these things shall be addedunto you"?friendly welcome from our hostessassignment to suite and unpackingreunion with loved ones hus"big family"band off to a meetingREPORT OF SYNODICAL CORRE- atmosphere of delegates and friendsSPONDING SECRETARY 1945-55buzz Jn lower haU before meal.(Briefed) times change in one's diningcom-We have taken care of the reportpanions at every meal.blanks also prepared directory and ma- Back in familiar old chapel Exterialfor the Minutes of Synod. Local change of greetings the gavel dropsand Presbyterial secretaries are to be spirited singing dignifiedcommended for promptness. Many let-12presence of the retiring Moderator ashe delivers his sermonair of anticipation as he calls for nominations forthe new moderator nominatingspeeches and secondsgrateful remembrance of one soon to be promotedto the Councils of Eternitythe esteem of his fellows for the new Moderatorwaythe efficient young clerks.The business of Synod gets underagementsencouragements and discourreports brought in, discussed, taken apart, put together again,"passed as aministers,speecheswhole"earnest youngsome makingtheir maidencoming and going of thoseon committees our missionariescalm and self-possessed under questioning the genial young fraternal delegate from the Christian ReformedChurchfair-playcussionsunsaid.the spirit of tolerance andobserved at most of the disa few remarks better leftThe fine calibre of the devotional exercisesings in McKee Hallthe women's prayer meetthe sanctity ofthe Sabbath Day the impressiveordination of our new missionary toJapan.Lynn Brown, the darlingwith a handshake for every onesister Cecile very proud of herof Synod,thebenediction of the presence and exampleof those long in His servicethe fineyoung people so careful of our comfortthe hospitality of the College staff.All over too soonhomeward trektraveling merciesbe there.goodbyes saidThankful forIt was good toLed By the Spirit To Do This LittleDeed?I had read this verse in the Bible."So shall my word be that goeth forthout of mymouth: it shall not returnunto me void but shall accomplish thatwhich I please, and it shall prosper inthe thing whereto I sent it." Is. 55:11.One day my niece was visiting with meand something she said made the truthof that verse sink deeply into my mind,with all the force that God meant forit to carry.So that's the way it works! When mynieces and nephews were small childrenand my budget was small too, I took afew nickels and bought some studymaterial from David C. Cook PublishingCo. Included was a booklet containingthe Ten Commandments, also a fewbooklets containing choice groups ofverses from the Bible. I gave these tomy brother's children.Some years later, when this niecewas a teen-ager, she was telling meabout the memory work theywere doing in their Sabbath School. Her teach-COVENANTER WITNESS

mater."government."youth."world."posthumously."er was using this same material I hadgiven them for studyclass.material for theI was almost stunned, when the truthof this verse sank deeply into my Soul."Myword shall not return unto mevoid but shall accomplish that which Iplease and it shall prosper in the thingwhereto I sent it." Is. 55:4"THE LIVING WORD IN JAPAN"New sound moving picture in color"The Living Word in Japan" is thetitle of a new sound moving picture incolor just released by the Visual Materials Department of the American BibleSociety. The film runs about twentyminutes.Against the background of the beautiful city of Tokyo, a colporteur of theBible Societymoves among the peopledistributing Scriptures. The busy streetsshowingJapanese in Western clothesand other Japanese adding local color tothe scene in their Oriental dress, givethe settingfor this picture that showsthe progress the Bible is making amongthe people of this highly literate nation.You travel with the Bible man on hisbicycle to the rural areas where, in hiswork among the farmer folk, he bringsto many their first knowledge of God'sWord.The voice of the narrator is heardover a subdued background of musicprovided byJapanese musicians whoplay the koto, a native stringed instrument. Occasional bits of conversation inJapanese add to the authenticity andinterest of the picture.This film is now available from theAmerican Bible Societycured on a free-loan basis.and can be seRADIO TALKS ON THE BIBLEAt the invitation of the MutualBroadcasting System, Dr. Francis C.Stifler of the American Bible Societywill present his regular summer serieson Station WOR for the four Sabbathsbeginning July 17, 24, 31 and August 7."Radio Chapel" will be heard each Sabbath morning 9:30 to 10:00 o'clock.Dr. Stifler has chosen for his topics :July 17 The Bible In the World SceneJuly 24 How The Bible Remakes MenJuly 31 How to Bring a RevivalAugust 7 Our Priceless Heritage TheBibleThe Christian prospers as he givesregularly. The Church prospers as theChristian is faithful. The Kingdom ofGod prospers as all Christians bringtheir tithes and offerings each Lord'sDay to His Church.July 6, 1955Temple Messenger.Church NewsGENEVA COLLEGEThe Rev. D. H. Elliott, pastor of theReformed Presbyterian church, Mars,Pa., was awarded the Life "G" by theGeneva College Alumni Association attheir Diamond Jubilee banquet June 4.The Life "G" is the highest award Geneva can give to its alumni. Rev. Elliottgraduated from the college in 1901. Besides the presentation to Rev. Elliott,the Alumni Association also honoredtwelve persons with Distinguished Service Awards for 1955.The Distinguished Service Awardswere presented to: James L. Bowers,class of 1948, "for the efficient and mostacceptable performance of his duties;for the high ambitions he has in hisheart for his Alma Mater; and the distinguished place in the sun that hecovets for her."John A. Butts,ard control division,manager of the standof the Westinghouse Electric corporation plant atBeaver, "for his work in coordinatingthe activities of Geneva College and theBeaver County Manufacturers Association."Paul C. Cross, class of 1928, executiveofficer of the chemistry department atthe University of Washington, "becauseof the service he has rendered to Geneva, to science, and to hisEdna M. George, class of 1929, formerly women's physical education director at the college, "for her accomplishments in women'sphysical educationand for her years of service and loyaltyto her almaL. Butler Hennon, class of 1933, principal and coach at Wampum Highschool, Wampum, Pa., "for his outstandingachievements as a coach and hiswonderful contributions toElizabeth D. Johnson, class of 1901,instructor in piano at the college, "forher unswerving devotion and loyalty toGeneva, and for her gracious andcharming friendliness."Julius A. Kempf, class of 1900, whorecentlyretired after almost forty-twoyears of service as Reformed Presbyterian missionary to China, "for the sacrifices he has made to carry the Wordof God throughout theW. Raymond Kerr, class of 1932,chief chemist of the Armstrong Corkcompany, "in recognition of his achievements in the field of chemistry."Ethel M. Lytle, class of 1932, "as a reward for her unselfish and untiringwork for the college in many endeavors,particularly as a member and secretaryof the Board of Trustees."Robert Park, retiring Dean of theCollege, "for his wonderful Christianservice to the college as a scholar,teacher, dean, and athletic coach."Dr. George P. Robb, -ex1923, one ofthe leading cardiologists in the country,"for his outstanding service in the fieldof medicine and his contributions to thescientific world."Dr. James Boyd Tweed, class of 1909,formerly head of the Bible department,"for his years of contribution to theclassroom and spiritual life of GenevaCollege, to be presentedHis son, the Rev. Robert B. Tweed,Beaver Falls, received the award.The Life "G" award to Dr. Elliott wasmade bythe Rev. Howard C. Emrick,president of the Alumni association.Rev. Emrick, class of 1929, presided atthe banquet. Rev. Elliott has been pastor of the Reformed Presbyterianchurch, Mars, for the past seven years,after serving 21 years as pastor of Central Pittsburgh Reformed Presbyterianchurch. He was named to the GenevaBoard of Trustees in 1923, and hasserved continuously for 32 years. Bornin Morning Sun, la., Dr. Elliott hasspent much of his life in Pennsylvania.Congressman Robert J. Corbett, representative from Pennsylvania, was thefeatured speaker at the affair.SYRACUSE, N. Y.On May 22, we were very happy tohave the Rev. Samuel Boyle as ourguest preacher. After our contact withhim and hearing his messages, our interest in our Japanese mission hasgrown.Dr. Remo I. Robb came to conductcommunion on May 29, with the Rev.Bruce Stewart, assisting him by preaching one evening and giving one tableaddress. Many of our people were absentbecause of the holiday, but those whowere present, were happy that theycould hear the helpful sermons,andagain commemorate the death of ourLord.Rev. Bruce Stewart preached for uson June 5. Since we had Children's Dayon that date, Mr. Stewart brought avery fine message to the children, withillustrations on the life of Jonah.Dr.Robert Park, retiring dean ofGeneva College, spent the week-end ofJune 5, with his brother, Mr. D. C. Park,havingcorns to attend the fiftiethre-13

er."union of his class in Syracuse University. Dr. Park was accompanied by hiswife.At the Commencement exercises onGeneva College, on June 7, Mr. David C.Park was given the honorary degree ofDoctor of Laws. Mr. Park is a memberof Geneva's Board of Trustees.Miss Margaret Crockett has been absent for five weeks, attending a dentalconvention in Sun Valley, Idaho, andvisiting friends and relatives in Los Angeles and Santa Ana, Calif.The latest addition to our congregation is a baby girl, named Jill PamelaWicks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. ParkeWicks, born May 18.Our High School graduates this yearare Lois Ramsay, David Park andCharles Straub. All three expect to enter Geneva College next fall.C. D. Murphy was our delegate toSynod. Mrs. Murphy accompanied himto Beaver Falls where they were guestsof Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Murphy.Miss Ruth Kelso, daughter of Mr.R. J. Kelso, was married on April 25at Miami, Florida to Mr. John Heaps ofBrownsville, Texas. After spending sometime in Syracuse, visiting her father,they left to make their home in Texas.NEW ALEXANDRIAAt the May Meeting of the Women'sMissionary Society, a handkerchiefshower was held for Miss Margaret Porter who is moving to Columbus, Pennsylvania.Congratulations to the graduates:Gerald Clawson, Nancy Smoker andMartha Jane Beaumarriage from the8th grade; Wilma Shaw from HighSchool and Margerylege.Poppe from ColThe C.Y.P.U. held a covered dish picnic at the church on Memorial Day.Approximately 40 members and friendswere in attendance.KENTUCKY MISSIONSince the Hemphills are moving toJohannesburg, Michigan, the Bibleteachers in Sandy Hook are moving tothe house which the Hemphills formerlyoccupied in Wrigley. Anymail for theKentucky Mission should now be addressed to Mrs. R. C. Adams or MissRuth Calderwood, Wrigley, Ky. Therewill be no one in Sandy Hook.We were at the Victory Bible Campin Frenchburg, June 13-17. Nine highschool age girls went with us. The Biblestudy this year was on the life of David.Our motto was, "Be strong in the Lord."There was a campfire the last eveningat which six of our girls lighted theircandles as witnesses for Christ.Pray for the future work here in Kentucky that we may be true witnesesfor Him.Mrs. R. C. AdamsGENEVA CONGREGATIONThe annual Congregational Meetingwas held in May, Wm. Garrett, Chairman of the congregation presiding. Twotrustees were elected, Mrs. J. B. Willsonand Dr. Leslie D. Fallon. Miss Adella Lawson was re-elected precenter andMrs. Lucille Henery and Mrs. StewartMcCready assistants.Merril Robb, chairman of the buildingcommittee, reported on plans to improvethe church sanctuaryand increase thenumber of Sabbath School rooms.A covered dish dinner was held priorto the meeting with Mrs. George Coleman, chairman of the dinner committee.We congratulate Erla Jean Willsonwho graduated with high honors fromGeneva this June. She received the Isabella Stewart Memorial award given tothe Senior whose character, scholarship,religious and social activities are inaccord with the ideals of the College,also the French Club award for theSenior making the most progressFrench during the year.We also congratulate Philip Gross,George Jackson, Paul Mathews, Wendell McBurney, Marion McFarland, Robert McFarland and Lauren Wolcott inthis year's graduating class who havebeen worshiping with us regularly during their four years at Geneva.Don Mullinix, a Junior at GenevaCollege, received the Bible Prize offeredby Dr. and Mrs. John Robertson McCartney for the best work in Bible.Our "Juniors" under the leadership ofMrs. Lucille Henery and Mrs. Erla Willsontook part in the Friday evening program for Synod.We welcome Dr. and Mrs. John Coleman back with us for the summer. Dr.Coleman preached for us Synod Sabbathwith Rev. Charles Sterrett giving thePsalm explanation and Rev. D. RayTaggart the closing prayer.Mr. and Mrs. Charles McBurney,Carol and Don have been visiting withRev. W. J. McBurney and the StewartMcCready family following Synod.Mr. and Mrs. John Madory, Estherand John of Lakewood, Colo., were recent visitors in our congregation.Mr. and Mrs. Fred George and family of Tarkio, Mo., have been visitingthe Fenton Farleys.Mrs. Beatrice Brown of the Rehobothcongregation isinspending the summerwith her son George and family.Billy Hemphill, son of Mr. and Mrs.Willard Hemphill and Lois and BoydHemphill, children of Mr. and Mrs.Wendell Hemphill,underwent tonsillectomies the first of June.Robert Young is improving followingsurgery in the Beaver Valley Hospital.Mrs. C. L. Fallon is a patient in theRochester Hospital for observation.Sabbath evening, June 19, the Juniors, C.Y.P.U. and Blue Banner Classunited in a special praise service conducted by Mr. Charles McBurney. Thetheme of the service was "The Psalmsand the Ten Commandments." Followingthis service, four young people who havebeen attending the Leadership TrainingSchool Robert McFarland, Scott Boyle,Cathy Murlis, and Sue Robb, gave theirpersonal testimonies.MRS. ELIZABETH MCBRIDEMCDONALDMrs. Elizabeth McBride McDonaldwas born February 14, 1855 in Ontario,Canada. Shortlyafterward her parentsmoved to Michigan where the childrenattended school and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Southfield.In 1881 she was united in marriage toClarence McDonald. They lived severalyears in Tuscola County and then movedto Oakland County where they lived onfarms near Birmingham until 1920 whenthey moved to Birmingham. They weremembers of the Southfield Church thesemany years. To this union were bornMalcom, Maude, Vernon and Clara. In1922 Mr. McDonald died.On February 14, 1955, she was honored on her 100th birthday by her fourchildren, 13 grandchildren and 25 greatgrandchildren besides a host of friends,old and new.In spite of the fact that she had beena semi-invalid many years, her mind remained clear and memory keen with herinterest in her church undiminished tothe very last days, and she took greatcomfort from the 23rd Psalm.She passed to her Heavenly Home onMarch 28, 1955 in the home of herdaughter Mrs. Clara E. Elsey.THREE KINDS OF GIVERSSome witty person once said: "Thereare three kinds of giverssponge, and the honeycomb."the flint, theTo get anything out of a flint youmust hammer it, and then you can getonly chips and sparks.To get water out of a sponge youmust squeeze it, and the more yousqueeze, the more you will get.But the honeycombwith its own sweetness.just overflowsSome people are stingy and hard;they give nothing away if they can helpit.Others are good-natured; they yield topressure, and the more they are pressed,the more they will give.A few delight in giving without beinsasked at all;and of these the Biblesays, "The Lord loveth a cheerful givThe Christian (London).14 COVENANTER WITNESS

Honorable Robert T.of South CarolinaAshmoreHonorable Eugene Silerof KentuckyHonorable James B.of CaliforniaUttThe three men whose pictures arebefore you are all outstanding Christiancongressmen. The first to tell me thathe would introduce the Bill was Congressman James D. Utt of California.Since others were also considering wedecided that maybe several could bepersuaded. A further reason for ourfeeling that more would helpwas the fact that seventeen had introour causeduced the resolution to place "underGod"in the "Pledge of Allegiance."Our thought, at first, was to get asmany as possible, and then have them allintroduce the Bill the same day. This,we found later, was not necessary. Theone who actually introduced the Billfirst was Congressman Eugene Siler ofKentucky who introduced it on Monday,May 21. He not only introduced the Billbut made the excellent statement whichyou have already read. CongressmanRobert T. Ashmore, of South Carolinawho took former Congressman JosephBryson's place, introduced next on Wednesday, May 25; and CongressmanJames B. Utt on Thursday, May 26.These bills are all in the Judiciary Committee and will be referred to some subcommittee. Since Mr. Ashmore is on theJudiciary Committee they will probablygo to the sub-committee of which he isa member.Two other Congressmen have shownme the Bill written upand preparedand will introduce at the first opportunity. Three others are still considering,and when I talked to them on June 16,they still had in mind to put the bill in,though the time is not as definite withthem.In the Senate we are still waiting. Wewill try to report from the SenateJuly 6, 1955later. We do have some excellent lettersfrom a number of Senators, and theseshould be followed up with continualcultivation.I have learned what peoplemeanwhen they talk about a strong Jewishblock in this country. It seems as if Imet Jewslike Jewsor at least people who lookedon almost everycorner inthe Senate and House Office Buildings,and they were usually by the threes andfours. Undoubtedly theyablyare lobbying.On the other hand, think how miserwe failed our Senators and Congressmen who introduced our bills forus. We got them to introduce our Bill,then we deserted them. Don't blame themwhen they failed to reintroduce our Bill.It was, and is, our own fault. We aremaking a start at rectifying this by preparing a "flyer" which will answer thethree main questions asked by the general public about this Christian amendment. This flyer we plan to place in thehands of these congressmen who introduced our Bill, and they can be sent outto any enquirer, along with a copy ofthe Bill. At the suggestion of SenatorRalph E. Flanders, who introduced ourBill in the last two congresses, this flyerwill be printed in the CongressionalRecord, and Mr. Flanders is putting itin the Record himself. You can secure acopy of this "Flyer" from any of theCongressmen who introduced the Bill, orfrom your own congressman. They willsecure one for you.It is a good plan to write to your owncongressman and ask him for a copy ofboth the "Bill" and the "Flyer." WhileI was in Congressman Ashmore's officeon June 16 a call came from anotheroffice asking for a copyof H. J. Res315,the Christian Amendment Resolution which he introduced May 25. Shortly a secretary came in, secured a copy,and took it back to mail out to someone in their territory who was askingfor it. None of the secretaries in Mr.Ashmore's office knew whose secretaryshe was, but the Bill was taken and sentto the enquirer. So write to your owncongressman,or senator and ask- forthese, but PLEASE WRITE THESEMEN WHO HAVE INTRODUCEDTHE BILL, and THANK THEM FORHAVING DONE IT. Address them:House Office Bldg., Wash. D. C.Something else you may have free, ifyou desire, is a copy of the "Hearing"that was held on May 17, '54. YourSenator will gladly send you one ofthose or write to JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, Senate Office Bldg., Wash.D. C. I was in the office of the JudiciaryCommittee and they said they had agood supply, and would gladly sendthem out, free.This trip to Washington has taught usa lot of things. It is my feeling that aperiodical visit should be made thereabout every two months. Someoneshould be appointed as contact man forthese men at Washington, and lettersshould be sent to them regularly, enquiring as to problems and the progressof the Bill. If any questions come tothese Congressmen which cannot beanswered by them, there should be someone to whom they could refer the question for answer. Letters and more letters should be going to every congressman and senator, urging his supportof the Christian Amendment Resolution.There should be a planned cultivationof Senators and Congressmen who will15

me."be most likely to oppose this legislation.This last is a suggestion of the Executive Assistant of one of our Senators.The greatest need of all is prayer. Yourprayers Were constantly felt while I wasin Washington. They will still be feltthere as you continue to pray. God hasopened many doors, and He will continue to open doors, as longin His will.as we areMy work is mostly out on the field,as you know. Our radio stations continue to hold up well, but there are otherplans which we have in mind for thisMovement as you will be hearing a littlelater. The Committee is working onthese plans now, and if they developthey will, we feel, have far-reaching results at the grass roots. Keep prayingthat the Lord will show the way andthat no mistakes will be made. It is areal joy to be in the vanguard of sucha worthy Movement, and to enter doorsas the Lord opens them before us.HE CALLED FOR A LIGHTHumanityneeds illumination. Menwalk in a dark world, and must havea flash-light, or at least a tallow dip,as they thread their uncertain way inthe dreary obscurity. Modern methodsit is true are for many turning nightinto day. But in the first century physical night was a serious problem, if nota benumbingexperience. In the Orientthings have generally stopped at sunset.Now and then have occurred criseswhen even a monarch might cry, "Mykingdom for a light!" Such a predicament happened to the jailer at Philippi,for when the earth-quake shook thewalls of the prison there was likewisean earthquake in his soul. "He called fora light, and sprang in, and came trembling,"falling down before Paul andSilas, in the attitude of a consciencestricken,humble, yet hopeful inquirer.When the jailer obeyed the counsel,"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," hefound hope, comfort, a motive for living, a help to living better, and an inspiration for the remainder of his career.In life there are frequent occasionswhen one needs to call for a light. Thisincident at Phillippi figuratively illustrates the proper policy of prudent menin a world full of difficulties of a practical sort, and as well of theoretical puzzles and bewilderments. In this age ofconfusion, the public is wistfully looking for illumination concerning thethings most worth while. The sad thingis that so many individuals, even somereputed very wise, are looking in thewrong place for a light.It is time that men came to call forthe light of the knowledge of the gloryof God in the face of Jesus Christ. Thesupreme need is for a light that leads tolife. It was no mere accident, much lessa mere verbal trick, which led the inspired apostle John to declare :was the light of men.""The lifeIt is the personal Jesus who becomes for humanitya Sun of righteousness, which quickenswill, emotions, and intellect into themost fruitful development. To call fora light, furthermore, is to assume theresponsibility of acting according tothe duty that the light reveals. To dothe doctrine is to know it; while he whomakes no difference in his living afterhe has had a vision of opportunity andof obligation abides in darkness. Let uscall for a light! Let us find that revelation in Christ, and our mission indoing His will! From "Zion's Herald.""MARY IS THE ANSWER TO ATOMAGE""Through Her Queenship We Confidently Look for Hope and Life"By Rev. Stanley J. Kusman, S. M.(Note: If you have the illusion thatRoman Catholicism is something betterthan raw paganism or idolatry, readthis excerpt from The Sunday Visitor,official Catholic paper of the FortWayne diocese. The head and subheadare exactlyas carried in The Visitorexcept that in that paper the head wasin bright blue ink. Editor, Free Methodits.)In this age of the atom, before wegive ourselves over to a fit of pessimismwe ought to think for a long time onjust how fortunate we really are. Thismuch is certain :No matter how totalthe destruction might be, we must console ourselves with this overpoweringconsideration: The condition of theworld will never again be as hopeless asit was once upon a time. We can allsave our souls! We can all get to heaven! There was a time on this tired oldworld when no one absolutely no onecould get to heaven. That was the dayof never-ending death, and that we cannow live forever we must thank theBlessed Mother of God. * * *The Sunday Visitor.A RESOLUTIONGeorge BurgerI will, like Paul, forget those thingswhich are behind, and press forward;like David, lift up mine eyes unto thehills from whence cometh my help; likeAbraham, trust implicitly in my God;like Enoch, walk in daily fellowship withmy heavenly Father; like Jehoshaphat,prepare my heart to seek God; likeAloses, choose rather to suffer than toenjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;like Daniel commune with my God at alltimes; like Job, be patient under all circumstances; like Caleb and Joshua, refuse to be discouraged because of superior numbers; like Joseph, turn myback to all seductive advances; like Gideon, advance even though my friends befew; like Aaron and Hur, uphold thehands of my spiritual leaders; likeIsaiah, consecrate myself to do God'swork; like Andrew, strive to lead mybrother into a closer walk with Christ;like John, lean upon the bosom of theMaster and imbibe of His Spirit; likeStephen, manifest aforgiving spirittoward all who seek my hurt; like Timothy, study the Word of God; like theheavenly host, proclaim the message ofpeace on earth and like my Lord Himself, overcome all earthly allurementsby refusing to succumb to their enticements.Realizing that I cannot hope toachieve these objectives by my ownstrength, I will rely upon Christ, for"I can do all things through Christwhich strengthenethMoody MonthlyDON'T STAY AWAY FROMCHURCHBecause you are poor. There is no admission charge.Because you are rich. We can help youcure that.Because it rains. You go to work in therain.Because it is hot. It's hot at your housetoo.Because it's cold. It's warm and friendlyinside.Because no one invited you. People goto the movies without being begged.Because we have an emotional religion.How about the ball game?Because you have little children. Whatif you didn't have them? We have awell supervised nursery.Because you don't like the preacher.He's human like you.Because your job makes you tired. Youmay lose your job.Because there are hyprocrites. You associate with them daily.Because you have company. They willadmire your loyalty. Bring themalong.Becauseour church standard is toohigh. Take a look at the Bible standard if you think ours is high.Selected.16COVENANTER WITNESS

place?"you"again?"LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 31, 1955WitnessVOLUME LV TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1955 NUMBER 2"Return untoby Edwin Raymond AndersonMeV")This is a rather "time-worn, rather thin" sortstreetcorner,under the light of the overhead street-lamp,of a story A man was standing upon aat his feet. Hisgazing intently upon the curbingbrow was knitted with anxiety, his eyes darting inevery direction along that edge of street. A sympathetic passer-by came up and queried softly, "Didyou lose something, my friend? Perhaps I can helpyou. . The man looked up with relief, "Thank youindeed. Yes, I lost a valuable tie-pin. .The passer-by was standing beside him now gazing along the curbing. "Just where did you lose it."To his surprise, the man turned and pointed abouta quarter of the distance down the street. "I lost itback there. I'm sure of it.""But . . but . he sputtered his surprise, "if.you lost it back there, why are you looking for it atthisTo which the other straightened himself slowlyand replied with dignity, "Because there is morelight over here!"As I said, that is rather old,and perhaps meantfor nothing more than a passing tale of jest. But Itrust there will be something new in it for you, andfor me, as we apply the matter to the spiritual realm.If something is lost, where would one seek the reat the place where the loss hasoc-covery? surelycured ! The matter becomes rather evident in the recall of those words of Spurgeon, "Look for Christwhere you lost Him, for He has not gone away. Didyou lose Christ by neglecting the Scriptures? Thenyou must find Him in the Scriptures. Have you lostChrist by restraining prayer ? Then it is there whereyou must seek and find Him."An old proverb, but very pertinent in this spiritual consideration is the one which speaketh on thisfashion, "Look for a thing where you dropped it; itis there." But better than a proverb of man is theword of the Lord which speaks with all the passionof His holy concern for our oft straying hearts and-ways "Return unto me and I will return unto you,saith the Lord of Hosts" (Mai. 3 :7). Return and recovery and restoration and recommissioning . . .these, beloved, are ever His desire toward us, thatthe life be one of harmony and holiness for Hispraise and for our spiritual profit.Have you lost out on Christ somewhere alongthe way? If so, you will be conscious of it under thepressure of the Holy Spirit. Where Christ has beenleft at some junction, the life will simply not be thesame, even though outwardly all things continueas they were. One will only be going through themotions, but without that meaning of the warmbreath of power from heaven. One may feel that thesetting up of substitutes may serve for satisfaction,but the emptiness of the whole business will becomereadily apparent. It is high time (Rom. 13:11) tocheck up on ourselves. If return and repentance bethe main requirements, then let us get back . . getback! . . to that junction, at whatever cost to selfand to the flesh. The Lord will be there with thewarmth of such welcome as only over-masteringgrace can extend. "Return unto Me and I will return. . . and this Gracious One will more thanuntomeet us half-way along the road.Sometime ago I ran across these lines:"The loss of friends is much,The loss of health is more :But the loss of Christ is such a lossrestore"That nothing canand while these words have often been appliedgospel-wise to the awakening of the unsaved, theysurely have a warning for sinners saved by grace,who perhaps for far too long have lost out on thebest of the Lord. Those losses shall be faced at theJudgment Seat with shame and burning regret. Farbetter to face them here and now, under the ministry of the Spirit, and recover such time as remainsfor us. Where have you lost out? You know the answer for yourself. But the answer will also raise thequestion, "Will you get back and take up(Continued on page 24)

morality,". . hathVineyard GleaningsWhen Nehemiah Artaxerxes asked for a leave of absence that he might visit his native land and the city ofhis father's alpulchres the king said, "How long will yoube gone and when will you Dr. F. E. Allen, return?"who hasfor years so faithfully written Glimpses Of The ReligiousWorld has asked for leave of absence for a time and recognizing his very faithful and efficient service that he hasgiven so graciously without remuneration, we are onlyasking the same question, "How long will you be gone andwhen will you In return?"the meantime adjustments arebeing made, the editor will have to carryon a similarcolumn under a new heading. It's first consignment willconcern the general assemblies of various denominations."Our information conveyed isgathered from their ownpress releases or publications and such other periodicals asthe UEA heading the Southern Baptistconvention."Following is a condensation from the Baptist record of Mississippi :SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTIONEditor's Note :So much comment has been made regarding Newsweek Magazine's write-up of the meeting ofthe Southern Baptist Convention that we are printing aportion of it this week. It is good sometimes to see whatothers think of us.In Los Angeles the 880 commissioners of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (Northern) were considering suchquestions as whether to admit womento the ministry(they are already elders). At Atlantic City, N. J. some 10,-000 delegates and visitors to the annual meeting of theAmerican Baptist convention (Northern) argued over onevery immediate matter, moving the convention's headquarters away from New York to the Midwest. In Boston some600 delegates attended meetings of the American Unitarianassociation, munching box lunches and listening to speecheson "Social Science and Pacificism," "Reason as a Basis forReligion," and the like.Miami Jam: In Miami, the real crush was on. Thefastest growing giant in American religious life, the Southern Baptist convention, descended on a citywhich pridesitself on its ability to handle the largest meetings withoutstrain. Some 15,000 "messengers" (as Baptist delegates arecalled), stood in the aisles and overflowed the balcony whilehundreds milled outside in the rain.Within the world Baptist group of 20,000,000 souls, theSouthern Baptists now number more than 8,000,000. Convention statistics casually note that two new Southern Baptist churches are now opened every day. From 1928 to 1952the increase of membership in the Roman Catholic church,for example, was an estimated 50 per cent. In the same period the Southern Baptists advanced more than 102 per cent.One out of every three Georgians is a Baptist, and oneout of every five Oklahomans. Their evangelical fervor hascarried the "Southern" convention into California, Washington, and Oregon. (Only the pleas of Canadian Baptistsdissuaded the Southerners from crossing the border.)Last year the denomination passed the 8,000,000 markin church membership, the 6,000,000 mark in Sabbath schoolenrollment, the 2,000,000 mark in Training Union enrollment, the $50,000,000 mark in mission gifts, and the $300,-000,000 mark in total gifts. The SBC also reported that itnow has property holdings valued at more than $1,000,000,-000 as compared with $276,000,000 10 years ago.There is no denying, either, that the fast growth of theSouthern Baptists is symptomatic of a fast-growingtenden-18cy in American religion to get back to Bible fundamentals,on the saving nature of a strong and simple Word. SouthernBaptist preachers never made the mistake of so many otherU. S. clergymen, who coated their religious message withso many overlays of psychology, sociology, and philosophythat their congregations lost the feeling of comfort altogether.Morality Crusade : At their current Miami meeting, themessengers had by no means forsworn their past insistenceon the fundamental faiths of the Bible. Each church is stillas independent as it ever was. Convention decisions are notbinding on member churches. Under their newly electedpresident, Dr. Casper C. Warren of First Baptist in Charlotte, N. C, the messengers voted a "crusade for Christianin stages: Personal moral regeneration this fall,justice and honesty in business and social relationships nextwinter, clean speech and sex behavior in the spring of 1956,morality in public life in the summer, and abstinence fromliquor that fall.FREE METHODIST CHURCH GENERAL CONFERENCEThe General Conference of the Free Methodist Churchmeeting in Winona Lake, Indiana, voted to continue negotiations on merger with the Wesleyan Methodist Church,provided the Wesleyans take similar action.Definite stand on race relations, labor and management,Communism, liquor, and United States-Canada relationswere expressed.Because "God .made of one blood all nations ofmen,"(Acts 17:26), the denomination declared the actionof the Supreme Court on May 17, to be in harmonywith theconstitutional guarantees of equal freedom to all citizens,and commended those pastors and laymen who have madean effort to combat racial discrimination."The requiring of a person to join or not join a unionas to the right to work is contrary to the concept of thefundamental principles of freedom of thisnation,"and thatboth organized labor and management should be required tolive up to contracts entered into with each other and shouldbe held financially responsible for any breach thereof, were(Continued on page 24)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough ita editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka. Kansaito promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writers cnot necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdsarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas, $3.00: Single Copies10 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansasunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.COVENANTER WITNESS

agent"Current EventsBy Prof. William H. Russell, Ph.D.STEEL RAISEAfter a strike of only twelve hours, the C. I. O. UnitedSteelworkers reached agreement with the six largest producers on a new wage contract. About 600,000 workers areaffected. Management offered an increase of ten cents anhour, but the union demanded twenty cents in order tokeep up with the gains of the auto workers. A compromisewas reached at an average increase of 15raises the average hourly wage to $2.13.cents, whichThe steel settlement will keep production booming, butit will also have an inflationary effect. Steel prices immediately rose, an average of $7.50 per ton. Automobileproduction takes 25 per cent of our steel, and prices maygo up on the 1956 models, if not sooner. In past years, everyincrease in steel wages and prices has been felt throughthe whole economy. Optimists point out that factory wageshave increased 71 per cent since 1946, while consumer pricesrose only 35 per cent. The difference is made up by increased productivity, and as longtrend we will all become richer.DEBT LIMIT EXTENDEDas we can maintain thisCongress has passed, and President Eisenhower signed,a bill continuing the national debt limit at $281 billion foranother year. The latest report on debt subject to the limitplaced it at $273.6 billion. But nearly half the governmsnt'srevenue comes from income taxes, and the treasury willhave to borrow several billion more in the next six monthsto maintain operations until income taxes begin to comein again.In 1933 our national debt was $16.8 billion. We havegone in the red every year since, except for 1947, 1948, and1951. For the fiscal year ending June 30, the debt increasedby about $4 billion. With business prospering, tax receipts,may be high enough to balance the budget this coming year,unless the politicians yield to temptation and cut taxes forthe 1956 elections.GOVERNMENT PAYThe President has also approved a payincrease formore than one million federal employees, retroactive toMarch 1. The average raise is 7.5 per cent, or about $325a year. It applies to 983,000 classified Civil Service workersother than postal employees, and to 90,000 others in agencies with separate pay systems. This is the first general payincrease since 1951. This session of Congress had alreadyraised the pay of postal workers, members of Congress andthe federal judiciary, and career members of the armedservices. The total cost of all the increases will be about oneand a quarter billion dollars a year.HOOVER PROJECTSThe second Hoover Commission has concluded its twoyearinvestigation into means of improving government operations. Mr. Hoover is now 81 and this may mark the endof his public career. Since February, the Commission'seighteen study groups have brought out reports with a total of 362 recommendations. However, the Administrationand Congress have been very slow to act on these. About70 per cent of the suggestions of the first Hoover Commission (1947-1949) were accepted. But the second grouphad broader scope, being allowed to consider questions ofpolicy as well as of efficiency in operations. It was alsomore partisan, being dominated by conservative Republiof its recommendations involve a reduction incans. Manygovernment services, especially in fields where private corporations might be able to make a profit. This philosophywas well shown in the final report, advocating the saleor lease of all government power projects to private firms.Such a plan has little chance of acceptance in the presentCongress.LATTIMORE FINALEThe government has finally dropped its perjury caseagainst Owen Lattimore, after tangled legal proceedingslasting since 1952. Lattimore was formerly a State Department consultant on Far Eastern affairs. The governmentcharged that he lied when he denied, before the Senate International Security subcommittee, that he was a Communist sympathizer or had promoted Communist interests.No charges of espionage were involved, though McCarthyonce smeared Lattimore as "the top Soviet espionagein this country. The government case virtually collapsed when Federal Judge Luther Youngdal threw out thekey counts in two indictments. He ruled that the charges ofCommunist sympathies and interests were too vague forany fair judicial verdict, and the Court of Appeals upheldhim. The government's case was unfortunate from the beginning, for it seemed to involve prosecution for a man'sopinions rather than his actions.TAFT MEMORIALIn the two years since the death of Senator Robert A.Taft, the greatness of his loss has become more apparentfrom the lack of good leadership among conservative Republicans. Last year, a group of Taft's friends set up aMemorial Foundation. Besides a program of college scholarships and an institute for research in government, theyalso have decided to sponsor a monument to Taft in Washington. The Foundation has offered to build the monumenton the north slope of Capitol Hill. The proposed design is amodernistic marble towar 100 feet high,with a carillon of 25bells. Public donations would pay the cost of about $1 million. Over Sixty Senators of both parties joined in sponsoring the enabling legislation.TOURIST AIDSTwelve Russian agricultural experts will be in this country from July 15 to August 20 for a tour of American farms.They will spend most of their time in Iowa, Nebraska, andMinnesota, but also will study fruit-growing in California,In addition, the government experimental farms at Beltsville,Md., will be opened to them. A similar group of Americans is going to Russia at about the same time.The State Department is taking some long-overdue stepsto make foreign travel easier. The passport division will bemodernized, in an effort to reduce the average time requiredfor securing a passport from four weeks to one. Visa regulations have also been eased, so that it will be easier forforeigners to enter this country. This is to be commended:-twenty-seven foreign countries require no visas from American tourists, yet we have compelled their citizens to submitto much red tape and delay in order to visit the U. S. Oneof the best ways to "sell" our wayforeigners see it in action.of life is to let moreJuly 13, 1955

;"Is Your SchoolOf course! you say. What Sabbath school doesn't?attended Sabbath school all their lives revealed an appallingmade significant strides forward in church-schooleducation,By Joseph M. HopkinsSABBATH-SCHOOL TRAINED COLLEGE STUDENTS DIDN'T KNOW THE ANSWERS(do you?)1. Which of the apostles was once a tax-collector?2. Who was the father of Joseph and his brethren?3. In which Bible book are the Ten Commandmentsfound?4. Which book of the Bible records the history ofthe early Christian church following the ascension of Jesus?5. Who was the famous wise man of the Old Testament?6. Name any one of the parables of Jesus.7. Who wrote 13 New Testament books?8. What is the first book of the New Testament?9. Complete the verse: "The fear of the Lord is10. Who betrayed Jesus?11. Who built the ark?12. What man was struck dead for lying to Peter?13. What is the last book of the Old Testament?14. Complete the verse: "Judge not, that yeMy experience as a teacher in the Bible department of a denominational college is leading me to believe that we have on our hands a generation of biblical illiterates. This is shocking of itself.But more shocking is the fact that most of theseilliterates have been regular attendants at Sabbathschool for the major part of their lives.It used to be that a self-effacing person wasdescribed as being "meek as Moses;" a man whowas said to "drivedrove his team of horses furiouslylike Jehu an unusually black night was pictured asbeing "dark as Egypt." These expressions have nomeaning for our generation. I frequently ask mycollege freshman Bible classes how many studentshave ever heard of these and other biblical comparisons and usually not a single hand is raised.At my school, Westminster College, a typicalchurch institution of the United Presbyterian denomination located in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, a Bible placement test was given to 281 incomingstudents last fall. Slightly more than half of thesestudents are from Presbyterian and United Presbyterian families, the balance being distributed among18 additional religious groups. Generally speaking,they may be considered typical products of ourAmerican Sabbath schools. Indeed, they may be con-20sidered above average, for students entering Westminster College must meet high academic requirements ; many are refused admission as poor academic risks.Of the 281 students who took the test, 79 percent failed to identify Matthew as the tax-collectorwho became a disciple; 74 per cent could not namethe father of Joseph and his brethren; 70 per centdid not know in which Bible book the Ten Commandments are found; 70 per cent could not name thebook which records the history of the early Christian church following the ascension of Jesus ; 65 percent failed to identify Solomon as the famous wiseman of the Old Testament; 60 per cent could notname a single parable of Jesus ; 51 per cent did notknow that it was Paul who wrote 13 New Testamentletters; 31 per cent were unable to name the firstbook in the New Testament ; and 23 per cent couldnot identify the man who betrayed Jesus.The most ominous thing about these figures isthat 175, or nearly two-thirds, of the 281 studentsreported that they had attended Sabbath school regularly since childhood. Many, in addition, had received training in religious education classes, DailyVacation Bible schools and parochial schools. Of the106 classified as "irregular" attendants, many notedthat they had attended Sabbath school regularly until high school. Only 12 of the 281 stated that theyhad never attended Sabbath school.Three students who had gone to Sabbath schoolall their lives did not know who built the ark. Among95 of the 175 "regulars" who missed the famouswise man of the Old Testament, two guessed Johnthe Baptist and Paul. Joseph had many fathers according to life-time Sabbath-school scholars: Abraham, Isaac, Benjamin, Moses, Joshua, Jesse, David,Isaiah, Barnabas, Paul.The list of guesses of Jesus' betrayer includesAbel, Thomas, Paul and "Judea." Jacob, DavidMatthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter and Timothywerecredited with contributing 13 letters to the NewTestament. The first book in the New Testamentwas given as Genesis (with various spellings), Mark,James and John. Twelve books other than Exodusand Deuteronomy were guessed to contain the TenCommandments. The book telling the history of theearly Christian churchfollowing the ascension ofJesus was designated as Exodus, Matthew, Luke,John, Romans and Corinthians.A rather humorous answer, considering its appropriateness, ascribed the history of the earlychurch to the book of "Revolutions"! One studentwho claimed to have attended Sabbath school fromhis youth up named Mary Magdalene as the sisterof Moses. Another said the man smitten dead forlying to Peter was Goliath. And others named as theCOVENANTER WITNESS

state"Teaching the BibleBut a recent survey of college students who hadignorance of the most rudimentary biblical facts. While we'vehave we at the same time neglected the real ABC's of religion?Used by permission of Christian Herald and the Authorlast book in the Old Testament Psalms, Acts, Romans.Such appalling ignorance of the most familiarBible stories and personalities on the part of youngpeople fresh out of our Sabbath schoolsnot the hitand-missSabbath-school scholars, but those whohave attended faithfully all their lives causes us towonder justifiably what goes on in our Sabbathschools? How can a person go to Sabbath school regularly for a period of 10 or 15 years and come outknowing as little about the Bible as these studentsapparently do? What are some of the reasons whythe majority of Sabbath-school pupils learn so littleabout the Bible?Bible Illiteracy Among TeachersOne reasonwhy children fail to gain Bibleknowledge in Sabbath school is that their teachersin many cases don't know much more than they do.Of the 61 students taking the placement testwho acknowledged having taught Sabbath school before coming to college, 39 were unable to name thebook which contains the history of the early church,36 didn't know the tax-collector disciple, 34 didn'tknow where to locate the Ten Commandments, 33couldn't name the father of Joseph, 32 didn't knowthe famous wise man of the Old Testament, 27couldn't name a single parable of Jesus, 19 didn'tknow the author of 13 New Testament letters, 7didn't know the first book in the New Testament, 7didn't know who betrayed Jesus.Is it any wonder that the pupils of teachers aspoorly equipped as some of these, learn little aboutthe Bible ? I do not mean to speak unkindlyor critically of those good folk who respond to the need forteachers in our Sabbath schools; in most cases it isnot their fault that they have been inadequately prepared for Bible teaching. Many excellent teachershave overcome meager childhood training by diligentpersonal study.Another reason for our biblical illiterates is thefact that many Sabbath-school teachers and pupils do not take their responsibilities seriously.Again and again students tell me in conference thatthey learned little or nothing in Sabbath school because the lesson time was wasted in talking aboutown Sabbath-anything but the lesson. One of myschool teachers, I well remember, occupied the classperiods with discussions of football, baseball, fishingand other topics of interest to teen-age boys. Onesession which was particularly illuminating was onein which he told us in vivid detail of a visit he hadmade to an unsavory district of a city in Mexico.That was the Sabbath-school lesson for the day!With such "teaching," is it any wonder that pupilsare not motivated to study their lessons at home andJuly 13, 1955come prepared in mind and spirit to appropriate thesacred truths ?Insufficient Time for TeachingThe fault does not of course lie entirely withteachers; many are excellently qualified and thoroughly dedicated. However, they are seriouslyhandicapped by lack of time. One hour a week isbrief enough time for Bible study. But many Sabbath schools are late getting started; undue timeis consumed by opening and closing "exercises" ; theritual of taking the roll and the offering and discussing class business takes additional time. When all issaid and done, the teacher is doing well to get in20 minutes on the lesson.Undoubtedly one reason why young people arenot learning very much about the Bible in Sabbathschools is that they for the most part are not offereda chronological approach. Seldom if ever do they receive instruction in the history of the Old Testamentand the New Testament. Most Sabbath-school classesemploy either "hop, skip and jump" lessons or topical courses of study which do not relate the people.events and passages of the Bible in their historicalsequence. Without such a perspective, it is not tremendously surprising to find a lifetime Sabbathschoolscholar who names Mary Magdalene as thesister of Moses, or Romans as the last book in theOld Testament.Our Secularized Public School CurriculaBut the Sabbath school is not alone to blame forthe Bible illiteracy of our generation. Two factorssharing this responsibility are closely related to ourpublic schools.The first is lack of religious instruction in oureducational setup. Public schools were launched incolonial America for the twofold purpose of trainingministers and teaching lay people to read so thatthey could study their Bibles. Even as late as theMcGuffey Reader period, the Bible constituted amajor source of the literature which was taught inthe public schools. But gradually, with the evolution of the "separation of church and theory,the Bible and other religious materials have beentaken out of the classroom. In order that no denomination should be given unfair advantage, all havebeen given unfair disadvantage. Whereas the intention of our forefathers was that the American people enjoy freedom of religion, not freedom from religion, the effect of their sincere efforts to safeguard every individual's right to worship God inhis own way has been, ironically, to encourage youthnot to worship God in anyway.The other day a student in Old Testament History asked me this question: "If the Jews were as21

school?"word?"stuff,"room."salvation."important in shaping world history as you say theywere, and as the Bible indicates, why weren't wetaught anything about them in 12 years of publicA fair question, and one which I am sureoccurred to many of us during our public schoolyears. For if Abraham, Moses, David and Christplayed major roles in human history, would you notexpect to find them at least mentioned in ancienthistory texts? What conclusion is more natural onthe part of the student than to assume that thesepeople and the stories about them are sheer mythand superstition? By omitting our great religiousheritage from the curriculum, the public schools areeither isn't trueconveying the idea that Christianityor that it isn't relevant. As Hocking has put it, theommission."public schools are teaching "atheism byThe Lost Art ofMemorizingThe second factor which must share the blamefor biblical illiteracy is lack of memorization as atool of learning. The so-called "progressive" philosophy of public education has discouraged memorizing.When I make my annual request of freshman Bibleclasses to memorize the Ten Commandments in theirentirety, invaraibly consternation is registered onthe faces before me and several hands shoot up asunbelieving students implore, "Do you mean all theverses, word for Apparently the idea ofmemorizing anything is entirely foreign to theirexperience.The departure from memory work in the publicschools not only has wrought havoc with grammarand spelling (I recently had a college junior spell theword mention "menchun"; a student spelled God,not once but several times in a test, "Good"), but ithas rendered virtually obsolete the practice of storing up Bible verses and passages in one's memory.As a consequence, young people todayare unacquainted with what should be, and used to be, themost familiar verses of Scripture. On Bible placement tests in past years we have set down the firstwords of several well-known Scripture verses, leaving the remainder of the sentences blank for thestudents to fill in. Most of them remain blank. Andwhen I ask students in class to complete such versesas "The fear of the Lord is ... and "Judge notthat ye . . . it is only on rare occasions that the silence is broken by the correct completion of the quotation. Yet I am told that it is not unusual for aMoslem lad of 10 or 12 in Egypt to be able to recitethe entire Koran (which is nearly as long as our NewTestament) from memory. Is the Koran more sacredto the Mohammedans than the Bible is to us Christians ? In raising this question, I am perfectly awarethat memorization can become a mere fetish. Butstill the question is relevant.Delinquency of ParentsNot to be overlooked as a factor contributing tothe dearth of Bible knowledge in our contemporarysociety is the absence of Bible instruction in theChristian home. Probably this absence is due in largepart to the operation of those factors previously discussed upon the parents themselves. Be that as itmay, the importance of religious instruction is notthereby lessened.In the words of the United Presbyterian covenant, Christian parents obligate themselves to trainup their children "in the nurture and admonition of22the Lord; to instruct them in regard to their lostcondition by nature, and to lead them to the Saviour;to pray with them and for them regularly.... andto use all the appointed means for theirWhat proportion of the millions of Christian parentswho take these or similar vows do you suppose, makean honest effort to live up to them ? One set of parents in ten, in fifty, in one hundred ?The story is told of a carpenter who had justunited with a Protestant church and was enjoined byhis pastor to establish a family altar in his home."Why, Reverend," replied the carpenter, "just youtell me how to make a family altar and I'll be glad tobuild one and set it in our living Many peopletoday don't even know what a family altar is, muchless do they know it through personal experience.The family which worships God as a unit, with Biblereading and prayer around the dining-room table orin the living room, is a rare article in America today.A popular excuse for not giving religious instruction to their children which is used by a number of parents is that they do not want to prejudicetheir young minds. But these same parents don'tseem to be concerned about prejudicing their children's minds when it comes to insisting that theyhave a well-balanced diet, that they go to the dentistattend public school.and the doctor, that theyDisobedience to GodUnderlying all the foregoing factors is one:apathy, indifference, failure to appreciate the factthat the Almighty Creator is through the Biblecommunicating Himself and His will to mankind. Forif this importance were realized, the Sabbath schools,the public schools, and the Christian homes of America would see to it that the divine Message is knownand understood by the young lives committed totheir instruction.In these latter days we have become callousedand deafened to the Gospel by much repetition.It's "old it doesn't get under our skin. It wasnot so in the early church. We need to recover thesense of urgency which was characteristic offirstcenturyChristianity, as typified by the church atBerea, where the Christians "received the word withall readiness of mind and searched the Scripturesdaily."The Psalmist's testimony is not often echoedby present-day Christians ; "Thy word have I hid inmy heart, that I might not sin against thee." Mostof us have shortened this verse to five words : : "Thyword have I hid." But this verse is more than a commendable testimony ; it suggests a divine instruction :that we hide the Word of God in our hearts so thatwe may draw upon it as we need it for inspiration,guidance and strength. It is time that we take thisimplied instruction more seriously, to the end thatwe may train up the new generation to know, cherish and obey the sacred message which omniscientGod has entrusted to our veryThe End"RETURN UNTO ME"careful stewardship.This is the crux and nothing will be spiritually correct and worthwhile unless and until this matter isclosed in with your opened heart pressed close to Hisprecious bleeding side. Now is the accepted time forrendering such return.COVENANTERWITNESS

people,"Christ Is Greater Than the Covenanter Church"If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father,and mother, and wife and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be mydisciple."Luke 14:26.These are stern words. Few of us today findthat fathers or mothers stand between us and theservice of Jesus Christ, but the principle that Jesusenunciates here still holds. We must always be willing to put Jesus Christ first in our lives, and all relationships in life must be governed by our desire toput Jesus Christ first.We will therefore hate that which might separateus from a wholehearted service of Jesus Christ.Sometimes we as Covenanters become overlyconcerned about our church. We would like it if ourpeople had a greater love for, and a greater devotionto it. However, I do not feel that we would be profited because our people loved the Covenanter Churchmore, we need to love Jesus Christ more and ourchurch less. The moment we stoop to chart our actions to that which would seem to further the interests of our church, we are in grave danger. Thereare those who out of their love for our church, tellus that the thing for us to do is to give up the principles that keep us small. Because Jesus Christ isgreater than our denomination or any denomination,the important thing, the only thing that matters, isthat Christ is honored by the work of my church.I.Because this is true I would like to ask severalquestions concerning our church. The first questionis this, Is the Covenanter church a tool that God canuse to His glory? In answer to that question we maysay that God can use all things to His glory, and thatis true ; but I am not satisfied with that kind of ananswer. That is not what Christ has a right to expect of the Covenanter Church ; He has a right to expect that we will be a tool sharp and polished readyfor His use.If we are to be a church that He can use, wemust not be pre-occupied with the best methods ofkeeping ourselves alive. The Covenanters of Scotlandwrote some glorious chapters of history, not because they were thinking about their church, but because they were being faithful to Jesus Christ. Theywere faithful when it seemed that the price of thatfaithfulness would be that their church would bedestroyed by persecution. What happened to them asa church was unimportant, but it was important thatthey should uphold the truth and not compromise.The glory of anychurch is not the bigness of achurch in numbers,nor its popularity in the eyes ofmen. There is only one way that we as a part of theChurch of Jesus Christ can be big and that is in consecration to the service of Jesus Christ. We aretempted to be ashamed of our church because it issmall in numbers but we need to remember thatthere are other ways that a church may be small ; itmay be small in vision, and in loyalty, and in courage, and that kind of smallness is something ofwhich we should rightfully be ashamed.It is very important that we as a church shouldbe a tool that God can use, and because this is truewe should objectively study our church and see thatJuly 13, 1955Rev. R. W. Caskeyshe is wholly consecrated to the glory of JesusChrist.II.The second question that I would like to askis, Are we doing the work of our Lord Jesus Christ?No church is unimportant nor small that is doingthat. The church should present to the world theclaims of Jesus Christ. In our own power we will notbe able to make the world accept them, but we shouldpresent them clearly enough that the world willknow that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a tremendousthing, enormous in its assertions and staggering inits implications.We are in danger of forgetting that the truthswhich we hold must be the truths of Jesus Christ.When we talk about distinctive principles we mustremember that the purpose of distinctive principlesis not to make us "a peculiar but to enableus to be truly loyal to Jesus Christ. We do not needprinciples that make us different from other denominations, but when following Christ means that wego where others are not going, we need not be afraidto be different.A few years ago I read in The Pulpit this characterization of our churches; I am afraid that it istoo true. "We no longer believe in a great God whoin His mighty power holds the issues of life anddeath and marches across history with iron shoes,destroying kingdoms and empires, overruling untilHis will be done. In His place we have set a littleold man who doesn't seem to care what happens orwhat we do, who only makes sporadic and ineffectualattempts to control us."We no longer believe in a great Christ, whofought the power of the devil right up to the cross,who burst the bonds of death to rise in mighty power, who formed a new humanity, who rules over akingdom that shall have no end; instead, we havea nice Jesus who said some lovely things and diedtragically, for having said them."We no longer believe in a great Church foundgiven the power to bind and loose,ed upon a rock,able to carry the battle against the very gates ofhell and overcome them, moving confidently towardits final and inevitable triumph. In its place we havea much more human church as comfortable as an oldshoe, we go to it when we want to, and stay homewhen we want to. Why not ? is it not our church andcan we not do with it as we please ?"Maybe we have become so preoccupied with theCovenanter Church and have loved it so much thatwe have forgotten that we are the Heraldsof a mighty God, the Ambassadors of a greatSaviour who sent us to make the way of Hissalvation known. The truths of Jesus Christwe are the Heralds of a mighty God, the Ambassadors of a great Saviour who sent us to make the wayof His salvation known. The truths of Jesus Christare the same no matter what happens to the Covenanter Church. We may fail to do what we should do,and God will find others to carry on the Truth. Inorder that that day shall not come, let us think notof ourselves as a church that has certain beliefs, but(Continued on page 25)23

would."oaths,"problem."needed."adults,""VINEYARD GLEANINGS" Cont'd from page 18also stated as views in harmonyteachings of the church.with the fundamentalThe denomination further expressed the belief that nosupporter of Marxian Communism can be a Christian. Support was pledged to all public officials and governmentaland educational agencies endeavoring to purge their departments of all persons who support the principles of Communism.The Free Methodist Church is of the conviction that"The united church could destroy the curse of civilization(liquor traffic) if itbelieve that Prohibition on the local,is the only logical solution of theStates the denomination, "Westate and national levelThe conference wrote to President Eisenhower commending him for his example of total abstinence and hiscourage in refusing to serve alcoholic beverages in theWhite House, as well as his practice of includinghis cabinet meetings.prayer inJake DeShazer, famed Doolittle Raider who returnedto Japan as a missionary, is now on his first furlough afterfive years in that country. He has been granted one yearof furlough by the Free Methodist Missionary Board underwhich he serves and he is now serving as official delegateto the general conference.The General Conference of the Free Methodist Churchmeeting in Winona Lake, Indiana, voted today to removerestrictions as to number and kind of musical instrumentsthat may be used in public worship services.Before 1943 musical instruments were not allowed inthe worship services of the denomination. Since then onlypiano or organ has been permitted.The specific action leaves the matter of the use of anyor all instruments to the decision of the local churches.WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH OF AMERICAIn an atmosphere tempered by early morning prayerservices and nights of prayer, the Wesleyan MethodistChurch in its 29th Quadrennial general conference todayreturned all its major leaders to office.Although the general conference discontinued the commission on merger, thus turning down the possibility of merger with the Free Methodist Church, they passed a resolutioncalling for close cooperation with the Free Methodists in(1) the exchange of conference and convention speakers;(2) Union evangelistic services,lishment of a seminary jointly operated.and (3) the possible estabPRESBYTERIAN CHURCH U.S.A. MEETINGAT LOS ANGELESCommissioners to the Assemblyvoted to approve theordination of women as ministers. They ignored the forebodings of some that this might lead to "cults and heresiesand otherwise weaken the denomination. The standing voteshowed a heavy majority favoringordination. The proposalwill now be submitted to the 256 presbyteries, a majority ofwhich must approve.Turning to world politics, prohibition of all weapons ofmass destruction, including hydrogen and atomic bombs,was urged by the Assembly.It affirmed the Church's support of the United Nationsand warned Presbyterians to be on their guard againstmalicious attacks on the world body.Turning to freedom and civil liberties, the 900 commissioners (delegates) warned churches to be vigilantrestrictions"concerning "cripplingon school teachers,"abuse of loyalty infringements on the rights ofminority groups, and "erosion of essential human rights bya narrow definition of patriotism and insistence upon conformity."24An overall budget of $25,769,649 for 1956 was approved.It is more than $1,700,000 higher than the 1955 budget. Ofthe total, $9,923,615 was allocated for national missions, $8,-551,567 for foreign missions, $3,792,252 for Christian education, $1,308,913 for pensions and $681,112 for theologicaleducation.The UNIITED PRESBYTERIAN assembly meets atMonmouth, IllinoisIn Church RelationsProbably the most important decision made at theassembly was to continue a committee on interchurch relations and to encourage it to explore the possibilities ofyet realizing union with the Northern Presbyterian Churchwhile not closing the door on negotiations with the SouthernChurch. There was no little debate on this matter and a sizeable minority expression and vote. The lively debate wasdistinguished by a fraternal spirit on both sides. No slightingwords slipped out, no incrimination of motives was made;there was no mistaking the fact that both elements werecontending for the truth of God, as each saw it, while preserving a wholesome forbearance in love. At the same time,there was never any doubt that the majority of this assembly were in favor of continuing negotiations especiallywith the Northern Church and were determined to haveaction to that effectand they had it.In Temperance PromotionA new department of the denomination was set up witha speed that amazed its proponents no less than its opponents. Having read the mimeographed statement of the caseand listened to the advocacy of it by those most experiencedin the work of temperance, the assemblycame to a quickconclusion to order the establishment of a Department ofTemperance and Social Education under the Board of Christian Education, that a director be employed to "serve in astaff capacity of that board," and that the work of thedepartment include "direction and guidance to an effectiveprogram of temperance and social education on a denominational basis for children, youth andwith theprogram "broadened to include other areas of our socialstructure in which education isROMAN CATHOLICS STATISTICS of membershipNEW YORK(RNS) Roman Catholics in the UnitedStates and its territories now number 32,575,702, an increase of 927,278 in the past year, according to the OfficialCatholic Directory for 1955 published here by P. J. Kenedy& Sons. Of this total, 172,370 were reported in Alaska andHawaii.The figure represents a ten-year increase of 8,612,031.There is now a Catholic population of 15,280,263 in 26 archdioceses and 17,295,439 in the 106 dioceses (including theVicariate of Alaska).,For the ninth straight year, the number of adult baptisms, or converts to Catholicism, topped the 100,000 mark.Converts numbered 137,310 in 1945, bringing the total inthe last decade to 1,160,054. During the year there also were1,161,304 infant baptisms, an increase of 35,469 over 1953.CHRISTIAN AMENDMENT AGAIN REACHESCONGRESSWASHINGTON, D. C A proposed amendment to theConstitution recognizing "the authority and law of JesusChrist"was introduced in the House by Rep. Eugene Siler(R.-Ky.).,A section of the measure provides that it is not to beinterpreted as establishing "any particular ecclesiastical organization"or in any way abridging the present guaranteesof freedom of religion, speech, the press, and peaceful assembly.COVENANTER WITNESS

nation."'Rep. Siler said it was his belief that many people "thinkthe greatest deficiency of our present Constitution lies in itsfailure specifically to recognize God Almighty and America'sdefinite position as a great Christianbe,""The Constitution is whatever the people decide it shallhe said, "and, since most of the American people areGod-fearing and Christ-following, the Constitution itselfshould make manifestation accordingly."LEST WE BE DISCOURAGEDWhen we read of the vast membership and the largebudgets of other denominations we ought not to feel that ourwork is insignificant and useless to the Lord. RememberChrist's words, "Fear not, little flock, it is the fathers goodpleasure to give you the Kingdom."CHRIST IS GREATER Cont'd, from page 23let us think of ourselves as people who have beengranted the high privilege of witnessing for vitaltruths of Christ which today have been forsaken,and press forward with our eyes fixed upon theChrist who will show us how to serve effectively inHis Glorious Kingdom.Lesson Helps for the Week of July 31, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor July 31, 1955Colossians Ch. 3, 4.Comments by Alvin W. Smith D.D.Psalms:45:1-4, page 116.133:1-3, page 330.Prayers:1. For understanding the mind of theSpirit as expressed by the apostle Paul.2. For the grace to give Christ thepre-eminence in all things and to findour completeness in Him.3. For the grace to live out the exhortations of chapters 3, 4.4. For all of the C.Y.P.U. Camps.A Suggested Meeting PlanAfter the opening psalm and prayer,suppose you number off 1 and 2 aroundthe group in attendance. Then all theONES sit together on one side, all ofthe TWOS on the other. Do this asquickly and quietly as possible. Afterthat read aloud chapters 3 and 4 as follows : the leader will read two verses,group ONE two verses in concert, likewise group TWO and so forth to the endof chapter 4. The rest will be in thenature of a quiz with the leader askingthe questions. If the person addressedmisses the answer to the question theleader will pass it to the next personon the other side until properly answered. Let the sponsor keep score.(The object is to stimulate interest, notjust to determine a winning side.)Questions in Review1. From what citywas this epistleprobably written?2. What two other letters were sentout at the same time?3. Who carried them to their destinations ?4. Where was Colosse located?5. Did Paul found this church? ifnot who probably did?6. Through whom had Paul receivedword of the conditions in this church?7. What good news of them cheeredPaul?July 13, 19558. What ill report gave Paul graveconcern for them?9. What three agencies did Paul employ to establish them in the faith?10. As stated in such verses as 1:18,19, 2:9, 10 what would you say is thetheme of this epistle?New Questions on Ch. 3, 4.(More than just Yes or No)11. If the Christian is in principlealready dead to sin, why is there needfor him to be on guard against sinningany more?12. What 'action' verbs serve as positive commands to us in 3:1-5.13. Wherein does God's wrath makesin something more than mere idle speculation? (treating sin with a detachedattitude.) 3:6.14. How had the Colossians lived before they became Christians 3:5, 8.See for comparison 1 Cor. 6 :9-ll.15. What vices belonging to the former way of livingare to be 'put off?16. What graces or virtues of the newman are to be 'put on'?17. Does psalmody play as prominenta part in our thinking as it evidentlydid in the early churches of the N.T.times ?18. What reciprocity is called for inthe three relationships :husbands andwives, parents and children, mastersand servants?19. How would this cure brokenhomes, delinquency (adult and juvenile),industrial strife?20. In ch. 4, what did Paul requestfor himself on the part of the Colossians?21. Who was Onesimus and where didhe fit into the relationshipand slave?of master22. Who was Marcus and what rifthad he once caused between Paul andBarnabas?23. What loving designation is madeof Luke? Where and when had hejoined Paul's party?24. What contributions did he maketo Christianity?25. For what other church was thissame epistle meant also?26. What sign is here of genuine Pauline authorship?Memory VersesReview: ch. 1:17-19, 2:6.Learn ch. 3:1, 4:2.For InformationThe following is offered for some understanding of the teachings containedin chapters 3 and 4. Previously in thefirst two chapters, the apostle has appealed to their experience as believers'in Christ and has set forth the supremacy and completeness of Christ to meettheir every need. He has put his fingerupon the false teachings which someof them appeared to have already accepted and has sounded warningsagainst the dangers inherent in thoseteachings.Appeal For the Higher Life 3:1-113:1-11This appeal is made upon the basis oftheir union with Christa. In death unto sin.b. In beingeousness.raised unto life and rightTherefore seek those things which areabove, where Christ sitteth. Set youraffections there, not on earthly things.There is to be a future manifestation inglory of our life in Him, now, for thepresent, hidden. Compare with the sameappeals in Rom. 6:1-13 and Eph. 2:1-6.This Calls for Separation, From Sin . . .And the Positive Putting On of HoUnessGarments of Holiness 3:12-17.Compare this with the companionpassage in Eph. 4:21-32.Reciprocity in Domestic Life 3:18-4:13:18-4:1The apostle treats the threefold relationship within the household: a. husband and wife, b. parent and child, c.master and slave. "If by modern standards Paul seems tc fail to treat thewife on an equality with her husband,two facts must be borne in mind. Insome of the churches of the time there25

was a clear tendency for the women toneglect their household duties and toseek an unnatural emancipation. Alsothe general attitude in Paul's day wasto assume that all the rights wereman's. THE REALLY SIGNIFICANTTHING HERE IS THAT THE APOSTLE INSISTS THAT THERE SHALLBE OBLIGATIONS ON BOTH SIDES."Exhortations, Commendations andClosing Salutations 4:2-18.Here in human relationships, individual and personal, Paul is seen at hisbest. What an honor for any and all ofthese who have been included and described. And to make it bona fide andpersonal the apostle with chained handsigned his autograph, 'the hand of mePaul.'What must have been the prayerful interest of that group as the apostle handed the epistle to Tychicus thefaithful messenger, who with Onesimushastened to begin the voyage to Ephesus and inland to Phrygia to the waitingfriends in Colosse.JUNIOR TOPICJuly 31, 1955Mrs. Norman F. Spear, Walton, N. Y.ROCK OF AGESScripture Numbers 20:1-13.Memory Verse"My God shall supplyall your need, according to His richesin glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19.References: Ex. 17:6; Ps. 39:1; James1:19,20; I Cor. 10:1-4; Deut. 32:4;John 4:13,14; Deut. 8:2.Psalms:Memory Psalm 44; 1-4, page 112Psalm 18:1-3, page 30Psalm 81:5,7,8, page 200Psalm 23:1,4,5, page 52.Here in New York state, we have lotsof rocks of all sizes and shapes. Thefarmers don't like them when they go toplow a field. They have to go around thebig ones and then when they get readyto sow the seed, they have to pick alot of small ones and draw them off beside the field. Every time theyplow thefield, there will be more stones to pick.When the first settlers came here andcleared the land, theyused the stonesto make fences. We have lots of stonewalls on the farms here. Very often youcan find a spring of cold water under abig rock in the pasture.Moses found some rocks when he ledthe children of Israel in the wilderness.In our Scripture lesson for today, wehave one instance where God providedwater for the people to drink out of arock. This story happened near the endof their journey in the wilderness. Backin Exodus 17, we read about anotherrock, Horeb, where God gave them water. That was just at the beginnnig oftheir long journey.26Many times the children ofIsraelcomplained to Moses about leading themout of Egypt to die of hunger or thirst.They kept forgetting how God had beenso mindful of all their needs. Yet inspite of their many sins, God alwaysturned to them when they called toHim when they were in distress.Moses and Aaron, his brother, wentbefore the Lord to find out what theyshould do to provide water for them andtheir cattle. Notice what God told themto do, verse 8. Moses showed here thathe was getting short tempered afterdealing with these ungrateful people forforty years. We can hardly blame him,but he disobeyed God. He didn'tspeak to the rock as God commandedbut he called the people "rebels" andspoke as if he and Aaron had the powerto make water come out of the rock.Then he took his rod and struck therock twice and water came out in a bigstream. So there was plenty of waterfor all the people and their cattle, too.So we see that God gave the blessingin spite of Moses' disobedience and dishonoring of God. But Moses and Aaronwere punished for their sins. God toldthem that because they did not believeHim and because they did not sanctify Him before the people, they wouldnot be allowed to lead the people intothe land that God had given them.The children of Israel were tested inthe wilderness. God was humbling,proving and testing them. The story oftheir testing and failure was written forour benefit. All the people knew thecare and provision of God after He hadbrought them from Egypt. Morning after morning, theygathered the mannafor food; time after whentime, theywere thirsty, they and their cattledrank from streams in the desert.But the manna and the water werenot mere physical blessings. When thepeople gathered their food, they knewit was the gift of God. When theydrank of the stream out of the rock,theyrealized this was no common water.God was giving them food and drink;through His provision, He wanted todraw them closer to Him.In First Corinthians 10:4 it says thatChrist was the Rock that went withthem and provided continually for them.Our Saviour Jesus Christ not only allows us to material enjoy blessings,such as food and drink, but He hasmade a wonderful provision for ourspiritual needs. He can bring us into aclose fellowship with God our Father,He forgives us when we sin against Himand enables us to obey God's commandments, He helps us to meet and overcome temptations.You know, when a mountain climberprepares to climb a mountain, he takesropes, ax, climbing irons and many other safety devices to help him keep asure footingon slippery places. He isanxious to meet the dangers of the waysuccessfully. God has His safety devicesfor us, too. Morningprayer is a finepreparation for meeting the tests of theday. We need to read the Bible whereGod speaks to us and gives us the answers to manyproblems. At night wemust thank God for caringfor usthrough the day and giving us food anddrink, clothing, houses to live in andfriends to love.Keep prepared! Keepyour Bible handy; keep the prayer line open; don't letup for a single day in your watchfulness.Christ is our Rock. We can depend on Him. He bore our sins on Calvary. We can find comfort in Him. Hesupplies every need.Questionslife?1. What should be our chief aim in2. How many years were the childrenof Israel in the wilderness?3. What relation was Moses to Aaron?4. What did God tell Moses and Aaronto do to bring5. What did they do?water out of the rock?6. How were they punished?For your note-book:Can you draw a picture of a largerock with a stream of water flowingfrom the top of it?Also draw Moses beside it with a rodin his hand.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONJuly 31, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on international Sunday SchoolLessons; the International Bible Lessons foiChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Religious Education.)THE PEOPLE LEFT IN JUDAH2 Kings 25:10-12; Jeremiah 40-44Printed Text, 2 Kings 25:10-12; Jer.40:2,4,6; 42:lb,2,5-7,10,19; 43:2,4,7;44:15-18,23.We are told in Jeremiah 42 how thepeople came to Jeremiah with promisesto obeywhat God would command.Then in the very same chapter we seethem coming, under an upstart leader,and denying their own pledge in disobedience of God's command. In the following chapter we read that they openly denied God, and asserted their preference for the Queen of Heaven. Evidently there is the thought there thatWomanhood is more loving and indulgent than Manhood. Mrs. Eddy revisedthe Lord's Prayer to begin, "Our Fatherand Mother." The Roman CatholicChurch is emphasizing more and morethe worship of Mary, on the claim thatthe Mother is more easily approachedCOVENANTER WITNESS

uge."serve."peace,"you?"vain?"wife."and more sympathetic than the Son.Christ settled that question plainly anddecidedly in one short statement: "InHeaven, there is neither male nor female."The different qualities in sex arehuman limitations. They do not in anywaypower.limit or define God's nature orThese quick changes in the nation'scharacter were partly in the people, andpartly in their leaders. Obedience to ausurper when he is actually in power, isnot always an evidence of cowardice.Under God's direction, the prophet advised submission to the rule of Babylon.It was presumption to disobey God, andstrive against this conquering power.Nebuchadnezzar's Treatment of HisThis KingCaptives.of Babylon carried on hiswars without mercy and was very crueltowards those who would not submitwhen conquered. But to those who submitted gracefully,and were not treacherous, he showed kindness. He treatedJeremiah with every courtesy, allowinghim his freedom to go with the captives, or stay at home. He appointedGedaliah, a good man and a descendantof David, as governor of those left behind. In several coming lessons we willsee his kind treatment of the captiveswho were trustworthy in Babylon. Whenthey sat by the riverside their weepingwas not for lack of kindness shown bytheir captors. It was through kindnessthat they were allowed this holidayfrom labor when they could gather in apleasant place to enjoy the day freelyas they chose. We will see next weekthe King's fury and cruelty towardsthose who would not obey him, and alsohis quick acknowledgment of the power of God when it was demonstrated tohim.He showed favor to those whoproved obedient and trustworthy.We are scarcelyyet in a position tobecome eloquent over the monstrouscruelties of slavery. The cruelties andsufferings of the captive Jews, and oftheir being marched across the desertdid not exceed the sufferings ofour American slaves in their captureand their transportation across theocean in the stinking holds of slow vessels where a large proportion of themdied in the journey because of theirfilthyquarters. And this traffic wascarried on by the people of the North.The most bitter enemies of Phillips andGarrison were their fellow churchmenin the North. The best friends thoseslaves had after theywere trapped inAfrica were the Southerners whobought them as slaves and treated themas kindlyas our fathers treated theirworkhorses. It is not good for our ownsouls to look only at the sins of others.July 13, 1955Compromise and Crisis.When Azariah charged the prophetwith speaking falsely, he knew that hehimself was lying. That also is a form ofsin that has not yet disappeared. Thosewho listened to the recent Congressional hearing by TV heard frequent charges that witnesses were lying and knewit. Old Testament historymodern.sounds quiteVerses 17 and 18 sound much like thecampaign to annul the Prohibition A-mendment. Those who wanted the liquor, and those who wanted the moneythey could get through the traffic andthose who wanted to corrupt public morals used the same false arguments. Theyinsisted that we had prospered underopen drinking and that Prohibition hadbrought on all the lawlessness and poverty and vice that the nation had suffered. The same crowd boasted centuries ago, "We have made lies our refGuardians of the Home and CountryJer. 44:15We offer no comparison between themoral influence of men and women.There are good men and good women.Theyeach need the support of theothers. Perhaps until this time thewomen of Judah had maintained a measure of faithfulness that acted as ananchor to hold or a magnet to retrievethe men who were lacking in faith. It issignificant that now the womenarenamed as having followed falsehood inthe sight of their husbands. There isground for hope when women keepclean. But now that they have begun tosmoke and drink, is there any hope formen? Yes. I heard a man say that whenhe saw women drinking and smoking,he became so disgusted that he quit.Men who drink may laugh at a drunkman. I saw a drunk woman playing thefool before a gang of railroad paddies,all of whom drank, they did not laugh.When men fall so low that they canlook with complacence on the vices oftheir women, and join them in idolatry,well, even the remnant of Judah wasinviting disaster, and it came.The Queen of Heaven, the Spirit ofJoy, the Giver of Gifts, the Children'sFriend, the Queen of Heaven says, "GetPleasure. Don't disappoint the Children."Jesussaid, "It is written, Thoushalt worship the Lord thy God, andHim only shalt thouNebuchadnezzer expressed strong belief in Jehovah. He had many elementsof human greatness. He worshiped animage of his own making. He was oneof the world's greatest builders. Heboasted of it. He was one of the world'sgreatest failures.Psalms42:1-4,PRAYER MEETING TOPICAugust 3, 1955James 4:1-5M. K. Carson, D.D.page 10781:1-4, page 199103:11-15, page 244105 :7-10, page 257References are found in the comments.What a contrast there isbetweenJames 3:18, "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that makeour lesson for last month, andthe first verses in the fourth chapter,"From whence come wars and fightingsamong What connection is therebetween these two consecutive verses?And why do wars and fightings come?Are they not the result of the wrongkind of wisdom, the wisdom that is"earthly sensual, devilish"? Such wisdom does not make for peace. This inordinate desire for the things of thisworld and the frustrations which followare the conditions of war, strife andjealousiesnot the conditions of peace.Christ said, "Come unto Megive you rest"I will(Matt. 11:28-30). Fulfillthe conditions and there will be peace.According to James, the wrong methods are also used. Men kill and fightbut they do not pray. And if they dopray they ask amiss. As a result envyings,wars, fightings, killings, selfishness, spiritual adulteryand jealousiesare rife. Are these the same people towhom James wrote, "My brethren,count it all joy when ye fall into diverstemptations?"The neglect ofprayerleads men to use other means, such asforce, or if they do use prayer, theyask in the wrong way. Are our prayersself-centered, concerned only with thegratification of our desires? Does thisaccount for our failures in prayer? "Youask with the lips and receive no answerbecause you do not ask with the heart."Is there any escape from such conditions? According to James, Scripturehas an answer. "Do you think the Scripture saith in James is stating, Ithink, the general sense of Scripture.He is not referring, perhaps, to any oneverse. There are manyScripture against worldlinesswarnings inand itstragic consequences and these warningsare not "vain" or "empty," for all Scripture is inspired of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17).Our hope, then, according to James isfound in the teaching of Scripture. Inthe Word, we find that God regards Hispeople as being so peculiarly His thatHe has the same claim upon their "undivided affections and loyalty that a lovingand devoted husband has upon theaffections and loyalty of hisIn our Authorized Version the word27

"spirit"masters"envy."people."in verse 5 is not capitalized,suggesting that it is the human spirit.But in the Revised Version (1901) wehave this footnote, "That Spirit" namely the Holy Spirit, "which He made todwell in us yearneth for us even untojealousThis interpretation wasaccepted by Dr. B. B. Warfield and others. It is not conceivable that it shouldbe man's own spirit that would bemoved to jealous envy. Our hope is netin ourselves, but in the Holy Spiritwhom God has given to us. The Spiritdwells in His peopleand yearns forthem even unto jealous envy. TheHoly Spirit cannot be satisfied with adivided loyalty. "No man can serve two(Matthew 6:24).In explanation of this interpretation,Dr. Warfield says, "We have no difficulty in recalling numerous Old Testament passages in which the Lord hasbeen pleased graciously to express Hislove for His people under the figure ofthe love of a husband for his chosenbride; or in which He has pleased tomake vivid to us His sense of the injurydone to His love by the unfaithfulnessof His people, by attributing to Himself the burning jealousy of a lovinghusband toward the tenderly cherishedwife who has wandered from the pathof fidelity The Christian is thebride of God. And therefore any commerce with the world is unfaithfulness.There is not room in this relation fortwo loves. To love the world in any degree is a breach of our vows to our onehusband, God. Hence the exclamation of"Adulteress!"which springs toJames'Him even after we have entered intocovenant with Him. What is the meaning of this word, "world"? Alford defines it as the world of men and men'sinterests, ambitions and employments inso far as they are without God."little fuller explanation is given byPhilip Mauro. The world is "that greatinstitution which offers to supply everyneed of man and every satisfactionwhich his heart demands, the worldwith its religions and ethical systems,its remedies for sin and sickness, its artand music and literature, its educationand sciences, its entertainments andamusements, etc. . . . and at the endperhaps a funeral oration and polishedshaft; but after this the Judgment."It is God and not the world that supplies all our needs. James 1 :17. AndGod has made provision for all ourneeds, including of course, our need ofHis Fellowship. Phil. 4:19. The HolySpirit dwells in us, yearning over useven with jealous envy when we are untrue or unfaithful to our covenant vows.This is the great message of the prophecy of Hosea with its cry, "How shallI give thee up, Ephraim? How shall Ideliver thee, Israel? Hosea 11:8; Jeremiah 3:20; 31:32; Ezekiel 23:23; Matt.12 :38-39.ABut even after all this warning, Israel followed after other gods and as aresult suffered years of captivity. Howimportant the First Commandment is!How often it is broken! Even today it isbroken in many ways, perhaps moreoften bycovetousness which is idolatry. Without a doubt, the inordinatelove of money is one of the causes ofwars and fightings, strife and jealousies.God has given to us the Holy Spirit todwell in our hearts and to acquire thesame love for God on our part whichGod bears toward us. In his farewelladdress, Moses said, "O that there weresuch an heart in them, that they wouldfear me,and keep all my commandments always, that it might be wellwith them and with their children forever"(Deut. 5:29). The Lord give ussuch a heart. "Love not the world ... ifany man love the world, the love of theFather is not in him."Questions:1. What does it mean to grieve theHoly Spirit? Eph. 4:32.2. How can we quench the Holy Spirit? I Thess. 5:19.Prayer:1. That we may be given grace andstrength to follow the Lord wholly.2. For our C.Y.P.U. Conferences.Church Newslips when he thinks of Christians lovingthe world. Hence his indignant outcry,"Know ye not that love of the worldis enmity with God? and his sweepingexplanation, "whosoever, therefore, hasit in his mind to be a lover of the worldis thereby constituted an enemy ofGod"(Rom. 8:26).But this message concerning the intensity of God's love is no new message.Moses said, "For Thou shalt worship noother god; for the Lord, whose Name isJealous, is a jealous God" (Exodus 24:14). The Second Commandment statesthis same truth, "for I the Lord thyGod am a jealous God" (Exodus 20:5;Deut. 4:24; Josh. 24:19). This intensityexpressed by this word "lust," better expressed by the word "long" is verystrong. In Psalm 42, this same thoughtis expressed by the word, "panteth." "Asthe hart panteth after the water brooks,so God panteth after His Howpassionately He longs for His people tofollow Him wholly (Deut. 1:36; Joshua14:8).In this world there is a great conflict. The world is continually drawingus, enticing us, tempting us to forsake28BARNET, VERMONTRev. R. H. McKelvy of Lochiel, Canada, assisted our pastor at the springcommunion. We were happy to haveMrs. McKelvy with us also. During herstay she addressed the local W.C.T.U.telling of the temperance work she isdoing in both the public and parochialschools of Ontario. She also gave an effective flannelgraph talk for the children of the community.Those from Barnet attending the NewYork Presbyterial held inCambridgewere Mrs. Paul Wilson who served asPresident of the Presbyterial, Mrs. Wilfred Wilson, Mrs. Ellsworth Shields,and Miss Agnes McLam.On his return tripfrom Synod ourpastor was accompanied by his fatherand mother, Mr. and Mrs. J. WalkerWilson of the College Hill Congregationwho plan to spend some time at theparsonage. We welcome them to thefellowshipof the church. Master Harvey Hutcheson, son of Rev. and Mrs.T. R. Hutcheson of Rose Point, was alsoa passenger coming for a visit at thehome of his grandfather, Mr. MilliganMcLam.The Daily Vacation Bible School willbe held the latter part of June withRev. and Mrs. Paul Wilson and MissWinifred McLam as teachers.ALMONTE NOTESRev. F. F. Reade and Prof. W. R.White attended Synod and brought homegood reports. Mrs. Reade visited atWhite Lake, N. Y., at her daughter's,Mrs. T. Wilson.Mr. and Mrs. Isaac McKee attendedgraduation exercises at Geneva andwere present at Synod for a short timewhere they enjoyed reviewing friendships.Miss Oreta Everett has been ill in anOttawa Hospital but her many friendsrejoice to know she is steadily improving now. She will spend some time atthe Alex Burns home recuperating.Mrs. Alan Burns was hostess at anevening meetingof the W.M.S. in Maywhich was well attended, several visitors also being present. Mrs. W. J.Burns was hostess in June with 25 present.Miss Blanche McCrea, of our CyprusMission, paid a short visit to the Almonte(Continued on page 32)COVENANTER WITNESS

Reformed Presbyterian Woman's AssociationThe Treasurer of the Reformed Presbyterian Woman's Association, Mrs.Mary Coleman George, Forest Road,Bradford Woods, Pa., wishes to express,on behalf of the Board of Directors, ourgratitude to the Heavenly Father and toyou, His covenant-keeping people, forthe generous gifts which have come tous for our dear family at the Home.We have decided not to go to the expense of printing an Annual Report thisyear, because we deem it advisable touse the money usually spent in that wayfor a brochure which will reach yousoon setting forth our needs and ourplans for an addition to our building.We are very appreciative of the spacewhich is being given us in the Covenanter Witness to publish the names of theAssociation members who have paid theannual dues of one dollar ($1.00)(ormore) for the year just passed (April 1,1954-March 31, 1955). This is just thereport of Association Duesdo not consider this as the entire record of givingsome congregations have contributedgenerously in addition to their Association Dues, others have included theirextra givingwith their dues.So thisrecord is not to be taken as a basis ofcomparison between congregations, forin some cases it does not present thecomplete picture. We do thank everyoneof you who have united in membershipwith us, not only because we have needof your money,have need of your prayers.but also because weThe congregations are listed by Presbyterials, the congregational managerhas been named where that informationwas givensometimes it was not clearwhether the one sending the names andmoney was the Treasurer of the localSociety or the Congregational Managerfor Association Dues, and where thematter was not clear, no names havebeen given. All congregational managersarehereby rendered our hearty thanksand some of them a special vote ofthanks, for they have been "uping," as the results show plainly.COLORADO PRESBYTERIALand doDENVER Association Dues $16.001. Allen, Miss Pearl2.-3. Atchison, Mr. and Mrs. Frank4. Carson, Mrs. Ruth5. Gross, Mrs. Robert6.-7. Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert8. In Memory of Mr. Hugh Martin9. Martin, Mrs. Hugh10.-11. McBurney, Mr. and Mrs. Robert12. McEnderfer, Mrs. Paul13. McFarland, Mrs. David14.-15. Mitchel, Dr. and Mrs. Jesse16. Walker, Mrs. JessieGREELEY Association Dues $32.001. Bailey, Mrs. WarnockJuly 13, 19552.-3. Carson, Mr. and Mrs. A. A.4. Carson, Miss Jean $5.005. Carson, Miss Ruth $5.006. Kennedy, Mrs. Wylie7. Keys, Mrs. Edwin8. McCandless, Miss Harriet $2.009. Stewart, Mrs. Bruce10.-11. Thompson, Dr. and Mrs. Owen F.12. Turner, Mrs. W. R. $7.5013. Willcox, Mrs. J. L.ILLINOIS PRESBYTERIALBETHEL (Sparta) Association Dues$3.001. Allan, Miss Edyth2. Kirkpatrick, Mrs. W. J.3. McMillan, Mrs. J. M.BLOOMINGTON Association Dues$19.001. Blackwood, Mrs. Roy2. Cooper, Mrs. Dorothy3. Craig, Mrs. Maggie4. Everman, Mrs. Minnie5. Faris, Miss Maudeline6. Hanna, Mrs. Mary7. Hunter, Mrs. Ella8. Kennedy, Mrs. Anna9. Kennedy, Mrs. Lucy10. Kennedy, Mrs. Mary Emma11. McElhinney, Mrs. R. S.12. Moore, Mrs. Clara13. Moore, Dr. Edna14. Moore, Mrs. Esther15. Smith, Miss Alice16. Smith, Miss Inez17. Smith Miss Lola18. Smith, Miss Ruth19. Wampler, Mrs. MinnieCHICAGO Association Dues $12.001. Bowes, Miss Alice2. Cannon, Mrs. Margaret3. Carson, Mrs. Norman4. Cummings, Mrs. Allen5. Fraser, Mrs. R.6. Halliday, Mrs. Mildred7. Huck, Mrs. Russell8. Levy, Mrs. Hyman9. Lynn, Mrs. Thomas10. MacRitchie, Mrs. Peter11. Sinclair, Mrs. Helen12. Sinclair, Miss RubyOAKDALE Association Dues $40.001. Auld, Beth2. Auld, Charles3. Auld, Eileen4. Auld, Harold5. Auld, Jane6. Auld, Pearl7. Auld, Ward8. Carson, Edna9. Carson, Elwyn10. Carson, Jane H.11. Carson, Jane T.12. Carson, Preston13. Coulter, Claudine14. Coulter, Lucille15.-16. Coulter, Mr. and Mrs. W. S.17.-18. Ferguson, Rev. and Mrs.19. Frieman, Fern20. Henderson, Mrs. James21. Hood, Jennie22. Luney, Kenneth23. Luney, Maude24. Luney, Nannie25. McCloy, Emma26. McCloy, Oscar27. McCloy, Sadie28. McCloy, Shirley29. Patton, Lloyd30. Patton, Margaret31. Patton, Marjorie32. Piper, Emma33. Piper, Irene34. Piper, Nannie35. Richards, Joan36. Thompson, B'esse37. Thompson, Eleanor38. Thompson, Glenn39. Thompson, Willard40. Torrens, BerthaOLD BETHEL Association Dues $6.001. Finley, Miss Blanche2. Finley, Mrs. Floyd3. Finley, Mrs. Willard4. Mathews, Mrs. Lois5. Mathews, Mrs. Olive6. Mathews, Mrs. RalphIOWA PRESBYTERIALMORNING SUN Association Dues$21.001. Armstrong, Mrs. D. T.2. Baird, Mrs. Elizabeth3. Cummings, Mrs. David4. Cummings, Mrs. Hoyt5. Dickson, Mrs. Robert6. Dunn, Mrs. James7. Hensleigh, Mrs. Howard8. Honeyman, Mrs. Lois9.-10. Hutcheson, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice11.-12. Hutcheson, Mr. and Mrs. Walter13. Kilpatrick, Miss Nellie14. McElhinney, Mrs. Clyde15. McElhinney, Mrs. Merritt16. McElroy, Mrs. June17. McMurtry, Mrs. Ella18. Patterson, Mrs. H. G.19. Samson, Mrs. Irene20. Wilson, Mrs. RalphSHARON Association Dues $19.001. Baird, Mrs. Merrill2. Baird, Mrs. Rodman3. Carson, Mrs. S. O.4. Cummings, Mrs. Everett5. Edgar, Mrs. John O.6. Edgar, Mrs. Lloyd7. Harsh, Mrs. Robert8. Hays, Mrs. Milford9. Kilpatrick, Miss Delia10.-11. Kilpatrick, Mr. and Mrs. Wylie12. Logan, Miss Margaret13. McClure, Mrs. Robert14. McClurkin, Mrs. J. C.15. McElhinney, Mrs. Iva16. McElhinney, Mrs. Pearl17. Mehaffey, Mrs. Mary18. Mehaffey, Mrs. Talmage19. Pogemiller, Mrs. HarrietKANSAS PRESBYTERIALCLARINDA Association Dues $8.001. Blair, Miss Mildred2. Blair, Mr. William3. Caskey, Mrs. Howard4. Carson, Mrs. C. T.5. Dunn, Mrs. Will6. Lee, Miss Gertrude7. Lee, Mr. J. Ren8. Woods, Mrs. HomerDENISON Association Dues $4.001. Braum, Mrs. J. Delber2.-3. Dougherty, Rev. and Mrs. M. W.4. Knowles, Mrs. RayESKRIDGE Association Dues $8.001.-2. Caskey, Rev. and Mrs. Joseph3. Junkin, Mrs. Marietta4. McKnight, Mrs. Lillian29

5. McKnight, Mrs. Mary6. Stevenson, Mrs. Laura7.-8. Stevenson, Mr. and Mrs. WaldoKANSAS CITY Association Dues $17.00Women's Missionary Society $10.001. Adams, Mr. John2. Coiner, Mrs. James3. Coleman, Mrs. Paul4. Henderson, Miss Agnes5. Humphreys, Mrs. James6. Hunter, Mrs. Herbert7. Marvin, Mrs. R. A.8. Messick, Mrs. Harrison9. More, Mrs. Robert10. Wright, Mrs. PaulYoung Women's Missionary Society $7.001. Duffett, Mrs. Benton S.2. Hall, Miss Margaret3. McBurney, Mrs. Charles4. Musselman, Mrs. Dale5. Ulrich, Mrs. Glenn6. Ward, Mrs. Harold7. Weimer, Mrs. DonOLATHE Association Dues $26.001. Coulter, Miss Anna $2.002. Coulter, Mrs. Mae3. Coulter, Mr. Tom $2.004. Everett, Mrs. Mary5. Hutcheson, Mrs. Chester6. McBurney, Mrs. Charles7. McGee, Miss Belle8. McGee, Mrs. J. A.9. McGee, Mrs. J. Harvey10. Milligan, Mrs. George11. Moore, Mrs. Ida12. Redpath, Mrs. Clyde $5.0013. Redpath, Mrs. F. M.14. Redpath, Mrs. James15. Rogers, Mrs. Maggie16. Smith, Miss Lila17.-18. Stewart, Dr. and Mrs. F. L.19. Tippin, Mrs. Mary20. Wilson, Mrs. AnnaSTAFFORD Association Dues $22.00Mrs. Clarence Wilson, Cong. Manager1.-2. Bartlett, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew3. Bartlett, Vernon4. Beard, Mr. Frank5.-6. Press, Mr. and Mrs. Charles7. Smiley, Mr. Byrt8. Wallace, Mr. Boyd9. Ward, David10. Ward, Debora11. Ward, Dick12. Ward Douglas13.-14. Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald15. Ward, Mrs. Mary16.-17. Wilson, Dr. and Mrs. C. E.18. Wilson, Georgia19. Wilson, VirginiaSTERLING Associational Dues $29.001. Dill, Mrs. Connie2. Dill, Miss Esther3. Edgar, Mrs. Isa4. Fee, Mrs. May5. Fose, Mrs. Helen6. Foley, Mrs. Jack7. Hayes, Miss Ora8. Humphreys, Miss Alice9. Humphreys, Miss Florence10. Humphreys. Mrs. Margaret11.-12. Kilpatrick, Rev. and Mrs. Lester13. MacClement, Mrs. Lucy14. McCrory, Mrs. Christine15. McFarland, Mrs. Roberta16. McFarland, Mrs. Sylvia17. McGee, Mrs. Ninnie18. McNeil, Mrs. Olive19. Montgomery, Amy20. Moore, Mrs. Mary21. Oline, Miss Diane22. Oline, Mr. Foy23. Oline, Mr. Larry3024. Oline, Mrs. Nadine25. Patton, Mrs. Clara26. Tippin, Miss Lulu27. Wilkey, Mrs. E. S.28. Wilkey, Mrs. Mary Jane29. Wilkey, Mrs. MildredSUPERIOR Association Dues $23.001.-2. Caskey, Rev. and Mrs. C. E. $5.003.-4. Copeland, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur$5.005. Henderson, Mrs. Ward6. Shaw, Mrs. Sarah C. $5.007.-8. Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. M. W. $5.009. Shaw, Mrs. Wm. J.10. Walkinshaw, Mrs. W. J.TOPEKA Association Dues $7.001. Blackwood, Mrs. Henry2. Davies, Mrs. Pearl S.3. Lathom, Mrs. J. D.4. McFarland, Miss Emma5. McFarland, Miss Mary6. Robb, Mrs. A. D.7. Taggart, Mrs. D. R.NEW YORK PRESBYTERIALALMONTE Association Dues $6.001. Burns, Miss Pauline2. B"urns, Mrs. W. J.3. McKee, Mrs. Isaac4.-5. Reade, Rev. and Mrs. F. F.6. Waddell, Mrs. JamesCAMBRIDGE Association Dues $14.001.-2. Cutter, Mr. and Mrs. Abbott S.3. Cutter, Arthur B.4. Dickson, Miss Betty Jo5.-6. Dickson, Dr. and Mrs. E. Jl M.7. Faris, Miss Pauline8. McKeown, Mrs. Ernest9. McKeown, Mrs. J. K.10. Pihl, Mrs. Henry11. Ross, Miss Margaret12. Smyth, Miss Jennie13. Smyth, Mrs. Margaret14. Warnock, Mrs. GeorgeCOLDENHAM Association Dues $17.001. Arnott, Miss Bess2. Arnott, Miss Grace M.3. Bache, Mrs. Gerard4. Felter, Mrs. Ida5. Hansche, Mrs. Ernest6. Kiess, Mrs. Flora7. Lundell, Mrs. Carl8. Mapes, Mrs. Leo9. McClurkin, Miss Eunice10.-11. McClurkin, Rev. and Mrs. W. C.12. McGinnis, Mrs. A. H.13. McPhillips, Mrs. Raymond14. Scott, Mrs. A. R.15. Shafer, Mrs. Charles16. Weddell, Mrs. A. M.17. Winchell, Mrs. HerbertMONTCLAm Association Dues $18.001. Beatty, Mrs. James2. Boyd, Miss Eleanor3. Chaffee, Mrs. Florence4. Christner, Mrs. Paul5. Ferry, Mrs. Orrin R.6. Hagmann, Mrs. N.7. Harding, Mr. A. J.8. Hunter, Mrs. Alice9. Lindsay, Mrs. Charles10. Marsters, Mrs. Arthur11. Martin, Mrs. Anna12. McBurney, Mrs. Edwin13. McFarland, Mrs. Luther14. Park, Mrs. John15.-16. Park, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas17. Slater, Mrs. T. M.18. Voss, Mrs. AdolphNEWBURGH Association Dues $11.001. Contant, Mrs. Irene2. Henderson, Miss E.3. Henderson, Miss Martha4. Klomp, Mrs. J.5. Mcllwee, Mrs. Everett6. McKay, Mrs. John7. MeNeely, Mrs. M.8. Somers, Mrs. Walter9. Sterrett, Mrs. Charles10. White, Mrs. John11. Whitehill, Mrs. J. T.NEW YORK CITY Association Dues$170.00, (pluss $2.00 which arrivedafter the books were closed for thisyear.) Mrs. John Crawford, Congregational Manager1. Adams, Mrs. Alexander $2.002. Adams, Miss Irene $2.003. Bichakjian, Mr. George4. Bichakjian Miss Grace5. Carmichael, Miss Lavinia $5.006. Clark, Mrs. S.7. Crawford, Mrs. John $2.008. Dejmal, Mrs. George9. Dickey, Mrs. Joseph $5.0010. Dickey, Mr. Robert $2.0011. Dickey, Mr. Samuel12. Dudley, Mrs. Ada13. Fernandez, Mrs. A. M. $2.0014. Gassner, Mrs. John L.15. Gatsch, Mrs. Helen $5.0016.-17. Geddes, Mr. and Mrs. Alex. $5.0018. Henning, Mrs. Robert19. Hawthorne, Mr. George $20.0020. Hawthorne, Miss Margaret $5.0021. Heaney, Miss Isabel22. Heaney, Miss Margaret23. Hempel, Miss Anna $2.0024. Jamason, Mrs. Alice W. $5.0025. Lanning, Mrs. Chelsea $3.0026. Leacock, Miss27. Linson, Mrs. William H. $5.0028. Macon, Mrs. Clarence E. $5.0029. Little, Mrs. Margaret $2.0030.-31. McCarroll, Mr. and Mrs. T. Clyde$15.0032. Mcllvaine, Miss Lydia $10.0033. Metcalf, Miss Carolyn $5.0034. Metcalfe, Mrs. William K. $5.0035. Murphy, Mr. Alan36. NeweU, Miss Adele37. Nichols, Mrs. Florence38. Patton, Miss Letitia $2.0039. Robb, Dr. George $10.0040. Rochow, Mrs. Otto $2.0041. Siegenwald, Miss B'ertha42. Serine, Mrs. J. F. $10.0043. Smith, Mrs. Walter $2.0044. Torrens, Miss Sarah $5.0045. Weir, Miss Lola46.-47. Weir, Mr. and Mrs. R.48. Weir, Mrs. W. W.49. Wray, Mrs. Anna C. $10.00SYRACUSE Association Dues $33.00Mrs. E. R. Carson Sr., Congregational Manager1.-2. Carson, Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Jr.,3.-4. Carson, Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Sr.,5. Crockett, Miss Margaret6. Dougall, Miss Alice7. Dougall, Miss Mary Jane8.-9. Dougall, Mr. and Mrs. Edward10. Kentner, Miss C. Grace11.-12. Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. C. D. $3.0013.-14. Park, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. $5.0015. Park, Mrs. James16.-17. Park, Mr. and Mrs. D. Ray18.-19. Pinkerton, Mr. and Mrs. Wm.20. Ramsey, Mrs. William21.-22. Robb, Dr. and Mrs. G. M.23. Salmon, Mrs. Anna Glass24.-25. Wicks, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth26.-27. Wicks, Mr. and Mrs. Philip28.-29. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. C. E.COVENANTER WITNESS

WALTON Association Dues $14.00Walton Women's Missionary Society$10.001. Arbuckle, Miss Lizzie2. Henderson, Mrs. Fred3. Loker, Mrs. Fred4. Robb, Mrs. Orlena5. Russell, Mrs. Millard6. Russell, Mrs. W. R.7. Sanderson, Mrs. Telford $2.008. Spear, Mrs. Norman9. Thomson, Mrs. WandaWalton Missionary Guild $4.001. Boyle, Mrs. Grace2. Calhoun, Miss Blanche3. Gilchrist, Miss Blanche4. Gilchrist, Mrs. IsabelleWHITE LAKE Association Dues $5.001. Bosch, Mrs. Daniel2. Millen, Miss Dorothea3. Norris, Mrs. George W.4. Weiss, Mrs. Fred J.5. Wilson. Mrs. Thos. J.OHIO PRESBYTERIALBELLE CENTER Association Dues$15.001.-2. Carson, Dr. and Mrs. M. K.3. Coleman, Mrs. J. M.4. Dill, Mrs. Inez Wickerham5. Dill, Mrs. R. E.6. Hervey, Mrs. Howard7. Keys, Mrs. Howard8. Keys, Mrs. James9.-10. Keys, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur11. Rambo, Miss Roberta12. Reed, Mrs. R. H.13. Rutherford, Mrs. J. M.14. Templeton, Mrs. Agnes15. Templeton, Mrs. J. RoySOUTHFIELD Association Dues $26.001.-2. B'eardslee, Mr. and Mrs. E.3. Bowes, Mrs. Maude4. Elsey, Mrs. Clara5. Elsey, Miss Edna6.-7. Harrington, Mr. and Mrs. L.8.-9. Henning, Mr. and Mrs George10.-11. Jameson, Mr. and Mrs. H. C.12. Keino, Mrs. Fern13. Lucas, Mr. Percy14.-15. McDonald, Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm16. McFarland, Mrs. Theda17. Miller, Mrs. Jane18.-19. Robb, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Jr.,20. Stevenson, Mrs. Ruth21.-22. Thompson, Rev. and Mrs. H. F.PACEFIC COAST PRESBYTERIALLOS ANGELES Association Dues $42.001. Aiken, Mr. Wilbur2.-3. Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. Howard4.-5. Buck, Dr. and Mrs. Francis6.-7. Chambers, Mr. and Mrs. George8.-9. Dodds, Mr. and Mrs. Donald R.10. Fowler, Miss Edith11.-12. Gault, Mr. and Mrs. Tom13.-14. Harootenian, Mr. and Mrs. G. G.15.-16. Hinton, Dr. and Mrs.17.-18. Honevman, Mr. and Mrs. Jim19.-20. Mr. and Mrs.21. Keys, Mr. John22.-23. Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. Harper24. Marshall, Miss Kathryn25. Marshall, Miss Mary26. McCartney, Miss Margaret27. Newton, Mr. Arthur28. Robb, Miss Jean29. Ross, Willetta C.30.-31. Russell, Dr. and Mrs. Elmer32.-33. Shuman, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph34. Smith, Mrs. Jean Wilson35.-36. Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver37. Wilson, Mrs. EarlJuly 13, 1955PHOENLX Association Dues $15.001. Bushnell, Mrs. Nellie2. Cody, Mrs. Dolly3. Cox, Mrs. Robert4. Crawford, Mrs. Don5. Doughtry, Mrs.6. Faris, Miss Esther7. House, Mrs. Mary8. Mackenroth, Mrs. Fred9. McCracken, Miss Lillian10. McElhinney, Mrs. Jy G.12. Means, Mrs. Mel13. Mooney, Miss14. Walcott, Mrs. Mae15. Wolfe, Mrs. LaurieSANTA ANA Association Dues $30.00Mrs. Margaret McFarland, Congregational Manager1. Anderson, Mrs. K.2. Barnes, Mrs. A.3. Betts, Mrs. Lela4. Blackstone, Mrs. Frank5. Connery, Mrs. C. K.6. Crockett, Mrs.7. Currant, Miss Minnie8.-9. Edgar, Dr. and Mrs. Sam10. Hart, Mr. John11.-12. Johnston, Mr. and Mrs. C. A.13. Linton, Mrs. Mary14. Martin, Mrs. Anna15. Martin. Mrs. Sara16.-17. McCarroll, Dr. and Mrs. Walter$5.0018. McClurkin, Miss Anna19. McClurkin, Miss Viola20. McCrum, Mrs. Effie21. McFarland, Mrs. Margaret22. Shepherd, Mrs. Ruth23. Smith, Mrs. Myra24. Thompson, Mrs. A. M.25. Tippin, Mrs. Mary26. Torrens, Miss Ethel27. Walkinshaw, Miss MargaretSEATTLE Association Dues $27.001. Bartoo, Mrs. Eileen2. Boyle, Mrs. Annabel3. Cook, Miss Jennie4. Dill, Miss Jean $3.005.-6. Dodds, Mr. and Mrs. S. M.7. Engle, Miss Mabel8. Fleming, Mr. David $3.009. Gilchrist, Mrs. Herbert $3.0010. Jameson, Mrs. Eleanor11. Lamont, Mrs. Jack12. Lamont, Mrs. John13.-14. Lamont, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Jr.,$3.0015. Lamont, Mrs. Joseph Sr.,16. Martin, Mrs. Melville17. McCracken, Mrs. A. R.18. McKinney, Mrs. Loren $3.0019. Ogilvy, Mrs. Elizabeth20.-21. Rae, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas22. Schoder, Mrs. Felix23. Smith, Mrs. Gladys24. Tweed, Mrs. LettiePHILADELPHIA PRESBYTERIALORLANDO Association Dues $8.001. Calderwood, Mrs. George2. Harsh, Mrs. E. N.3. McClure, Miss Elizabeth4. McClure, Miss Margaret5. McFarland, Mrs. W. C.6. Smith, Mrs. A. W.7. Terry, Mrs. E\ C.8. White, Mrs. M.THIRD PHILADELPHIA Associationdues $97.00Mrs. May McClay, CongregationalManager1. Adams, Mr. Alex. $2.002. Crawford, Miss Isabelle3.-4. Crawford, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J.$6.005. Crozier, Miss Margaret $2.006.-7. Danenhour, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur8. Euwer, Miss Helen9. Everett, Mrs. Herman10. Evans, Miss Naomi11. Evans, Miss Flora12. Forsyth, Miss Anna13. Forsyth, Miss Rae14.-15. Finlay, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel$5.0016. Hogan, Miss Mame17. Gill, Mrs. Margaret $10.0018. MacKnight, Mr. James $2.0019. McCandless, Miss Margaret $2.0020.-21. McClay, Mr. and Mrs. John22. McClay, Mr. Walter23. McClay, Mrs. May24. McCullough, Miss Annabelle25. McCleary, Miss Jane $5.0026. McHatton, Miss Elizabeth27. McLeister, Miss Jean $5.0028. Maute, Mrs. Frank $5.0029. Mullen, Mrs. Mary30. Nelson, Mrs. Samuel31. Pabst, Mrs. Mattie $2.0032. Rusk, Miss Irene $2.0033. Rusk, Miss Phyllis $5.0034. Schall, Miss Helen $2.0035. Steele, Mr. Joseph M. $5.0036.-37. Wilson, Dr. and Mrs. F. M. $5.0038. Wilson, Mrs. Bertha C.39. Wolfert, Miss Matilda $10.00UNITED PHILADELPHIA AssociationDues $71.00Miss Edna L. Steele, CongregationalManager1. Archer, Miss Sarah $10.002. Archer, Miss Deborah $2.003.-4. Carson, Mr. and Mrs. James A.5. Coleman, Dr. Mary Elizabeth6. Dodds, Mrs. Robert7. Dodds, Mrs. Thomas8. Edgar, Mrs. Robert9. Finlay, Mrs. J. M.10. Fish.Mrs. Harry11. Fox, Mrs. Sarah L.12.-13. Greer, Mr. and Mrs. Robert14. Greer, Mrs. S. E.15.-16. Green, Mr. and Mrs. Harry17. Henry, Mr. Alexander, Jr.,19. Henry, Miss Elizabeth $3.0020. Jackson, Mr. Ralph21. Jelik, Mrs. Albert W.22.-23. Kempf, Dr. and Mrs. Julius24. MacCorkell, Miss Mae25.-26. McCracken, Dr. and Mrs. Paul D.27. McFadden, Mrs. Phillip $2.0028. Nimick, Mrs. Thomas29. Peoples, Dr. John30. Ross, Mr. Andrew $3.0031. Scully, Miss Alicemae32. Sculley, Miss Jeanne33. Sculley, Mrs. Thomas34. Smith, Mr. Marshall35. Spense, Miss Sarah36. Steele, Miss Edna L.37. Thompson, Miss Alice38. Thompson, Miss Anna39. Thompson, Mrs. HowardIn Memoriam1. Henry, Mr. Alexander, Sr.,2. Henry, Mr. Robert J.3. Jackson, Mrs. Samuel $2.004. MacCorkell, Mrs. Agnes $5.005. Ramsey, Miss Elizabeth6. Ramsey, Mrs. Robert E.7. Steele, Mrs. Samuel H. $5.00PITTSBURGH PRESBYTERIALALLEGHENY Associatio Dues $20.00Mrs. D. C. Mathews, CongregationalManager31

up."oats."oats?"1. Allen, Mrs. John M.2. Allen, Miss Margaret3. Anderson, Mrs. J. W.4. Bennett, Mrs. David5. Dodds, Mrs. W. R.6. Edgar, Mrs. K. S.7. Fox, Mrs. C. R.8. George, Mrs. R. Howard9. George, Miss Rachel10. George, Mrs. W. J. C.11. McBurney, Mrs. J. H.12. McWilliams, Miss Edith13. McWilliams, Miss Elizabeth14. McWilliams, Miss Mary15. Martin, Dr. Grace16. Mathews, Mrs. D. C.17. Mitchell, Mrs. J. L.18. Robb, Mrs. W. S.19. Wylie, Miss Myrtle20. Young, Mrs. W. A.CENTRAL PITTSBURGH AssociationDues, $50.00Miss Jane R. Thompson, CongregationalManager1. Acheson, Mrs. T. H.2. Bish, Mrs. Lavern3 .Brown,Mrs. Edith M.4. Coss, Mrs. Gladys5. Dodds, Mrs. James6. Faris, Miss Helen7. Gunn, Miss Catherine M.8. Hart, Mrs. Ruth9. Henzel, Miss Carrie10. Hofstetter, Mrs. Wm.11. Hook, Mrs. Harold P.12. Hook, Mrs. J. G.13. Kenwill, Miss Mary L.14. Lampus, Miss Anna E.15. McCauley, Mrs. Anna16.-17. McConaughy, Mr. and Mrs. Robert18. McCune, Mrs. James $2.0019. McGaw, Miss Anna20. McGaw, Miss Mary R.21. Mcllrath, Mrs. Andrew22. McKelvey, Mrs. H. E.23. Michael, Mr. Paul24.-25. Oliver, Dr. and Mrs. John W.$5.0026. Patterson, Mrs. J. R.27. Price, Mrs. George E.28. Reed, Miss Eleanor29. Roeser, Mrs. Ha Mae30. Russell, Mrs. W. A.31. Smith, Rev. Kenneth G.32. Sproul, Miss Helen33. Steele, Mrs. Robert A. M.34. Summerville, Mrs. Max35. Thompson, Miss Jane R.36. Thompson, Miss Mary S. M.37. Walsh, Mrs. Thos. L.38.-39. Watson, Mr. and Mrs. M. L.40. Watters, Miss Ellen41. Woessner, Mrs. T. L.42. Young, Mrs. James43.-44. Young, Mr. and Mrs. Knox M. Jr.,45.-46. Young, Mr. and Mrs. Knox M. Sr.,COLLEGE HILL Association Dues$29.00HIGHLANDERS $9.001. Clarke, Mrs. C. E.2. Coon, Mrs. Larry3. Hudak, Mrs. George4. Lathom, Miss Ellen5. Lee, Mrs. Stewart6. McDonald, Mrs. Roy7. Pasarilla, Mrs. George8. Saxton, Mrs. Kenneth9. Sterrett, Mrs. William. Jr.,R. W. REDPATH MISSIONARYSOCIETY $10.001. Balph, Mrs. Gladys2. Herr, Mrs. Emma3. Lathom, Mrs. Frank4. Lee, Mrs. C. M.5. Mclsaac, Mrs. John6. Redpath, Mrs. R. W.7. Robb, Mrs. R. I.8. Smith, Mrs. Ida9. Sterrett, Mrs. W. B.10. Wagoner, Mrs. Clifford(To be continued)(Continued from page 28)Manse and was present at the churchwhen Rev. Sam Boyle of Japan gave hismost interesting lecture on Communism.On the last Sabbath ofMay Rev.Boyle assisted Rev. F. F. Reade withcommunion services. His messages wereintensely challenging and his picturesshown one evening later were very interesting.Almonte congregation were happy towelcome three new members :Mr. Clarence Smithson of Carlton Place, by profession of faith, and Prof, and Mrs. W.R. White by certificate .The annual May 24 Social was heldat the home of Mrs. Bella Burns wherea ball game and a colorful display offireworks were enjoyed.The Almonte C.Y.P.U. business meeting was held at the home of the Mc-Kee's. Clarence Smithson's name wasadded to the roll. Rose Ellen Burns ascovener of the program provided enjoyable games and a contest after business.This included jplans for a Psalm Festival to be held in the church, June 30,when Lohiel, Lisbon and Syracuse wereinvited to attend, and stay over for theannual church picnic, July 1.Daily Vacation Bible School is tobe held the afternoons of the 2nd and3rd week of July.TOPEKA NEWS ITEMSLie. Donald McClurkin supplied ourpulpit during the month of May and thefirst 2 Sabbaths of June. He also actedas Superintendent of our Daily Vacation Bible School which was held May31-June 10. Mrs. Wilmer Piper acted asassistant Superintendent and Mrs. NedNusbaum, Mrs. Herb Davies, Mrs. A. D.Robb, and Lie. Donald McClurkin wereteachers. Each teacher in turn had twohelpers. Total enrollment for the schoolwas 98 with the closing program beingheld the evening of June 10.Our services June 19 were conductedby the young people and also Mr. IrlMcMahan and Dr. Taggart gave us reports of Synod.Lie. Raymond Joseph supplied ourpulpit with great acceptance June 26and July 3.FLOYD-LUCAS"Quiet SimplicityIn a settingMarkWedding"of simplicity and originality, marriage vows were exchangedby Miss Barbara Floyd and James Albert Lucas Saturday afternoon, June 4,in the First Methodist church of Truthor Consequences.The Rev. E. M. Abercromble read theimpressive double ring ceremony forthe couple at two o'clock in the presence of a large assemblage of friends.Mrs. Robert Swenson was at the churchorgan to play the traditional weddingmarches. She also accompanied E. W.Eggleston, church soloist, who sang, "O'Promise Me,' and played a medley oforgan music as guests were being seated.Attending the couple were Miss MaryFrances Bryant and Gene Waddell ofWalker Air Force Base.The bride was given in marriage byher father, II. D. Floyd.Immediately following the ceremonya reception was hold in the home of thebride's parents.After the reception the couple left fora week-end wedding trip to Rindosothen to an apartment they had waitingfor them in Roswell. Mr. Lucas is onleave from dutyat the Air Force Base.MISSIONARY SAILINGSAll Covenanter Missionaries (EleanorFaris, Gene Spear family, and SamBoyle family) will sail from Seattle onAugust 3. Letters can be sent to them atthis address:(Passenger's Name) S. E. Boyle, etc.Passenger on HIKAWU MARU, Voyage 27 Home%James Griffiths &914 Second Ave.Seattle 4, Washington.SonsSOWING AND REAPINGAn Indian story tells how one day amaster said to his slave, "Go into such afield and sow barley." The slave sowedoats instead. At the time of harvest hismaster went to the place, and seeing thegreen oats springing up, asked him,"Did I not tell you to sow barley here?Why then have you sownHe answered, "I sowed oats in the hope thatbarley would grow His master said,"What foolish idea is this? Have youever heard of such a thing?" The slavereplied, "You yourself are constantlysowing in the field of the world theseeds of evil, and you expect to reap inthe resurrection day the fruits of virtue. Therefore, I thought also I mightget barley by sowingThe masterwas abased at the reply, and set theslave free.War Cry.COVENANTER WITNESS

ejoicing."saved"BIBLE LESSON FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 7, 1955* 4(JovenanterWitness.VOLUME LV, NO. 3TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1955TheIF Question AnsweredBefore sin entered into the world there was noneed ofany "if" because there was no question ofman's complete obedience to God, but just as soonhis faith by an open confession, then Jesus Christlifted him up over the "if" and placed him on thesin-sacrifice side of the "if" and "he went on hisas disobedience appeared, then came the question ofwayman's salvation,which depended upon his voluntarydecision either to obey or disobey God.So, in the record of the first conversation between God and the first man born into the world, wefind the wrord "if" used twice in a very vital relationship. "The Lord said unto Cain, Why art thouwroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? IF thoudoest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and IF thoudoest not well, sin lieth at the door" (Genesis 4:6,7). Cain stood at the threshold. On one side lay sinand on the other side lay the sin offering providedby God's mercy, and between the two was the word"if."Cain's whole future depended upon which sideof this "if" he chose to go. He chose the wrong side,killed his brother, went out from the presence of theLord, and his whole family was completely exterminated by the flood in Noah's time.God's statement to Cain about 6000 years agois His plan of salvation for us today. Philipsaid tothe Ethiopian eunuch who was seeking salvation, "IFthou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. AndThis is what Paul wrote to the Romans: "IFthou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raisedhim from the dead, thou shalt be(Romans10:9). It is simply a question of which side of this"if"a person is found. He has no power in himself tochange his position. As sons of Adam we are borninto this world on the sin side of the "if" (Romans5 :12) and no power on earth can put us over onto thesafe side. But Jesus, who alone has the power, said :"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw allmen untome"(John 12:32). Once we let Christ liftus over this "if," then we are in His hands on Hisside of the "if" and there is no power anywherewhich can separate us from Him and put us backeven for a moment,"if"on the lost side of the terrible(Romans 8:35-39; John 10:28, 29).On which side of this eternal "if" are you ? Godgrant that you are on the sin-offering side, but IFyou are on the sin side, one cry for help to Jesus andHe will reach over, lift up and place you safely onhe answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ isthe Son of God" (Acts 8:37). He was on the sinHis side forever. Praise His namedefinite,so sure!it is so simple, soJames E. Bennetside of the "if," but when he settled the question ofAmerican Tract Society

stockholders'Current EventsByProf. William H. Russell,Ph.D.AIR ACADEMYThe U.S. Air Force Academy has begun its first classes,in temporary quarters at Lowry Air Base, near Denver. Thefirst class has only 306 cadets but eventually the Academywill reach an enrollment of 2,500. Its permanent quarters,two miles north of Colorado Springs, will not be completedfor at least two more years. Construction will cost $126 million, and there already has been sharp criticism of someof the proposed designs. Lacking traditions, the new schoolhas a chance for a fresh approach in officer-training. LikeWest Point and Annapolis, it will be a four-year institutionof college level, with cadets subject to strict discipline. However, the curriculum will emphasize the humanities and socialsciences much more stronglythan the older service academies. About half the classroom time will be given to suchstudies as history, English, geography, economics, and government, compared with only 24 per cent at Annapolis. Therealso will be some flight training, and the inevitable big-timeintercollegiate athletics.PEACE SHIP SUNKCongress has rejected President Eisenhower's requestfor an "atomic peaceship."The atom-powered merchantvessel would have toured the world as a demonstration ofour interest in the peaceful development of atomic energy.The idea was especially timely in connection with the conference on non-military uses of atomic power, to be held atGeneva next month. Some Congressmen questioned the praticalityof the plan. It also became involved in party politics, for in the final Senate vote, all Republicans voted forit, and all Democrats except one against it. The project willundoubtedly be revived next year.INDUSTRIAL GIANTGeneral Motors has announced a three-for-one stocksplit which will increase the number of its common sharesfrom 91.9 million to 276 million. Ameeting inSeptember must approve the change, but there is little doubtof this. The announcement led to an immediate jump in theprice of General Motors stock,and gave a new boost to theentire stock market. With assets of over 5 billion, GeneralMotors is our largest private corporation, and the world'slargest industrial enterprise of any kind. It produces abouthalf of America's automobiles. Since the war General Motorshas been carrying out a $2 billion expansion program, andrecently announced $500 million more in plans for new construction and equipment.first five-year plan, which began in 1953. The specific goalsfor 1957 were released for the first time, and provide aninterestingcomparsion with the United States. If China'splan is successful, our coal production in 1957 will still bethree times as great as theirs; electrical power, 28 times asgreat; and steel production, 29 times that of China. TheRed leaders certainly would be foolish to risk any prolongedHOME RULE ACHIEVEDAfter much debate, the French National Assembly approved Premier Faure's program of home rule for the NorthAfrican colony of Tunisia. The negotiations were begun byMendes-France, but caused such controversy that he wasforced out of power on the issue. Tunisia will now have alarge degree of autonomy. France will still control defenseand foreign relations, and undoubtedly will continue to provide economic support. Premier Faure refers to the plan asa "partnership," and it seems likely to satisfymost extreme Tunisian nationalists.all but theAlgeria, the larger territory to the west of Tunisia,still suffers from local uprisings. Algeria is treated as anintegral part of France, but the people have different religious and economic interests, and want more independence.In Morocco, terrorist and counter-terrorist crimes have produced a state of high tension. Premier Faure recently appointed a new more vigorous Resident General for Morocco,but further concessions toward self-government will be necessary to restore peace.ITALIAN CABINETA two-week cabinet crisis in Italyended when AntonioSegni formed a new coalition government, to replace that ofPremier Mario Scelba who resigned June 22. Scelba gave upafter sixteen months in power, due to factionalism withinhis Christian Democratic Party. Segni, a 64-year-old lawprofessor, was formerly Minister of Agriculture. He is a left-(Continued on page 38)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1*209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka. K.ansanotto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions* expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer*.necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the EditorINDUSTRIAL PIGMYA "National People's Congress" has held its secondannual meeting at Peiping. Though 1.105 delegates attendedfrom ail over Red China, their only function was to approvedecisions already made by the party leaders. They ratifiedthe 1955 budget, which amounts to $12.5 billion in our money.Considering China's huge population, this is onlyabout oneiwentiethas much per person as our national governmentspends. Twenty-four per cent of the Communist Chinesebudget, or about $3 billion, is marked for defense. We spendten times that amount.The Congress also approved revisions in Red China's34Dr. Raymond Taggart, O.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen. D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.O.Subscription rates : $2.50 per10 cents.The Rev.British Isle?.Departmental EditorRev. John O. EdjrarMrs. J. O. EdjrarMrs. Ross Latimeryear Overseas-. $3. on : Smwl*- CopiesR. B. Lyons. B.A.. Limavaay. N. Ireland. Anent for *.fi*Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton Kxn-aunderthe Act of March 3. 1879.Addrefp communications to the TopeKa officeCOVENANTER WITNESS

... Bechild."mouth."Jeremiah,the Heroic ProphetProf. J. B. Willson, D.D.OPENING LECTURE OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARYYoung men of the Seminary classes, we welcome you at the opening of the Seminary year of1954-1955. We trust that all of you will bring a blessing with you. Our earnest hope is that you will finda blessing in this year of study. We of the facultypledge ourselves to do our best to help you find it.We welcome you friends of the Seminary and ofthe Church. We hope you will be with us again forthe preaching by the students in November and inFebruary, for the Thanksgiving reception, and forthe closing exercises early in May. We need your interest and help. We would like all our congregationsto be Seminary-conscious, keeping track of ourschedule, expecting our public meetings, prayingfor us constantly through the year.Giving God's message to men has never been aneasy task. Abel's witness cost him his life. Noah,preacher of righteousness, met with almost completerebuff from those about him. Elijah became utterlydisheartened. Zechariah, son of faithful Jehoiada,was stoned to death. Jesus went to the cross. Theearly Christians were persecuted and scatteredabroad. John Huss died by fire at Constance in 1415.Our Covenanter forefathers suffered much for theirfaithful testimony to the crown rights of our LordJesus Christ. Our own missionaries in Manchuriaand in South China were driven out some years ago,and so far as we know, the work in our churcheswas largely closed. Yesterday morning's paper toldof a Baptist church in Spain because of its "publicproselytizingof RomanCatholics."Present conditions do not give us much encouragement. The ecumenical movement offers littlehope. There can be co-operation without surrender.But the usual basis of church union is the least common denominator of spiritual truth. This is directlycontrary to Paul's instruction in Philippians 3:16:"Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, letus walk by the same rule, let us mind the samething."The way of liberalism in religion is distressing. It resembles the way of communism in that itseems to approve a leveling off process by the elimination of the highest and best. It is unlike the wayof helping others in material things which is generally commended. The effort is to bring poorer homesup to the level of the better homes, not to bring thelevel of better hemes down. The effort is to bring thestandard of livingof the poorer fed and clothed people up to the level of the better fed and clothed. Wetalk of a full bread basket. But if I understand thespirit of Church union movements correctly, there isnot much talk of full spiritual bread basket for all.To mention only one truth dear to the hearts of alltrue Covenanters, a central theme in the Bible is theauthority of the Lord Jesus Christ over the complete life of every believer, over his social and political life as well as over his personal and ecclesiasticallife ; and the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ overthe nations. What denomination of Christian peopleis willing to come out with us openly and firmly forthis great truth? Our nation goes on heedlessly,July 20, 1955though war clouds threaten and the great windswhich ravage our coasts give us faint indications ofthe possibilities of a future atomic war. Recently theSenate Judiciary Committee did not approve the billfor the Christian Amendment to the Constitution.The witnesses who went to Washington to give theirtestimony for the rights of Christ were heard mostcourteously. But they were not heeded.Jeremiah was a faithful witness. The first chapter of his book gives us the background of our studythis evening, centering in verses six to ten, especially in verse eight : "Be not afraid of their faces : forI am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord." Oursubject is: JEREMIAH THE FORLORN YETFAITHFUL PROPHET.Some might say, only forlorn. The shadow of agreat tragedy is over his heart, and over and in allhis writing. But he did his work.We do not call him a coward who with chattering teeth and trembling knees advances steadilythrough shot and shell. Nor do we give the name ofcoward to a prophet who through grief and sorrowstill carries on. He was forlorn, but he was faithful.I. First, HIS EQUIPMENT FOR HIS TASK1. He had a call that was clear, He was the sonof Hilkiah, of the priests in Anathoth, a priestlycity in the territory of Benjamin, about three milesfrom Jerusalem. There the word of the Lord cameto him, apparently first in the thirteenth year ofking Josiah.He did not seek his office. We may view him asa preacher's son who did not want to be a preacher.He felt his insufficiency for the calling. "Ah, LordGod! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a ButGod had called him, and there was no mistake. God'splans were laid before Jeremiah's birth. Jeremiah isone of three men mentioned in the Scriptures whowere regenerated before they were born.It is a great thing to be sure that we are in thework to which God has called us. Do you have thatassurance ?2. He had a message supplied. "The Lord said. . .Say not I am a child : for thou shalt go to all thatI shall send thee, and whatsoever I command theethou shalt speak . . . Then the Lord put forth hishand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said untome, Behold I have put my words in thy It ishard sometimes to know exactly what message togive. God told Jeremiah what to say and when tosay it.If we speak truly for God today, it is not ourown message that we give, but His, from His bookand from Him. As you study in this Seminary, is ityour purpose in all your future ministry to speakHis message, not your own ?3. He had power assured. "Say not, I am a childnot afraid of their faces : for I am with theeto deliver thee, saith the Lord." "See, I have this dayset thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, toroot out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to35

plant."walls."people."people!"throw down, to build, and togird up thy loins, and arise,"Thou thereforeand speak unto them allthat I command thee : be not dismayed at their faces,lest I confound thee before them. For, behold I havemade thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, againstthe kings of Judah, against the princes thereof,against the priests thereof, and against the people ofthe land. And they shall fight against thee ; but theyshall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee,saith the Lord, to deliver thee." In his own strengthJeremiah could never do his work. God's strengthwas to be given him, and so in a very literal sense hewas to stand before kings. God's strength was to bemade perfect in his weakness.If we are called to a work today, let us not hesitate to enter upon it. God will supply the messageand He will give the power. He always prepares Hisservants to do His work. This was true of Bible menand women. It was true of Martin Luther and JohnCalvin and John Knox. It was true of Billy Sunday,and it is true of Billy Graham today. It was true ofAmerica's great leaders, including George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and the great religiousleaders of our history. Men still, like Joseph, are sentbefore to preserve life. All are prepared, equipped,and enabled to do the task committed to them.II JEREMIAH'S OUTLOOK UPON HIS TASKWe often have our dreams and castles in the airas to what the future will bring to us, and what wewill bring to the future. Usually successes are thematerials for foundation, walls, roof and furnishings.Jeremiah could paint no such rosyhis future or build such dream castles. Black darkpictures ofafraid,"saidness enveloped all his outlook. "Be notthe Lord. There would be reason to be afraid. "I amwith thee to deliver thee." There would be troublefrom which he would need deliverance. "I have madethee a defenced city. . . and brazen An attackwas expected, a siege. "They shall fight againstthee:"not a pleasant outlook. "I am with thee todeliver thee" a comfort, but, as he learned fromlater experiences, the deliverance would be personal,not national. His appeals to his people would be metwith indifference, disobedience, followed by judgment.What was his life ? It was spent mostly in Jerusalem. Anathoth nearby was the home of his childhood. In his old age he came to Egypt. His publiclife covered eighteen years of Josiah's reign, theJehoahaz'three months of reign, the eleven years ofJehoiakim, the three months of Jehoiachin, and theeleven years and five months of Zedekiah, aboutforty-one years in all. His prophetic work continuedbeyond this. He found favor with the Chaldeans,probably because they knew he told his people toNebuzaradan,the Chaldean official, had him takenyield to them. At Nebuchadnezzar's command,from the court of the guard, and brought to Ramahwith the other captives. There he was set free, andgiven the choice of returning to his home or of goingto Babvlon. He chose to go back, and was given foodand committed to the protection of Gedeliah, the appointed governor of Judah. When Gedaliah was slain,Jeremiah urged the Jews not to flee to Egypt. Theywent, and took him with them against his will. InTahpanhes in Egypt he delivered his last predictions,36chapter 43 verses 8 through chapter 44, verse 30.The time and manner of his death are unknown. Onetradition is that he was stoned to death.During the reigns of the kings he had his burdens. During Josiah's reign he fared fairly well-exceptif chapter twenty belongs to that period, and hewas then in the stocks for a day. Note that he livedand worked through part of Josiah's efforts to reform the nation. One writer compares two events affecting Isaiah and Jeremiah. Isaiah worked withHezekiah, a good king. The king was spared for tenmore successful years, after the intercession ofIsaiah. Jeremiah worked with Josiah, another godlyking. Josiah was slain, fighting for his country onthe field of Megiddo. This writer feels that Josiahworked faithfully, but his work was a failure, and hewas taken away from the evil to come.In Jehoiakim's day, the roll which Jeremiahhad written was burned by the king. In Zedekiah'sday he was put into a dungeon : the king raised himup to the court of the guard. Again, he was put byhis enemies into a pit; again the king raised him upto the court of the guard, but did not free him.To such a life Jeremiah looked forward, to persecution and apparent failure. Moses had his troubles, but he saw a new generation ready to possessthe land. Elijah was fed by ravens, and had his timesof trouble and of dejection ; but he had the victoryat Mount Carmel and at Naboth's vineyard, and atthe end the chariot of fire. Elisha had his burdens,but he wrought miracles, delivered Israel, and wassaved at Dothan through the horses and chariots offire which surrounded him. Isaiah had opposition,and may have met a martyr's death. But the citywas saved from the Assyrians, and the king's lifewas spared. Jeremiah had only trouble. Josiah'sreign was a bright spot, with its temporary reformation, but apart from this there was no victory.Jeremiah's outlook was such as none of us woulddesire for himself. Like Christ, he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief ; a cross was ever before him.Young men, our Church is small, our congregations are small. There are many discouragements andmany adversaries. The cause may seem hopeless. Irecall the words of a friend in Chester, South Carolina, who repeated the words of one who had knownour Church there: "The Covenanters were the bestBut before the Civil War our positionagainst slavery made us unpopular, many of our people moved North, and the Church died out. In 1906a young minister in Indiana wrote the Seminary professors that "the very atmosphere seems unfriendlyto the high aims of our Covenanted Zion."Remember that God does not promise you successful lives as the world measures success. He doesnot promise you safe lives, as the world countssafety. He does not promise youhappy lives, as theworld labels happiness. He does promise the victoryof His cause, but not certainly in your lifetime.III. JEREMIAH'S PERFORMANCE OF HIS TASK.He did the work committed to him, but how?1. He did it with love. "For the hurt of thedaughter of my people am I hurt Oh that myhead were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears,that I might weep day and night for the slain of thedaughter of my His book of LamentationsCOVENANTER WITNESS

shame?"rebuke"rebuke."me."contains other expressions of his affection for hispeople, and his grief over their judgment. Theymight hate him, and hurt him, but he loved them.Moses was offered by the Lord the opportunityto be made a great nation, while Israel was to be destroyed. He pled with the Lord to spare the people."Blot me, I pray thee, out ofThy book." He wouldtake the punishment instead of his people.Paul loved his people, the Jews, and was willingto be accursed for his brethren's sake.If we have things to say that will hurt, but thatneed to be said, let us speak them in love. We have amessage of judgment: a message of eternal punishment for men who reject the way of salvation; amessage of destruction for nations which reject theappointed King. We have a message of truthdivinelyfor the Church of Christ, which is commonly rejected. We have a message, along with all true Protestant churches, for the Church of Rome, for thosewho are tempted to forget or to deny the recordof that Church; for the rulers of our nation, someof whom in the past have been more willing thanour people to grant official relationship with it. Wemust speak with firmness, as Jeremiah did. But wemust speak without bitterness.Senator Douglas of Illinois tells in the Reader'sDigest of receiving what he calls "the best advice Iever had" in a Chicago Quaker meeting. After a longsilence a man arose and said earnestly this singleshow himsentence: "When you differ with a man,by your looks, by your bearing and by everythingthat you do or say, that you love him." This is Paul'scounsel in Ephesians, "Speaking the truth in love."2. He did his work with earnestness. Dr. Clarence Macartney, writing many years ago on the workof the ministry, remarked that sincerity in preaching is not enough; there must be earnestness. Dr.Maitland Alexander, Dr. Macartney's predecessor inthe First Presbyterian church of Pittsburgh, in giving the charge to Dr. Casper Wister Hodge, at his inauguration as Charles Hodge Professor of Didacticand Polemic Theology at Princeton Seminary in1921, said among other things: "You must compel,and I use this word as Christ used it, the students inyour classes to believe what you teach. It is notenough to deliver what you believe to be the truth.It is not enough to demand an examination in whatyou have said. It is not dutywell done if you say,'Here it is, Take it or leave it.' You must teach withso much conviction, impart with so much skill andtact, deal so powerfully with your students, thatthey will carry away an impression that they willnever forget."Jeremiah was in earnest. He felt his message.His heart was in it. They went on heedlessly. Jeremiah saw the destruction that was to come. Studychapter eight as to this.Let us be in earnest. Whatever our work is, wemust work earnestly. With the gospel of Christ wemust give the message as a living message, whichis the message of our heart.3. He did his work with steadfastness. Remember the word of Paul ; "Be ye steadfast, unmoveable,always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain inthe Lord."A writer said that he did not believe there weremany men who could turn from 'big things to smal-July 20, 1955ler things, and grow bigger by doing it. He was referring to a scientist who had been making a namefor himself for successful research and experiment.An accident brought sudden blindness, and put anend to the work which he had been doing. In thedarkness he patiently took up the work that was leftfor him to do the writing of textbooks for studentsin the University. What he had Vped to discoverwas forever beyond his reach. Bravely and faithfullyhe took up a humbler task that was stih possible forhim. In the lesser task he became a biggei man.So Jeremiah grew in soul, and his greafo-ess appeared more clearly as he conquered his trials.. Hespoke an unpopular message. He was misundersto^He was lonely, hated, persecuted, "Woe is me,mj

not."prophets,"glorious,"No feeling of inability to do what we are commissioned to do ; no stress of time orcircumstances,no disno sorrow, no burden or heart, no temptation,couragement, no disappointment, no defeat, bitter asany or all of these may be, can serve as an acceptable reason for failing to perform our duty.ces.Jeremiah did his duty and took the consequen"I will Iv withthee, to deliver thee. They shallnot This is the pledge of God. This is thepower fr faithfulness.IV. JEREMIAH'S REWARDHe had some reward on earth. The Lord toldnim: "Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise,and speak unto them all that I command thee : be notdismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee beforethem."There is no evidence that he was ever dismayed before them.People who have convictions and stand by themmay meet the opposition and wrath of man, but almost if not always, theyearn man's admiration andrespect, however unwilling these may be. Covenanters who are true to their profession have this admiration and respect. Disloyal Covenanters may bepraised for broadmindedness, but they are neitheradmired nor respected.Apart from this, Jeremiah had no earthly reward. His mission apparently ended in failure. Johnin his Third Epistle says: "Greater joy have I nonethan this, to hear of my children waking in thetruth."Jeremiah had no such joy. He saw his teaching cast aside and disregarded. He had no rewards ofmen only the stocks, the prison dungeon, exile. Inthe forty-fifth chapter we have his words to Baruch,"Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek themThere are crowns which the world can give andtake away. The crowns of royalty have been given,but many have been taken away in recent decades.Wealth, social position, political power are like thesecrowns.There is a crown which the world can neithergive nor take away.Jeremiah had some reward later on. After thereturn from Babylon his writings were received,probably by Ezra and his scribes, among the sacredHebrew writings, and in the Babylon revision hisbook was placed first, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah. Traditions gathered around him. Men said he had takenthe tabernacle, the ark and the altar of incense, andhad hidden them in a safe hiding-place, somewhereabout Mount Nebo, until the gathering together ofGod's people. Jeremiah was the patriot hero who isrepresented as appearing to Judas Maccabaeus as a"man with grey hairs and exceeding theprophet of the Lord who gave a golden sword to him,with which to fight the battles of the Lord. In thelater days of Christ, some people took Christ to be"Jeremiah or one of the thus singling outJeremiah from that glorious company.But the true crown which came to him was onegiven him by God. He could say with Paul "I havefought the good fight, I have finished my course, Ihave kept the faith." So many failures are true successes; so many defeats are the true victories. Hepassed through life as a stranger and pilgrim, rejected of men, but accepted with God. He was faithful38unto death, and he received the crown of life, thecrown of glory which fadeth not away, the eternalgift of the eternal God.Young men of the Seminary, we of the facultycan wish and hope and pray for nothing better foryou. We trust that your lives may be far less troubled than was Jeremiah's. We trust that you may beno less loving, no less earnest, no less steadfast, noless faithful. When you come to the close of life, mayyou be able to say with confidence : "I have kept thefaith."May you be able to continue with equal assurance : "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crownof righteousness, which the Lord, the righteousJudge, shall give me at that day : and not to me only,appearing."but unto all them that love histry."THIS IS THE SEMINARY'S PURPOSE". . . to instruct candidates for the gospel minisTo fulfill this purpose there is the need for :consecrated students who are made conscious of Christ's calling.the prayers of the church for faculty andstudents.the financial support to maintain the work.Anticipating future needs of this part of theChurch's mission in the world, the Board of Superintendents of the Seminary are making availableAnnuity Agreements, whereby gifts to the Seminarywill assure the donor a favorable rate of interest asan income for life.For details of this plan, and rates of interest,write to:"Annuity Plan," Reformed PresbyterianTheological Seminary, 7418 Penn AvenuePittsburgh 8, Pa.CURRENT EVENTS . . . Continued from page 34of-center Christian Democrat. The new administration includes three of the four center parties. Twelve of the twentyonecabinet members were in the Scelba government, andno change is expected in basic policies; but Segni will needthe balance of a tightrope-walker if he is to stay in power.CANCER AND SMOKEA recent report of the World Health Organization pointsto a worldwide increase in lung cancer. The study coveredfifteen countries for the four years ending with 1952, sincelater records are not yet complete. For men the rate of increase ranged from 16 per centfor Canada to 68 per cent,for Japan. The U. S. increase was 21 per cent, one of lowest.The rise is concentrated among men over 45, with a smallerincrease for women.Research workers are now trying to establish some connection between the rates for the different countries andthe practice of cigarette smoking. A doctor from Denmark,where the rate jumped 49 per cent in the four-year period,suggests that it is directly related to the level of cigaretteconsumption twenty years years earlier. This would alsoexplain why comparatively few men develop lung cancerbefore the age forty. Other scientists believe that industrialsmoke and automobile exhaust fumes may be involved.COVENANTER WTTNESS

ment."etc."The Sole Interpreter of ScriptureBy Principle Francis Davidson, D.D.Our subject is "The Right of Private JudgLet us discuss it from three points of view.1. The Roman Catholic claim to be the sole interpreter of Scripture, excluding all privatejudgment.This exclusive claim is based upon the presumption of infallibility, which again lays its foundation upon the alleged primacy of Peter. To beginwith this high exaltation of the apostle, the Romanists point to the teaching of the New Testament.Their great text is the familiar one in which it isalleged that our Lord bestowed upon Simon Peterthe supremacy over his Church i.e., "Thou artPeter,This statement of our Lord is interpreted bythe Roman Catholic Church as an official endowment, upon Peter and his successors, of supremepower in the Church of Christ universal. Supposethis Romish rendering be accepted, what does it involve ?(a) The Church of Rome is the universal Churchof all believers; hence the dogma, "Outside of thesalvation."Church there is no(b) Peter went to Rome and there established hissee.(c) On demitting his high office, Peter, beforehe died bequeathed his powers and prerogatives tohis successor.(d) This transmission constituted the so-called"Apostolic Succession." Now these four implicationsdo not find verification either at the bar of history, or of the Word of God. It is not our task hereto investigate the historical evidences, but to dealwith the testimony of the New Testament.The Protestant interpretation of our Lord'sstatement is two-fold, but to all intents and purposesthe same. (1) Upon the confession of faith in meI will build my church. (2) Upon such rock-likecharacter as thine, Peter (inspired by my HeavenlyFather to know me as the anointed one) I will build,my Church. In either case the truth is plain. JesusChrist is the living center of both Confession andCharacter. Moreover the storyof the years substantiates the fact that the Christian Church is foundedupon the rock of believers in the person and workof our Lord Jesus Christ. The witness of the NewTestament is definitely against the primacy of Peter,and the consequent office of the papacy. When therecord of Peter's life, and his association withhis fellow-apostles, are examined there is no validevidence that Peter had any other place than thatof a natural leader, a function not assigned to himby Jesus, but accruing only through his own specialpersonal qualities, especially his impetuosity. Peterunquestionably takes the lead in the meeting gathered to appoint a successor to Judas, but the narrative proceeds to show that it was not Peter whonominated and appointed Matthias, but the wholeband of the apostles, and that by prayer and lot.Again Peter addressed the famous Council of Jerusalem, but it was James who presided, and as headJuly 20, 1955of the Jerusalem Church, authoritatively pronounced the verdict. At Antioch Paul w.s not afraid torebuke Peter. Only an equal, not one -^ho bowed toa pope, could have dared to adopt this ^titude. Inhis epistles there is no sign of Peter's eceleuasticalsupremacy. As Barrow says "No criticpero.singthese epistles of Peter would smell a pope in then."When Rome had established the papacy, or the supremacy of Peter and his successors, it was but astep to the infallibility of the Roman Church centered in the pope himself.2. We are now ready to discuss the question ofauthority.The claim of papal infallibility involves, as isobvious, the claim to rule in faith and life. At Caesarea Phillippi Jesus gives the Keys of the Kingdomof Heaven to Peter. This "power of the keys" isappropriated by the Roman Church in at least twofalse ways.(a) It is alleged to be bestowed upon Peter andtherefore upon the whole papal succession, a chainof continuity in itself historically false. But thesewords of Matthew xvi. 19, first addressed to Peter,were afterwards spoken to all the disciples, as recorded in Matthew xviii. 18. Also after the resurrection our Lord bestowed the same power on the assembled apostles at Jerusalem. Obviously then thisauthority is not based upon the primacy of any oneof the disciples, but on the gift of the Holy Spiritindwelling within them all.(b) Protestant and Romanist theologians differin the sense they attach to this metaphor of thekeys. The Roman Catholics accept this commissionas one of absolute authorityover all members oftheir Church in faith and life, a power of excommunication which extends even into the next world.Protestants believe that the one, holy, catholic oruniversal Church is given the power of disciplineover all members of the Church. But this authorityis not absolute, being limited by the Word of Godon the one hand, and on the other by the guidanceof the Spirit. If our discussion be therefore correct,it follows that there can be no overruling authorityover an individual believer, other than that which isa combination of Church, Scripture, and HolySpirit, an authority, moreover, voluntarily acceptedwhen a member of the Church begins the Christian'spilgrim's progress.3. In weighing the right of private judgment, wepass on to state the truth of the testimony ofthe Holy Spirit.This is, the fact that the Holy Spirit operateswithin the heart of the believer, and thus witnesses the eternal truth to the man himself. This doctrine of the indwelling Spirit illuminating the mindof man is the very charter of the believer's rightof private judgment. The Roman Church protestsagainst such liberty.It says that a man's reason, while of necessityexercised to appreciate the Roman Catholic Church39

people."up."robbers' cave"and enter therein, must thereafter be yielded whollyto the guidance of ecclesiastical authority, especiallyin understanding the Scriptures, This surrender ofreason and judgment is shown to be necessary bythe differences of opinion which have always existed among the Protectants. The individual is darkened in his inteJkct by his sin, and is incapableof interpreting ^he wav f nfe and of understandingthe Bible. A^ Peter declares against the right ofprivate i^dgment in 2 Peter iii. 16, telling how unlearned and ignorant people wrest with the Scriptures to their own destruction.It is not difficult to answer such arguments.It is inconsistent to grant the individual the useof reason to see the superiority of Romanism, andthen when he has entered the Church, to forbid itsexercise. Protestants do differ among themselves,but all such diverse opinions relate chiefly to subordinate matters. As Dr. Dale well puts it "Theright of private judgment in religion, as the Reformers understood it, was not the right of everyman to form a religion according to his own fancy,but the right of every man to listen for himself tothe voice of God. The fact that sin has vitiated thewhole personality of man is accepted by Protestantsas a truth revealed in Scripture. They also agreethat unaided man remains in darkness. But theRomanist cure for his darkened understanding,namely, the absolutism of the infallible Church, cannot be accepted. It is the Spirit that helps our infirmities.As to the dictum of 2 Peter iii. 16, quite obviously if there were people who wrested the Scripture to their own destruction, then they must havehad access to the Scripture and have subjected itto private judgment. Also it is only some thingsthat are difficult of interpretation and not all. Finally, the apostle presents the remedy for this situation by telling us "to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Theway to comprehend the Word of God and to interpret its meaning, is not to follow the Church ofRome, but to follow on to know the Lord for one'sself.The conclusion of the whole matter is clear. Theright of private judgment is founded upon the giftof the Holy Spirit, for whom every believer may askin faith. The Word of God is understood by such apossessing believer for it is the same spirit of Godwho is the author of Scripture.Let me close with a quotation from ArchdeaconHare referred to by R. McCheyne Edgar, D.D., inhis book "The Genius of Protestantism." "A legalright doubtless a man has to think that the moonis made of green cheese inasmuch as the law hasnever prohibited such an opinion, and will not punisha strait waisthim for holding it, unless perhaps, bycoat. But morally no man has a right to any opinion,except it agree with the truth, or with the mostcorrect estimate of the truth he can frame. (Righthas nothing to do with the matter.) We have no. .right except to think rightly: and this right is alsoa duty imposed upon every beingendowed with thefaculty of .thinking Private judgment is the evidence which Truth presents upon any subject . . .It is the right to use the Scriptures as God has provided them, a revelation not for the experts alone,but for the commonThe Bulwark40What importance has it in your life?THE PRAYER MEETINGArmin Gesswein*Condensed from "The Alliance Weekly"And when they were come in, they went up intothe upper room [definite article marg.indicatingthat it was as the well-known ...place] These allcontinued with one accord in prayer and supplication,with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, andwith his brethren. Acts 1:13, 14.Do I read this correctly ? Why did I not see thatarticle before "the upper room"? That means theprayer meeting was the meeting ! Of all the meetingsbefore Pentecost, it became the meeting. Of all themany meetings and gatherings ( even with the risenChrist during those forty days, this was the meeting.Our blessed Saviour gave the prayer meetingHis full attention. This we too must do again. Allthe many other gatherings during those forty daysled up to this one. This was really it! After thiswas formed, He could leave them and ascend to heaven. The highest fruit, the culmination, the crowningministry of Christ on earth was this, that He leftbehind a praying body. If only they could have anything that He had to give (John 14:14). By prayerthey could do anything He had promised.We must follow His example. We need new inspiration and new incentive. We must no longer havedry, dead, dwarfed prayer meetings. Only the bestcan be first. The prayer meeting must once again beput on the priority list for pastor, officers, leaders,Sabbath school teachers, for every single member.out of theIt must be lifted out of the depression,peculiar idea that "it is for the few." It must againbecome a grand meeting. Of all the many meetingsof the church, this must become the meeting. Theremust be a change! We simply cannot go on at thispoor, dying rate. This is not the will of God. Itnever was, and it is not now.Jesus bared the burning zeal of His heart inthe Temple when He cried, "My house shall be calleda house of prayer for all the nations. But you havemade it what it now is a (Mark11:17 Wey.). "The zeal of thine house hath eaten meI long for some of that zeal today. Oh, it is timeto seek the Lord! Anything which would keep usfrom being strong in prayer, or which would keep ourhouses of worship from being supremely houses ofprayer, is a thief and a robber! It needs to be overthrown! It needs the whip. We need to repent! Weright indeeply and desperately need revival again, our churches, and we need Christ's own zeal to getus back, and up, to the upper room. The "house ofprayer"was His passion before His death ; the prayermeeting was His supreme passion again in formingHis church after His resurrection.To read Acts 1:14 is to actually see that firstchurch. I need a vision of the Church, and He givesit to me here. I cannot get overit, nor do I wantto get over it. God knew I needed it that way. I wasnot raised on prayer meetings. The first prayermeeting I ever attended I started myself When I wasalready in the ministry. This is not only a revelationto me of what Christ wants for His Church, but arevolution! I have to say to myself again and againas I look through the open door of that upper roomchurch in Jerusalem and see all the members in theprayer meeting, "Lord, is that Your Church, whichCOVENANTER WITNESS

commandments."generation."You said You would build? Was it to be like that?Was that what You had in mind? I never knew itwas to be like that. Now I begin to see the masterplanof the Master-Builder Himself.Over the door of that upper room one couldhave written one of three things: "Upper RoomChurch"or "First Church in Jerusalem" or "PrayerMeeting."And it would have been all the same, atleast as far as the attention and attendance of themembers were concerned. Inside one could have hungup a banner reading, "Every Member a Prayer Meetexcept that they did not need it, foring Member"those were the days before buttons, gadgets andgimmicks !How utterly amazing: not one member missingin that prayer meeting! And the membership was"about an hundred and twenty." Not even one absent ! No headache, fever, sickness, broken bones ; nolodge or club or other gathering, not even the otherreligious gatherings (and those were the days whenpeople were gathering in Jerusalem from everywhere,just before Pentecost feast) ; no business affairs, nofamily cares, no games or sporting events nothingkept even one member away from that prayer meeting. And Jerusalem was a very important, large citywith manymiracle meeting.attractions and distractions. It was aWhy did they all go every single member tothat prayer meeting? Because they wanted to go! Iam finding that people generally go where they wantto go. That is why they go to games. Even Jesusdid not make them go to that meeting; He madethem want to go. That is the miracle. And even today, if our members are going to get to the prayermeeting it is still Jesus who will have to make themwilling. But He will, and He will use us as His agentsand representatives to do it.Why did they want to go? Because they lovedJesus. It was an expression, among other things,of their "first love." When I love Jesus, I love topray ; I love to spend time with Him. I cannot be withHim enough.What was the test of their love for Christ ? Wasit merely feeling? No, basically it was obedience. "IfHe chargedye love me, keep mythem not to "depart from Jerusalem, but wait forthe promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4). And theyall went to the prayer meeting, in fullest obedience,because they loved Him. Granted we have light on it,and most of us do have, the prayer meeting is todaythe test of our love for Jesus and also of our love forone another as Christians. If I truly love Jesus, I loveto pray to Him; and if I love another Christian, Ilove to pray with him.As goes the prayer meeting, so goes the church.It is the barometer of the church. More, it is thelevel of the church. More, it is the life of the church.More, it is the very foundation of the church itself :every member a prayer meeting member. Let us rethink this whole matter, repent and prayerfully proceed according to the lines of this master plan untilthe prayer meeting becomes the great meeting ofthe churchThe prayer meeting.Used by permission of The Alliance Weekly,260 W. 44th St., New York 36, N. Y.What My Absence From Church DidIt made some question the reality of Christian-ity.It made some think that I was a pretender.It made many regard my spiritual welfare andthat of others as a matter of small concern.It weakened the effect of the church service.It made it more difficult for the preacher topreach.It discouraged the brethren, and therefore robbed them of a blessing.It caused others to stay away from church.It made it harder for me to meet the temptations of the devil.It gave the devil more power over lost souls.It encouraged the habit of non-church going.The United BrethrenThe man who has a boy to trainHas work to keep him night and day.There's much to him he must explain,And many a doubt to clear away;His task is one which calls for tactAnd friendship of the finest kind,Because, with every word and act,He molds the little fellow's mind.He must be careful of his speech,For careless words are quickly learned ;He must be wise enough to teachWhat corners may be safely turned."Today, nearly two thousand years after theGreat Commission was given, it is estimated thatone billion people now living have never heard theprecious name of Jesus. If you were to stand day andnight watching this vast number march by, youwould stand for a wholeThe Missionary BroadcasterLesson Helps for the Week of August 7, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICAugust 7, 1955"ARE YOU GOING TO CAMP?"Matthew 6:33-34.Comments by Rev. Thomas J. Wilsoi?,White Lake.Psalms:Psalm 148, page 357, verses 1; 4-5.Psalm 103, page 246, verses 1-4.July 20, 1955Psalm 121, page 314, verses 1-4.Psalm 72, page 175, verses 9-12.Scripture passages:Psalm 40:8; Matt. 12:50; John 4:34;Eph. 5:17; Phil. 2:13; John 6:38; James4:13-15. As these verses are read, asksome one to apply the truth which isfound in them to our subject for thisevening.Comments:Our subject you will notice, is pres-ented in the form of a direct questionto each one of us! "Are you going tocamp?"The camp to which we have reference is, of course, the camp-conference which your Presbytery is planningfor this summer. Your discussion of thissubject and your interest in it will bedetermined almost entirely byyour answer to this question. Right off hand Ican think of at least four ways thatyou might answer this question: You41

not,""Mountain-top"....anymight say "Yes," "Maybe," "Probablyor "No." If your answer is a plainand simple "No," then this subject doesnot mean a thing to you and it wouldbe a waste of your time even to talkabout it. On the other hand, if youranswer is "Yes" or varying shades ofyes, then you will be very interestedin this subject. If you are planning ongoing to your Presbyterial Y. P. Conference this summer, or. if you wouldlike to attend it, the only logical question which must follow is,"Why?"Whydo we plan these things every year,year after year? Why do people pack upand go to these conferences rather thanto some other place for a vacation?It seems to me that one of the valuesof these various conferences which areheld every year is the fellowship whichwe find there with other Covenanters.For the most part our congregationsare widely scattered and many of usfind ourselves somewhat isolated. Ican remember when I was a boy athome in Princeton, Indiana, the nearestCovenanter Congregation wasBloomington which was 100 miles away. "Reformed Presbyterian," nobody in schoolknew what that was and they caredless. You can say what you will aboutbeing a pioneer and all of that butthe fact still remains that such a lifegets old after a while. Even the oldprophet Elijah tired of standing aloneafter a while and he prayed that Godwould take him home to heaven. Andso, as I said before, I think that thereis value simply in getting together withother Christians who are of a like-mindwith us. It gives you the feeling at leastthat there are other people in the worldbeside your own little group who arepeculiar Christians. These other peoplesing Psalms in their churches just likeyou do, and they sing them a cappella just like you do. Campshould giveus a moral boost in our outlook uponthe work in our local congregation.Another reason for going to a Presbyterial Camp this summer, I think, isfound in the general calibre of the people who will be there. You just sit downsometime and take stock of your friendsat school or your friends in the neighborhood. How manyof your closefriends would you classify as consecrated Christians? How manyof yourfriends around home would enjoy goingto a youngpeople's Bible Conference?When we make friends with non-Christians or people who claim to be Christians but act like the world, many timesour idea is that we will pull them up toour level. Certainlyif we can do thisit is a good plan, but we must alwaysremember that it is a dangerous plan.Too many times human influence iscomparable to water in that it will run42down hill all by itself, but it takes forceto bring it up to a higher level. If youhave friends whose influence tends topull you downward, spiritually speaking,then you as a Christian are treading ondangerous ground. Do you remember thestory of Samson? Samson was a goodboy at heart and he might have amounted to something if he had just stayedat home and courted a Hebrew girl. Butno, regardless of what his father andmother said he went down to Philistiaand dated heathen girls. It was a greatopportunity that Samson had. He mighthave won these girls and their familiesto Jesus Christ, but instead it was notlong before Samson found himself grinding corn in a Philistine prison. Samsonwas a good boyat heart but he wasa little bit careless about whom he choseto be his friends. It pays to have Christian friends.The first general reason for our goingto camp this summer as we have noticedis that we might meet and learn toknow people . . . people who will do usgood and not harm. There is anotherreason for going to camp which I thinkis also vital. Even as I write this in thelatter part of May, I am sure that thevarious people who will be in charge ofthese conferencese across the countrythis summer are working hard in orderthat they might have a good program.'Their idea is that such a program willbe planned that will bringeveryone whoattends closer to his Lord and SaviourJesus Christ. It is their desire that asyou go home from camp you might beable to say to your friends: "It has beengood for us to have been here, for herewe have met our Lord and Saviour."May God's blessing rest and abide uponevery one of you who has the privilegeof attending your Presbyterial Conference this summer, and regardless of thereasons why you go, my prayer is thatit might be afor you with the Lord.Things to do:experienceFind out the themes of the variousconferences and secure a program foras many of them as you can.Discuss the program which has beenplanned for your ownconference andhave each person tell the part which interests him the most about the program.JUNIOR TOPICAugust 7, 1955Lola Weir, New York, N. Y.A FIERY SERPENT THATHEALNumbers 21:4-20COULDMemory Verse: John 3:14, 15: "Andas Moses lifted up the serpent in thewilderness, even so must the Son oflievethman be lifted up: that whosoever bein Him should not perish, buthave eternalPsalms:life."Psalm 44:1-4, page 112;Psalm 20:1-7,Psalm 34:1-6, page 79This month our lessons are frompage 43;Numbers and Deuteronomy. It seemsthat one question that is common toeach one is: How well or how fully didthey trust God? Therefore our memoryPsalm for the month will be Psalm 34:1-6.1. Did Israel have a thanksgiving after God slew the Canaanites? Verses 2,3 (Hormah v. 3 means desolation, notnot thanksgiving.) Maybe the answer toquestion one is the key to the conditionof the people in verses 4 and 5.2. What often happens when we forget to say"thank you"? Give severalanswers. Use this as a basis of discussion to show how it often brings onGod's judgments and disciplines in ourlives.3. Did they have "no bread, neitherwater"? v. 5.4.What became of the "brazen serpent"? 2 Kings 18:4 (Nehushtan .only a piece of brass.")5. How did Jesus explain the spiritualsignificance of His crucifixion to Nicodemus? John 3:14, 15..6. How could the brass serpent healthe people? Vs. 8, 9.In our story for today the children ofIsrael, after the death of Aaron, camein contact with the Canaanites whotook some Israelites prisoners. Thismade Israel conscious of their need ofGod's help, so they made a vow untoGod that if He would deliver theCanaanites into their hand they wouldutterly destroy their cities. God heardtheir vow and delivered the Canaanitesinto the hand of Israel and they destroyed their cities. But they had nothanksgiving service, and as they hadto travel around the land of Edom, theycomplained to Moses against his leadership. They blamed God for placing themunder such "bad circumstances that itwould mean their death, for they hadno food nor water (they said).Did you ever complain about the badweather for a picnic, or why you hadto do chores rather than play ball?Aren't we really complaining againstGod? If we have accepted Jesus as ourLord and Saviour, He puts us in certaincircumstances for a definite purpose.Even on rainy picnic days God has ablessing for us and if we never forget tothank Him for blessings on good daysHe will help us see the blessing on darkdays. How God does love a thankfulheart!God had to punish Israel to makethem conscious of their dependence uponHim. He was the One who was leadingCOVENANTER WITNESS"

nic."songs."them and He knew all their circumstances. Theymust trust Him that thosecircumstances werefor them at that time.the bestGod alwaysknows best and "always gives the bestto those who leave the choice to Him"for He made us and He died for us.When the Israelites were bitten bythe serpents they suffered pain andthen they wanted God. So boys and girlssometimes are naughty and disobeytheir parents, even run away, but whenthey are in pain or sick they want"Mother"and"Daddy."When the Israelites acknowledgedthey had done wrong and asked for forgiveness Moses prayed to God and Godanswered his prayer. He told Moses tomake a fieryserpent and set it on astandard. Then anyone bitten by a serpent would look upon the serpent of brasswould be immediately healed because heobeyed God and trusted Him to heal.Today we are to look to Jesus in faithand obey Him and He will give us aclean heart that will want to obey Himevery day. "Trust and obey for there'sno other way to be happy in Jesus butto trust and obey."Our memory verses point to Jesus'power to save us. He was lifted up onthe cross for our sins and we are to liftHim up in our lives to the world. Writein your notebook a number of ways inwhich we Christians can lift Jesus up tothe world.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONAugust 7, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on international Sunday SchoolLessons; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the InternationalCouncil of Religious Education.)THE EXILES IN BABYLON,Psalm 137:1-6; Jeremiah 29:1-14;Daniel 3:17, 18.Printed Text, Psalm 136:1-6; Jeremiah29:1, 5, 7, 12, 13; Daniel 3:13-18.Memory Verse, Daniel 3:17, 18.By the rivers of Babylon! This is oneof the sadest and most beautiful Psalms.The story is very simply told. The captive Jews in B'ablylon sat down besidethe river under the willow trees andwept when they thought of Zion, fromwhich they had been carried captive.Their captorscame and asked themto sing a song of Zion, to sing it withmirth. Nothing is stated as to the feelingof these slaves and their captors toward each other.Some think that the overture of themasters was in cruel ridicule. A metricalversion of the Psalm that we sang inthe 90srendered the third verse asfollows;"There cruel captors,flushed withpride,A song required to mock our wrongs;July 20, 1955Our spoilers called for mirth, andcried,Come, sing us one of Zion'sThe words in italics introducethoughts not offered in the Psalm. Matthew Henrysupports this charge ofcruel intent. He thinks the captors chosethe place of meeting as "the most melancholy place .... of solitude. "Then hethinks that they added to this wrongby insulting them, asking them to sing.He says, "This was very barbarous andinhuman."The translators of King James version showed a like view by the use ofthe word "required" in the third verse.The Hebrew word shaal though usedmany times, is not the common wordfor required. 87 times it is translatedask, 8 times ask counsel; 22 times request. In only 7 places is it translatedrequired. In the other six of theseplaces,the context would not permitthe thought of command or compulsion.Now look at the evidences of afriendly overture. Those slaves were allowed a holiday. At least a period ofleisure. They were not kept in a stockade under guard. They were allowedto meet together. If their masters chosetheir place of meeting, what more pleasant place could be described in so fewwords? Beside the river, under the willows. "Let's go there for our next picThe Babylonians had either heard, orheard of, the Hebrew songs. They evenknew the kind they wanted; the gladsongs of Zion. They do not require, butrequested mirth,a word usually translated gladness or joy. The captives wereweeping. Their masters thought thatjoyful songs would cheer them up. Thosepoor captives! When they thoughtof the glad songs of Zion, theywept the more. They had oftenneglected them, or sung them thoughtlesslyat home when the sun wasshining. But now, exiled from Zion, theyfelt their loss, and their shame. Theycould not sing those joyful songs. Butthey sang another; a song of heartrending sorrow. The sang of their captorsin words that were true and respectful,that could give no offence. They pouredout their hearts in lament for their losthome where they found their chief joyin their meetings to worship God. Perhaps their masters wept a little too.Then perhaps there was a mingling offeelings of sympathy, sorrow and revenge, they sang from their own prophets the story of the doom of Babylon.Whatever their feelings toward theircaptors, their song was true.We learn from Jeremiah in the nextpart of our lesson,that these slaveswere allowed to build their own homes,plant gardens and eat the fruit of them.Jeremiah urged them to take adventageof this generous opportunity. Where elsewere slaves ever allowed to have suchhomes? Not in America! In lessons following, we will see more of the kindness that king of Babylon offered toobedient Jews. Even the jealousies thatplotted the destruction of the Jewsproved that theywere given a goodchance to become prosperous.Tried By FireIn this incident we see both theunspeakable cruelty and the kindness ofBabylon's king. He had built a greatimage. We are not told what it represented. Perhaps it was an image of theking himself. In that case, bowing before it would have a little of what wemean by removing our hats when theNational Anthem is played. Even inour peaceful land, it might go ill withone who deliberately refused to take offhis hat in a football crowd when theband plays the Star Spangled Banner.At the Dominionpresume everyFair in Ottawa, IAmerican uncoveredwhen the U. S. Navy Band played "GodSave The King." And Every Canadianstood with hat off then they played"The Star Spangled Banner." The Jewsmight have eased their consciences bysaying that theywardly,could conform outwith mental reservation, butthat image attributed divinity to thestate through its king. This was morethan a patriotic or friendlygesture. Itwas having another god before God.The decision was not so difficult asit might seem. Shadrach said that theywere not careful to answer. The American Revised renders it more accuratelythat they "did not need toanswer."TheKing knew them. They had lived honorably in his service, and had not consealedtheir loyalty to the God ofIsrael. The had made the decision whenthey had accepted salvation through thecoming Messiah. There is a very definite value in the temperance pledge,whether written or "purposed in theheart."The temptation maycome unexpectedly among friends, business associates or fellow patriots. It may comeunder unusual, unexpected circumstances. One might hesitate to decide. Butif the decision is already made, that ismore than half the battle. It is all of it.There is nothing left to do, but to standvictorious.The Kingwas a victim of his ownpower. He could make a decree.could not unmake it.boys.HeHe knew theseHe liked them. He could trustthem. He wanted them in his service.He almost begged them to save himfrom his own decree of which he wasa helpless victim. God showed His powerby setting aside the king's decree, marvelously.43

PRAYER MEETING TOPICAugust 10, 1955"PRAYER FOR DAILY NECESSITIES"Matt. 6:11, 23-34.Rev. P. D. McCracken, D.D.Everyone has daily necessities, andeveryone who prays prays for dailynecessities. This subject is, and shouldbe of vital interest to all. But it canbe dealt with very hap-hazardly, as istoo often the case with Prayer MeetingTopics.Some appointed leaders put off allpreparation until the last hour (or perhaps minute), and then grab up theCovenanter Witness to see what theComments have to say. Here is a fooler.Instead of my comments on this topic,I'm simply going to suggest some sourcematerial for YOUR study, at least someof which will be available to you witha little effort. There is surely in everyCovenanter home, and certainly in everyelder's or pastor's home something onthe Lord's Prayer. Our Study this evening is the fourth petition, "Give usthis day our daily bread."In the following places, and, no doubt,in many others, you will find Psalms,Scripture Readings, References, Explanations, Questions and Comments."The Larger Catechism" Ques. 193P. 124 Constitution Book"The Shorter Catcheism Ques. 104P- 147 Constitution Book"Exposition of Shorter CatechismHarper pp. 395-397"Family Altar" Back to God Hour-September 22, 23 1954"Paterson on Catechism" pp. 364-368"The Shorter Catechism" AlexanderWhyte pp. 204-206"Body of Divinity" (Lectures on S.C.)Watsonpp. 511-521"Studies inthe Larger(Blue Banner Faith and Life) VosCatechism"son 182 pp. 78-80 April-June, 1949.LesLEADERS, here is your opportunityto really make this the kind of a meeting you know it ought to be. You willbe richly repaid. Preparation goes a longway to success. Get ready now.W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor.Praver Hour. 1 :00 P.M. MondsvDear Synodical Women:44Sterling, KansasJuly 5, 1955As we start a new year of service,it is a pleasure to extend my greetingsto you, my 1671 co-workers, and to anticipate with you some of the mattersthat go with our common task.Congratulations to you, both local andpresbyterial presidents! For some of you,this means continuing in a familiarfield; for others it is a new threshholdthat you are crossing. To you all, Itrust it may be an experience of continuing joy in the important task committed to our hands. "Seeing that ourwomen missionaries are supported byhome"the women at is an on-goingideal "To BUILD" is our theme for thisyear.Your women attending the Synodmeeting in June met daily for an afterbreakfast period of praise and prayer.Amongour leaders for this devotionalperiod were Mrs. Claude Brown of Selma, Ala.; Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson,Latakia, Syria; Mrs. M. K. Carson, BelleCenter, Ohio; and Mrs. Alvin Smith, Orlando, Fla. How refreshing it was tojoin with these and others in seekingGod's guidance for our day, our year'swork, and our whole course of life!We learned how this genuinely,friendly spirit can create a sense of truefellowship, and a sincere comictionthat what should be, can be done, andcan bring joy in the doing, thus fostering enthusiasm for further success.We are entering the 100th anniversaryyear of Covenanter Missionary work inAmerica, and the Synodical ProgramCommittee from Kansas will be planningan appropriate celebration for nextJune. Suggestions from you are alwayswelcome.Mrs. Jean Coleman, our historian, iswriting the history of our Snyodical.During this year may we each carryon a personal "Treasure Hunt" in thesense of looking constantly for the potentialities of the women in our churchand community, and of offering opportunity for their realization in additionto the group effort put forward by thesociety.By best wishes are with you for thisyear ahead, with its problems and itspossibilities. The two are inseparable;but God's presence and power are inseparable also. May your daily experience prove this increasingly to be true!Very Sincerely yours,In His glad service,Mrs. A. J. McFarland, SynodicalPresident.Official Board meeting held June 4 inMcKee Hall was profitable to all the40 women in attendance. Reports wereread and recommendations discussed inthe morning; in the afternoon, the Executive Officers took definite action, theresults of which follow:(1) Intermediate Societies will besponsored by the Young People's Secretary,not by the Synodical. Watch theWitness!(2) The Aged People's Home andSynodical Reports will appear in thesame W.M.S. Department Column usingthe subheads "Our Covenanter Home"and "Synodical" respectively.(3) The Uniform Program Committeewill be named from Pittsburgh Presbyterial by their Presbyterial President,Mrs. D. Howard Elliott.(4) The same "greeters" will serveus for the comingyear: Mrs. M. W.Martin on the West Coast; and MissLola Weir and Mrs. James Beatty onthe East coast.(5) The $683.12 contributed to theSpecial Project of transportation of amissionary to a foreign field, was granted the Foreign Mission Board for thetransporation of the Spear family toJapan.(6) The 1955-56 Special Project willbe: (a) Paying off the $200 debt on theIndian Mission station wagon, (b) Furnishingary.needed supplies for the -Semin(7) Miss Esther Latimer's committeeon Covenanter Publications will be askedto act as publicityagent for the saleof Mrs. R. H. McKelvy's book "Taughtof the Lord"(8) Mrs. Olive Beatty of the ForeignMission Board and Mrs. Gretta C. Mitchel of the Home Mission Board wererecommended by the Official Board forre-election to their respective boards fora new three-year term of '55-'58. Theywere re-elected by Synod.(9) All questions or suggestions concerning report blanks should be reportedto the Chairman of the Revision Committee, Mrs. James Beatty, 149 HighlandAve. Allendale, New Jersey.(10) Appointments for the coming1956 Synodical: Parliamentarian Mrs.J. E. McElroy; Precentor Mrs. StewartMcCready; Assistant Precentor Mrs.Gail Wilkey.(11) Our W.M.S. auditor is MissSarah Archer.Mrs. A. J. McFarland, PresidentMrs. J. M. Robb, SecretaryA Thought for you:Look upGod's mirror is in the sky!Deal with others ONLY AS YOU SEETHEM REFLECTED in that mirrorfrom aboveHow different will be lifewith own loved ones our friends evenour enemies!COVENANTER WITNESS

Beatitudes for a HousewifeBlessed is she whose daily tasks area labor of love, for she transforms dutyinto privilege.Blessed is she who mends socks, andtoys, and broken hearts, for her underis the healing balm for humanstandingity.Blessed is she who serves laughterand smiles at every meal, for she shallbe blessed with goodness.Blessed is she who preserves the sancitityof the Christian HOME, for hersis a sacred trust that crowns her withdignity.Anontude think happy and love thoughtstowards others. Try doing new thingsand finding new friends.START NOW Save your future, Risefrom the inevitable and let GOD buildfor you a great future-even from theruins of and unhappy failure.Instructions for woman in the dark:Take treatment (Psychoanalysis) threetimes a day giving time and carefulthought to each step for gaining light.Increase frequency of steps that helpyou most each day as light filtersaplicationmarvelous light will dawnthrough. By careful and prayerfulintoyour life.Church NewsWOMAN IN THE DARK is a moderndrama in which Liza, brilliant youngheroine with a magnificent career, isgoing to piecesno one knows why.Through psychoanalysis her past is reproduced and all significant experiencesback through her life are brought tolight, and when she sees herself clearly,she is able to work out her life for ahappyEveryand wholesome future.woman in the dark does nothave the money for a psychiatrist toreproduce her cradle days, but everyonecan find light by putting herself whollyin God's care. ,Suggested steps:Pray ask God to give you light andtrust Him to answer.Searchthe Bible for helpful verses.Seek light from these verses.Yearn for God's touch continuallytrusting He is giving you light.Confess your sins to God. If youfeel like confiding your problems, findan understanding friend. This will helpyou relax and feel calm.Holdfast to your faith in God. Hewill help you find your rightful placein life and in service for others.Only Godcan help you. Obey Hiscommands. Build your life on worthwhile activity only busyHAPPY women.Ask Godto helpwomen areyou in every needand thank Him for every blessing.Never give up. You can win no onecomes by happiness and success naturally.Arisefrom the ashes of your selfpity. Learn to distinguish between theunreal dark world of your worries andthe real world that needs you.LAUGHat yourself at least once aday. Long as you can laugh there isHOPE.Yieldbe teachable. Relax your tensions-casting your care on HIM.Study yourself in the light of pastexperiences that have caused youworry, fear, or other unhappy emotionsreaction.Improve yourselfyour appearanceyour habits your thought your atti-July 20, 1955OUR HOMEOn Friday the 17th of June thePerrysville Women's Christian Temperance Union had their annual June meeting at OUR HOME. After the meetinga porch party was held at which punchand cookies were served. Most of ourladymembers attended. It is averydelightful affair each year, and alwaysthe visitors express pleasure at our informalityand charm.That same evening the Juniors ofthe First Beaver Falls congregationentertained our members with songs,scripture reading, and recitation. Theyserved punch, candies and cookies. Howrefreshing to our members to have theseyoung people interested enough to comeso many miles to visit them and entertain them. Do it again, 1st Beaver Falls,for you brought much joy!On Sabbath afternoon at 4 o'clock theReverend Dr. Voss preached at OurHome. A splendid sermon, so much appreciated and enjoyed. Dr. Voss is Headof the Bible Department at Geneva.Dr. and Mrs. Voss had supper with themembers after the services, much to thedelight of the members.The same Sabbath evening Dr. RemoRobb brought to Our Home the StudentTraining Class that have taking a courseat our seminary. These young folks toldof the course, its purposes, and itshopes, and presented Christ to ourmembers. What a blessing to have suchyoungpeople! And from reports fromthe young people (many of whom hadnever been in Our Home before) they,too, received a blessing and went awaywith a larger vision of the work of OurChurch.Manyof our members have been onvacation, some now are, and others willbe. We will tell you about this again,but now: OUR HOME BOARD ISPRAYING, OUR MEMBERS AREPRAYING, ARE YOU PRAYING FORTHE BUILDING COMMITTEE GIVETILL YOU REJOICE.Pittsburgh, 28, Pa.GREELEYSabbath, July 10th, seemed to behomecoming day at Greeley. We werevery happy to have Dr. S. Willson,our former pastor, as our speaker atthe evening service, and to have hisfamily in our midst once more. We alsorejoiced to welcome home the John Edgars of Sharon and Ray Wilcox family ofBeaver Falls. Other summer visitorsfrom many of our Covenanter congregations have been welcome guests. Weinvite visitors to "Colorful Colorado" toworship with us here in Greeley.Mr. and Mrs. Joe McFarland and Billof Sterling have been living here thissummer as Joe attends Colorado StateCollege.Our Pastor and his familyvisited inSyracuse, New York prior to the meeting of Synod. During his absence theRev. Paul White and the Rev. BoydWhite supplied our puplit very acceptably.At our Children's Day Service thisyear, awards were given to the winnersin our "Fishers of Men" Sabbath SchoolContest. Miss Margery Johnson receivedthe individual award, and Miss MarjorieMcClurkin's Class received the classaward; the awards were given for bringing the most visitors. On this occasionour Superintendant, Mr.Philip Kennedy, presented gifts to each of the teachers in the Sabbath School in recognitionof their faithful service over the years.After each class presented its program,our Pastor preached an illustratedsermon.The church bowling team wonthesecond half of the league and the playoffs to take the church league championship.Mrs.John McCloy passed away onFriday, May 13th. The funeral was heldon Monday, May 16th here in Greeley;interment also was local. Our Pastorconducted the services. In the providenceof God, Mrs. McCloy lived a long anduseful life. She was ever faithful to herLord, her Bible,and her church. Wecovet your prayers for Mr. McCloy inthis time of sorrow. "Who can find a45

ubies."virtous woman?abovefor her price is far(Prov. 31:10)SANTA ANAMrs. Jane Cathcart is home from thehospital but still confined to her bed.We are praying that her strength willsoon return to normal.Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Osterman andchildren of Kentucky have been welcomeat our services and in the home of Mrs.Anna Martin, an aunt of Mrs. Osterman.Guests in the William Hartzell homein June were their mothers, Mrs. O. E.Hartzell of the Mars congregation anda sister Mrs. C. W. Powell also of Pennsylvania.Representatives of the Gideons spokeon the Synod Sabbath at our morningservice. Dr. Walter McCarroll broughtthe evening message. Among the visitorson June 12 were the Elsey Dills of Bellefontaine,Ohio, the McDermotts of Cincinnatti,Ohio, and the Ostlings of Elmonte,California.Capt Walter McCarroll, now of MarchField Air B'ase but just home froma three-year tour of duty in Germany,attended services on June 19 and visitedin the home of his grandparents, Dr.and Mrs. Walter McCarroll.Frenso relatives of the Lewis Keysfamily who worshipped with us June 19and 26 were Mrs. Alma Copeland MissLois Copeland.To bid our pastor welcome, we assembled at the church on Friday evening, July 1, for a reception honoringRev. Glenn McFarland. Seventeen fromLos Angeles congregation joined us.Master of ceremonies was Mr. HughMcCrum. These brought greetings: Mi.Siguard Nelson for the elders; MissMargaret Walkinshaw, the W. M. S.;Mr. J,ohn Vogt, the deacons; Mrs.Harold Sedgley, the King's Daughters;Mrs. Gordon Betts, the Sabbath School;and Mr. John Hart, the Christian Brotherhood. Lie. Paul Robb reminisced a-bout fellowshipwith our pastor in seminary days and conveyed the good wishesof the Los Angeles congregation. Rev.McFarland expressed his thanks for theassurances of good will and asked oursupport as together we seek God's guidance here.Group singing was led by Mrs. MaryTippen. As a special number, we hearda thumb-nail sketch of our pastor's life"Davy Crockett style. Mrs. MargaretMcFarland Mrs. Virginia Anderson poured at the refreshment table.ALLEGHENYMiss Barbara Campbell was graduatedfrom Allegheney High School on June20. She will continue work with thecompanytime work.46with which she has had partWe welcome Cheryle Ann Gerstner,born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gerstner,June 11.The annual Sabbath School picnicwas held in Riverview Park. Everyoneenjoyed the dinner served by Mrs. DonoldMcCracken and her committee andthe games planned by Mr. and Mrs. JayWissner.The Children's Day Service on June26 was very interesting and showed thegood work done by teachers and pupils.Two of the beginners class, Daniel andChristine Walters, received a NewTestament for having completedtheshort and easy Catechism questions.Quite a number, not only of the children, but also of the adults classes received awards for attendance.Daily vacation Bible School openedat the end of the public school termand continued through Friday, July 1.Twenty-five children were enrolled, and,and the average attendance was twentyone.Mr. and Mrs. Kermit Edgar andMiss Barbara Campbell were the teachers.Four of our boys went to Camp Fernwood. The were David and Daniel Terrick,Keith Edgar, and Robert McCarthy. Several of our members are planning to go to Camp Stambaugh in August.Young people and adults have enjoyeda study of "Pilgrims Progress," on Sabbath evenings. The pastor has led thestudy, which was held before the evening service. It will be continued in thefall.S. Elizabeth McWilliamsCLARINDA 100th ANNIVERSARYThe Clarinda, la. R. P Congregationwill celebrate its 100th anniversary onJuly 28.Program at 2 P.M., dinner at churchat six, program at eight.Friends and relatives of members areinvited to attend.The Centennial Comm.Mrs Homer Woods (chm)R.R. No. 3, Clarinda, la.OPEN HOUSE AT KANSAS CITYOn Friday evening, May 20, the Kansas City congregation was invited to"Open House" at the manse, so themembers of the congregation could haveopportunity to inspect the fine newhome they had provided for their minister. Refreshments were provided bythe Missionary Societies. However,strange whisperings and secret happenings seemed to be going on among theguests. At the close of the evening ahuge barrel was brought into the livingroom, filled with canned goods and other good things to eat also a checkwhich said, "Pay to the order of Rev.and Mrs. G. M. Robb, two and no/100frozen chickens, payable ondemand."For these and many other kindnesses (which include the providing ofa television set for the manse) we wantto express our deepest appreciation tothe members and friends of the Kansas City Congregation.Ruth R.G. M. RobbWRIGLEY FAREWELLRobbThe little white church in Wrigleywas filled nearly to overflowing theMonday evening before the Hemphillfamily left Kentucky for Hetherton,Michigan. The occasion was a farewellgathering planned by the people of thecommunity, and eighty-five were present.M. B. Whitt, the local Baptist preacher, was in charge of the program.Speaking on behalf of the people, hesaid, "The Hemphills' service has beenwhat we have needed. We have appreciated what they have given. Mr. Hemhillhas been a faithful minister, hiswife a noble teacher. You have notonly been taught but you have seen examples."These people have been an asset tothis community. Their place can neverbe filled here. The boys and girls willmiss them more than anyone else. Theirhearts will be broken as the Hemphillsleave this community. The children willlook back to the things they have learned here."Following his speech, Mr. and Mrs.Hemphill gave their farewell messages.Alan, Bruce, and Beth then stood in thereceiving line with their parents as thepeople, old and young, filed up to saytheir goodbyes. Tears were very muchin evidence. The gifts brought forward.and before the group the Hemphills unwrapped the tangible evidence of thegoodwill of the Wrigley people and theirgenuine regret over their leaving. Refreshments were then served.BLAZEThe folks of the Blaze Sabbath Schoolall met for a farewell supper the evening of the Hemphills' last visit in thatarea. The custom was for the family tohave supper in one of the homes eachweek, but that evening everyone wantedthem, and they all ate together.Even before the good people of Blazeknew that the Hemphills were leavingthey had planned a surprise birtday party for Mrs. Hemhpill at the church oneSaturday night. She had been invited toone of the homes, and as seventy peoplewaited at the church she was taken overon some pretext. As the ligths flashedon, the folks began to sing "HappyBirthday"and the birthday cake andmany presents were displayed. This wasCOVENANTER WITNESS

the best expression of regard that onewould expect to get from these folks.The affair preceding the usual busySabbath climaxed that day by Mr. Hemhilldelivering the baccalaureate sermonin the SandyHook High School auditorium. The superintendent of schools inElliott County, Curt Davis, called thisthe finest talk he ever heard given agraduating class.Manylocal people who have had occasion to know the Hemphills and theirwork have shown surprise and regretover their leavingparativelyin the communityestablished.after such a comshort ministry. Their placelife had becomeThose who are left to attempt to fillthe place that can never be filled sawone more evidence of Mr.Hemphill'shelpfulness when he moved the furniture from the Sandy Hook house toWrigley the day before his own household effects were to be loaded into trailer, jeep and car. The Hemphills gave oftheir energy and labor unstintingly forothers here in Kentucky, and as theybegin their work in a new place mayGod richly bless them and may theyprosper in all they undertake for Him.STERLINGLarry Oline, high school senior, waselected to the National Honor Society,outstanding boy in the senior class, andband king; John McFarland, also H. S.senior, won first in the Central PrairieLeague in tennis. Robert McFarland,Geneva College senior, made the Dean'sHonor Roll, and also won a third placemedal in the shot put in the A.A.U.meet in Pittsburgh. Sam Wilkey, H.S.junior, broke state records in both highand low hurdles. Watch him next year!Miss Marjorie Humphreys, KansasState President of Technologists, spentthe week of June 13-20 in New Orleansat their National Convention.Duringher stay she took a trip to the Leprosarium at Carville, La.Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Reed, Bob andDon have returned from a trip to Seattle, Wash., where theyvisited his sisterand family, the Rev. M. W. Martin family.The Rev. and Mrs. L. E. Kilpatrick,John and Paul spent part of the monthof June vacationing in the Black Hillsof South Dakota and in Colorado.Miss Ruth McFarland of Wichitaspent a week in Beaver Falls, and waspresent for the graduation of two of hercousins, Marion and Robert McFarland.Mrs. Jennie Anderson attended thewedding of her granddaughter ShirleyCunningham to Walter Klus of Bridgeport, Penna., on Saturday June 25, atGlen Elder, Ks.Born to Mr. and Mrs. Karl Cunningham of Gypsum, Kansas, a daughterLinda Jo on June 3. They are now livingin Pittsburgh, Kans.,where Karl iscontinuing his work toward a Master'sdegree.Mrs. A. J. McFarland, Armour andthe Joe McFarlands drove to BeaverFalls where they joined Dr. McFarlandfor Robert's graduation exercises fromGeneva. On June 3, Robert won theoratorical contest and on Commencement Day was presented the John Lincoln Downie $25.00 Award for the bestwork in oratory.Following Synod and the SynodicalOfficial Board meeting Dr. and Mrs. McFarland went to Washington D.C. onC.A.M. business, while Robert attendedthe Youth Training School at the Seminary. Mr. and Mrs. Joe McFarland andBill returned to Greeley, Colorado,where they are enjoying the fellowshipof the Greeley congregation this summer, while Joe is working on his Master's degree. En route home from Washington, D.C, Dr. and Mrs. McFarlandvisited Armour at Bear Run-Mahoning,where he is preaching this summer.A congregational ice cream social wasenjoyed the evening of July 2 honoringthe Gene Spear family. Rev. Spearpreached for us July 3.A purse waspresented these departing missionaries,with the well wishes of their Sterlingfriends.The congregation enjoyed hearing Mr.Don Felker preach on Sabbath evening,June 26. The Stafford congregation worshiped with us.Dr. A. W. Calhoun, retiring Dean andprofessor of Greek in Sterling College,was presented a Psalter by our congregation in appreciation of his workamong us during his 19 years on thecollege faculty.MORNING SUNDavid R. Armstrong, valedictorian ofMorning Sun High School received theschool Activities Award and the Citizenship Award. The last mentioned is givenby the Iowa Bar Association. These areawarded every year to a senior, who iselected by the teachers to be the onethey think are most likely to succeed.He lettered in basketball and baseball,and took part in the Senior Play. Fromthe result of examinations given byUniversity of Iowa, he received one ofthe Merit Scholarships. He plans toattend there this fall. By virtue of beingvaledictorian he was the recipient ofReaders Digest Award of a year's subscription. His sister was also valedictorian of her class, a few years ago. Relatives attending from a distance were hissister Mrs. Mary Ann Johnson, Monticello, Iowa and aunts, Mrs. Mary Kern.Blairstown, Iowa and Mrs. Clark Sexton, Oakville, Iowa.Mr.and Mrs. Wilbut Fagle newlyweds,visited recently with their grandfather, Dave Cummings.Jenifer Baker visited her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Milford Todd. Hernew sister is named Lynn Louise. Theyare great grandchildren of Dave Cummings.Lois Honeyman is spending a monthvisiting relatives in Calif, and otherWestern states.Sharon McElhinney returned fromDenver where she visited her sister Mrs.Robert Tackenburg. Mr. Tackenburg isa salesman at Swift's.Rev. H. G. Patterson has returnedfrom visiting his daughters families inButler and Beaver Falls, Pa., and attending Synod. He accompanied Rev.McElroy and Rev. Edgar and EvertCummings to Hopkinton for the licensure of Ray Joseph.Stanley Geiselman is visiting hisgrandfather, Walter Hutcheson. His parents were here the 3rd & 4th. His brother Wayne is in Great Lakes NavalTraining Station.Howard McElhinney, ranger in Yellowstone Park, met the William Dunnfamily recentlyat the Park entrance.Knox Dunn celebrated his 90th birthday, June 25, and was guest of honor ata dinner at Sunset park, Washington,Iowa. Present were all his children andgrandchildren except one grandson, Robert Evans, who is stationed with theArmy at Camp Gordon, Ga. He received106 birthday cards. He was also given acelebration at the Welsh church at Wyman. Rev. Edgar and Rev. Doughertyboth cousins were at the church celebration. Rev. Bruce Willson visited in Morning Sun en rcute to Covenant Heights.Mrs. J. Ralph WilsonMorning Sun, IowaQUINTER NEWSIn the spring May graduation class inGrade School, we had three graduates,Wendell Graham, Jay Mann and JimmyJamison. In High School we had JeanMann, Norma Bollinger, DonGrahamand Jimmie Haney. We are very proudof our young people.Mrs. Carl Jewell and Jeff came fromWashougal, Washington with Rev. andMrs. Jim Carson and baby to visit herparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Grahamand Roland and other relatives andfriends.Mrs. Bert McElroy attended the wedding of her grandson, Leland Milroy,July 1, at Topeka, Kansas.Rev. and Mrs. Jim Carson and baby ofSeattle, Washington, assisted Rev. Farisat our spring Communion, June 2-5, hismessages were very helpful. We wereblessed in our fellowship.Rev. and Mrs. Jim Carson and baby,July 20, 1955 47

party."Rev. and Mrs. Paul Faris and family,left Monday morning, June 6, for Synod.Rev. and Mrs. Faris and Family returned from vacation, June 23, refreshed in mind and body. Wewerehappy to have them home again. At ourrecent congregational meeting, June 6,we voted unanimously to continue ourpastoral relationship.Mr. Lee Craig who recentlywent tosurgery twice, is still confined to hishospital bed, but is showing improvement.Mrs. Maggie Bailey has been confined in the hospital the past two weeks,her condition is unimproved.We have enjoyed visitors in our congregation recently from Calif., Colorado,Washington, New Mexico, New Jersey,Wichita and Valley Center, Kansas andLe Mas, Iowa.A WILKINSBURG MEMBERCELEBRATES 102nd BIRTHDAYMr. John C.Calderwood, the oldestmember of the Wilkinsburg congregation was born June 26, 1853 and became102 years of age on that date this year.He is in reasonably good health and enjoys company. He has an excellent apThe men of the church held their first"stag Thanks to Win Lane andhis committee for the hamburger fry.The Genevans presented "Christ InThe Psalms" very impressively one Sabbath evening.We are glad to have Mrs. C. E. Bellesback with us after a successful eyeoperation.Mr. Robert Lane injured at work isnow home from the hospital.We are sorry that Mr. Adam Wissneris on the sick list again.Our Junior Choir under the directionof Mrs. Guy Spratley sang two numbersin the Pagent "Salt of the Earth" givenby a number of children from differentchurches. Mrs. Walter Mandeville hadcharge of this program which was givenin the College Chapel for Synod.The Junior Societyof twenty-twomembers had a nice visit with the folksat the Aged Peoples Home. The trip wasmade in our church bus driven by Rev.Elliott. A program of Psalms, prayer,memorized verses and books of theBible were given by the children. TheJunior superintendent Mrs. ElbertHoulette and Miss Jean Young hadcharge of the program. Mrs. HowardElliott served refreshments.Miss Blanche McCrea will sail forNicosia, Cyprus aboard the U.S.E. Constitution on August 10th.WANTED URGENTLY A young woman with a college education, able todrive a car, for full time service in theKentuckymission field. She will be a coworker with Mrs. R. C. Adams inteaching the Bible in the schools ofElliott and Morgan counties. Appointment begins September 1, 1955. If youfeel called to this important missionwork, write the Rev. Kermit E. Edgar,308 Dunlap Street, Pittsburgh 14, Pa., orcounsel with Dr. Remo I. Robb as hevisits the Summer Conferences.petite and is able to be outside a partof everyday.Mr. Calderwood lives with his son,John and family, whose home is at 301Summit Avenue, Johnstown, Pa. Mr.Calderwood was a charter member ofthe East End Congregation and was formore than fifty years the clerk of thatsession. His minutes were accuratelywritten and with an excellent penmanship. After this disorganization of EastEnd he removed his letter to the Wilkinsburg Congregation. It is only duringthe last two or three years that he hasnot been able to attend he communionservices.Mr. Calderwood recalls the Civil Warand the assassination of PresidentLincoln. He says he has lived a longlife because he never worried and hasfaith in God.A birthday dinner party was givenin the home on Saturday, June 25. Mr.Calderwood's sister, Mrs. Agnes E.Steele, his brother, Hugh, a niece, MissRhoda Beatty, along with the writerand his wife were guests at the table.Before leaving we had worship with thefamily. Mr. Calderwood joined heartilyin the singingof the 23rd Psalm andwas grateful for the fellowship of prayer. Congratulations, Mr. Calderwood!Rev.T. C. McKnightFIRST BEAVER FALLSfor our springKenneth Smith guest ministercommunion gave us inspiring and helpful messages. Twentynew members were received into thechurch at this time.48Program :CostWHITE LAKE ADULT CONFERENCEJULY 25-30$11.00 for conference or $3.00 per day.Dr. Edward Young of Westminster SeminaryRev. Robert Tweed, Geneva CongregationRev. Harold Harrington,Rev. Kenneth Smith,IsaiahHebrewsNew Castle CongregationDiscussion LeaderCentral Pittsburgh CongregationVisitation EvangelismDr. R. J. G. McKnight, President Emeritus of SeminaryNow Hear This!Come and Refresh both Body and SoulSTAMBAUGH BULLETINfc^fc-A A A ANow Hear This!The Pittsburgh Presbytery C.Y.P.U. Conference will againbe held at Stambaugh Scout Reservation located near Youngstown, Ohio. Main speakers will include Dr. M. K. Carson, Dr.S. B. Willson, and Dr. J. G. Vos with many others.Rates for camp are as follows: Age 12 and over, $18.00;11-8, $12.00; 7-4, $7.00 ; 3-younger, free of charge. No registrationis charged.ship.Don't miss out on the fine opportunity for Christian fellowDATES FOR CAMPAugust 22-August 29CAMP THEMEChrist CallsCOVENANTER WITNESS

. thetoECHOES NUMBERBIBLE LESSON FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 14, 1955CovenanterwtnessVOLUME LV, NO. 4 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 1955A RevealingPortrait ofThe First CommunistDick Hillis*The first communist was a disciple of Jesus.Here are the facts :The Time : A few days before Christ died.The Place : A home in Bethany. Jesus is there.His disciples are there. Martha is busy serving. Marykneels before Jesus and breaks an alabaster box ofcostly perfume. The rich fragrance fills the air . . .everyone turns to watch Mary as she anoints thefeet of Jesus and dries them with her hair. The creature is worshiping her Creator . sinner ex.pressing her love to her Saviour.A harsh voice shatters the silence of the moment, "TO WHAT PURPOSE THIS WASTE?" thefirst Communist: declares. To give to God ... sacrifice ... to worship... is Waste. That's what Judasmeant.For eighteen months, while living under theCommunists in China, we heard these words repeatedly: To what purpose this waste? Be gone withChristianity! Your worship of Christ is waste, it issuperstition, it is opium to the people!These are devil-inspired words! We had betterface it Communism is no mere ideology. It is thedeification of man a vicious, Satan-inspired religiondesigned to destroy man, both body and soul.Why was not this ointment sold and given tothe poor? What a cover ut> ! Give to the poor Give. . .to the poor! parrot the Communists. Are they sincere? No more than Judas was. So cunningly hadJudas said it that even the disciples would have beendeceived had Jesus left it there. So brilliant areCommunist writings and so shrewd their propaganda,that even Christians are often duped.Give to the poor ... is a diabolical plan to usethe poor to subjugate the rich, and then in turn toenslave the poor and conquer the world.*Rev. Hillis is Director of Orient Crusades and aveteran missionary to the Orient.Give to the poor . . . noble words! But Jesusexposes Judas, declaring, "This he said, not thathe cared for the poor, but because he was a thief."Judas was uncovered ... as a thief, a liar, a deceiver,yes, a murderer.Communism is the brain child of Satan, Judaswas its first disciple. He betrayed and murderedChrist. Thousands of God's people have been sincemurdered by the followers of Judas. Thousands aredying as martyrs today by the hands of those wholike Judas pretend to tolerate Christ, but in realityawait their time to betray Him. The hammer andsickle of atheistic Communism rules one third of theworld its shadow moves swiftly across the remainder of Asia and then you are next !Lenin ordered, "Asia first . . . and then America!"What can we do to stop this terrible force?RECOGNIZE it as a Satanic spiritual force, thefastest moving religion in the world.REALIZE that America, yes, all the free world,is its objective.PRAY. Communism has no instruments withwhich to combat the spiritual forces of supplicationto Almighty God.PROCLAIM. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christthe Light of the World can disperse the doctrine ofdemoniac darkness.To millions, it is either Christ or Communism.The answer depends upon us. A man brought toChrist can never be a Communist. The Communistsare prepared to pay all to conquer the world. Theirmotto is :all for Communism.Communism for all, and myDARE WE DO LESS? Ours too, must be totaldedication . . . Christ for all, and my all for Christ.Such dedication cannot be delayed. It is now or never.This article is available in tract form from"Orient Crusades" Los Angeles 33, Calif.

eluctantly"Vineyard GleaningsWith your gracious permission, I trust, the Editor istaking a few days leave of absence, possibly two weeks,and publishing by remote control, much of the control being delegated to our faithful printers, The Herald Bookand Printing Co. of Newton, Kansas. Our Gleanings thisweek will be in two main Vineyards, Sabbath Observanceand IntoxicatingBowls on the Lord's DayBeverages. Meet our Guest Editor.Concerning Sabbath ObservanceBy Rev. Charles Presho, B.D.The decision to permit bowls in the Glasgow Parkson the Lord's Day must surely be received with regret byall who, adhering to the Bible, hallow the Sabbath. It is,indeed, a terrible index of the time when local Scottishlaw is apparently dissociated from the Divine Law. It hasnever been in man's best interests to leave God. out of affairs, and yet, that appears to be precisely what is happening.Moreover, it would seem that not only the fourth butalso the first commandment is being invaded, since sportis becoming "sportolatry" and is being set up in place ofGod. In the Parks we now have organized tennis, golf, andbowlsand what next? Between Sabbath work and sport,the Sabbath is in danger of losing recognition. Let it bewell understood that no objection is being addressed againstreasonable, healthy recreation, but against such on theLord's Day. The attitude of Sabbatarians is designed in thevery highest interests of men, body and mind. What spiritual service will bowling render to the soul? This is theposition at its deepest level. The Sabbath stands for thespecial service required bydeepest mind or soul.Furthermore, what right has any man, be he sherrifor king, to pick and choose regarding the Law of the King ofKings? The commandments not to kill and steal are upheldby law and society, but how often that which pertains tokeeping the Sabbath holy is despised! James writes that tooffend in one is to offend in all. Hence the authorities aredoing a fearful thing, and one extremely detrimental to thewell-being of men, in allowing further desecration of theSabbath.This further encroachment on the Sabbath is a boldchallenge to our Christian Faith and Evangelical Protestantism. There is a rallying call here to fresh consecration andvigilance. Like the prophets of old, and at whatever cost, wemust declare with conviction the Divine displeasure in thismatter. Such secularization of the Christian Sabbath mustmeet with the judgment of God, sooner or later. The Sabbath is not defeated by these temporary setbacks, for thereare many God-fearing, Christ-loving and Sabbath-honouringfolk still, who, in love will pray and work towards the conversion of Sabbath-breakers, that they mayledge the Lord and His Day.yet acknowReformed Presbyterian WitnessChurch Members Aid In Paganizing SabbathDES MOINES, la.A committee which sought the closing of grocery supermarkets here on Sundays announcedthat it is disbanding because it "couldn't function with anysuccess."Lethargic church members and active pagan elements in the city were blamed.50Disbandingof the committee was announced after Thrift-way Stores, Inc., disclosed that six of its fifteen supermarkets in Des Moines will be open seven days a week.The Thriftway management said the action was "takenfollowing many months of working with theCommittee for Sabbath Observance, and making every effort to avert the spread of SundaySunday grocery buying has been an increasingly wideoperation in retail stores.spread custom in Des Moines during the last year. Supermarkets near churches have done a brisk business. ManyDes Moines residents have combined churchgoing withgrocery shopping. After morning services they drive to thesupermarket and make their grocery purchase for the weekahead.United Evangelical ActionChicago Merchants For Sunday ClosingCHICAGO (RNS) Many furniture and auto dealershere are banding together to urge passage of legislation forbidding Sunday store openings.A bill prohibiting retail firms from Sundaybeen introduced in the state legislature in Springfield.sales hasThe City Council of Evanston, a northern suburb,meanwhile adopted an ordinance to strengthen its old Sunday laws.The new Evanston law is designed to plug loopholes inprevious ordinances restricting Sundaysales. It orders allbusiness houses shut on the Lord's Day except churches,places of amusements, business houses dealing in drugsand medicine, food and drink for human consumption, newspapers and magazines, milk, ice cream,oil, ice, dairy and bakery products, emergencygasoline and motorauto vehicles, dental, medical and hospital care.repairs ofSimilar exemptions are made in the proposed Sundayclosingstate law.All-out backing has been promised by two trade groups,the Chicago Retail Furniture Association and the ChicagoAuto Trade Association.Supreme Court Decision in KansasibidAt the request of a large majority of the grocers ofTopeka, the City Council passed an ordinance closing all(Continued on page 55)THE COVENANTER WITNESSiBSued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street. Newton. Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue. Topeka Kannaito promote Bible Standards ofDoctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer*;not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental Eoitor*Rev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas, J3.00 ; Single Copiei10 cents.T}leTRev- R' B' Lyon8. B-A.. Limavady, X. Ireland, Agent for the,British IsleB.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton. Kansasunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.COVENANTER WITNESS

Current EventsBy Prof. William H. Russell, Ph.D.DEAD BUT NOT FORGOTTENPresident Eisenhower ordered the cancellation of theDixon-Yates power contract after city officials of Memphis,Tenn., told him they would build their own plant ratherthan accept Dixon- Yates power. A forewarning of the cancellation came on June 30, when the President ordered arestudy of the need for the project. Democrats consider thisoutcome a victory for them and for public power. Therestill will be Congressional investigation of various featuresof the contract, especially of the part played by Adolphe H.Wenzell. Senator Kefauver charges that Wenzell recommended the Dixon- Yates plan while serving as an unpaidconsultant to the Budget Bureau, after which his bankingfirm became the projects financial agent. The contract hasbeen a political issue for several months, and the Democratsundoubtedly will try to keep it alive for next year's campaign.NEW WELFARE HEADWashington was not surprised at the resignation ofMrs. Oveta Culp Hobby as Secretary of Health, Education,and Welfare. She was under heavy fire in the recent poliovaccine controversy, but the reason given for her resignation was the poor health of her 77-year-old husband, a former governor of Texas. Mrs. Hobby will return to Texas andresume her duties as publisher of the Houston Post. President Eisenhower accepted her resignation with expressionsof deep regret.Mrs. Hobby was the first Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, which was made a cabinet departmentin April, 1953. She is succeeded by Marion B. Folsom ofRochester, N. Y., formerly an Under Secretary of theTreasury. As a businessman, Folsom helped develop unemployment compensation plans for private industry,and servedon the Presidential Commission of 1933 which drafted theSocial Security Act. This is only the second change inEisenhower's cabinet.LIQUOR CRISISThe wicked does not always "prosper in his evil way,"for America's whisky industry is facinga financial crisis.The sale of distilled liquor has declined from 66 millioncases in 1946 to 50 million in 1954. Furthermore, distillingwas increased during the Korean war, and this whisky isnow coming into the market and threatening to breakdown prices. The favorite proposal of the distillers is tolower the federal whisky tax of $10.50 a gallon, but theyhave no hope of a change in the law this year. A split hasdeveloped between the powerful Distilled Spirits Instituteand the Schenley interests, largest single distiller, as towhat should be done with the huge supplies of whiskynow held in bond. We wish them abundant confusion.EASY PAYMENTSOne point in the American economy which is beingwatched with great concern is the level of consumer debt.This now stands at nearly $110 billion, almost four timesthe level of ten years ago. About $80 billion of it is inhome mortgages, due to the construction boom since WorldWar II. But consumer credits amount to over $30 billion,about three-fourths of which is in the form of installmentJuly 27, 1955payments. The average American household now owes $700in such payments, and onlyone-third have bank savingsor bonds greater than their debt. The biggest installmentitem is automobiles, on which Americans owe over $12billion. In the month of May alone, Americans incurred $1.6billion of new debt for automobiles, while paying off $1.1billion. Terms of three years, with little or no downpayment, are quite common, but restrictions maysoon beapplied. Other consumer goods account for $5.5 billion ofdebt, and personal loans another $5 billion. Some economists are alarmed at the rise in consumer debt, but othersclaim that it is not out of line with the increases in incomeand savings.POLIO CONTROLEarly indications are that this summer will show thelowest polio rate in several years. It is too early to saywhether the Salk polio vaccine contributed to the decline,for up to mid-July, only six million persons had receivedthe shots. However, the Public Health Service now is firmlybehind the vaccine, and new lots should be released regularly and rapidly. So far, all vaccine has gone to the nationalpolio foundation to provide free shots for first and secondgraders. But some communities will not be able to uselimited'the vaccine until school resumes in September, so aquantity may soon become available for private distribution.The Public Health Service also has announced a new research program aimed at improving the Salk vaccine.SLAVERY SURVIVESHuman slavery is not extinct, if one can believe reportsof the situation in Arabia. The secretaryof the BritishAnti-Slavery Society recently charged that there were over100,000 slaves in Saudi Arabia, and as many as a million inthe whole Arabian Peninsula. Many of these came to.Arabia as pilgrims, or servants of pilgrims, to Mecca. Theissue was raised by the story of Awad El Goud, a nativeof French Equatorial Africa, who claimed that he washeld in slavery several years after being sold while on apilgrimage. The assembly of the French Union took up hiscase, and the French authorities claim to have proof ofseveral hundred such incidents. Saudi Arabia has denied allsuch stories, but the matter may be investigated by the U*N.REFORMED DICTATORJuan Peron has made drastic changes in his policiesfor Argentina since the recent revolt by the navy and otherdiscontented elements. He has offered to pay for the restoration of wrecked Catholic churches, and made moves forreconciliation with the Vatican. There have been cabinetchanges, with two leaders of the anti-church campaign removed. The head of the state-controlled labor unions alsowas changed. Most recently, Peron announced his resignation as head of the party, and promised to lift the restrictions on opposition groups and returned to full constitutional government. Some think that the army is forcing himinto these concessions. The world is waiting to see whetherPeron will make good on his new promises, and if sowhether he can remain President of Argentina.51

men."cheerful?"glory"age?"me."chasteneth."you."world."Growing Old GracefullyJ. G. McElhinney, D.D.Is. 43:1-4Is. 46:4Zech. 14:7 "At evening time it shall be light."Prov. 16:31 The Hoary head is a crown of glory, ifit be formed in the way of righteousness.Ps. 92:12-15.A. J. Gorden met an aged man going to the placeof prayer. "Aged friend, how is it that so old a manis so merry and"Because I belong to the Lord.""Are no others happy at your time of"Listen to the truth from one who knows ; thentell it everywhere, and no man of three score andten can be found to gainsay it the devil has nohappy oldThere are two kinds of old age. Two attitudes ofmind. The mistrustful and cynical, or the attitudethat views life as a school in which are learned lessons both sweet and bitter which are a preparationfor advancing years and the glorious life beyond. Inthe first "The murmurings of youthful unhappinessbecomes the confirmed and habitual grumble of a dissatisfied old age. The lines of care and struggleharden and grow daily sharper, till the face wearsa constant and forbidding frown. Evil habits crystalizeinto unlovely traits of character and so old ageis marked by peevishness, complaining and discomfort."In the second: "The furrows of care and linesof bitterness or stern purpose are softened andglorified by a look of peace and joyous expectationthat speaks of brighter days to come in the celestial country. what is more beautiful than snowyage, sustained by a living faith, and movingon toward the end of life's journey, calm, serene, cheerful,full of trust in God and the hope of heaven."Growing old gracefully, happily, serenly, howcan it be done ?I. In the victory of the Cross. For the believer onthe cross of Christ1. All sin has been blotted out. "The blood of Jesussin."Christ cleanses us from all2. The mental cloud of sin has been removed."And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and mindsthrough Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7).3. They do not carry their own burden. In Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Christian's burdensfall off at the foot of the cross.4. "In the cross of Christ we because in itthere is the victory over both sin and death."Oh Death,where is thy sting, Oh Grave.where is thy victory ? The sting of death is sin,and the strength of sin is the law, but thanksbe unto God Who giveth us the victory throughour Lord Jesus Christ."II. In the Knowledge of a divine planThere are plans for our youth.There are also plans for old age. These plansinclude sunshine and shadow. Browning's RabbiBen Ezra52"Grow old along with me! the best is yet to be,The last of life, for which the first was made,Our times are in His hand who saith'A whole I planned youth shows but half ;Trust God ; See all nor beafraid.' "The divine plan includes trials. "Whom theLord loveth heSunset glory is immeasurably more beautiful after a day of storms.Peace after strife, trust after doubt, rest after toilsuch an old age means completeness. It is the ripening of a God-like character, the perfecting of animmortal soul ! "Whence come the resplendent coloring of the sky, the gold, the crimson, and the purple?Are they not born of the very clouds that broughtthe storm?So those lines of strength and beauty, thosetokens of ripened character, that quiet patience, thatglowing faith and hope, that chastened joy all havebeen imprinted upon the aged face by the hand ofexperience, the most painful.The mystery of years of trouble sentBy Him whose wisdom made the planets pathWill lift when we believe that it was meantTo test our faith in love and not in wrath.And thus my night with heaven's light all aglowIs cleared of darkness and of doubt for me,For I cansay with joy one thing I knowIn truth, that I was blind, but now I see! (J. G. Mc.)III. The Assurance of God's presence.The loneliness of old age is indescribable weneed to be sympathetic and understanding. The linesof Elizabeth Gould are appropriate here ;"Put your arms around me,There, like that :I want a little pettingAt life's setting,For 'tis harder to be braveWhen feeble age comes creepingand finds me weeping.Dear Ones gone.Just a little pettingAt life's setting :For I am old, alone and tiredAnd my long life's work is done."God's promises bring comfort, (Isa. 46:4)."Even to your old age I am He and even to hoarhairs will I carry Ps. 23:4, "Yea though I walkin the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear noevil, for Thou art with me ; Thy rod and Thy staffthey comfort Jesus said, "I am with you alwayeven to the end of the Ps. 91, "He thatdwelleth in the secret place of the most high shallabide under shadow of the Almighty."Psalm 61"My voice and prayer, oh God, attend,From earth's remotest bound I sendMy supplicating cry,When troubles overwhelm my breastThen lead me on the rock to restThat higher is than I.COVENANTER WITNESS

well!"me.""In Thee my soul hath shelter found,And Thou hast been from foes aroundThe tower to which I flee.Within Thy house I will abideAnd underneath Thy wings will hide,Forever safe in thee !"My heart is thrilled with thoughts of loveOf Thy divine companionship ;Of sweet communion, tender wordsWhich fall like music from thy lips.(J. G. Mc.)IV. In the Hope of Heaven :"Growing older,With a sigh we say it,That the early freshness of the dawn,Rose tinted, rich in thoughts and fanciesSeemeth farther at each birthday morn.Growing Older !Joyously we say it,Leading onward to immortal youth,And the font of bliss that never endethtruth."Promised us by Him who is the1. Death fear of death clouds this hope ofheaven for some. We need a truer view of death.Someone asked Dr. John Brown of London beforehe died how he was and he replied, "I am slowingdown for the junction." Another aged man had theright idea, when someone remarked, "You are on theshady side of seventy I suppose ?" "No, he replied, Iam on the sunny side for I am on the side nearest toglory !" After all, this body we occupy here is only atemporary residence. "When John Quincy Adamswas over 80 years of age he met in the streets ofBoston an old friend who shook his trembling handand said, "Good morning, and how is John QuincyAdams today?" you,""Thank was the ex-president'sanswer, "John Quincy Adams is quite well, I thankyou, but the house in which he lives at present is becoming quite delapidated. It is tottering upon itsfoundation. Time and seasons have nearly destroyedit. It's walls are much shattered and it trembles witheverywind. The old tenement is becoming almostuninhabitable and I think John Quincy Adams willhave to move out of it soon, but he himself is quitewell, Quite2. Some accept old age as a true preparation forthe heaven life. "An old nurse who had become deafand nearly blind said to one who pitied her, "You aremourning for me, my dear, and there is no need. Iam as happy as a child. I sometimes think I am achild whom the Lord, is hush-a-bying to my longsleep, for when I was a nurse girl my missus always told me to speak very soft and low, to darkenthe room that her little one might go to sleep, andnow all noises are hushed and still to me, and thebonny earth seems dim and dark, and I know it's myFather lulling me away to my long sleep. I am verywell content, and you mustn't fret forSomeone has said, "The majority of lives arelike the ordinary trees we see, first the bud, then theblossom, and last the fruit, but the fig tree holdsout to us the lesson of the beautiful life that comeson down through the years, having accomplished itsfull mission. The fig tree has it's flower after thefruit has ripened, instead of the flower and then thefruit, like other trees. Isn't it so with a beautiful life ?It bears its fruit and then spreads before the worldJuly 27, 1955the beautiful old age, the flower,and from it comesfragrance that sweetens all life that comes in contact with it."3. Then there are some who look forward to theend of life with peace and joy; From Spurgeon's"Immanuel.""When down the hill of life I go,When o'er my feet death's waters flow,When in the deepening floods I sink,When friends stand weeping on the brink,I'll mingle with my last farewellThy lovely name, Immanuel.When tears are banished from mine eyes,When fairer worlds than these are nigh,When heaven shall fill my ravished sight,When I shall bathe in sweet delight,One joy all joys shall far excellTo see thy face Immanuel !"The life that will end happily is described inPs. 92:"Those that within Jehovah's houseAre planted by His grace,They shall grow up and flourish allIn our God's holy placeAnd in old age when others fadeThey fruit still forth shall bring ;They shall be hale and hearty still,And ever flourishing !"4. For the trusting Christian old age brings nofears, no doubts, no anxieties about the future. He isleaning on "the arms."everlastingI'll come again for you the Master said,The promise holds through all the ages vast,Until, though wandering far in shadowed paths,He takes my hand and leads me home at last.(J. G. Mc.)Prepare for old age in youth and middle life.The door is still open to God ! !"So long thy power has blessed me,Sure it still will lead me on,O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent,Till the night is goneAnd with the morn those angel faces smileWhich I have loved long sincewhile."And lost aSUMMER SABBATHSThe "Summer Slump" is an affliction that oftenhits churches, Sabbath schools, youth groups and individual Christians between June and September.Sometimes it strikes even earlier, and isn't broughtunder control until the first frost of the Fall. Itssymptoms are extreme spirituallassitude, disinclination to engage in any Christian work or even in fellowship with other Christians, avoidance of theHouse of God on the Sabbath, and a suffering fromthe persistent illusion that religion is a seasonal affair, like strawberry-picking or snow-shoveling. Itstotal effects on the Body of Christ are very serious,leading to pernicious anemia.It seems to me that the focal point of the infection is in the Christian's attitude toward the Lord'sDay. For the odd fact appears that with the comingof warm weather, a great host of Christians allow53

um."vocation."me"court.their Sabbaths to melt down into Sundays. There isa broad difference between a Satobath and a Sunday,as United (or Reformed) Presbyterians should notneed to be told. The nub of the whole business ofthe summer slump is right at this point : for us,shallthey be summer Sabbaths or summer Sundays?It's a strange thing: Christians often seem tofeel that the obligations of the Fourth Commandment are suspended during the months of July andAugust; although the Scriptures certainly give nowarrant for such suspension. The result of this peculiar quirk of the mind is that church folks often indulge in activities on summer Sabbaths which theirconscience wouldn't permit them to associate withtheir wintertime observance of the Lord's Day. Yeta Sabbath in July has just the same sanctity as aSabbath in January. And in times like these, Christians need more than ever to maintain a Christianwitness at this point ; to preserve the Sabbath's special atmosphere of quiet, of worship, of differencefrom the other days of the week.One of the saddest sights I know of is the signtoo often seen on church bulletin boards during Julyand August: CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER. I havevacationed in New England when it was actually impossible to go to church on Sabbath because therewasn't a house of worship anywhere nearby that wasopen for services. If that has ever been your experience, I hope it gave you just as much of a lonesome feeling as it gave me.But there's a sadder thing than that. It's aChristian upon whose heart the words are writteninvisibly, but no less actually: CLOSED FOR THESUMMER. Just as there is no more beautiful time ofyear so there is no time in which God makes morevaried appeals to His children to open their hearts toHim. Every bewitching summer vista is an invitationfrom the Lover of man's soul to explore the supremebeauty : the beauty of holiness. But too often by ouractions and attitudes we respond: "I'm sorry, God,but not till next Fall. I'll be seeing You in September."After all, there's just the difference of one letter between the words "vacation" and Theword "vacation" comes from the Latin word for"empty,"having the same root as the word "vacuAnd the word "vocation" comes from the wordfor "call." Why allow our vacation to be just a vacuum in our lives, when God is calling to us fromsinging streams, quiet lakes, verdure-clad hills?Why not turn it into a full-hearted response to theFather's ancient appeal, "Come unto ?Richard W. GravesCHRISTIAN UNION HERALDCIGARETTES AND JUVENILE DELINQUENTSby William James Robinson, A.M., D.D.Juvenile delinquency is rapidly becoming a veryserious problem in the United States. It is made soby the fact that some most effectual causes are firmly entrenched in many homes. In many instances ourso-called "best families" heartily approve practicesthat very definitely produce juvenile delinquencyand also lead multitudes of adults into delinquency.society"Not only is "high encouraging practices thatproduce juvenile delinquency, but the fact is thatthis group of supposedly superior families practice54social activities that influence lower ranks of societyto imitate them through the delusion that their conduct is socially correct. It does not follow, by anymeans, that because a family is wealthy, prominentand supposedly cultured, that its social activities arewholesome.Cocktail parties and smoking, dancingand cardplaying by prominent families, in many instancesleaders in churches, are causing not only their ownchildren, but children in lower social levels to goastray. Culture and wealth that brings prominencealso brings heavy responsibilities. Many social functions sponsored by prominent families are characterized by smoking and drinking. During the late WorldWar when cigarettes were not very plentiful one ofAmerica's best known women gave a tea party andasked all her guests to bring their own cigarettes.Such conduct puts the approval of such people onsmoking and makes it hard for young people not tosmoke and to excess.Juvenile SmokersCigarette smoking is increasing rapidly amongboys and girls in all ranks of society. Many highschool boys and girls smoke and more than a fewchildren in grade schools, and in some instances withparental approval. Here are some results from juvenile smoking.Turned Into DuncesDr. A. C. Clinton of San Francisco, physician toseveral boy's schools,says: "A good deal has beensaid about the evils of cigarette smoking, but onehalf of the truth has not been told. Cigarette smoking first blunts the whole moral nature. It has anappalling effect upon the physical system as well.It first stimulates and then stupefies the nerves. Itsends boys into consumption. It gives them enlargeand it sends them to the insanement of the heart,asylum. I am often called to prescribe for boys forpalpitation of the heart. In nine cases out of ten thisis caused by the cigarette habit. I have seen brightboys turned into dunces, and straight forward honest boys made into cowards by cigarette smoking. Iam speaking the truth that nearly every physicianand nearly every teacher knows."Let Judges SpeakJudge Hulburt of the Detroit Juvenile Courtsaid: "I did not suppose there could be longer anydoubt in the minds of men who are informed,orwho follow closely the growing youth, of the influence of the cigarette habit upon the boy from ten toseventeen years of age. We find it one of the mostharmful influences we have to combat in thisI ibeg all parents to weigh very, very seriously thisquotation.Judge Ben Lindsay, nationally famous JuvenileJudge of Denver, Colorado, has said: "One of thevery worst habits of boyhood is the cigarette habit.all judges of theThis has long been recognized bycourts that deal with young criminals, and especiallyjudges of police courts, before whom pass thousandsof men every year who are addicted to intemperatehabits. These judges know that in nearly every casethe drunken sots who appear before them, a disgraceto their parents, themselves and the state, began asboys smoking cigarettes. One bad habit leads to another. The nicotine and poison in the cigarette created an appetite for alcoholic drink. The cigarette hab-COVENANTER WITNESS

supply"cooperative"it not only had a grip upon them in boyhood, but itinvited all the other demons of habit to come in andadd to the degradation that the cigarette began."On another occasion he said : "Personally I havefound every one of the many boy smokers I havetalked to a liar, an admitted liar. The whole tendency of cigarette nicotine poison in youth is to arrest development. It is fatal to all normal functions.It blights and (blasts both health and morals. Thetotal depravity which follows the cigarette is something frightful. Lying, cheating, impurity, loss ofresults."moral courage and manhood are its general95 per cent of all juvenile criminals are cigarette addicts.What Leads Boys and Girls to This Evil?First, the inborn inclination to imitate men andwomen. When a small boy I actually believed I couldnever be a real man if I did not learn to smoke andchew. Now I thank God I utterly failed I simplycould not do it.Many children see their parents smoke, and alsotheir physician, teachers, and in some cases theirminister, and other prominent persons, and naturallythey think it is the thing to do. Keep in mind thatevery child smoker is tending to addiction and thatleads to other evil habits. Every cigarette smoker,boy or girl, is a likelyvictim for the marijuannapeddler.Parents should keep before their children byprecept and example and by every other means thehorrors lurking in cigarettes. There is no greaterevil besetting boys and girls today. Yet many noblereligious leaders seem to be totally unconcernedabout this inexorable demon destroying our youth.CIGARETTES ARE TRAITORS IN DISGUISE.VINEYARD GLEANINGSgrocery stores in the city. The matter was appealed to thecourts, and the violators continued business as before, TheSafeway Stores being the greatest offenders. The SupremeCourt declared that local ordinances could not contravenethe State Law which allows the operation of "necessarystores.Concerning Alcoholic BeveragesWill France ReformKEEP eyes on France! Great things are coming out ofthat land that the advertisement-enslaved press of theUnited States will never report. The following, for example:On December 2, 1954, the French Minister of PublicHealth, M. Andre Monteil, stood up in the French NationalAssembly and said:"There are many ways of murdering men. One whokills a man on the street corner at least risks the guillotine.Those who distill poison, though they are not liable to human courts, should be assured of our contempt. And theyawait the judgment of God." And the Assembly applauded!When will they say that of Schenley and Seagram inthe House of Representatives?Ernest Gordon, In SundaySchool TtimesHonesty and Beer AdsWASHINGTON, D. CSpeaking of misrepresentationin beer advertising, Major Clayton M. Wallace, secretaryof the National Temperance League, said: "No beer advertising is honest so long as it fails to warn of the presenceof alcohol in beer, and of the known capacity of alcohol toaffect judgment, self-control, driving skill, and general per-July 27, 1955formance ability. No beer advertising is honest which seeksto imply good health or social prestige resulting from beerdrinking."No beer advertising is honest which fails to warnagainst the habit-forming nature of alcohol and its capacityto affect personality and character. No beer advertising ishonest which fails to indicate the part which alcohol plays incrimes, divorces, delinquency, and in alcoholism itself."The brewers can't advertise the honest,beer."about their product. If they did, they would sell littlescientific factsAmericans are drinking, smoking, and gambling less,according to figures compiled by the Commerce ClearingHouse, which said taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and wageringwere down in the last six months in 1954 compared with thesame period of 1953.Oklahoma Governor Supports Temperance CauseA Statement by Governor Raymond GaryIt has never seemed either necessary or desirable forme to take even the first intoxicating drink. There are toomany worthwhile activities which utilize my full curiosityand energy. One of them is trying to advance the causeof temperance.I know outlawing intoxicants won't eliminate all drinking. A man who wants to destroy himself can, no matterwhat the law.But let's at least make liquor illegal, enforce dry laws,and make it hard to get. Such action will greatly reducethe number of "Men of Extinction" among us.I have yet to meet a man who told me he was benefited by whiskey. But I have seen many down-and-outerslook up from the gutter just long enough to find oblivionin another bottle of liquor.For our state and federal governments to place theirstamp of approval on such an obvious evil is, I believe, littleshort of criminal.MiscellaneousSincerely,Raymond GaryGovernorThe American IssueThe Banking Committee of the U. S. House of Representatives has approved a bill to put the inscription, "InGod We Trust," on all U. S. paper money. The inscriptionnow appears on all coins.INDIANAJune 23,FAIRMOUNT,1955 The 29thQuadrennial general conference of the Wesleyan MethodistChurch today voted to discontinue its Commission on Merger which had been studying the possibility of union with theFree Methodist Church. The action had the effect of bringing to a close 12 years of study and negotiations betweenthe two groups. The final resolution on the matter instructedthe secretary to place the conference on record as favoringa "friendly andrelationship between the twochurches.Official Press ReleaseThe 125th General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church acted to make tithing a part of the denomination's Confession of Faith. It voted to submit a resolution to this effect to the Church's 56 presbyteries for theirapproval. "Tithing is a doctrine of the Bible," the resolution said, "older than the Mosaic law, and endorsed byChrist in the New Testament, and appears to be the onlyinformation we have as to the place to begin in acceptingour Christian stewardship. Tithing, therefore, is the Christian's duty and privilege, and should be taught and practicedby all members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church."55

up."ride,"station."station"at'REMO I. ROBB, D.D.ECHCovenai^July 1955TO ILLUSTRATE THE C. Y. P. U.August 7TOPICSAre You Going to Camp?It is said that there are over 17,-000,000 American youngpeople whonever go to Sabbath School or Church."one-arm"Where are they? Playing thebandits, in the picture shows, in thetaverns, parked in lovers' lanes, on thepublic dance floors, yelling their headsoff at some sports eventon the roadto hell. If these millions of young peoplegrow up without the Church, few ofthem will ever be won to Christ. Itis estimated that nineteen out of everytwenty who become Christians do sobefore they are twenty. After twentyfive,only one in 10,000 are saved. Afterthirty-five, only one in 50,000. Afterforty-five, only one in 200,000. Americaneeds a conscience for the moral safetyof its youth. The young people's Christian and Church conference is one ofthe most reasonable means of reachingyouth for Christ today.August lkGrowing in Our Prayer Life.W. J. McNaughton and his wife, itinerant evangelists, drove along a mountain road from Gray Bull to Ten Sleep,Wyo. Their 1913 Cadillac, pulling atrailer,was almost out of gas and theywere out of money. It had rained andthe road was muddy and slippery. Theyhad no friends in this strange part ofthe country. That morning they hadknelt beside their bed and prayed andcommitted their trouble to the Lord.But as theystarted out in the rainymorn and on to the muddy road, nobodycame along with either money orgas. They decided to go on as far as thegas held out. At one point they almost slid into the roadside ditch, sotheystopped on a little rise in the roadto wait until the road dried up a bit.Soon a man came walking by. "Iwould give you a McNaughtontold him, "but the road is so bad wehave decided to wait here till the roaddriesSoon a big trailer truck came rumbling along, and forced McNaughton todrive on. He caught up to the manwho was walking, and gave him a lift.56About 20 miles farther they came toTen Sleep, and McNaughton stopped tosee how much gas he had left."Turn into that fillingsaidhis rider, "I'll fill your tank for youwith thanks. You see, I own that fillingAugust 21How Well Do You KnowYour Bible Stories?Of the following ten statements, onlyone is correct. Find out which one itis, and what is wrong with all the others.a. Cain was the first child ever born.b. Moses took no snakes into the ark.c. When the Bible mentions Adam, itmeans the first man.d. Joseph's eleven older brothershated him.e. Solomon became kingwas David's oldest son.f. Jonah swallowed the whale.because heg. John the Baptist was Jesus' olderbrother.h. Whenever the Bible talks of Simon,it means Simon Peter.i. In Damascus, Saul went to thehouse of Judas to be healed of his blindness.j. Paul was shipwrecked in the BlackSea.k. Jesus was born at Nazareth.August 28Have You Forgotten?(A reminder of the signingCovenant at Grinnell, 1954)of theThe following was written during lastwinter as a High School creative writingtended Grinnell:project by a young person who atLASTNIGHTTHE BEST NIGHT OFMY LDTEThe fire burned brightly. As westood around that last campfire of ourCovenanterIowa, myConferenceGrinnell,mind drifted over the pastweek. Soon all would be in a state ofconfusion that always comes with thehour of departure, but right now as Ilistened to the testimonies of my friendsI felt that sense of peace thatdeeponly God can give.The night was veryblack and theonlysounds were those of the speaker's voice and the slight movementsof the eight hundredpeople listening. IForfelt as if I were in a great cathedralwith only the stars for light. I hadbeen closer to my Lord that week thanat any other time in my life. Throughthe inspiring messages, the wonderfulPsalm festival,and the counsel andguidance of my friends, I felt that noother time in myso much to me.life had ever meantThe testimonies were even better thatnight as one by one people told of whatGod had done for them. All around methat star-studded July night I could seetears glistening on the cheeks of myfriends, and I knew they were on mine,too, but somehow it didn't matter. Iwondered if I would ever feel this wayagain, for I knew that God blesses uswith beautiful moments like this veryfew times in a lifetime.Singing the comforting words of theTwenty-third Psalm, we slowly walked awayfrom our last campfire witha sense of peace and security knowingthat God went with us. I shall neverforget that evening.WHITE LAKE CONFERENCE(This reached the Secretary's desk toolate to be included in the July issue ofthe young people's magazine, The GoalPost. We are happy to print it here.)White Lake is to have a ten day conference this summer, from Friday evening August 12 through mornMondaying August 22. This gives workingpeople a chance of two weekends.Another change is the combining ofPrep, and C.Y.P.U. encampments. Buthave no fear,everyone will receiveplenty of attention, for there will be aBible Study conducted byRev. DonaldRobb of Cambridge for the Prep, campers and one conducted by Rev. RobertHenning of New York City for theC.Y.P.U. campers. Our Prayer Houreach morning is under the supervisionof Dr. Paul D. McCracken, with a different speaker each day and smallgroups of six to eight for discussion andprayer.Special featuresare the campfireseach evening, for which Dave Park ofSyracuse has agreed to light the matchand the K.K.K.; talent and stunt time;an all day recreation day, August 16,planned by our sports director, WayneCOVENANTER WITNESS

3YOUNG PEOPLE'SSECRETARYoung PeophSpear of Walton; and an evening withthe Psalms, August 19,planned andorganized by Mrs. R. D. Edgar ofPhiladelphia.All who were present at the weekendretreat last year praise God for Hispresence and His blessing, and the wayHe showed us the meaning and gave usthe ability to participate in that greatChristian privilege of Prayer. We areasking great things of God for thissummer too, which will be our 32ndencampment. Our theme is from Isaiah12:3, "Therefore with joy shall yedraw water out of the wells of salvation."Few of us have begun to knowthe depth and greatness of our salvation, of all that it includes.Let us be in prayer that all of uswho should attend this conference willbe there. You will find gracious campparents to greet you upon your arrival.If you can't make it for the entire tendays, come on the weekends. But besure to come!THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SUMMERPROGRAMIt is commonly considered that thesummer program for young people consists in the Conferences of July andAugust. This year there are six, two inJuly and four in August. They run fromfive to ten days. What more can theyoung, people want for summer?The National Young People'sStaffsponsors a program of training andservice which runs from the close ofschool until mid- July. It is in two parts,a Leadership Training School, until theSummer Service Teams.This year the Leadership TrainingSchool was held at the Seminary building in Pittsburgh from June 14 to 21.Nineteen young people were present asstudents with four additional youngpeople's leaders. The students had beenchosen from a list of over ninety,recommened by their pastors orsessions, or others. They came fromFlorida, Kansas, New York, Californiaand points in between.The days began at 6:30, which wasS. R. T. (suggested rising time). For themost part the hour was well observed,and not long after you could see boysmoving out across the beautiful backJuly 27, 1955yard of the seminary to some favoritespot under the trees,open they held communion with theirLord.where with BiblesAbout eight o'clock the girls arrived,for only the boys were housed in theseminary, the girls were provided withrooms in the homes of the generousCovenanters of Wilkinsburgcinity.and viThen breakfast in the big diningroom -"who wants coffee? Tea, tea,Tea!! How are the eggs fixed this morning? More toast? Pass the jam.At nine there were prayer groups,and at 9:20 came an hour of Biblestudy. These studies had been preparedpreviously and the students workedthem out, preparatory to dicussion inthis Bible study hour. Through exchangeof ideas, and through informationbrought by one or another, the messagesof the Bible were made plain.Then came the morning "break."Cocoa in the dining room. You'd be surprised how proficient one can get inhandling cup and saucer in the samehand.Came then a long period in which themembers of the Teams learned thecourses of Vacation Bible School departments which they were to teach,and others in the school learned how toset up Bible studies, and matters ofthat nature.In the afternoon there was a two dayclass on Personal Counseling, and a threeday series on Gospel Team preparation.The evening programs were featuredby different speakers, Rev. Sam Boyle,Dr. Bruce Willson, Rev. Willard McMillan, Jerry Kirk of the Young Life Movement, and Dr. Remo Robb.The fellowshipof the school was ofthe highest Christian order. The chatterand joking around the table, the stuntspreceding two evening programs, theSaturday picnic in the back yard, allwere a part of consecrated Christianyoung people enjoying life together.The devotional service was upliftingthe singing of the Psalms, indoors, outon the lawn, the girls quartette everything was most beautiful.On Sabbath every student was amember of some Gospel Team that hada part in a church service in some congregation of Pittsburgh presbytery. Anda company of ten went to the AgedPeople's Home for a brief sing andgreeting. The School had had word fromthe Home that daily prayers were beingoffered for its success and blessing.Finally, June 21 came, and the schooldismissed. Most of the students went totheir homes, but eight of them, feelingcalled of the Lord, volunteered to continue on in the Service Teams.Two young people, Wayne Spear andBarbara Huston, went to San Diegoto help in the Bible School there. Twoothers, James Pennington and JackiePatton, went to Sparta to assist Rev.John McMillan. These four young peoplelater united as one team to work in theSterling, Kansas, congregation.A team of four, John Russell, DonWindham, Joanne Pogemiller andTeddie Morris, helped in a VacationBible School at Wilkinsburg, and latermoved on to Oakdale to be responsibleparty in the communityschool there.By July 22, the national summerserviceprogram is finished, and theyoung people return to their homes.But it will be a question who has beenmost benefited, the churches or theteams members. In such service theyoung people of today meet first-handthe problems of the church of today,and will better prepare to bring thesolutions to the Church of tomorrow.By the next issue of Echoes, I hopeto have some pictures and some furtherreports of this summer activity.I wish to thank all of the congregations that have contributed so generously and have helped the young peopleto carry through this important project.We receive your help as from the Lord,and pray that in our use of it we maytruly glorify Him.NEW PSALM RECORDSThis year, the Genevans, under thedirection of Alfred H. Johnson, haverecorded two sacred numbers. Theseare; O Send Thy Light Forth (a partof the 43rd Psalm) by Balakireff andthe Twenty-Third Psalm set to thetune ofCrimond by David Grant.This is an unbreakable record sellingfor $1.25.Bob GrossGeneva College57

much."again"effectual?"sinner."this'gift"Lesson Helps for the Week of August 14, 1955C. Y. P. U.August 14, 1955"'GROWING IN OUR PRAYER LD7E."James 5:1-20.Comments by Rev. Thomas J. Wilson,White Lake.Psalms:Psalm j. oûn67,\j i, 161, verses 1-3.page JL\JJ-, VPsalm 143, page 347, verses 4-7Psalm 51, page 131, verses 7-8; 13-16.Psalm 4, page 6, verses 1-4; 8.Scripture passages:Psalms 65:2; 102: 17; 109: 4; Matt.21:22; Luke 1:13; 6:12; Acts 12: Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; I Peter 4:7; 2 Thess. 5:16-18.Comments:"Prayer is an offering upof our desires unto God, for things agreeable tohis will, in the name of Christ,with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.Scripture reading for"In ourevening, thepassage which especially takes my attention is the latter part of verse 16.James writes:"The effectual ferventprayer of a righteous man availethOur subject for this evening applies only to Christians, namely, thosepeople who know Jesus Christ as theirpersonal Savior. In it we are assumingthat all of us who are truly "borndo take time out to pray to Godonce in a while. Also, we are assumingthat every one of us who prays hasexperienced the power of prayer in ourlives, and therefore would like to havemore power with God.Prayer is a privilege as well as aduty of every Christian. A person whois not a Christian may pray but what hecan pray with any real meaning is verylimited. The only prayer of a sinnerwhich God will hear is found in essencein the prayer which the publican prayed in the temple, "God be mercifulto me a Nevertheless, for theChild of God there is no limit. God welcomes his fellowship through Christ anyhour of the day or night,and He wantsus to ask for the things which we need.The question before us then is, "Howcan we develop our spiritual senses inorder that our prayers might be moreThe answer to this questioncan be stated quite simply,"Practicemakes pefect"; but there is much moreinvolved in it than that. The maintrouble with most of our "prayer lives"is just the fact that there isn't muchlife. When we get up in the morning weare busy; as the daybusier; in the evening58progresses we getwe havepracti-cally no time to ourselves; and finally atnight we drop into bed exhausted. Isuppose that this is the busiest generation that ever lived on the face of theearth. The other day a man flew fromLos Angeles to New York City and atelunch, and he arrived back home inLos Angeles in time for dinner at sixo'clock in the evening. He made thetrip from coast to coast and back in lessthan twelve hours. A few years ago itwould have taken months to make sucha trip, but today it is just a matter of hours. Under these circumstances you would think that wewould have more leisure time onour hands but it has worked outin just the opposite direction. We havebecome such claves to time that wecan't sit down and relax even when wehappen to run out of something to do.But in my few years of observing humannature there is one thing that I havenoticed again and again. The fact isthat we are all so busy that we hardlyknow which way we are going, butwith all of this invariably we find timeto do that which we want to do. WhenJack Johnson started going with MarySmith, he was the busiest boy in theschool. He participated in football, basketball, and track; he took in most ofthe clubs in school; on top of all thathe was an "A" student. Jack's time wasall taken up but the fact of the matterwas that he found time in his busyschedule to be with Mary. He foundtime because he wanted to.We will grow in our "prayer life"when the time comes that we actuallywant to grow. It seems to me that itis not a matter of method. Some people set aside a certain time of the dayfor prayer and meditation. I think thatthat is a good idea if there is a chancethat you might forget to pray. Somepeople write up for themselves "prayerlists" and in their prayers they go overthese various subjects which they havewritten down. As I said before, if thesethings help you to get more out of prayer, then by all means use them. Butgrowth itself comes as we meet Godday after day, and as we learn to knowHim and to love Him as a personalfriend.Love for God is surely the propellingmotive behind "the effectual ferventprayer of a righteousman."It is love inour hearts that draws us to God andmakes us want to have fellowship withHim. The greater our love for God beforcomes, the more desirous will we be tohave fellowship with Him. There is away by which we can cultivate our loveGod so that it will grow. James says:"Confess your faults one to another, andpray one for another Jesus said:"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to thealtar, and there rememberest that thybrother hath ought against thee; leavethere thy gift before the altar, and gothy way; first be reconciled to thybrother, and then come and offer thy(Matt. 5:23-24). In other words,if we would make our peace in heavenwe must first make our peace here onthe earth. Our love for God grows aboutas rapidly as does our love for ourfellow men. It is our duty as Christiansto endeavor to develop a love for all people with whom we come into contact.If we cannot love them for what theyare, then we should love them for whatthey might be in Christ. We shouldpray for them that God will give us theability to love them with a ChristianLove. If we will do this, then our "prayer life" is bound to grow for the obstacles which tend to keep us from Godwill be automatically removed; and thefellowship which we have with God canbut give us a greater desire to spendmore time with Him.Questions for discussion:Discuss the "prayer lives" of some ofthe great men in the Bible. What didthey do to get their wonderful powerswith God? (Abraham, Jacob, Daniel,Peter, Paul.)JUNIOR TOPICAugust 14, 1955BALAAM AND THE TALKINGDONKEYNumbers 22:1-30Lola Weir, New York, N. Y.MEMORY VERSE: I John 2:15 "Lovenot the world, neither the things thatare in the world. If any man love theworld, the love of the Father is not inhim."Memory Psalm: Psalm 34:1-6, page 79.Sin separates from God until confessed:Psalm 42:1-6, page 107Psalm 51:1, 2, 4, page 132When sin istaken away then ourtestimony is restored: Psalm 66:12-14,page 158. End of Balaam: Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:22; Neh. 13:2; Deut. 23:4,5. Israel was never allowed to forgetwhat Balak and Balaam did: Micah 6:5;2 Peter 2:15, 16; Jude 11 (woe); Rev.2:14.1. What kind of reputation did Israelhave among her neighbors? (v. 4),Balaam? (v. 6).COVENANTER WITNESS

prophet."angel."son."2. Are we making a reputation everyday among our playmates? What kind?Balaam means "lord" or "devourerpeople."of He was a famous soothsayer,son of Beor, or Boser means destruction, of Pethor a cityof Mesopotamiasituated on the Euphrates. Coming fromMesopotamia where remains of patriarchal religion lingered, Balaam had aknowledge of the true God. Balak askedBalaam to curse Israel for among theheathen an opinion prevailed that prayers for evil or curses would be heardbyunseen powers as well as prayers forgood when offered by prophet or priest,accompanied by the use of certain rites.In the Burmese war magicians wereemployed to curse the British troops.At Balak's first offer Balaam refusedto go because he said the Lord wouldnot permit him to go. That sounds good,but he concealed God's reason for theprohibition, so Balak sent a second timewith a larger bribe. Balaam's greed wassatisfied and God permitted him to go.But God was angrywith Balaam because He knew why he wanted to goto act secretly in opposition to the sollemncharge of God. So God sent Hisangel to stand in a narrow street-waythrough the vineyards. A stone or mudfence flanked each side of these roadsthrough the vineyards to prevent thesoil from being washed off by therains. The roads were so narrow thatis was with great difficulty a man anddonkey could pass in them. Peter tellsus that God opened the mouth of thedonkey to rebuke Balaam. Balaam doesnot seem surprised at the donkey talking to him. Perhaps it is because he isso engrossed with the prospect of gainwhich produced the "madness of thea miracle"John Calvin tells us this waswrought to humble Balaam'sproud heart, which had to be first subjected to the school of an ass beforehe was brought to attend to the voiceof God speaking by the3. What sins does greed lead us tocommit today?4. Did God ever have to "knock youdown"(literallyor on a bed of sickness, etc.) before you were willing toobey? How did He do it? Maybe througha parent, a teacher, a pal, or an enemy.(Good time to give your testimony).5. Did your "pet" ever show betterjudgment than you toward certain circumstances? Did you learn any lessonfrom him?After this rebuke, Balaam appears tobe sorry, but only outwardly. Yet hedid learn the only condition under whichhe could go on this journey; that welearn in verse 20 Balaam acknowledgeshe is restrained bya higher power.6. Can we fight against God's power?and win?July 27, 1955The "cartoonists" among you candraw Balaam and his donkey to illustrate the lesson. Following that put inyour own words what God taughtBalaam through the talking donkey.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONAugust 14, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on International Sunday SchoolLessons ; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Religious Education. JTHE COURAGE OF DAND3LTEMPERANCEDaniel 1:5PRINTED TEXT, Daniel 1:3-6, 8, 11,12, 15, 19; 5:17-28Memory Verse; "It is good neither toeatflesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, orweak."is offended, or is madeThis lesson comes to us almost everyyear. It is called a "Temperance LesAccording to the common definition, the mention of wine suggests thatsubject. But Temperance means Self-Control. Daniel's purpose to abstainfrom the kind of food that was servedat the king's table was just as positiveas his purpose to abstain from the wine.Some would make this purpose toabstain from the king's food and wine arevolt against idolatry, since the king'sfood was offered to idols.That willscarcely answer, for all their harvestswere an offering to their various gods.Then there is a word for meat that isused many times in connection withsacrifices, but this is a different wordthat simply means food. The story doesnot in any way suggest idolatry.Some suggest that it was to avoideating unclean animals. That may besuggested in the word defile. The useof pulse, which does not include flesh,seems to support that thought.Notice two definitions: Meat meansfood.It has no special reference toflesh. Pulse, as a noun refers to seed,and as a verb means to plant. So itmight include all eatable vegetables.We notice that Daniel rests his caseon the test of health. He was not onewho was afraid to state his convictions.We should accept the reason that hegave as his true reason. He proposed toput it to the test for ten days. Theywere to be the judges. Daniel and hisfriends won in the test. In just tendays theyand fatter in fleshwere fairer in countenancethan those whoate of the king's dainties. This word fatnever refers to grease or oil; it meanswell-conditioned. This was the reasonthat Daniel gave for his temperance.If we give him credit for courageoushonesty we may find this a very valuable lesson. We all agree asto thematter of the wine. But all discussionsthat I have seen or recall, just slideover or around the king's meat, or explain it as avoiding idolatry. Professedly at least, we are temperate in regardto the wine. What about the king'smeat?What is the king's meat? The American Revision calls it the king's dainties.That is an interpretation not a translation. The word is simply meat, food.The Revision's interpretation in doubtless correct. The stories of royal gluttenythat have come to us from thecourts of the East differ little fromwhat we read of in present day banquets, except that in heathen lands itwas done openly and boastfully. Yet didI not see in print recently the story ofa church dinner where the table groaned before dinner,and the guests groaned afterwards? Of course, that was intended as a bright jest. And of coursethe food at a Christian dinner would beprepared with a view of providing nourishing food for the body,and wouldnot be all spiced up to tickle jaded appetites. If you want to see the effectof the food that Americans commonlyeat, go and see what they commonlybuy at the drug store.These temperate lads excelled notonly in physical health, but in wisdomas well. It has been checked up in manyschools, and it always appears that thebest students do not smoke or patronizethe snack bar between classes. Maybethe cigarette has nothing to do withthe grades. Perhaps it is because theyhave better minds that they don'tsmoke.National Abandonment to SensualIndulgence, Daniel 5:9-28In each part of this lesson a largepart of the story is omitted. Yet themeat after trimming down is too bigfor the kettle. Until a century ago,many tried to treat the story of Nebuchadnezzar as a sort of myth. But excavations have proved that he was indeed one of the greatest kings of alltimes. Then his son grandson wasking when in their drunken revelry thearmy of the Medes came in and killedthe king on his throne. It was so sudden that he had no time to hide. Thereis no space to describe the physicalstrength of the city. The outer wall wasimpregnable. It enclosed so great aspace that they boasted that they couldproduce enough food to withstand anindefinite siege. Nebuchadnezzar in hispride had built wonderfully for his ownglory. Then the Lord cast him out59

man". . Letman"ready.". . .Thynot""Ipath"now."still"chance"among the beasts until he learnedsomething about himself and God. Heseemed to have learned his lesson.Belshazzer knew all about it but didnot profit by it. He seemed to be afraidof his own standing among his people,and so he tried to gather his leadersinto his support by heaping on themthe pleasures, excesses, that he himselfso much enjoyed. This method seemedto please his officers, and his rulerswere bound to him in the bonds ofdainties and wine. But the throne wasnot secured by the favor of men. Alion will not bite you if his stomachis full. Beware when he is hungry. Belshazzer did not have time to try outthe favor of his officers. His stabilityon the throne was in the hand of God,and God was testing and keeping account. We need not try to explain thenature of the vision that appeared onthe wall of the banquet hall. In song,it is called the Hand of God. All weknow is that it appeared to be a hand,and that it wrote a message from God.We have a saying that in this democracy every citizen is a king. God isweighing every king. Some will learn.Others will not.The king and his wise men werehelpless to interpret God's writing. Theyknew not God. Daniel knew God, andthat was all knowledge and wisdom.Psalms:PRAYER MEETING TOPICAug. 17, 1955The Rich Man and LazarusLuke 16:19-31Rev. W. C. McClurkin41:1-4, page 10537:20-24, page 9369:11, 14-17, 24, page 16772:1-5, 10, page 172References: Gen. 4:9; Deut. 15:7; Psa.109:16; Prov. 11:26; 19:17; 21:13; 28:27; Isa. 58:7; Ezek. 34:4; Matt. 5:7, 42;25:41-43; Acts 20:35; Rom. 12:13; Jas.2:1-5; I John 3:17.This Parable also, like the Parableof the Rich Fool, serves as an antidoteto covetousness;and should help, byGod's grace, to set the covetous straightin the matter of the stewardship oflife.In the Parable of the Rich Fool, thevictim was afflicted with a miserly formof covetousness. The "richin thisParable had the sensual or voluptuoustype, aggravated by heartlessness,akind of hardening of the channels ofaffection.The Rich Fool worked hard for aliving, and succeeded in amassingenough to live on "Easy Street"; but he60died before he could invest and livethere. The "rich man" at whose gatepoor Lazarus died, lived luxuriously,and had been taking it easy for quiteawhile. Then, "the rich man also died,and was buried."This unnamed "richwas just asfoolish as the other who was calleda "fool," and he certainlywas not asprudent as the Unjust Steward describedin the parable just preceding this, inLuke's account. He missed a wonderful opportunity to make friends withthe temporal goods entrusted to him.On this account his selfish covetousnessappeared more glaringand offensive.The striking feature of this Parableof the Rich Man and Lazarus is Jesus'unveiling of certain aspects of the futurestate of the dead. He thus shows howour stewardshipof life here bears onthe life to come. And by this unveilingHe offers means for a reciprocal andbeneficial bearing and reaction on ourstewardship of life here.Prayerful and prolonged meditationon this parable of Jesus, under the influence and working of the Holy Spirit,of us careful in theshould make anystewardship of our lives, which includes,of course, the management of propertyentrusted to us.A verse byverse application of itstruths would result in conclusions, resolutions and prayers something like this:Verse 19. Here also is a certain person, well-clothed, well-fed, and blessedin other ways, not to be the terminusof all Gods blessings, but the channelthrough which some of them will flowto others.Verse 20. The world, beingso smalltoday, the cries of the poor, starved,diseased and the perishing, can be heardat my door. .me not withholdgood from them when it is in the powerof my hand to do it.Verse 21.The poor do not alwaysbecome beggars from free choice. Manywould rather have a bit of a lift thana dole,or a fragment of thought to provide remunerative employment. . . .Helpme to look on the things of others andEveryVerse 22. Some die from neglect byothers as well as oppression; some, frompamperingthemselves. Death comesalike to all. It is important to "beVerse 23. Memory seems keen in hell.Those whom one tries to forget onearth are vividlyforgetremembered in hell."To do good and to communicate(Heb. 13:16) here.Verse 24. Prayers from hell are notanswered. The heat of uncontrolled passions rages on and on there. It is hereour moderation, and desire for it, isto be known among men.Verse 25. An eternity is a long timefor painful regrets. The scale of justicebecomes balanced in the future world.who."Fret not thyself because of himprospereth(Psa. 37:7).Verse 26.By his faith, or want ofit, every man forges and fixes his owndestiny. There is no "secondafter death. shall pass this... waybut once; therefore any good that Imay do, let me do itVerses 27, 28. Former habits of life,projecting self, pretending, makingexcuses, continue in hell. "He that isunjust let him be unjust22:11).(Rev.Verses 29-31. The Bible is a sufficientRevelation to inspire faith and effectthe salvation of sinners. . . ."Forever,O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven.Word is a lamp unto my feet,and a light unto my (Psa. 119:89,105).As the commandments of our Lordare "exceedingly broad," so are His parables exceedingly suggestive, and thisone is no exception. But let us not takeout of it other than that which it is intended to convey. What is said about thefuture world, for instance,was said tous in this world for our better understanding and practice of our presentduty while in the body. Only such apresentation of the future state isgiven here as would best serve to leadunfaithful stewards of life to repentance, to faith in God, and to love forour fellowmen.Christian Home NeedsGulden's Complete Concordanceor one equally good. It will enable you to find that elusive verseof Scripture on a moment's notice (any verse). Price $3.00.Order fromTHE COVENANTER WITNESSTopeka, KansasCOVENANTER WITNESS

Church NewsDENISONMiss Kathleen McCrorywas graduated from Sterling College, May 30,with a major in Home Economics.Mr. and Mrs. Ben Linton and Mr. andMrs. Phil Gross of Santa Ana, California visited in the Will Linton homefollowing Synod.Mrs. Sadie Greenlee has gone to thehome of her son, John and family, nearIdana,where she isrecent illness.July 13 a Familyconvalescing fromNight program wasgiven largely by the Junior members ofthe congregation. Miss Eleanor Faris,on a farewell visit with home folks before her sailingfor Japan, August 3,was guest of honor. Mrs. Delber Braum,speaking in behalf of the congregation,assured her of the congregation's interest and prayers and presented her witha check from the Women's MissionarySocietyand the congregation.PHOENIX, ARIZONAOur Daily Vacation Bible School washeld June 27 thru July 8th. The totalenrollment was 115,with an averageattendance of 78 and the highestattendance of 86 children. Nineteenteachers and helpers assisted the Superintendent Elmer Graham in making theschool a success. Again we thank theLord for His many answers to prayer inbehalf of our Bible School.Lie. Robert McCracken is supplyingthe puplit during July and August. Mrs.McCracken will join her husband duringthe month of August. We enjoyed theirministry last summer and are glad tohave them with us again.Dr. and Mrs. McElhinney and RobertMcCracken went to the Pacific Coastconference, each havingprogram.a part in theMr. and Mrs. Orville Wolcott attendedthe graduation of their son Lauren Wolcott from Geneva College.Steve Bagwell has returned homeafter finishing his sophomore year atGeneva. He expects to continue hisstudies this fall at the Arizona StateCollege at Tempe.ORLANDOThe Young Peoples Class enjoyed anouting led by their teacher, Mr. W.C.McFarland, which was climaxed by atour through the Pinecastle Air ForceBase just south of Orlando. The groupthen went to a nearby lake and finishedJuly 27, 1955the outing with a hamburger fry. Everyone had a good time and plenty to eat.This year'sDaily Vacation BibleSchool was held from June 20 throughJuly 1. An average group of 35youngsters came daily enjoyed studying God's Word and playing together.The closing Exercises were held on theevening of the 1st of July with eachclass exhibiting a portion of what theylearned.The Junior Band had a social June18th at the home of Doris Ann and BobTerry. Before noonthey went to a nearby public swimming pool and had lots offun. Then lunch was served by some ofthe mothers and then the childrenfinished the partygames.with a few livelyThe C. Y. P. U. sponsored a beachparty on the 4th of July. A total crowdof 35 was in attendance. Fun, food, andfellowship was surely abundant thatday.The Fellowship Class held a party atthe home of Howard and Clara BellWorsham the evening of July 15. Everyone had a fine time.Licientiate Donald McClurkin is beingentertained bymembers of the congregation during the month of July in theabsence of Dr. Smith who is on vacationto points of Illinois and Kansas.MISS SMITH BETROTHEDTO OFFICERDr. and Mrs. Alvin W. Smith ofOrlando announce the engagement oftheir daughter, Sarah Barbara, to 1stLt. Rolf Sanford Scovell.Miss SmHh, a native of Barnet, Vt.,has resided in Orlando for the past 13years. She attended local schools andwas graduated from Orlando HighSchool in 1949. Her education wascontinued in at Geneva College, BeaverFalls, Pa., and Rollins College Conservatory of Music in Winter Part,Florida. For the past two years she hasbeen employed at General MotorsAcceptance Corp.Lt. Scovell is the son of Mrs. AnneL. Scovell and the late Dr. Robert JamesScovell of Washington, D. C. Followinggraduation from University of Maryland in 1951 he received his commission in the air force. Since that timehe has flown over 100 missions in Koreaand is presently stationed at Moody AirForce Base, Valdosta, Georgia.Plans are beingAugust wedding.made for a lateBELLE CENTERIn a very pretty church ceremony onFriday June 17, Miss Alice Templeton,Geneva '55, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.J. Roy Templeton of Belle Center, became the bride of Mr. Hugh Barbour ofEast Liverpool, Ohio. Preceding theceremony which was conducted by thepastor of the bride, Dr. M. K. Carson,Miss Siola Velasquez, of New YorkCity, a Geneva classmate of the bridesang "Ich Liebe Dich" and "Because."Mrs. Barbour's attendants were MissAlice Patrick a class mate in BelleCenter High School and Miss JoanWatson, a Geneva class-mate and roommate for the four years. Mr.DanielReynolds served as best man and thetwo brothers of the bride, James andRobert Templeton, served as ushers.Following the ceremony, a receptionwas held at the Templeton home wherecake and punch were served to somehundred or more guests by Mrs M. F.Murphy, Beaver Falls aunt of the bride,Mrs. R. -H.Reed, Bellefontaine and Mrs.Wilbur J. Keys, Belle Center, actinghostesses. Mr. and Mrs. Barbour aremaking their home on College Hill andare followed by the good wishes of ahost of friends.The annual congregational picnic washeld at Indian Lake on July Fourthwith some fifty-five guests presents. Asusual there was an abundance of goodfood and good fellowship. A brief program followed the dinner and then visiting, games and swimming became theorder of the day.James Templeton has been transferred to a new location in Chicago andthe address is as follows :Pvt. JamesTempleton, U. S. 52379872 "B" Btry.,485 A. A. A. Msl. Bn., 44th and OuterDrive, Chicago, 15, Illinois.Mrs. R. E. Dill, of Bellefontaine, Ohio,who with Mr. Dill has been making herhome in El Monte, California for thepast months, arrived July 7 with friendswho were making the .trip by auto.S^nce Mr. Dill was not able to makesuch a trip, we trust that he may soonbe able come byDill here.plane and join Mrs.Arthur McClure, a student in Genevason of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. McClure, isspending the summer vacation in BelleCenter, is a welcome addition to us allin our activities.On June 23, 1955, our beloved sisterin Christ, Mrs. W. R. Russel, was calledto her eternal home. She had been ill,only a week and was busy with heruntil that time.usual activities upChristma Tweedie was born inWalton, December 16, 1873, of sturdyScotch ancestry. She married W.Renwick Russell, August 30,1899. To61

this union, three sons were bom, twoof whom survive. Murray Russell ofWalton. Clifford the eldest, died at theearly age of fourteen years.She was a life time resident ofWalton and a faithful, consistentmember of the Reformed Presybterianchurch. She was active in the W. C. T.U. and other Christian circles.Greatly do we miss her in our W. M.S'. where she was always present, unless unavoidably detained. In spite ofher nearing eighty-two years she wasone of our most active and esteemedmembers.It is not possible to denyour regretthat we no longer have her presenceand influence as one of our number,yet we can only bless the Lord that Hegave her to us.The fragrance of Christ was in thelife of this child of His and was strongproof to the truth and value of her testimony.She will be remembered especially bythose of our ministers who enjoyed thehospitality of her home during a presynodicmeeting, several years ago andby many other who found refreshmentduring the summer months at Russell'sWayside Rest. Orlean M. RobbGENEVAThe Junior Society held a social inthe Sabbath School Room of the churchduring which the followingofficers wereelected: President, John Fallon;Vice-President, David Hemphill; Treasurer,Roberta McNaughton; and Secretary,Robert Montini. At this same meetingDavid Willson, a recent graduate fromthis group, was presented with an attractive gift.On June 21 another son was born intothe David Metheny family. He has beennamed Carey Brainerd.Mr. C. Brainerd Metheny has had theunique and delightful experience of visiting at Mersine, Turkey, an earlyCovenanter Mission built by his father.There he had the opportunity of meeting manywho remembered both hissister, Evangeline, and his father. Hevisited also the mission fields at Latakiaand Cyprus, where he witnessed theclosing of the Girls' School. He enjoyedhis fellowship with the W. W. Wiers.He is touring manyother places as well.During the last two weeks of Juneour Daily Vacation Bible School washeld under the supervision of our pastor,the Rev. Mr. Robert Tweed. Those whotaught were Mrs. J. M. Robb, KathleenAiken, Mrs. Ernest Lathom, SojaHudak, Mrs. Hudak, Mrs. W. G. Dodds,Kay McCready, Sylvia Montini, JimMcCready and David Willson. Thosewho spoke in closing exercise were Mrs.62J. G. Vos, Dr. J. B. Willson, Mrs. C. M.Patterson and Mrs. George Coleman.A second Daily Vacation Bible Schoolunder the same supervision was held onGeneva Hill. The teachers there wereMary Lou Swager, Jim McCready Mrs.Helen Harvey, Mrs. W. S. McCreadyand Sylvia Montini. Kay McCreadytaught two periods and Mrs. C. M. Patterson conducted the closing exercises.THIRD CHURCH OFTHE COVENANTERS OFPHTLADELPHIA, PA.Thirty-three Third Church folks travelled to the home of Elder and Mrs.George J. Fisher in Merchantville, N. J.on Saturday, June 4th, for the Junemissionary Society Meeting. The highlights of the meeting included a veryilluminating detailed report of thePresbyterial held in Florida, by MissIsabel Crawford; devotions led by Mrs.George W. Price; reading of a mostinteresting letter from The David Hansen's in Japan copies of which will bemimeographed and given to those whocould not be present. Mrs. Harry Mullenoffered to mimeograph another letteralso received from Hussein H. Memour,a former student of our AmericanAcademy in Lornaca, Cypress, who testified to the powerful influence of theChristian teaching he received therewhich resulted in his conversion fromthe Moslem faith and his decision tobecome a Missionary to his own people.Miss Jane McCleary closed the meetingwith prayer,rememberingall of ourMissions before the throne of Grace andparticularly The Boyles. The Spears;the Hansen's; The Misses Huston andLynn, who will soon be a united forcefor Christ in Japan. After the meetingall went out into the garden where tables were ready for the picnic supper,which was followed by a Psalm-sing,led by Mr. Walter McClay. At dusk allre-entered the livingroom and wereentertained by movies taken and shownby Elder John McClay. Clothing, hatand hairstyles of ten and fifteen yearsago evoked many laughs and comments;and the recent colored movies taken atthe Social for the Spears showed thebeautifully decorated tables and thehappy Spear family in the midst of theshower of gifts "Santa and his Helpers"had given them.In the absence of our minister due tohis attendance at Synod on Sabbath,June 12th, the Children's Day Programwas given under the supervision of Mrs.R. J. Crawford, Sr. The offering wasdesignated for the White Lake CampFund, used to help defray expenses forour Sabbath School children to attendcamp. Seventeen boys and girls areeligible to go.The Sabbath following his returnfrom Synod, Mr. Price gave an interesting account of the meetings and discussions.A large basket of beautiful flowerswas placed before the puplit on Father'sDay by Mr.and Mrs. Thomas Armstrong Jr., in memory of Elder ThomasArmstrong, whose death occurredseveral months ago.The last Wednesday of June found alarge and earnest prayer group petitioning our Lord for His blessing on theKingdom Work being carried on throughour church at home and abroad. Sincereintersessory prayers were made in behalfof Mrs. Frank Masterson who was toundergo surgery early in July. Also forMr. and Mrs. Frank Maute who were illand for Miss Anna Taylor who is awaiting admission to a Home near Philadelphia. Prayer meeting were recesseduntil September.About 70 happy boys and girls withparents and friends enjoyed the annualS. S. picnic on June 25, at Willow GrovePark.We rejoiced to have Mrs. Finley M.Wilson in her accustomed place on theSabbath, June 26, after an absence ofthree months.Mr. Robert J. Crawford, Sr. has returned from an extensive southern tripand Mrs. Crawford from a visit withher neices in Northern New Jersey.The June meeting of Session was heldat the home of Mr. Joseph M. Steele.We miss the Frank Haussman Familywho spend the summer away from Phila.LOS ANGELESWe are rejoicing in the arrival of ourpastor, R. Paul Robb, and he occupiedthe puplit June 26th. We are lookingforward to working with .him and arethankful that God has led him to takeup the work here. We are also verygrateful for the splendid leadership ofDr. E. G. Russell the past two years andappreciate hishelpfulness during thetime we have been without a regularpastor. We are happy that Mr. and Mrs.Russell are remaining with us as weenjoy their fellowship.We are glad to welcome Dr. and Mrs.Esmond Smith and little daughter backinto the fellowship of our congregationafter a year's stay in Cincinnatti. Dr.Smith is now with the Childrens' Hospital in Los Angeles.A very successful D. V. B. S. has beencompleted under the efficient leadershipof Mrs. Arthur Russel and her staff offineteachers and assistants and Dr.Russell as taxi driver. "Sailing withChrist"was the theme and materialused and onThursday evening, July 7th,the church was filled with parents towitness the good program when theCOVENANTER WITNESS

generations"children gave a good portrayal of thework theydone and the Bible memorywork done and the Bible memorywork was also on display. Refreshmentsand a social hour followed.Sixty-sixchildren enrolled and there was an average attendance of 44. The offering takenamounted to $40.00 and was sent toour Syrian mission.Mrs. Samuel R. Marshall was calledto the bedside of her father, in June,Mr. Hartshorn, Trear, Iowa,awaywho passedon July 19th. The congregationextends sympathyat this time.and understandingThe address of our pastor, Rev. PaulRobb, is 229A Isabel St., Glenndale,Calif.Sabbath Evening, July 10th, we hadthe privilege of hearing two fine youngpeople of our Leadership Training Program, give their testimony. They wereBarbara Huston. Winchester, Kansas,and Wayne Spear, Bovina Center. Agenerouswith this work.On Thursdaybyterycollection was taken to helpafternoon at 3:00 Presmet in the church for the ordination and installation of R. Paul Robb,at which time Mr. Robb gave his sermons and was examined by the members of Presbytery. At six o'clock adinner was served to the visiting members of the Presbytery, Ministers, andguests. At 8:00 the program continuedand the church was filled to hear theordination sermon by Rev. Melville Martin, Seattle. Dr. P. J. McDonald, formerpastor of our congregation had the ordination prayer, and also Dr. SamuelEdgar, Santa Ana. After the laying onof hands, the congregation welcomedRev. Robb. Standing with him were Dr.and Mrs. E. G. Russell, Mr. and Mrs.Andrew Robb, Topeka, parents of Rev.Robb and his sister, Mrs. Joe Lamont,Seattle. Following this Rev. RobertMcMillan, Fresno, gave the charge tothe pastor, and Rev. McElhinney,Phoenix, gave the charge to the people.Mr. Andrew Robb also spoke briefly. Asocial hour followed in the dining roomwhere refreshments were served and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to getacquainted with the guests. We were alldelighted with the fine spiritual toneof the affair and ask for your prayersas Rev. Robb takes up the work in LosAngeles.Mrs. Foster Chambers, underwent asuccessful spinal operation July 8th.She is making splendid progress and itis expected she will be allowed to gohome July 21st. The doctor says it isnothing short of a miracle the way shehas recovered and her progress isphenominal. We know it is through theunited prayers of this congregation andJuly 27, 1955other relatives and friends. We give Godthe glory and praise.Weare enjoying the fellowship ofMr. and Mrs. Philip Gross, who arekeeping house for Rev. Robb and areglad they have decided to make LosAngeles their home for the time being,and hope they will stayfinitely.with us indeWe ask for your prayers for Mrs.George Harrootunian who is sufferingfrom a growth in her throat. She hasbeen taken to the City of Hope, nearthe city, where surgery has been recommended. We do not at this writing knowwhat the plans are for an operation.The entire interior of our church,with the exception of the kitchen, hasreceived a coat of paint in lovely restfulcolors and we are pleased that we areable to keep the Lord's house in goodrepair.1. Mr. Howard Caskey has been illand was hospitalized several days. He isnow recovering at his home.2. Mrs. Belle Knowles, who was in thehospital suffering from a heart ailment,is being cared for at the home of afriend.3. Gertrude Lee is spending her vacation with friends in New York.4. Lyle Cabeen, who took his basictraining at Camp Chaffee, Ark., washome on leave. His new assignment isFort Monmouth.5. Dr. Carson suffered a minor accident when a truck struck his parkedcar on a Carinda street. Pipe protruding from the truck hit his arm, inflicting a flesh wound and breaking a bonein the elbow,- which will necessitatewearing a cast for some time.6. Mrs. Fannie Stevenson of SpringValley, California, is vis'ting herdaughter, Mrs. Donald Whitehill. Sheplans to stay until after the Centennial.7. Lyle Tippin,who is a pilot for theCanadian Air Lines, spent a week withhis family recently.8. We are glad to have Mr. MillerDunn home again. He has been receivingtreatments at an Omaha hospital forseveral weeks.9. Plans are nearly completed for theCentennial observance to be held theafternoon and evening of July 28th."Lord thou hast been our dwelling placein allNEW CASTLERobert Bruce Cover,a member of ourCongregation, and Anita Torchio wereunited inmarriage in our church onJune 11th by Rev. Harold Harrington inthe presence of the immediate families.Mrs. S. L.(Jennie) Wilson died onTheJuly 2nd in the Jameson Hospital following a short illness.Crown and Covenant Class heldtheir July meetingat the home of Mr.and Mrs. Wm. Eidenire. A highlight ofthe evening was a shower held for Mr.and Mrs. Robert Bruce Cover, bride andgroom.Jacqueline, Wayne and John Evans,Albert Booher, Beverly Kennedy andEdward Gaston attended Camp Fernwood.Miss Elise Harrington, sister of ourminister, has been worshipping with usduring the summer while she is empolyedat the Jameson Hospital.Daily Vacation Bible School was heldin June with a total enrollment of 51.The following were in charge: Mrs.Edna Kennedy, Mrs. Wm. Eidenire,Mrs. Pearl Cover, Mrs. Jessie McFarland, Miss Betty Locke, Marlin Hare,Anna Dodds, and Rev. Harold Harrington. Scripture Press material "Marching On" was used, and a half-hour'sflannelgraph lesson was given each dayon temperance. A closing program washeld for the parents and on the last daya picnic for all scholars and parents.Mrs.McBURNEY-MANNKennth GastonRuth Evelyn McBurney, daughter ofMr. and Mrs. R. W. McBurney, andRobert J. Mann, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Mann, were united in marriage in adouble ring ceremony July 1 at 8 p. m.in the Quinter church. Rev. Paul Faris,pastor of the bride and groom,officiated. The couple went to Coloradofor their wedding trip and are spendingthe rest of July with their folks inQuinter. About the first of August thebride will resume her nursing studiesin Kansas City, and the groom willbegin work as a staff member of theIntervarsity Christian Fellowship.THE HOME CONGREGATIONA HAVENSome congregations are located nearresort areas; during the vacationmonths strangers make up a part of thecongregation. Other churches have continual stream of visitors; often a goodpart of these are former children of thecongregation. It is the latter groupwhich many times is overlooked. Theyhave reached adulthood; they are considered beyond need.The hearts of these people may behungry, and the church many timescould render service if she were readyfor this challenge.The Bible offers several suggestionsas the reasons for people leaving thehome community. In the case of Abraham and Lot there was not room for63

spirit,"gospel"both; the same is true in farming communities today; the family farm cannotsupport several sons. Consequently theymust go elsewhere. Elimelech and Naomi left during famine times; manyfamilies are in new communities because disaster drove them from theirformer homes.Jacob went away because he got in trouble at home. Theprodigal son was dissatisfied; he hadbig ideas, so asked for his share immediatelythat he might sooner be amillionaire (and escape the restrictionsof home).The sad truth isatit young peoplestill leave home under some of theseconditions; they have never madetheir peace with God; others are notstable Christians. In a sense are yourmissionaries who spread "thewhich they ca;.l:rht from you. When theycome back the." may be discouraged;a few may have given up the faith. Godpresents this opportunity that the congregations may use this often overlooked field of service. It is not thatthey need a "sermon" from the homefolks. Rather they need the example ofa living faith in the hearts of the peopleat home and at the church which showsthem what theylives.might have in theirFor such, the home church should bea Place of Rest and Quietness. Somehave gone to the city with its fast moving life; all have taken on responsibilities which keep them so busy thatthey can not find the time to care forthe spiritual needs. Getting home meansrest, and it should mean seeing it asIsaiah speaks of Jerusalemhabitation.""a quietThe Word is full of suggestion that"the effect ofrighteousness shall bequietness.""study to be quiet"; "lead aquiet and "better is peaceful,"a handfulwith quietness than both hands full withtravail and vexation ofis a dry"bettermorsel and quietness", "ornament of a meek and quiet spirit", "inquietness . . . shall be youstrength."Thehome church should illustrate this toall who come.Again the home church should be aplace of Richness and Glory. When youlisten to some young prodigal, it wouldappear that the little church back homehas nothing. Perhaps he has chosen toworship in a big church where theyhave things and where there are bigcrowds. The home folks by their care ofthe church can show that they do pridethemselves in how the church looks. Alittle money added to several hours oflabor can give the buildingand thegrounds a radiance which will providethings which have their own richness64and through which the glory of a vitalfaith in Christ seems to shine.Many who come back again have gained a new appreciation of the homechurch because it is a Place of Interestand Outreach. They hardly know theirown neighbors, but everyone knows themat home. People are really interestedin them, their families, their work. Itis so different. It is evidence of a realconcern for others which comes from theHome church's Love for God and Man.Theysee what a vision the people athome have of the church as a whole andthe kingdom of Christ throughout theworld. They find how the people useevery opportunity to visit the placeswhere the church carries on her work.The church paper is read with greatinterest. These people see in a visit homethis interest and outreach in every phaseof the Sabbath School, the worship services, the eveningprayer meeting.classes and theIn all of this the Home congregationbecomes a place of Challenge and NewInsight. Many things are taught toyoung people which never mean muchbecause they are not applied to life.They go away from home with misunderstandingof the things of thechurch. After they have been out in theworld they realize they lack the abilityto meet the world. Now back home theysee how the people there are meetingit; perphaps on one of these visits during a worship service or in a discussionin a Bible class, they suddenly see JesusChrist as the Person who can do thisfor them and to whom they have neverreally surrendered their lives. Life takeson real meaning. Life begins for themEternal Life may be at 40.Is your congregation awake to thisgreat challenge of Christian service?The summer time is no time to slump;it can be a time of even greater work.Make the Home Congregation a Havenfor all who enter; give all who come aforetaste of the Haven that Heaven willbe.Paul E. FarisAnxiety and worry are the parentsof temper and disease.NoticeWill those who have accepted assignments to write lesson comments please,PLEASE prayerfully consider that thisis a duty of prime importance, not to bepostponed on account of any other duty.Negligence on your part encourages others to be "sloppy Joes" and our calendaris going all awry,and lessons out ofplace inconvenience all concerned.EditorTHE BIBLE STUDIESThe First Unit of the Bible Study Program is now complete.It consists of Four StudiesThe GospelBeliefRepentanceSurrenderThe Second Unit is now in preparation.It consists of Six Studies in Christian Character Development,Personal DevotionObedienceMeeting TemptationGrowth in Grace (two studies)WitnessingThese Studies are preparedprimarily for use in bringing othersto Christ, but they may be used as subjects for Discussion Classes. Indeed, a Class may be good preparation for effective useelsewhere.They comein mimeographed formin different colorsat 2c per copyfrom Remo I. Robb, 1102 Ninth Ave.,Beaver Falls, Pa.COVENANTER WITNESS

itual,"ritual."structure"gross."Missionary NumberBIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 21, 1955ovenanterWitnessVOLUME LV, NO. 5 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1955Looks atHinduismAn Article in Answer to a Leading Magazine'sEstimate of the World's Great ReligionsDon Hillis In Evangelical Action(Used by Permission)India's 300,000,000 followers of Hinduism are "In essence it is the purest, while in its rituals it can"probably the most religious people on earth. Re be revoltinglyligion determines the Hindus' social structure . . .Every act of the orthodox Hindu's The editors of Lifedaily life, wisely refrain fromgettingdescribingup in the morning, shaving, eating, even theanysex actof the "revolting" practices of Hinduism. Mostof these practices would notisbe understood and somemarked by some religiousof them would not be printable. When the gods ofFor centuries India's "social has been Hinduism admittedly stooped to the lowest forms ofheavily burdened with a binding caste system andimmorality, it is not to be wondered that the folits millions of outcastes. It has long condoned child lowers of these gods feel no restraint in doing themarriage and a relative disregard for womanhood same. The worship of man, birds, beastsand widowhood. Indescribable poverty has and creepstalkeding things inevitably leads to moral behavior that isthe length and breadth of this land of idolatry like of the lowest level. In the first chapter of Romans wea devouring beast for decades. Its apathy towards read that those who "change the glory of the uneducation is made apparent by the fact that eighty corruptible God" into the worship of other thingsper cent of India's present population is living in the are given over to uncleaness through the lusts ofacademic darkness of illiteracy. Its indifference to their own hearts to dishonor their own bodies. Unward medical science has produced generations ofrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,people whose life expectancy is approximately thirty maliciousness, envy, murder, debate, deceit, and theyears. That these conditions stem from the roots of such like, follow in the train of this type of worship.Hinduism no one can deny. As for her "religiousit is, in the Howmain, a hopeless and never-enddeeply this worship of living creatures ising struggle to build up merit.ingrained in the practice and thinking of Hinduismis plainly stated by the editors of Life."In theory," says Life, "HinduismThey state,is the sim"Seeing God in everything, the Hindus have aplest of religions (pantheistic), yet in practice it isrever-almost incomprehensibly complex (polytheistic)." Please turn to page 72

coexistence"Current EventsBy Prof. William H.Russell, Ph.D.LIMITED ACHIEVEMENTThe Big Four conference at Geneva was neither a failure nor a spectacular success. As generally expected, noconcrete agreements were reached for the actual solution ofworld problems. However, the meeting set up proceduresfor dealings with several basic issues, and the friendlyatmosphere which prevailed may in itself mark a turningpoint in world affairs. The major problems are left tofurther conferences, at a lower level. The Big Four foreignministers are to meet in Geneva next October to discussunification, European security, and the removal of barriersto East-West trade and communication. Russia's consent tonegotiate simultaneously on German unity and Europeansecurity was considered a victory for the West, for theSoviets had previously insisted that NATO must be disbanded before Germany could be unified. Neither side madeany basic concessions at Geneva, however, and the era of"peacefulseems likely to go on indefinitely.PASSING THE BUCKOne of the greatest hopes for the Geneva meeting wasthat it would bringabout some kind of control of atomicweapons. President Eisenhower made the most dramaticmove of the conference when, midway through the week, hebrought out a new disarmament plan. He suggested thateach country give the others full blueprints of its militaryinstallations, and permit aerial inspection as the means ofenforcement. The Russians, obviously surprised and thrownon the defensive by this proposal, made no response. At theconclusion of the conference,the Big Four turned the disarmament problem back to the U. N. DisarmamentCommission, which will begin further meetings in New Yorkon August 29. This is the same group which has been deadlocked for several years, so prospects for a settlement arenot good.BUSINESS TIESAir Force Secretary Harold Talbott is under fire formaintaining private business interests while in public service. He has admitted receiving $50,000 or more a year fromthe profits of a New York industrial engineering firm inwhich he is a partner. His connections were revealedthrough letters he sent out from the Pentagon, solicitingbusiness for the firm. Talbott has denied using his officialposition improperly, and promised to cooperate with a Senate Investigations subcommittee,which will hold publichearings on the matter. The issue is a basic one, for mostmen who are qualified to hold top administrative positionswill have private business interests. Defense SecretaryWilson finally sold his General Motors stock to satisfyCongressmen that he would not be partial to that corporation; but such an act often involves heavy financialscarifice. The Hoover Commission recently recommendedthat a new appointee not be required to sell his businessholdings, but merely to take an oath that he would notparticiate in any official action affecting them.CAMPAIGN DOLLARSThe CIO United Workers Union has been indicted by afederal grand jury in Detroit, on charges of using its generalfunds to support a Democratic candidate in the 1954 Con-66gressional campaign. It is alleged that a union-sponsoredradio program violated the federal law which prohibitsbanks, corporations, and labor unions from using generalfunds for political purposes. The maximum penalty is $5,000.The case could prove very important for the future of unionsin politics.Several bills haveencourage ordinarybeen introduced into Congress tocitizens to contribute to political campaigns. One would make the first $50 or $100 of suchcontributions deductible from income tax. A wider participation in campaign funds would probably bring greaterpublic interest, and less influence on candidates fromwealthy persons and pressure groups. Probably nothing willbe done at this session of Congress, but the idea is worthconsidering.STATESMAN'S DEATHCordell Hull recently died at the age of 83. He served asSecretary of State under Franklin Roosevelt from 1933 to1944, longer than any other person has held that office. Hullbegan life in a Tennessee log cabin, and started his politicalcareer as a state legislator and circuit judge. He then servedtwenty-four years in Congress, and was one of the authorsof the Sixteenth Amendment, authorizing the federal incometax. As Secretaryof State he often disagreed with Roosevelt, but commanded the respect of American politiciansand foreign diplomats alike. His greatest accomplishmentswere the reciprocal trade agreement system, and the GoodNeighbor policy for Latin America. He was also one of thechief architects of the U. N., for which he won the NobelPeace Prize in 1945.RED JOURNALISTSThe Senate Internal Security subcommittee has uncovered quite a group of former Communists or allegedCommunists among New York newspapermen. The disclosures began with the testimony of Winston Burdett, awell-known radio and TV commentator. He revealed thathe had belonged to the Communist Party from 1937 to 1942,and while serving abroad had taken part in some minorespionage activity. Burdett told of a Communist cell in theBrooklyn Eagle before the war, and confirmed that the NewYork branch of the American Newspaper Guild was controlled by the Communists until 1947. The subcommitteecalled other witnesses, but most of them invoked the FifthAmendment. The most important issue, and the mostdifficult to prove, is whether the alleged former Communists are still putting Red ideas into their reporting.ATOMIC CRAFTThe U. S. Navy's second atomic submarine, the Seawolf,has been launched, and the keel is being laid for the third.The first of the new submarines, the Nautilus,was launchedlast year and arid has been a great success. It cost about$57 million, half of which was for the atomic engine. Congress this year authorized four more atomic submarines,for a total of eight. The later models will have improvedpower-plants. Atomic power also will probably be tried insurface craft scon. A former member of the Atomic EnergyCommission has predicted that we will have a nuclearpoweredplane in the air within three years.COVENANTER WITNESS

ever."attendance."position"ways."people."children."absurd,"Vineyard Gleanings"CorrectinganOversight"All U. S. Cash to Carry Tn God We Trust' Inscription.President Eisenhower signed into law on July 12 a billrequiring the inscription "In God We Trust" to be put on allU. S. currency both bills and coins. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has already switched to new dies andthe first bills bearing the testimonywill be in circulationshortly. Noting that the Bureau was installing new printingequipment, the Senate Banking Committee in approvingthe bill said that it "presents an excellent opoprtunity tocorrect an oversight."(ERA-7/13/55)Missouri Lutherans Reaffirm Belief in Virgin BirthDelegates to the 28th annual convention of the SouthWisconsin District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod,met at Milwaukee and adopted a resolution supporting their"unwavering doctrinalaffirming the virgin birthof Christ. The action followed publicity of the fact thatthree Lutheran pastors in the Milwaukee area are underinvestigation concerning their belief in the doctrine. Allthree pastors being probed for heresy are members of theNorthwest Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America.One of the three, the Rev. Victor K. Wrigley of Brookfield,Wis., told his congregation that he did not accept literallythe Biblical account of the Saviour's virgin birth.A Missouri Synod pastor urged his fellow-delegates togo on record in order to show that "we are not identifiedwith this type of modernism in the Lutheran Church."The resolution was then adopted. (ERA-7/13/55)Religious Interest in RussiaEvangelist Billy Graham will be invited to Moscow,according to the Rev. J. L. Zhidkov, president of the Evangelical Christian Baptist Council of the Soviet Union.Zhidkov expressed the desire of a group of Russians attending the Baptist World Alliance meeting in London thatover.""we all hope he will be able to comeTwo Philadelphia Quakers, just returned from an unoffical,month-long goodwill tour of the Soviet Union, admitted that they found it "not America, by a long waybut an agreeable surprise in many They report that"Religion is strong in Russia, with the limitation thatchurches minister only to the spiritual needs of theFrederick E. Maser, Philadelphia Methodist DistrictSuperintendent, upon his return from a six-week preachingtour in Europe, asserted "Protestant churches behind theIron Curain in East Germany are more alive and more alertthan "In the face of the challenge of Communism,Protestant churchmen have had to rethink their position,and church people have had to take a decided stand forthe Christian way of life," the superintendent of the Northwest Philadelphia District said. "And this has resulted instronger churches throughout Europe and England," headded."A heartening fact about European church life,"Dr. Maser said, "is the strong impact the church is makingupon young people. This is especially true in England andin Germanywhere youth rallies are strongly supportedand where the church services have a large percentage ofyouth inThe Cinema Under FireRepresentative Katherine St. George (R.-N.Y.) hasinserted in the Congressional Record an article by J. C.August 3, 1955Furnas, published in the Christian Herald, and, in connection with it, has commented on the "distorted, inaccurate,and at times quite disgusting interpretations of Bible storiesby Hollywood." "Apart from the revulsion that any informed student of the Bible must feel, from a religiousstandpoint the glaring distortions and outright falsehoodsmake these pictures historically useless and quiteshe commented.Elsewhere, U. S. films were being deplored, too: 1)African Christians, through the pen of the editor of TheAfrican Challenge, are protesting against films of low moralstandard which are coming to their country, mostly fromAmerica. The editor urges the use of educational and gospelfilms given elsewhere than in the theatre. 2) In India,13,000 mothers and housewives petitioned Prime MinisterNehru to control the evils of the cinema, calling it a "majormenace to the moral health ofNehru promisedto consider the matter, agreeing that the cinema "had becrime."come a serious factor in leading youth into(ERA-7/13/55)Holy Land Invasion by U. S. TouristsMoody Monthly, publication of the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, reports that the Holy Land is being invadedby a record-breaking influx of American tourists.The report says: "Hardlya Christian can be foundwho does not cherish the desire to travel in the Holy Landwith his Bible open on his lap. It is a captivating exeperience.Last month the vanguard of 50,000 U.S. touriststwenty-five per cent more than last year left by plane orboat for Israel most of them having only a scant threeweeks in which to "do" the Holy Land; but all were hopeful of capturing some of the romance of walking literallyin the footsteps of the men and women of the Bible, including their Saviour."Most tourists head for Jerusalem, which will shortlyobserve the third millennium of its recorded historyprobably the oldest tourist city in the world.. It is doubtful,however, whether the visitor of antiquity could avail himself of the comfort and convenience which await his modern(Continued on page 74)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansas.to promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions 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., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen. D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental EditoreRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs, Ross LatimerSubscription rates: S2.50 per year; Overseas, $3.00; Single Copie*10 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newtonunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.Kansas67

never."osophy,"The Board of Foreign Missions GivesAn Account of Its StewardshipBy Rev. Charles S. Sterrett, Corresponding SecretaryAs a Board of Foreign Missions we wish publiclyto acknowledge that His grace faileth Unsettled conditions are world wide, but our Sovereign-God is ordering all events for His glory. He prospersthe work. He keeps the laborers."The Lord doth safely keep all thoseThat bear to Him a lovingheart."Through this period of unrest in Cyprus ourmissionaries have been kept in safety. In face of interference and hindrance the work in Syria has beencarried on as usual. The new congregation in Japan isgrowing. The Spirit has been upon our church inAmerica and the church has responded to the challenge of last Synod by meeting the Budget in full,and more than doubling the amount necessary tosend a new missionary to Japan for one year. TheBoard feels that one of the contributing factors tothe realized budget was the missionary challenge.The Board envisions the work of the ForeignMissionary as that of preaching, teaching, and supervising. The foundation must be laid; the convertsgathered into congregations ; the Christian Nationalsinstructed in the rudiments of the Reformed Faithand instructed in the problems of administration. Anindigenous church will be developed embracing theReformed Faith and maintaining the CovenanterVision. A mature Presbytery will then join handswith us in our testimony and witness for our Risenof kings.Saviour, the Lord of lords and the KingSince the last meeting of this Court several missionaries have returned to their respective fields,and some have arrived in the United States on furlough. Dr. and Mrs. W. W. Weir returned to Cyprusin January; Miss Blanche McCrea arrived on furlough from Cyprus in August of 1954. Miss OrlenaLynn returned to Japan in February of this year.Mrs. C. T. Hutcheson sailed to rejoin her husband inSyria in September of 1954; and Miss Eunice McClurkin returned by air to her duties at the GirlsSchool in September; Miss Elizabeth McElroy andMr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson arrived in July andAugust respectively on their furloughs. Those onfurlough have been studying in preparation fortheir work when they return and have traveledthroughout the church speaking on missionary work.THE FIELDSCyprusPossibly our field in Cyprus is the most unsettled as of this report. There is agitation that theisland be united with Greece. This political strugglehas taken violent turns at times, but our missionarieshave been kept in safety.The Rev. T. M. Hutcheson suffered an attackof jaundice but his recovery is complete and he isnow back at duty. Mr. H. H. Memour has completeda three year course in the European Bible Institute,68Paris, France, and is expected to join the staff ofthe American Academy, Larnaca, and to work underthe Commission in the evangelism of Moslems.The dedication ceremony for the Larnaca Building was held Saturday evening, April 30, 1955.The Board has recommended to Dr. Weir thatweekly classes be conducted in "Covenanter Philand the distinctive principles of the Reformed Presbyterian Church be maintained anddefended by the school staff. Non-Covenanter teachers on the staff will be requested to sign a statementthat they will not undermine the position held by theReformed Presbyterian Church and the school. AConstitution for the American Academy has beenapproved and submitted to the school.JapanThe growth of the congregation in Japan has notbeen spectacular, but has been steady. "It is a constant proof that our church needs to make no sacrifice in principles in order to operate a Themission."Lord is gathering a group of young men to take overthe work. Mr. Katayama has completed his seminarycourse and is studying with Mr. Hansen. Anotheris in his first year in the seminary and two morein college plan to enter the seminary.The Hansens have moved to the village ofSusurandai, population of about 5000. In this non-Christian village, if it be the Lord's will anothercongregation will be started. The southern islands ofJapan are without any reformed Witness and thusour mission will expand in this direction.Mr. Gene Spear has applied for appointment inJapan. The application has been approved and theBoard has appointed Mr. and Mrs. Gene Spear asmissionaries to Japan.Miss Eleanor Faris applied for appointment butthe Board does not feel it wise to assume the financial obligations necessary to support anothermissionary. Miss Faris is willing to go to Japan andseek her support in that country. She has askedthe Board to approve of her work in this field. TheBoard accepted her offer that she should go to Japanunder our name but without any monetary helpfrom us.Bible classes in Japanese and English and Vacation Bible School activities have kept our missionaries busy. The Japanese Christians have been ofgreat help in this work. In addition to her classesand D V.B.S., Miss Huston has carried on in theBook Room m the absence of Miss Lynn. This pastyear the Book Room has shown the greatest volumeof business. This shows the necessity of distributingsound literature. In addition to her work of missionTreasurer, class roominstruction, andhousekeeper,Mrs. Hansen has had a new boarder come and livewith them Barbara Hansen was born May 15 1954Under the direction of Miss Huston, a PsalterCOVENANTER WITNESS

etc."in Japanese is in preparation. About 70 Psalms (allor in part) have been prepared so far. The churchgroup at Ichinotani have set aside 20,000 Yen (about$55.00) for the printing of the Psalter. The Board isglad to hear of this program.As a Far East Commission was appointed bySynod, the Board has transmitted all correspondencerelative to Hong Kong to this body.The .problemSyriaof Syria, although different inform, generally are the same as those facing us in theUnited States. The materialistic lure is strong amongsome and so the workers must face this problem asthey labor among the people. At times some of theSyrian Christians feel that their labors are in vain,that there is no response to the Gospel offer. Communism has spread it wicked influence in Syria. Amongsome people there is a dislike to the American dueto the aid and comfort which this government gaveto Israel. The Syrian Government is hostile to theChristian Faith and the police have orders to watchfor the Mission car and find out where it is going.But the Gospel cannot be bound. Mr. Hays has madeseveral contacts with civil officials due to the questioning.The Girls School reports an increased enrollmentwith well over 300 pupils in attendance. About onehalf of these were registered Christians, and areenrolled in Daily Bible classes and attend chapelweekly in the church. Christian fellowship groupsare sponsored after school hours by two youngteachers. The Intermediates' meeting is held on Sabbath which is conducted in English.The government is requiring more and moreeducation so consequently the government classesare over crowded and those who cannot keep up areforced to attend private schools. The Boys Schoolis filled and it is often necessary to refuse admittance to some classes as space is not adequate. TheNear East colleges are demanding that our schoolincrease its physical plant. Unless this is done, thescholastic standingwhich the school has worked hardto attain will be lost. Already it has lost some standing. It is the strong feeling of Mr. Hutcheson thatthese requirements should be met.The Board has voted some $600.00 to the SyrianMission for translation work. This amount resultedfrom the deputation work of Miss McClurkin and isin their hands at this time.Recommendations1. That Synod appoint the Far East Commissionconsisting of Samuel E. Boyle, Charles H. Chao,David D. Hansen, and Koji Katayama, the Commission to elect its own officers.2. That Synod appoint the Syrian Commission toconsist of the ordained ministers,one elder fromeach congregation, and Chester Hutcheson, theCommission to elect its own officers.3. That Synod appoint the Cyprus Commission consisting of T. M. Hutcheson, E. Clark Copeland,.W. W. Weir, and Messers. Mouradian, Guleserian,and Euclid Panaviotides, the Commission to electits own officers.4. The terms of Walter McCarroll, Charles Sterrett,Edwin McBurney, Thomas Wilson, Mrs. JamesBeatty have expired and their successors shouldbe appointed.5. That the schools in Syria teach Bible to all Christian students who attend.6. That Synod approve the appointment of Mr. andMrs. Gene Spear to Japan.7. That Synod approve the action of the Board reapproval of Miss Eleanor Faris to go out under ourname but without any monetary help from theBoard.The Testimonyof a Chinese Christian Junk DealerRev. Samuel E. BoyleDuring these days of forced separation betweenthe Christian Church of China and foreign Christianfriends, many are wondering how our brethren inRed China are getting along. Information which doesget through is too fragmentary and doubtful to befully trusted, but we do know by faith that God istaking care of His own in a real way no matter howdifficult may be their trials and temptations underatheistic communism.The following testimonywas uncovered recentlyas we were clearing out old papers in our preparationfor the return to Japan. It occurred to me that thissimple testimony of an unlettered believer duringSouth China's suffering under Japanese occupationand war might indicate the manner in which theHoly Spirit, the Comforter, is now shepherding Hisflock under the Chinese communist regime.August 3, 1955Mr. Cheung of the City of Do ShingThe subject af this sketch was well known tothe writer. He was led to the Lord by Chue UeKeung, son of one of our Reformed Presbyterian pastors in the West River field of Kwangtung ; and wasbaptized as a Christian in the Do Shing chapel by meabout 1939. Mr. Cheung's business was that of ajunk collector, walking daily through city streets andvillages calling out his trade of "old glass, scrap iron,feathers, The following testimony was relatedto the writer after the World War II had come to anend, and missionary work in Do Shing was temporarily resumed between 1945-1949.Mr. Cheimg's Testimony"When the Japanese army came to Do Shingnine of us Christians fled to the village of our church69

well.'us.'plague'now.'Weme.'me.'well.'go.'mightelder, Mr. Yiu. The family of Mr. Shum, caretakerat the chapel, with my family lived at Mr. Yiu'shome for weeks while the Japanese army occupiedDo Shing. In the city there were terrible happeningsand many people were killed. We had prayer everymorning and evening and asked God for safetyanddaily food. He supplied our needs even while manyabout us were starving."One day I was ill and discouraged, when I hada vision of God. It seemed to me that an elderly manwith a long beard came to me and said to me, 'Youmust eat a bowl of hot rice gruel and you will beI was awakened and ate the gruel and washealed."Shum Shing-Uen, our chapel janitor, had aserious fall. In his pain he, too,saw this aged Oneand the words to him were, 'Boil water and drinkthree bowls and you will be He did so and recovered. Elder Yiu had a somewhat similar experience during his long illness. Thus we Christians livedthrough a time when many were dying from starvation and 'thebrought in.which the Japanese army"After the surrender of Japan the enemy troopswent away and we returned to our homes in DoShing. Miss Soong came after some weks to help us.It was then that I had my serious illness. For twoweeks I was unconscious. My mouth had to be forcedopen with a stick and liquids poured down my throat.My relatives said one day : 'He is dead. Wrap him upfor burial.' A neighbor who is a herb doctor said,'No, his pulse is still moving. His heart beats. He isnot yet dead.""Miss Soong and the other Christians cameevery morning and prayed for me. I found out laterthat she gave me milk from U. S. relief goods, andthat it was this food which they poured down mythroat daily. This milk kept me alive for two weeks.It was during this two weeks of unconsciousness thatI had the following dream."I saw four of Satan's devils dressed in whitecoats (white is the color for mourning in old China,worn by those who carry the coffin, S.E.B.) andtrousers coming to my bedside. One said, 'Come withEach devil carried a wooden staff. I askedrefused tothem where they were taking me. Theytell me and commanded me to follow them. After along journey we reached a Judgment Hall and thesefour devils ushered me into the presence of theJudge. As we came before Him the Judge becamevery angry, and shouted; 'Why do you bring thisman here now? It is not yet time.' The four devilscarried me out and started away."As we journeyed on our way we met the sameAged One with the beard whom I had seen in myearlier vision. He stopped us and asked the devils,'Where are you taking this person? Go away andleave him with As the devils fled the AgedOne said, 'Come with"We walked miles and miles up a winding road,through beautiful hills and up steep mountains. Atlast we crossed a great river of foaming, white water.On the banks of this river were many trees. Theyseemed to be very short trees with beautiful fruit oneach one. I reached out my hand to take of thisfruit but the Aged One said, 'Not yet. Wait.' ThenI wanted to drink of the water but He again refused,went back by the way I hadsaying: 'Not70come. I still remember the beauty of the great cityand the mountains which I saw, and that fruit."After a while I heard a voice calling to me:'Mr. Cheung, today is the Lord's Day. It is time forchurch. Come on, bring your Bible and"I replied, 'I lost my Bible when we fled fromthe Japanese.' The voice answered, 'We have Bibleschurch!'for evryone. Come quickly. It i's time for"At that moment I regained consciousness andbegan to get well. I was in bed for fully six months,unable to walk. After that I arose and in time regained my full strength. God has helped me many,many times and certainly nothing preserved my lifebut God's continual care."There are many so-called 'Christians' here inDo Shing, but, sorry to say, most of them are notreal disciples. They still gamble and drink and smoke.They never come to church. I begin every day withthe prayer, 'God my Heavenly Father, I have nothingin my own strength. Help me through this day!'When I see the worship of false gods or gambling Iwalk away and ask God to protect me from evil.Sometimes the people ridicule me for my Christianbelief, but I laugh back at them for their own sillysuperstitions, saying: 'What are your incense andholy candles but rubbish and dirt? Your incensesticks are made of wood shavings picked up afterpigs have walked over them leaving them filthy.Your idolatrous candles are made with the cottonfrom cast-off bedding, the dirtiest material in existence. Yet you take all that filthy rubbish and offerit to your gods. God cannot be worshiped except by aclean heart ! That is what we Jesus Doctrine peopleoffer the True God." (End)ConclusionWhen Mr. Cheung the Christian junk collectortold me the above experience he was already 75 yearsold. Now six years more of trouble and terror 'haveswept over China. How he has fared, whether he isalive or dead, we do not know. But it is our hope thatthe same God who maintained his simple, ignorantfaith in the hard years of 1941-45 has since thenprotected him and, if he has died, taken him at lastto the beautiful city where the fruit and the waterof everlasting life are forever his to enjoy in Christ.The Good Shepherd of the sheep in Red Chinais able to minister to every simple Christian in justthis manner. We are constrained, then, to pray muchfor these unknown Christians in communist landsthat God will win many a victory through their bravetestimony for Christ. "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that net many wise men after the flesh, notmany mighty, not many noble, are called: but Godhath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise ; and God hath chosen the weak thingsof the world to confound the things that are(I Corinthians 1:26-27.)When this paper reaches you, the two families,the Boyles and the Spears, and Eleanor Faris will beon the high seas on their way to Japan, and BlancheMcCrae is on her way to Cyprus. They are dependingon you to uphold their work. Miss McCrea's sailingaddress is S.S. Constitution, sailing August 10, Pier84, North River, New York.COVENANTER WITNESS

Vacation Bible Schools in CyprusDear Friends:By Elizabeth E. WeirEvery student in the Academy of Larnaca aswell as Nicosia is taught the Bible but, to the best ofmy knowledge we have never had aDaily VacationBible School as so many of the churches at homehave. However, this year we decided to have one ineach town. We had received the promise of quite alot of handwork material from America so we placedthe order and waited. After a while it became evident that if we expected to have any material, wewould have to find it or make it. I'm sure the Lordwanted it that way, for we began to pool our resources and found that we had more than we wereusing.We are fortunate to have in Cyprus now a ladysent out by Child Evangelism. She stays most ofher time in Nicosia and works among children wherever she gets the opportunity. So we asked her tocome to Larnaca once a week to hold a class in ChildEvangelism. She did, making it an eight-weeks courseVery fortunately she had with her some materialuseful in organizing a Daily Vacation Bible School.When we felt reasonably sure that our own materialwould not be here in time we got some from her andplanned our work around the theme "Learning toGrow the Bible Way." Everything seemed to fit together so well. She had some handwork for theyounger children and we were able to use some ofthe flannelgraph which Mrs. Hutcheson had andsome Which had been given us in America.It is customary for parents who can take theirchildren to the hills to go as soon as school is out.We took one week's vacation after Closing Exercises,started our school on June 27 and closed it on July 8.Since Mrs. Thomas Hutcheson had worked in D.V.B.S. in America, we asked her to be in charge. Undiscovered talent appeared from various places. Mrs.Garabet Chopourian who had had a couple of yearsat art school was able to copy the flannelgraph backgrounds we already had, and keep a day ahead ofthe stories no small task when you have a tenmonthsold baby to care for. Miss Fimie Gulesserian,one of our Academy primary teachers, had had alittle Bible School of her own in Larnaca and alsoin Pedhoulas for several summers. So she was ofgreat help with the small children. She sent out attractive invitations to her pupils and they broughttheir friends. We had no idea how many would comeor what the response would be. But on our firstMonday we were rewarded with 21 pupils. On thelast day of the school we had 75. The children wereGreek, Armenian, English and American. The classeswere divided as follows :Mrs. Giragos ChopourianMrs. Garabet Chopourianin charge of the 5-6 year oldsMiss Fimie GulesserianMiss Ani Yenovkianin charge of the 7-8 year oldsMrs. HutchesonGrace Houry, Cecile Keheyanin charge of the 9-10 year oldsAugust 3, 1955Mrs. WeirCarlene Hutchesonin charge of the 11-12 year oldsOur school began two days before the Greekelementary schools closed. The very day of theirclosing Mary Edgar volunteered to take a class inGreek if she could have someone to help her. Wefound Mrs. Euclid Panayiotides, a busy mother, whobrought her little boy along and came every day tohelp. This was certainly a class we had not countedon having, but it turned out to be the largest one ofall, having 18 members.We also got a sprinkling of 3 and 4 year olds.Our first morning started off with a worship serviceduring which Mrs. Manuel Kassouni gave an excellent message on rebirth. I'm going to list for you theprogram of the oldest group, for it is at hand andeach teacher arranged her own work.8:00- 8:20 Worship8:25- 8:55 Flannelgraph story9 :00- 9 :30 Bible memorizing and missionary story9:30- 9:50 Recess9:55-10:25 Handwork10:30-11:00 Play practiceEach day the teachers provided lemonade andthe mothers provided biscuits which were served atrecess time. The motto which we all kept before usthroughout the two weeks was II Peter 3:18, "Growin grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." The children seemed to understandand respond to the motto and the Bible teaching ingeneral. The spirit was excellent and several of themgave their hearts to Jesus. One great blessing wasthat many of the children had already given theirhearts to Christ and they were helpful toward theothers.Our closing Exercises were held in the earlyevening so the fathers could come, too. The motherswho came looked happy because their children hadbeen cared for, and one asked if we wouldn't continue it all summer! The program was as varied asthe ages of the children. The singing of the tinyones was as sweet as that item always is. The memorizing had been accomplished with enthusiasm,and a surprising amount of it. The oldest group puton a Parable Play called "The Talents." It was theBible story of the master who gave to his servantsaccording to their ability and asked them to make"grow."the moneyScarfs, flowingrobes and beardsadded color and impetus. After the program therewas a display of hand work which was well examined; and the children went home with theirtreasures whichthey themselves had made colorful and woolley lambs etc.Needless to say we are planning for "next time."Miss Fimie Gulesserian has already left for themountains, taking with her material to use up there.We have visions of other classes to be held in villages in the future, and in the towns. By the way,part of the material has arrived from America, sowe can say that next year's theme will probablybe "Building Citizens for Christ." 71

cow.'cows,'mankind."ness"world."yieldBurden-Bearing and Burden-SharingBy Veva I. HansenIn looking back over the past year, I find I havespent most of my time at the time-consuming taskof housekeeping. Barbara came to live with us onMay 15 and while she is a good baby, she is still requiring a good bit of attention. We have all enjoyedher very much and she has made a good point of contact with many Japanese people.I did help with the Chashi Vacation Bible School.This school and the one held at Ichinotani were bothfor one week. The attendance was good and the interest was keen. The use of an interpreter did notseem to hinder at all. Some of our Japanese membershelped also. Miss Huston was in charge.When the Boyles went home, Mrs. Boyle's Sabbath School class was left without a teacher. I taughtit until Barbara became just too much for a 10 yr.old sister to handle. This class is taught in Englishfor young people who desire to learn English aswell as the Bible. The Chao boys attend as do severalJapanese who have studied English for several years.I have not attended the Language school buthave studied for several months at home with a private teacher. The school teaches the language fasterbut it has been impossible for me to attend so far.It is a very difficult language and I fear it will takemany years to become really fluent. We hope thatthe Spears will be coming out and that Mrs. Spearand I can study together.We have started a Sabbath School here in ourhome since we moved to this village of Suzurandai.The children are eager to come and we usually havea good attendance. School programs are often heldon Sabbath so on those days the children cannotcome. Two of our Japanese young people have takenthe responsibility so I am an advisor and at the endof every lesson I try to give a present day applicationthat the children can understand.During Miss Lynn's absence I kept the books forthe Book Room. This did not involve the handling ofany money but consisted of the book work only. InNovember, I became the Mission treasurer and havethat responsibility since that time.Every daywe realize our weaknesses and howvery unfit we are for the tasks that come to us. Weask for your prayers that we may more and morerelyupon the Lord for we know that He is able.LIFE LOOKS AT HINDUISM(Continued from front page)ence for everything, trees, rivers, cows and ants.This reverence is expressed in one form of ahimsa,or nonviolence to animals as well as humans, and asa result, most pious Hindus are vegetarians . ."For a Hindu to eat meat is sacrilege tantamount tocannibalism. 'All that kill the scriptures warn,'rot in hell for as many years as there are hairs on"the body of a slain No less than MahatmaGandhi once said, "The cow is a poem of pity. She ismother to millions of IndianSuch darkness of mind needs to be both pitied and deprecated.72Life magazine makes no effort to point out theeconomic poverty and degradation into which thisso-called reverence for all of animal life leads thegreat nation of India. The worship of cows andmonkeys alone represents an economic liability running into millions of dollars each year. Thousandsof India's children go hungry while Hunuman, themonkey god, and his 50,000,000 four-footed followersfill their stomachs.It is true that many forms of sin abound in socalledChristian lands. The reasons are evident. Millions who think of themselves as Christians franklyhave never become "new creatures in Christ Jesus."They are, of course,.andsubject toto the lustand passion of the flesh. These things have, however, always been condemned by the Christian message Whereas they are, to a large extent, condonedby Hinduism.The Doctrine of God"Hindus believe that ultimate reality is so mysterious, ineffable and illimitable that it can neitherbe described, nor debated. Yet Hindus have madefantastic efforts to describe the divine and its relationship to the This teaching stands in boldcontrast to the biblical revelation of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God and Father of ourLord and Saviour Jesus Christ. According to Hindutheology, God is manifested in three basic conceptions. Each of these has appeared in a myriad ofshapes, forms and incarnations. There is Brahma,the creator, who "creates each universe out of eternally existent There is Vishnu, material."the sustained and Shiva, the destroyer. Not by the fartheststretch of the most virile imagination could this concept fit into the Christian teaching of creation nor ofthe Holy Trinity. It is certainly not true that allpeoples and all religions are ultimately worshipingthe same God. If a Hindu claimed that two plus twoequals five and a Christian counteracted with a statement that it equals four, one would not suggest thatboth are ultimately reaching the same mathematicaltruth. The plain fact is that the Hindu in this caseis undeniably wrong. Like truth, the character ofGod is eternal and immutable. It is not somethingin one country and something else in another.In the Hindu philosophy of life "Reality isone."Yet in reality this very philosophy has divided Indiansocial experience into many castes and sub-castes.Hinduism, itself, has "many dozens of sects, eachfollowing its own beliefs and rituals . . . Hinduismmay be interpreted in one way in one community,in quite a different way in another. It has meantdifferent things at different times in history."The Hindu feels that "only through ignoranceand deception do we see life as . . .multiplicity Thecreated world though it has been projected from thereal is not the real itself. The relationship of God tothe earth is illustrated by the heat that rises fromthe fire. The heat is not the fire and yet it comesfrom the fire and cannot exist without it." Suchtheories would incline one to feel that Christian science may have borrowed some of its assumed modernrevelation from ancient Hinduism.Strange it is that in the midst of India's "onethe Hindu heavens "teem with three hundredthirty million gods . Charged with super-human. .energy, the Hindu gods posture, proliferate, and dashCOVENANTER WITNESS

effect."world"provided"ocean."girls."activity."pleasure"mothers."ary,"source."offerings."gift"creature"about the universe in a frenzy ofMost ofthese gods possess one or more goddesses withwhich they associate. One of the best known incarnations of God is Krishna. "He is the subject ofcountless stories and legends. As a young manKrishna flirts with the Gopi milkmaids, and evenhas an affair with one of them, Radha. These erraticexperiences the Hindus intepret in symbolic terms.Today the Hindu supernatural world, like a vast andwonderful fairyland swarms with gods resemblinghumans and animals along with demons, heroes,ghosts and heavenly dancing To the followerof Jesus Christ, it is quite impossible to concede thatthis, in any way, represents "a vast and wonderfulfairyland."Nor do India's people look upon it assuch. On the contrary, it is to most of them "a supernaturalto be feared,Idolatryendured and appeased.The Indian religionist defends his idolatry bysaying, "We see little girls with their dolls. Howlong do they play with them? Only so long as theyone needs images andsymbols so long as God is not realized in His trueform. It is God Himself who has provided theseare not married. Similarlyvarious forms of worship to suit different stages ofspiritual growth and knowledge." These idols have amultiplicity of forms. For example, there is the goddess Indra with a thousand eyes or the god Brahmawith four heads. Some of the images of Ganesh, theelephant-headed god,contains sixteen arms. Thesheer blasphemy of suggesting that "God Himselfhas these idols is clearly taught in the following words of the Psalmist : "There idols are silverand gold, the work of men's hands. They havemouths but they speak not ; eyes have they, but theysee not. They have ears but they hear not; noseshave they, but they smell not. They have hands,but they handle not. Feet have they, but they walknot. Neither speak they through their throat. Theythat make them are like unto them ; so is every onethat trusteth in them." The heart of the Christian towhom God through Christ has been "realized in Histrue form" should go out in tender compassion tothe millions so blinded by the veil of idolatry.The Caste SystemHinduism's unparalleled caste system with itsfour main castes and its three thousand subcastesincluding some seventy million outcaste people is explained on the basis of the functioning ofKarma. Karma is "the grand cosmic law of cause andThe entire significance of the law of causeand effect rests, of course, upon the position of the"First Cause." Hinduism has no concept of the "FirstCause"as being a loving Heavenly Father, who asthe God of all wisdom works in the lives of His creatures "both to will and do of His good inthe salvation of their souls and the glorification ofHis own name. The basic realities of sin, righteousness, justification, redemption, hell and heaven asknown by the Christian are entirely absent fromHindu theology. To the Hindu, salvation, for example, consists of "losing our egos and individualitieseven as rivers lose their names and forms whenthey flow into the This can take place onlyas one is "reborn again and again in a long roundof reincarnations passing from vegetables to animals,August 3, 1955from animals to humans, from one human body toanother, sometimes up the scale and sometimesdown until they are pure enough to return to Brahma, the spiritual How startlingly this standsin contrast with the sublime teaching of John 1:12,Ephesians 2:8, 9, II Corinthians 5:21. To the Hindu"real peace can be found only in the control of desireand in the turning of the mind to the one real reality,God."For the average Hindu this can be "obtainedonly as the result of meditation, sacrifice, bathingsand manyHere again, the biblical revelation of peace with God through justification byfaith stands in direct contrast with the teachings ofHinduism.Hinduism's InfluenceThat some of the practices of Hinduism havebeen adopted by a few of the more modern religionsis made evident by Life's presentation of the subject. Hinduism's influence appears apparent in thephilosophyof Christian Science and in the ritualsof Roman Catholicism. The Hindu act of ancestorworship is somewhat analagous to the Roman Catholic program "of praying for the poor souls in purgatory."The idea of a monastery, or cave in whichholy men can isolate themselves from the world alsofinds its parallel in the monasteries of Romanism.The counting of beads in relation to the names of theHindu gods is not unsimilar to the Catholic rosary.Perhaps the most startling illustration of a modernan ancient pagan custom is inreligion adoptingrelation to the concept of a mother god. In one particular sect in Hinduism, "the Divine Mother has thesame pre-eminent position as Our Lady of Guadalupeamong the Mexican Catholics. As creator and giverof life, the Divine Mother is kindly, benevolent, smiling. Like the Christian (Roman Catholic) Mother ofGod, she holds out her hands to all .creatures, askingthem to come to her as they would to their earthlyThis presentation of the philosophy and practices of Hinduism by Life magazine should cause theheart of every true Christian to bleed with compassion toward the millions who abide in the darknessof heathenism and idolatry. It should also cause hisheart to lift in a paean of praise to God "for His unspeakable through which salvation has becomeso freely his."Giving thanks unto the Father, which hathmade us meet to be partakers of the inheritance ofthe saints in light; Who hath delivered us fromthe power of darkness, and hath translated us intothe kingdom of his dear Son : In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness ofsins : Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every(Col. 1:12-15).Report of Committee on EvangelismEvangelism is one of our greatest opportunitiesof service. Charles Buck, in his "Theological Dictionsays that an Evangelist is "one who publishesglad tidings, a messenger, or preacher of good news.The persons denominated evangelists were next inorder to the apostles, and were sent by them not tosettle in any particular place, but to travel amongthe infant churches, and ordain ordinary officers, and73

others."ye,":8."world."serve"speaks."winning."finish what the apostles had begun. Of this kindwere Philip the deacon, Mark, Silas, etc. Acts 21One has said the METHODS have their place,PLANS are necessary, and CONTACTS are very important, but "DOING DOES IT." "Doing" is themost important and effective way of accomplishingresults. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in theevening withhold not thine hand."Evangelistic Revival Meetings have their placeand are very important. Personal evangelismone win one, or family win family is equally important.The great Commission, "GoChristian is to have his part in win"born-again"ofmeans everyning souls to Christ and to His Church. If everyCovenanter would win one soul to Christ and theCovenanter Church every 6 months, what betterservice could we render for the growth of ourChurch?Do we have a great Christian faith like Dr. J. C.McFeeters, who believed that all Christians will intime come to accept a pure, simple, Bible form ofworship like the Covenanter. Back to God! Back tothe Bible ! Back to the Psalms !Each of the members of the Evangelistic Committee was asked to write challenging messages onEvangelism on the subjects outlined in last year'sreport. Many responded with very helpful and practical articles which were published in the Covenanterwitness.The Committee also asked Dr. T. C. McKnight,Rev. Kenneth Smith and Mr. Robert McConaughyto write articles on "Visitation Evangelism" whichappeared in the Covenanter Witness, and were verystrong appeals on the subject.We observe that we are often retarded in ourEvangelistic work for some of the following reasons :1. By the attitude "Let John do it." "Let someone else do it."2. By being busy about many things and failingto give the proper time or the proper importanceto soul winning.3. By introducing people to Christ, the Son ofGod and Saviour of men, and then failing to followup in the work begun.4. By leaving the work of evangelism to thePastor or to one or two laymen.5. By failing to realize that God is able to makeof every Christian a fisher of men.6. By not taking the Lord into the transaction.Every Evangelistic Revival of History has been preceded and followed by earnest prayer, much prayer,and a full dependence on God.Dr. Remo I. Robb prepared Bible' Studies forthe entire church and he reports that they are beingused in quantity in a number of congregations. Hesaid, also, that the use of these Bible Studies inAdult Groups, is "not for what they themselves willlearn, but for preparation in giving the Gospel toDr. Robb also prepared the leaflets for"Bible Mastery Month" on the Book of Ephesians,and distributed them to the congregations.Our expenses for the past year for the work ofthe Committee amounted to $70.29. (Expenses ofthe Bible Mastery Month supplies) .74The committee received the following helpfulsuggestions and we present them as a plan of evangelistic effort for the coming year:1. Be ever busy at the work of "soulDoing does it!2. Recommend to all our congregations the useof the Bible Study courses prepared and being prepared by Dr. Remo Robb and his Committee. TheBible is God's special tool for evangelism.3. Emphasize the necessity of prayer, muchprayer in the task of winning souls to Christ, beforeand after contacts are made.4. Seek to win souls not only from sin to salvation but also build them into your church, wherethey will have a safe doctrinal training. Help themto realize that theyare "saved to Christ andHis Kingdom.5. Pray for the Power of the Holy Spirit to leadyou to some unsaved person whom you might win toChrist and His Church.6. Continue to work at "Visitation Evangelism."7. The Observance of "Bible Mastery Month" inJanuary 1956 using the Book of Titus for Study.8. A program for the regular teachingandof the Standards of the Church.preaching9. That the Committee be granted an amountfrom the Miscellaneous Fund not to exceed $200.00to carryon its work.10. That the successors be chosen at this meeting of synod for Frank L. Stewart, Paul Faris, andJoseph Caskey, whose terms have expired.Let us go forward under the Captain of ourSalvation, the Lord Jesus Christ, following His command to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of theSon, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things Whatsoever I have commanded you :and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end oftheFrank L. StewartPaul FarisJoseph CaskeyPaul ColemanWilmer PiperR. J. HueyR. I. RobbM. W. DoughertyJ. L. WrightVINEYARD GLEANINGS . . . Cont'd from page 67counterpart. Today's tourist can reach almost anypart ofthe Holy Land by luxury coach or by the newest automobiles traveling over modern highways ....But, to most Christians, their Holy Land vacation willbe a time of meditation and reconsecration, of reneweddetermination to become better acquainted with theirBible and with the Saviour of whom itReliving the Mosaic LawIn Israel an attempt to live strictly in accordance withthe laws of Moses and maintain a highly developed agricultural settlement is being made at Moshav Komenrut. TheChosen People reports: "This settlement has today 425people and has been founded on the spot where religiousunits fought in the war against the Arabs and was actuallybegun by 42 of the survivors of the Arab-Jewish War.Rabbi Mendelsohn, the head of the settlement, said recently in London that he is proud of the way in which KomenrutCOVENANTER WITNESS

attend."evangelism"upholds the Torah, and that its members proved that it waspossible to build a village and lead a most fruitful andsuccessful life, whilst at the same time abiding by everyrule of the code of Jewish law."The day begins at 4:00 a.m. when the members listento a sermon by their Rabbi. After the morning service theystart to milk the cows and work in the fields. Before the evening service the Rabbi again preaches a sermon which allthe members of the settlement (ERA-7/13/55)A Century of Protestant Progress in South AmericaIn Colombia next year, 1956, a centennial of ProtestantChristianity will be sponsored by the Evangelical Confederation. The event will celebrate the arrival of the Rev. HenryB. Pratt, pioneer Protestant missionary who began thework of evangelization in Colombia shortly after the country had achieved its independence from Spain.A program of commemorative activities will unfoldduring the whole of 1956. Special emphasis will be givento evangelism. Information will be published on the advance of the Protestant churches against fanaticism, indifference and systematic persecution. Three large meetingswill be held, one in Barranquilla, one in Cali, and anotherin Bogota. The one in Bogota will be designated as the FirstProtestant Congress of Colombia. One of the goals of theCentennial is the distribution of 20,000 copies of the NewTestament in a special binding to commemorate the event.(MNS-7/13/55)Gospel Radio Programs Now Blanket UruguayThe entire population of Uruguay will soon be coveredby a "saturationradio effort being sponsoredjointly by the Evangelical Alliance Mission and World RadioMissionary Fellowship.Charles Ward, TEAM missionary serving in the specialradio project, reports that currentlyeight radio programsa week are reaching into the interior of the country andthat two additional stations will be added to the specialnetwork in the immediate future.Lesson Helps for the Week of August 21, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICAugust 21, 1955"HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOtTRBIBLESTORIES?"Luke 15:11-32.Comments by Thomas J. Wilson,Psalms:White LakePsalm 119, page 287, verses 1-3.Psalm 119, page 288, verses 1-4.Psalm 119, page 299, verses 1-2.Psalm 119, page 301, verses 1-4.Psalm 119, page 309,Scripture passages:verses 1-4.2 Tim. 3:14-17; Mark 12:24; Luke 1:68-71; Heb. 3:7-10; 2 Peter 1:19-21;Acts 7:51-53.Comments:The historic stand of our Church isthat the "Scriptures of the Old andNew Testaments are the Word of Godand the only infallible rule of faith andlife."Because of this we have not minimized the value of the Old Testamentin comparison with the New Testament.Our ministers have preached from theOld Testament with the understandingthat a good knowledge of it gives a fuller meaning to the New Testament. Because of our emphasis on the Old Testament I have heard us called, "Old TesChristians."tamentNevertheless, anylogically-minded person will have toadmit that if the Old Testament is thevery Word of God, then it must beworthy of our careful consideration.Recently I have heard the idea proposed that the Bible teaches a numberof truths. The details of the storieswhich teach these truths are relativelyunimportant so long as we learn thetruths themselves. On the surface thisAugust 3, 1955idea sounds very good, but after thinking it over you will realize that it is animpossibility. If you want a clue on howto study history, I would say: studypeople. When history becomes impersonal, then it becomes dry and uninteresting. Even so it is with the Bibleand especially the historical books of theOld Testament. If you want a good understanding of the Old Testament, studythe lives of the people which it tellsabout. If you want a better understanding of the teachings of the New Testament, then fill your mind with the truthsof the Old Testament. As Stephen, thefirst Christian martyr, preached thatgreat sermon to the council just beforehis death, he preached to them from theOld Testament and theygot the point.How well do you know the storieswhich are found in the Old Testament?I am going to relate to you a Bible storywhich contains a number of"slight"errors. I would suggest that you readthis story in the meeting and then correct the mistakes."Once upon a time there lived in theland of Babylon a beautiful young queenby the name of Ruth. Ruth had beenmade queen because she had won abeauty contest which the king, Ahasuerus, had held. It seems that his formerwife, Valeria, had done something whichhe did not like so he decided to run thisbeauty contest and find a new wife.Ruth was a Jewess but it is evident thatnobody around Shushan knew that.At this time there was a fellow by thename of Hanna who was Prime Ministerof the Persian Empire. We do not knowtoo much about old Hanna except thathe was a greedy sort of a fellow; he wasexceedingly proud of himself, and hehated the Jews with a passion. Therewas one Jew who spent a lot of time sitting at the palace gate who especiallygalled old Hanna because of the factthat he did not pay him enough respect.This fellow's name was Mordecai, andit just happened that he was the queen'scousin but Hanna did not know that.Well, to make a long story shorter, Hanna decided that he would get even withMordecai and all of his kind in one-fellswoop.He got the king to sign a decree that on a certain day all the Jewsin the whole empire should be killed androbbed. When this decree had been sentout, of course, all the Jews were veryfrightened, and Mordecai covered himself with camel's hair and sat outsidethe walls of the palace in mourning.Then he sent a note to the queen andtold her about the decree which hadbeen issued and he reminded her thatshe too was a Jew. She did not needto think that she would escape deathjust because she was in the palace ofthe king. Mordecai also reminded herthat this was probably the reason whyGod had placed her in the palace. Itwas her duty to intercede for her people with the king.It was the law in the palace in thosedays that the queen could not go intothe king's chamber unless he had calledfor her. Ruth knew this and she wasafraid to go in to see the king. If hehappened to be in a bad mood that dayhe just might have his guards kill heron the spot. But finally Ruth decidedthat it was her duty to risk her life inorder that her people might live. Beforeshe did this, however, she wanted tohave one last fling just in case she waskilled, so she and her maids had a party75

over."which lasted for three days. Then shewas ready to go.Ruth dressed up in her finest robeand went in before the king and, ofcourse, the king couldn't resist her sohe put out his silver sceptre to her.The king knew that she must havesomething very important on her mindso he asked her what she wanted. Allshe said was, "Will you and Hanna comeand have dinner with me today?" Theydid, and after they had eaten, the kingturned to Ruth once again and askedwhat she wanted him to do for her. Shereplied that she would like it very muchif they would come back again the nextday for dinner. They did, and again after they had eaten, the king turned toRuth and offered to give her whatevershe wanted, even to a quarter of hiskingdom. Ruth knew that this was thetime that she had been waiting for soshe asked for her life and the life ofher people. She told him that she wasa Jewess and that Hanna had sent outthe decree over the empire that all theJews should be killed on a certain day.This made Ahasuerus very angry, to saythe least, and so he got up from thetable and took a walk in the garden tocool off a bit. When he came back hefound Hanna pleading before the queenfor his life and that made him all themadder.While all of this was going on, "itseems that Hanna had taken all of thedisrespect from Mordecai that he couldstand, so he had built a guillotine out inhis front yard with the idea that hewould have this undesirable put todeath. They told the king about it andso they took old Hanna out and choppedhis head off.The story ends just as it should. Theking made Mordecai Prime Minister inHanna's place and he issued another decree which said that the Jews werefree to defend themselves against theirenemies. As it turned out, the Jewskilled their enemies and the day whichwas to bring their doom brought rathervictory. From that day until this theJews have celebrated every year theirdeliverance by God through the beautiful Queen Ruth. The feast which theyhold to celebrate this deliverance isknown today as "The Feast of the PassJUNIOR TOPICAugust 21, 1955THE SINNERS REFUGENumbers 35:9-34.Lola Weir, New York CongregationMemory Verse: "God is our refuge andstrength, a very present help in trouble."Psalm 46:1Psalms:76Memory Psalm: 34:1-6, page 79Psalm 46:1-6, page 118Psalm 57, page 142Psalm 142:1-5, page 345.God has always had a peculiar lovefor the land of Canaan since He promised it to Abraham and his descendents(Gen. 12:1-7). In our lesson today wesee Him give Moses a plan by whichthis land would not be polluted by bloodby the "avenger of blood" (v. 33). Thispractice of goelism, i.e. of the nearestrelation of an individual who was killedbeing bound to demand satisfactionfrom the author of his death, existedfrom very remote antiquity (Gen. 4:14;27:45). It seems to have been an established usage in the age of Moses; andalthough in a rude and imperfect stateof society it is a natural and intelligibleprinciple of criminal jurisprudence, itis liable to many abuses. The chief ofthese abuses we can see in our own history in the family fueds of the Kentucky mountain folk a few years back,and in spots today.God's provision to prevent these abuses in Canaan was the instruction to appoint six cities of refuge in convenient locations on both sides of the Jordan so that justice would be administered, rather than that revenge wouldreign. Anyone who killed had a rightto run to the nearest city of refuge forprotection. But only the one who killedaccidentally was allowed to go free in thecity. All were protected until after thetrial; the premeditated murderer wasdealt with by the law "the murderershall surely be put to death" (v. 16)by the "avenger of blood."The cities of refuge were to be easyof access, and to have smooth andgood roads to them, and bridges wherethere should be necessity. When therewere any cross roads, they took careto set up posts with an inscription,directing the way to the city of refuge.These cities were to be well suppliedwith water and all kinds of provisions.There the innocent could live safelyuntil the death of the high priest whenhe was at liberty to leave the city if hewanted to go.There is an application for us todayin this storyclearly after readingwhich you will see morethe referencesgiven and answering the questionsthoughtfully. Ps. 18:1, 2,; 1 Cor. 10:4;Num. 35:25-27; Deut. 33:27; Heb. 6:17-20.1. What does the word refuge mean?(See dictionary)2. Does the sinner need a refuge?Why?3. Who appointed the cities of refuge?Why were they located where theywere?4. Can you name them and locatethem on the map? (Joshua 20:7-9).5. Who could flee to these cities ofrefuge? v. 15,16. Who or what andwhere is our city of refuge today?7. Who can flee there? Rom. 3:23.8. Who was the "avenger of blood"?What was his work?9. Who is our "avenger of blood"?1 Peter 3:18.10. Who was to judge the sinner inIsrael? v. 24.11. Who is our Judge? Rom. 14:10; 2Cor. 5:10.12. The man who killed his neighboraccidentallyand fled tothe city ofrefuge, did he not have to pay anything for his sin? Think carefully before answering.13. How is our life changed after weenter our city of refuge? John 15:4;2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:1-3, 8-10.14. Are you sure you have availedyourself of our "city of refuge"? John1:12; Rom. 10:9, 10; 1 John 5:11-13.For handwork draw a mapof Palestine and name and locate the six citiesof refuge, or write the memory versein your notebook and illustrate it by adrawing that suggests "refuge" to you.SABBATHSCHOOL LESSONAugust 21, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on international Sunday SchoolLessons; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Religious Education.)HOPE FOR THE EXILESIsaiah 55; Jeremiah 31; 50; Ezekiel 36PRINTED TEXT, Isaiah 55; Jeremiah31 :31-35MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 55:3 "Inclineyour ear, and come unto me; hear,and your soul shall live."The 55th chapter of Isaiah is not addressed to any special group of people.It was written between the time of thecaptivity of Samaria, and the carryingaway of Judah. It was equally suitablefor those who were in captivity and forthose who were facing the world athome. It is a message for all people, solong as they live in this world.HO, EVERY ONE.Only those who thirst, who are conscious of their need, will listen. Ourrichest physical gifts, air and water, aresobountifully supplied that we forgettheir value. Other things we buy. Theycost labor, we pay money for them.Look at the evening paper; How oftenwe see in large letters the word FREE.Never is the offer true. This offer istrue. Though no amount of money couldpay for salvation, we canbuy it without money and without price.THAT WHICH IS NOT BREAD.Our physical lives are closely re-OOVENANTER WITNESS

glorious."sheep."verily."lated to our spiritual lives. If wechoose food that will tickle our palates,we are very likely to choose for oursouls the things that will please ourphysical desires.How many things we buy to eat thatare not wholesome! If any food is notfor our health, it is for our harm. Ourrecreations and amusements should beto the advantage of our minds or ourbodies, or both. Our studies of Christ'slife from His birth to His resurrection,or our devotions, should not be dilutedwith fun. There is so much that satisfieth,why not eat that which is good,that will delight the soul.A WITNESS, A LEADER, AND ACOMMANDER.There is a change of speakers here.In the third verse, Christ speaks; "Comeunto Me." The voice in the fourth verseis of the Father who sent Him. Thispromise concerns the Promised Messiah.THOU SHALT CALL NATION.The greatest Glory of anynation isthe Glory of Jesus Christ. Isaiah said,(chapter 11)"And in that day thereshall be a root of Jesse, which shallstand for an ensign of the people; to itshall the gentiles seek;shall beand his restLasting prosperityand peace will come to the nation whoseGod is the Lord.WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND.Verses six and seven stand together.We can find the Lord if we seek Himnow. Now is the time to forsake wickedways and unrighteous thoughts and toreturn unto the Lord. Yesterday is gone,tomorrow is not promised. This is theday of salvation. God is merciful, andToday He will pardon.THY THOUGHTS, AND THE WAYSOF THE LORD.Perhaps we think that the Lord is somerciful that He will pardo'n our sinseven if we do not repent and turn fromthem. Human philosophy has suggestedmany ways in the attempt to ease man'sfears. Preaching Hell has largely goneout of style, not because there has beenany cooling off in hell, but because itfrightens people, scares them clear outof the church sometimes. It does notscare Christians. It will not frightenanyone who has ansv/ered the call ofverses 6 & 7.Whiskey will not makeyou drunk if you don't drink it. Sincan't damn those who are cleansedfrom it.HOW HIGH ARE THE HEAVENS?Everynew instrument invented formeasuring space gives us a deeper evidence of our ignorance. It is when wehave searched and found much, that webegin to learn the unsearchable richesAugust 3, 1955of God. When we go to our presenthorizon, that opens to our view marvels that we have not seen. The morewe learn of God, the more we areimpressed with the depth of what we donot know.DESERT OR GARDEN.Once it was a desert. Men lost theirlives in crossing it for lack of food orwater. I read about it as a desert. Isaw it as the Imperial Valley. Just now,I think of a few weeks ago, when thegrass was turning brown. Now, it ismost luxurient. What makes the difference? Everyone knows the answer.There is no substitute. If life seemsdry and uninteresting, go out into therain. Nebuchadnezzer would not go ofhis own will, when he needed water sosorely. So he was sent out where he gotwet and learned how to grow.SOWING AND REAPING IN GOD'SGARDEN.The garden is the Lord's and He has acertain plan for its cultivation. When wefollow His plan, the fields seem torejoice with us. We have wasted theriches of God's garden, and see the result in much barren land that was oncefertile. But God has a marvelous systemof reclamation. Land deforested anddeserted, eroded and impossible of cultivation, is beingcovered with valuablesoil building forests. While the earth isbeing saved, man is being punished;For sport we killed off the squirrels,now the fine forests of oak, walnut,and hickory are being replaced by lessvaluable timber. None of our Pestplants in the forest are native.Webrought in our worst enemies. Herein isa parable; When we come to understandthat this is God's garden, and obey Hislaws in cultivating it, the thorn andbrier will give place to that which hasbeautyand value. In the natural andspiritual world, we are His husbandmen.THE COMING DAYS. Jeremiah 3:31-35Manyof the lesson helps omit thispassage. It is difficult to understand,therefore hard to explain. Perhaps thebest commentary we can find on it isin Hebrews the eighth chapter wherePaul quotes it in full. He is showing thesuperiorityof the priesthood of Christover that of Aaron. Since the priesthood of Aaron had its limitations, thecovenant administered through thatpriesthood, could not be perfect. Christcame to fulfill the Priesthood of Aaronand to administer a perfect covenant inperfect obedience. Israel had brokenthe Aaronic covenant, even as Mosesbroke the first stone tables of the Law.In the place of the broken covenant,Christ introduced a New Covenant, (orwas it a renewed covenant?), sponsoredunder His own perfect obedience. Everysinner is invited to enter into this covenant with Christ.Psalms:PRAYER MEETING TOPICAugust 24, 1955"THE ONLY DOOR"(The "Aniens" of Jesus)Rev. John O. EdgarScripture John 10:1-18100:1-4,80:1, 2, 6,95:5-7,23:1-5,page 237page 198page 231page 52References: Eph. 2:18; Heb. 13:20,21;I Pet. 2:25; 5:4; Ezek. 34:23.Have you ever considered the important part that doors play in our lives?Usually the door stands as a symbol ofprivacy. A door may give certain privileges to some and withhold those sameprivileges from others. The doors in ahome are open to the members of thefamily, but are closed to those outsidethe family circle. Even a close neighborusually stops to rap before entering thedoor.Members of a family enjoy certainprivileges together. Each one has a rightto sit at the table and enjoy the foodwhich is provided daily. But others maysit at the table only by invitation. Within the family circle there is a measureof love which is not meted to others.Sometimes a child isadopted into ahome and the door is opened to himwith all its privileges.Jesus uses the figure of the door inconnection with the Kingdom of Heaven. Speaking in a parable, He says,"Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am thedoor of the He makes the statement emphatic by prefacing it with thewords, "Verily, The statementimplies two things: the right to includeand the right to exclude those who mayor may not enter the fold.The figure finds its basis in the lifeof the Eastern shepherd. Each day theshepherd takes his flock out to graze,and brings it back to the fold in theevening that it may be kept safelythrough the night. The walls of thesheepfold are usually built of stone, andare high enough that an animal can noteasily jump over or a thief climb over.There is an opening in the wall for adoor, but actually there is no door, forthe shepherd himself is the door. Whenall the sheep are safe within he wrapshis shepherd's cloak around him and liesdown in the doorway. He is the "door"in a true sense of the word.I. Those Who May Enter the DoorOnly the shepherd's own sheep may77

are."come."pasture."me."up?"enter the fold. If a lamb of a neighborhas strayed into the flock it will besorted out and returned to its owner. Agoat or a calf would not be permitted toenter the fold with the sheep.Two explanations are given of the figure of the sheepfold. One, that it is theKingdom of Heaven, and the other thatit symbolizes the church. The two areclosely related. One might enter theKingdom of Heaven and not be a churchmember. However, one cannot enterHeaven and not be a member of thechurch universal. His onlyentrance isby faith in Christ the Door, who is alsothe head of the church. There is one foldand one shepherd. There is but one doorthrough which the just may enter andthat door is Christ.Men can enter the door only whenthey have personally accepted Christ. Inone sense it is an easy door to enter,for freely the invitation is given, "Whosoever will, let himBut in another sense it is a difficult door to enter for we are told that "Strait is thegate and narrow is the way that leadethunto life, and few there be that find it."(Matt. 7:14). To enter there must be achange of heart. One must lay down hisselfishness and take up Christ's largeheartedness.No one will be driven intothe fold. He must come because he iswilling to follow the Shepherd.II. Those Who Are Excluded by theDoor.The primary purpose of the shepherdlying in the door of the sheepfold wasnot so much to keep the sheep in thefold as to keep out the wild animals,thieves and robbers. We recognize thatone of the important aspects of Christ'swork is that of Judge. This thought isexpressed in many passages of scripture. Typical of these passages is Luke13:25, "When once the master of thehouse is risen up, and hath shut to thedoor, and ye begin to stand without,and to knock at the door, saying, Lord,Lord, open unto us; and he shall answerand say unto you, I know you notwhence yeThose believing in universal salvationargue that there are no restrictions asto who may enter heaventhat God inHis mercy would not exclude a singleperson from the blessings of eternity.But this is entirely contrary to the verynature of life. On every hand we findthere are doors that are open to someand are closed to others. For example.an immigrant coming to this countrywill find he cannot enter unless he haspapers to show that he has permissionfrom the government to enter. One maynot enter a baseball park unless he haspurchased a ticket which gives permis-78sion. One cannot vote on election dayunless he is registered and can provethat he is a citizen and has a right tovote.Hundreds of illustrations could begiven of open or closed doors, dependingupon the qualifications of the one whodesires to enter. It therefore seems mostconsistent that Christ, the only Door,would open the door for those who loveHim and trust Him, and that He wouldexclude from the fold those who are inopposition to Him.m. Those Who Try to Enter by SomeOther Door.From the very beginning of the human race men have tried to enter thefold by some other door than Christ.Abel brought the sacrifice of a lamb.Blood was shed which was symbolical ofthe shedding of the blood of Christ.Cain brought an offering of fruits. Itwas an offering that was contrary tothe command of God. His heart was notright and God could not accept his sacrifice. He was trying to enter by a doorof his own choosing.Some try to enter by the doors offalse sects or religions. But too latethey will discover that the door whichthey entered with confidence will leadonly to a passage which will terminatein destruction. Some turn to the realmof human philosophy and seek to enterby doors which have been fashioned intheir own minds. The atheist deniesthat there is any need for a door bywhich one mayHeaven.enter the Kingdom ofFalse Christs have arisen and announced that they were the doorthrough which men should enter. ButChrist makes it clear that He is theONLY door. In the passage we havebeen considering He says, "ALL thatever came before me are thieves androbbers: but the sheep did not hearthem. I am the door: by me if any manshall enter in, he shall be saved, andshall go in and out, and find(John 10:8, 9).For Discussion1. Is the door to membership in ourchurch too narrow? Should it be sobroad that anyone might enter at will?2. To enter a locked door we mustpossess a key. What is our key to theKingdom of Heaven?3. What do the following doors signifyto you? A doctor's office? A collegeclassroom? A theatre? A prison? Abank? A rescue mission? A church?Perhaps there are others you may wishto discuss.For PrayerPray for our public schools which willsoon reopen.Standing Where the Fire Has Been"Who loved me, and gave Himself for(Gal. 2:20).One of the first Gospel illustrationsthat ever made a real impression uponmy young heart was a simple storywhich I heard a preacher tell when Iwas less than nine years old.It was of pioneers who were makingtheir wayacross oneof the centralstates to a distant place that had beenopened up for homesteading. They traveled in covered wagons drawn by oxen,and progress was necessarily slow. Oneday they were horrified to note a longline of smoke in the west, stretching formiles across the prairie, and soon itwas evident that the dried grass wasburning fiercely and coming towardthem rapidly.They had crossed a river the day before but it would be impossible to goback to that before the flames wouldbe upon them. One man only seemed tohave understanding as to what should bedone. He gave the command to set fireto the grass behind them. Then whena space was burned, the whole companymoved back upon it.As the flames roared on toward themfrom the west, a little girl cried out interror, "Are you sure we shall not all beburned The leader replied, "Mychild, the flames cannot reach us here,for we are standing where the fire hasbeen!""On Him Almighty vengeance fell,Which would have sunk a world to hell.He bore it for a chosen race,And thus became our Hiding Place."The fires of God's judgment burnedthemselves out on Him, and all who arein Christ are safe forever, for they arenow standing where the fire has been.H. A. Ironside, D.D.Prayer is an acknowledgment of faith;worry is a denial of faith. Prayer is putting my hand in God's trusting to Hisloving guidance; worry is withdrawingmy hand, and denying His power to leadme. Prayer leads through the door offaith into the presence of God; worryleads through th door of anxiety intothe darkness of loneliness and discouragement. If prayer rules the life victory results.Selected.Hate cannot destroy hate, but lovecan and does. Not the soft and negativething that has carried the name andmisrepresented the emotion, but lovethat suffers all things and is kind, lovethat accepts responsibility love thatmarches, love that suffers, love thatbleeds and dies for a great cause butto rise again. Daniel A. Poling.COVENANTER WITNESS

Church Newsfaith once delivered to the saints. Inintervening days he is visiting in hisnative communityof Winchester.Mrs. Viola Sanders who has been sickfor several weeks is on the way to reYOUNGSTOWN, OHIOThe Rev. M. K. Carson preached forus Synod Sabbath. Everyone enjoyed thefine message and fellowshipCarson.with Mr.The W. M. S. held an ice cream fetein June. An ususually large crowdgathered to help eat the cake, ice creamand strawberries.A picnic was held at Mill Creek Park,but the evening was cut short by asudden rain storm.It is with sorrow that we report thepassing of two faithful members of theYoungstown congregation. On July 11Mrs. John Marshall was called to herheavenly home. Four days later, hersister,Miss Elizabeth Sinclair followed.Both will be greatly missed.SYRACUSESyracuse congregation rejoiced that itit was able to have a Vacation BibleSchool this year. Sixty-two were enrolled,with fifty-five as average attendance. The five teachers, Mrs. WilliamPinkerton, Mrs. Philip Wicks, Miss ViolaHall, Mrs. Charles Murphy and DavidPark were present each of the elevendays of the school. We had severalhelpers who assisted full or part time.Miss Mateel Mishtawy, whose formerhome was in Latakia, Syria, and whois now studying nursingeducation atSyracuse University, came one morning to tell the children of her nativeland and about our work in Syria. Halfof our missionary offering of $57.00 goesfor this mission and the other half forthe youth Testament work of theGideon Society.Our constant prayer was that the seedsown in the hearts and minds of thesechildren would bring forth fruit in theirlives, for the glory of His holy name.The Sabbath School picnic was held atMarcellus Park on June 18. The childrenhad a good time under the leadership ofMr. and Mrs. Elmer Shaw.Recent preachers have been RevDavid Carson on July 10, Dr. J. R.Patterson on July 17 and Rev. J. R.McClenaghan, worker at the SyracuseRescue Mission on July 24.Mrs. H. A. Burgess of Niagara Fallsand Mrs. K. C.Arents of New YorkCity, who have been visiting relatives,worshiped with us on July 24. Both areout-of-bounds members of Syracuse congregation.The first baby born in Syracuse onJuly 4th, was Thomas Hugh Martin, sonof Hugh and Barbara Martin. Mrs. Martin's mother Mrs. Finlay Faris, of Greeley, Col., is spending the summer withher daughter's family, helping to takecare of this new nephew of Uncle Sam,as the newspaper called him.On July 4TOPEKAwas held at Forrest Park.a Congregational picnicOn July 5 a "silent" auction, sponsored by the Young People, was held in thechurch basement as a means of raisingfunds for Forrest Park Conference.Our puplit was supplied on July 10 byRev. Sam Boyle in the morning and Rev.Gene Spear in the evening. They eachbrought us challenging messages.On the evening of July 11 the congregation gathered for a farewell inhonor of the Boyles, Spears and MissElizabeth McElroy. After a devotionalperiod, and a presentation of gifts, asocial hour followed with refreshments.Our prayers go with these our representatives as they go forth to foreignlands.Rev. Cloyd Caskey brought us helpfulmessages on Sabbath, July 17. Dr.Caskey was in Topeka and performedthe marriage ceremony of Miss KathrineVoson the previous Friday evening.Topeka congregation is rejoicing overthe word received very recently thatLie. Donald McClurkin has signified hisintention to accept our congregation'scall to be our pastor, and will be readyto take up the work about the 1st ofSeptember.If Spiritual pride is ever justifiable,than Topeka feels that they have theright to that privilege. On August 3two of our boys with their families aresailing for Japan to be Missionariesthere, Rev. Sam Boyle and Rev. GeneSpear. Both of these ministers spenttheir growingyears in Topeka. Alsoabout this time Rev. Paul Robb wasordained to be the pastor of the LosAngeles Congregation, and we mightadd the names of others either alreadyin the service or going into service,among them; Rev. Paul McCracken ofthe Eastvale congregation; Armour McFarland and Robert McCracken, whowill be Seniors this year in the Seminary; and Robert McFarland and PaulMatthews, who will enter this year asJuniors inCan you top that?our Theological Seminary.Dr. Alvin Smith is preaching for usJuly 24 and 31, and building us up in thecovery for which we are glad.Mrs. Margaret Boyle has gone toSeattle to see her son Sam's family offfor Japan.The Methodist Home in Topeka burned beyond the point of occupancy onTuesday July 26, leaving the 300 residents homeless for a time. Miss KathleenQuigley, one of our members, was aresident. Happily there were no fatalities.PORTLANDMiss Maude Frazer is home for thesummer on vacation from her teachingduties in Germany. This is her first visithome in two years.Rev. and Mrs. Carson and Dougiedrove east for Synod and vacation tovisit relatives. During their absence,Eleanor Faris, Thomas Chambers, andWilliam Frazer had charge of theprayermeetings.Mrs. Death, one of our members livingin Vancouver, B.C, was a weekendvisitor in June, and was present forthe June W. M. S. meeting.Thomas P. Chambers, 10 weeks oldson of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Chambers, was baptized on July 17.Miss Eleanor Faris has been teachingthe pre-school Sabbath School class,and we will miss her. Our interest andprayers will follow her as she goes toJapan.At a recent meeting, the congregationvoted to make definite plans to combine a parsonage with needed additionalclass room space. We hope that construction can start in the late fall.Weekly meetings are being held forplanning our Vacation Bible School tobe held August 15-26.Rev. Frazer, who was sick with theflu during May and June, is recoveringsatisfactorily, and is able to be presentfor all of the church services.SHARON, IOWARev. J. R. Patterson preached atSharon two weeks while Rev. J. O.Edgar was visiting his parents, andattending Covenant Heights conference.Mr. and Mrs. Ifft (Edith Patterson)and three sons Eddie, David and Ralphvisited here enroute to YellowstonePark.The young folksenjoyed a wienerroast and a swimming party at GrapoPark, Burlington. Jimmy, Jerel, Janis,and John McElroy also attended withthe sponsors Rev. and Mrs. McElroy.Mrs. Lois Honeyman returned from atrip west with her son John and from 79August 3, 1955

saints."Yosemite Park where they camped fourdays with her son James Honeyman andfamily of Los Angeles congregation.Janet Peirce, Beaver Falls, also accompanied them on the trip.Mrs. Bruce Willson and children arevisiting her mother and sisters andbrother's families while Dr. Willson istouring the congregations to Californiaand also attending Forest Park.Rev. M. W. Dougherty was called hereby the sudden death of Esther Dougherty Callahan's father-in-law, and assistedat the funeral.The Willsons are planning a familyreunion at Sharon church August 13.The descendants of John Zaccheus Willson(1784-1871) erected a marker at hisgrave in Sharon cemetery this summer.For many years the reunion was held tocelebrate his birthday. He was an elderin the Sharon church. He came to Iowawith ten children and these ten are all-buried in the same cemeteryanters) .(all CovenTheir names are carved on the backside of his stone as follows: Mary JaneWillson-McKibben, Adam McConnellWillson, Ellis (Ella) Willson, ZaccheusG. Willson, James Reynolds Willson,John R. Willson, Samuel E. Willson,Nancy Ann Willson-McClure, SusannahWillson-Hensleigh and Martha TorrenceWillson-Hays. The family coming thefarthest to the reunion will likely beRev. Herbert Hays of Latakia, Syria.OPEN HOUSE HONORS 50THANNIVERSARYFifty years ago on June 28 BelleCaskey and Boyd Terry were united inholymatrimony. Since that time theirfamily has grown to four fine childrenand fine grandchildren besides. At theopen house held in honor of the childrenCaroll, Reed, Nanna, and Clara Belleand the church furnished beautiful bouquets of flowers. The six grandchildrengave Mrs. Terry an orchid. About eighty(80) guests were in attendance throughthe evening. In addition, the Terryswere showered with about seventy-five(75) congratulatory cards. May we wishthem years to come of health andhappiness.LUCAS FAMILY REUNIONLucas Family holds a reunion, July12-14, at Myrtle and Frank Strain'shome at Aurora, Missouri. Those presentwere Mr. and Mrs. John B. Lucas ofPoplar Bluff, Mo., Mr. Roy Lucas ofNodaway, Iowa, Mr. James Lucas ofTruth or Consequencees, New Mexico,Mrs. Mabel Chestnut of Idana, Kansas,80and Mrs. Elizabeth Barritt of Blanchard,Iowa.Those unable to attend were: Mr. andMrs. Carl Lucas of Battle Creek, Michigan, and Mr. and Mrs. Will F. LucasHamilton, Ga., and Mrs. James Lucasand Mrs. Roy Lucas.Mr. and Mrs. Roy Ellis of Moran,Kansas, cousins, and Mr. and Mrs.Weldon Lucas and sons of Springfield,Mo., a nephew, were also guests one day.MRS. MAGGD3 BAILEYMrs. Maggie Bailey, whose life hasbeen connected with several Covenantercongregations, passed away on July 21,1955 at Quinter, Kansas. Maggie Elizabeth Francy was born near Staunton,Illinois, March 13, 1875. Early in life sheprofessed her faith in Christ inour Staunton congregation. When shecame to Quinter in 1910, she transferredher membership to our Quinter congregation.During the short years of her marriedlife to William T. Hensleigh she lived atMorning Sun, Iowa. His death (October24, 1919) and burial was at Olathe,Kansas. Maggie returned to Quinter andon September 30, 1931 was united inmarriage to Roy Bailey of Quinter. Theylived on the Bailey farm until his deathon July 6, 1954; since his passing shehas made her home in Quinter.Quietly she lived her life in the homeand the church. Her kindness and carein the home are seen in the memorieswhich she leaves to the step children ofthe home: Vera Ulrich, Gladys Graham,Glen Bailey, of Quinter, the .fivegrandchildren and one great grandchild. Ofthe four brothers who mourn her passing, one is Ellsworth Francy of ourQuinter congregation. "Precious in thesight of the Lord is the death of hisNow Hear This!Mrs. J. S. McGawMrs. Anna Mary Milligan Adams, wifeof the late Dr. James S. McGaw, passedto her eternal reward July 16, the dayfollowing her 84th birthday. She is survived by one son, Kenneth, and familyof Denver, Colo, a brother John Adamsof Kansas City, a niece Rae Wylie alsoof Kansas City, and a host of dearfriends.Mrs. McGaw will long be rememberedas a wonderful pastor's, wife, a Bibleteacher, and for her work in the W. C.T. U., and assisting her husband inNational Reform and other activities.She was a devout Christian and a kindfriend to all. We shall miss her greatlyin the Denver Church."Education in Cyprus"by W. W. WierCyprus is now in the newspolitically. Why is the movement for unionwith Greece being led by the church?A good time to become informedabout the Island generally geography, history, present development,with emphasis on education including the impact of the schools of theCovenanter Church.You may secure your copy of "Education in Cyprus" by writing to R. B.Weir, 74 Rossmore Ave. Bronxville 8,New York.Price now 2.50.STAMBAUGH BULLETINNow Hear This!The Pittsburgh Presbytery C.Y.P.U. Conference will againbe held at Stambaugh Scout Reservation located near Youngstown, Ohio. Main speakers will include Dr. M. K. Carson, Dr.S. B. Willson, and Dr. J. G. Vos with many others.Rates for camp are as follows: Age 12 and over, $18.00;11-8, $12.00 ; 7-4, $7.00; 3-younger, free of charge. No registrationis charged.ship.Don't miss out on the fine opportunity for Christian fellowDATES FOR CAMPAugust 22-August 29CAMP THEMEChrist CallsCOVENANTER WITNESS

crime,"right."ear!"BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 28, 1955v\(JovenanterWtnessVolume LV, No. 6TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1955"Somebody's Got to Pay for It"By Edwin OrrMany years ago I heard of a young burglar whowas caught red-handed by the police. As he was ayoung married man with two small children, hisyounger brother went to the police and offered totake his place. The police refused point-blank to lethim substitute for his brother. "You did not committhe they said, "and we cannot allow you tosuffer the punishment. It would not beThat incident illustratesa difficulty whichplagued my mind for many years. I had been converted through my mother's witness. She had toldme that Christ had died for my sins that He waswounded for my transgressions. I believed it in myheart. What's more, it worked out in my life, andI had become converted with an assurance that mysins were truly blotted out. But I could not understand it in my head. I knew that the innocent oftensuffered for the guilty, but I could not understandhow a God of justice could plan it so.As a boy, I used to play ball "out the back" behind our house in the Ormeau suburb of Belfast. Aman there had his house on the corner, and his windows were continually being broken by stray balls.He should have moved his house, we thought.One day he came charging out of the house,waving an indignant fist. "The next one of you kidsthat break my window I'll break yourWe fled in distress. There was no use arguingwith him. He would not listen to reason.And who, do you think, was the next one tobreak his window? That's right. I didn't even stop topick up the bat. The ball was under his bed, beyondrecall. I ran instinctively for the shelter of homewhere the news of my misdemeanor soon followed.My father insisted that I accompany him to thescene of my offense. "I've brought you the culpritthat broke your he told the window,"man.The man glared at me. But then he turned tomy father again, and his tone was more reasonable."Well, Mr. Orr, I know that kids can't help breakingwindows. I used to break them myself when I was akid. But somebody's got to pay for it."My father paid the man, who told me I was forgiven, but not to do it again. And a lasting impression was left in my mind concerning forgiveness.Somebody's got to pay for it.Twenty years later, an Irish friend borrowedsome money from me. He had been gambling andwas in danger of losing his job. He agreed to pay meback in weekly installments, but he never did. I feltannoyed with the fellow. But, after feeling thus provoked for a couple of years, I concluded that it wasa hopeless case of a bad debt and decided to forgivehim. But who suffered? The debtor or the creditor?The sinner or the sinned against? Obviously I suffered the loss of the money. I could have made himsuffer by going to court and having his furnitureseized, and then he would have had to bear it. But Iforgave him, and I suffered to forgive him.This, it seems to me, is the problem of justice inthe forgiveness of sins. No theory of the Atonementis complete in itself. Certainly the Moral InfluenceTheory of the Atonement is incomplete, althoughthere is moral influence in the fact of the Cross.Likewise, there is truth in other theories of theAtonement, but they do not fully state the truth.Yet these incidents in my own life helped me understand the Cross. In forgiveness, "Somebody's got topay for it" for justice must be satisfied andgrace, the sinned-against suffers for the sinner. Itwas as if God looked around for a substitute to takethe sinner's place. No one but an infinite, sinless Godcould do it. So He Himself suffered to forgive us, forChrist was God in the flesh.And so, what I had believed in my heart as aboy of nine, I began to understand in my mind. "Hewas wounded for our transgressions ; he was bruisedfor our iniquities ; the chastisement of our peace wasupon him ; and with his stripes we are healed." Thatverse of Scripture, originally the verse of emotionalPlease turn to page 89

Current EventsBy Prof. WiUiam H. Russell. Ph.D.MAN-MADE MOONThe U. S. definitely plans to build its own earth satellite, President Eisenhower has announced. The program callsfor one or more small globes which will be sent up byrocket to an altitude of 200 to 300 miles. There they willreach a speed of 18,000 m.p.h. and circle the earth onceevery 90 minutes. It is hoped that theycan be equippedwith observation instruments to measure such phenomenaas ultraviolet and cosmic rays, and with radio transmittersto send back their findings. After a few days or weeks, friction with the very thin atmosphere will begin to slow downthe satellite globes. They will then fall to earth and disintegrate like meteors.It is expected that these satellites can be launched intwo to three years, at a cost of about $10 million. Work onthe project began several years ago, and there is good evidence that the Russians are following the same idea. President Eisenhower emphasized that this program is intendedentirely for peaceful scientific purposes. It may mark thefirst step in the fulfillment of man's old dream of travelinto outer space.RESERVE PROGRAMAfter much controversy, Congress passed a military reserve bill which was considerably less stringent than thePresident had asked. Congress refused to compel men nowin service to join the active reserves, but furnished someinducements for them to do so. Those now in service canshorten their period of active duty to as little as twelvemonths, by volunteering for three years in the active reserves. Those who enlist or are drafted in the future willhave a total obligation of only six instead of eight years,but must spend five of the six years on active duty or in theactive reserves. Youths under eighteen and a half years ofage may gain draft exemption by volunteering for three tosix months of active training, followed byseven and a halfyears in the active reserves. Congress declined, however, todraft men for this short-term program. The whole plan isintended to raise the reserves strength from 750,000 to about2,900,000 men by 1960.DOLLAR AN HOURAt the end of its session, Congress passed a bill raisingthe national minimum wage from 75 cents to one dollar anhour, effective next March 1. This will mean raises for overtwo million workers, primarily in the South. The increasein living costs since the 75-cent minimum was set would havebrought it only to 86 or 87 cents, but organized labor andsome Congressmen were asking for $1.25, so the one-dollarlaw could be considered a compromise. President Eisenhower had wanted the minimum wage raised only to 90 cents,but Secretary of Labor Mitchell advised him to sign thebill as passed. The federal minimum wage applies to some 24million workers producing or handling goods for interstatecommerce. Though they make up only 35 per cent of thetotal civilian labor force, their minimum wage tends to setthe national standard, since it is difficult for local employersto secure workers if they pay less.HIGHWAY FIASCO82The biggest casualty in Congress' adjournment rush wasthe highway program. The House defeated President Eisenhower's plan for financing new roads by long-term bonds,issued by a separate government corporation. Then theHouse also turned down a Democratic-sponsored bill whichwould have provided about half as much money. The Democrats would have financed their program partly from a onecentincrease in the federal gasoline tax, and also fromhigher taxes on trucks, diesel oil, and other automotive supplies. The rest of the cost would have come from the generaltreasury. This bill met heavy opposition from the truckers,and neither party wanted to increase consumer taxes withelections coming up next year. Certainly something will haveto be done in the next Congress. Everyone wants betterroads, but no one wants to pay for them.TOWARD EQUALITYA federal judge in Texas has ruled that all state lawsenforcingracial segregation in the public schools are unconstitutional. The immediate case involved the right of aNegro to attend a state college, but the judge made clearthat his decision outlawed segregation at all levels. Localcommunities will have a reasonable length of time to comply.Several districts had already planned to abandon segregation next fall. This is the first decision to apply the SupremeCourt ruling to a whole state. In Mississippi, the oppositionto integration continues very bitter. All Democratic candidates for the nomination for governor have endorsed segregation and favor the return of the schools to private controlif necessary to keep the races separate.ATOMIC CONFERENCERepresentatives of sixty-six nations are meeting inGeneva, from August 8 through 20, for the United Nationsconference on the peaceful uses of atomic energy. The fivemanAmerican delegation is headed by Lewis L. Strauss,Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. Eight American Congressmen and 193 scientific advisers will also attend. The conference grew out of President Eisenhower'sproposal to the U. N., in December 1953, that the nationspool their atomic knowledge for peaceful purposes. The convention has aroused keen interest all over the world. Russia will display a model atomic power plant, and severalcountries will offer atomic reactors for sale. Many American corporations which are interested in the atomic fieldwill have representatives at Geneva.MALAYAN NATIONALISMThe British protectorate of Malaya, a federation of ninestates in southeast Asia, has held its first national elections.Fifty-two members of a legislative council are popularlyelected, and the other forty-six appointed by the Britishhigh commissioner, who will retain a veto power. The election was swept by a party called the Malay-Chinese-IndianAlliance. In keeping with the British parliamentary system,the Alliance's leader will become prime minister and namea cabinet. The Alliance program calls for independence forMalaya by 1959, and for nationalization of the tin and rubber resources, now controlled by British and Chinese capitalists. Thus one more colony begins to pull away from theBritish Empire.COVENANTER WITNESS

mercy."read."men."now."Vineyard GleaningsWanted, Daniel's SpineWe join our lamentations to those of all other Lamentersover President Eisenhower's serving wine and champagne to his International Guests at the Geneva Conference.This breech of his fruit juice custom of the White House hasgiven great aid and comfort to the enemy, and they are notfailing to capitalize on it. We are happy over his churchgoinghabits, but we regret that he doesn't spend thewhole of the Lord's Day "in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken upin the works of necessity and But we should charitably bear in mind that his choices between grape juice andchampagne are not always as simple as mine and yours. Hehad a good background of youth training, but his middlegroundof West Point and Commander in World War II, culminating in the foreground of 1955, may allow him to "godown to his house justified" rather than ourselves.Details of President's Faith Revealed in PressPresident Eisenhower's faith and its sincerity made thenews again in recent weeks on at least two counts.Milton and Earl Eisenhower, the president's two younger brothers, told of the place held by the Bible in theirhome during their childhood and a feature article in TheAmerican Weekly revealed the difficulties overcome by thePresident each Lord's Day when he attends church services.The president's brothers, in a copyrighted serializationof The Great American Heritage by Bela Kornitzer (Farrar,Straus & Cudahy, Inc.), revealed that prayer and daily Biblereading was a fixed occurrence in the Eisenhower home."As I recall it," Earl said, "Dad used to get home bysix o'clock in the evening. Then we would have supper. After supper, two of the boys would do the dishes. Then wegathered in the front room or dining room and Dad wouldread passages from the Bible. He might pass the Biblearound the circle and all of us got a chance toMilton said, "The first thing that always happened after dinner was the reading of the Bible. Dad had a way ofinducing his sons to read the entire Bible from cover tocover with considerable interest. For example, when it wasmy turn to read, I was permitted to read until I made amistake, but if one of my brothers caught me in an error,then he was privileged to read . . .The magazine article by Marcia Sloat disclosed that thePresident's churchgoing is no routine matter, requiringthe service of some 120 people and 17 cars. Here's what happens every Sabbath :"About 45 minutes before the service agroup of uniformed and plainclothes policemen and firemengathers quietly in front of our church. Theysignments and take up their positions.get their as"In the 45 minutes of preparation, some of these menwith Secret Service agents search the church ...."All entrances and exits are thoroughly covered, andoutside the church a path 10 blocks long is cleared for thePresident. Patrol cars are stationed along the way and Secret Service cars and motorized police scrutinize the routeblock by block."Patrol cars send radio messages, one to another, as thePresident passes them on the way to the church and whenhe and Mrs. Eisenhower step from their limousine they areaccompanied by from six to eight Secret Service(ERA-7/13/55)'Desk Top Witnessing' Promoted in MemphisA veryunusual type of evangelization used in Memphis,August 10, 1955Tenn., for just one year, is spreading and many business andprofessional men are cooperating. The project, sponsored bythe Baptist Brotherhood Commission, encourages Christiansto display a Bible on their desk or workbench as a testimony to their faith.Among the bankers, attorneys, insurance men and others who have practiced keeping a Bible on their desk, praisefor the idea is not hard to find.Sterling Cooper of McGregor's Inc., and a First Baptist"layman, says: "I think it's a simply wonderful program. A-Bible on the desk just has an influence that's immeasurable,.not only on me, but on everyone who comes in. A large percentage of people who come in, pick it up before they leave,often read part of it."Another, George Bates of Home Equipment Co., member of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion says: "Ithelps me. I'm an impulsive sort of guy and nothing in theworld will cool me down like the Bible. I refer to it often.I think it's the greatest thing in the world to help a man."George W. Schroder, executive secretary, Southern Baptist Brotherhood Commission, says: "It is hoped the program may ultimately lead business leaders to bring theirstaffs together for a devotional period. This is being done insome Memphis firms(ERA-7/27/55)Ohio Churches Sponsoring Bible Reading AdsUnder the leadership of Charles M. Davis, publicitychairman of the Cleveland Church Federation, CTS bussesare carrying cards in 600 locations urging Bible reading forspecific problems and offering counselling by a large staffunder direction of the Rev. Samuel H. Cassell."Is Worry Making you Sick" and "Is Forgiveness WhatYou Need" have already appeared and will be followed by aseries made possible by a group of laymen. Each card carries a large picture of an open Bible with the title "YourBible Has The Answer, Read It Every Day." (ERA-7/27/55)Entire Texas Town Lives by the Bible's 'Golden Rule'Keene, Texas, a community of 1000 persons, 95 percent of them Seventh-Day Adventists, has elected the firstpolice officer in its 62-year history.(Continued on page 89)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansasto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions 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., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.60 per year; Overseas, S3.00 ; Single Copies10 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansasunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.83

Conart"The Editor's PageOur Vacation Travel-logAlthough absent from headquarters less thantwelve days, the Witnesses ofJuly 13, 20 and 27were left largely to the tender mercies of a recentlyemployed secretary not acquainted with the paper orthe church names, and the printers during their busyvacation season. We gratefully acknowledge the marvelous job they did, especially since we were unilaterally, at least, incommunicado to everybody, forhealth uncertainties made any definite mailing objectives impracticable, but hot humid weather pointed the general direction definitely NORTH. The crewconsisted of the Skipper (from office duties), theFirst Mate (his wife), and the Second Mate Martha(daughter), all on the good ship Oldsmobile 98,Forty-niner.The second day's log read "Madison, Wisconsin,""home of the skipper's Alma Step-Mater. This oldlady and I hadn't seen each other in forty-umptyyears and naturally she had forgotten me and Icould scarcely recognize her, so obese had she become. In those days she had a mere seven or eightthousand sons and daughters under her immediatecare (Prof. John Coleman and I were two), secondlargest university in the United States, out-rankedhy Harvard. Culturally speaking, she was first, ofcourse I mean agriculturally. Even in those daysshe boasted that the State of Wisconsin was hercampus, and the Capitol Building her political sciencelaboratory, a boast not entirely void of truth. Butthe campus we loved had the cow-barns in the backyard, and Administration building at the top of thehill overlooking the engineering, law, chemistry, library, armory, etc. and the Capitol dome in the distance, beautiful spacious Lake Mendota on the left,and the Latin Quarter all around. A large bronzestatue of Abraham Lincoln sat in front of the Administration Buildingand seemed never to tire oflooking out on that scene, with the hurrying throngsof young America with their unalienable rights ofLife, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. PoorAbe! They've shut out your view, and stiffled yourbreathing space with new buildings. That VeteransAdministration Building is bigger than a city block.This only I would ask of you. Can you still hear the- -Alma Mater song "U-rah rah, Wis sin ?" Doall those new buildings shut out the sound, or dothey echo louder still, that Varsity Locomotive yell,or has some new fangled diesel relegated it to thejunk yard? Do the skyrockets still whistle and boomand display their "ah"-inspiring pyrotechnics insalute to popular professors at the opening of classperiods? We missed those old sounds scarcely lessthan the faces of professors now deceaed and students far scattered and ranks shattered. But wemust move on.The fourth day's log reads, "A wonderful dayspent on two excursion boats, viewing the marvel-84ously beautiful Upper and Lower Dells of the Wisconsin River. I had often heard the fame thereofback in those University days, and had given a prenuptialtenative (?) promise that some day weshould visit them, perhaps on our honeymoon. Thathoneymoon is approaching its setting, but it is a satisfaction to be able to say that the promised trip toNiagara Falls and to the Dells, promises which werenever forgotten by the party of the second part, andso not entirely forgotten by the party of the firstpart, have now been paid in full with a lot of interestadded, and some extra side-trips thrown in, amongthem a six-year trip to China. The mortgages cannow be burned.From Friday afternoon to Monday morning wespent near that famous city of Milwaukee. Saturdaywe spent on a trip to Muskegon, Mich., and returnon the Milwaukee Clipper. That used up the day thatmight have been spent as recommended by theChamber of Commerce in visiting one or more of thefamous breweries where they drown the rats in thebeer vats. But we saw some animals drowning themselves in the "finest product of the brewers andthereby making themselves the inferior by-productof the brewers' art on that trip. However, in fairnessit should be said that there was no outlandish behaviour.Monday we coasted down to Lake Geneva, Wis.,so inviting in its cool, quiet, restful residences thatwe remained until Thursday morning when we began the journey home, arriving Friday July 22. Tuesday evening we went to Conference Point on LakeGeneva, and heard Dr. E. Stanley Jones speak on"But whosoever shall drink of the water that I shallgive him shall never thirst" except for more of thesame. Incidentally, we met Eugenia Price there."But Some Doubted" (Matt. 28:17)In the above narrative, didn't I skip one day?Did we not Remember the Sabbath Day? Yes, wedid, and we will remember that Sabbath for many aday. The Saturday Milwaukee papers carried a fullpage ad of an "Evangelistic Camp" at Oconomowocsponsored by "Milwaukee Evangelistic Temple, Rev.A. C. Valdez, Pastor." Two things caught our attention. Jack Holcombe was to be the singer. He wasthe singer for the Jack Shuler meetings in Topekasome years ago, with a tenor voice that hits upperC so easily that radio stations have pled for his talents. We thought we would rather hear him sing"The Stranger of Galilee" than a mediocre renderingof "In the Garden" elsewhere. The invitation alsosaid, "Bring your sick to be prayed for" no harm inthat, and we were not entirely disqualified. HoweverHolcome did not arrive until a day later.The Camp Meeting grounds (planned for a twoweeks program) was a Wisconsin woods, with a tentwith 1000 seating capacity, dining tent and othertents. The introductory part of the program mingledCOVENANTER WITNESS

ed."saints."saved."present"easy."walk."the laudation of the creatures, camp site, speakers,musicians, etc. with the Praise of the Creator, intended to help us relax and appreciate and enjoy.The speaker of the day was the father of the pastor,who used two texts : "... that ye should earnestlycontend for the faith which was once delivered untothe '*Go ye .therefore, teaching them to. .observe all things Under the first he set forth"the crisis times in which we live, the communists,the modernists, the mis-behaviorists, and the H-bomb so soon to strike. The message once deliveredis the one and only hope. But the message of hischurch group was not just "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be But teachingthem to "observe ALL things," a message for allraces, all ages, for all time without limitations.There is no place in the Bible where any of the commands given to the disciples was withdrawn (including "heal the sick, cast out devils," etc.). But beforeone could be healed he must get right with God.Then there was an altar call, and forty or fifty persons went forward to accept salvation.At this point the Father Valdez turned themeeting over to the son and the audience were askedhow many came to be healed (or prayed for?). Along line was formed and single-filed past the minister, he took each one by the hand or both hands,described their symptoms in a way that suggestedprevious acquaintance, then prayed briefly that theLord would heal, gave the arm a nervous jerk"You're healed"and reached for the next. A sevenyear old child was accompanied by her mother; botheardrums had almost entirely lost their sensitivity,but after prayer and the jerk and the "You'rehealed,"he told her to say, "Praise the Lord" andshe did. "Say 'Hallelujah,' but the word was toohard. Then he backed away from her two steps at atime, saying, "Say praise the Lord" and each timeshe did. After possibly twenty minutes of this, heinterrupted the procession to do what he had neverdone but once before ; he invited all who had at anytime suffered pains or aches to come forward beforethe platform and the response was almost unanimousand in almost the twinkling of an eye he prayed forthem and pronounced them cured. This was a lotcheaper than weeks in a hospital "But some doubt" The individual healing was continued on thestage, then there was another interruption. "Sincethe Spirit was so evidently all who wouldlike to be endued with His power, power for winning souls, power for healing, power for service, andperhaps power for ordinary everyday living wereasked to come forward. Again the audience responded en masse, and the father Valdez and another chiefspeaker took them in two lines, the latter one holdinghis hand above the head of each individual for abrief prayer, but Father Valdez used a differenttechnique, with one hand under the chin and theother on the crown of the head, he exerted apparentpressure, and men, women and children passed inrapid succession. Many believed "but some doubted."If this were really so, what an opportunity wasmissed !This meeting began at 2:00 p.m. and it was notfinished at 5:00 but those desiring to leave were released. We exercised our option.August 10, 1955Wherefore Didst Thou Doubt?We went to that meeting expecting a spiritualbenefit, and were not disappointed. We did not go toscoff, and we will not scoff now. We saw the facesof several hundred people who were enquiring theWay to Zion. They averaged better than that run-ofthe-minecrowd on the Milwaukee Clipper of yesterday. If their hope was an illusion, their choice wasa happy one.I have attended very few religious meetingsthat provoked as much religious conversation in ourfamily as this one. It suggested impressively thecrowds that followed Jesus. They brought all mannerof diseased, there were curiosity seekers, those willing to give Him a trial but doubting, and there werecold skeptics there too. At Nazareth He could do nomighty works because of their skepticism. Whenevidence was strong they said it was the magic ofor if a man born blind regained his sight,Beelzebub,they said it was his double, perhaps a planted duplicate. Even at the Ascension scene the crowd worshiped Him "but some doubted."Then why did we doubt? One said "it was too"Whether it is easier to say, Son, thy sins areforgiven, or to say, Rise, take up thy bed andPeter healed five thousand souls on the Day of Pentecost, could not as many bodies be made perfectlyWhole in the twinkling of an eye? What aboutpreaching?Well, we never saw it on this wise we sawstrange things today. That is the scientist's answer.Miracles don't happen.The day of miracles is past. But if miracles aresigns, maybe the day of miracles will return. RogerBabson the statistical wizard asked Charles Steinmetzthe electrical wizard what would be the greatest development in the next fifty years, and the reply was that it would be along spiritual lines. "Hereis a force which history clearly teaches has been thegreatest power in development of men and history.Yet we have been merely playing with it and havenever seriously studied it as we have the physicalforces. Some day people will learn that materialthings do not bring happiness and are of little usein making men and women powerful. Then the scientists of the world will turn their laboratories overto the study of God and prayer and the spiritual forces which as yet have hardly been touched. Whenthis day comes the world will see more advancementin one generation than it has in the past four." Thatof course is not a divinely inspired prophecy.Why were I and others doubters at the Evangelistic Camp ? I am still asking myself, but for onething there was no unmistakable visible evidence ofa physical miracle. I saw two people come in onwheel chairs, I did not see them go out walking andleaping and praising God. It is true that Pastor Valdez assured us that the little girl with the impairedhearing had an entirely new set of ear-drums whenhe pronounced her cured, and that a doctor's examination would prove that, but I saw neither the oldpair or the new ones and am still among the doubters. But I confess that I am willing for the age ofmiracles to return, assuming that it has been quiescent for a time.85

you."this'purity"ward."purity"sample."pattern."bewalked"laving Done ill to StandA Series of Five Devotional Addresses Given Before the Synod1)I. How to Be an ExampleSynod Devotional Address, Thursday, Julie 10, 1955S. Bruce Willson, D.D.Scripture Reading: I Peter 5:1-4The Apostle Paul wrote to his friend Timothy,"But be thou an example of the believers in word, inconversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in(I Tim. 4:12). The challenge comes to the elder inthat day and in this, to guard well his example.Repeatedly we read in the records of the kingsof Judah that "he did according to all that his fatherhad done." Or, "he walked in the way of his father."In the recorded history of the nation of God's selected people we are thus reminded of the power ofthe influence of a man's example. We may haveheard of the story of the little boy who in attemptingto follow his father's footprints in newly fallen snow,calls, "Don't take such long steps, daddy, I'm following But the implications of that story fail tostrike home to us until some similar incident takesplace in our own experience. We then begin to wonder what steps we have been taking in all our influences over others. These influences reach out intoall our relationships with others in the home andfamily, in the school, in the church, in business, andin the nation.Furthermore the influence of example may befor good or evil, for upbuilding or for wrecking, forconstructive moral righteousness or for destrucivecorruption. It may be seen in a Hannah nurturinga son dedicated to the Lord, or in a Jeroboam,Ahab, or an Athaliah.or anThere is nothing novel in considering the respnsibilitythat rests upon anyone in a place, of influence over others. There is even greater responsibility resting upon the church, the body of Christ,through which God works and speaks in the worldtoday. It is well then, to consider the soberingthought that the "elders" of the church, both teaching and ruling, have a particular place of responsibility and privilege.1. The Example of an Elder.We might spend an hour discussing the subjectof "examples" in general; that of a teacher to thepupil, the plumber to the apprentice, the sergeantto the private, the father to his son, or the motherto her daughter. But we are met morning inthe capacity of a Synod, an assembly of ruling andteaching elders in the Church of Jesus Christ. Inwhat then does our example as elders consist? Peterwrites of the elder, as a leader in the church, as awitness of Christ's sufferings, and as a partaker ofthe glory that shall be revealed.We should digress long enough to note that theword example has various meanings in modern usage.86One, "a portion taken to show the character orof all a This meaning is implied atqualitytimes ; as a sample of wheat seed to test for germination, or quality ; or a sample of ore to determine theconcentrate. Another meaning is, "That which is tobe followed or imitated, such as aIn Christian circles both meanings of the term"example"have been taken.There are those who conceive of Christianity asbeing determined by a sampling of the qualities ofnominal Christians taken here and there, and thereby learning its essential nature.Others insist that Christianity is the following, and the imitation of the Saviour who redeemsand empowers to the aspiring after a totally newlove and loyalty.The example of those who are leaders in Christ'schurch seek to know and follow Him who hasbought us with His precious blood, who has bestowed upon us a new life, who has called us to anew obedience and commitment, to bring our ownlives and the lives of those who have been committedto our charge INTO CONFORMITY unto the perfectimage of His Son Jesus Christ.2. The Nature of this Example of the Elder.Peter, James, John and Paul, all write of theexample of Jesus to the Christian, and write to the. .leaders of the Church to be an example. Peter writes :"Feed the flock . take the oversight ... examples not lords . . . look for the enduring reJohn says, "He that saith he abideth in himought himself also to walk, even as he (IJn. 2:6). James speaks of the prophets as examplesin "suffering affliction and Paul patience."writes,"Be an example: in word (speech), in conversation(behaviour), in charity (love), in faith and in(I Tim. 4:12). We may summarize all thisin a three-fold characterization. There is the consecrating grace of life, purity; there is the rulingprinciples of the inner life, faith and love ; and thereis the outward expression of these, in speech andin behaviour.Before our speech or behaviour can be effectivewe must have the purifying love of God which enables any person to be an example in the Christianlife. Our example is determined by the inner statusof our heart. Malachi could say to his people thateven the sons of Jacob could be purified and bemade Israels princes of God, because the Lord isJehovah, and it is because He has given His mercythat we are not consumed. The gospel is the recordCOVENANTER WITNESS

unfeigned"of God's provision for the purification of His people.It is the revelation of the Glory of God's holiness,the helplessness of the sinner, the love of the Redeemer, and the consequent devotion of the renewedsinner. "Now the end of the commandment is loveout of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, andof faith(I Tim. 1:5).The ruling principle of the Christian's exampleremains that of faith and love. As elders we are examples. There is never a question of that. But theremay arise the question of the kind of examples weare. We may be ruled by principles which will leadus to be either good or bad examples. Through faithand love we may be an encouragement to other believers. Through lack of these essential qualities wemay discourage the believers and repel the non-believers. This faith is more than our subjective beliefs. It is a commitment to the revealed word of Godand in the system of doctrine contained in thatword as the infallible guide in belief and action. Loveinvolves the teaching and leading others into theway, the truth, and the life that is revealed in JesusChrist. The elder, who is motivated by faith and loveis in a unique position to teach all things that Christhas committed to the church to teach.I am personally indebted to some of the elderswith whom I have served in the church. Some eldershave felt that they have little ability to teach. Butthose who have this faith in the trustworthiness ofthe Word of God, and a love for truth and for thepeople who are in need of that truth, have been effective teachers by their quiet walk and talk and example.Perhaps the greatest quality of true example isin the love for people. The love for all the people ofthe flock, even those who are less loveable than others. It is shown in a love for those who are indifferent to Christ and their need of salvation. It is manifest in a love for men who are militantlythe gospel.opposed toBut how may this be done? Paul writes, "Be yefollowers of me even as I also am of Christ." This isthe "how" of example. We become true leaders in theChurch insofar as we are in Him, and the Holy Spiritbecomes our teacher and strengthener and guide.Our most effective example is when we become mimics of Christ.Recently John G. Hubbell described the "Making of a Submariner." (Readers Digest. May, 1955.p. 25.) "The matchless esprit de corps exists becauseit must. Success against an enemy depends upon theabsolute confidence of each man in the technical andpersonal excellence of each of his shipmates: for asingle mistake by any one of 77 men in any givenmoment can turn a submarine into a steel tomb. Leta scintilla of doubt creep into this atmosphere and itsets off a lethel chain reaction of morale-shatteringdistrust which nullifies the submarine's effectiveness as a weapon."As leaders in the church it is necessary that werealize the need of an esprit de corps. We are engaged in a battle. We are involved in a warfare, notagainst "flesh and blood, but against principalities,places."against wickedness in high To be examplesin this warfare, we again must heed the counselof God's warrior in the faith, "Take unto you theWhole armour of God, that ye may be able to standin the evil day, and stand."having done all, toAugust 10, 1955REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON STEWARDSHIPThe Synod of 1954 passed the following recommendation :"That continued educational work concerninggiving be carried on by a definite program to informthe entire membership of all of the work of theChurch."(Minutes of Synod, page 9)A further recommendation adopted was :"That, as we had a total of 1066 tithers in ourdenomination this past year, we set a limited, immediate, objective for 1955 of 1600 communicanttithers for the next year. (Minutes of Synod, page127)Your committee reports that both of these recommendations have been carried out.We give thanks to God that the number of enrolled tithers has increased from 1066 to 1700. Thisdoes not imply that these are all new tithers. Somehitherto uncounted are added to those who have become tithers for the first time.More significant is the enlarged giving of ourpeople during the year. Where the contributions toSynod's budget during the previous year was $103,-401, the amount for the year just closed was $122,-or $18,985 more than the year before.368,The budget asked by last Synod was $110,015.If this amount should be over-scribed by $5,000 anew minister was to be sent to Japan.The original amount asked for was raised, plusthe $5,000 additional, and beyond that $7,371, making a total of $122,386.Your committee is grateful to the church atlarge for the splendid cooperation in this concertedendeavor. We thank also the editor of the Covenanter Witness for giving space in no less than 28 issuesfor the "Tithers Corner" in addition to four full display pages which gave publicity to this cause.500 copies of "Ten Times Ten," a 24 page booklet on the tithe, were printed and distributed to all ofour congregations. About 300 copies are left in thehands of our Treasurer for further use. 5000 father'sresolve cards were also printed and distributed andonly a few of these remain.We give praise to God for opening the hearts ofthe people to all such appeals. "The earth is theLord's, and the fullness thereof; the world and theythat dwell therein." We have proved Him and wehave seen.The term for which Fenton R. Farley waselected has expired and his successor should be appointed. Inasmuch as the present chairman acceptedthis appointment for one year only his successor isalso to be chosen.We recommend:That the Christian stewardship emphasis becarried forward on a substantial basis from year toyear.D. H. ElliottFenton R. FarleyNorman M. Carson"Grave error to consider the Sabbath school andthe church as two separate and independent organizations where pastor leads one, and the superintenother."dent the87

wonder'good."erable.'new.'A REPORTER'S TESTIMONYA subscriber in Topeka, Kans., sent us recentlya newspaper clipping, a story written by GeorgeBurnham, a staff writer on the Chattanooga NewsFree Press . . . the story eminated from Glasgow,Scotland. This reporter has been in attendance atthe Billy Graham meetings there.It is a little long, but it is a thrilling story, ofthe life of this reporter, a former alcoholic. GeorgeBurnham's story follows:The hotel chambermaid walked into my room asI was preparing to leave for the Billy Graham services in Kelvin Hall. She was a shriveled little womanof about 50 and, unlike most Scots, rarely smiled.For a number of days, in cleaning the room, shehad noticed all the clippings around my typwriterabout Billy Graham and assumed I was a memberof his team. To make conversation, she asked, "Well,going?"how is the campaign"Wonderful,"I replied.She frowned, and straightened up the bed before replying: "Sometimes I doubt whether therereally is a God. And if there is, He can't be a veryjust God. I don't see why He makes my life so hard.My health has never been good, but I have to putin long hours while others seem to prosper withoutworking too much. It just doesn't seem right."And I know God doesn't answer prayers. Before my mother and father died, I prayed as hard asI could God would spare them, but He didn't. Allthree of my brothers died in the last few years. Iprayed for them, too, but it didn't do anyI told her that my family lives in Chattanooga,where I got a job as night editor of the AssociatedPress."After three years the Associated Press firedme. I deserved to be fired. Soon afterward I got ajob with the News-Free Press. I don't know just whythey gave me a job, because I didn't deserve one. Toshow my appreciation, I tried to stop drinking, butcouldn't."One day I read Dr. Fred Garland was going totell his life story at a church in Chattanooga. Iout to write a huasked the city editor about goingman interest piece. He said okay."I didn't have any interest in Garland. I didn'thave any interest in the church, or the Jesus Christhe was going to talk about. The only reason I wantedto do the story was the time-and-a-half time I wouldget for working at night."I sat on the front row with a photographer andheard about a ''boy in show business who letdrink, dope and crime reduce him to the point wherehe walked the same streets, barefoot, on which hehad seen his name in lights. He told of how his lifehad been transformed as he hung on the bars ofToombs Prison in New York, called out to God andasked for mercy."He gave an invitation that night for people inthe church to come forward and begin a new lifein Christ. I knew I should go, but didn't. I was afraidof what the photographer would think. Found outlater he had been praying for me.88"Dr. Garland dismissed the congregation andcame over to where I was standing. He said, 'George,I appreciate the publicity you are going to give me,but there's something more important. I want toask you a question. Wouldn't you like to commit yourlife to Christ?' My reply: 'I don't understand toomuch what it's all about, but if He can do for meWhat He has done for you, I would like to. I can lookinto your face and tell you're a happy man. I'm mis"He asked me to go into a little side room withhim, where he asked if I would kneel with him inprayer. I had never knelt sincerely for anything."Dr. Garland opened the Bible and showed mewith Scripture sin was my trouble, not alcohol. TheBible says 'all have sinned and come short of theglory of God.' After the life I had lived, it didn'ttake much to convince me I was a sinner."He told me the simple story of Jesus, in a waythat had never made sense to me before how theSon of God came down from His home in Heaven andloved a miserable, wretched,no-good individual likeGeorge Burnham enough to die for him. I wept. Heshowed me a verse which said, "If any man be inChrist, he is a new creature. Old things are passedaway ; behold, all things become" 'George,'he said, 'you can wipe out the pastand become a new creature in Christ if you will, byfaith. Surrender your life to Him, right now. Youdon't have to understand all about it. Just let go andlet God. He will transform your life.'"That night, by faith, I surrendered my life toChrist and a strange, wonderful peace came into myheart as I knelt there on the floor. I felt different,somehow, when I got to my feet."We have a happy, Christian home now. Eachday, with my wife and children, we read the Wordof God and then kneel as a family to thank Him forall that we have. We wouldn't have a home if Jesushadn't been invited in to be our guest, advisor andfriendforever."The cleaning woman had dropped her head, buther eyes came up when I said :"You lost both your father and mother. So didI, within six months of each other. But you know,it's different when a person dies in Christ. My mother and father, bless their hearts, died without oneworry. They knew where they were going and theyknew that every child would be with them againsoon."But such assurance isn't all Christ gives to us.I read in the Bible one night where He will pick usup out of the dust of the earth and let us associatewith princes of our people. The first time I readthat was one midnight in the Mayflower Hotel atWashington, D.C. The next morning I had breakfastwith the President of the United States."Last year I had a talk with the Archbishop ofCanterbury, the man who placed the crown on thehead of the Queen of England. I had interviews withsome of the leading political and military figures ofGreat Britain and Europe, and I have probablywritten more personal stories about Billy Graham thanany living man."Please don't think I'm 'boasting about my ability. God gets the credit. I was a hopeless alcoholic, ona greased slide to oblivion and, just like He promised,He picked me up out of the dust of the earth and letCOVENANTER WITNESS

you."out."me associate with princes. He can do the same forThe woman swallowed before speaking: "I hadnever heard it quite like that before. I'm going tomy room for awhile. Maybe God will helpmy life."She turned and left the room."Somebody's Got to Pay for It" . . . fromme withThe National Voicefront pageconversation, became a verse of intelligent evangelism.But then, if Christ died for all men, are all mensaved? I have found that a check bearing my nameis not of much benefit to me until I cash it at thebank. And so all men must accept by faith this greatsalvation. One must endorse a check before receivingthe money. Men must take by faith the forgivenessof God.Is it conditional? The apostle Peter made themessage clear: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted God forgives the sins of the unconverted because of whatChrist did on the Cross. But He asks them to repentand become converted. The Flame (England).GLEANINGS from page 83Keene's inhabitants live entirely by the "Golden Rule"and it is believed to be the only sizable town in the worldthat has never had a felony. It also has no debt. Almosteveryone tithes, almost no one smokes or drinks alcoholicbeverages or coffee, and there are no meat markets in thetown because most of Keene's people are vegetarians.The community is noted for its attractive girls but theywear little or no make-up. That is true also of the manycoeds who attend Southwestern Junior College there.The reason given for the incorporation of the town andthe election of officials is that the place is growing toofast and needs an official body to handle municipal improvements.A Chimes Gift for Hiroshima(ERA-7/27/55)Former Republican Congressman O. K. Armstrongdelivered a set of electric chimes to the city of Hiroshimaon August 6, the 10th anniversary of the World War IIatom bombing of Hiroshima. He headed a group of Americans who presented the chimes "as a token of good will."The American-made chimes can be heard for nearly twomiles and, according to Armstrong, "will spread hymns ofhope, camfort and salvation to the weary hearts of Hiroshima."(ERA-7/27/55)Israeli Judges Fighting Moslem and Pagan CodesThe high courts of justics set up in the Holy Land haveencountered problems which theynever anticipated beforethe Jewish people had their own government. This observation was made by Fred G. Kendal writing in The American Hebrew Christian (Summer, 1955). The refugees and returnees from many lands, according to Kendal, have broughtwith them the codes of justice that were ministered in therespective places of their origin. "Some of them came fromMoslem and pagan countries where the law of the jungleAugust 10, 1955was used to rectify domestic squabbles and unfaithfulness.Some of these escapees cannot see why it is not perfectlyright for them to murder another person whom they suspect of having been familiar with their partner; and thehands of the courts are full of these difficulties that havebeen carried over from the heathen lands."Another problem with which they have to deal is the practice of polygamy by those who have come from Yemen andother Moslem countries. They cannot see why, if it wasall right for them to have a plurality of wives at home whyit should not be all right for them to continue the practicein their own homeland.When this issue came up before the supreme court inIsrael, a Moslem lawyer pleaded the Moslem statutes asjustification for their position. However, the Israel supremecourt ruled that according to the new regulations in Israel,polygamy was illegal.(ERA-7/27/55)Stories for Young People.The Moody Press is aware of the fact that people are reading today, and that much of the modernliterature for children and young people is definitelyharmful. Much is said today about the evil influenceof the Comics printed for children. These stories putout by the Moody Press are a definite effort to givethis age group some reading that is helpful. It iswritten to hold the attention of the children. Theyhave recently published three new books for this agegroup.One is "Martinko" or "Without God in theWorld"by Kristina Roy. This story was first published in Slovakia and recently translated into English and published by Moody.It is not the type of a story usually found inAmerica. This story is true to life about the habitsof the people in Slovakia before the Communists tookover. It is the story of a boy whose mother was frozen to death during a severe storm. The boy lived toand be the village shepherd. There one mangrow upcared for the sheep and cattle belonging to the people of the village for there were no fences. It is anenjoyable story. It is paper covered and sells for 50cents.Another of these stories for Young People isMumba, son of a cannibal by Babette Elaine Kaltenback.It is the story of a boy and the cruelties of thecannibal village where he was raised. He strayed toa nearby mission where he saw white people for thefirst time. Afraid that he would be killed and eatenby other Africans, he had several trying experiences.He soon found that Christians are different and hebecame one and a friend of the whites. The book tellsof the advantages of Christian faith over heathenismand the gains that Christianity brings in this life.It sells for 60 cents.Another is North to Sakitawa by Margaret A.Epp.This is a mystery story about the experiencesof three young people in the North. It is well writtenand above all, like the rest of Moody fiction, it has aChristian background. Its characters are loyal to theLord and fair in their dealings one with another. Itassumes what always ought to be true professedChristians ought never to forget that they mustwalk worthy of the Lord. It sells for 60 cents. R. C. F.89

nant"will."you."wrong."LessonHelps for the Week of August 28, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICAugust 28, 1955"Have You Forgotten?"Psalm 111:1-10.Comments by Rev. Thomas J. Wilson,PsalmsWhite LakePsalm 100: page 237, verses 1-4.Psalm 25: page 59, verses 7-12.Psalm 104: page 252, verses 25-29.Psalm 131: page 327, verses 1-3.Scripture passages:Duet. 7:9; I Kings 8:23; Psalms 105:8; 25:10, 14; 50:5, 6; 78:10, 11; 132:12; Rom. 11:26, 27; Duet. 28:15; Jer.11:2, 3; Heb. 10:28, 29.Comments:Those of us who were at Grinnell,Iowa, on that hot Sabbath morning ofJuly 18, 1954, have memories whichsurelycan never be erased from ourminds. Darby Hall was filled to capacitythat day as the Rev. D. Howard Elliottbrought a message on the subject, "TheSpirit in Which We Should Covenant."He said that we musthave, 1. Humbleness of Mind; 2. Integrity of Heart;3. Submission of Soul. Following this address, Dr. John Coleman led in prayer,and then the congregation arose to itsfeet and with uplifted hands swore tothe "Brief Covenant." We said yes toour "Declaration of Faith" as it wasstated in the Covenant. We confessedour sins before God stating that we hadtransgressed His Law even though weknew at the time that we were sinning.And finally, we solemnly accepted theobligations upon ourselves as they werestated in that Covenant.All of these things we did "in humblereliance upon His grace, committing thekeeping of our souls to Him who is ableto work in us that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ,to whom be glory for ever.AMEN."Following the swearing to the Covenant, Dr. Paul Coleman, speaking inthe place of the late Dr. Boyd Tweed,brought a message on "Covenant Keeping."He concluded his talk by sayingthat today we had been asked, "Willyou take the vows of this covenant uponyou and keep them?" He then remindedus that we had said, "Weday,""Somehe said, "as we stand before theGreat Judge of all the Earth, His question to us will be, 'Didyou?' "Hundredsof Christians signed the "Brief Covethat morning in Grinnell, Iowa.Since that time hundreds more haveattached their signatures to the various"Brief Covenants which were sent out90to the congregations. Surely the signingof this agreement with the Lord was anexperience which we shall not soon forget, but that isn't the question. Thequestion is: "How will we rememberit?"Did we actually mean what we saidwhen we affirmed: "ALL THAT THELORD GOD HATH SAID WE WILLDO, AND BE OBEDIENT?"Let us consider briefly a few thingswhich we promised the Lord that wewould do in our "Brief Covenant." Wesaid: "We do covenant with God that wewill seek to conform our lives to theteaching and example of our Lord JesusChrist . . After taking this solemnoath upon ourselves, have we made thenecessary changes in our everyday lives,or "Have we forgotten?"We vowed before God: "We do promise to avail ourselves of opportunities,public and private, for growth and forChristian service, including worship,prayer, study of the Scriptures, keepingholy the Sabbath day, observing theappointed sacraments, giving regularlyto the Lord's work, and seeking to winothers to Him.'' After taking this solemn oath upon ourselves, have we madethe necessary changes in our everydaylives, or "Have we forgotten?"We vowed before God: "We do solemnly purpose to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness in allthe relationships of life." After takingthis solemn oath upon ourselves, havewe made the necessary changes in ourlives, or "Have we forgotten?"Now, of course, if you are one of thosepeople who, for some reason, refused tosign the Covenant, God will not hold youresponsible for something which you didnot promise to do. He will not hold youresponsible anydasmore than he held Juresponsible for betraying Christ.You will recall that Peter said: "Lord, Iwill not deny But he did, and Godheld him responsible for that deed. Onthe other hand, Judas never promiseda thing, but God held him responsiblejust the same because he knew theright.But still, the fact of the matter isthat this subject is aimed at those of uswho did sign the "Brief Covenant" either at Grinnell or in our home congregation or at both places. How well hasyour decision to sign your name to thatdocument worn? I used to know a boywho was ready to tell you at any timethat he was a Christian. That part of itwas alright, but we began to wonderabout him when he told us some of hisexperiences in the Christian Faith. Toprove that he was a Christian he alwaysused his brother as a contrast with himself. He would say: "My brother, hehasn't been saved at all; but I have beensaved three times." We, of course, knowthat there is more to being convertedthan just going up to the front of thechurch and crying, "Lord, I want to beyours."Some people even go so far as toget up from their knees and go out andthrow away their cigarettes, etc. Theyreally begin to do things which seem tomake it evident that they have had achange of heart. Nevertheless, the realtest comes not with singledeeds, butrather with deeds in time. Is he livingthe Christian life a year, two years, fiveyears, ten years later? After Saul ofTarsus had his experience on the roadto Damascus, if he had called off hisman-hunt we would have said thatsomething had surely happened to him.But when Saul turned around and joinedtheir ranks and started preaching theGospel, then we say that he had becomea Christian. "By their fruits ye shallknow them."In the "Brief Covenant" we confessedbefore Almighty God: ". . . we havetransgressed the Law of God, and havecome short of performing our . . .dutywe have hot measured up to our Covenants . . .knowing the right, we havetoo often done This was ourconfession to God in 1954. Realizing thatGod knows all things including eventhe thoughts and the desires of ourhearts, would we have to make thevery same confession to the very samedegree in 1955? By our fruits we shouldknow!JUNIOR TOPICAugust 28, 1955MOSES THE MOUNTAINEERDeuteronomy 34Lola Weir, New York CongregationMemory Verse: "And Moses was anhundred and twenty years old when hedied: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." Deut. 34:7.Psalms:Memory Psalm 34:1-6 page 79Psalm 103:5-8, page 247Psalm 105:16-21, page 259Psalm 106:13, 14, 17, 18,page 262This chapter of Deuteronomy, frominternal evidence, was not written byMoses but was added after his death.One reliable Bible commentarysuggeststhat it probably at one time formed anintroduction to the book of Joshua. Atany rate it gives the climactic close ofCOVENANTER WITNESS

emies'alert"else."plain."me."one of the great men of history. Themountain peak Nebo has never beendefinitely located to this day nor hasthe burial place of Moses. God had Hispurpose in this. Moses was a great man.(vs. 10-12). In whatever light we viewhim this eulogy also appears just: "noHebrew prophet or ruler equalled himin character, official dignity,as well asknowledge of God's will and opportunities of announcing it." There wouldhave been a great temptation to theJews to worship the mountain or sepulchre where Moses was buried.Jews today who are not Christians arevery reluctant to acknowledge Jesus anequaltoMoses. He was a great man!Wherein lay His greatness? (Ex. 11:3;14:31; 19:3; 33:9; Numbers 12:3, 7, 8;John 1:45; 9:29; Heb. 3:2-5; 11:24.)Why did Moses climb mountains? (vs.L4; Ex. 19:3, 24; Ex. 24:12, 13). Mosestrusted God (Memory Psalm) day byday, but he had to have a clear visionof God's plan before he could attemptgreat things for Him. Then he had tolet nothing come between him and Godbefore God could use him. The full surrender and God's vision came to him inthese talks with God apart on the mountain tops.Did mountain climbingweaken Moses? (Memory verse). What mountainshave we to climb today?(Name several kinds of mountains. Concentratingon what your leader or speaker wastellingyou at your summer conferenceor camp may have been your hardestmountain to climb yet.) Did you climbany of these mountains to the top?You can think of these mountains aschallenges to get to God, as difficultiesto overcome to know God intimately.When Moses climbed the mountainsearlier in his life did he remain there?(Ex. 32:7). Are we sometimes likePeter? (Luke 9:33).Healthy boys and girls generally liketo climb. Present the healthy Christianlife to them as a challengea climbtoward God. Moses gave 40 years of hislife to mountain climbingwith a purpose. He obeyed God when told to climb.But he didn't stay there. He went backdown to the people again at God's command and helped to right wrongs andfight God's enemies wherever he foundthem.God is looking for mountaineers today: physical, moral, and spiritualmountaineers. Pray to God to showyou how to be a mountaineer in yourcommunity right now. If you are faithful there, He will widen your horizons.Now Moses, the faithful mountaineer,is called to make one last climb toobey God. He is told his part of God'swork is complete, and God took him tohis eternal rest from a mountain top.August 10, 1955Yet God shares with him His futureplans for Israel in the promised land byshowing him the extent of the land theywill possess. Later Moses was permittedto share another mountain top experience (Mark 9:4).Draw in your notebooks Mt. Nebooverlooking the valley of Jericho, andshow what parts he could see of Palestine. Moses could not see all fromwhere he was. (Deut. 34:1-3). A mapshowing Canaan divided among thetwelve tribes will help you.Outline a mountain and write a paragraph describing how mountain climbing helped Moses and can help you.SABBATHSCHOOL LESSONAugust 28, 1955(Lessons based on International Sunday SchoolLessons; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the Inter.national Council of Religious Education.)Rev. W. J. McBurneyDELIVERANCE AND RETURNEzra 1:2-64; Isaiah 44:21-45:13Printed Text, Isaiah 45:1-4, 13Memory Verse: "Look unto me, and beye saved, all the ends of the earth; for Iam God, and there is none45:22Isa.While Belshazzer and his officers werein the midst of a drunken orgy, the Persians suddenly overthrew them, and sobecame the new masters of the Hebrewslaves. Nebuchadnezzer had boastedthat the world was his, and from human appearances, that wastrue. Hehad been ruthless and cruel in carryingthe captives away, but had been verymoderate in his treatment of those whosubmitted and obeyed.Then suddenly all this was changed.While the armies of Belshazzer were"not on theCyrus marched inwith his army, slew Belshazzer on histhrone before he had time, or wit, todraw his sword or to hide. So that greatcity with impregnable walls, and waterand gardens that would provide foodagainst any siege, passed into the enhands almost instantly.In the preceding chapter, Isaiah givesus a surprising introduction to this lesson. God had not forgotten His captivepeople. As captives, they had faredwell under Nebuchadnezzer. But nowthe reign of Belshazzer was unbearable,and God gave the slaves a new master.He annotated Cyrus KingHis Shepherd.of Persia asThis lesson is strong in expoundingand illustrating theological doctrines.The universal authority of God is clearly set forth. God is watching the conductof individuals and nations. He sees allthat we do whether we do well or ill.When that day comes, He will deal withus accordingly. He has the power toraise nations up, or to cast them down.To set men in high places, or to bringthem to shame. Men may boast of theirpower even as Nebuchadnezzer did.Nebuchadnezzer had to learn that Godwas not only a great God, but that Hewas the only God. There are no others.When the first Y. P. Convention metat Winona, there was in the ChristianTemple a large picture of a mountainrange rising from the foot hills on eitherside, until the range was topped by onepeak taller than all the rest. The top ofeach peak was the face of some greatman of history, Moses, Cyrus, Paul,Bismark, Wesley, Washington, and thehighest peak was Christ. I overheardsomeone say,makes it so"Isn't it marvelous? ItIt was blasphemous.Christ is not a mountain peak tallerthan the others. The artist might haverepresented Him as a cloud that overshadowed the whole world, one sideblack and full of lightning,and the other resplendent in the full light of theSun of Righteousness.The Reclaimingof God's People.Judah and Israel, with all the advantages of priests and prophets in theirhome land, went deeper into lust andidolatry until their cup of iniquity wasfull. Then their pride was broken bycaptivity in Babylon. For a time underNebuchadnezzer, it looked as thoughBabylon might become the favored nation to lead the world to the Lord. WhenBelshazzer came to the throne, Babylonabandonedall morality and decency.God anointed a heathen king and planned for him the overthrow of Babylon'swicked king. He said to Cyrus, "ForJacob my servant's sake, and Israel mychosen, I have called thee by thy name;I have surnamed thee, though thou hastnot knownA Demonstration of God's Over-rulingHandWe are facing the possibility of adevastating war. We are trying to plana way to avoid it. Failing that, we aretrying to plan ways to avoid utter destruction. Isaiah was killed nearly a century before Cyrus was born. Yet he toldof God's anointing Cyrus, giving hisname. God has already revealed His planfor the salvation of America and theworld.. No other plan will accomplishthat end. If we accept God's plan wewill be saved. If we refuse God's plan,we have ourselves prepared the planfor our own destruction and put it inthe hands of those who may destroy us.The Foolishness of IdolatryAll the lessons of this quarter deal91

god."am?"am?"am?"am's"am?"am?"with that subject. The chapter just before today's lesson, gives a descriptionof idols.. The British Bible Society, inits early work in Russia, tells this story:An aged Russian was listening to his sonas he read from Isaiah that marvelousdescription of idols found in the 44thchapter; the lad read about what a mandid with a tree: "He burneth part thereof in the fire,with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast and is satisfied; yea, he warmeth himself andsaith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen thefire; and the residue thereof he maketh a god,even his own image: he fallethdown unto it, and worshipeth it,and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliverme; for thou art my The old mansaw the folly of idolatry, when he sawit in the hands of others. "O, wad somepower . . .The Return of the CaptivesIn their homeland, with their owngovernment,with God's law and theprophets, the Jews made no progress inrighteousness. They allowed God aplace, but not the place. Sounds quitemodern. Unanimously, we put God'sname on our stamps and coins. Certainly! We give God's name a place.That will be well, after we have given itthe place.In bondage, the Jews learned humility, and their dependance on God. Thenthe marvelous thing came to them. Godmoved in the heart of Cyrus to let themgo free without price or reward. Whenthey went out of Egypt, they took fromtheir unwilling masters, perhaps theequivalent of their unpaid wages. ButCyrus loaded them with wealth, andgave them protection and a commissionto rebuild their Temple and city. Noticethe wealth that they carried back withthem. (Ezra 1:7-11; This is what Cyrusgave to them. Then in chap. 2:64-70we read of what they already owned;servants, cattle, gold and silver.. Whereelse in history will we find recordedsuch generosity to freed men? Not inAmerica. Has God anointed a Cyrus forthe U.S.A.?PRAYER MEETING TOPICAugust 31, 1955Comments by C. E. Caskey D.D.GREAT QUESTIONS GOD ASKS:"Whom sayye that IMatthew 16:15.Scripture Reading, Matthew 16:15-28.Psalms:92Psalm 118, verses 13, 16, 19, 20, page285.Psalm 2, verses 1-5,page 4.Psalm 23, 1-3, page 53.Psalm 22, verses 12, 14, page 51.References: Matt. 3:17; Mark 1:10,11;John 1:29; 1:32-34; 5:32-37; Mark 1:23,24; 3:11, 12; 5:6, 7; John 4:25, 26; 9:35-37; Phil. 2:6-8; Col. 1:15-19; John 8:12.Quote other "Iof Christ, and alsoit might be interesting just to have thegroup open their Bibles at random inthe New Testament, and particularlyin the Epistles, to see how many versesthere are which tell us who Jesus is.This is the third in our series of"Great Questions GodAsks."Thisquestion is asked by the Lord JesusChrist about Himself. He had just askedthe disciples, "Whom do men say thatI the Son of man am?"They had answered that some said John the Baptist,others Elias, others Jeremiah or one ofthe old prophets. Then,as the Lord often did with general questions or subjects, He made the matter personal byasking the disciples, "But whom say yethat I (The "Ye" is emphatic,"Ye however, whom do ye say that IAlso the "Thou" in Peter's answer is in the emphatic position. Thepronoun and the article "the" are expressed and definite, "Thou art theChrist the Son of (the) God the livingGod."Perhaps in some meetings it will beprofitable to take up the question,"Whom say ye that I to studyhow it was answered both incorrectlyand correctly in the time of Christ? inthe centuries that followed? and how itis answered wrongly and rightly today?Note that in the time of Christ therewas none of the doubt of His actual existence which is found in more recenttimes, and neither was there any doubtof His greatness or His good character.The answers given would involve something miraculous about His origin, assomeone brought to life from the dead,or a divinely raised up prophet.Probably all of you, if you were confronted with the same question, wouldgive the right answer. Therefore inthese comments let us confine our thinking to the implications of the correct answer rather than taking up the incorrect answers of the Mohammedan, whosays Jesus Christ is a prophet (but notas great as Mohammed) and that Hewill come again; or of the Neo-orthodox,who teach that "The Jesus of history 5snot the same as the Christ of faith,"(Brunner "The Mediator," p. 184); orof the many others who deny His VirginBirth, atonement, and resurrection whileadmitting that He was a great Teacher.Peter gave the correct answer. Notethe subsistence of it: "Thou art theChrist.""Christ"The definite Messiah, the wordbeing the Greek equivalent ofthe Hebrew word "Messiah," and meaning "The anointed One." As to His nature, He is "the Son of the living God."That the early church believed in thedivinity of Christ is shown in the factthat the earlier heresy in the Churchwas the denial of Christ's humanityrather than of His deity.Note also the source of Peter's correct answer. True faith of Christ is arevelation from God. Jesus Christ toldPeter definitelythat flesh and bloodhad not revealed to him that Jesus ofNazareth was the Messiah the Son ofthe living God, but that the revelationhad come from God the Father Himself.Note third, the subsequent teaching ofJesus. The immediate lesson taught bythe Lord was about the Church and theblessingupon Peter and upon all whoshould make this confession of Christ.Does our correct and orthodox answerto this same question lead on to thebuildingof Christ's Church againstwhich the kingdom of Satan cannot prevail?The second subsequent lesson taughtby the Lord had to do with His sufferings and death. The cross has alwaysbeen a stumbling block,and always willbe. With Peter, men who have given thecorrect answer to the question of whoJesus Christ is will begin to say, "Notthis way, Lord." Surely the way of suffering and death is not the way! Wehave been right in WHO the Lord is, forit was divinely revealed, and we thinkwe are right in telling the Lord HOWHe should work, not realizing that theworldly wisdom we offer was promptedby Satan. Having given the right answer to the question, "Whom say yethat Iwe should willingly acceptthe way the Lord teaches though itinvolves taking up our cross and beingwilling to lose our life for His sake.One more lesson: the Lord's subsequent teaching continued. "From thattime forth began Jesus to shew unto hisdisciples, how that he must go untoJerusalem, and suffer . . . ,and be killed,and be raised again the third day."Peter's confession seems to have markeda definite change in our Lord's objective. Till then He was teaching who Hewas. "From that time forth" He beganto teach what He should do. Peter andthe disciples kept learning as long asthey lived. So our correct answer asto who the Lord is should open the wayfor continued teaching as to what Hedid, why He did it, and what He wouldhave us do.Prayer suggestions: Pray for the schoolsthat are opening,public schools andmission schools; pray for the grace tocarry out the resolutions made at summer conferences; and pray that, knowing who the Lord is we may follow Hissteps.COVENANTER WITNESS

stakes."winning."Recommendations of SynodThe following is a Summaryof thesuggestions passed by the Synod. Readcarefully, consider prayerfullyform faithfully.Coordinating Committeeand perThat the budget for 1955 be set at$120,000.00.Committee on Future Covenanting1. That this year the subject for special studyChurch,"be "The Nature of theand that a series of articleson this subject be published in the Covenanter Witness.2. That Pastors and people be requested to make use of the Brief Covenant one Sabbath each quarter as a partof the morning warship.Jewish MissionThat no action be taken for revival ofa Jewish Mission, and that the funds ofthe mission be used for the liquidationof existing obligations.Bible Reading CommitteeThat the prices for all Readers be increased as follows: single copies 10c,ten or more copies 5c each, one hundredor more 4c each.Temperance Committee1. That pastors be encouraged to continue the practice of preaching at leastone sermon each year on keeping purefrom the use of tobacco and alcoholicbeverages.2. That congregations be commendedfor their promotions of commitment tototal abstinence and for their generousofferings taken on the last Sabbath ofOctober for the work of the committee.3. That the attention of our youth bedrawn to the danger to health involvedin the use of cigarettes.Publication BoardThat each department of the churchgive attention to its public relation obligations, and aim to make its reportsgraphic with photographs, etc.Witness Committee1. That pastors and congregations continue to make the work of the WitnessCommittee a project of prayer, publicity, and financial support, including theChristian Patriot, and the program "TheWay Out."2. That members of congregationswrite letters of commendation to thoseCongressmen who have introduced theChristian Amendment resolutions.August 10, 1955Home Mission and Young People's Secretary1. That a committee be appointed tocarry on the work of preparing Biblestudies and receive suggestions for theimprovement of studies.2. That permission be given to makea special appeal for funds for the Leadership Training Project after the closeof Synod's books and before the nextChurch Budget is set up.3. That we thank God for a growingministry and for the hope of a sufficientministry in the next few years, and thatwe prayand labor to "strengthen ourCommittee on Evangelism1. Be ever busy at the work of "soul2. Use the Bible Study courses prepared by Dr. R. I. Robb and his Committee.3. "Visitation Evangelism"4. Bible Mastery month in January1956 on book of Titus.5. A regular program of teaching theStandards of the Church.Committee on Signs of the Times1. That all members of the church beencouraged to walk worthy of the Lordand to proclaim the truth.2. That the appointed days forThanksgiving be faithfully observed andthat the appropriate day in the weekof prayer be observed as a daymiliation and prayer.Elder's Conferenceof hu1. That Synod appeal for 30 youngmen to enter the ministry in the nextfive years: 5for mission work, 5 forvacant congregations, and 20 for newfields.2. That each congregation hold itsannual meeting as soon as possible afterthe conclusion of its fiscal year in orderto speed completion of the statisticalreport due April 15.3. That each congregation make itsstatistical report balance from year toyear.National Reform1. That pastors, officers and membersof the church be encouraged to assistthe National Reform Association in thedistribution of its literature and in thepromoting of its program locally.2. That each congregation be urged toname a representative from among itsmembers to serve as an agent in securing subscriptions to the Christian Statesman and to handle the distribution ofliterature.3. That pastors and congregationalagents be urged to place copies of Dr.Elliott's Daily Bible Readings in thehands of teachers of the local schools,and also copies of the latest Facts aboutIntoxicating Liquors.4. That all members be urged to participate actively in the Crusade AgainstLiquor Advertisingin this Crusade.and to enlist others5. That congregations be requested tokeep open their pulpits to representatives of the Association and to assist inarranging openings for its speakers intheir communities.6. That the first Sabbath of November be designated for taking the N.R.A.annual offering, and that $10,000 bedesignated as the goal.7. That our people be urged to prayfor the Association and its workers.Oath CommitteeThat the use of the Explanatory Declaration be extended to the Enlistedman's oath in cases of conscientiousscruples.Committee on Church UnionThat negotiations continue with theseseven denominations during the comingyear: Associate Reformed Presbyterian,Associate Presbyterian, Bible Presbyterian, Christian Reformed, ReformedPresbyterian General Synod, OrthodoxPresbyterian, United Presbyterian.Committee on Bible TranslationsThat in view of modern translationsand versions which contain glaring inaccuracies and show a dangerous biastoward heterodoxy, or other translationswhich contain paraphrases rather thantrue translations of the original text,or some which contain irreverent colloquial expressions not in keeping withthe dignity of Bible language, Synodurges the Covenanter Churches to beconstantlyalert to the important matters of accuracy and dignity in Englishtranslations which they use.Committee to consider a paper on theCommunion IssueThat through the year the Covenanter Witness be asked to publish as manyas two selected articles per month ondifferent viewpoints of requirements foradmission to the Lord's Table.Traveling Fund CommitteeThat the Traveling Fund assessmentshould be one dollar per communicantmember for the year 1956.93

Auditor,Church NewsSecretary, Miss Mary Marshall, LosAngeles; Treasurer, Mrs. Maude Lowe,Los .andAngeles; Mrs. Frances Buck, L. A. There were nine societies represented at the W.M.S. groupwith 48 registered in attendance.CRADLE ROLLMr. and Mrs. James R. Burrow ofEstes Park are the parents of a daughter, Suzanne Ann, born July 28. Thebaby is a granddaughter of Mrs. J.Randall Burrow, and the late Mr. Burrow, and of the Rev. and Mrs. D. Raymond Taggart of Topeka.MORNING SUNMrs. McElroy's sister visited her enroute to Wisconsin. Her name was Mrs.Murl Simon. She was accompanied byher children Ruth, Fred and Mr. andMrs. Dwayne Simon, of Studley, Kansas.Plumbing repairs are going on at theVeterinary Dr. Raymond Dill property.They are expected to move in time forschool. They have purchased the Burgepropertynear the business section. Itwill be remembered as the Dr. Tandyresidence, or by others as the Dr. (MD)Graham. Mrs. Graham was a daughterof Rev. C. D. Trumbull, D.D. Mrs. Dill'sfamily, Rev. Bruce Martin's, lived herewhen she was small. Dr. Griffin, presentveterinarian and an old time friend ofRev. Bruce Martin affectionately recallsthat he helped them get a golf coursestarted, and being a member of thegroup did not allow them to use thegolf course on the Sabbath.Mr. and Mrs. Grady Stegall, Ronaldand Kim of Topeka, Kansas, and MissElizabeth McElroy visited with the McElroys here. They plan to visit againbefore Elizabeth sails for Syria on September 9.E. Raymond Wilson is on the facultyof the 22nd annual Carolina Instituteof International Relations, and also asimilar Institute at Avon, Conn. Thoseassociated with him on the faculty atGreensboro, N. C.are Eleanor Roosevelt, Hallam Tennyson, Samuel Levering, Cecil Hinshaw, Samuel Proctor,Robert Pickus, and Richard Bardolph.His son Kent, a student at Harvard University, will also attend the institute atAvon with his father. Mrs. RaymondWilson and son Lee visited a week withRalph Wilson's enroute to her mother'shome in Stanwood, Iowa, for a visit.Mrs. Alice Rogers, Jimmyand Elizabeth of Beaver Falls are visiting relatives. Dr. Milton Patterson and familydrove to Minneapolis, Minn., with theircanoe, and will purchase another, andpaddle their way down the Mississippiriver for their vacation.94Mrs. Lura O'Neil is in the hospital atLeavenworth, Kansas; her sister AnnaKennedy plans to join her in Augustfor a visit.Rev. Patterson filled the pulpit whileRev. McElroy was one of the bosses inthe Pioneer detasseling corn job in thiscommunity.PACD7IC COAST CONVENTION"God Can" was the theme of the annual joint convention of the PacificCoast Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian church, held during July 16-23,1955, at Hume Lake, California, with atotal of 196 registered during the convention, 143 full time. The scriptureverse as our motto wastaken fromLuke 1:37, and Ps. 55 was the convention Psalm, which was sung many times.Our day began with prayer in eachcabin before breakfast. This gave thecounselors and the Christian families anopportunity to give the boys and girlswho were not accustomed to familyworship a chance to have it.At nine-o-clock the young people metfor devotional addresses given by different men on "What God Can Do ForYou."The adults had devotional addresses on the "Holy Spirit." The youngpeople then joined the adults for an inspiring Bible Study period led by Rev.Bibles"Paul Robb on "How to study ourand apply it to our lives.Dr. Remo Robb then had discussionperiods for the young people, while thePresbytery and the W.M.S. held theirbusiness meetings. Each meeting of theW.M.S. opened with devotions led by amember of one of the congregations represented there. Three of the five daysthe W.M.S.met, business was transacted, while on one other day a Memorial service was conducted by Mrs. Bettsof Santa Ana. Those who have passed onto their Heavenlyrewards are Mrs.Whitney of Portland; Mr. Towner ofFresno; Mrs. Martha McNeal and Mr.Edwin Dodds of Los Angeles; Mrs. JaneCathcart of Santa Ana.Since Mrs. Sam Boyle was unable tospeak to us on the mission due to sickness in the family, Rev. Boyle spoke ofthe work there.The officers of the W.M.S.for thecoming year are as follows: President,Mrs. Joseph Lamont, Seattle; First VicePresident, Mrs. J. B. Lamont, Seattle;Second Vice President, Mrs. J. D. Carson, Portland; Recording Secretary,Miss Isabelle Chambers, Portland; Corresponding Secretary, CorrespondingIn the afternoon there were a lot ofdifferent kinds of recreation to be enjoyed by all, and after dinner came funand talent time before the evening addresses. They were led by Rev. RemoRobb and Rev. Sam Boyle. They werevery inspiring and helpful messages.At 9 o'clock Rev. Glenn McFarland ofSanta Ana took charge of the campfireservice, having personal testimoniesand short addresses, all given to show usthe need for coming out more for ourSaviour who did so much for us.I am sure that all who attended feltthat this convention was one of thevery best they have ever attended. .Mrs. James R. HoneymanSTERLINGThe Rev. S. Bruce Willson, seminarypresident, brought a challenging message Sabbath morning, July 24, on the"Call of the Ministry."Mrs. Ninnie McGee has been releasedfrom the hospital and is recovering fromher recent illness.Sterling congregation enjoyed the fellowship of the Boyle Family in the July17 Sabbath services. They were presented a steamer rug as a bon-voyagegift.Besides honoring Miss Blanche McCrea with a farewell dinner followedby a program,the congregation presented her with a stole and a corsage.Members of the W.M.S. sponsored apurse for Miss Eleanor Faris, sailing forJapan, Aug. 2.Mrs. Bernard Copeland and son Keithof Idana, worshiped with us July 24while visiting the Raymond Bennettfamily.Sterling friends attending the Clarinda Centennial, July 28, were Miss Esther Dill, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Dill andMr. and Mrs. Arthur Dill.We welcome home Miss Elda Patton,who for the past two and a half yearshas been in Santa Ana and San Diego,California, but now returns to Sterlingto make her home. Elda is the ForestPark Junior sponsor this year.Among Sterling folk attending Covenant Heights (part time) were TheLouis Wilkey family, David Kilpatrick,John, Robert, Joe and Roberta McFarland (in Greeley for the summer). Theywere precentors for the conference. Robert spoke to the Juniors on Sabbathevening.The Leadership Training Team serving Sterling and Stafford July 16-24,consisted of Wayne Spear, Walton, N.COVENANTER WITNESS

Y.; Jim Pennington, Beaver Falls, Pa.;Barbara Huston, Winchester, Kans.;and Georgia Wilson, of Stafford. Theirwork was appreciated.Miss Ruth Stoltzfuss, who has beenMacCle-visiting her sisters Mmes. Lucyment, Selina Beckett,and Elsie Wilkey,returned to San Antonio, Texas,and wasmarried July 27 to Rev. Ervin I. Dresh,missionary to the Mexicans. Anothersister, Mrs. Coleman, is visiting inSterling.Mrs. Olive McNeil and Mrs. CarrieYoung plan to attend the National W.C.T.U. Convention in Long Beach, California starting August 22. They alsohope to visit Mrs. Young's sister, Viola(Mrs. A. C. Wiley), of Santa Ana.Robert president ofMcFarland, Forest Park Camp, spent the weekend ofJuly 31 in Topeka completing conferenceplans.Mr. and Mrs. Allen Linticum andCorajean of Longview, Washington.visited friends and worshiped with us recently. Mrs. Blanche Cunningham heldopen-house in their honor.MONTCLAnt, NEW JERSEYSabbath moming May 29 we countedit a privilege to hear of our work atthe Indian Mission from the Rev. andMrs. D. C. Ward. At the same serviceRev. Ward had the pleasure of baptizing their son Don's baby. They werevisiting their daughter, Mrs. Jane Reynolds and family in Tenafly.Those attending New York Presbyterial in Cambridge in May were; MesdamesT. M. Slater, Luther McFarland,Ethel Ferry, Arthur Marsters, JamesBeatty, and Florence Chaffee.Congratulations to our Graduates. Wehave three Geneva Collegegraduatesthis year, Wendell McBurney, MarionMeFarland and Thomas Park. DonaldMcBurney graduated from High Schoolin the upper fourth of his class. FaithMcBurneygraduated from the eighthgrade and Diane Messa from the ninthgrade. Jean Messa was elected President of the student council in her Junior High School.Captain and Mrs. T. H. Park; Mr. andMrs. John Park; Mrs. T. M. Slater:Mr. and Mrs. Edwin McBurney, Donald and Faith; Rev. and Mrs. LutherMcFarland and Gene went to BeaverFalls for the Alumni banquet and Baccalaureate as well as the Graduationexercises. Tuesday noon theyed special family gatherings.all attendRev. McFarland's and Mrs. Slater remained in Beaver Falls for Synod. MaryJane Park returned home with her parents, for the summer, after her firstyear in Geneva. Gene McFarland andTom Park are attending summer schoolat Geneva. Wendell McBurney and Mar-August 10, 1955ion McFarland are working; Marion isin an office of the U. S. Steel Co. nearPittsburgh; he plans to attend our Seminary this fall.Rev. and Mrs. McFarland were counselors at State W.C.T.U. summer campfor the Y.T.C. held in Peddie Schoolnear Trenton June 21 through 23. Mrs.Ella Pritchard Christner, the StatePresident, was the director.Our annual S. S. picnic was held atEagle Rock, July 9. Though a few wereaway on vacations we had a good attendance and a good time.July 12 Mrs. H. T. Hunter, with Mrs.J. A. Beatty co-hostess, very graciouslyentertained the W.M.S. in her home.The Montclair congregation was happy to welcome the Rev. Herbert Haysand family, Sabbath July 17, on theirreturn home after seven years in Syria.Since they docked just the day beforewe appreciated Mr. Hays bringing themorning message. They arrived on theRyndam at eight o'clock Saturday andwere met by his brother and wife, Mr.and Mrs. Robert Hays, the McFarlandsand others.Attending the Inter-State W.C.T.U.Inspirational Conference at OceanGrove in July were Mr. and Mrs. PaulChristner, Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Ferry,Mr. and Mrs. Luther McFarland andMrs. Elsie Voeste.Recent visitors have been Mr.andMrs. Abbott Cutter, Mr. and Mrs. RusselFaris and David; Mrs. Warnock,in her sister Mrs. Hagmann's home;also Mrs. Paul Wilson, in the JohnPark home.Mrs. Arthur Marsters is spending thesummer in Nova Scotia. Mr. Marstersand Russel have both spent some timethere.Mrs. H. T. Hunter, Mary and Elizabeth spent ten days with relatives inMercer, Pa. and Indiana.Mr. E. H. McBurney, Donald andFaith, went the last of June, to Quinter, Ks., for the wedding of Mr. Mc-Burney's niece. They brought back withthem, Mrs. G. R. McBurneywho willvisit for some time with her son andfamily.Capt. and Mrs. Thomas Park andMary spent ten days with the John Allen's of Pittsburgh, at their cabin onLake Erie, near Sandusky, Ohio. OnSabbath July 17 they attended servicesin Belle Center, Ohio and visited in theJ. D. McClure and Roy Templetonhomes.Mrs. T. M. Slater is going to spenda few weeks in her old home at Sterling,New York. Mr. and Mrs. N. Hagmannvisited Mrs. Hagmann's relatives inBoston recently.Miss Eleanor Boyd left in May for anextended tour of Europe. She has visitedFrance, Switzerland, Italy, Germanyand Holland up to the time of this writing and intends to go to Norway andSweden before returning home in October. She is greatly missed by the congregation..FOREST PARK CONFERENCEThere are many special features whichare planned just for you. We want youto come and enjoy the many times offellowship and fun which we know areahead for all who come to the ForestPark Conference. If possible, come tothe camp for the full week; you'll neverbe sorry you did. But if circumstanceswill not permit your coming for fulltime, try to come for some of the special evening meetings. The schedule forthese follows:Monday evening: Get together andmixerzTuesday evening: Outside speaker,Dr. S. Bruce WilsonWednesday evening: The Geneva andSeminary Program.Thursday evening: The life of AlJohnson, the converted bank robber. Hewill be there in person, with the movieof his life before and after he becamea Christian.Friday evening: Waldron Scott of theNavigator Staff will be the specialspeaker. He has worked in our missionin Latakia, Cyprus, and has many interesting experiences to share with us.Saturday evening: The preparatoryservice with Dr. Mac Robb preaching.Sabbath morning: Mac Robb will havethe consecration service, which is theoutstanding service of the conference.Why not include some of these evenings on your calendar? We're expecting you, and will be seeing you in onlytwo weeks!LAKE RENO, MINN.Mr. and Mrs. George Blair are thehappy parents of a son Mark John bornJune 23. He came to church when hewas two and one-half weeks old and toW.M.S. at three weeks of age.Roberta and Mikey Elsey and EileenMcCrory have won their awards in recent weeks by memorizing the ShorterCatechism. Eileen, twelve years old,youngest member of the class, learnedwell the 107 answers in three and onehalfmonths.A successful DVBS was held in ourchurch June 20-July 1. Of the 41 pupilsenrolled, one-half were from our church.There were few absences, interest wasgood, and teachers felt prayers werebeing answered as they met in an opening prayer group each morning. A largecrowdattended the closing program.The three who carried the main teachingprogram were : Mrs.Phoebe Blair,95

year."1.50Mrs. Charles Peterman and Mrs. LeoBrock. Loyal helpers were: Mrs. GwenElsey, Roberta and Mikey Elsey, JudyHoplin, Mary Sorenson, Mrs. ErmelBlair, Rev. and Mrs. Mitchel.An Intermediate group meeting onSabbath evenings has been started thissummer under the leadership of Mrs.Peterman and the pastor. Interest isgood, with high attendance so far 15enrolled.Visitors in our communityservices are veryand atwelcome. This is abeautiful vacation country as well as afine place to live. Dr. Raymond E. Dilland familyof Auburn, Nebraska, spentseveral days around Glenwood and inour homes. The Donald Crozier familyof Seattle, Washington, visited Mrs.Phoebe Blair and other relatives. TheBoyd White family, also of Seattle,visited in the McCrory and Malyonhomes, and others. Miss Edna Elsey ofDetroit spent some time in the homeof Dr. J. R. Elsey. Miss Evelyn Cathcart, United Presbyterian missionary onfurlough from Pakistan, was welcomein our worship services and WMS. Wewere happy to have the Glenwood exchange student from Germany in ourchurch one Sabbath. His name is JeorgBaestlein. He has since started his return trip to Germany, having enjoyedhis year in Glenwood very much.Mrs. Anna Ewing recently announcedthe engagement of her daughter EmmaJean to Mr. Ronald Bowen of Villard,Minn.Mrs. Gwen Elsey, Roberta, Jim andMikey have been vacationing severalweeks on a ranch near Big Fork, Montana. They also planned to visit friendsand various points of interest on theway.GENEVA COLLEGEDonald H. Ledrick, a member of theGeneva Reformed Presbyterian Church,Beaver Falls, Pa., has been named assistant football coach and physical education instructor at Geneva College.Amember of this year's graduatingclass at Geneva, Ledrick is currentlyworking towards a master's degree inphysical education at the University ofPittsburg. At Geneva Ledrick won fourletters in football. In 1950 when heplayed guard histeammates selectedhim as Covie "lineman of theHis college career was interrupted byArmy service in 1952-53. During the1952 season he was defensive fullbackfor the Ft. Lee (Va.) Travelers. In 1953he played in Korea,and last season returned to Geneva to play fullback underCoach By Morgan. He graduated fromSwissvale High school in 1949 where heearned two grid letters.96GENEVA CONGREGATIONMrs. Mildred Davis George, who hasbeen visiting her father, S. R. Davis,and other relatives, for the past sixweeks, has returned to her home inTarkio, Missouri. Part of the time herhusband, Dr. R. Wilfred George, anddaughter, Jean, were here also.Mr. and Mrs. Fenton H. Farley havereturned from Philadelphia where hewasa member representing WesternPa., of the Research and Editing committee of the Penna. Secondary SchoolPrincipals Assn., at their annual editingmeeting.OLD BETHELRev. J. M. McMillan and Elder FloydFinley attended synod. Our D.V.B.S.was held at the church between June27-July 9, with an enrollment of 53.Miss Jackie Patton of the HopkintonCongregation and Jim Pennington ofthe church in the work.The schoolcame to a close the evening of the 9thwith parents of the children and otherspresent to see a sample of the workthat had been done during the preceding two weeks.Rev. J. M. McMillan and family havereturned from a two weeks vacationspending July 16 to July 18 at Bloomington, Indiana, then going to Wrigley,Ky:, to spend the remainder of the timewith Mrs. McMillan's mother, Mrs. R.C. Adams.Elder Edwin Patterson spent a fewdays recently in the Sparta CommunityHospital. He has returned home and wewish a speedy recovery for him.Women's DepartmentTHEME: ARISE AND BUILDA Prayer for you:Dear Lord, slow me down. Ease thepounding of my heart by quieting mymind.Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.Give me, amid the confusion of myday, the calmness of the everlastinghills.Relax the tension of mysoft music of singing streams.Helpingnerves withme to know the magical restorpower of sleep.Teach me the art of taking minutevacations ... of slowing down to lookat a flower, to chat with a friend, to pata dog, to read a bit.Remind me that the race is not always to the swift; that there is moreto life than increasing its speed.ingLet me look upward into the toweroak and know that it grew greatand strong because it grew slowly andwell..Slow me down, Lord. Inspire me tosend my roots deep into the soil of life'senduring values that I may grow towardthe stars of my greater destiny. In Jesusname. Amen.THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEFORREST PARK CONFERENCEAUGUST 22-28ropeka KansasTheme I Pet. 2:21 : "FOLLOW HIS STEPS"SPECIAL FEATURESDr. S. Bruce WilsonWaldron ScottMember of Navigator StaffRemo I. Robb, D.D.A Christian film of theConverted bank robber,Al JohnsonSeniors_RATESRegistration Expenses Total14.75 16.25Intermediates7-15 yrs..75 13.75 14.50Juniors7-12 yrs.75 10.25 11.00Children3-6 yrs..75 5.50 6.25Family registration _4.00Mac Robb, D.D. Reserve your cabin early notify Bill McElroy,Consecration serviceRoute 8, Topeka, Kansas.COVENANTER WITNESS

unclean!"us?"BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 4, 1955WitnessVOLUME LV, NO. 7 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1955J CALL FOR...UNCTION In The Pulpit!And Action In The Pew!Where there is no vision the people perish. Where there is no passion the church perishes even though itbe full to the doors. A vision without a task makes a visionary. A task without a vision is drudgery. A visionwith a task makes a missionary.Did We Ever Catch A Vision Of Millions In Russia WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD A GOSPEL MESSAGE?Is God More Wroth With America And England Than He Is With Russia? Men Go To Hell Fire Because TheChurch Has Lost Holy Ghost Fire!By Evangelist Leonard Ravenhill, of Oldham, EnglandWhen a man who has crept along for years inconventional Christianity suddenly zooms into spiritual alertness, becomes aggressive in the battle of theLord and has a quenchless zeal for the lost, there is areason for it. We are so subnormal these days thatthe normal New Testament experience seems abnormal.The answer to the secret of this jet-propelledfellow we have just mentioned is that somewherehe has had Jacob-like wrestling with God, and comesout stripped but strengthened by the Holy Ghost!There are two other indispensible factors to successful Christian living. TheyMen battle mountainous seas of human, carnal critiare vision and passion.cism and storm and flinty heights of devilish opposition to plant the cross of Christ amidst the habitations of cruelty, because they have caught a visionand contracted a passion.Friend, if you were as good at soul cultivationas you are in developing your business, you would bea menace to the devil, but if you were as poor inbusiness matters as you are in soul, you would bebegging for bread.Are you prepared for vision at this top price demand, the loss of a friend, or a career? There areno reduced rates for revolution of soul. If you onlywant to be saved, sanctified, and satisfied, then theLord's battle hath no need of thee.Isaiah had a vision in three dimensions. Noteverses one to nine in the sixth chapter of Isaiah.Verse five, Woe, a word of confession ; verse seven,Lo, a word of cleansing ; verse nine, Go, a word ofcommission.More Promotion Than PrayerIt was an upward visioninward visionhe saw the Lord; anhe saw himself, and an outwardvision, he saw the world. It was a vision of height,he saw the Lord high and lifted up. A vision ofdepth, he saw the recesses of his own heart. Anda vision of breadthhe saw the world.A vision of holiness Oh, beloved, HOW thisgeneration of believers needs the vision of God in allHis Holiness! A vision of hellishness, "I am un. . .done, and a vision of hopelessness,implied by the words "Who will go forIn this hour when the average church knows(Continued on page 104)

system."school."purposes."schools."purposes"permitted."AnAEvaluationRadio Addres-Instead of Gleanings and Current EventsSince both our columnists, Dr. F. E. Allen on sick leaveand Dr. William Russell on business leave, have left theirspaces on the Editor's lap, we are using them to presenta radio address by Dr. Walter McCarroll, published in theNational Voice of August 4.AN EVALUATION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL BROWN'SCONSTITUTIONALITY RULING OF BD3LE READINGIN CALDJORNIA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLSDR. W. McCarrollRadio Message, 7 P.M., Sabbath, July 24, 1955, Station KXLA(Dr. Walter McCarroll is President of the ChristianCitizens Association of California)It is an honor and a privilege to have this opportunityto bring the message at this hour in the absence of MissHubler, who is scheduled to speak tonight in San Diego.Miss Hubler has rendered and continues to render a notableservice in behalf of the Temperance cause.AttorneyBrown's OpinionOn June 10, Attorney-General Brown published hisOpinion on the constitutionality of Bible reading in our public schools. A request had been made for such an Opinionback in the fall of 1953. In the meantime, requests had comein for rulings on various phases of religion in our publicschools. This Opinion is in two parts: one of 10 pages, andthe other of 14 pages. The conclusions reached are summarized as follows:1. "Voluntary student religious associations may holdtheir meetings on a school campus, provided there is noendorsement of such associations by the school authorities,and provided there is no interference with the regular educational program of the2. "The Bible may not be read in public school classesfor religious purposes. It may be used for reference, literary,historical, or other non-religious3. "The Gideon Bible may not be distributed throughthe public school4. "Religious prayers maycurriculum of the publicnot be made a part of theThese are the conclusions of the AttorneyGeneral inhis own words. Now for an evaluation of these conclusions.1. VoluntaryAn Evaluationstudent religious associations now havethe right to hold their meetings on school property. Thismeans for example that students may form a Bible club forthe study of the Bible. In some districts they were not allowed to hold their meetings in a classroom even in afterschoolhours. Now, according to the Attorney General it isconstitutional to hold their meetings in a classroom in afterschoolhours, provided of course there is no interference withthe regular educational program of the school. That is a return to common sense. This means that the school systemceases to discriminate against the Bible, at least to that extent. That is a welcome change.2. The AttorneyGeneral tries to please both sides inhis ruling on the use of the Bible in the classroom. It maynot be used for "religious but may be used for-non-religious98purposes."That appears to say that it isconstitutional to bring the Bible into the classroom, and thatthe teacher is free to read to her class passages that have"literary, historical, or other ncn-religious purposes."Thatopens a rather wide field to the use of the Bible in the classrooms of our public schools. That is a welcome change. Sofar the blackout of the Bible has been lifted. To that extentthe school system ceases to discriminate against the Bible.This ruling, however, appears to involve an inner contradiction. It is unconstitutional for the teacher to use the Biblein the classroom for religious purposes but constitutional touse it for non-religious purposes. The difference lies entirelyin the purpose the teacher has in mind.Rules Against Gideon Distribution3. Along with the ruling that the Bible may not be readin public school classes for religious purposes he rules thatthe Gideon Bible may not be distributed through the publicschool system, and that religious prayers may not be madea part of the curriculum of the public schools. In otherwords, that religion of any kind, even unsectarian religion istaboo in the public school system. He makes this ruling onthe basis of two sections of the State Constitution. ArticleIX, Section 8, says: "No public money shall ever be appropriated for the support of any sectarian or denominationsectarian or denominational docal school . . . nor shall anytrine be taught, or instruction thereinArticle I,Section 4, which says, "The free exercise and enjoyment ofreligious profession and worship, without discrimination orpreference,shall forever be guaranteed in thisState."4 The reasoning by which the Attorney-General reaches his conclusions. First, on the word "sectarian." He saysthat it has two meanings, the root and natural meaningviz, a sect within a major faith; and the broad meaning vizthat it refers to all differences between the major faithsthemselves. Of these two meanings he chooses the broadmeaning. Why? Apparently because that has been the trendduring the past fifty years. But if he had studied the background of the founding and development of our nation hewould have chosen the natural meaning of the word. To givean apparent legal basis to his reasoning he quotes some re-THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansaito promote Bible Standards of Doctrine. Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer* ;not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka. KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: S2.50 per year: Overseas, S3.00 : Single Copie.10 cents.T.he.Rev- R' B- LynB. B-A.. Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for thBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansasunder the Act of March 3. 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.COVENANTER WITNESS

preference."purposes."perform."marks made by the judges in the Evans case, who, afterdeclaring the Bible to be an unsectarian book for placing inlibrary, said that it might become a sectarian book if usedfor religious instruction in the class room. Second, on "without discrimination or preference" of Sec. 4, Art. I. This section itself appears so clear and straight-forward that it isdifficult to see how he could read into it the conclusion thatreading the Bible without comment would be showing discrimination or preference for any denomination or sect. Heconcurs in Webb's observation"that reading the secretwritings of the Christian religion would constitute a governmental preference in favor of Christianity." But Christianityis not a sect in a country which the Supreme Court of theUnited States in a unanimous decision declared to be aChristian nation.Based On Errors5 The Attorney-General's reasoning is based on twofundamental errors: First, aThat the state, or the government itself, has no moral and religious character of its ownthat it is bound to maintain. The government may operateon the basis of the truths of the Christian religion, or onthe basis of Secularism which means that God is unnecessary and unimportant in the runningof political and civilaffairs, or on the basis of atheism which is the basis onwhich Communism operates. Whichever course the statechooses it shews discrimination and preference for thatwhich it chooses. If it chooses Secularism it discriminatesagainst Christianity. To choose the religion of secularism asthe basis upon which the government operates is to denyand betray our national heritage of the truths of Christianitywhich are so interwoven with the civil fabric of our nationallife. The state cannot avoid showingpreference for somereligion in the forming and development of its own moraland religious character. That does not prevent the statebeing absolutely impartial in its attitude towards all organized forms of religion within its borders. And that is allthat sec. 4 of Art. I means when it says 'without discrimination orbThe second error in the reasoning of the Attorney-General is that the state, or the government, has no responsibility for the moral and religious training of the boys andgirls that it takes from their homes and streets for so largea portion of their time. He declares "that the home and thechurch have total responsibility for the religious training ofeach child."This is manifestly not true. Here I quote thewords of a distinguished educator: "Consider the effect onthe mind of a child of a course of school training from whichall, even the simplest religious ideas are excluded. He seeshimself one of a vast army which is passing through theschools to be prepared for the duties of citizenship. He seesthat the state has made costlyprovision for this training,spacious buildings, capable teachers, and all the appliancesfor thorough and rapid instruction. By all these tokens heperceives that the state is much concerned for his intellectual culture but is wholly indifferent to his religious character; is resolved that he should know the rules of grammerand arithmetic but does not care whether he believesin God or knows and believes in the Ten Commandments.What is this but to deny the value of religious truth in thesphere of citizenship; to disparage it in comparison withother branches of knowledge; to deny that the state itselfhas any relation to God, since the citizen needs no knowledge of God in the discharge of his duties as a citizen? Andwhat is this but positive teaching against religion and apositive lesson in politcalathesm?"In many cases the stateexercses a moulding influence over the mind and heart ofthe child which is greater than that of both the home andthe church, and may be quite contrary to the religious trainfVugust10, 1955ing imparted in the home and the church. In spite of theOpinion of the Attorney-General we assert that the statehas a large responsibility for the religious training of thechildren that it takes from our homes.In conclusion we should remember that this is an Opinion and not a court decision. It is not a law but an interpretation which is subject to change at any time. We shouldrecognize that some gains have been made, first in the rightof student religious associations to meet on school property;and second, in the right to use the Bible in the class roomfor "non-religious These gains are the result of anaroused Christian public sentiment. This opinion also servesto focus attention on the real issue, viz, that the state hasa moral and religious character of its own which in thiscountry, declared by the Supreme Court to be a Christiannation, shoud be a Christian character. These Christian principles must undergird the Temperance movement as well.Congressman Siler well says, "Booze broadcasting is abeast.""Twenty million people in America are offended every day by the alcoholic advertising that comes to theirhomes consistently and continually without even knocking attheir doors, entering the very impressionable minds of boysand girls with the obvious purpose of making customers foran industry that destroys, dooms, and damns human personality as it rolls along."Archbishop Doubts Sweden Still a Christian CountryIn Sweden Archbishop Brilioth, in a recent lecture said:"It is uncertain whether Sweden today can be called a Christian country. The outward Christian appearances preservedby society sometimes seem to be far from reality.In social life and in politics spiritual problems are veryoften treated as if they were oddly irrelevant. The hugeparishes in the suburbs of the cities promise to become newheathen land within the Swedish borders. Demands for areasonable division into parishes have met with strong opposition."Instead of an increse in the number of clergymen corresponding to the increase in population, an appreciable reduction in the number of pastorates is proposed, thus making effective spiritual guidance still harder toThe Archbishop also feared that the modern Statewould smother the freedom without which a church cannotlive. But he indicated a few bright points, among others being the fact that active opposition to Christianity today wasnot so strong as it was some decades ago.Background: Both Sweden and Finland have four official days of prayer and penitence each year and the governments issue an appeal to all citizens to attend the servicesheld on these days and meditate on the eternal truths ofChristianity. This is a tradition dating back to the 16th century.(WCD-7/27/55)"This is a cheerful world as 1 see it from my garden,under the shadow of my vines. But if I could ascend somehigh mountain and look out over the wide lands, you knowvery well what I would see brigands on the highways;pirates on the seas; armies fighting, cities burning; in theamphitheatres men murdered to please applauding crowds;selfishness and cruelty, misery and despair under all roofs.It is a bad world. Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But Ihave discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy peoplewho have learned a great secret. They have found a joywhich is a thousand times better than any of the pleasuresof our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, butthey care not. They are masters of their souls. They haveovercome the world. These people, Donatus, are the Christians and I am one of them." A letter from Cyprian toDonatus, about A.D. 250.99

ffHaving Done ill to Stand"away."went."A Series of Five Devotional Addresses Given Before the SynodII. How to Meet Personal DiscouragementFriday Devotional Service at SynodRev. E. Raymond HemphillI Kings 19:9, 10"Elias was a man subject to like passions as weare, and he prayed . .earnestly Jas.5:17.The story of Elijah is like a whole series ofsnapshots taken from time to time during his remarkable life. In the first picture we see him standing before King Ahab of Israel. We do not know howhe got there, nor how he escaped. All we know iswhat he said as it is recorded for us in I Kings 17:1,". . . As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom Istand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years,word."but according to myIn the next picture of Elijah he is down in alonely place by the Brook Cherith, being fed by theravens. Another picture of the man reveals him upat Zarephath, there again being fed in a remarkableway by the widow who was gathering sticks for thefinal meal for herself and. her son.Perhaps the most detailed picture we have ofhis life, reveals him standing yonder upon MountCarmel, conducting a contest between four hundredand fifty false prophets on one side and Elijah onthe other. The contest was to show that God couldhear and answer prayer. We have here recorded theencouraging words which he heard the people say:"The Lord, he is the God; the Lord he is the God."On this occasion, and upon other occasions where wehave the picture of Elijah, we see a miracle withElijah victorious.And yet when we turn to the next picture of hislife we see him out in the wilderness sitting undera juniper tree wishing he were dead. In fact, he waspraying that God would take his life. After thesegreat victories in his life, this scene reveals to us aclimax of a whole life of discouragements. It seemedthat Elijah was having more than his share. Itseemed that he was fighting a losing battle. And inthe words of our text (I Kings 19:9, 10) : "And hecame thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and,behold, the Word of the Lord came to him, and hesaid unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? Andhe said. I have been very jealous for the Lord Godof hosts : for the children of Israel have forsaken thycovenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thyprophets with the sword; and I, even I only,amleft ; and they seek my life, to take it And ifany man had reason for being discouraged, it wasElijah. And he expresses here very vividly his feeling of discouragement. He felt that he was alone. Hefelt that everything was going wrong, and all hisefforts and victories were of no avail. He wished hewere dead out of the way. And he even earnestly100prayed that God would take his life. Perhaps you,too, may feel that you have had your share of discouragements. But when we think of men like Elijah,or of Joseph, or of Moses, or of Daniel, it helps us tosee how fortunate we 'have been. And I know of nocase which shows us better how a man can bebrought down to the depths than we have it here inour text.And yet we see through these words andthrough the words that follow that God still has apurpose and a work for Elijah. He says as we readfurther: "Go . . . stand before the Lord." That wasthe next thing he needed to do. And as soon as hehad stood before the Lord, then God gave him themessage and the challenge. "Now go on and do thework I have for you to do. Go here; go there." Weread further in the story, ". . . and he Elijahfelt that he was alone. He was unable with hislimited knowledge to know that there were yetseven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal.One of the difficulties with many of our discouragements, reasons why we are so influenced bythem, is that we do not know the facts. Our vision isso narrow, so limited.But the way we meet these discouragements isgoing to influence our whole lives and our examplebefore others.I was eight years old when my father died, butI was old enough to begin asking "Why?"Why wasmy mother left a widow with six small children under nine years of age? During those early years,there were many times when we wondered why suchthings were happening, why other discouragementswere coming into our home. But always, and so oftenduring those years, I heard my mother say, "Well,the Lord knows best." The Lord knows best, and Itried to discover how. If God does know best, thenwhy, why did such things happen? Often times during those early boyhood days, as I observed the difficulties and the discouragements that came, I continued to ask, "Well, why are these things happening?"or "Why did this have to happen?" And almostinvariably I would hear the words come back again,"Well, the Lord knows best."After graduation from high school, I was underthe juniper tree, so to speak, before the Lord openedthe way for my coming to college. Again duringthose years, there were plenty of discouragements.Some of the most lonely years of my life, I think,were those two years, and I was asking "Why?" Butduring those two years I Avas trying to fit my experience into the words of God as they are recordedCOVENANTER WITNESS

purpose."good."purpose."good."you."good."sight."for us in Romans 8:28. And it was during those hardyears that that verse came to mean more to me thanperhaps any verse in the Bible. It became my favorite Bible verse, as I tried to understand how andwhy. "And we know that all things work togetherfor good to them that love God, to them who arethe called according to his After graduation from College,still another year was spentwaiting to go forward, a year spent in the steelmill. But that year also proved the truthfulnessof God's Word and made Romans 8:28 evenmore impressive and more precious. The discouragements of those early years, the outstanding faith ofa Christian mother have influenced me and havestrengthened my faith. And so as discouragementshave come in later years it has helped. Early in myministry I was faced with some very serious problems and conditions in the congregation to which Iwent. I needed help. Fortunately a brother ministerAvas in the community, at that time. I went to theHonorary Moderator of this Synod. I wanted help.I talked to him about some of the problems. He said,"Ray, you have more problems now than I've everhad in all my ministry. I'm sorry, I can't helpSo again I was thrown back upon the Lord for helpand again my faith was strengthened.I suppose that all of us, at times, have felt thatour discouragements were more overwhelming andgreater than anyone else's. But as we observe the experiences of others, and how they too have beenthrown back upon the Lord and their faith strengthened, that should strengthen our faith, and enableus to meet the problems that are before us. I presume that you have had difficultywith the fifth andsixth words of Romans 8:28, as I have. "And weknow that all things work together for good . .And I through the years have tried to see how "allthings"could be for my good. And then I realizedthat it was the Apostle Paul who under the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit wrote those words. "Allthings work together for Paul the man whowent through all the experiences which are recordedfor us over in II Cor. 11. Paul could not forget thoseeight times he had been beaten. He could not forgetthat time he had been stoned almost to death. Butstill he was able to write, "All things." Even thosethings ". . . work together for good to them that loveGod, and to them who are the called according to hisWe must accept God's will for our livesand we must try to pattern our lives after the instructions and the directions that are given. Noticealso that God does not say that all things work together for our pleasure, our self-satisfaction, ourhonor, or our success. He says, "All things work together for And if there is any reason why wewould question the truthfulness of God's Word, thenwe must consider the following phrase ". . to them.that love God." We're challenged to test our love forGod.The first thing that I want to suggest in observation is that we must learn the importance of beingfilled with the Holy Spirit and being controlled byHim in our lives. Perhaps there is the key to thewhole matter. Perhaps there is the point at which webegin to fail. If our lives are not filled with the HolySpirit, and if the daily activities of your life andmine are not conformed to God's Will, we may bringdiscouragements and troubles upon ourselves by lackAugust 17, 1955ofwisdom, with our lack of prayer, with our lack ofspiritual insight. We become discouraged when welook at ourselves and the things around us, but instead we should look up to the One who controls allthings. It was when Elijah went 'before the Lord thathe was encouraged, corrected and sent forth. Ourlives will be empty, our labors ineffective, our discouragements will be overwhelming unless we arecontrolled and encouraged,strengthened and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Perhaps that is thereason so many of us have failed. At least I believeit is true with me.One of our children once had one of those toysI forget what it was to represent heavily weighted on the bottom and rounded in shape so that nomatter what you did with it, no matter where youthrew it or how you laid it, it always righted itself.You know, that is the way a Christian life shouldbe. We should be so weighted and filled with theHoly Spirit, so shaped to God's will so that no matter what position we get into in discouragement, wecan right ourselvesbe back up, ready to go. If weare filled with the Holy Spirit, then we can use thesediscouragements as stepping stones rather thanstumbling blocks.The second observation that I suggest is thatwe must recognize the all-wise providences of Godin our lives. Things do not just happen. They comeby the direct or the permissive will of God. He musthave a purpose. It must be according to His will. Andone of our great problems is trying to discover whatHis will is and to fit our lives into it. We must seethat God has a purpose for all the events that comeinto our lives even though at the time we may betoo close to them to see clearly what God's will is.Remember Job? He had several discouragements.Perhaps more than most of us. And yet he withfaith was able to declare, "God hath given, Godhath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."Another thing, we must try to harmonize ourexperiences with God's Word. We have those wordsin James 1 :2-5, "My brother, count it all joy when yefall into divers temptations; knowing this, that thetrying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lackwisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all menliberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be givenhim."We must conform our lives and experiencesunto the will of God as it is revealed to us. Thingswere going pretty tough for Joseph there for awhile but after it was all over Joseph said to hisbrethren, "You meant it for evil, but God meant itfor And he was able to look back over thehard experiences of his life and to see how God wasmysteriously moving his life into position for service.How to meet our discouragements? I suggestfurther that the way we meet our discouragementsconstitutes a test of our love and devotion for God.Remember Jesus said, "Even so, Father, for so itseemeth good in Thy And what ever comes,let us use it. It may do us good. "The trial of yourfaith. . . worketh It patience."may be that we needto be tried as in the fire. We may need to be madehumble before God. God has a purpose.(Continued on page 104)101

world."condemned"The Highest CallWhat a Layman Expects from His PastorBy R. E. RobbR. E. Robb, the Christian layman who has beenwriting the weekly Bible study series, "God's Planof Salvation," was asked by Dr. S. W. Hahn, a professor of the Lutheran Southern Seminary of Columbia, S. C, to address the students recently on what aChristian layman expects in and from a ChristianPastor. While Mr. Robb, a traveling salesman, is onvacation, his Bible studies will be replaced by thisaddress to the Seminary students, the first half ofwhich follows:I congratulate you upon your call, and your acceptance of that call, to the highest profession inwhich it is a man's privilege to work, the ministryof the Lord Jesus Christ.Your profession is, of all professions, the mostexacting, the most challenging, at times the mostfrustrating, perhaps the most poorly paid, but without question the most rewarding. For in it you aredealing not with material things as does the engineer, not with physical bodies like the doctor, not withlegal principles, the province of the lawyer, but youare dealing with immortal souls. Upon you will restin large degree the eternal destiny and welfare, notonly of those with whom you come in direct contact,but, like the ever widening wavelets from a pebblecast into a pool, the souls which they in turn affectin ever expanding orbits.But now to a consideration of the subject uponwhich Doctor Hahn has most graciously asked me tospeak to you: What a Christian layman expects inand from a Christian pastor. And, gentlemen, I assure you that his subject has presnted a challengeand a responsibility to me, a mere layman, to set outspecifications for a position to which I could neverhope to aspire. But, on the theory that a view fromthe pew might be of some value to the man behindthe pulpit, I shall present my own views on the subject.The question under discussion seems to fall naturally into two main divisions, one subjective, theother objective. The subjective is implied by thepreposition "from," what he would expect his pastorwould expect his pastor to be ; the objective, by thepreposition "from," what he would expect his pastorto do. Since the subjective is first in point of time,and since it in large measure controls the objective,we shall consider that first.What a Layman ExpectsI. First of all, he expects his pastor to be a Christian.Trite, redundant you say? Theoretically, yes,but, with so many brands of so-called Christianitynow in vogue, it is necessary to be explicit on that vital question or we may bring into the flock a wolfin sheep's clothing.102But I am reminded of the sage advice an oldQuaker gave his just ordained ministerial son."Son,"said he, "when thou speakest always take tothee a text. Then thy hearers will be sure of havingsomething of value to take home with them." So Ishall take, not one text but several texts.In Micah 6:8 we have the Old Testament definition of a Christian: "And what doth the LORD require of thee (0 man), but to do justly, and to lovemercy, and to walk humbly with thy God ?" And inJames 1:27 we find the New Testament specifications: "Pure religion and undefiled before God theFather is this, To visit the fatherless and widows intheir affliction, and to keep himself unspotted fromthe The Apostle Paul, writing to the youngminister Titus, exhorted him : "In all things showingthyself a pattern of good works : in doctrine showinguncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech thatcannot be(Titus 1:7-8). Finally, in hissecond letter to Timothy (4:2), Paul urges the youngpreacher: "Preach the word; be instant in season,exhort with all long-out of season ; reprove, rebuke,suffering and doctrine . . . watch thou in all things,endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,ministry."make full proof of thyA Christian Pastor.With these texts as a foundation, what is involved in being a Christian pastor ?1 First, unquestionably, is his 'belief. "As aman thinketh in his heart so is he." For a man to bean evangelical, and especially a Lutheran Christian,he must believe :AThat the Lord Jesus Christ is the very Sonof God, begotten, not created; that he was born ofthe Virgin Mary; that He, by His substitutionarydeath on the cross made vicarious atonement for oursins; that He bodily rose from the dead; that Heascended into heaven ; and that He stands, our intercessor, on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.I cannot see how any man who does not completely and unreservedly subscribe to all of these beliefs and to additional beliefs itemized in the Nicaeanand the Apostles' creeds, can be considered a Christian.B That the Bible is the inspired, infallible andinerrant word of God. Unless a pastor does in his inmost being believe in both Christ as our Saviourand in the power of the Word to save he does not,in my thinking, qualify to be a shepherd of the flock.A Man of Prayer2 Secondly, he should be a man of prayer.Prayer is the key by which we tune in on the Almighty, tap the infinite power at the source, bring itinto our lives and allow it to work through us.Through prayer we allow the Holy Spirit to comeinto our hearts. Through prayer we are enabled moreand more fully to abide in Christ and to have HisCOVENANTER WITNESS

night."spiritual"alone."moved."sinner,"words abide in us. And then, like a geometrical progression, we can, with increasing power "ask what(we) will and it shall be done unto (us) " (John 15 :.7) The praying pastor is the powerful pastor.3 He should be spiritual. If he believes in Christand the Bible and if he prays regularly and in all sincerity, he will inevitably be on high and ever escendingspiritual ground. But there is constant dangerthat as one ascends the spiritual ladder he lose touchwith reality and thereby fail in the very point wherehe considers himself strongest.One who is truly spiritual will be:a Discriminating without being critical.b Separated without being pharisaical.c Wise without being conceited.A little tract by Harold M. Freligh entitled "Yewhich aretion.Call"is well worth careful considera'The Pastor's Call'The following quotations from "The Pastor'sby Gerberding are very apropos: "He musthave in his own heart an abiding sense of sin, sorrowfor it, hatred of it and longing for victoryover it .It is of the greatest importance for the evangelicalpastor that he be able to bear witness concerning thecertainty of salvation. He must have experiencedjustification by faith (P. 59).. .4 He should feel, unmistakably and irrevokably,that he has been called by God to the ministry.Again quoting from the above author: "There mustbe, in a sense, earnest desire. But his willingness anddesire do not spring from impulse or emotion. Neith. .er are they inspired by any worldly motive. They arerather the outgrowth of a conviction wrought by theHoly Ghost . The aspiring minister is made to feelthat it would endanger his soul's salvation and bedisloyalty to God to refuse . . . How is this convictionbrought about? Not by special revelation, voices,visions or dreams. It is not immediate. It is wroughtby the Holy Spirit through the Word of God." (PP.63-64).II. Secondly,He Must Be a Mana Christian expects his pastorto be a man.The First and the Fifteenth Psalms give usGod's specifications for a man: "Blessed is the manthat walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, norstandeth in the way of sinners, not sitteth in theseat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law ofthe Lord ; and in His law doth he meditate day and(Psalms 1:1-2). "Lord who shall abide inThy tabernacle, who shall dwell in Thy holy hill ? Hethat walketh uprightly and worketh righteousnessand speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbitethnot with his tongue, nor doeth evil to hisneighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against hisneighbor. In whose eyes a vile person is condemned ;but he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He thatsweareth to his own hurt and changeth not. He thatputteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth thesethings shall never be (Psalm .15)This business of being a man is a tough enoughjob for anyone, but especially so for anyone constantly in the blaze of the kleig lights of publicity, asa minister, by his very vocation, is bound to be. HeAugust 17, 1955is either looked up to or looked down on. It is his jobto see to it that it is always the former, never thelatter. To do this I have listed a veritable decathalonthe race he must run, the hurdles he must clear,to qualify as a man.1 He must be fearless in the right.The minister, perhaps more than most, will betempted to swerve just a little, or so he reasons,from the straight and narrow path, especially if oneof his rich parishoners is pushing that way. And it isso easy for all of us to rationalize. Many times, ofcourse, he will be warranted in yielding, but it is sovery difficult at times to know when and how much.Christ gives was the perfect example. When it wasa matter that affected Him personally He was perfectly acquiescent when it was a matter of principle He stood like Gibraltar, immovable.2 Although he must be fearless, he also mustbe humble.The one sin which so easily besets all strivingChristians, laymen or pastors, is the sin of spiritualpride. Two prayers, offered persistently and sincerely, will help us all to avoid that pitfall: "Lord, bemerciful to me a and "Not my will but Thinebe done."3 If he would largely succeed, the pastor must beUpright, Honest, Truthful, Sincere.It was the lack of these, especially the last,that brought down on the hypocrites of Christ's daythe scathing denunciations of Matthew 23. And howcan a pastor hope to succeed if his word is not asgood as his bond, if he does not pay his just debts,if he gets into compromising situations?Common Sense4 He should have a very large dose of thatmost uncommon ingredient, Common Sense, andwith it a Tender and Sympathetic Heart.Who can anticipate the situations which will inevitably arise in a pastor's work where all of thesecharacteristics must be employed to the utmost ; andthen he will wonder if he has not failed.5 If he is going to meet fully the challengepresented to him he must be a good Leader, whichmeans that he must also be a good Mixer.He must be able to enter wholeheartedly intothe social life of his congregation and his community,yet he will need to avoid being the Hail Fellow WellMet, or the Life of the Party, and such like.6 Closely related to the above, he should beDignified and Cheerful, in short, a Christian Gentleman.Again our Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest example the most gracious gentleman who ever trodthis earth.7 He will need to be Temperate in his personalhabits, Chaste in his amusements, and Circumspectin his politics.Some things which he might do with impunitymay be a stumbling block to some of his weakerbrethren. Like Paul, he may have to eschew perfectly good meat if thereby he makes his brother to offend. (1 Cor. 8:13).A Good Physique8 He must have a good Physique, a Strong andVigorous Mind, and a Dynamic Personality.Tlie physical load of leading a congregation isnothing for a weakling to attempt. The minister and103

sons."squatters'preacher must be constantly alert mentally. Thedrone has no place in the pulpit or the parsonage.9 Good Manners with accompanying Appropriate Dress should be taken for granted.The uncouth pastor stands in his own way.10 Last, but by no means least, his Home Lifeshould not only be above reproach, but it should bea positive model for congregation and community.Of first importance, of course, is his wife. Perhaps she has, in many respects, an even more demanding job to fill than he. The children should bewhat shall I say as I am one of them? But I defyanyone to name a callingor profession where thechildren have an equal chance to receive the reallyworthwhile things of life compared with the home ofa minister. And, of course, the parsonage will be anisland of hospitality. But how the preacher's wifecan do all the entertaining necessary and still makeends meet has always been and is an unsolved enigma.(To be continued)A CALL FOR UNCTION . . . from front pagemore about promotion than prayer, has forgottenconsecration by fostering competition, and has suJ>stituted propaganda for propagation, this threefoldvision is imperative.Where there is no vision the people perish.To be spiritually minded is joybe statistically minded in addition can be very disturbing. Read this and weep!and peace. ToJAPAN. The government there states that thepopulation has passed the eighty-seven million mark.The nation is growing at the rate of one million, onehundred thousand a year! This means that the non-Christian population of Japan has increased by fivemillion in the past five years. Put this well up onyour prayer list.KOREA. Here are nine million people mostlyrefugees, homeless and almost foodless.INDIA. Millions sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.gees.MIDDLE EAST. Here are a million Arab refuEUROPE. She has eleven million "displaced perWhat heartache for them!CHINA. A third of a million escapees are fromcommunist China living in huts in HongKong.To add to your burden and mine, there are fifteen million Jews ; three-hundred fifteen million Mohammedans ; one hundred seventy million Buddhists ;three hundred fiftymillion Confucianists and Taoists;two-hundred fifty-five million Hindus; ninetymillion Shintoists ; and millions of others for whomChrist died and who are mainly unreached with theblessed Gospel.Even church-conscious America has twentysevenmillion youth under twenty-one years of agewho receive no Christian training, and ten-thousandvillages that do not have a church building. Almosta million persons in the world die each week without Christ. IS THIS NOTHING TO YOU?104* * * *Gusty, Grandiloquent EvangelistsThe repeated prayer that the sinner might havea vision of hell may be entirely wrong. He needs avision of Calvary with a suffering Saviour pleadingwith him to repent, for after Calvary, why should hedie? William Booth of the Salvation Army is quotedas saying that if he could do it, he would have finalized the training of his soldiers with twenty-fourhours hanging over hell, to see its eternal torment.Fundamentalism needs this awe-striking visionagain! The gusty,grandiloquent evangelist needs itmost.Charlie Peace was a criminal. Laws of God orman curbed him not. Finally the law caught up withhim, and he was condemned to death. On the fatalmorning in Armley Jail, Leeds, England, he wastaken on the death walk. Before him went the prisonsome Biblechaplain routinely and sleepily readingverses.The criminal touched the preacher and asked whatreligion,"he was reading. "The consolations of wasthe reply. Charlie Peace was shocked at the way heprofessionally read about hell. Could a man be so unmoved in the very shadow of the scaffold, as to leada fellow human there and yet, dry eyed,read of apit that has no bottom, into which the fellow mustfall ? Could he believe the words that there is aneternal fire that never consumes its victims, and yetthis preacher slid over the phrase without a tremor?Is a man human at all who can sayeternally dying, and yet never know the relief thatdeath brings ? It was too much for Charlie Peace, sohe preached. Listen to his eve-of-hell sermon."Sir,"addressing the preacher, "if I believedwhat you and the church of God SAY that you believe, even if England were covered with brokenglass from coast to coast, I would walk oyer it ifyou will beneeds be on hands and knees, and think it worthwhile living, if I could but save one soul from aneternal hell like that !"Friend, men go to hell fire because the churchhas lost Holy Ghost fire !We need a vision of a Holy God !to be continuedII. HOW TO MEET DISCOURAGEMENT(Continued from page 101)That brings us to another suggestion. We shouldlearn the lessons that God is teaching through thesediscouragements. I remember Dr. Kallenback, theblind evangelist, standing on the platform of theTremont Temple in Boston and declaring to a filledhouse, "Thank God, I'm blind. Thank God, I'm blind."Perhaps he is not the only man that can say that.Paul Hutchins, whose life has been handicapped, youmight say, for so many years because of tuberculosis, and yet who through the ministry of the printed page is reaching thousands more people now thanhe could have reached from the platform as an evangelist. The last chapter in one of his books is entitled,"Tuberculosis Can Do You Good." He was passingon the lessons he has learned from his hard experiences. This brings us to another observation, andthat is the importance of sharing these experienceswith others that they, too, might learn the lessonsand perhaps not have the trials and the grief thatwe have had.During our first year in the Seminary HowardElliott and I had the privilege of being not onlyclassmates but roommates of Garrett Blair. DuringCOVENANTER WITNESS

the last part of that year Garrett was confined tohis bed. His father frequently came to visit him. Andsometime later his older brother Neal also with aserious ailment, would come to Pittsburgh for treatments and would stop at the Seminary to rest. Sometimes we would try to comfort them as we thoughtwe should. Maybe we did not know how, but we triedto comfort and encourage that dear father of thesetwo sick men. But, you know, every time we had toadmit afterwards that Dr. Blair did us far more goodthan Ave could do him. Sharing these hard experiences constitutes a real blessing in the lives of others.God hath not promised skies always blue,Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through ;God hath not promised sun without rain,Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.God hath not promised we shall not knowToil and temptation, trouble and woe;He hath not told us we shall not bearMany a burden, many a care.God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,Swift, easy travel, needing no guide ;Never a mountain, rocky and steep,Never a river turbid and deep.But God hath promised strength for the day,Rest for the labor, light for the way,Grace for the trials, help from above,Unfailing sympathy, undying love.Annie Johnson FlintREPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SIGNSOF THE TIMESIt may be fairly easy to forecast the weatherwhen the morning sky is red and lowering, or whenit is gray. The difficulty comes when it is neither.It would be easy to foretell the future if thiswere a Christian world wherein dwelleth righteousness, or if God were not in the thoughts of any.But the indications do not all point in the samedirection. That makes it difficult to predict, thefuture. The committee does not attempt this.There are many causes for hope and encouragement.The church in America is free. It holds a position of influence. It does help to restrain much evil.It can be said of millions of Americans as it was saidof Jesus, "As His custom was, He went into thesynagogue on the Sabbath Day." Many congregationsare compelled to hold two morning services becausetheir auditoriums will not accommodate all theirmembers who desire to worship the Lord.There are many who are leaving the so-calledliberal churches and putting their membership indenominations Avho accept the Bible as God's inspired word. Several ministers have made inquiryconcerning membership in our denomination, andone did come into membership this past year. Othershave left the denominations in which they wereraised and trained to enter the membership and minof more conservative denominations. There isistrymuch heresy taught in American theological seminaries and proclaimed from Protestant pulpits, yetthere are still thousands of ministers preaching theGospel forcefully andsemiunashamedly.OrthodoxAugust 17, 1955naries and Bible schools are growing both in numberand in the size of their student bodies. There is anencouraging evangelical movement on the campusesof colleges and universities.In our own denomination there are many whoregularly travel long distances because they believein the truths taught in the Bible and accepted bythe church. Ministers and members are loyal to thestandards of the church in spite of many temptations to leave it. This last year the Brief Covenantwas signed in our congregations after being signedat Grinnell. This put in writing the truths whichwe hold and the great majority of our people expressed their acceptance of these truths by puttingdown their names to the covenant.We rejoice that our President and others in highplaces have declared that all our progress and prosperity have a spiritual foundation, and that we mustseek and have God's blessing if we are to remain astrong nation. Many of the meetings of the President's Cabinet begin with prayer. J. Edgar Hoover,head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, callsfor a revival of interest in spiritual things as ourgreatest need.There are some indications that this is bearingfruit in righteousness. There has not been onelynching in the United States for over three and onehalfyears. Our Supreme Court has declared thatrace segregation must end in our public schools. TheCongress of the United States has amended thepledge to the flag by adding the words "under God."This acknowledges our indebtedness to Him for allHe has done for us and that we are subject to hisauthority.The divorce rate has been declining for severalyears. This decline is not rapid, but the fact thatthere is a decline is cause for hope. After years ofconstant increase, the sale and use of cigarettesdeclined in both 1953 and 1954, the first decrease insales since the decline in 1932 over the sales of 1931.The Christian Amendment Movement seemsto be gaining ground. The truth concerning thenation's relationship to Christ is being broadcast onfree time over stations in many states.These and other reasons give hope for the coming of a better day. But the greatest reason of allis in the promises of God. We have His certainpromise that the kingdoms of this world are to become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.That promise will be kept. We may not see muchprogress in one year, but Christ came to destroy theworks of the devil, and conditions are certainlymuch better than when He came in the flesh. Rightwill triumph in this world because God has promisedit and His promises are sure.To our regret there are other signs which indicate disaster. Crime is constantly increasing andthis increase is largely among the young. This reflects a perverted sense of values and a growing disrespect for authority. In spite of the fact that churchmembership is increasing at a rate faster than thegrowth of our population, this growth in the numberof professed Christians does not always show itselfin reverence for God or obedience to His holy laws.While we rejoice in all that our President hassaid about the need for a right spiritual emphasis,we lament his personal misuse of the Sabbath. Thereare millions of professed Christians all over Americawho seem to forget that the first day of the week is105

world."the "Lord's Day" and use it as if it were "man'sday."This sin of Sabbath breaking led to the punishment of the chosen people, and though hand join inhand, it cannot continue forever unpunished inAmerica.We lament the increasing pride of man. This isseen in the refusal of many to accept the Bible asGod's revealed truth, their failure to seek the wisdom that cometh from above, and in their refusalto confess that they cannot earn salvation but mustaccept it from Christ.We lament the increasing strength of the empireof secretism. This secret empire is strong in manyof the churches and is leading many professed Christians to compromise their faith.In our own denomination, we lament a weakening of the spiritual fibre of some, a growing acceptance of Sabbath desecration by many, a failureto distinguish between falsehood and truth, a failure to teach the whole truth of God in season andout of season, and a failure to submit to wholesomediscipline in the church. We lament that some ofour officers and membership do not live up to theirprofession. If we are to live and testify to the world,there must be real unity that will give strength toour testimony. This nation needs the truth we haveif she is to survive and our world needs it to avoiddestruction. Some seventy-five years ago HenryAdams wrote that, "Man has mounted science and isnow run away with. I firmly believe that beforemany centuries more, science will be the master ofman. The engines he will have invented will be beyond his strength to control. Some day sciencemay have the existence of mankind in its power, andthe human race commit suicide by blowing up theThis time has now come, not in centuries,but in less than one. The weapons to destroy ourworld are already forged. Only truth and spiritualstrength can prevent their use. No group teachesthis simple truth more completely than the Reformed Presbyterian Church. We lament that someof our membership seem to feel that this is relativelyunimportant.There is a great deal of talk about spiritualvalues, yet in our national planning we put our hopeof survival largely in bombs and planes. We do nottrust God as the ancient Jew did when he sang,In chariots some put confidence,And some on horses do rely,But we remember for defence,The name of God, the Lord Most High.The outlook is uncertain. There are signs ofa better day. There are other indications that darkness is settling down, and that the destruction of ourpresent civilization is near.There are two things we must do. We must beloyal to the truth. Ten righteous people would havesaved Sodom, and the presence of just people hasalways brought strength to any nation. We must beamong this faithful group, that will be the strengthof the nation. We must also continue to sound outthe truth to others.We recommend:1. That all members of the church be encouragedto walk worthy of the Lord and to proclaim thetruth once delivered to the saints concerning individual and national life.2. That the appointed days for Thanksgiving in106Book ReviewBorden of Yale by Mrs. Howard TaylorThis is a paper reprint of an old favorite. It isthe story of a wealthy American young man who wasa loyal Christian, whose whole life was dedicated tothe Lord. He faced the temptations of the world asall do, but he established habits of Bible study,prayer and worship that enabled him to be morethan a conquerer. All through his years of collegetraining he witnessed for the Lord and tried to helpothers know Him. In Egypt he took ill and died atthe age of 25. Yet short as his life was, he did morethan many have done in a much longer period. Hefreely gave his wealth to the Lord, as the RichYoung Ruler would not do, because he first gave hisheart to the Lord. This is a helpful book. The wayof life this young man lived will encourage anyChristian reader to be more faithful in all his habits.Biographies like this are a real blessing to the Christian world.It is published by Moody Press and sells for 69cents. R. C. F.Hudson Taylor's Spiritual SecretDr. and Mrs. Howard TaylorHudson Taylor was the founder of the ChineseInland Mission, one of the greatest missionary projects of all time. Hudson Taylor was a doctor whenhe heard the call to go to China as a missionary. Hegave up prospects for success in medicine and wentto China because he put the Lord first in life. Inspite of trials and hardships and dangers he laidthe foundations for the work of this missionary enterprise. Before the Communists stopped Christianwork in China, this Inland Mission was one of thelargest, if not the largest Protestant group workingin China. This book is a biography of Mr. Taylor anda story of the beginning of the work.Anyone interested in Christian character andChristian missions will find this book both helpfuland interesting. It is a paper backed reprint and sellsfor 69 cents. R. C. F.Three other new books in this Moody ColportageLibrary are Bible study books.One is a study in Esther by Carl Armerding.This is not a long treatise dealing with the problemsof the book, but a devotional booklet dealing with thespiritual and moral values of the book and their application to modern life. This man is no unbeliever,as some authors of Books about the Bible seem tobe, but a firm believer in the Bible as the word ofGod, and his belief is that it has value for today. It isa good short treatise on the book of Esther.Two of these are books of studies on the Psalmsby Walter C. Wright. These are studies on individualPsalms and groups of Psalms. The author has a premillennial view of the Bible and some of the Psalmsare interpreted as millennial Psalms. I disagree withhim on that interpretation of the Bible. Yet thereare many fine things said in these booklets about thePsalms and their meaning. They are well worth theprice of 35c asked for them. R. C. F.the United States and Canada be faithfully observed,and that the appropriate day in the week of prayerbe observed as a day of humiliation and prayer.COVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of September 4, 1955O. Y. P. U. TOPICFor September 4, 1955"Lessons from the campfires"Scripture: Phil. 4:4-8As the topic suggests, this is a meeting which will need to be informal. Refer to the C.Y.P.U. Yearbook, whichsuggests making a "campfire" with theuse of a few sticks and a lighted redbulb, or a light bulb with red cellophaneover it. This will help to produce theatmosphere.Use the psalms that were used incamp, let each repeat memory versesthat come to mind from the experiences of camp.Let each share with the others someof the real experiences of camp. Someone may wish to tell of the most impressive campfire of the week, and why.The Scripture suggests blessing thatmayhave been received in those experiences. V. 4was there cause for rejoicing in The Lord? V.5 Is it easierto show moderation (forbearance, gentleness) to all, than it was in the past?V.6 Has your faith in God through theresults of answered prayer, been increased? V.7Do you realize the peaceof God who is able to guard your heartsand thoughts? Does V.8seem to bemore important to me now than beforeCamp?Pray for each other, for the newfriends of camp, that these experiencesin Christ may live on in the lives of allconcerned, to the honor of Christ andHis Crown and Covenant.JUNIOR TOPICSeptember 4, 1955THE SCARLET THREAD IN THEHOUSE ON THE WALLElizabeth Henderson, Newburgh, N. IT.Psalms:Scripture Text: Joshua 2Memory Psalm for September: Psalm147:1-3, page 354Psalm 18:24, 27, page 33Psalm 34:6-9, page 82Psalm 34:1-5, page 81Memory verse: Hebrews 2:4; "God alsobare witness with them, both by signsand wonders and by manifold powersand by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will."In the Bible we find that a number oftimes God has given signs to assure thepeople of His presence and protection.These signs were always accompaniedby a promise and the people had a partAugust 17, 1955in the promise too. They must keeptheir part or they could not expect Godto keep His.After the flood God gave Noah thesign of the rainbow in the sky and madea covenant with him that He would never again destroy the earth by flood.When the children of Israel wereslaves in Egypt many plagues or trialscame to the Egyptians because theywere mistreating the children of Israel.One of these plagues was that the oldestchild in each Egyptian home should die.In order that the children of the Israelite homes would not die, blood was tobe placed on the doorposts. This wasthe sign that the angel of death was topass over that house.In this week's lesson we have the signof the scarlet (red) cord in Rahab'swindow.On their journey to the land of Canaan the children of Israel had had toconquer manyenemies and overthrowmany cities with God's help. As long asthey obeyed God's directions everythingwas all right. Now they were coming tothe cityof Jericho and God had toldJoshua their leader just how they musttake the city and that theystroy everything in the city.must deJoshua sent two men ahead to Jerichoas spies to view the cityand find outthe best way of attacking it. These menwent to the home of Rahab who wascalled a harlot. This means a womanwho had not lived a very good life upto this time. The Bible does not approve her life before this but gives hercredit for later improving her life.Rahab had heard much about thechildren of Israel and how God had beenwith them and led them and protectedthem. She told the spies that the people of Jericho knew about them andwere afraid because of all the citiesthey had destroyed.Men of Jericho had seen the spiesgoinginto Rahab's home and went toget them but Rahab had hidden themunder a heap of flax on the roof. Shetold the men that spies had been therebut they had left and she did not knowwhere they had gone.After the men of Jericho had left,Rahab went up to the spies on the roofand told them what had happened. Shesaid she knew God had given the children of Israel the city and begged themto deal kindly with her and her familywhen they came to take the city, because she had been kind to them.Then she let them down over the sidethemof the wall by a scarlet thread and toldto flee to the mountains and hidefor three days before going back to theirleader. They did this but first theymade Rahab promise that she wouldgather all of her family into her homeand that theywould stay right thereuntil after the city was taken. If anyone left the house the spies would notbe responsible for that person. Rahabwas to place the scarlet thread in herwindow as a sign that that house andthe people in it were not to be destroyed. Rahab was not to tell any oneabout the plan for if she did the agreement would be void and the men ofIsrael would not keep their promise.The men of Israel went back toJoshua and told him all that had happened and that they believed that Godhad truly delivered the city and itspeople into their hand.When the city was taken both Rahaband the spies kept their promise andRahab was later married to an Israelite.She became an ancestor of Jesus and ismentioned as a heroine of faith in Hebrews Chapter 11.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONSeptember 4, 1955(Lessons baaed on international Sunday SchoolLessons; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the Inter.national Council of Religions Education.)Rev. W. J. McBurney.WORSHIP REVTVED IN JERUSALEMEzra 3-6; Haggai; Zech. 1:1-6; 4:10PRINTED TEXT: Ezra 3:1, 3, 6b, 7, 10,11; Haggai 1:7-9, 14; Zech. 4:6-8MEMORY VERSE :"Not by might, norby power, but by my Spirit,Lord of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6saith theDuring their stay in Babylon, theJews had been completely cured of theirprevailing sin of idolatry. To this day,they have not worshiped images. Theremust have been many of them, who likeDaniel, worshiped the Lord during theirstay in Babylon. Under the decree ofCyrus, they were allowed to choosewhether they would return to Jerusalem, or stay in Babylon. They hadbeen permitted to build homes and gainpossessions in Babylon; some at least,were in comfortable circumstances financially, as is evident from the goodsand chattels they carried back to Jerusalem. It was so different from the waythey went out from Egypt. A few ofthem remembered the land from whichthey had come, and the younger generations had been taught to love the Landof Promise. Theycame back with a107

study."pass"about."sinner."about."plea."clothezeal to rebuild their nation, not as ithad been, but as it ought to be.Unity of Purpose and Action.In the seventh month was the Day ofAtonement, followed by the Feast ofTabernacles. This was in some pointslike our Camps and Conventions. Allwho could leave their homes were expected to attend. Of course, they hadplenty to eat, but their feast was ofGood Things for the mind and spirit.These were more important than thebody.They were afraid, and not withoutcause, of the people around them. Theyfelt the need of protection. What didthey do? They set up their altar. "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust alsoin Him; and He shall bring it to(Ps. 37:5).Even in the days of their idolatry,before they were carried away captive,they knew that the institutions given byMoses were for their good. Now, havingexperienced the evil results of neglecting them, theywere drawn togetheraround the altar, that united them notonly to God, but to one another.The Altar as an "Ancient Landmark."A neighbor pastor came to me witha plan to have all the churches in thevillage unite in an effort to have theFamily Altar established in every home.He was amazed when I told him thatI knew definitely that Family Worshipmorning and evening was the regularorder in every home in our congregation. That was a half century ago. Inhow many congregations could that besaid now?One evening in my first college year,my brother said, "prayer meeting time."I said, "I havn't time tonight. I have toHe said, "If you start that, youwill never have time." There waslarge group of the students that attended midweek prayer meeting regularly.Then there was always a large roomfull atStudents'aPrayer meeting onSabbath afternoon. What are our landmarks ?A College Student went to a farm towork in his summer vacation. The farmer took him to a field that was to beplowed, told him that to lay out thefirst land he could run his furrow acrossthe field toward that brindle cow thathe could see at the far side. When thefarmer went out to call the lad to dinner, he found that the lad had beenvery busy, had run his furrow all overthe field, always going toward the brindle cow. Fashion is like the brindle cow.The Foundation of the Temple.The Temple, among other things, wasa symbol of worship. The visible part of108the Temple was supported by a foundation that was not visible. The guardat the Washington Monument told usthat there was as much stone under theground, as above it. The foundation ofthe Temple, unseen by the eye, was onthe rock. The outward form of ourworship that is seen by men should bebeautiful. To be of value to ourselvesor others, it must be founded deep inthe love of Christ. When love waxescold, the Temple will lose its beauty.The Temple Worship as a Trainingin Unity"And they sang together." At a Revival meeting one evening, the preacherasked everyone to think of a favoritehymn. Then to get it well in mind, andbe ready at the signal to sing it. At thesignal they began, but to continue wasimpossible, and the attempt broke upin a big laugh. When our worship isbuilt on the Foundation, there is somuch joy in worshiping together, withthe spirit and the understanding, thatthere is no need to introduce thingsridiculous to make it interesting, evento the children.Those liberated slaves in their joyin laying the foundation of the Temple,sang the 136th Psalm. They sang it incourse, antiphonally. How beautifullythe Psalm was suited to the occasionand to the responsive singing! Davidhad laid a foundation for Temple musicthat no other nation had equaled. Theirrendering of the Songs of Zion wasknown even as far away as Babylon.They had kept up the art of song, forthey had 200 trained singers who returned to Jerusalem with them. Not bythe Rivers of Babylon; but is it anywonder that their Songs of Zion aredescribed as a Shout of joy, as they laidthe foundation of the Temple in Jerusalem?Every Work Built on Christ Will BeFinished.God promised Zerubbabel that hewould begin and finish the rebuildingof the Temple. Isaiah was murdered inhis youth. Was Isaiah's work finished?I see a tree. It is said to be 15 years old.It may live to be 100. Yet today, it iscomplete, perfect, beautiful. And so isthe life of everychild of God. It is apart of His plan, His plan is never leftunfinished.Ezra 3:1 "The people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem."The Spirit of praise in the fellowshipof a congregation is like the sail of aship; if the sail is split, the ship makeslittle progress.Psalms:PRAYER MEETING TOPICSeptember 7, 1955HUMILITY. James 4:6-12.15 page 26138:1, 4, 5, 6,22:11,13, 14,131 : page 327M. K. Carson, D.D.page 338page 51References: Deut. 8:2-3; II Chron. 7:14;Isa. 2:9; Proverbs 15:33; 22:4; Acts 20:19; Matt. 18:4; Micah 6:8; Philippians2:8; Col. 3:12; Luke 18:14.Winston Churchill complimented a political opponent by calling him a veryhumble man, but quickly added, "And hehas a lot to be humbleThere isa great difference between the abilitiesand powers of men and some of us dohave "a lot to be humbleIn thesight of God all of us have a "lot to behumbleabout."We are not only creatures, but sinful creatures. "God bemerciful to me aAnd Davidprayed, "God be merciful to me.On Thy grace I rest my Mary,the mother of our Lord said, "Hehath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts .. . and exaltedthem of low degree." Luke 1:51-52.The Greek word for "Humility" signified at one time "meanness of spirit."But the Gospel has lifted this despisedword,"humility," until now it is calledthe "treasure-house in which all othergraces are contained."Are the othergraces possible apart from humility?But even today,"humility"in good standing, especiallyGospel isis not alwayswhere thenot preached and believed.There is no time, perhaps, when thenatural man, apart from the Gospel ofthe grace of God, is willing to confesshis inferiority and unworthiness and beclothed with humility. Even Christianpeople often despise this grace of humility as belittling to them (John 13:1-17).But surely it is one of the greatestcharacteristics of the Christian and perhaps one of the first evidences of theChristian life. The evidence of humilityis a proof of a living faith. Is there anyway by which we become a child of Godapart from humility? Is there any hopeof a manbecoming a Christian so longas he is proud and in his own estimation,sufficient in himself? "Blessed are thepoor in spirit for their's is the Kingdomof heaven." Matt. 5:3. Dr. Alfred Plummersays, "The Greek verb 'be(I Peter 4:5) is a rare and curious one.It means properly, "tie yourselves up inhumility."Humility is to be gatheredtight around us like a cloak, and tied upso that the wind may not blow it back,nor the rain beat inside it. But there isa still further and more delicate shade ofmeaning in the word. There was aCOVENANTER WITNESS

. . Draw. Resist.me."sinned"sin."peculiar kind of cape, well known by aname taken from this verb (we mightcall it a 'tie up'), and this kind of capewas a badge of sevitude. This Peter bidswas a badge of servitude. Thus bidsthem all gird themselves for one anotherin a slave's 'tie-up' of humility. None areto be masters in the Church of Christ."Humility and Grace."God resisteth the proud, but givethgrace unto the humble." James is quoting Proverbs 3:34. God must resist theproud because the proud resist God. Theyacknowledge God in no way. They haveno need of His Grace. In their ignorancethe proud claim to be sufficient in themselves. If Abraham had been justifiedby works he would have had whereof toglory, but not before God. Romans 4:2.But Abraham was not justified by worksbut by faith, so did not glory in hisworks, but in God. But men, believingthat they have no need of God, creditthemselves with their own achievementsand are proud in their own attainments.But their glory is their shame. The manwho fancies that he is conspicuous beyond all others, that he outshines them,as the word suggests, is proud. And Godresisteth the proud. What a hopelesssituation!On the other hand, the humble manfeels his absolute dependence upon Godfor everything. We are lost and helplesssinners, guilty and condemned. We do notmerit even the least of God's mercies.We cannot save ourselves or provide forour own needs. But God giveth graceunto the humble grace, aboundinggrace, Sovereign grace! What blessedgrace! Oh that God would make ushumble that we might have His gracegrace for every need! Hebrews 4:16; IICor. 9:8; Romans 5:20.Humility and Victory."Submit yourselves to God. .devil .nigh to God .theWhat a formidable foe the proudhave! God resisteth the proud.Who can overcome God's resistance?Who could even hope for victoryunder such conditions? But in submission to God there is victory. How dowe draw near to God? It must be inhumility. Jesus said, "I am meek andlowly in heart." Matt. 11:28-30 If lowliness of heart rests upon a sense of unworthiness, how could our sinless Lordbe lowly in heart? "For the sinner,humility involves the confession of sin,inasmuch as it involves the confessionof his true condition; while yet for theunfallencreature the grace itself astruly exists, involving for such the acknowledgment not of sinfulness, whichwould be untrue, but of creatureliness,of absolute dependence, of having nothing, but receiving all things of God.August 17, 1955"And thus the grace of humility belongsto the highest angel before the throne,being as he is a creature, yea, even tothe Lord of Glory Himself. In Hishuman nature He must be the patternof all humility, of all creaturely dependence; and it is only as a man thatChrist thus claims to be "lowly inheart."livinglove. .His human life was a constanton the fulness of his Father'sTrench. Jesus lived the life ofconstant victory. He was able to resistthe devil. I Peter 5:8-9; Matthew 4:4,7,10; How may we draw near to God inVictory? I Peter 5:5-6. I John 5:4.Humilityand Repentance."Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep."Is this "laughter and joy." the frivolouskind? Eccl. 7:6; James 5:5. What isrepentance unto life? Is there any placefor pride in the heart of the truly repentant? So there can be no place for pride,for all need repentance. All men stumblein learning to walk, and even afterlearning, have stumbled and limpedmore than once. The same is true inlearning to walk spiritually. Abrahamturned aside into Egypt. Sarah laughedat the seeming impossibility of the fulfillment of the Divine promises. Mosessmote the rock twice. Good KingHezekiah suffered "pride of heart." IIChron. 32:25-26. Peter wept bitterlyafter his denial."And none, O Lord, have perfect restFor none are wholly free fromDavid confessed, "I acknowledge mytransgressions; and my sin is ever beforeTrue humility leads to repentance, butfoolish pride robs us of this blessing. Isit hard to say, "I haveor "I amwrong?"Proverbs 28:13. Is there anything more abhorrent to God thanhuman pride? Luke 14:7-11. Can there betrue repentance apart from humility?How very necessary repentance is!Humility"Speak not evil one ofand Censoriousness.another."Matt.7:1. Is censoriousness a manifestationof pride? Is such "speaking" an evidenceof love or fulfillingof the law? James2:8-9. "Is it true that what Peter saysof Paul tells more about Peter than itdoes about Paul?" "Who is man to dareto unsurp the office and prerogative ofthe Supreme Judge by judging his neighbor? True humility enjoins a deliberaterefusal to enter into a spirit of judgmentupon others, and an attitude of strictobedience to the law."Prayer: For the grace of humility; forthe missionaries who returning to thefields this fall and for the workers onthe field; for our teachers and youngpeople who are entering school and forthe Christian Amendment Movement.W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor,Prayer Hour. 1:00 P.M. MondayBRIEF REPORT OF THANK OFFERING SUPERINTENDENT 1954-1955Ten Presbyterials reported a total of$11,237.33 Thank Offering and $3,000.36Self Denial gifts. This report came from36 societies. There were 83 specialThank Offering meetings and 14 SelfDenial Meetings.There should be a space on the localreport blanks for life memberships ifthis record is to be kept by the ThankOfferingsuperintendent. No life memberships nor memorial membershipswere reported since there was no placefor this.Guest speakers at Thank Offeringmeetings include: Miss Orlene Lynn,Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson, Dr.Wilbur Weir, Miss Blanche McCrea,Pastor Awad, Miss Rose Munnell, MissElla Margaret Stewart, Miss EuniceMcClurkin, Miss Eleanor Faris, MissEilzabeth McElroy, and some missionaries from other denominations. Oftenthe juniors had a part in the meeting.Some plays were given also.Since many of the plays turned overto me contained information no longervalid, and some were nearly all gone, aneffort was made to secure new plays.Miss Esther Latimer, in charge of publication for Synodical, assisted me insearch of new plays. The play given atSynodical 1954 is now out of print. Wereceived one from the Women's department of the Christian Herald, 'The Missionary Barrel.' It was given at theKansas Presbyterial, with slight alterations. It is easy to present and has agood message. One play is good forjuniors. It isabout David Livingstonand mentions his boyhood Covenanterhome. Other plays required much workor needed more male characters thanavailable in W.M.S. If any one has anygood plays I would be happy to havethem. Mrs. McKelvy's book "Taught ofthe Lord" has a good suggestion for aThank Offeringservice for children.Petty cash for Thank Offering superintendent :Balance on hand March 31, 1954 $3.15Expense for plays 1.60Postage .29Balance on hand March 31, 1955 $1.26Respectfully submitted,Grace Caskey109

Church NewsCRADLE ROLLBorn to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Kobleof Warnick, Rhode Island, a daughter inKent County Memorial Hospital, June26. Her name is Victoria Anne. Mrs.Koble is the former Theodora ValeDownie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.Vale Downie, Beaver Falls, and Mr.Koble is the son of Mr. and Mrs. FrankKoble, Eastvale, Beaver Falls.RUTH READE INJUREDWord was received by the Rev. andMrs. F. F. Reade of Almonte, Ontario,that their daughter, Miss Ruth, of theAmerican Academy for Girls in Nicosia,Cyprus, met with an accident July 27th.Miss Ruth and one of the other members had just left the boarding house forprayer meeting, had gone hardly fifteen yards, when a motorcycle knockedMiss Reade down. Her left leg was lacerated and she was cut over her righteyebrow, which required stitches. Hernose was dislocated, but no bones broken. She was hospitalized for a few days.How thankful we can be that she wasnot more seriouslyinjured since herglasses were smashed and she mighthave received much worse injuries. TheLord surely watches over His own.CAMBRIDGE NEWSThe Daily Vacation Bible School wasagain the center of activities during thefirst part of July. Fiftychildren wereenrolled and there was an average attendance of thirty-four. When the closing exercises finallyhad an attendance of over seventy, incame around wecluding pupils. The teachers who gaveso generously of their time were Mrs.William Ramsey, Mrs. Ernest McKeownand Mrs. Don Robb. And then the willing helpers who made work so muchlighter were Ruth McKeown, Mrs. Watson Stewart, Ruth Dean and KennethWooldridge.The ten days were well spent inteaching and working in God's Word.Along the line of Sabbath School activities there is also Children's Day.This was held during the S.S. hour andmanyof the students took part. Theyounger ones sang and said their verseswhile the older ones told stories andone groupeven put on a temperanceplay which is to be repeated at WhiteLake Camp. After the program all ofthose present received a lovely flower totake home with them.110Mr. Norman Given of Swampscottspent a few weeks in the Lynn hospitalbut we are happy to report that he hasrecovered and is able to be back at hiswork. We thank the Great Physicianfor every mercy and kindness.Mrs. Fred Millican was also on thesick list for a time and underwent surgery at the Arlington hospital. However,her recovery was truly blessed and shehas taken her place again in her homeand church with her usual bright spiritand help.Dave Smith, who has been living inthe Beaver Falls area for several years,was finally tapped on the shoulder byUncle Sam. So Dave was home here inBoston for a few days, and then earlyone Friday morning he joined a groupof young men in Arlington and awaythey went under the tender care of theU. S. Army. We wish him the best andpray the Lord's presence and care willbe with him in all of his actions.Mrs. Remo Robb, our pastor's mother,has been with us for three weeks. Wehave been glad to have her with us andto get to know her better.Dr. Roy Adams and his family, of Geneva College, stopped for a day whilethey were seeing some of the New England states. We were most happy tomeet them also and to have them worship with us.Norman Hutcheson,who is a guest ofthe Army, came and worshiped with usseveral weeks ago, then he disappeared.But the mystery has been cleared up,he was given a fast transfer to Governor's Island, New York. We're sorry hewon't be with us but hope he can servethe Lord well where he is. His presentaddress is:PFC Norman HutchesonUS 554627961201 S. U. Ceremonial Det.Fort Jay, Governor's Island 4,York.NEWBURGH, NEW YORKNewOur Communion Sabbath was April24. At this season we enjoyed the fellowship of Dr. Paul McCracken and hisinspiring messages on Friday, April 22and on the Sabbath Day. We also welcomed into full membership at thistime the following: Mrs. Sarah McVey,Bobby Meneely, Joanie Meneely, LindaRussell and Miss Alice N. Millen.Among recent visitors to our services since our last news were WalterPrice of Albany, his father of Walton,N. Y., Emerson Lynn and family fromNew Jersey, Robert Crawford of Philadelphia, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Farisand son David of Cambridge, Mass., Audryand Muriel Hiscock of Newfoundland, and Dawn Wray of Montreal, Quebec.Miss Elisabeth Henderson, Presidentof our W.M.S., attended the New YorkPresbyterial on May 3 and 4 in Cambridge, Mass., and at ourfollowing Missionary meeting gave a very interestingreport.On Friday evening, June 3, a PsalmSing was held at the Newburgh church.Friends from the New York, WhiteLake, Coldenham and Montclair congregations joined with us in this Christianfellowship. A fine program had been arranged by our pastor, after which asocial time was held.On Synod Sabbath, June 12, ElderJohn White was in charge of a morningprayer meeting. Sabbath, June 19, ourpastor was still away, so our delegate toSynod, Elder S. M. Robinson, gave avery fine report of Synod.On Sabbath, June 26, a Youth DayProgram was held at the morning service with members of the Sabbath Schooltaking charge and the children gavesome memory work and sangsome ofthe Psalms learned. At this same service, Jack White, who attended GenevaCollege the past year, gave an excellentmesage to us about the college and whathis attendance there, has meant to himthe past year.Our AnnualSabbath School Picnicwas held at Algonquin Park on June29. A family style supper was plannedby the committee headed by Miss Elisabeth Henderson. About 57 members andfriends attended.Several of our members were privileged to attend part time or all of theservices at the White Lake Bible Conference on July 25 to 30.WALTON, NEW YORKJune graduates from Walton schoolswere: Gladys Boyle, Timmy Hill andDan Russell from Kindergarten; Marilyn Russell, Eleanor Eells, Loretta Laytonand Earl Rutherford from EighthGrade.Scott Boyle,John Russell, Wendelland Wayne Spear attended the Leadership Training School at the SeminaryJune 14-21. John Russell was assignedto Wilkinsburg andOakdale, 111. forwork in D.V.B.S. Wayne Spear went toSan Diego and Sterling. Scott and Wendell returned to Walton June 22.On June 22 the congregation held aFamily Night program in honor of theBoyle family and they gave them apurse in appreciation of their servicesin the congregation during their fur-COVENANTER WITNESS

lough year. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boylehave been substitute teachers in theS. S. The Boyles left Walton on June 28to begin their journeyto Japan.Summer visitors in Walton and atchurch have been : Rev. and Mrs. JosephCaskey and daughter, Alice; Mrs. D.Bruce Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Don Martin of Endicott; Mr.and Mrs. WardHaslett and daughter of Binghamton;Mrs. Lillian (Henderson) Ginsberg ofNew York, Miss Ruth Henderson; Mr.and Mrs. Robert Dodds and Mrs. Dodds'mother from New Rochelle and MissLola Weir of New York.Miss Sara Appelman spent some timevisiting her brother at Silver Springs,Maryland, then he and his wife accompanied her home. Another brother andhis wife have also visited and have beenwelcome visitors at church.Mrs. John Gilchrist and daughter,Blanche, left early in July for Rensselaer, N. Y. where they are visiting.Blanche is taking some courses at Albany State Teachers' College.Mr. Calvin Russell is now makinghis home with his sister, Mrs. OrlenaRobb, after a long stay at Homer Folkshospital in Oneonta. He is able to beat church.Our congregation had charge of Outdoor Services in Bassett Park on July10. Our pastor preached on Peter'swords in Acts 3:19-21. He was assistedat the service by the student ministerserving the United Presbyterian churchat Mundale.The Blue Banner Society, a Juniororganization, was organized in May.Officers elected were : President, RobertEells; Vice President, Hartley Russell;Secretary, Terry Puffer and Treasurer,John Gilchrist. They meet on Sabbathevening at 7.Mr. Timothy Sanderson passed awayon June 3 after an extended period ofweakness. He was ordained an elder inWalton congregation in 1909.Mrs. W. R. Russell passed away June23 following a serious operation.Mr. and Mrs. Howard Gilchrist andboys, also Miss Letha Conway, visitedDr. and Mrs. Frank Lathom in BeaverFalls, Pa., for one week-end in July.THntD CHURCH OF THE COVENANTERS IN PHILADELPHIAThe Women's Missionary Society ofthe Third Church met on July 6.freshments includedRea large birthdavcake in honor of Mrs. Robert J. Crawford Sr.who celebrated the anniversary of her natal day on July 8.Two other members of the Crawfordfamily had birthdays in Jul yRobert J. Craword Sr. on the18th, and Robert Crawford Everett,grandson of the Senior Crawfords, onJuly 9. This year-old son of Margaretand the late Herman Everett has an enviable record of almost perfect attendance at church services since he was amonth old. He even attended worshipservices in Ocean City, N. J., with hismother; Aunt Dolly Everett; Aunt Isabel Crawford; and sister Mary Louwhen they vacationed there during July.Another member faithful in churchattendance, also a teacher in SabbathSchool, observed a birthday on July 14.She is Mrs. T. H. Gill, who makes herhome with the Finley M. Wilson's. Wepraise and thank our Heavenly Fatherfor the recovery of Mrs. F. M. Wilson,who once again is able to attend worship services regularly. July 17 foundthe Wilsons happily remembering theirmarriage of 55 years ago.The Sacrament of Baptism was administered on July 3 to the infantdaughter of Robert and Clara McClaywho are now residents of Levittown, Pa.Gerilyn Lorraine, Bobby Allen andStephen are the grand-children of Elderand Mrs. Wm. John McClay and Mrs.Edward Miller of our congregation.Joanne Benales, 3-months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Benales,made her first appearance at church onJuly 10.Mr. Samuel Nelson has been a patient in St. Joseph's Hospital for severalweeks. We are glad to report news ofhis recovery and thank our Lord foranswered prayers in his behalf. MissMatilda Wolfert is also recuperatingfrom the injuries she suffered from afall several weeks ago.The John McClay's were involved inan automobile accident early in Julybut providentially were not seriously injured.Mrs. Harry Mullen, Sr. vacationed inOcean City, N. J.The Arthur Davenhours toured theNew England states, and Mr. and Mrs.R. J. Crawford, Sr., visited with theEverett Mcllwee family in WappingerFalls. Recent visitors at Sabbath morning worship services were several members of Dr. F. M. Wilson's family: hissister, Mrs. Clark Blackwood,of Topeka, Kansas; his brothers, Robert ofOcean City, N. J. ; and Walker of BeaverFalls, Pa. and nephew, the Rev. PaulWilson, pastor of the Barnet, Vermont,congregation, who offered the closingprayer.MRS. DDA MOOREMrs. Ida Moore, beloved member ofthe Olathe Reformed PresbyterianChurch, passed to her eternal reward,August 3, 1955, at the age of 85 years."Blessed are the dead which die in theLord."Rev. 14:13TEN REASONS WHYEVERY FAMDLY SHOULDSUBSCRIBE FORTHE COVENANTER WITNESS1-If you desire to be Covenanters, thenyou ought to be good Covenanters,and take the official church magazine.2-To know the teachings and principlesof the church as well as the currentinterpretation of them.3-To know what the church is doingand the progress it is making.4-To know the various leaders andworkers over the church through thewritings and reports of their activities.5-To mark our homes first as Christianand second as Covenanter homes byhaving The Covenanter Witness onthe library table.6-To have convenient articles on theSabbath School lesson and Young People's and Mid-week Prayer servicetopics each week.7-To build up our own spiritual life bycontact with Christian literature.8-That we may be a more active andbetter informed part of the totalchurch.9-That we mayshow at least in smallmeasure our loyalty to the church.10-That the local pastor as well as thegeneral church may have a means ofcommunication with each family every week in the year.AdaptedA WITNESSING LETTERMrs. Ernest Lathom of our congregation, sent the following letter to theNews Tribune last week, and I thinkit is well worth passing"To the News Tribune :on to you.I would like to commend your paperfor not receiving liquor advertisements.Some of the members of our CollegeHill prayer groupgo to the Beaver jailevery Sabbath afternoon to bring thegospel of Jesus Christ to the men andwomen there. It did our hearts good tosee Elijah Thompson with a Bible in hishand shortly after his commitmentthere. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Lancehave both been very attentive listenersto the services.However, our hearts ache when weknow that the crimes which they committed were done when they were bothintoxicated. It makes us wonder ifthese crimes would have happened ifthese men had not been full of liquor.I believe we as a community, Stateand Nation are guilty in God's sightwhen we allow this poison that destroyspeople's minds, bodies and souls, to besold.Some people give the argumentthat we need the revenue from suchsales. They forget the enormous crimeAugust 17, 1955 111

enforced."men."'bills we must pay because of increasedcrime as a result of intoxication. Otherssay "Oh, we tried prohibition and itcouldn't beIf our incometax law can be enforced, so can prohibition. The trouble is, we don't want itenforced. All about us we see the results of selling liquor. Is it a prettypicture? How many of you, as you readthis, think of someone near and dearto you whose life might have been different were it not for liquor.The Holy Bible tells us, in the bookof Habakkuk, chap. 2, verse 15: 'Woeunto him that giveth his neighbor drink,that putteth the bottle to him andmaketh him drunken,' etc. Then the17th verse tells us the result of doingthis'for the violence of Lebanon shallcover thee and the spoil of beasts whichenanter Church, located 18 miles northof Indiana on Route 119, was filled tocapacity with guests from the Pittsburgh Presbytery of the denomination,together with neighbors and friends inthe community.The occasion was a "Psalm Festival"in which the Psalms of the Bible, adapted for metrical singing, were sung ACappella, by the entire audience underthe efficient leadership of Armour McFarland, who is serving as student pastor of the congregation during the summer, and the Rev. Kenneth Smith, ofPittsburgh.The invocation was given by RobertFullerton, student of the CovenanterSeminary in Pittsburgh. John Marshall,chairman of the congregation,gave theaddressof welcome. Dr. R. C. Fullerton,of New Alexandria, made brief comments on Psalm 84.The program closed with prayer bythe former pastor of the congregation,Dr. E. L. McKnight, now of Pittsburgh,following which the women of the congregation served refreshments on thechurch grounds.The Spirit,Punxsutawney,Pa., Monday, August 8, 1955.made them afraid because of men'sblood, and for the violence of the land,and of the city of them that dwelltherein.'How guilty are we as individuals, acommunity, a State and a Nation, ofthe deaths that happened as a result oftwo intoxicatedSigned,Ruth Lathom (Mrs. Ernest Lathom)Since this letter appeared in the NewsTribune the two men mentioned havebeen electrocuted for committing murder.Sincerely, Wm. G. DoddsInternational Christian EndeavorConventionMore than 2,500 youths from theUnited States, Canada, and Mexico attended the 43rd International ChristianEndeavor Convention in Columbus,Ohio, July 11-16. Addresses were givenby Dr. Daniel A. Poling, Dr. Frank C.Laubach, Dr. Raymond I. Lindquist, andDr. Walter H. Judd. Endeavorers passed resolutions asking for stringent controls on liquor advertising, safeguardsfor the youth in military service againstalcoholic beverages, and calling attention of governments to misleading cigarette advertising. Resolutions were alsopassed asking that greater emphasis beNow Hear This!STAMBAUGH BULLETINNow Hear This!The Pittsburgh Presbytery C.Y.P.U. Conference will againbe held at Stambaugh Scout Reservation located near Youngstown, Ohio. Main speakers will include Dr. M. K. Carson, Dr.S. B. Willson, and Dr. J. G. Vos with many others.Rates for camp are as follows: Age 12 and over, $18.00;11-8, $12.00 ; 7-4, $7.00 ; 3-younger, free of charge. No registrationis charged.ship.Don't miss out on the fine opportunity for Christian fellowDATES FOR CAMPAugust 22-August 29CAMP THEMEChrist CallsTHE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEFORREST PARK CONFERENCEAUGUST 22-28Topeka KansasTheme I Pet. 2:21 : "FOLLOW HIS STEPS'placed on evangelism and more concernbe given to the recruiting of youth asDirectors of Christian Education."Christ Shall Reign" is the theme chosenfor the new biennial program.Missionaries DepartingSailing dates for Miss Elizabeth McElroy, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson,are on the "Andrea Doria" on September9, 1955, from prier No. 84, West 44thStreet, New York City. Mail addressedto them will reach them at that point.112Mahoning Church Holds Psalm SingFriday evening the Mahoning Coven-SPECIALTSPE FEATURESDr. S. Bruce WilsonWaldron ScottMember of Navigator StaffRemo I. Robb, D.D.A Christian film of theConverted bank robber,Al JohnsonMac Robb, D.D.Consecration serviceRATESRegistration Expenses TotalSeniors 1.50 14.75 16.25Intermediates7-15 yrs.75 13.75 14.50Juniors *7-12 yrs.75 10.25Children3-6 yrs.75Family registration _4.00"V11.005.50 6.25Reserve your cabin early notify Bill McElroy,Route 8, Topeka, Kansas.COVENANTER WITNESS

not."good."BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11, 1955WitnessVOLUME LV, NO. 8 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1955Christian Missions: The Quest For ANormal WorldBy Rev. George S. LauderdaleTHE missionary program instituted by the LordJesus Christ aims to bring the world to normality. It is not right that man should not know andlove God, his Master, through Christ, God's Son Whohas died for the sins of the world! Satan is doinghis best to convince us that men are all right andthings are as well as can be expected, that we shouldtherefore make the most of life, eating, drinking,making merry. The Gospel declares that men arelost in sin, that wars, sickness, and trouble are notGod's standard for us, and the daring enterprise ofpreaching the Gospel to every creature thereforeexposes Satan as a liar; this is one of the reasonswhy he opposes world missions.Because evangelization is the only way bywhichthe abnormalworld, morally insane in sin and foolishly rebellious against God, plunging on to theeverlasting fires of hell, can be healed and saved,world missions is not optional. No local church cansay, "It is all right if we support foreign missionsand it is all right if we do It is not all rightif a church is not seeking every year to raise thepercentage of its gifts to missions. It is not all rightfor parents to neglect offering their children to Godas missionaries and training them for this work.We must not neglect to pray for God's missionariesand their work. These things must be done for thesame reason that doctors must tend their patients ;the world is not well but sick and our Saviour JesusChrist is the only Physician.If one's eyes are abnormal, he gets glasses tocorrect his vision. If the brakes on his car will notwork right, he has them adjusted. Some havebraces on their teeth and backs, and rouge on theircheeks, while others undergo plastic surgery,all insearchof normal health or appearance. Govermentsestablish homes for those whose mentality is toolow. But the most important of all quests for normality is that of believers in Jesus Christ: throughthe preaching of the Gospel to every creature weare seeking to turn the whole world right side up!God has promised eventual success to this missionary program: "And it shall come to pass, thatfrom one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before men, saith the Lord." Isaiah 66:33. Thatchurch, shameful symbol of this sub-standard world,the nearly empty church at prayer meeting time,will be forever removed! The Bible declares, "Allthe ends of the world shall remember and turn untothe Lord." Psalms 22:27. From the least to thegreatest all men shall trust Jesus so that none willhave to go to his neighbor and say, "Know the Lord."The knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth asthe waters cover the sea !When God created the heavens and the earth byHis word, He saw that everything He made wasgood. "And God saw everything that he had made,Genesis 1:31. Itand, behold, it was verywas sin's entrance which damned mankind andmarred God's perfect world. But thanks be to Godfor His unspeakable Gift, the Lord Jesus Christ,the Conqueror of sin, Satan, death and hell, and forthe privilege of working in the name and power ofsoul on it toChrist to restore this planet and everytheir proper relation to God. "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." Romans 8 :19.Associate Reformed Presbyterian.

offensive,"Current EventsBy Prof. William H. Russell, Ph.D.KOREAN SHOWDOWNKorea is again in turmoil. President Syngman Rhee ofSouth Korea has never accepted the division of the countryby the truce of 1953, or the presence of Polish and CzechCommunists on the "neutral supervisory commission. Forseveral months, South Korea has charged that North Koreawas building up large military forces. Rhee claimed thatthe Polish and Czech members of the truce commissionprevented any effective inspection, and that they acted asspies and saboteurs in South Korea. Finally he demandedthat the commission be abolished and its members sent home.The U. N. Command has released evidence supportingRhee's charges, but it is still responsible or the safety ofthe truce commission in South Korea. Recently angry mobsof South Koreans tried to storm the buildings of the commission, and forty-four Americans were injured in thefighting. Syngman Rhee issued an ultimatum for the withdrawal of the Poles and Czechs, then withdrew it twohours before the deadline. This is not the first time thatRhee has proven a troublesome friend. The U. S. is seriouslyconcerned, for if South Korea can be accused of breakingthe truce, the Communists will have an excuse for renewing the Korean War.MANPOWER CUTSoviet Russia has announced a reduction of 640,000 menin her armed forces. This is a major move in the "peacefor the size of the Russian army estimated atup to five million men has always been one of the West'sgreatest military worries. The U. S. has relied on superiorequipment, but there is doubt whether we have enough ofa lead for security. In disarmament talks, Russia has always rejected proposals that would reduce her numericalsuperiority. The new reduction is to be carried out by December 15, 1955. Of course we will have no proof that itis actually done. But the Russians may have decided thatnuclear war will not require so much manpower,and thatthe money can better be spent on industrial and agriculturalimprovements for the benefit of the people.TIGHTER CREDITThe government is gently applying the brakes to thenation's economic boom. Federal Reserve banks raised theirrediscount rate, which led private bankers to increase theirinterest rates on loans by about one-fourth of one per cent.The Federal Reserve Board is keeping a sharpaspects of consumer credit,eye on othersuch as automobile financing, butterms are not expected to change this year. Poth theFederal Housingistration, in a surprise move,Administration and the Veterans Adminquirements for home financing. Theytightened their credit recut the maximumterm of mortgages from thirty to twenty-five years, andincreased the required down payment by two per cent.This means that veterans will no longer be able to buyhomes with no down payment. The effect of the new housingregulations will not be felt for several months, and construction is still expected to set new records this year.NEW AIR CHIEFTo replace Harold E. Talbott as Secretary of the AirForce, President Eisenhower has chosen Donald A. Quarles.114An engineer and business executive, Mr.Quarles spentmost of his career with Bell Telephone and Western Electric.For the past two years he has served as Assistant Secretaryof Defense for Research and Development, being responsiblefor such programs as rockets and guided missiles. Talbott,who was forced out because of his business dealings fromthe Pentagon, has gone back, as he says, to "make myselfa little dough." We hope that his successor will have higherstandards of public service.TEACHING THE THREE R'SNational magazines and newspapers have stirred up atempest over whether school children are getting adequatebasic instruction, especially in reading. Some would evenhave us believe that America's future is threatened by arising generation of illiterates. A study recently completedin Evanston, Illinois, points to an opposite conclusion. Students in fifteen junior high schools were given the sametests that had been taken by children of the same age andgrade back in 1933. Testing conditions were duplicated asnearly as possible. The reults were about the same in arithmetic computation, but today's pupils were three to sixmonths ahead in reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and arithmetic reasoning. Similar experiments in othercommunities have shown comparable results. Undoubtedlythere^ is room for improvement, but the older generationhas always complained that its children did not learn toread or spell well enough.HOPE FOR DEMOCRACYPakistan, one of the United States' best friends in Asia,is making new efforts to settle its domestic problems. Acountry of 76 million people, created when India becameindependent in 1947, Pakistan operates under grave difficulties. Most of the territory and political power is inWest Pakistan. A thousand miles to the east, separated byIndia, is East Pakistan, which has a majorityof the population and industry, and a strong Hindu minority. For sixyears a Constituent Assembly wrestled unsuccessfully withthe problems of government. In October, 1953, it was dissolved by the Governor General, Ghulam Mohammed. Heruled by decree and tried to keep power in the hands ofthe Moslem League. But when elections were held lastspring for a new Constituent Assembly, the Moslem Leaguegained only 35 out of the 80 seats. Early in August the Governor General and Prime Minister both resigned, to be replaced by a coalition government. The Assembly is now atwork and may be able to agree on a permanent form ofgovernment.HELPING NATUREGetting bald? You may want to consider buying oneof the "hairpieces" which are the basis of a fast-growingindustry. From 500,000 to 750,000 American men now wearsome false hair, compared with only 100,000 a few yearsago. The well-known fact that many movie and TV starsuse these accessories has made them more acceptable withthe general public. The price of a good hairpiece rangesfrom $100 to $350, and the business totals around $20 million a year. Women obviously have nomonopoly on vanity.COVENANTER WITNESS

craps."world,"slavery."Vineyard GleaningsUEA Completes Thirteen Years of ServiceSabbath, October 30, commemorates the thirteenth yearof service of the National Association of Evangelicals andis designated throughout the evangelical churches of America as official NAE day. Every Bible-believingchurch ofAmerica is encouraged to set aside this date (or anothermore convenient one) to present the work of NAE to itscongregation. Free literature for use October 30 may besecured from the Rev. George Ford, Associate ExecutiveDirector, 108 North Main Street, Wheaton, Illinois.Gambling Termites Destroying God's TempleThe July issue of Red Book Magazine carried an incrediblebut factual report of an extensive investigation of gamblingas a money-raising device by churches and other respectedand presumably respectable social organizations and benevolentinstitutions. It is an outstanding revelation. We knew,of course, that gambling is riding high in America, but wedid not know the extent to which bingo games, lotteries, raffles, slot machines, punch boards, roulette wheels and almost everyother device known to gamblers are employedas sources of revenue by schools, hospitals, veteran groups,boys'clubs and other well-meaning organizations. The overall impression one gets from this Red Book report is thatgambling and gambling rackets are boring like termitesinto the moral and religious foundations of America.What particularly concerns us here is the fact that thechurch, which we would have supposed was immune to thegambling virus, has not been able entirely to escape the infection. Bingo, raffles and lotteries are doubtless more common in Catholic churches than in Protestant, but the latteris not entirely without blemish. Here and there churchgroups have gone the limit of gambling. Who of us couldhave suspected that there are churches, whether few ormany (one is too many) that have actually soldmum percentage of the earningsfor a minigambling concessions tocrooked, smooth-talking professional racketeers with criminal records? Many a church goer who has no objection togamblers and gamblinggames at a church bazaar wouldprobably be horrified "if he saw his pastor shootingUnited PresbyterianSober Statistics Temper Religious Revival ClaimsEvangelicals, somewhat wary of claims beingmade byreligious leaders in the U.S. that we are, as a nation, enjoying an upsurge of religious interest, took little comfortfrom recent statistics out of Washington. Latest statisticstend to prove that there is little room for optimism.Some recently revealed shockers :1) Reports from David H. Stephens, chief postal inspector, show that arrests for postal crime reached an all-timehigh of 6,631 in the year ended June 30, an increase of 483over the corresponding year before. Arrests for mailing obscene and unfit matter showed the greatest increase. Arrests for mail fraud were up 37 per cent over the previousyear. There also was a striking increase in arrests for theftsfrom mail receptacles. Arrests actually were up 54 percent, in all categories, over the year before.2) James V. Bennett, director of the U.S. Bureau ofPrisons, reported that a total of 182,051 adult prisonerswere serving sentences in federal prisons and reformatoriesfor adult offenders at the end of 1954, an increase of 5.4per cent over those confined a year earlier, and the hightestyear-end prison population since satisfies were bgun in 1939.Mr. Bennett predicted that the prison population willAugust 24, 1955continue to climb and urged Congress to appropriate $27million for two new maximum security institutions. Courtcommitments in 1954 were up 9.1 per cent over 1953. Some80,0000 persons actually went to prison in 1954, with almostthat many being released after having served their termsor on paroles for good behaviour.3) There are hints from economic statistics put out bythe Department of Commerce and other agencies that, inspite of the seeming prosperity (for a minority of the population), more families actually were in trouble. Credit authorities estimate that one family in five is head-over-heelsin debt, while the number of bankruptcies has soared to a.point that is almost startling. Earlier this year, it was estimated that 75,000 persons would go into bankruptcy, butthe figures since have been revised upward sharply. It isbelieved by authorities that bankruptcies may pass the80,000 mark. This would be about 10,000 higher than thenumber going into bankruptcy in 1932, when 70,000 bankruptcies were reported.Laubach Proposes 'War Of Kindness'COLUMBUS(RNS) A"War of amazing kindness"was proposed at the 43rd biennial convention of the International Society of Christian Endeavor here as a means ofstemming the tide of Communism and preventing a worldwide atomic conflict.Dr. Frank C. Laubach, noted missionary educator, toldthe 4,000 delegates that they must "plunge into this newkind of He war."said the policy of kindness proved effectivein Japan through Gen. Douglas MacArthur's post-war handling of that nation. "MacArthur went out and we helped himwage a war of amazing kindness on Japan." Dr. Laubachlove."said. "In a year, she had changed from hate to"If enough people join us in reaching around the world,we shall easily save the he said. "Russia and Chinawill see that our amazing kindness is far more effectivethan their lies and murder andDr. Laubach urged a "tremendous deluge of forprayer"delegates to the Big Four summit meeting in Geneva. "Letus pray for these men before we go any further," he said,"these men who can begin to destroy the human race or tosave it from destruction."('Continued on page 120)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas oribidthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansatto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions 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., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas, $3.00; Single Copiet10 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansasunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.115

ight."on.'"Having Done All to Stand"A Series of Five Devotional Addresses Given Before the SynodIII. How to Encourage the Flock(Saturday's Devotional Address at Synod, 1955)by Rev. D. Howard ElliottIn the language of the street, you would say theywere in a tough spot. What could they do? Theywere bottled up and about to be over-run by hoardsof the heathen. The situation was desperate exceptthat king Hezekiah still had a strong faith that Godcould deliver them from this threat of extinction. Sohe set the people to doing what they could to protectthemselves, and "he set captains of war over thepeople, and gathered them together to him in thestreet of the city and spake comfortably to them saying, Be strong and courageous and be not afraid nordismayed for the king of Assyria . . . for there bemore with us than with him, and the people restedthemselves upon the words of Hezekiah King ofJudah"(II Chron. 32:6-8).It is a wonderful trait to be able to encourageand comfort people in times of great crisis and intimes of general depression. We all recognize thatthere is an art in it, and that there has to be muchmore to it than a pat on the back and the mouthingof a few hackneyed expressions such as "Buck up, oldboy,"or "Everything will be allOur subject today is "How to encourage theencourage theflock."We might ask first, "Whyflock ?" This should be obvious to any church leader,but let this be said. An encouraged spirit is a sign offaith. You have heard about Martin Luther's wifewho once appeared dressed in mourning. When Luther asked who was dead, she said that God was. Luther had been acting so down-cast and discouraged thatshe took this means of jolting him out of it. To goaround acting as if nothing were right is certainlyevidence of a lack of faith. God is not dead. He isalive today and working just as much as He was inHezekiah's day, when faith was so immediately rewarded.Is not God able to bring about good out of anyevil circumstance, to make even the wrath of manto praise Him ? We are all inclined at times to be discouraged. We are like Peter as he walked on thewater to meet Jesus. When he looked down at theraging waters about his feet, he began to sink. Butas long as he had his eye on the Master, he wasbouyed up. Perhaps we dwell too much on the unhappy circumstances about us and not enough on theMaster Himself. The more we dwell upon the personof Christ, the more our spirits will soar and be liftedfrom their depressions. We must constantly remindourselves of the sovereignty of our God in controllingall things.An encouraged spirit is a useful spirit. Elijah satunder the juniper tree and wished to die. He was116completely discouraged in spite of his close personalexperience with the Lord, and in spite of his greattriumph on Mt. Carmel against the Baalites. But nowhe was running away from things, and not interestedin trying to do much more about the advancement ofrighteousness in Israel. The next thing that the Lordtold him to do was to go and to annoint his successor.We might say that the Lord could not use a discouraged man.Let me ask, How many empires have been builtby discouraged men ? How many converts have beenwon by discouraged Christians? How much effectiveteaching is done by discouraged Christian workers?Therefore, to look for and find encouragement fromthe Lord for the Kingdom business is vitally important to the progress of the Kingdom. It is a duty todevelop and seek to cultivate an encouraged spirit.Why we should encourage the flock should beobvious. Now, how to encourage the flock? First itis necessary to set an example of encouragement. Afarmer's small son, having in his possession a coupleof bantam hens, which laid very small eggs, suddenlyhit on a plan. Going the next morning to the fowlrun,his father was surprised to find an ostrich egg suspended from one of the beams, and above it a cardwith the words, "Keep your eye on this and do yourbest."The church leader is setting the example beforethe flock of what he might expect of them. We willnever succeed in encouraging others as long as weshow a discouraged countenance or talk with disheartened expressions. Discouragement as well asenthusiasm is very contagious.Of course it is not easy for any of us always toshow an encouraged spirit. We may want to, butthings do get us down. In all this it is important toremember that we cannot count on appearances togive us that encouragement. "The story is told of awoman Who had a rare rosebush. She worked over itfor weeks, but saw no result of her labor. One dayshe observed a crevice in the wall near the bush andnoticed a small shoot of the bush running throughthe crevice. She went to the other side of the walland there she found her rose blooming in splendidbeautyand her labor rewarded. Some of us have towork year after year, seeing little if any result, andthe message comes not only from this rosebush butfrom God, 'Work Do not be discouraged. Yourwork is blooming on the other side. There is no suchthing as wasted time or labor in the service of God."In order to keep up the courage of others, wemust keep up our own. Here is the way one personCOVENANTER WITNESS

comin'not,"morning?"always."an'an'saved."were."side."comin' crushin'always."world."said she kept up her courage. "Massa, does you seethe bright side disThe question was putby an old negro woman to a sick minister."No, Nanny, it is not so bright as I wish it"Well, massa, I always sees de bright"You do! Maybe you haven't had much trouble.""Maybe she said, but went on to tell in hersimple broken way of her life in Virginia; of theselling of her children, one by one;of the auctionsale of her husband, then of herself. She was alonenow in the camp without having heard from herchildren or one of her kindred for years."But Nanny, have you seen the bright side allthe time?""Always, massa,"Well, how did you do it?""Dis is de way, massa. When I see the great blackcloud over, 'pears likedown on me, den I jist whips around on de other side,and I find de Lord Jesus dar, den it's all rightand clear. De bright side is always where Jesus is,Massa."To encourage the flock we must first set theexample with personal conduct. Then we must encourage the flock by preaching and teaching. Wemust consciously dwell on the promises of God, thepresence of God, the power of God and the mercy ofGod. At times we all feel like being a bit rough onour flock because of waywardness and indifferencesamong them. We might feel inclined to tellthem-offand some ministers are very good at blastreallying at their people. There may be occasions whenblasting is necessary. But when it is done constantlyand regularly, it may be an evidence of discouragement on the part of the preacher. Surely there aremore effective means of accomplishing the desiredresults. Do you know of those who have been blastedinto the Kingdom by harsh words? Christ blastedand condemned the pharasees at times, but theywere not converted by it. Did he blast at His ownlittle flock of followers? His was a ministry of encouragement and comfort healing the sick, raisingthe dead, casting out devils, forgiving sinners,suffering the children to come to Him and preaching thetruth.If we would encourage the flock, let us preachfirst, the promises of God. When we want comfortand encouragement, what better source is there thanthe promises of God ? You can think of many, manycomforting promises. You may be thinking of such.ones as "All things work together for good to themthat Love God ."My God shall supply all yourneed . ."My word shall not return unto me void. . "Fear thou not for I am with thee . ."Castthy burden on the Lord and he shall sustain thee . ."Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy ladenand I will give you "Believe rest."on the Lord JesusChrist and thou shalt be To encourage theflock, remind them of the promises of God.Second, preach the presence of God. After Jesusfed the five thousand, He sent His disciples aheadof Him across the sea. A storm came upand thedisciples were struggling intensly to keep their shipfrom capsizing and to save their lives. In the darkness, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. TheyAugust 24, 1955saw Him, perhaps in the lightning flashes and criedout in fear, thinking He was some tormenting spirit.But He comforted them by saying, "Be of goodcheer, it is I." And then everything was all rightagain. What made the difference ? Christ was there.He came to them. He spoke to them and He wentwith them. He is the same Lord that we have today.In our need, He comes to us, speaks to us, goes withus. He says, "Be of good cheer, I am here." Just asthe presence of a doctor is a comfort to us in timeof illness, as the presence of a mechanic is a comfort in time of mechanical break down, as the presence of a parent is a comfort to the child in thedarkness, Christ's presence is a comfort and encouragement if we will but remember it. He said,"I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." "Lo I amwith youThird, to encourage the flock we should preachthe power of God. Jesus said, "In the world ye shallhave tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the When we remind ourselves thatChrist has superior power over all things, then it isa comfort to trust and rely upon Him. He said, "Beof good be cheer,"encouraged, I have supreme power over all, I have overcome the world, overcome allof these trying forces and influences and spirits thatcause you trouble. Just remember, that I am in control. It is encouraging to anyone to realize and believethat the Lord reigneth.Fourth, to encourage the flock we should preachthe mercy of God. They brought a sick man to Jesusand could not get near to Him. They were ingenious,they tore off the roof of the house where He wasand let the sick man down before Jesus. The Lordhad mercy and compassion upon him. First He saidto him, "Be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee."Now sin is really something to be discouraged anddepressed about. But the mercy of God is revealedthrough Christ who gave His life to nullify sin andits effects. Are not our sins forgiven? Then that isreason for encouragement. "Be of good cheer, thysins be forgiven thee." Such mercy and compassionand love as our Saviour had! How can we be downhearted when we consider the great mercy and loveof Christ?How to encourage the flock? I would say, set anexample of high spirits and preach the promises ofGod, the presence of God, the power of God, and themercy of God. Thus you will spread the good cheerthat Jesus did.TO HELP YOUR PASTORSeven times in his epistles Paul requests that thebrethren pray for him. He knew that the success ofthe ministers depended largely upon the prayers ofGod's people. We are quick to detect and criticize anapparent lack of power in the pulpit, but it mightbe well for each of us to consider carefully whetheror not the responsibility for a powerless pulpit isnot, at least in part, ours who accupy the pew.A praying people makes a strong pulpit. Theheart of your minister would be greatly encouragedas he enters the pulpit each Lord's day, if he knewhe had the powerful support of most of his people.Why not tell him he can count on you ?117

say."The Highest CallWhat a Layman Expects from His PastorBy R. E. RobbContinued from last weekRecently the author of our weekly Bible studies,R. E. Robb, was asked by Dr. S. W. Hahn of theSouthern Lutheran Theological Seminary to addressthe seniors there. While Mr. Robb is on vacationhis Bible studies are being replaced by his messageto the Seminary students on the subject, "What aChristian Layman Expects In and From a ChristianPastor?"This is the latter half of his address.It takes a real HE MAN to be a successful pastor.Now what does a Christian layman expect FROMhis pastor?I. He expects, probably first, that he shall be agood Preacher. He will need to :1. Know the Bible.That Book is, without compare, the book par excellence in the world. It is a veritable mine in Whichare buried veins of precious ores and pockets of costly gems. And the deeper one digs the richer becomethe veins and the more dazzling the gems. It is madeup of history, poetry, drama, biography, science; itcontains the finest literature and the purest Englishextant. But above all, transcending all else, it showsus God's plan of salvation for lost mankind.To understand that Book, even partially, a manmust study it constantly and should have at least aworking knowledge of Hebrew and Greek. And hewill need to have a fluent command of English topresent properly its beauties and its teachings to hishearers.2. Be well educated.The uneducated evangelical pastor is an anomaly,a misfit. The expounding of that Book, which contains the most profoud truths ever penned on earth,requires the most careful and extensive educationpossible, within the limits of practicability.3. Sincerity in a pastor is a sine qua non.This applies to both his preaching and the lifethat backs it up else, "What you do speaks so loudI cannot hear what you4. His type of sermons should vary.Some should be hortatory, some exegetical, someteaching, some evangelistic, some missionary.5. His style should be agreeable.It should be natural, direct, clear, simple and sofar as possible without any distracting elements. Certainly a course in elocution should be a must in anyseminary course. There is a very real place for dramain the pulpit, but it is easy to overdo it.6 And of utmost importance, he must Preparehis Sermons.The preacher who gets up before his congregationwithout careful and prayerful preparation is falseto his trust. He is defrauding his listeners and he is118disloyal to his God. For "By the foolishness ofpreaching"the word has been and will be spread.7 Perhaps the most important aspect ofpreaching, though mentioned last, is prayer.If the preacher does not go to the throne of gracein private, where will he get the power to win hishearers? And his public prayers can and should bea powerful component of the Whole service, in whichhe leads his flock to the fold where they may findhealing, comfort, protection and life everlasting.II Lastly, what does the layman expect of hispastor as a Pastor ?I think he expects him to :1 Take the Oversight of the congregation asits Spiritual Head.In this he should : Constantly strive to raise thespiritual level of the congregation by means of attendance at church services ; extend the influence ofreligion in the home, especially by means of thefamily altar ; increase the interest and effort in missions; extend the work among the young people;promote and fostor evangelistic work in his congregation and the community.2 Take the lead in the Management of thecongregation in his work with the Church Council.This involves receiving and training new members, matters of churchdiscipline, and all matterspertaining to the growth and well being of the congregation.3 Dispense the Sacraments as God's ministeron earth.4 Conduct Marriage ceremonies.5 Bury the dead.6 Visit.In many respects this is one of the most important, and perhaps the most time-consuming, of all ofhis ramified duties. He should of course visit the sickand the dying to bring them the comfort and solacewhich can come only from belief in Jesus Christ asour personal Saviour. But in addition he must visitand talk with the Enquirers, the Tempted, the Doubting, the Troubled andSorrowing, the Mentally Sick,the Quarreling, the Alcoholic, to mention only a few.And through it all he must remember that he is in avery special way a representative of the Lord JesusChrist, an ambassador of the King.very7 Sell Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.Upon his ability as a salesman will depend to agreat extent his over all success as a pastor.You, yes we, for all professing Christians should beon the job all the time a salesmen for Christ, havethe greatest product on earth to sell salvation forCOVENANTER WITNESS

soul?"some"the souls of men. "What will a man give in exchangefor his It seems incredible that a personwould do anything to risk a matter of such primeimportance, but, like all else, salvation, while a freegift, yet must be sold.And your selling will not be ended when the manor woman accepts Christ as his personal Saviour andjoins the church ; it will have just begun. He must besold, and kept sold, on the importance of attendingthe regular services, ofregularly communing, ofattending and taking an active part in the SabbathSchool, the Prayer Meeting, the Brotherhood, theWomen of the Church, etc., etc., ad infinitum. Thejob is endless. But Paul, the greatest human salesman of all time when the ultimate results of hiswork are considered, recognized fully the importanceof that phase of his pastoral work for he said, "Iam made all things to all men, that I might by allmeans save (I Cor. 9 :22).Gentlemen I finish as I started. You are embarking upon the most challenging, the most demanding, but the most rewarding profession on theface of the earth The Ministry of Jesus Christ. Andmay God bless you and give you many souls for yourhire.TRAFFIC RULES FROM THE BOOK OF BOOKSby Dr. James DeForest MurchIt was a dangerous intersection. Three cars wereinvolved. Had it not been for the cool-headedness andconsideration of one driver there would have beenterrible tragedy. That driver was a Christian. Afterwards he remarked, "I guess the Lord must havebeen in the back seat and I took orders !"The fact is the Christians should be the bestdrivers. Conduct on the highways as well as everywhere else is based on character. Character is basedon morals. Morals are based on religion. As Goetheput it, "There is no outward sign of true characterthat does not rest on moral foundation."The open road offers one of the best opportunitiesin our day and time for men and women to applytheir Christian principles in practical matters. Ifwe will drive like Christians our highways will besafe and the world will be a better place in whichto live.There are many books of traffic rules but I havenever seen one based on the Word of Life. Of coursethe Bible was written long before automobiles werethought of. Jehu is the only Bible character whomight qualify as a modern traffic hazard. Thoughthousands of years have passed since this King ofIsrael drove like mad we still say of speeders, "Hedrove like Jehu." But Bible truth and Bible principleshave a strange relevance to man's doings regardlessof the times in which he lives. Automobile trafficrules are no exception. Someone ought to compile aset of traffic rules from the Book of Books. Withthis thought in mind I sat down with the Bible theother day and came up with these :I. TAKE GOD INTO CONSIDERATION(God) giveth to all life, and breath and all things... In him we live and move and have our being.Acts 17:25, 28.In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shalldirect thy paths. Prov. 3:6.August 24, 19552. PRAY FOR HELPThe hand of our God is upon all them for goodthat seek him. Ezra 8 :22.Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thyprecepts. Let my soul live and it shall praise thee;and let thy judgments help me. Psalms 119:183,175.The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.Prov. 15:33.Pray without ceasing. I Thess. 5 :17.3. OBEY THE LAWWhoso keepeth the law is a wise son. Prov. 28 :7.Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man forthe Lord's sake . . .I Peter 2 :13.4. STOP, LOOK AND LISTENThe hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord hathmade even both of them . . . Wait on the Lord andHe will save thee.-^Prov. 20 :12, 22.5. KEEP YOUR MIND ON YOUR BUSINESSHe that wavereth is like a wave of the sea drivenwith the wind and tossed ... A double-minded man isunstable in all his ways. James 1 :6, 8.6. BE RESPONSIBLETo him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not,to him it is sin. James 4 :17.We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves.Rom. 15:1.7. SET A GOOD EXAMPLELet your light so shine before men that they maysee your good works and glorify your Father whichis in heaven. Matt. 5 :16.Let everyone of us please his neighbor for hisgood to edification. Rom. 15 :2.Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in thename of the Lord Jesus. Col. 3 :17.8. LOOK OUT FOR OTHERSLet no man seek his own but every man another'sgood.I Cor. 10:24.Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill thelaw of Christ. Gal. 6:2.9. BE COURTEOUS AND KINDBe ye all of one mind having compassion one ofanother and ... be courteous. I Peter 3:8.Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory,but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the otherbetter than themselves. Look not every man on hisown things, but every man also on the things ofothers.Phil. 2:3,4.All things Whatsoever ye would that men shoulddo to you, do ye even so to them. Matt. 7 :12.Be ye kind one to another. Eph. 4 :32.As we have opportunity, let us do good unto allmen. 'Gal. 6:10.Have compassion on the ignorant and them thatare out of the way; for ye yourselves also are compassed with infirmity. Hefo. 5 :2.10. PUT LOVE INTO ACTIONLet us not love in word, neither in tongue; butin deed and in truth. I John 3 :18.Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matt.19:19.Let us consider one another to provoke unto loveand to good works. Heb. 10:24.Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, dogood to them that hate, and pray for them that119

despitefully use you. Matt. 5 :44.11. SHUN STRONG DRINKWho hath woe? who hath sorrow? . . . who hathwounds without cause ? They that tarry long at thewine . . . Look not on the wine when it is red, whenit giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itselfaright. At the last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder. Prov. 23 :29, 31, 32.The Lord will not spare the drunkard, but theanger of the Lord and his jealousies shall smokeagainst that man and all the curses that are writtenin this book shall lie upon him and the Lord shallblot out his name from under heaven. Deut. 29 :20.12. THOU SHALT NOT KILLThou shalt not kill. Ex. 20 :13.Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall hisblood be shed; for in the image of God made Heman. Gen. 9:6.These things doth the Lord hate: ... a proudlook, a lying tongue and hands that shed innocentblood. Prov. 6:16, 17.(Dr. Murch would be pleased to hear from readers who might contribute other Bible passages whichhave some application, in prinicple at least, to thepromotion of better driving and public safety.)Book ReviewTwo books for parents in teaching their children.Advice for parents is frequently given in magazines and in newspaper columns by professed expertsin their fields. But some of that is definitely notChristian. These books by Moody are.One is "Remember Thy Creator," by MildredDooley Cathcart. It is a paper covered book with excellent pictures and stories that teach how childrencan and should remember their Creator in their playand other activity. It emphasizes the debt that children and others owe to God for all His blessings. Ifthere are children in your home this book will be wellworth the price of 35 cents for which it is sold.The other is, "I see what God wants me toknow"by Kenneth Taylor. This is a well bound bookwith 26 lessons of two pages each, but it is a largebook. The Ten Commandments are given in ten separate lessons. Other subjects dealt with are Heaven,the Angels, What is a Christian?, Being punished,etc. At the back of the book are tests to see if thelessons have been learned and are understood. Thepictures are excellent. This is a durable, simple, wellwritten book that is of value. It sells for $1.95.R. C. F.Additions to the Moody Colportage Library.The Moody Colportage Library is composed ofbooks averaging 128 pages and selling for 35 cents acopy.Three of these are collections of stories forchildren, "The Red Bicycle," "Lost in the Big Timber," and "The Mystery of the Golden Key." Thesewere all compiled by M. A. Jones. Some were used onthe Moody program for Children sent out over radio,and others have appeared in Christian papers forchildren such as Power. The stories printed in thesebooks are those which were very popular. They areinteresting reading.120The compiler says"God has seen fit to usethese stories in a wonderful way. Adults and children alike have been blessed by them." They do encourage the Christian way of life. They are proofthat stories can be interesting as well as Christian.Filth and profanity and such are not needed to makestories readable for all. Get these if there are children and young people in your home. R. C. F.GLEANINGS Continued from page 115Bible Promoted as Acceptable Christmas GiftChristmas came in July this year! At least World Publishing Co. began its promotion of the Bible as an acceptableChristmas gift with the release to bookstore operators ofdetails concerning an $80,000 campaign to sell seven of itseditions. The mammoth promotion will commence with afull-page, full-color add in the November 28 issue of Lifemagazine. Window displays, direct mail circulars and newspaper advertising, all keyed-in with the Life ad, willproclaim the World editions of the King James Version as"The one gift of enduring devotion." In addition to the ad inLife, World has scheduled eleven full pages for this promotion in the following religious media: Christian Advocate,Christian Herald, Christian Science Monitor, Adult BibleClass, New Century Leader, Presbyterian Life, LivingChurch, Moody Monthly, Sword of the Lord, This Day,Sunday School Times.(ERA-8/10/55)October to be Observed as Religious Press MonthThe entire month of October has been designated Evangelical Press Month by the publications affiliated with theEvangelical Press Association.Announcing the fourth annual observance, EPA President J. Fred Parker declared that editors of periodicals willconcentrate their effort in "a nation-wide campaign to makereaders aware of the importance of religious publicationsin the foreward march of their church, their home andtheir personal Christian life." Theme of the month: "AChristian magazine in everyhome."Evangelical Press Month this year, as in the past, willbe observed simultaneously with the Associate Church Presseffort to increase both circulation and actual readership ofall Protestant publications during October. Most religiousperiodicals belong to either ACP or EPA. The simultaneous,yet completely independent, observation by both groups during a single month of each year results in a positive impactbeing made upon readers of religious papers.Currently ACP represents 129 periodicals with an estimated readership of 10,500,000 persons, EPA representsjust under 100 periodicals with an estimated readership of2,500,000 evangelicals.Life Magazine Planning Special Christmas IssueAn attempt to compress 2,000 years of Christianity in100-plus pages of Life magazine is being undertaken by theeditors. According to plans just revealed, the magazine willissue a two-in-one edition spanning Christmas and NewYears. Dated December 26, the special issue will sell for35 cents and be on the newstands (as long as they last) fortwo weeks.The special issue will conclude the series on World'sGreat Religions begun last Februaryand contain twice asmany 4-Color editorial pages as have ever appeared in Lifebefore.Members of the Life staff have spent months ranging theHoly Land, the early Mediteranean centers of Christianity,the archives and museums, cathedrals and monasteries ofWestern Europe, seeking to recapture on film the fervorthat marked the spread of Christianity.(ERA-7/27/55)COVENANTER WITNESS

goest."goest."shore."Lesson Helps for the Week of September 11, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICFor September 11, 1955LIVING A MORE CONSISTENTPsalms:CHRISTIAN LIFEI Thessalonians 5:1-2840:1-4, page 102143:4, 5, 6,119:1-5, page 3051:1-6, page 1Prayers:page 347For the zeal obtained in the SummerCamps to carry on.For the ability to practice what weknow in the new experiences ofschool life.For the Schools, the teachers, forcompanions.For the Mission Schools and missionaries.Comments by Rev. J. E. McElroy'mountain-top'Many of you have hadexperiences in the past summer, someliterally, some figuratively,we hope allspiritually. You have been brought tothe place where you can see that theroad ahead is the only way. You haveseen that the only road is the wayJesus Christ wants you to go with Him.The scripture lesson here is intendedto help us to see that our lives on theroad with Christ must show that weare making every action agree with every other action to honor Him.This chapter lends itself to severaldivisions. It would be well that the leader might make assignments of the divisions to be discussed in relation to thetopic. A very brief help with each division will give you a start.I. The first, with verses 1-11, gives adiscussion of 'day of the Lord'; the importance of His coming in His perfectrevelation. It shows the two classes ofpeople: the wakeful ones, and those whoare sleepy. Who are they? The characteristics of each? What are the resultsor the rewards of each?II. The second, with verses 12-15,gives us much to think about concerningproper attitudes toward those in constituted authority in the Church. Whatresponsibilities do we need to accept toadvance the work of the Church andour Saviour?ITI. The Standing Orders of the Gospel. Verses 16-18. 1. Always be rejoicing.2. Pray incessantly. 3. In connection witheverythinggive thanks. These God desires us to do in our Christian life. Giveexamples.IV. Quench not the Spirit, v. 19.Mountain-top experiences bring us tothe place of being more ready, moreAugust 24, 1955alert to the leadings of the Holy Spirit.The Apostle advises not to allow anything to dull that sensitivity to thatleading. Allow nothing to put out thefire of zeal for doing what the Lordthrough His Spirit teaches. What thingsin life might tend to do that? To recognize the elements that hinder us fromfollowing the Spirit is to have the battle half won. Face them. Give examples.JUNIOR TOPICSeptember 11, 1955Bess ArnottColdenham,New YorkTHE MIRACLE OF CROSSING THEJORDANScripture: Joshua 2Memory verse: "Have not I commandedthee? Be strong and of a good courage;for the Lord thy God is with theewithersoever thou(a and c)PsalmsJoshua 1:9Memory Psalm 147:1-3, page 354Psalm 62:1, 9, 10, page 152Psalm 19: 5, 6, 7, 9, page 42Psalm 18:25, 27, 28, page 33Did you have something hard to dotoday? What did you do when you cameto that big word in your reading? Why,of course, you divided it into syllables,used your vowel rules and there it was.The word that seemed impossible wasnow yours and fitted right into the sentence. Remember in the morning youhad asked God to help you through theday.The Israelites had something hard todo too. God had led them on a longjourney and now they were to enter thePromised Land. But here in front ofthem was the Jordan River which wasvery deep and wide because of the heavyrains. There were no bridges or ferryboats. They couldn't walk through it.What could they do? Can't you imaginesome of the people saying, "Why, wecan't get across. We'll have to give upthe idea"? But duty is never impossible.Joshua was their leader and God hadoften said to him, "Be strong and of agood courage; be not afraid, neither bethou dismayed: for the Lord thy Godis with thee withersoever thouNow he and his people were to "ariseand go over this Jordan." God would tellJoshua what to do and the people mustobey Joshua.You like to watch a parade,don'tyou? How orderly everything is as onegroupafter another marches by! I thinkthis must have been a bigger paradethan anyyou ever saw for there weretwoand a half million people (about onethird the number living in New YorkCity).It took the people three days to getready because tents had to be takendown, rolled up and moved to within amile of the Jordan. The priests tookapart the tabernacle where they worshiped. They also covered up the Arkof the Covenant. (This was the big chestin which the Ten Commandments werecarried.) The cattle and sheep werebrought together. Then Joshua gave thecommand and they all marched towardthe river. The priests walked in frontcarrying the Ark. The people were tofollow, staying 300 feet behind the Arkof the Covenant.Then, as the people watched, thepriests, carrying the Ark, stepped intothe water. What do you think happened?The river stopped flowing and its waterspiled up in a heap. Below them thewater flowed away. This left the riverbed dry with all the stones uncovered. Amiracle had happened and only God canperform miracles. The children remembered the story they had heard abouttheir fathers and grandfathers crossingthe Red Sea on dry land. How muchlike this it must have been! Can't youimagine those people who had said itcouldn't be done, now watching silentlyas they saw this dry path ahead ofthem?The next step was for the priests tocarry the Ark of the Covenant to themiddle of the dry river bed. Here theystood still, holding the Ark on theirshoulders. Joshua then told the people tomarch across the river, each tribe by itself. When all the people and the flockshad reached the other side, Joshua saidto the priests, "Bring the Ark to theWhen this was done, the riverwaters began to flow again and soon theJordan was rolling on as usual. The Israelites were safely in the PromisedLand. What a wonderful reward forobedience !Each day there is something new foryou to do. There will never be anotherday with exactly the same things to bedone. Do those things which you havebeen taught are right and ask God tomake you Strong and of good Courage.You may be another Joshua.For your notebooks:From each pair of words pick the onethat fits Joshua:strongcourageousdisobedient (to God)activedoubtingweakcowardlyobedient (to God)lazytrusting121

work."SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONSeptember 11, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on International Sunday SchoolLessons; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Reliirious Education.)STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVALFor reading: Nehemiah 1; 2; 4; 6;12:27-31, 38, 43.iPrinted: Neh. 2:17, 18; 4:6-9, 15, 21-23;12:27, 43.Memory verse: Neh. 2:18 "And theysaid, Let us rise up and build. So theystrengthened their hands for the goodSince our last lesson, fifty-eight yearshave passed about which the Bible issilent concerning the Jews at Jerusalem.Ezra (7-10) had returned with a company of Babylonian Jews as teachers.This showed that the Jews, after building the Temple, had neglected to studythe Law, and teach their children. Thirteen years later Nehemiah came toJerusalem. He had heard, possibly hisinformers had been sent by Ezra, of thedeplorable neglect of the work at Jerusalem. King Artaxerxes, for whom hewas cup-bearer, a very trusted servantsince a part of his charge was to protect the King's life from poisoners, wastouched by his grief and gave him letters of authority and permitted him toreturn to Jerusalem (Neh. 2). We seeagain how faithfulness on the part ofcaptives in Babylon won the respect,confidence and favor of the Kings.Finding that his mission was not approved by certain groups in and aroundJerusalem, Nehemiah made his investigation alone at night. He found thewalls and gates in ruin. Since this washis first sight of Jerusalem,we wonderat his courage in attempting so greata task. Under the inspiration of his leadership some of the people took heart. Asthe work progressed, others followedand the work was organized.The Cost of VictoryEven without any opposition, the taskwould have been a big one. Perhaps theindifference of many and the appearance of enemieswithin and withouttheir city showed the people the needof the work, and the opposition becamea spur to urge them on. In chapter 2:7, 8 we have a list of those who didnot want to see Jerusalem strengthened.It is interesting to see how they changedtheir method of attack as the workwent on. First they were grieved thathelp had come from abroad (2:10). Thenthey tried to show indifference bylaughing at the work (2:19). As the122work went on they resorted to mockeryand ridicule (4:1-3). When the progressof the work proved to be beyond ridicule, they became very wroth, and combined to stop the work by force. Thisthreat had a good effect: it proved theneed of protecting the city, and boundthe people together in the consciousnessof a common need. Having seen the difficulty of the task, and having unitedin their effort to meet it, the victorywas half won.The Secret of Victory."Not by might nor by power . . Itwas not enough that the people wereunited and had a mind to work. Theyknew that it was the Lord's work, sothey took their cause to God in prayer.They claimed God's help; for what?The strength of their prayer was in thefact that they were working. They didnot ask God to come down and liftstones. Theyasked Him to give themstrength to do the lifting, and protectthem while they were doing it.Some have criticized Nehemiah'sprayer(4:5, 6), saying that he did notshow a Christian spirit in praying forthe destruction of his enemies. Nowtheir evil work must be stopped. Therewere two ways bywhich it couldbe brought to an end. The enemies couldaccomplish peace by turning from theirevil purpose. This they had refused todo. There was only one way left, andthat was to destroy the evil workers.Repeatedly God has shown that that isHis way. So Nehemiah's prayer was inline with God's plan. To every sinner,God is calling, 'Turn ye, turn ye, whywill ye die?"This was an emergency, and their"Union" was one of service, not forshortening the time. As long as the chiefend of man is to get for as little aspossible, there will be strife and waste.Nehemiah and his helpers used all thedaylight that God gave them for work.Equality of Honor and RewardMany, like Paul, have learned to becontent with what they have. That iswell. But it is not well to be satisfiedwith a condition which permits an unfair distribution of the earth and of thefruits of labor.There are very few who are satisfiedwith the present distribution of wealth.The "Haves and the Have Nots" eachwant more. There are a few who areseeking an honest solution of the problem,and are striving for justice. Nehemiah was in this class. He followed theordinance for Israel that David had set(I Sam. 30:25). When Nehemiah heardcomplaint that some of the stay-at-homeworkers were left without proper provision, he immediately investigated andsaw to it that all were both suppliedand protected. Of course it is likely thatthere will always be some who will complain even if they get more than justice.We have yet to learn the difference between getting and earning.We have not yet advanced far enoughto realize that the rustic who raises capons is as honorably employed as themagnate who eats them. Service is thehighest mark of nobility.The Disposition to Work"Let this mind be in you, which alsowas in ChristJesus."We know thatthose workers in Jerusalem were enjoying their task. They had a mind towork. We are fortunate if we can selectwork that appeals to us. We are morefortunate if we can set our minds towhatever task is ours to do. Anyone whotries to do his work well, and better every day, will find satisfaction and enjoyment in his work.The Privilege of a New StartIsrael had failed. The Temple wasdestroyed, they had to find the rock onwhich to build a new one. The wallsand the gates were broken and theybuilt new ones. We do not have to buildon our past failures. God asks us tomake a new start. "Forgetting thethings that are behindThe Joy of United Effort in God's WorkThe Bible speaks often of joy beingexpressed by singing. Joy deals strangely with arithmetic; it increases whenshared. When a company sings together,every voice responding to the sametime, we have a type, an illustration ofthe harmony that can be enjoyed whena company works together because eachone is following the leadership of JesusChrist.PRAYER MEETING TOPICSeptember 14, 1955"PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS"Psalms:Matt. 6:12, 14, 15Rev. P. D. McCracken, D.D.32:1-6, page 74130:1, 2, 5, page 32551:1, 4-6, page 132-133References:Luke 11:4; 7:36-50; Matt. 5:21-26;Rom. 3:9-22; Matt. 18:24-25; I John 1:8,10; Rom. 5:14; Heb. 9:22; Eph. 1:6, 7; IIPet. 1:2; Hos. 14:2; Jer. 14:7; Rom. 15:13.COVENANTER WITNESS

us."COMMENTSOur last study in this series on Prayerwas about our daily necessities, "Giveus this day our daily bread." But evidently that isn't enough. There is something else needed, and even more important, "And forgiveWhy did Christ teach us to pray thisfifth petition? The reason is not hard tofind. We are sinners (Rom. 3:2). Thatfact is written large in the Bible, andall through human history. Sin is bothoriginal and actual with all of us, andthe wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23a).Sin is an ugly word, but it stands forthe most terrible fact in God's universe.That is the word that Luke uses,give us our (Luke 11:4).sins""ForThere are many different wordsthroughout the Bible used to define Sin,such as transgression, trespass, evil, iniquity, guile, etc., and this is because nosingle word is sufficiently broad. Someof sin's many manifestations are recorded in Rom. 1:28-32 and in Gal. 5:19-21.Matthew properly uses the word^'debts,""Forgive us our debts." Andwe are in debt both to God and to men.Many of our debts to men are a commercial nature, and can often be settledwith money. But our debts to God arepenal, involving punishment accordingto the justice of God because of want ofconformity unto or transgression of thelaw of God.In a very real sense we owe God everything, but to be more specific, weowe God our undivided Love. "Thoushalt love the Lord thy God with all thyheart, and with all thy soul, and withall thy strength, and with all thymind."(Luke 10:27). We owe God Reverence(Psalm 89:7). We owe God Obedience(Deut. 11:27, 28; I Sam. 15:22; Jer. 7:23; Acts 5:29). We owe Him Service(Luke 16:13; Deut. 10:12; Matt. 4:10).We owe Him First Place in our lives(Ex. 20:3; Matt. 10:37).And not one of us has lived up toour obligations. Verily, we are all indebt, and therefore guilty before God.We are subjects for the wages of sin."Neither we, nor any other creature,can make the least satisfaction for thatdebt."(See Larger Catechism, Q 194).We are totally bankrupt. Our guilt (ourdebts) before God can be taken awayonly by the redemption purchased by Jesus Christ on Calvary. That is what forgiveness is. It is the cancelation of ourdebts. It is the blotting out of the handwriting against us.By Christ fulfilling our broken obligations and atoning for our sins, GodAugust 24, 1955can now reckon us as having no sin.Because of Him who knew no sin butbecame sin for us, our debt is canceled.We are free, and, "If the son shall setyou free, ye shall be free indeed" (John8:36).But this petition differs from all theothers in that it alone has a qualifyingclause: "Forgive us our debts, as weforgive our debtors." And Christ commenting on this, uttered these most significant words: "For if you forgive mentheir trespasses, your Heavenly Fatherwill also forgive you. But if ye forgivenot men their trespasses, neither willyour Father forgive your trespasses."Those are solemn words, and we needto consider them carefully and often.I am reminded of the cartoon by thelate E. J. Pace of two men reaching outtheir right hands to shake with eachother, but each carrying a hatchet intheir left hand concealed behind theirbacks. Between the two men are thewords, "Yes, brother, I can forgive allright, but I can't forget." In the uppercorner of the cartoon is the suggestionthat we read in Eph. 4:32. Better dothat and, especially the last part.But we need to be careful about thisphrase "as we forgive our debtors," lestwe fall into the error of Modern Dispensationalism as it is reflected in theinterpretative Scofield Reference Bible.On page 1002 of this Bible it is statedthat "Under Law (Matt. 6:12) forgiveness is conditioned upon a like spiritwithin us; under Grace (Eph. 4:32) weare forgiven for Christ's sake, and exhorted to forgive because we have beenforgiven."But the error is plainly visible whenwe remember that God's forgiveness ofmen has always been by Grace, on thebasis of Christ's atoning work, and forChrist's sake. It is not dependent on us.Forgiving our debtors, then, is not theground of God's forgiving us, but ratherthe evidence that God has forgiven us.We are to manifest that forgiving spirittoward our debtors that God, in Christ,has so generously shown toward us. Ifwe don't, then it is exceedingly dangerous for us to pray this fifth petitionof the Lord's Prayer. In this connection,study Matt. 18:23-35, which is the parable of "The Unforgiving Servant."Suggestions:1. Make use of both the Shorter andLarger Catechism questions on this subject.2. See Comments on this petition inB.B.F. and L., pp. 104-108, Vol. 4.3. Pray earnestly "Lord, helpforgive, as Thou dost forgive."us toW. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor.Prayer Hour. 1:00 P.M. MondayW. M. S. TOPICFor SeptemberLuke 14:28Mrs. Paul D. WhiteIn Luke 14:25-30great multitudeswere following our blessed Saviour. Suddenly Jesus challenged them with thesolemn warning that before they couldbecome kingdom builders, indeed beforethey could build their lives according todivine specifications they would have toconsider the cost, lest haply, after, hehath laid the foundation, and is not ableto finish it, all that behold it begin tomock him, saying, "This man began tobuild, and was not able to finish." Why?"This man started out to be a Christian; he joined the church; he taught aSabbath School class for a while; etc."The mockers will scoff, "This man began to build, and was not able to finish."Jesus warned His would-be followersto count the cost. They must be willingto give up all fleshly lusts and sensuousdesires (Gal. 5.). The Rev. F. D. Meyerin his early Christian life tried to keepthe key to one treasure chest in hisheart where he tried to hide a secret sin.But finally God rebuked him and demanded that he surrender this key andcast out this sin. Then F. B. Meyer wasfilled with the Holy Ghost and withpower.Some years ago during a meeting conducted by the Winchester Gospel team,Mr. O. H. Curry told the story of a carpenter who had built many houses for acertain contractor. Once again the contractor gave his employee the blue printsfor another beautiful house,and explained that he and his wife were goingabroad, and he expressed his desire thatthe new house might be finished upontheir return. The carpenter seemed tobe siezed with an evil spirit. His bosscould go abroad, but he felt that he hadto stayat home and work year afteryear. He built the house, but he wascareless and didn't build it according tothe exact specifications.He skimpedhere and there and used inferior materials, which didn't show from the outside. When the contractor came home,he asked the carpenter and his family tomeet him at the new house. "As a reward for the faithful service you haverendered through the years, I want topresent to you and your wife a deed123

eward."absence,"stone."able,"to this beautiful house which you builtin myhe said. Why did thecarpenter turn pale? Why was he afraidto live in the house when the stormscame and the wind blew?Each one of us must give acount ofour stewardship if we would build foreternity with God.Read once more the "Foreward"which our Synodical President, Mrs. A.J. McFarland, has given us"Therefore we his servants will ariseand build" (Neh. 2:20).WE ARE BUILDERSIsn't it strangeThat princes and kings,And clowns that caperIn sawdust rings,And common peopleLike you and meAre BUILDERS for eternity?Each is given a bag of tools,A shapeless mass,A book of rules;And each must make'Ere life has flownA STUMBLING blockOr a STEPPINGRemember our lives are to be livingtemples of God, everlasting, beautiful,and useful, and we are stewards of whatGod in His abounding love has providedfor us, to use in buildingHis honor and glory.our lives forn John, verse 8 "Look to yourselves,that we lose not those things which wehave wrought, but that we receive a fullW. M. S. DEPARTMENTSynodicalTheme: Arise and build.A Request!PLEASE BE DEFINITE in signingthe name of your society. At all timeswhen mentioning your society, and especially when sending money and giftsof any kind, please state whether it isW.M.S. or Y.W.M.S. and give the nameof the congregation.It is not enough to say: e.g. LillianMcCracken W.M.S. for it is unknownto most womenariesat home and missionwhether this organization be inFlorida or California. Furthermore fewknow whether it is Y.W.M.S. or W.M.S.In sending packageswill the senderplease sign her own name if she expectsthe receiver to acknowledge the gift.124THANK YOU.OFFICIAL BOARDMrs. J. M. Robb, SecretaryChurch NewsTo commemorate a century of Christian service is an experience not yet accorded to many of our mid-westem congregations. Therefore the Clarindachurch considered it a high privilege toobserveits Centennial the afternoonand evening of July 28. In spite of avery hot and uncomfortable day a largenumber of friends and former membersgathered to join in the celebration.The Sharon congregation may be regarded as the parent church, for it wasfrom Sharon that the first Covenantersettlers came in 1854 Wm. Whitehill,Thomas Toner, Aaron Wilson, and Wm.McClelland. They were followed soon byJohn and Robert Stevenson, and they inturn by Covenanters from other places.In 1855 a commission of Illinois Presbytery organized the Clarinda congregation with thirty-four members fromthirteen families signing the roll.The first church services were held inprivate dwellings until a permanent location could be found. The presenthouse of worship is the fifth building tobe used. It was dedicated December 1,1918, and is a well-arranged and attractive rural church. The large manse waserected in 1911 and stands on the samelot as the church.Nine pastors have served the congregation. The first, the Rev. Joseph McCracken, served less than two years,1857-58. He was succeeded by the Rev.David McKee, who was a real pioneerminister. His long pastorate covered theyears 1861-1893, and not only did heminister to his own congregation butestablished churches at Blanchard, Iowaand Wahoo and Superior, Nebraska. TheRev. J. W. Dill came in 1893 and remained until 1908.A CENTURY OF SERVICEThis was his lastpastorate, as he retired for reasons ofhealth and lived in Sterling, Kansas,until his death in 1933. Following camethe Rev. H. G. McConaughy, 1910-1915,the Rev. S. J. Johnson, 1916-20, Dr. M.S. McMillan, 1920-31, Dr. Remo I. Robb,1932-39, Dr. E. G. Russell, 1940-48, andthe present pastor, Dr. C. T. Carson,who came in 1949. Drs. McMillan andRussell have served their denominationas Moderator, and Dr. Robb has beenHome Mission Secretarysince 1946.Among those who have gone out toserve the church at large are the Rev.Wylie Caskey, a son of the congregation,now the pastor at Winchester, Kansas,and Mrs. Lois Huggins Mouradian, whotaught a term in the Girls' School inCyprus. Others who received a part oftheir early training here include theRev. W. A. Pinkerton, the Rev. John Edgar, Dr. Cloyd Caskey, the three ministerial sons of Dr. McMillan Robert,John, and Willard and the Rev. Donald Robb. The Rev. Norman Carson wasa member here during his Seminarydays. Two ministers of revered memory,Dr. J. R. W. Stevenson and Dr. J.Boyd Tweed,spent a part of their youthin the bounds of this congregation.The members of the general committee, Mrs. Homer Woods, Chairman, Mrs.Guy Black, Miss Mildred Blair, LeslieMcCalla,and John Cabeen deserve highpraise for their efficient service. Thelong hours of planning every detail inadvance paid big dividends when theday came. They were assisted in carrying out the plans by several committees who also were "ready, willing andwith the result that everythingwent smoothly throughout.The observance began with a programat two o'clock. Dr. C. T. Carson led devotionalsand acted as Master of Ceremonies. Two numbers were sung by theBlack quartette. A splendid history ofthe congregation was prepared and readby Miss Gertrude Lee, granddaughter ofthe Rev. David McKee. Following thiswas a pageant by the Juniors under thedirection of Mrs. Knox McCalla, depicting a congregational meeting of the early days. Authentic old-time costumesand the fact that the items of businesswere taken from the actual minutesmade this quite realistic and entertaining. Along somewhat similar lines was askit given by Glola Caskey, dressed as amodern miss, and Susie Perry,in a costume of the "Nineties." They discussedthe modes of livingof the present andformer times. This was quite amusingbut no doubt the majority of the audience would agree with the Wise Man,"Say not that the former days were better than these." This skit was coachedby Miss Mildred Blair.Greetings were given in one-minutetalks by Wylie and Cloyd Caskey, JohnEdgar, and Norman Carson. Lettersfrom former members were read byMrs. Raymond Moore and Mrs. ClaudeBlair. These included messages from Dr.and Mrs. McMillan and Dr. and Mrs.COVENANTER WITNESS

us,"all."Russell. Everyone regretted that thesehighly-esteemed former leaders couldnot have been here in person.The program concluded with a Singing School conducted by Mrs. MyrtleTippin. The ladies comprising the schoollooked very lovely in their old-fashioneddressestheir singing.and bonnets and all enjoyedIn the interim between sessions theguestsenjoyed visiting and many wandered down to the cemetery adjoiningthe church grounds, while others viewedthe interestingexhibit of old picturesand antiques arranged by Mrs. W. G.Dunn. At six o'clock the dinner committee, Mrs. Claude Blair, Chairman,served a bountiful and appetizing meal.At eight o'clock the program was continued. Elder Donald Whitehill led devotionalsfrom the 146th Psalm and aquartette of young matrons sang a portion of the Psalm. Greetings from theMinisterial Alliance of Clarinda werebrought by the Rev. D. C. Davis, pastorof the Presbyterian church, and theRev. Ray Davis of the College SpringsUnited Presbyterian church broughtgreetings from that community. GlolaCaskey gave a humorous reading enjoyed by all. A number was sung by theMartin quartette composed of Mr. andMrs. Herbert Martin, Mrs. Bertha Martin Young, and Mrs. Myrtle Martin Tippin. Their father, Mr. J. F. Martin, wasappointed precentor a half-century ago,and the familyyears.carried on until recentThe address of the evening was givenby Dr. Remo I. Robb who related someof his experiences as pastor here, andin his usual forceful manner challengedus to greater service for Christ in thefuture. The Black quartette sang another number and Dr. G. M. Robb pronounced the benediction.The guest list is too long to give infull but a check showed that guestswere present from Massachusetts, NewYork, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Indiana,Louisiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado,and California, besides those from nearby Missouri and Iowa communities. Mrs.Mary Caskey, of Superior, Nebr., hadthe distinction of being the oldest former member present. Mr. WilliamBlair has had the longest continuousmembership. Larry Cabeen, son of Mr.and Mrs. Donald Cabeen, is the youngest baptized member. All five childrenof the Rev. J. W. Dill were presentEsther, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Dill andMr. and Mrs. Robert Dill coming fromSterling, Kans., Mrs. Alice Reed fromTopeka, and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Dillfrom Poughkeepsie, N. Y.So the day came to a close,a day wehad anticipated for so long, a day weAugust 24, 1955enjoyed to the full and one we shallnever forget. As we look back withthanksgiving, saying, "Hitherto hath theLord helped so we look forwardwith hope and trust, knowing God is"Able to do exceeding abundantly aboveall we can ask or think.""Henceforth we will not go back,Nor turn from Thee atMrs. Charles T. CarsonCOLLEGE HHXWe welcome to our membership Mr.and Mrs. Charles Dunn by certificatefrom the Baptist church, and theirdaughter Patricia who came in by profession of faith. Both Patricia and theirlittle son were baptized on June 7.On the same date, Roberta Lee Dwyer,daughter of Mr. and Mrs. WilliamDwyer and David Irwin Robb, son ofRev. and Mrs. Donald I. Robb of Cambridge, Mass., were baptized. Dr. RemoI. Robb, grandfather, baptized his grandson.Those of our congregation who graduated from Geneva at the June Commencement were Miss Lois Downie,Donald Ledrick and Garry Gache, alsoMiss Aphrodite Trombattas who hasworshiped with us during her time spentat Geneva.A beautiful wedding took place in ourchurch on the evening of June 24 whenbefore a church full of guests our Pastor Dr. Frank H. Lathom united in marriage Miss Lois M. Downie, daughter ofMr. and Mrs. Charles Downie, to Mr.William Hummel. A delightful receptionfollowed the ceremony. The young couple carry with them the best wishes ofthe congregation as they begin their lifetogether. They are making their homein Columbus, Ohio, where each of themhas employment.A son Samuel Linton arrived to jointhe family of Mr. and Mrs. Roy McDonald on the 18th of June. Two sisters,Mary Elizabeth and Nancy, are delighted with the little brother.The Sabbath School picnic was heldin East Palestine Park on June 25. Afine time was enjoyed by all in spite ofthe cold weather.Miss Ellen Lathom was in charge ofour D.V.B.S. in the West Mayfield Chapel. Fortychildren attended. Theyshowed great interest and enjoyment inthe sessions.Dr. Jonathan Lee and family and Mrs.Margaret Lee Boyce and family recentlyvisited in the Dr. C. M. Lee home.We miss Mr. and Mrs. J. Walker Wilson who have gone to the home of theirson Rev. Paul Wilson in Barnett, Vt., forthe summer.Announcement has been made of theengagement of Dr. William R. Russell,a member of our congregation and MissMartha Irons of Beaver Falls, Pa. Awedding in September is planned.Sonja Hudak was operated on forappendicitis on June 7. Mr. Glen McElwain was in the hospital for quite sometime, suffering from a heart attack. Weare glad to report both of these members are better. Miss Pearl Hamilton isanother member who has been ill formany weeks.Mr. and Mrs. Richard George and Linda Gayle are in Beaver Falls, guests inthe home of Mrs. W. R. Sterrett. Weare hoping that before long "Rick's"service with Uncle Sam may be overand that they maynent home in Beaver Falls.make their permaMiss Edna M. George has gone fromMcKee Hall to make her home in ourHome in Pittsburgh. A reception wastendered her by Mrs. W. S. Saxton andMrs. Esther Black at McKee Hall before she left. More than a hundredfriends attended to express their appreciation of Miss George's fine serviceto Geneva through the years gone byand to extend their best wishes for thefuture.We greatly appreciate the presenceand helpfulness of Miss AphroditeTrombattas in the Sabbath School andchoir during her stay among us. Ourprayers and very best wishes go withher as she travels to Somaliland tospend some time with her parents before taking up her work in our schoolat Nicosia.Vacations are so numerous among usbut Ye Editor will not allow usspace to tell you who or where.AmenPORTLAND NEWSEditorOn the evening of July 29 the congregation held a surprise party in honor ofEleanor Faris. A purse was given Eleanor at the close of the eveningand theassurance of our interest and prayerswill follow her in Japan.We were glad to have Esther Farisfrom Phoenix with us for a few dayswhile visiting her sister.Rev.Gene Spear and family spenttheir last Sabbath in Portland and wewere glad to hear Mr. Spear preach andalso to make the acquaintance with hisfamily.Rev. Carson and family made the tripto Seattle to see the missionaries sailon August 3.Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lamont, Jr. fromSeattle worshiped with us on August 7.Mr. Lamont gave us some highlights ofthe conference at Hume Lake.Daily Vacation Bible School is to beheld from August 15-26 this year.125

DENVER CONGREGATIONSome twenty-five guests helped Mr.Frank Atchison celebrate his 80th birthday at a buffet supper in his home, April29. On June 11, the Atchisons celebratedtheir 53rd wedding anniversary.Dr. and Mrs. J. G. McElhinney ofPhoenix are vacationing in Denver, andare worshiping with us.Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Martin journeyed to Clarinda, Iowa, for the 100thtion.of the Clarinda congregaThe August meting of the Woman'sMissionary Society, was held in thechurch with the Missionetts as guests.The Wilmer Piper family of Topekaworshiped with us in July.Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Stevenson andfamily of Eskridge, Kansas, visited inDenver following the Young People'sConference at Covenant Heights. Mrs.Stevenson is a niece of Dr. Mitchel.Richard McEnderfer, a member of theDenver congregation, was married inLovell, Wyoming, to Nancy Johnsonon August 7. The young couple will continue their studies at Western StateCollege during the coming year.Mr.and Mrs. Robert McBurney ofLakewood used the summer time to celebrate their 46th wedding anniversary,and to hold a family reunion. A Buffetsupper was held at the home of Mr. andMrs. Donald Rhodes. Those presentwere Mr.and Mrs. James Park andfamily of Montreal, Canada; the MiltonMcBurney's, Dr. and Mrs. James McBurney of Pueblo Colorado and otherfriends.Mr. and Mrs. Alan Burgess (Ada Yellowfish)of Apache, Okla., were visitorsin the home of Rev. and Mrs. PaulWhite in July.Mr. and Mrs. Burgess and Rev. andMrs. White sang a Psalm in the Indianlanguage at the Sabbath Morning service.STERLING NEWSMrs. Gail Wilkey, Mrs. MargaretReed, and Larry Oline appeared as concert artists with the civic band in July;Gail and Margaret as vocalists, whileLarry soloed on his bass horn.Van Wilkey recently appeared on T.V.with a group of his friends on the "Kansas Mack" hour.C. F. Oline, as president of Sterling'sChamber of Commerce, was in charge ofthe Old Settlers' Picnic at which over2000 persons were served barbecuedbeef,sandwiches and beans. The Olinefamily vacationed in the Rockies the lastweek in July.Dr. and Mrs. Wm. Martin and sons ofTopeka, en route to the west coast,visited his mother Mrs. Clara Martinand the Kilpatricks.126The Gilford Alexanders of Cheyenne,Wyoming, (Greeley congregation) visited the week of August 1 with her parents the R. J. Hueys, and her sister andfamily, Victor Wuthnows. We rejoicethat Victor is much improved after along siege of ulcers.Mr. and Mrs. Truman Hugg and family of Denison and Mr. and Mrs. ErnestMclver and family of San Bernadino,California, were recent guests in theRobert McCrory home.Miss Ora Hayes, who recently had avisit from her cousins, Mr. and Mrs.Elmer Hays and their granddaughters,is visiting relatives in Morning Sun,Iowa, during early August.The church picnic was held at Taylor'sgrove August 3. Following the meal, allenjoyed a period of prayer and praiseunder a typical Kansas moonlight sky.Mr.and Mrs. Quenton Kilgore aremaking their home in Sterling whereQuenton is employed and Irena has attended summer school. She will teach atMitchel this fall, driving from Sterling.Mrs. R. J. Huey was hostess to theW.C.T.U. on August 11.Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Kelsey and family of Tampa, Florida, are spending twoweeks with her parents, the R. M. Edgars. Don and Philip have spent thesummer with their grandparents.Mr. Howard Mann has received employment in Hutchinson, so his wifeVera who taught in Wichita last year,asked release from that contract andwill teach the first grade in Hutchinsonthis fall. Pamela will again stay withher grandparents in Sterling, Mr. andMrs. A. J. Young.GENEVA COLLEGEForty-six students graduated fromGeneva College at the annual summercommencement exercises in the OldMain auditorium at 8 p.m. August 12.Dr. Theodore A. Distler, executive director of the Association of American Colleges, delivered the address to the graduating class. Dr. Charles M. Lee, president of the college, conferred the degrees. Dean D. Raythe candidates.Wilcox presentedDr. John Coleman, retired professorof political science, delivered the invocation and pronounced the benediction.Dr. John S. Mclsaac, director of summer school, gave the address of welcome.Dr. Paul H. Chapman, who is leavingthe Geneva faculty to accept a Wittenberg College professorship this month,served as head marshal, and was assisted by Harold L. Berkoben, East Pittsburgh, student marshal. An instrumentalensemble directed by Louis J. Krepps,instructor in music, played during theprogram.MRS. JENND3 WILSONThe Women's Missionary Society ofthe Reformed Presbyterian Church ofNew Castle, Pa.,wish to place on recorda tribute of love and esteem to thememory of Mrs. Jennie Rapson (Mrs.S. L.) Wilson.Mrs. Wilson at the age of eighty-oneyears entered her Heavenly home onJuly 2, 1955. She is survived by one son,Harry R. Wilson, two granddaughtersMary Alice and LaVerne Ann Wilson,and one sister, Mrs. Pearl McClellandof Redlands, California.At the time of her marriagethan fiftyyears agomoreMrs. Wilson united with the Covenanter Church, comingto us from the Baptist denomination.She early found a place in the work ofthe congregation and was active in themissionary society, the Sabbath schooland social life of the church. A numberof years ago she was awarded the Pennsylvania State Sabbath School Association Medal for fifty years teaching. Herhome on the Youngstown road was always open to church groups. She wasalso a life member of the PittsburghPresbyterial and a faithful and dependable worker in the W.C.T.U.She lovedher church and was anearnest and loyal member. She loved herBible and ordered her life by its teachings."She hath done what she could"Mk.14:8. W.M.S.CLARINDAMartha Caskey is spending two weeksvisiting friends in Pennsylvania.Mr. and Mrs. Melville Kennedy (LuellaMcCalla) of Wellesley, Mass., spenttheir vacation in the Leslie McCallahome. "Luella and Mel" always enterheartily into the work of the congregation while at home and their help andinterest are appreciated.George Dunn has been spending twoweeks at the National Guard Encampment in Wisconsin.Mr. and Mrs. Walter Stokes of LasCruces, N. M., are visiting in the homeStokes'of Mrs. parents, Mr. and Mrs.Miller Dunn.Miss Mary Eleanor Martin of Blanchard has been hospitalized due to a badcase of Shingles.Mrs. Elizabeth Huston of Blanchardhas had visits from her daughters, Mrs.Orin Cornett and children of Nashville,Tenn., and Mrs. Mary Shields and family from Louisiana.Mr. and Mrs. John Bayless of Orlando,Fla., former members here, spent several weeks in this vicinity and attendedthe Centennial.Recent guests in the J. Ren Lee homeincluded Mr. Lee's daughter, Mrs. Robert Forbes, of Cleveland, O., and Mrs.COVENANTER WITNESS

Paul Coleman of Kansas City.Rev.and Mrs. Norman Carson andson Mark spent a few days at the Carson home.Mrs. John Cabeen's mother, Mrs. Stevenson of Eskridge, Kansas, is visitingin the Cabeen home and attended services recently.Mr.and Mrs. Edwin Whitehill andtwo children, Virginia and Tommie,spent several days with relatives inMankato, Minn.NEW ALEXANDRIAMiss Elizabeth J. Beattie, a formerresident of New Alexandria, celebratedher 90th Birthday on July 19, at theReformed Presbyterian Home for theAged, Perrysville Avenue, Pittsburgh,Penna.Miss Beattie was the guest of honor ata Birthday Party given for her at theHome on July 19 by the Missionary Societies of the New Alexandria ReformedPresbyterian Church. Miss Beattie hasbeen a member of the Woman's Missionary Society for a number of years. During the evening a short program waspresented by the Alva Jack MissionarySociety and refreshments were servedby the Women's Missionary Society.Other members of the Home, the Matron, several members of the Board ofDirectors, friends from Pittsburgh andNew Alexandria honored Miss Beattieon this occasion.Mr. and Mrs. Don Crawford and children, John and Sara Jane are spendingthe summer at the Steele farm.Lois Margaret was born to Mr. andMrs. Harry Mark, June 25. Mrs. Mark isthe former Grace Marshall.On recent Sabbath mornings Dr. Fullerton exchanged pulpits with the Rev.Kermit Edgar of the Allegheny churchand Dr. T. C. McKnight of the Wilkinsburghchurch.On August 10 the Oakdale congregation made a call on Dr. Alvin W. Smithto be their pastor. Many are the prayersthat he will be led to accept.W. O. FergusonModeratorMRS. JAMES S. McGAWAnna M. Adams, widow of Dr. JamesS. McGaw, passed to her heavenly homeon the morning of July 16, 1955 just oneday after her eighty-fourth birthday.Anna grew up in the Eighth StreetReformed Presbyterian congregation inPittsburgh. Her father, AlexanderAdams, was an elder there during thepastorate of Dr. A. M. Milligan. Hermother died when Anna was high schoolage. Anna and Dr. McGaw had beenclassmates at Geneva College and weregraduates in the class of 1895. After Dr.McGaw completed his course in the Re-August 24, 1955formed Presbyterian Seminary, theywere married and went to live in Nebraska where Dr. McGaw had beencalled to his first pastorate in the Beulah Church. Their next charge was theSharon congregation at Linton, Iowa.As a pastor's wife Mrs. McGaw endeared herself to all, whether it was herSabbath School Class, the Young People's group, the Missionary Society, theW.C.T.U. or the aged and infirm, thememory of her kind Christian spirit willbe cherished by all who knew her. WhenDr. McGaw was made Field Marshal forthe National Reform Association andhad to be away from home on lecturetours most of his time, it fell to Mrs.McGaw's lot to take the place of bothmother and father for their two sons inthe home.Mrs. McGaw's health had been failingfor some years back. She had beenknocked to the sidewalk in Chicago bya boy on a bicycle injuring her rightarm and hand and causing a neuriticcondition in 1948, and the passing awayof her younger son, Waldo, so soon after, brought on a complete nervousbreakdown while she was living withher elder son, James Paul Kennethand family in Denver.Funeral services were officiated byDr. Jessie Coulter Mitchel of the Denverchurch and Mrs. McGaw was laid to restbeside her beloved husband and sonWaldo in the cemetery at Barrington,Illinois.Beside her son Kenneth, Mrs. McGawis survived by a brother, John Adams,two grand-daughters, Julia Ann andCarol Ann of Denver and James andWilliam Waldo's sons of Barrington,Illinois."There remaineth therefore rest tothe people of God." Heb. 4:9HOT SPRINGSCovenanter visitors at Hot Springs,New Mexico, recently include Mr. andMrs. Hugh Harrington and Gordon ofHetherton, Mich.; Miss Heazlette Brownof Rural Valley, Pa. (Rehoboth congregation) ;Miss Jean Beattie of New Alexandria, Pa.; Miss Frances Dunn ofClarinda, la., with her sister and herhusband, Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Stokes,of Las Cruces, N. M., and Miss DonnaKelso, traveling companion; Mr. andMrs. Don Weimer, Paul and Marjorie ofKansas City, Kansas; and The Rev. S.Bruce Willson, D.D., President of ourTheological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa.,who spoke during our Wednesday evening prayer meeting hour about the importance of Preparation for the GospelMinistry. We are always happy to haveour traveling friends visit us.Hot Springs was represented this yearat the Covenant Heights Conference bya delegation of eight: the Rev. PhilipMartin family, Ellen Earle and LeonCarter. Others of our number were sorry they could not be there to enjoy thesplendid Conference and the Christianfellowship.Due to the cement shortage in thisarea, work on the Chapel addition wasdelayed, so that the date of the Vacation Bible School was postponed untilAugust 1-12. Even though the additionwas not completed, four classes wereheld in it, and the work went forwardin a splendid way under the efficientleadership of the Rev. and Mrs. PhilipMartin, Mrs. Mae Cunningham, MissRuth Martin, Mrs. Benjamin Twyeffortand Mrs. G. F. Heath. Mrs. Heath (Nazerene)drove 20 miles each way eachday to bring her twin girls, and otherneighborhood children to the school.The Average attendance was 44. Manymore children were reached by God'sWord.EASTVALEA very successful Daily Vacation Bible School was held from June 20 toJuly 1 under the supervision of our pastor, Rev. Paul McCracken. We had anenrollment of 77 and an average attendance of 65 children. The theme "Sailing With Christ" was followed. Theteachers and assistants were Mrs. AliceWood, Miss Mary Carol Hoschar, Mrs.Jessie Weiss, Mrs. Grace Wallace, Mrs.Elizabeth Wilcox, Mrs. Mary Belle Cowen,Mrs. Thelma Rae Clark, and Mrs.Mary Hall. The D.V.B.S. and SabbathSchool held a combined picnic at BradysRun Park on July 1.During the past few months we havewelcomed three new arrivals into ourcongregation. A daughter was born toMr. and Mrs. Kenneth Garvin, a son toMr. and Mrs. Don Snedeker, and a sonto Mr. and Mrs. Don Douglas.Individual picnics have been held foreach Sabbath School class during thepast few months, and were in charge ofthe Sabbath School teachers. These picnics were profitable times of fun, food,and Christian fellowship.Congratulations to Don Kerr, whowas graduated from Geneva College onJune 7, and was married on June 11 toMiss Margie Davis. We also extend bestwishes to other friends of the congregation, Miss Joyce Walters who will bemarried on August 19 to Mr. DouglasCampbell, and Mr. David Haddox whowill marry Miss Charlene Young on August 27. May God bless these newly established homes to His service.We rejoice that our church serviceshave not suffered in the usual way fromthe summer decline in attendance, andwe pray that we will be used as a congregation to further the Kingdom ofGod in this community.127

me."cup."practice,"oil"gone."SHALL OUR CHURCH CONTINUE TO OBSERVECLOSE COMMUNIONREPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TOSTUDY PAPER NO. 8The petition from the Santa Ana session makes two proposals:A. That to Chapter XXV of the Declaration and Testimony, respecting "TheSacraments,"paragraph 3, which reads"The Lord's Supper was instituted byChrist, in order to show forth his death,and as a special means of communionbetween himself and his people. It isadministered only by a lawful ministerof the word, to such baptized persons as,making a credible profession of theirfaith, have a correspondingshall be added this statement: "andmake the followingasknowledgments ofthe essential purpose and meaning ofthe Lord's Supper:1. An acknowledgment that the LordJesus Christ is the eternal Son of Godwho became man, and continues to beGod and Man in two distinct naturesand one person for ever. "This do inremembrance ofLuke 22:192. An acknowledgment that the death ofChrist was a substitutionary atonement for the sins of many. "Ye doshow forth the Lord's death." 1 Cor.11:26.3. An acknowledgment that the LordJesus Christ is now the risen, ascended, and reigning Lord, who will surelycome again to judge the world inrighteousness and inaugurate thekingdom of glory. "Till He Come." 1Cor. 11:26.4. An acknowledgment that seif-examination is necessary on the part of onewho would worthilypartake of thesymbols of the body and blood of ourLord. "But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the breadand drink of the1 Cor. 11:28.5. An acknowledgment that the scriptures of the old and New Testamentsare the Word of God,and the soleguide for the believer in matters offaith and conduct. "Heaven and earthshall pass away, but my words shallnot pass Mt. 24:35 "Till heavaway."en and earth pass, one jot or one tittleshall in no wise pass from the law,till all be fulfilled." Matt. 5:18.B. That Errors 6 and 8 of ChapterXXII of the Declaration and Testimonybe deleted.Error 6That any person may be admitted to communion who opposes anyof the terms of church-fellowship.128Error 8That occasional communionmay be extended to persons who shouldnot be received to constant fellowship.Your Committee to study this papercomments :The Church's position of a Close Sacrament has been a source of disturbancefor some years. Thrice in the last decade it has been discussed on the floor ofSynod. The position of a close sacramenthas been steadfastly upheld.Still earnest, honest, loyal membersof the Synod have differing opinions onthe matter.The petition before us seeks in an orderly fashion to present a solutionthrough a modification of our presentposition.On the basis of this paper alone, andwithout discussion and support from thepetitioners the Committee cannot recommend immediate adoption.Previously, all discussion of the matter has been held to the floor of theSynod. If delegates wished to report onthe discussions to their congregationsthey did so, if theywished not to report, their people had no way of hearing the discussions either for or againstthe matter.Your committee is of the opinion thatthe time has come to present public information to the members of the church,that they may become acquainted withthe case for Close Communion as wellas the opinions against it.Your Committee therefore recommends :1. That through the year the CovenanterWitness be asked to publish as manyas two selected articles per month ondifferent viewpoints of requirementsfor admission.2. That to the Editorial Committee ofthe Publication Board be given the final decision on what articles shall bepublished.3. That Dr. J. G. Vos be asked to collectarticles favoring the present position,and Dr. Walter McCarroll articlesfavoring modification,and that allcomments, questions, communicationson the subject be channeled throughthese two men.4. That Dr. Vos and Dr. McCarroll shallpresent material not to exceed onepage in any single issue of the Covenanter Witness.5. That the present petition be laid onthe table for this year.6. That it be brought to the floor ofSynod for action in the present ormodified form for action next year.7. That at the head of the page shall beprinted "The Reformed Presbyterianstandard of admission to the sacrament is that commonly referred toas 'Close Communion'."Respectfully submitted,Resolution adopted:Remo I. Robb, ChairmanLester KilpatrickClaude C. BrownE. J. M. DicksonGeorge D. Hill"That Synod directs that all publicdiscussion of the Sacramental questionbe limited to the pages of the Covenanter Witness and that no typewritten,mimeographed,sent through the Church."WONDERFULor printed articles beBUSINESSOne automobile factory stated,"OURS IS A WONDERFUL BUSINESS."Is not our Women's MissionarySociety a wonderful business? There isno other that means so much to so manypeople. As His messengers we can carrythe faith of Jesus Christ our Lord toall people. We may claim that to be themost wonderful business in the world.It is wonderful because it means somuch to so many. Salvation from sinfor time and eternity is a product without equal. It is wonderful because itbrings joy and inward peace. It is wonderful because it reconciles man andGod.We have freedom of speechpressof theof religion. We value these freedoms. However the real freedom of Salvation is inherent in the product. Salvation is freedom from sin and from itsconsequences now and forever. Whatmore wonderful business is there thanthe proclaiming of salvation throughfaith in Jesus Christ. Let us all be ACTIVE BUSINESS WOMEN. OURS ISA WONDERFUL BUSINESS.An Indian version of the 23rd Psalmmakes the words, "He anointeth myhead with read : "He puts his handsupon my head and all the tired isCOVENANTER WITNESS

sinner"sent"new"peace"rest"ECHOES NUMBERBIBLE LESSON FOR THE WEEK OF September 18, 1955witnessVOLUME LV, NO. 9 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1955Whom Do You Know?"It's not what you know that counts, it's WHOMyou know!" Ever hear that expression? You smile,of course, for it's what many people give as the reason for their sudden rise !Sometimes it works in the things of this world ;sometimes it doesn't! But take a look at that sentence again; this time from an entirely differentviewpoint. You will discover an amazing spiritualtruth, backed by the Word of God !The only tried, sure way to get ahead spiritually, to have the guaranteed assurance of Heaven atthe end of the way, is to know the Right Person. Inthe spiritual realm, it's not what you know, it'sWHOM you know! You must be on "savingterms"with the Right Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, forHis is the only name under Heaven given among menfor the certainty of that salvation which you so desperately need in order to reach Heaven.Here is the most important question in theworld : "Do you know HIM, Christ Jesus, as Saviourand Lord?" Can you honestly say beyond all doubt,"My beloved is mine, and I am his" (Song of Solomon 2:16) ? Have you personally come under thatassurance, underwritten on Calvary, "I know WHOMI have believed and am persuaded that HE is able tokeep that which I have committed unto HIM againstthat day" (2 Timothy 1:12)? If you cannot, thenalas ! you will have nothing to say, nothing to plead,nothing to point to when you stand before Him injudgment, even though you be a "grade-A religiousdevotee,"having known all the facts, read all thebooks, heard all the sermons, attended all the services. You have really been nowhere spiritually if youhave never met Him personally, upon the basis of repentance and faith (Acts 20:21). He is still waitingfor that earnest plea of your soul, "God be mercifulto me a (Luke 18:13).Peter had the right idea when he confessed,"Lord, to WHOM shall we go ? THOU hast the wordsof eternal life. And we believe and are sure THOUart that Christ, the Son of the living God" (John6:68, 69).How is it with you ? Have you learned that thisis the only way to be certain, to be sure ?A wise man of long ago, said, "Acquaint nowthyself withHIM, and be at (Job 22:21). Thisis the positive prescription for the peace that menpursue with such intensity these days. Yet for all of"peace,"the books, plans, speeches and programs forit is tragically true, "the way of peace have they notknown"(Romans 3:17). They have imagined that itis to be found in religion, while God points only toHis Redeemer. They turn to creeds, while God pleadsfor men to turn to the Cross of Calvary.Has this not been true of you ? For all your longing for inward peace, you have so far lost it. It ishigh time for you to get to know the Right Person.It's not what you know that counts, it's WHOM youknow, according to the sure testimony of His Word :"Therefore if any man be IN CHRIST, he is a newcreature: old things are passed away; behold allthings are become (2 Corinthians 5:17)."This is life eternal, that they might knowTHEE the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whomthou hast (John 17:3). Here alone is the assured avenue, and He bids you enter it: "Come untoME . . . and I will give you (Matthew 11:28)."If the SON [Jesus Christ] therefore shall make youfree, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). Join thehappy ranks of those who by faith have made thegreat crossover.Edwin Raymond AndersonAmerican Tract Society

workers."ary'ress,".world."Vineyard GleaningsPresident Signs Bill Aiding Church PapersWASHINGTON, D. C.-(RNS) President EisenhowerSigned legislation allowing churches and religious organizations to enter their publications as second class mail withouthaving to maintain separate subscription and membershiplists.Under previous law, church organizations have for manyto obtain a signed statement from their members that a partof their contributions should be regarded as a subscriptionto the periodical.Scientific and fraternal organizations have for manyyears been able to send their publications to members upona simple resolution of their boards of directors. However,this privilege was not extended to churches since they do notgenerally collect specific membership dues or fees.Missouri Synod Increases Budget Forty-two Per CentST. PAUL, Minn.(RNS) A record budget of $12,900,-000 for 1956 was adopted here by the fiscal conference ofthe Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It is forty-two percent higher than the 1955 budget of $9,100,000.When the conference chairman, Dr. F. A. Hertwig of Detroit, called for "no" votes and was greeted by silence thedelegates burst forth with the doxology, "Praise God fromWhom All Blessings Flow."Gideons Distribute More Than Thirty Million BiblesGideons International has distributed a grand total of30,362,077 Bibles since its founding 57 years ago, WilliamW. Gothard, executive director, reported at the organization's 56th annual convention here.He said the Protestant businessmen's group had circulated 27,346,037 Scriptures in the United States, 1,598,995 inCanada,and 1,417,045 overseas.Inadequate Salaries of Pastors Scored by ReportThe salaries of Protestant Episcopal clergymen rank"somewhere below the wages of carpenters, but slightlyabove those of truck drivers." This estimate of the clergy iscontained in a commission report scheduled to be discussedat the forthcoming triennial general convention of thechurch in Honolulu next September.Ministerial earnings, the report notes, are far belowthose accumulated by doctors, lawyers and engineers. Theyare "way down near the bottomof teachers and socialin the honorable companyTo prove its point, the report asserts that the mediancash salary for the whole church is $3,600. It emphasizesthat this is not the average, but the "half-way" figure.Labor Leader Urges Everyday Use of ChristianityA labor and religious leader pleaded with his Congregational fellow-laymen to put Christianity to work in theireveryday lives. He is Albert Whitehouse, president of theKentucky State CIO council. Whitehouse told the first national convention of the Congregational Christian Churches'Laymen Fellowship that "Jesus Christ was considered aradical far more radical than Karl Marx ever dreamed ordared to be." Whitehouse read Christ's plea to a world to repent and turn to God for salvation. He pointed out thatChrist's plea was made to all people regardless or race,creed or color. "This was the most revolutionary conceptof justice ever heard of. It is still so today130and we don'thave enough people preaching and living it like Christ did,"he said.Commenting on this statement in NOW,LeTourneau Technical Institute, Tom Olson says: "It is unpublication ofusual for a labor leader to exhort his hearers to "repent andturn to God forsalvation.'So many people feel no needwhatever of turning to God for salvation, and many otherswho may admit such a need, feel that the turning is that of'turning over new leaves.' " "It is true," continues Olson, "asthe labor leader said, that such a message is as 'revolutiontoday as then, but it is the truth and should be soundedforth with trumpet voice -'Repent and believe the Gospel!' "Modern Improvements Being Enjoyed in Holy LandAlthough visitors to the Holy Land are surprised to seehow little the habits and customs of Bible times havechanged, there are some advances and many modern improvements are being enjoyed. Late in July, residents ofNazareth got runningdrivers started usingwater in their hemes and Jerusalema modern superhighway."Water development is the pivot of this country's progdeclared Prime Minister Moshe Sharett as he turnedthe valve that joined Nazareth to the nation-wide watersystem. Citing his satisfaction that "the inhabitants of thiscity can heave a sigh of relief as their toil of drawing andend,"carrying water in buckets comes to an the PrimeMinister noted that the Government has devoted specialattention to the needs of Nazareth, a "town of historical renown sacred to the entire Christian(The water supply of Nazareth has been most scantythroughout history as there are no nearby water resources.The town has always depended upon its cisterns and a fewsprings that frequently ran dry in the summer even after anaverage rainy season. This year, due to the drought, theArmy has been bringing water to the town in tank trucks.The town located in the Hills of Galilee is linked to theMekorot lines in the Jezreel Valley by five miles of pipes.)A few days later, at the formal opening of the NesHarim (Miracle of the Mountain) road, Mr. Sharett said:(Continued on page 133)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka Kansaito promote Bible Standards ofDoctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer*;not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing Editor?Frank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental Editor*Rev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas, $8.00 ; Simile CoDiei10 cents.British Isles.R- B' Ly

eactors,"Current EventsBy Prof. William H. Russell, Ph.D.ATOMS FOR PEACEThe U. N. atomic conference at Geneva, Switzerland,proved to be a great success. The two-week meeting was attended by 2,000 delegates and observers from 72 countries.Tens of thousands visited the technical exhibits. Scientistsfrom Iron Curtain countries mingled freely with those fromthe West, and a great deal of information was exchanged.Some have called it the greatest scientific congress of alltime.The major emphasis was on atomic power, which maybecome as cheap as other types of fuel within a few years.Already good progress has been made in the development of"breederwhich produce more fissionable material than they consume. There is even good hope of gettinguseful power from a fusion-type explosion, such as occurs inthe hydrogen bomb. The industrial and medical use of radioisotopes, and the possible genetic effects of radiation, alsowere considered. In the future there probablywill be lessatomic secrecy, as the conference seemed to show that secrecy has caused expensive duplication of effort, withoutpreventing any major country from securing vital information. Another such conference probably will be held in 1957to 1958.HARD BARGAININGOur latest Geneva talks with Red China seem to havebecome deadlocked. Peiping began by releasing the elevenAmerican fliers whom it had convicted of spying. But theforty-one civilians whom the Communists still detain inChina apparently are being kept for bargaining purposes.Peiping seeks not only full diplomatic recognition, but control of all Chinese citizens in this country. There are about4,000 Chinese nationals in the U.S.A. who entered on passports issued by the Nationalist government, which Peipingdoes not recognize. They are all free to leave if they wish,but Red China wants the right to try to persuade them toreturn, including the names of their relatives back in Chinaso that pressure may be applied there. The basic characterof Peiping'struce talks.SURPLUS WATERdiplomacy has not changed since the KoreanThe hurricane season began nearly a month early thisyear, with Connie and Diane smashing at the Atlantic coast.The greatest disaster of the early season came not fromwinds, but from heavy rain. The rain which followed Conniesoaked the northeastern states. Then when another delugecame in the wake of Diane, rivers from Maryland north toMaine went on a rampage. The floods came so suddenlythat over 200 persons were killed, and the damage may havereached over a billion dollars. Roads, bridges,and telephonelines were wiped out, and helicopters were the only meansof communication for some areas. Eastern Pennsylvania andConnecticut suffered the heaviest losses. Better forecastingand warning surely would have made the floods less disastrous. This year's entire appropriation for the U. S. WeatherBureau is less than 3 per cent of the damage done by thethree big hurricanes last fall.August 31, 1955HIGH STANDARDSPresident Eisenhower has issued a new Code of Conductfor service men, dealing especially with the conduct expectedof prisoners of war. This problem has been thoroughly reexamined in view of the torture and brainwashing used bythe Communists in the Korean War. Over one-third of theAmericans taken prisoner there died in captivity, one of theworst records in modern warfare. Of the 4,428 who survived,only 192 have been charged with misconduct. The new coderecognizes that every man has a breaking point, but stillcalls on prisoners to give as little information as possible.They are expected to resist to the utmost any disclosure ofvital information or disloyalty to their comrades or country.This is a high standard, and some will feel that it is notrealistic. The problem is basically one of character-trainingwhich the armed services have usually tended to ignore.SAAR CONTROVERSYA bitter campaign has begun in the Saar, the disputedcoal and iron district between France and Germany. On October 23 there will be a popular referendum on the accordbetween France and West Germany, concluded last winter,which provides for "Europeanizing" the Saar. The districtwould still be economically attached to France and politically autonomous, but its defense and foreign affairs would beunderthe Western European Union. Recently organizationsdemanding the Saar's return to Germany have broken upmeetings of the European Movement, which favors theWEU plan. The Premier of the Saar has called on WestGermany's Chancellor Adenauer to disavow the action ofthese pro-German groups. He has also asked two localCatholic bishops to use their influence against "Christian"parties which are stirring up trouble. However, the plans forthe referendum specifically prohibit any foreign interference,so it is doubtful if Adenauer will act.SLAUGHTER IN NORTH AFRICAFrench North Africa has had its worst fighting in onehundred years of European rule. Nationalists in Algeria andMorocco engaged in bloody battles with French troops onthe second anniversary of the ouster of the sultan of Morocco. Over a thousand persons may have been killed. TheFrench in Morocco have tried to get the present sultan totake the nationalist opposition parties into his government,but he is not in favor of this and the nationalists will notcompromise. The French colonials living in North Africaare equally bitter, and insist on the use of more force. Ifthe issue is not soon solved, it may lead to the fall of Premier Edgar Faure's government at Paris.COCKTAILS ALOFTA bill will be introduced at the next session of Congressto prohibit the serving of liquor aboard commercial airlines.Representative Thomas J. Lane, a Massachusetts Democrat,has announced that he will sponsor such a measure. Severalof the airlines now offer free cocktails before meals on theirfirst-class flights. Other planes have a lounge where drinksare sold. Mr. Lane calls this "a thoughtless invitation to anew kind of disaster," as well as an offense to non-drinkerswho want to use the airlines.131

so?"creation.'perhaps."The Editor's PageBAPTIZED FOR THE DEADKish left his home in Judea to seek his fortuneabroad and finally settled in Cilicia in the cityofTarsus. We will call him Kish for want of a bettername for he was a Benjaminite and very proud of it.So when his son was born, without any hesitationhe said, "His name is Saul" and so it was. The recordshows that this son was circumcised on the eighthday of his life, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, touchingthe law a Pharisee. His father impressed upon hisyoung mind the story of his most noted tribesman,the first King of Israel, and what a brave warrior hewas. To deepen the impression he got him a suit ofarmor such as Saul once put upon David, breastplate,shield, helmet, shoes, sword, girdle, and taught himto endure hardness as a good soldier. But lest thisyoung man's mind should become too militant, hisfather sent him to Jerusalem to that most famousschool of Gamaliel where he learned for the time being at least that the weapons of his warfare werenot carnal, but spiritual, and the real enemy was thespiritual wickedness in high places.It was not long after his graduation that thewhole Jewish nation was shakentry a mighty heresy.A new sect had risen, and was rapidly gainingstrength. It was akin to the Pharisees in this that itaffirmed the resurrection of the dead. Its real leaderwas dead and buried, but his body had been stolenaway, leaving the tomb empty, and his disciples whomust have done it were making capital of the emptytomb by spreading the hoax that Jesus of Nazarethhad risen from the dead. This story was gaining credence every day at an alarming rate.Moreover, the Sanhedrin had been instrumental in no small way in bringing about this crucifixion, and there had been a good many irregularitiesabout the trial, and now the worm was turning, andthey were being openly charged with murder, not ofa mere man, but of the promised Messiah, and theywere in danger of their lives. This Saul, valedictorianof his class, had risen rapidly in influence and wasnow a member of that hitherto-honorable body. Theheretics must be exterminated or the Sanhedrinwould be. What would King Saul do were he in theplace of his unhappynamesake ? Peter and John hadbeen dealt with mercifully, intimidated well, threatened anyway, but they went on preaching bold, badmen that they were, ungrateful for the kindnessshown them, and showing their contempt for thecourt order. And younger men were being drawninto the movement. Young Stephen was a persuasivespeaker, and the leader of a youth movement hemust be stopped. But when brought before thiscourt, he harrangued for a full half hour before anyone could find voice to interrupt him. But when heboldly charged them with murder, it was too muchand they rushed upon him. This brought him to asudden dramatic climax which surprised even him-132self; (filled with the Holy Ghost) he gazed up intoheaven saying, "I see Heaven open and the Son ofman standing at the right hand of God." Somestopped their ears and rushed upon him, then theythrust him out of the city and stoned him to death.But so impressed was Saul that he chose a minorpart, and offered to hold the coats of those that weredoing the stoning. The impression was deepenedwhen Stephen prayed, "Lord, do not hold this againstthem."But Saul could not excuse himself he hadconsented,cast his vote for the death sentence.But Saul's wavering convictions were soon reinforced by the vehemence of the chief rulers andolder men, and he would not be outdone in his determination to exterminate the enemies of his belovednation. Whereupon he went to the high priest andasked that he might be deputized to go to Damascusand elsewhere with blank warrants to seize and imprison any person found guilty of contamination withthis heresy. His very breath was hot for slaughter,and the High Priest was most happy with his request.But not one of those warrants was ever servedin Damascus, for on the way, Saul himself was arrested, not by any earthly authority but by the Kingof kings. He was thrown to the ground, eye-cuffedwith blindness, and followed meekly his unseen Captor to his cell on Straight Street to adjust his mentalvision to this unexpected turn of events. This wouldtake time, even though he had an agile mind, for theold ideas were deeply rooted. He would have to forget that old hero of his youth, that tall, athletic,bloody warrior King Saul. He must transfer his loyalty to the new dynasty of the Son of David, a dynasty that the tribe of Benjamin never quite forgavethey were usurpers. We will skip those years immediately following for they are familiar to youreaders, and pass on to events unfamiliar even to thewriter, but let us reconstruct them together. It happened on the first missionary journey that Saul confided to Barnabas that he had a growing dislike forhis name. "I almost hate it.""Why said Barnabas. "It's a popular name,especially among Benjaminites.""Well first of all, I used to be called 'Saul, thePersecutor.'I want to get away from that, for I ama 'new Abram's name was changed toAbraham. Jacob's name was changed to Israel. Simon's name was changed to Peter. And your ownname was changed from Joses to Barnabas. Andeveryone of you were helped by the change of name.It meant a new life had begun.""Now don't misunderstand me. I wasn't objecting to yourchanging your name, except that it hasbecome so linked with mine. People have come totalk about "Barnabas and Saul' as though we are inseparable, as in fact we are, and they might thinkwe had dissolved partnership, fallen out,COVENANTER WITNESS

suggest?"crown.'sinners."many."extended."exalted'"Yes, I had thought of that, and your name 'Sonof Consolation' has softened their opinion of 'Saulthe Persecutor.' We would have to have new letterheads. But I have prayed over this matter and Ithink Jesus wants me to change name."my"What name does He"Well when I was a kid I was very proud of myname Saul for he was very tall and I thought itwould make me grow tall, and it helped me to forgetthat I was undersize, for I had a King's name. Butthe Jewish boys in Tarsus were jealous, and theytaught the Gentile boys to call me 'Paulos' (the littlefellow) and how I did hate that name ! But now I lovethat name, for it fits me the least of all the apostles, as of one born out of due time the Runt. I lovethe name now, for I am the chief of"I think I know how you feel," saidreasons?"Barnabas,"have you other"Yes, you know when I became a Christian myfather and mother had my name stricken from thefamily register. They said I was dead, and to themI was dead and still am. I have numerous relatives inour tribe called Saul, and it will relieve all these relatives of embarrassment if they are not asked whether they are relatives of mine. You know too thatKing Saul was an unregenerate man. Before he died,'the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul.' My father chose that name for me because he admired theman, but he was mistaken. I feel as though I havebeen baptized for the dead spiritually dead. Itme."doesn't inspire me. It drags me down, depressesBut I should think to be called Paulostle fellow''the litwould depress your spirit even more.Can't you think of a better name than that?""No, for I shall never forget a little fellow whoran in the races in Tarsus. The sportsmen had nicknamed him 'Shorty' (Paulos) , but how he agonized towin the races, and he did win. Somehow I alwaysthink of him when I think of Stephen. They seemedto be two of a kind. I would be inspired to wear eithername, but I am small every way, and the namePaulos fits me like David's sling. Now if I can fight agood fight, if I can run the course set before me,looking unto Jesus, the Starter and the Tape Holder,the Judge and the Crowner, if I can be the best imitator of Christ that I know how to be, I will come tothe end of my life, able to say, 'I am now ready to bepoured out as a libation; I have agonized in thegood fight, I have finished the race, and the Righteous Judge is waiting with my And maybesome day, perhaps centuries from now, some proudand happy Christian parents will name their littleboy 'Paulos' in myhonor."The SequelThat first Gospel Team (among the first anyway) did get new letter heads, not headed "Barnabasand Saul" but on Barnabas' insistence they read"Paul and Barnabas," as they should for Paul wasthe more prolific letter writer.On that daywhen Nero sent Paul to the stakehe met death so bravely, so cheerfully, so radiantly,that Nero's wife looking on admired him, and shewent home and changed her little poodle dog's nameto "Paulos," thinking it fitting because he was soAugust 31, 1955underdog."habitually "theHad Paul known about itit might have reminded him of his four-footed childhood playmate "Agag."How times have changed! Thousands and thousands of boys and men are proudly wearing the name"Paul"and trying to live up to it, and some thousands of ugly yellow curs are bearing the name"Nero" and trying to live down to it. It is one thingto be baptized for the living. It is another thing to benamed for the eternally dead.Paul has become the head of a new dynasty.When the disciples were striving about which ofthem should be the greatest, Jesus rebuked them:"Kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them ;. . but ye shall not be so, but he that is greatestamong you, let him be as the younger, and he thatis chief as he that doth serve. ... Iappoint unto youa kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto Me.""For even the Son of man came not to be ministeredunto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransomfor To paraphrase and combine separate instances we get this result : "Earthly kings,with theirinflated ego, awe their subjects by show of force.But each of you shall have a kingdom and reign withMe, and your kingdom will be just as wide as thereach of your influence and determined by the lovethat people have for you. That is the way My kingdom isPaul, the least of all the apostles,has become the greatest of them all, for he becameall things to all men that he might win some to loveJesus Christ.Yes, the writer is thinking of Paul Coleman.The Shepherd knows what pastures are best forHis sheep, and they must not question or doubt, buttrustfully follow Him. Perhaps He sees that the bestpastures for some of us are to be found in the midstof opposition or of earthly trials. If He leads youthere, you may be sure they are green for you, andyou will grow and be made strong by feeding there.Perhaps He sees that the best waters for you to walkbeside will be the raging waves of trouble and sorrow. If this should be the case, He will make themstill waters for you, and you must go and lie downbeside them, and let them have all their blessed influences upon you. L. FitzGerald. Selected.GLEANINGS from page 130"The symbol of the Nes Harim road should be the versecontained in the prophecy of Isaiah : 'And I will make all mymountains a path and my highways shall be (Isaiah49:11)."The Prime Minister praised the planners and workers on the road and noted that its completion improves boththe security situation and the transport facilities availableto the capitol.(Since the establishment of the State, 500 miles of newroads have been constructed. The more important of theseinclude the 138-mile Beersheba-Eilat road; the 56-mile Beersheba-Sidonroad; the network along the Gaza strip; the44-mile Latrun by-pass; and the 8-mile road from Mamshitto the phosphate mines in the Negev.) (ISI 8/10/55)133

(?Having Done All to Stand"price."moment."miseries."evil."away."A Series of Five Devotional Addresses Given Before the SynodIV. How to Redeem the Time(Devotional message at Synod. June 13, 1955)M. K. Carson, D.D.Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5.This word "redeem" means "to recover from another by the payment of a The meaning inthis particular text seems to be that we are to makea wise and diligent use of every opportunity we haveto witness for Jesus Christ.One word for time means the succession of moments, days weeks, etc. (Chronos). Another word for"time"means an "opportune or seasonable time.".Kairos) This is the word which is used in our text.Our farmers in Ohio and elsewhere had a special opportunity this spring to plant their corn. That opportunity soon passed. If a farmer could not or didnot avail himself of the opportune time, it is too latenow for this year. We are told that the longest totaleclipse of the sun since 705 A.D. took place on June20. Its maximum duration was a little more thanseven minutes. What an opportune moment for theastronomers! How quickly those seven minuteswould pass ! One word means "time" in general. Theother word means a "limited portion of time with theadded idea of Thayer. If suitableness."we used thetwo words, we might say, "The nick of time." This isthe one suitable moment to strike while the iron ishot. We cannot redeem the time in the sense that thepoet suggested."Backward, turn backward, O time, in your flight.Make me a child again just for tonight."We might return to our childhood homes but thedays of childhood will not return to us. Herein liesthe solemnity of life. We cannot go back. But we can"redeem"the "opportune"There is a tide in the affairs of men,Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortuneOmitted, all the voyage of their lifeIs bound in shallows and inShakespeare."There are three things that never return, thespent arrow, the spoken word and the lost opportunity."Persian proverb.Being busy does not mean that we are redeeming the time. We may be very busy about many"trivial"things. Some ministers complain about being burdened with organization, with meetings andwith speaking, with little or no time for the studyand meditation of God's Word. Others are too busyfor Family Worship. Are we really redeeming thetime, busy as we may seem to be, if we are neglecting the things of the Lord ?134Are there more opportunities to do good in evildays? Is there a greater need? "Redeem the timebecause the days are How can we seize everyopportune moment to redeem the time? The answerof INSPIRATION is found in the contextI. By Walking CircumspectlyThe command here is that we are to be strictlycareful about the life we lead. Dr. G. Campbell Morgan used the illustration of a cat walking on the topof a concrete wall. This wall had been made with alarge number of broken and sharp pieces of glassstuck in the top of the concrete. Certainly we wouldexpect a cat to be very careful as it walked along thiswall walking circumspectly. We have covenanted todo this. "Taking as our example the faithful in allages, and most ofall, the blessed Master Himself,and with our eye fixed upon the great cloud of witnesses who have sealed with their Iblood the testimony which they held, we will strive to hold fast theprofession of our faith without wavering, in hope ofthe crown of life which fadeth not Covenant1871"We do covenant with God that we will seek toconform our lives to the teaching and example ofour Lord Jesus Christ ; that we will endeavor to forsake all that is sinful and that would compromise ourwitness for Him; that we will separate ourselvesfrom all association, especially secret societies, whichwould hinder the development of Christian character ; and that we will encourage by our example, temperance, love and Covenant godliness."1954.Surely we would be walking circumspectly ifour lives conformed to the example and teaching ofChrist ! Who can estimate the far-reaching influences of a godly, Christian life. One of our Covenanterelders was told that he preached a sermon on Sabbath Keeping, every Lord's day, a sermon which wasfive miles long. This was the distance this elder andhis family had to drive to Church. In those days ofmud and dust, heat and cold, five miles was a longdistance. A young minister was leaving his first pastorate and was bidding goodbye to one of his mempacking,"bers. "I have almost finishedhe said."There is one thing you will not be able to pack,"saidhis friend. "What is that ?" "You cannot pack yourinfluence."Walking circumspectly is surely a wonderfulway in which to redeem the time. Jesus did alwaysthose things which pleased the Father and He wantsCOVENANTER WITNESS

man."wise."path"another."you"name."us to "let our light so shine before men, that theymay see our good works and glorify our Fatherwhich is in heaven."The Scriptures teach "what duty God requiresof This is the message of Peter, "Sanctify theLord God in your hearts" ; of James, "Be ye doers ofthe word, and not hearers only"; of Paul, "Be notconformed to this world ; but be ye transformed bythe renewing of your mind, that ye may prove whatis that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God"and of John, "Beloved, let us love oneIt isa sin to waste the time of another. We are not ourown. How sinful then, it is to waste the time of Himwho hath redeemed us. Redeem the time by walkingcircumspectlylove.walking in the light, in truth and inII. By Understanding the Will of the LordThis word,"understand" seems to mean to"bring together." The idea evidently is that we areto bring God's Word into our daily lives. Do we applyGod's word to our daily living? Are we doers of theWord ? The Psalmist said, "Thy Word is a lamp untomy feet, and a light unto my here we have alamp unto our feet, a message for every step of theway, as well as a light unto our path.But if we are to make application of God's Wordto the conduct of our daily life, we must know it. In arecent Gallup Poll in which people were asked toname the first four books of the New Testament,over half of the people were unable to name any oneof the Gospels. Can this be true? If it is, then itmeans that over half the people of this country areignorant of the contents of these Gospels. If peopledo not know the names1 of the Gospels is it likely thatthey will know much about the teaching, life anddeath of Jesus Christ ? Of course people who are ignorant of God's will cannot make any adequate application of it to their own lives.In the COVENANTER WITNESS, May 11, is anarticle on "How Drunkards Are Produced" by Dr.W. J. Robinson. Dr. Robinson stated that accordingto Proverbs 20:1 "more than half of our people arenotMore than half the people who were asked toname the four Gospels were unable to do it. Morethan half the people are not wise because they aredeceived by strong drink. Is there any relationshipbetween these two things ? If men do not know theWill of the Lord, they are unwise. What is the result? They are deceived by strong drink and otherkindred evils. Let us learn to redeem the time by applying God's holy and perfect will to our daily livingmay we truly understand the Will of the Lord !III. By Being Filled with the Holy Spirit"Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess butbe filled with the Spirit." Stimulation might come ina right way or a wrong way. "Be not drunk withwine."Does this include all worldly methods bywhich men are stimulated amassing a large fortune, seeking pleasure, honor, power or in beingdrunk with wine ? These things cannot give the truestimulation. This is found by being filled with theSpirit. Would there be any doubt about redeemingthe time if we were so filled?August 31, 1955The lexicon says, that "What wholly takes possession of the mind, is said to fill it." Zacharias, Johnthe Baptist, the disciples on the day of Pentecost, thefirst Christian martyr, Paul, Barnabas and doubtlessmany others were filled with the Spirit. At leastthree things will characterize those who are so filled.The first evidence will be the fruit of the Spirit,"Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance."The acknowledgment of the Lordship of Christin our lives is the second characteristic. The greatwork of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ. "He shallglorify Me; for He shall receive of Mine and shallshow it unto (John 16:13-14). This is emphasized in our Covenant. "We believe in the one livingand true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as revealed in the Scriptures; we accept Jesus Christ asour Saviour from sin, and we acknowledge Him asour LORD."The third evidence is the Spirit in our heartsWho "maketh intercession for us with groaningsuttered."which cannot be This is the secret of power in prayer (Romans 8:26-27). Surely we would beredeeming the time if we were filled and refilledwith the Holy Spirit, being led, controlled and usedby Him.IV. By Worshiping"Speaking to yourselves in Psalms, hymns andspiritual songs, singing and making melody in ourhearts to the Lord," and "giving thanks always forall things unto God and the Father in the name ofour Lord Jesus Christ."It is said that the last words of P. T. Barnumwere, "What were today's receipts ?" The ruling passion in life is strong in death. Mr. Barnum was thinking of "receipts" in terms of dollars. Doubtless thathad been his ruling passion in life, and so his lastwords were, "What are today's receipts ?"Lifting this thought to a higher plane, we ask,"What are today's receipts ?" The answer, of course,is everything. All our spiritual, mental, physical andmateria] blessings are from above. What have wethat we have not received? And from Whom did wereceive them ? "He that spared not his own Son, butdelivered him up for us all, how shall he not withHim also freely give us all things.""0 Lord my God, how manifold,The wonders Thou hast wroughtIf I would tell and speak of themThey cannot numbered be." Psalm 40.Should not the ruling passion of our lives be theGiving thanks . . . unto God and the Father in theName of our Lord Jesus Christ ? The Psalmist understood the power of the ruling passion of life andsaid,"I will Thee praise, My God, O King,And I will ever bless thyThe Lord give us grace and strength to redeem thetime by walking circumspectly, by understanding thewill of the Lord, by being filled with the Spirit andby worshiping Him making Him the ruling passionof our lives."And let all bless His holy Name,evermore."Forever and for135

er."REMO I. ROBB, D.D.ECUFor CovenaiAugust, 1955TO ILLUSTRATE THE SEPTEMBERSeptember 4Lessons from the Campfire.TOPICSWhen the eveningsessions of ouryoung people's conferences are over, andbefore we think of going to bed, a veryimportawnt part of the daily programoccurs.First, you see a glow, then a blaze offire reaching higher and brighter; andpeople edging toward it, sitting around.There on the ground on blankets, or onbenches, or simply standing around.There are songs, some fun and maybea few stunts, then the singing turns tothe Psalms, and there is a brief talk,then it's time for testimonies favoriteverses, incidents of help by God's people, what Jesus means to me, and otherways of sharing the blessings of Christian faith and life.The actual fire is an intangible thing.It blazes up and gives light and heat,but you can't touch it, you can't cutit off, you can't define it. And I remember that the Holy Spirit came on God'speople as a "tongue of fire."There cannot be a fire unless there isfuel. Somebody arranges the wood. Thefire is kindled and the wood burns,brightly, warmly, beckoning the campers to its friendly glow. The Holy Spiritmust have our souls, laid completelyupon Him. Our lives in complete contact with Him are His instruments bywhich He is made known to a wearyworld in the dark.The campfire consumes the fuel. And"our God is a consuming fire."If the fire is to continue to burn, newfuel must be added. Around the campfire,the challenge of the continuingneed for spiritual workers comes mostclearly. Everyyear some who haveserved the Lord long are compelled tolay down their tasks. Some burn completely out. What youngperson willcome forward, and, as new fuel to thefire, submit himself or herself completely to the eternal flame of the Holy Spirit to be in turn burned out for Christ?136September 11 Living a More ConsistentChristian Life.A good story is told of old Thomas K.Beecher, who could not bear deceit inany form. Finding that a clock in hischurch was habitually too fast or tooslow, he hung a placard on the wallabove it, reading in large letters: "Don'tblame my hands the trouble lies deepThat is where the trouble lies withus when our hands do wrong, or ourfeet, or our lips, or even our thoughts.The trouble lies so deep that only God'smiraculous power can deal with it. Sinindeed goes deep; but Christ goes deep-September 18Witnessing.In China, as we used to know it, theyhad a strange way of punishing people.A large, heavyplank was placed uponthe shoulders of the criminal, a hole cutto allow it to fit over his head. Thenupon the plank was printed the crimeof which the man was guilty. The manso condemned was compelled to walkthe streets, followed by a jeering, mocking mob.Some years ago in a small Chinese village a man was seen slowly walking upand down the streets, wearing a hugeplank about his neck. The curious masses, anxious to read the nature of hiscrime, were amazed to read the natureof his crime, were amazed to read, "Godis Love," and "Believe on the Lord JesusChrist and thou shalt besaved."Thisman was not ashamed of the Gospel ofChrist. He used this means to have thepeople learn of the Lord Jesus Christ.Christians are not ashamed of theGospel because it contains a great power, "the power of God;" and it reveals agreat gift, "salvation"; and this invitation is extended to "every one that believeth."September 25ManyFollow Up.years ago a man answered hiscall to the mission field, and plungedinto a civilization that was utterly pagan. His first program was to circulatenews about the wonderful love and personality of Jesus our Saviour. Even thechildren had heard the published news.As he walked one daythrough the edgeof a village, a little boy peddling someconfections and fruit had an accident.His basket turned over and scatteredhis possessions, in such a way that itseemed he would lose some of them asthe throngs of people passed by. Thismissionary rushed in and began, at theouter edge of the accident, to gatherevery article lost from the basket, andhelped the boyreplace it. Almost nothing was lost, because of the thoughtfuland capable help of this foreign manwho had come to bring the gospel. Whenthey finished and he gave his farewellgreeting to the boy, the lad looked upat him and asked; "Mister, are youJesus?"A PERSONAL TESTIMONY TO THEGLORY AND HONOUR OF HIMWHO LOVES ME AND GAVEHIMSELF FOR MEHussein H. Memour(Memour was a Turkish Mohammedanboywho attended the American Academy at Larnaca, Cyprus,and found Jesus Christ there. Here is his story)I, H. H. Memour, now studying at theEuropean Bible Institute, Chatou,France, was originally a Moslem. Bornin a small Cyprus village and a Turk bynationality, from very early childhoodI adopted the Mohammedan religion,and tried to walk in its precepts. At avery early age I was sensitive to anything which had to do with religion ormorals. My parents, seeing my interestin seeking after the things of God, encouraged me to take part in anything ofthat sort, although they themselveswere not very particular in such matters. The more I participated in thesereligious ceremonies, the greater thehunger to find more and more aboutGod. As I went along I came acrossgreat moral teachings which I had toput into practice if I were to inheritheaven after death. Of course, therewas nothing wrong in trying to be agood boy, and whenever I did thatwhich seemed to be right according tomy religion, then there was a great release on my heart, and when I thoughtI had done very good in my practicallife, I would feel that I was really inthe midst of Paradise. But there werealso moments (and these were more often) when I knew I did not do well, butCOVENANTER WITNESS

myself."DESYOUNG PEOPLE'SSECRETARYsi'oung Peoplerather had done that which was evil,and for that I was dead sure that Godmust one day punish me. Oftentimes Idisobeyed my mother, and sometimesgot so furious that I would attempt tobite her with the intention of harmingher; then I could not miss that thoughtthat one day I was going to be punishedfor my mischief. My mother at one timewas so disappointed with my conductthat I heard her wish someone wouldshut me in a prison so she might getrid of me.In this kind of life I continued untilthe age of fourteen when I finished thefirst grade at the village school. Havingcompleted my elementary educationwith good marks, my father wanted meto continue my studies in a SecondarySchool. I wanted to continue in a Turkish Secondary School, although my father did not like this idea. His intentionwas to send me to a school where Icould learn good English, so that after Ifinished I could get a good position inone of the Government offices. Nevertheless,he allowed me to have mychoice. So I took the entrance examination at the Turkish school, and although I did quite well, and was deadsure that I was going to be accepted, forsome reason or other (for which I nowpraise the Lord), I was not admitted tothe school, so that the only thing I coulddo was to accept the direction of myfather. After very careful enquiry, myfather learned that in a town namedLarnaca, very near to our village,there was an American School, calledthe American Academy where I couldget the best English possible. In September, 1943, I entered that school.In that big school there was a greatvariety of nationalities, and I neverliked the idea of having some of theolder boys dictate to me what I oughtand ought not to do. So my first twoyears there, were indeed a time of greatstruggle with myself, until somethinghappened which brought about a greatchange in my life. The thing which impressed me most during those first twoyears was the lives of those of my professors whose hearts had been washed inthe blood of the Lamb of God. I couldnot understand why these people wereinterested in an unknown person suchAugust 31, 1955as I. I couldn't see the reason for theirwillingness and readiness to help me inany way they could and do it joyfully.During May, 1944,a certain Evangelist from Egypt, who formerly wasalso a Moslem, was conducting a seriesof evangelistic meetings at the schoolChapel.Out of curiosity I went onenight to hear that gentleman, and thatnight he was giving a personal testimony for his Lord and Saviour JesusChrist. He told us that he had come toknow the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour through a gospel bookletwhich he had found on the ground andwhich he had read and believedtherecord and the truth of John 3:36, wasrealized in his own personal life. Timeand space do not permit me to tell youthe trials he had to go through for thecause of Jesus. But there he was, standing, rejoicing and saying "Praise theHallelujah!"Lord!as he was givinghis testimony. Certainly this was something I had not found in my own religion, and to have such a joy, peace andsatisfaction as he had, I was ready todo anything. At once I determined totake the step of accepting Christ as myown personal Saviour, but right awaySatan began to throw all sorts of dartsat me, "What about your friendspecially those of your own nationalitywhat will you do when they start making fun of you, mock you, maybe persecute you? And how about your parents,especially your father, do you thinksuch a decision would please him? Don'tyou see that in doing this you are taking a risk?" All these and many otherdoubts and conflicts began to work onmy mind bringing me into a desperateand confusing state. But as this greatstruggle was going on in me, all of asudden I began to offer a silent prayer.I said, "Lord, if You want me to acceptYou, then come to my rescue and helpme take this step for I am too weakand cannot do it The Lordheard my prayer. Praise be to His name,He did give me the strength and gracethat I needed to take the step. Thereand then I accepted Him as my Lordand Saviour. Having done that therewas such a release in my heart thathuman language is unable to describeit. This rolling awayesof the burden ofsinwas to me, as someone has said, likeswallowing sunshine. This decision Itook about ten years ago, and I havenever regretted taking it, for whatgreater privilege can a man have inthis world than of becominging a Child of God forever!and remainSoon I was to realize that the Christian life was not a nice path of roses,as some people think. It is true thatonce I had called upon the name of theLord Jesus Christ I was right awayborn into the family of God, but, beingborn again, I now had to "grow in thegrace and knowledge of my Lord andSaviour Jesus Christ." To do this I hadto feed continuallyupon the Word ofGod and to spend time in prayer andmeditation before Him. This was noteasy to do because in my dormitorythere were many boys who were notChristians, and T knew that if theyheard that I had taken a decision forChrist, they would give me a lot oftrouble, and they would also spread thenews, which might in a short timereach my father, and then I wouldreally be in big trouble. This fear wasovercome as I continued to feed on theWord and to pray. I had to get up veryearly in the morning, take my Bible andgo into a quiet place in the School garden and there unload my whole burdenon the Lord.There came a time when the Lord,through His Word, showed me severalthings in my life which were not pleasing in His sight. One of the first thingswhich I am sure the Lord wanted me togive up was cheating, which I had donein a lot of examinations. When I gaveup this vice my friends who knew myformer life began to be suspicious andto ask the reason for it all. This openedopportunities to witness to friends forthe first time and, of course, as I beganto speak of Him, my desire to witnessbegan to increase. This, I sincerely believe, was a gift from the Lord to encourage me to do more witnessing forHim.Another thing about which I began tobe troubled was the use of my Sundays.Before I was a Christian I had greatpleasure in going to stadiums andwatching football matches, races andsports, which took place on Sundays.137

pit,"Even after I became a Christian Ifound myself at such places, but as timewent on I began to dislike them, sothat although I did go and watch them,yet I could not enjoy them. When Iwas quite sure that this, too, was notpleasing to God I asked Him to giveme the grace to put it aside.In the second year of my conversion Ijoined the School Christian Endeavorwhere I had plenty of opportunity towitness for the Lord and also to growspiritually. After a short time I beganto take responsibilities, which the Lordenabled me to carry out faithfully andjoyfully. By this time I had done quitea bit of witnessing in the school, andsome of my friends, convinced of mydefinite decision for Christ, began topity me for having fallen into such "adark as they called it. As timepassed, I began to love everybody atschool, irrespective of nationality orrace, and the most surprising thing nowwas that I even began to love those thatbefore I had hated.Having witnessed for some time atschool I now sought some wayof getting the message to my people athome. My father is very fond of storiesand fables. During the first two yearsI was at the Academy I obtained a copyof Aesop's Fables in English, and myfather was fend of hearing these stories.But after I became a Christian I feltthat the Lord wanted me to read to myparents from the Bible, so I bought onein Turkish, and the next time I washome I began to present the Word tomy people. This I did in fear and trembling, not because I feared my motheror sisters, but because of my father whoat times would be very antagonistic. Butthe Lord gave me grace and I continuedto present the Word in gentleness,meekness and simplicity, so that when Iwas at home the atmosphere was altogether different. My parents and mytwo sisters began to see a difference between what was right and what waswrong. My mother, who had despisedme for my rebellion and wild life, nowbegan to love me because I started to beloving and helpful to her, and not onlythat but she even began to love memore than my sisters because I had nowbecome a completely new creature (IICor. 5:17). Recently both my parentsand my sisters and also some of myclose relatives have been very sympathetic with me and with the message ofthe Lord Jesus Christ, and I feel thatnot long hence I will be privileged tosee some of them give their lives toChrist Who has met every need of heart.I do not know how long I have to liveupon this earth, but no matter how longit is, my heart's desire is to live forChrist and to be used of Him for thesalvation of many a precious soul.One outstanding part of these tenyears of Christian experience is the marvellous faithfulness of my Lord JesusChrist. I confess that many a time Ihave failed Him, and my due rewardshould have been to be abandoned intothe hands of Satan, but my Lord keptme and blessed me according to HisGrace. I have had to face temptations,trials and tests, but all these were usedto reveal to me the greatness and wonder of His KeepingPower for which Ishall praise Him for eternity. I am confident that what He has begun in me,He will perform until the day of JesusChrist, and because thus far He has notonce failed me, I am persuaded that Hewill never fail me because "He is thesame yesterday, today, and forever"(Heb. 13:8.)In closing it seems appropriate togive you an idea of my plans so far asHis service is concerned. I am at themoment preparing for full time servicein His field. God willing, I will finish mystudies in June, 1955, and will be returning to Cyprus to work among mypeople. The ground there is indeed veryhard, but the Lord has been preparingthe way and it is therefore my duty tofollow in His steps, committing all myways to Him. It is my desire that Godwill use this weak and fallible testimonyto stir my readers to pray for me in aspecial way that the Lord Jesus Christmay be exalted in and through my life.If He is worthy to receive the glory andhonour which I so desire to give Him,then the least you will want to do ispraywith and for me that His willmight be done in my life and that manya precious soul may come to know Him,whom to know is Eternal Life, witheternal joy and bliss.Glory and honour, dominion and majestlybe ascribed to Him both nowand forevermore for what He has done,and what He is going to do.Thank you in His precious Name.April, 1955Hussein Hassan MemourLesson Helps for the Week of September 11, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICFor September 18, 1955"WITNESSING"Ephesians 6:10-20Comments by Rev. J. E. McElroyThe subject of "Witnessing" is one inwhich we are all concerned. It is notonly a duty but also a privilege. TheApostle Paul was concerned at all timesthat every true Christian would presenta true witness. The key thought of thischapter seems to be "stand." It is theidea that he wanted them to take astand for righteousness in Christ andnot turn back,even unto death. Martyris a Greek word meaning witness, and itcame to signify one who sealed his testimony with his blood, as Stephen andAntipas; Acts 22:20, Rev. 2:13. He wanted them to stand in all circumstances,whether it be in war of the spirit or in138physical warfare that they might givehonor and glory to God. We are told toput on the whole armour of God tomake this stand for Him. We are to beadequately prepared.A request for prayer as found in the18th and 19th verses indicates that evenhe who seemed to be the boldest of theApostles needed their prayers to be ableto speak for His Saviour. We shouldpray for one another.I. What is meant by "Witnessing"?What is your answer? Few of us ever goto court to testify. One definition: Awitness is one who tells what he saw asthe truth, he may give sworn testimony.Or one who is present at a ceremony,or act, to be able to tell the truth ofwhat happened. See: Deut. 17:6, 7; Rev.1:5; Matt. 18:15, 16; Proverbs 14:5; 24:28; Acts 10:43; I Peter 1:10; Matt. 3:16.II. Who are witnesses? Matt. 28:19,20. Apostles were true prophets (witnesses)I Peter 1:15-21. Believers arewitnesses I John 5:5-15; I Peter 2:9;Heb. 12:1. You may find more references.III. How may we witness? Genesis 31:44; Joshua 24:27; Romans 2:15; 9:1.There were stones to be witnesses.There are many such all over our land.But no one cares now about being adead witness. How can we be livingwitnesses? Prayer. Daniel 6:10. Biblereading, Psalm 119:97-106. Attendingchurch and Y. P. meetings, Psalm 122:1, 2, 9. Keeping the Sabbath, Isaiah 58:13, 14. Passing out tracts. Writing letters and enclosing tracts. Tell in public or in private meetings what theLord has done for you. Tell what Christhas meant to you since C. Y. P. U.Camp this year or in years past. Ephesians 6:19, etc.COVENANTER WITNESS

over"memorials."me."church"The leader may assign these divisionsto individuals or discuss them in thegroup having the references read at thattime. He may ask ahead of time ones togive their testimony for Christ in thismeeting.Psalms:92:1, 2, 11-14, page 23296:1, 4, 5, page 23243:3-6, page 109147:1, 2, 6, 7, page 354JUNIOR TOPICFor September 18, 1955Mrs. Russell ScottColdenham, New YorkBUILDING THE ALTAR ESTLANDScripture: Joshua 4A NEWMemory Verse: "Ye shall diligently keepthe commandments of the Lord yourGod, and his testimonies, and hisstatutes, which he hath commandedthee."Deuteronomy 6:17Psalms:Memory Psalm for September Psalm147:1-3, page 354Psalm 44:1-4, page 112.Psalm 68:18-19, page 164Psalm 85:1, 6, 7, 8, page 207"Memorial""Altar"What do these words mean to us? Afew weeks ago we celebrated one of ournational holidays,"MemorialDay" or"Decoration Day." What does this daymean to us? Parades of men in armyor navy uniform marching, decoratinggraves of soldiers in our cemeteries! Wesay it is to make us remember and honor those who have died fighting in warsto save our country. Perhaps you havebeen in Washington, D. C. and have seenthe Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial or Washington Monument built tohonor three of our greatest Presidents.Our lesson today is the story of theerecting of a memorial by the Israelitesat God's command. Last week our lessonwas the story of the Israelites' crossingthe Jordan River into the PromisedLand. This was not the first miraculouscrossing of a body of water they hadmade in their journey from Egypt toCanaan. How had they shown "theirgratitude before? (Exodus 15:20-22).As soon as the people were all passedthrough the Jordan, what did God command Joshua to do? How many men washe to choose for the task? Why thisnumber? Where were they to go andwhat were they to do? "And Joshua saidunto them, Pass over before the arkof the Lord your God into the midst ofJordan, and take you up everyman ofyou a stone upon his shoulder,accord-August 31, 3955ingunto the number of the tribes of thechildren of Israel:"That this may be a sign among you,that when your children ask their fathers in time to come,mean ye by these stones?saying, What"Then ye shall answer them, That thewaters of Jordan were cut off beforethe ark of the covenant of the Lord;when it passed over Jordan, the watersof Jordan were cut off; and these stonesshall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever."And the children of Israel did so asJoshua commanded, and took up twelvestones out of the midst of Jordan, asthe Lord spake unto Joshua, accordingto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them downthere."And Joshua set up twelve stones in themidst of Jordan, in the place where thefeet of the priests which bare the arkof the covenant stood: and they arethere unto this day."And those twelve stones, which theytook out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch inGilgal."And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall asktheir fathers in time to come, saying,What mean these stones? "Then ye shalllet your children know, saying, Israelcame over this Jordan on dry land."For the Lord your God dried up thewaters of Jordan from before you, untilye were passed over, as the LORD yourGod did to the Red Sea, which he driedup from before us, until we were gone(Joshua 4:5-9, 20-23). Thus wasbuilt an altar in a new land."Altar""The idea of an altar was of ameeting place with God, who was to beapproached with a gift in the form of asacrifice. Though generally erected forthe offering of sacrifice, in some instances they appear to have been onlyThe first altar the Bibletells us of was erected by Noah to praisethe Lord for deliverance. From whathad God saved Noah and his family?Genesis 8:20Abram built many altars in his journeying from Ur to Canaan: Genesis 12:7, 8; Genesis 13:4, 18; Genesis 22:9.Isaac built an altar: Genesis 26:25.Jacob built altars: Genesis 33:20; 35:7.Each altar was built to honor Godfor His deliverance.Before the Israelites left Egypt, thereoccurred their greatest deliverance andto this day this is observed as a memorial among the Jewish people (Exodus12:13-14). Our Lord and Saviour JesusChrist always observed the Passoverand at the last Passover before Hisdeath on the cross, instituted the Lord'sSupper as a memorialmembrance of"This do in reYou will be looking forward to thetime when you "join the andcan go with your father and mother tothe Lord's table on a communion Sabbath to observe this memorial.For your notebooks:Perhaps you will like to tell the storyof the building of one of the altars wehave studied in this lesson.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONFor September 18, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Leaaoni baicd on international Sunday SchoolLeuons; the International Bible Lessona forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Religions Education.)MALACHI CALLS FOR RIGHTEOUSLIVINGLeviticus 22:21, 22; Malachi.PRINTEDLev. 22:21, 22; Mai. 1:8;2:10; 3:1-8, 10, 12-18.MEMORY, Mai. 2:10; "Have ye notall one father? Hath not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherouslyeveryman against hisbrother?"The name Malachi means the Messenger of the Lord. It is the word thatis so translated in 2:7. It is not likelythat Malachi was known by that nameexcept as the author of the book. Wecount him the last of the prophets untilthe coming of John the Baptist. The history of the Jews during those four centuries has been given us by the Apocryphal books of the Maccabees and theJewish historian Josephus.The exact date of the writing of Malachi is not indicated. It was probablywithin thirty years of the last return ofcaptives to Jerusalem. The book waswritten for a people that had been released from captivity, who were livingat peace without any threatened dangerfrom without, but were fast becomingtheir own enemies by forsaking God.Ingratitude and Self-justificationMalachi followed the effective methodof questions and answers. In the versespreceeding those of the lesson, Israelrashly denied that God had shown herany special favor. Then as rashly, theytake up their defense against the chargethat they have despised the Name ofGod. Though they call Him Father andMaster, they do not honor Him as such.They poluted the altar by making it acommon thing. Coming to the first verseof the lesson, the prophet asks them tobe the judge of their own conduct.Would they expect men to accept fromthem such indifferent service? Thenturning to the Law of Moses, Lev. 22:21,we find the basis of the charge thatMalachi was making against the Jews.How they may have been very scrupulous in selecting their lambs for the sac-139

another."wedding."son,". . fromservants,"rifice, but in spiritual service, in thatwhich had to do with their inner life,they were indifferent.Israel Had Failed in Her ObligationsOne to AnotherLove for God demands love for man.Indifference to the rights of God andindifference to the rights of men gohand in hand. Malachi shows that sincewe are the, children of God our Father,we profane the covenant of God if wedeal treacherously with our brothers. Inthe verses following, (not given in thelesson) Israel is charged with violatingthe sacred relation of husband and wife.The prophet continues to pile up evidence, showing how they have reachedthe point where instead of finding greatjoy at the table of the Lord (which included the service of the Temple and allthe exericses of worship), they found ita "weariness" (1:13), and a dolefullthing that caused them so much suffering that they wept! We can sit on ahard seat in a cold wind for two hours,at a time that is called "the preparationfor the Sabbath." (Mark 15:42), and ifthe score is a tie several times with repeated overtime plays, so much the better. If the period for God's worship in acomfortble church on the following day,runs over the scheduled time, we become wearied. Perhaps God does too.We notice that weariness was mutualbetween God and the returned Jews.Satis verborum.Two Forms of Conduct Contrasted(Malachi 3:7-18).One group is charged with robbingGod. That's terrible. They are alarmed."Wherein have we robbed Thee?" Theanswer is very definite "In tithes andofferings."No attempt is made to denythat the tithe is the Law of Moses. Havewe a less duty since Christ came thanthe Jews had before His coming? Ifwe do not keep account, our giving maymagnify itself in our memory until wethink that we give more than we do.I knew one man who said he did notbelieve in the tithe because it would decrease his giving. Finally he made anaccounting, and became a tither. Itdoubled his giving. Few who are nottithers pay the tithe. In our day, can aChristian afford to be less generousthan the Jews?Another group was of those who Fearthe Lord. Of course they would obeyHim, which included the paying of thetithe, God called them to a duty, andpromised a rich reward if they responded.I never saw amore terrific stormthan one I encountered in Sharon, Iowa.Every farm had a windmill, and morethan half of those in the township were140blown down. Every farm in the township save one received damage. Everyfarm in the township except that one,was insured. The farmstead of ElderCarithers, father of Dr. W. W. Carithers, was not insured, and received nodamage. Mr. Carithers in addition toofferings and tithes, gave the full rate ofinsurance to the American Bible Societyevery year.The prophets were not candidates forelection. They did not wear gum shoes.They framed their message in obedienceto God, not to please men. They spokethe truth, though they knew it wouldoffend. Their opportunity with manywas shown in every way from indifference to murder. One does not need to gobeyond prophetic example to be calleda joykiller, or wet blanket. But cheerup!There Are Always Some Who Fearthe Lord (v. 16)."Then they that feared the Lord,spake often one to The formof this statement suggests that they mettogether in some form offellowshipmeeting. They discussed their problemsin a group. What they said is not recorded. But they Feared the Lord, and theywon God's approval. What God approved, He wrote in a Book of Remembrance. If you want to know how anxious folks are to be remembered, go toa cemetery. How long are they remembered?Within a month I saw in acemetery a noble stone with the nameclearly carved. The date was just acentury old.Inquiry*was made thirtyyears ago, and even then no one couldbe found who had any record or memoryof the person named on that stone.God's Book of Remembrance is eternal. Blessed are those whose names arewritten there. In this world, they maybe poor and ragged, but in God's world,they are God's children, and are guardedas precious jewels. "Then shall ye return"from captivity of sin, to the freedom of Truth.Psalms:PRAYER MEETING TOPICSeptember 21, 1955THE MARRIAGE OF THEKING'S SONMatt. 22:1-14Rev. W. C. McClurkin81:1, 6, 7, page 20045:1, 2, 8, 9, page 11645:10-17, page 117106:1-4, page 260References: Isa. 54:5; 61:10; 62:5Jer. 3:14; Hos. 2:19, 20; Zeph. 1:7, 8Zech. 3:4; Matt. 25:1, 2; Luke 14:16-18John 3:29; Rom. 2:3, 4; II Cor. 11:2;Eph. 5:25-27; Heb. 10:28, 29; Rev. 19:7-9; 21:9; 22:17.wedding,"For "theannounced in thisParable, we have all received our invitations. Presumably, too,a public profession of our faith,notification of our acceptance.when we madewe gaveBeing at the prayer meeting is someevidence of our interest, and attentionto the necessary preparations for "theSo the prayer meeting itselfis a happyoccasion for prospective"guests."Also, the ordinances of God'sHouse, including the sacraments, arepreliminary high spots in our experiencewhen we preen ourselves and one another, so to speak, for the coming event.The WeddingIt's to be a grand affair, an occasionfor royalty. "A certain king," God theFather, planned it in eternity. He, according to the Parable, "made a marriage for his the Lord Jesus Christ.In the Covenant of Grace the Sonagreed to woo and betroth the elect, andto pay the price of her dowry. This Hedid in the period from the Incarnationto the Ascension. But the actual marriage and marriage supper, as appearsfrom Rev. 19:7-9, is a heavenly affair,and not consummated until after the final Judgment, after "His wife hathmade herself ready.The Wedding GuestsAll that are "bidden" do not becomeactual "guests," but they have the opportunity and are accounted as potential"guests."Those first invited were Jews. Collectively, as a race of people, "theywould not come," as said in the Parable, and in the factual, historical record. The "servants," Old Testamentprophets, John the Baptist, and firstdisciples, sent with the earlier invitations before Pentecost, apparently didn'tget much for their pains. Yet it is onthe Record that, individually, the faithful among them experienced the promised privilege to "sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 8:11).So also shall ."many the eastin the "highways" traveledand west"by Gentiles as well as Jews. "Both badand good"that is, as rated among themselves and by one another, get the invitation from "other the Apostles and their successors, sent out later.And many of these are fitted out for"the wedding," "and the wedding.furnished with guests.". .On the ether hand, many of these"guests"potential declined the invitation, "made light of it," and stiU do.They go "their ways, one to his farm,another to his merchandise," esteemingCOVENANTER WITNESS

called."eousness"garment"man,"city,"works."the products and profits of earth to bemore valuable to them than the everlasting pleasures in the King's palace!The second message, though morespecific and urgent (v. 4) , was first metby some, not onlywith contemptuousmockery, but with blood thirsty enmity."The remnant took his servants, andentreated them spitefullythem."and slewHere is the Lord's parabolicprophecy of the rough treatment accorded His apostles and some others; also,in verse 7, of His punitive justice on"those"theirmurderers"andwhich occurred about 70 A.D.were"Theyunworthy"to become "guests" atwedding""the because they voluntarilyrefused and despised the invitation.Succeeding messengers of the Kingare still authorized to say, "The wedready."ding is It still is, notwithstanding that many slight the call to it. Andnot all who are called, or who apparently respond to the call, are "effectuallyThis is indicated in the Parable bythe one not properly attired inwhat was provided for, and required of,attending guests:The Wedding GarmentFrom the brief account in the Parable, "by good and necessary consequence"and by comparing with otherparts of Scripture, we deduceis "Christ"The "wedding(Rom. 13:14) and His "robe of right(Isa. 61:10). This would beinward character, "the newandpartly, at least, outward "goodAll are easily seen by the Lord at anytime. Good works may be seen by men,but are not always unmistakably adjudged by "overseers" in the Lord'sHouse.No invited guest is rushed to the Banqueting House without opportunity tochange his dress.It is not in the Festal Hall, but inthe Reception Room, or Judgment Hallbefore it, that the King inspects Hisguests.No unfit or unworthy person gets intothe Festal Hall in heaven. He is "castinto outer darkness" from the place offinal Judgment.Wearing the wedding garment is asignificant badge of a guest's loyalty.The want of it was decisive evidence ofdisloyalty.SynodicalTHEME: Arise and BuildNOTICE: Synodical Program committeeMrs. F. L. Stewart, Chairman, OlatheMrs. Harvey McGee, Olathe.Mrs. G. M. Robb and Mrs. PaulWright, Kansas City.AugustSl, 1955Church NewsPLEASE READ THISWe say once more to our correspondents, whether news or contributors tothe Lesson Helps or what-have-you,please double-space your paper. That isof course supposing that you are sending it on typewritten paper which weprefer and it saves us some expense. Ifanyone does not understand whatdouble-space means, and we sometimeswonder because manuscripts continueto come single-spaced,we would saythat it means to write on every otherline instead of every line as a typewriter is made to do. If this is not clear asksomeone who owns one.GENEVA COLLEGEThe Rev. Willard G. McMillan, pastorof the Parnassus Reformed PresbyterianChurch, New Kensington, has been appointed instructor in Bible at GenevaCollege. A 1947 graduate of Geneva College, Rev. McMillan was graduated fromthe Reformed Presbyterian Seminary,Pittsburgh, in 1950. During his last twoyears at the Seminary, he served asstudent pastor of the Parnassus congregation. Following his graduation fromthe Seminary, Rev. McMillan did twoyears of graduate work at New College,Scotland, a theological school of theChurch of Scotland, associated with theUniversity of Edinburgh. He majored inNew Testament and Church history.Rev. McMillan spent his freshman college year at Muskingum College, NewConcord, O., and was then called by theNavy. He was accepted into the V-12trainingtraining at Denison University, Grancourse and served a year ofville, O. He was later commissioned asensign, and studied five months in anofficers'school at Harvard University.He transferred to Geneva in 1945. Rev.McMillan is married to the former Shirley Stewart, a Geneva graduate, andthey have two children. He has beenpastor of the Parnassus Church sinceJuly, 1952.Harold W. Greig, Beaver Falls, is thenew director of the Genevans, mixedchoral group at Geneva College. He succeeds Dr. Alfred H. Johnson, formerlyhead of the department of music, whoresigned. Greig, supervisor of choralmusic at Beaver Falls High school, willretain that position. He is a graduate ofthe Shenandoah Conservatory of Music,Va.; Otterbein College, O., where he received bachelor of music and bachelor ofmusic education degrees; and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music where heearned a master of music degree. Healso attended the University of Pittsburgh and the Westminster Choirschool, Princeton, N. J. Greig has beenminister of music at the North BraddockUnited Brethren church; Churchof the Epiphany, Avalon; Baptistchurch, Bellevue; and the First Presbyterian church, Beaver Falls.A veteran of the Air Force, he servedas supervisor of choral and instrumentaland Avamusic at Claysville, Elizabeth,lon High schools before accepting theBeaver Falls High position.He is married to the former KathrynMetheny, a Geneva graduate. They haveone son.OUR HOMEOn July 13, at the close of the regular meeting of the Board of Directors ofOur Home, the Board had a party at theHome honoring Miss Elizabeth J. Beattie,who celebrated her 90th birthdaythe following Tuesday. Talks, reminiscences, music, singing were the entertaining features, with a beautifully decratedcake, ice cream, punch, and candies for refreshment. The Board againextends its heartiest congratulations toMiss Beattie, and hopes she will be withus for a long time to come. Miss Beattiehas been and is a pillar!On July 19, the New Alexandria congregation had a big party for MissBeattie, who was and is a highly honored member of this congregation.Again, talks, music, and singing werethe entrtainment, and cake, (a large,beautifully decorated one) ice cream,candies, and punch were served bymembers of the congregation.On Sabbath July 24, the Reverend J.Burt Willson preached at the Home.Thank you, Dr. Willson.On Monday, July 25, Miss EdnaGeorge came into the Home.The Mary Jane Missionary Society ofRose Point sent a check of $5.00 fora treat of ice cream for the Membersduring the hot weather. Thank you,Rose point. How nice of you to think ofour dear folks during that extremelywarm weather. They did enjoy it.Two Sabbath evenings during JulyMr. and Mrs. Mitchell took out fourmembers (8 in all) to Mars to hear Dr.Elliott in his out-door services. The141

Price family took out two membersanother Sabbath evening. Thank you,folks, for your kindness.Now we have some sad news to report: Mrs. Ella Purvis fell while visiting with relatives in Mars, Pa., andbroke her arm. She is still in St. John'shospital, and Mrs. Emma Porter Robbfell backwards in a chair and injuredher back. Both are improving we areglad to say.MissPress Committee.WESTCHESTER, KANSASBarbara Huston attended theCrusaders Training School this summerand was chosen to be on one of the several teams which held Vavation BibleSchools in different congregations.Miss Eva Mitchel, 71 years of age,passed away at Queen's Hospital in Hawaii, on May 16, 1955. She was born inWinchester and has always remained interested in the congregation since sheand her sister, Miss Jennie, went toHawaii in the '20's. Services were heldon the island and following cremationburial will be in Winchester at a laterdate.Mr. and Mrs. Keith Fletcher, Cheryl,Debbie, and Jachie visited Bettys' mother, Mrs. Beth O'Neill and other relativesbefore leaving for Hawaii where Mr.Fletcher will be stationed.Mr. and Mrs. Richard O'Neill are theproud parents of a son, Richard Mark,born June 11.Mrs. Nannie French, the oldest member of the Winchester congregation,passed away July 14. She was born October 29, 1857 near Sharon, Iowa. Shewas a dedicated Christian and alwaysserved the Lord with the strength andopportunities presented to her.Mrs. Ida Hensleigh is quite ill at herhome.On the night of July 1, Miss EthelWatson of Oskaloosa and Leland Milroyof Winchester were united in marriageat a lovelyservice at the Methodistchurch in Oskaloosa. They plan to maketheir home in Topeka.Mrs. Lura O'Neill underwent surgeryJuly 21. She is home and doing quitewell.The Annual Sabbath School picnicwas enjoyed bypark in Holton on July 27.a good crowd at theTOPEKA DAILY VACATIONBD3LE SCHOOLTopeka congregation felt that itsDaily Vacation Bible School this yearwas differentmore successfuland perhaps a littlethan those held in previous years, due to several reasons. Forone thing, the neighborhood in which142we have been worshiping for the lasteight months had more possibilities insecuring students than our former territory on Clay Street which was principally Catholic. Then we had a wonderfulorganizer and helper in Lie. Donald McClurkin who had had experience in theSan Diego D.V.B.S. His enthusiasm andhard work was an inspiration to us all.When he told us that he thought weshould get 100 children into the school,we thought he was overly optimistic.However, when we closed, there were 99on the roll.A week or so before our opening date,which was May 31, we went out inteams of two to canvas the neighborhood. Some of the women went in theafternoon and some of the men at night.This was a real experience to those ofus who had never done much of thiskind of work before. Temporary listsof prospects were made,and these children were called by phone, or a secondpersonal call was made on them a dayor two previous to the opening day.The theme of our course this year was"Sailing With Christ," so to work upinterest and enthusiasm, we staged aparade in the neighborhood on Saturdaybefore the school opened on Tuesday.This involved a lot of work and planning, but we felt that our efforts werewell repaid. A hayrack, decorated torepresent a boat, with sails, cardboardsailors, and blue crepe-paper fringearound the bottom for the sea,washitched on the back of a car and wasthe nucleus of the parade. A group ofabout twenty children, some from ourown church and some from the neighborhood, wearing sailor hats and carrying life-preservers, fishing rods withcardboard fish attached, and balloonswith D.V.B.S. printed on them, rode onthe hayrack. We also had two flagbearersholding the American andChristian flags on the back of the float.Two trumpeters played "Onward Christian Soldiers" at intervals alongtheparade route. Following along behindwas a group of children wearing signsadvertising the Daily Vacation BibleSchool and also Mr. McClurkin with alarge megaphone announcing the place,date, etc. Several people told us afterwards that the parade attracted theirattention and made them want to sendtheir children to our school.The decorations throughout thechurch building carried out the themeof "Sailing With Christ" and addedmuch to the interest of the children. Atthe program on the closing night, weawarded 50prizes for perfect attendance and about 15 more for thosemissing only one day, so we felt that theinterest was pretty steady.Among the more tangible results ofour D.V.B.S. are quite a few new children from the neighborhood in ourJunior Sabbath School. We also thinkour own church children received a iotof benefit from it.The pictures of the Topeka Vacation-Bible School on the opposite page aregiven as a public service, hoping that theymay have a suggestion for other schoolsas to how they might increase the attendance and effectiveness of their efforts. Thecost of this page was contributedby theTopeka Sabbath School, as was the expense of the School itself.Pictures numbered 1 and 2 are a partof the parade.No. 3, the general assembly.Nos. 5 and 6 are classes doing handwork.No. 4 and No. 7 are interesting as showing the amount of work down in preparation to make the "Sailing With Christ"the fishing nets hung up tomore realisticdry. life preservers, pilot wheel, and in thebackground a mural of the sky-line of theport city.SANTA ANAThe Santa Ana Congregation of theReformed Presbyterian Church cordiallyinvites you to attend a celebration ofthe 50th anniversary of organization onFriday, August twenty-sixth, at eighto'clock in the evening. Corner of Myrtleand Hickory, Santa Ana, California.Session meetings are held each month.In May the elders and their wives metin the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. F. McCrum, in June at the manse, and inJuly with Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Betts.Miss Barbara Huston and Mr. WayneSpear of the Leadership Training Schoolspoke at the July 10 morning service.The Lintons opened their home onJuly 11 for the young people to be hoststo the Los Angeles young people. Barbara Huston and Wayne Spear werepresent that evening. On August 11 ouryoung people went to Los Angeleswhere they were enetrtained inhome of Tom and Fern Kerr.theDr. Bruce Willson combined a visit inhis mother's home with speaking engagements in Santa Ana. On July 31 Dr.Willson gave the address of the eveningat the union service held in the UnitedPresbyterian Church. On August 2 hespoke in our own church concerning theseminary and showed colored slides. Thenext day Dr. Willson talked duringV. B. S. closing exercises.Miles that separate Santa Ana fromother congregations seem shortenedwhen we hear reports of conferences.These have shared with us some of theblessings received: Synod reports fromRev. Glenn McFarland and Mr. and Mrs.B. B. Linton, Hume Lake reports fromMrs. Myrtle Connery for the W. M. S.and Mr. J. G. Betts for Presbytery. Im-COVENANTER WITNESS

"M SImsks~..;riii*.. ., : :;'M...L..ii:m5WMm.WmMmmTopeka Daily Vacation Bible SchoolAugust 31, 1955 143

pressions of the Hume Lake Youth Conference were brought by Larry Shepard,Dorothy Lindsay, Frances SaundraAnderson, and Sharon andVogt,RoseEllen Nelson.D. V. B. S. was held for ten days between August 1-12.Total enrollmentwas 98. Average attendance was 60. Thecrew of workers follows: director, Mrs.John Vogt; nursery, Mrs. J. G. Betts assisted by Mrs. Myrtle Connery; beginners, Miss Ethel Torrens assisted byMiss Minnie Current and Mrs. B. F. Linton; primary, Mrs. Harold Sedgley assisted by Mrs. John Gault; juniors, Mrs.A. C. Wylie; intermediates, Rev. GlennMcFarland; films, Mr. J. G. Betts; refreshments, Miss Margaret Walkinshawassisted by Mrs. Margaret McFarlandand W.M.S. ladies; recreation, DorothyLindsay and Jamie Hurd. Each day Mrs.Orville Hurd presented felt-o-graph lessons to the entire group. To buy Biblesfor the blind, the children gave fortydollars which was sent to the AmericanBible Society. A demonstration of memory and hand work made the closingprogram.Santa Ana rejoices when visitors comeour way.In recent worship serviceshave been Mrs. W. K. Auld of Oakdale,Mrs. Sadie Snyder of Hemet, Mr. andMrs. Thomas J. Lynn of Chicago, MissLois Jean Copeland of Fresno,and Mr.and Mrs. Paul Christner and Jay ofMontclair.LOS ANGELESThose who attended the Pacific Conference of our denomination at LakeHume, July 16-22,report a wonderfultime. Over eighty registered from LosAngeles. A number of decisions forChrist were made which are continuing.Those who were unable to attend wereuplifted spiritually and encouraged bythe reports and testimonies of many ofthose who were present. These reportswere heard at our morning service,Sabbath, the 24th. In the evening wehad the privilege of hearing Dr. RemoI. Robb who brought us up to date onthe work he is doingYoung People and Home Missions.as secretary of theJuly 26. Over a hundred people enjoyed a good chipken dinner at FernDell Park in the evening, when the twomissionary societies, Covenanter Daughters and Covenettes, had their annualpicnic, to which the whole congregationwas invited.July 30.Saturday! This date foundour Pastor R. Paul Robb and Mr. andMrs. Philip Gross busily moving intothe upstairs apartment of the Caskeyhome which is to serve for a parsonagefor a while. It was newly decorated andgeles. The telephone is CL 506292.July 31, Sabbath. It was a pleasure tohave Dr. S. Bruce Willson, President ofour Seminary, in our pulpit for themorning service. His mother, Mrs. McFarland, Santa Ana, worshiped with us.August 7, Sabbath. Mr. and Mrs. Lynnof Chicago, and Dr. and Mrs. WilliamO. Martin and children, Topeka, worshiped with us.August 11. Thursday evening. Ourpastor and Phil and Ruth Gross sponsored a young people's party at thehome of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Kerr. TheSanta Ana pastor, Rev. Glenn McFarland, brought a load of young folks andaltogether there were 24 young peoplepresent. They had a very enjoyable evening playing games, viewing coloredmovies of the Lake Hume Conference,followed by a spiritual talk by our pastor.Paul Jordan, age 4, second son of Mr.and Mrs. Pat Jordan, (Roberta Aikin)recently had the misfortune to be hit inthe eye by a BB shot. He is in theChildren's Hospital, Los Angeles, Room226, and it is expected he will be thereabout a month. The extent of the damage is not known fully as yet, but thereis slight hope of saving the sight. Pleaseremember Paul and his family in yourprayers.August 14, Sabbath. Miss Alice Smithof Orlando, and Lie. Raymond Josephof Hopkinton, Lie. Marshall Smith andMrs.with us.Smith, of San Diego, worshipedEarly in August, Mrs. Wilbur Aikinleft for Olathe, Kansas, due to the illness and death of her aunt, Mrs. IdaMoore. Mr. Aikin and the girls left laterby car to join Mrs. Aikin for a vacationtrip before returning to Los Angeles.We are verygrateful for answeredprayer for some of our sick folks. Mrs.Harrotunian and Mrs. Foster Chambersare much improved. Mrs. Edwin L.Dodds suffered a severe heart attackbut is improving. Miss Mayme Caskeyand Mr. Gray Caskey, Miss Betty Forsythe are as usual. Mr. Ralph Shumanis now confined to bed and his condition is not good.YOUNGSTOWNWe would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks through thecolumns of THE COVENANTER WITNESS to the people of the YOUNGSTOWN congregation for the many kindnesses which they have shown to us during our first year in the pastorate. Wehave enjoyed the privilege of living ina beautiful new parsonage; we were therecipients of two very useful gifts forour home; but more than that, we havebeen supporetd by the good will andprayers of the Congregation.To thepeople of YONGSTOWN we say Thankyou, and we trust that in the future wewill be made more able servants of theLord Jesus Christ, whose we are andwhom we serve.Alta and John TweedMRS. JANE BELL MILLERThe Southfield congregation and W.M.S. desire to express the loss of another one of their older members, Mrs.Jane Miller, who died June 23, 1955.She was the oldest of a family ofeight. Her father was one of our oldtime elders, Mr. Samuel Bell. Her twoyounger brothers survive her. Someforty years ago she married Mr. HarryMiller, who died November 23, 1945.We miss her cheery greeting and hercards of remembrance and sunshinewhich she loved to send to everyone forthe W.M.S."She hath done what she could."COVENANTER HISTORYThe Evangelical Christian, 336 BayStreet, Toronto, Canada, is running aseries on "How Sleep The Brave!" Thereare some 23 or 24 articles in the seriesand this is a monthly magazine. I amuncertain about the price of the magazine but here is a list of the variouschapters :1. The Black Avenger.2. At the Boar's Head Inn.3. The Girl in the Round Tower.4. What Time I am Afraid.5. A Spaniard Goes A-Wooing.6. Tryst on the Sea Shore.7. A Prodigal Comes Home.8. Lights and Shadows.9. Red Tarn Meets His Master.10. The Song of Death.11. The fool o'God's Making.12. The Finding of Daft Jimmy.13. Marion Makes a Discovery.14. The Wrath of Man.15. The Black Arrow.16. Through Death's Dark Vale.17. The Clash of Swords.18. Hopes and Fears.19. The Mist of God.20. Dugal Mohr Says His Say.21. The Taking of Marion.22. The Great Impersonation.23. The Rescue and After.Epilogue: A Late Lark Sings.the address is 5422 Almada St., Los AnmCOVENANTER WITNESS

spirit"and"seeking."Missionary NumberBIBLE LESSON FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 25, 1955WitnessVOLUME LV, NO. 10 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1955LIFELooks atBuddhismSecond of a Series of Articles in Answer to A LeadingMagazine's Estimate of the World's Greatest ReligionsDon HillisIn Evangelical Action (Used by permission)Hundreds of millions of peopleperhaps asmany as 500,000,000 believe in a gentle and peaceable religion called Buddhism. It is one of the noblestedifices of thought ever created by the human spirit.It is, as a whole, one of the most rational of theworld's great religions, for the system of human conduct that it preaches relies very little on the supernatural. Buddhism has been one of the greatest civilizing forces in the Far East . . This summarizesLife's conception of Buddhism.That this noble edifice "created by the humanshould be accompanied by all the frailties andlimitations of human nature is to be expected. If thesad, idolatrous, illiterate and poverty-stricken conditions of most of the Buddhistic populace is a yardstick to the "civilizing forces" of Buddhism, thencertainly it is not something to be desired. Witnessthe bondage of Tibet.The FounderA Hindu of high caste, Siddhartha Guatama,was the founder of this religion. He was born in theyear 563 B.C. in Nepal. His life's story has beensurrounded by centuries of poetic, oriental legendsForand Asian imagination. These oriental legends standin sharp contrast to the well-documented, imagination-free, histprically accurate facts that surroundthe life teaching of Jesus Christ.the first twenty-nine years of his life, Gautama reveled in the wealth and luxury into which hewas born. Finally awakened to the sin, suffering andsickness that filled his community, he fell into astate of mental frustration. He determined to find asolution to the problems of life. Forsaking his parents, wife and son, he became a Hindu Sadhu. For aperiod of six years, he sought the secret of enlightenment through mortification of the flesh and variousmethods of meditation. One day he seated himselfunder a tree to think and vowed that he would notmove until he attained the secret of enlightenment."In a vision, the armies of Mara, evil tempter of theworld of passion, attacked him with storms, rain,.rocks and blazing weapons, and Mara himself offeredhim the wealth of the world if he would desist fromhis purpose. But Guatama sat unmoved, calling onthe earth beneath him to witness the steadfastnessof his aim. The armies of Mara fled. After forty-ninedays of meditation under a tree, Siddhartha Gautama achieved the enlightenment he was Hebecame the Buddha, the enlightened one. The nextforty-five years were spent traveling the length andbreadth of India preaching and making converts. Hedied at the age of eighty after eating some indigestible food.(Please turn to page 152)

Current EventsBy Prof. William H. Russell, Ph.D.PEACE MOVESSecretary of State Dulles has launched a major effortto restore peace in the Middle East. Continued strife alongthe border between Israel and Egypt, and bad feeling between Israel and the other Arab countries,are a major obstacle to the defense of the Middle East against Communism. Israel needs a stable peace to pursue her internal development, but the Arab states refuse to recognize her rightto national existence. In a speech on August 26, Dulles urgedthat Israel pay indemnities for the property lost by Arabrefugees, and promised that the U. S. would participate inan internal loan to help her do so. He also offered Americanaid in settling permanent boundary lines. If the other problems are solved, President Eisenhower will recommend aformal American commitment to guarantee the bordersbetween Israel and the Arab states. Great Britain is infavor of a similar plan and Israel will probablybut the Arab countries will be reluctant to yield.TRADE BARRIERSaccept it,Eight European governments have protested against the50 per cent increase in our tariff on foreign bicycles, recently approved by President Eisenhower. Great Britain,The Netherlands, and West Germany are most directly affected, but other countries joined in the protest to expresstheir concern over U. S. trade policies. Bicycles have beenone of our fastest-growingimports in 1950 we bought $2million worth from Europe, and last year $23.8 million.American bicycle manufacturers have complained of the"competition,"even though their own sales have remainedsteady or increased. In general, Europe buys about twiceas much from us as she sells, and the balance has becomemore unfavorable in the past year. The European concernabout the bicycle tariff is thus quite understandable. Lastyear President Eisenhower also approved an increase in thetariff on Swiss watch movements. Though he speaks infavor of freer international trade,Eisenhower seems unableto withstand the pressure of American business interestswhich demand special protection.DOWN ON THE FARMThe Russian farm experts have finished their well publicized tour of the United States. In five weeks they travelled almost 12,000 miles, visiting farms and ranches intwelve states. Most Americans seemed anxious to makethem welcome, and a friendly tone prevailed throughouttheir visit. The Russians were especially impressed by thegreat use of machinery in American farming. They werealso interested in our cattle-feeding methods, in corn andhog production, and in the use of grain sorghum in dry regions. Meanwhile a group of American farm experts hascompleted a visit to Russia. They seem to agree that theRussians have much to learn from us, particularly in theefficient use of farm labor. The Soviet government publishedtheir suggestions in full. Regardless of the effects on farming, the exchange of visits has "built up good will between thetwo countries.COUNTING THE COST146Final estimates indcate thait the northeastern floodsfollowing Hurricane Diane were the most costly in ourhistory. The death toll of around 200 does not comparewith the Johnstown Flood of 1889, in which 2,200 drowned;but the total property loss in August's flood was almost$1.67 billion. The grestest property damage was $900 millionin Connecticut, where the flood swept through industrialtowns. The resort area of eastern Pennsylvania had the highest death toll. Over 20,000 homes were destroyed or damaged, and many thousands were made jobless when theirfactories were wrecked. The Red Cross began a campaignto raise $8 million for disaster relief, and within a week hadcollected about half that sum. Federal agencies have authorized special loans for reconstruction. For nearly twentyyears the Army Corps of Engineers has had plans for acomprehensive flood control program in the Northeast, butCongress has appropriated only enough money to carry outa few of the biggest projects.TROUBLE IN THE SUDANA major revolt has broken out in the Sudan, the largestate along the Nile River south of Egypt. Great Britain andEgypt ruled the Sudan jointly from 1889 until 1953, whenthey agreed to set up a native parliament. During the pasttwo years, local leaders have taken over many positionsin the government. The British and Egyptians agreed towithdraw their troops whenever the Sudanese parliamentwished. A Constituent Assembly would then be elected todecide whether the Sudan should join Egypt, go into theBritish Commonwealth, or become an independent nation.The recent revolt began when the parliament decided to callfor this election. The northern part of the Sudan is aridcountry, inhabited by Moslems who are sympathetic toEgypt, while the southern part is tropical, held by paganNegroes. The two sections have long been hostile. Severalhundred southern Sudanese troops revolted against theirnorthern officers, and British Iroops may have to remainlo keep order.JAPAN ENVOYSThree key men of the Japanese government have cometo the United States, led by Mamoru Shigemitsu, ForeignMinister and Deputy Premier. They are not seeking anydirect handout, but want several concessions from our government. Japan wants full sovereignty over the Bonin andRyukyu islands, and the release of the remaining Japanesewar criminals. Theyalso would like our consent to an increase in Japan's trade with Red China, and a greater sharein trade with Southeast Asia. Premier Hatoyama needs atleast some of these gains to bolster his government againstthe Socialist opposition, which claims that he is subservientto the U. S.HUNGER IN HAITIA desperate famine threatens the island republic ofHaiti, in the Caribbean Sea just 600 miles from the tip ofFlorida. Last fall, Hurricane Hazel blew down nearly allthe breadfruit trees, and about half the coconut palms andcoffee trees. Roads, communications, and irrigation workswere badly damaged. Then a severe drought this springCOVENANTER WITNESS

S;,camps,"groups."*pastors'Vineyard GleaningsIndependent Missionary OrganizationsChina Inland MissionThe work of the China Inland Mission is somewhatfamiliar to our readers and as you know it was begun byHudson Taylor who went out independent of any board,just trusting the Lord and praying for such funds and reenforcementsas he felt were immediately needed. Thismission worked in China until the closing of that field,though perhaps there are still some workers left there. Itbecame the largest mission of all China and since thattime has transferred its work to other continents. It ismentioned here as an example of various organizationswhich are workingat the present time and carried on inmuch the same way. We will mention a few of them fortheir letters come to our desk on an average I would sayof about once a week, perhaps not so often as it seems.The Pocket Testament League, IncorporatedThe home address of this organization is New YorkCity. I take from their methods that they consider that theEvangelization of the world consists in gathering out theelect and that when this reaches a definite number, thenthe Lord will come back. However, perhaps I am assumingthis because this is the theory of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. What this organization is doing is to collectmoney, put it into New Testaments and distribute themby the thousands, if not to say millions, over the widestpossible territory. This looks very superficial comparedwith the mission that sits down in one place and organizesschools and continues in evangelistic work through thedecades. But we have the promise: "My word shall notreturn unto me void, it shall accomplish that whereuntoI sent it." Just now I have before me an account of theirMau Mau Campaign and the letter starts off, "In Januarywe launched what promises to be the greatest scripturedistribution and massive evangelistic campaign of our historythe African campaign. We have done an extensivesurvey to determine the areas of greatest need and opportunity and tentative plans of operation had been mappedout, when the cryingneed in Kenya altered them. Soonafter we arrived in Africa we began to receive urgent appeals for help in Kenya, scene of the Mau Mau uprising. Aveteran missionary stressed the urgency of the situationthere and asked PTL to move in at once."We were immediately faced with the tremendous challenge of 70,000 Mau Mau detainees living behind barbedwire fences in 30 detentionetc. The middle spreadpage shows a photograph of Evangelists preaching to 7000detainees at McKinnon Road Camp.Thrilling Results"Although government regulations did not permit usto obtain signatures from the detainees hundreds of themindicated by upraised hands that they had accepted JesusChrist as their Saviour.ruined many of the new crops. It is estimated that up to20,000 persons are in danger of actual starvation, and twicethat number are suffering from diseases of malnutrition.The ,U.Jamaica, and other nearby countries are supplying aid, but many of the stricken people are in remotemountain areas, and are too weak tp come down to thetowns for help.September 7, 1955World Vision, Inc.The headquarters of this organization is in Portland,Oregon. The field that they are working at the present timeis in Asia, and their particular project about which theyare writing is four conferences they are holding inIndo China, Formosa, Korea, and the Philippines. Theseconferences cover a period of seven weeks and the leadersare a team traveling from one to the next. "Last year wehad 2212 pastors attend in Korea. This year we expect manymore. Over 400 pastors are coming from Formosa and inwar-torn Vietnam, 167 leaders are assembling from jungles,camps and cities of Indo China. Already 200 pastors haverequested to come from the Philippines. A team of fourmen, Drs. Edman Halverson, Carl Well, Cook, and Smith,together with the prominent local pastors, minister totheThe letter is signed by Bob Pierce. There arevarious retreats being held in order to put new enthusiasminto evangelists from these various communities.American Soul ClinicThe headquarters of this organization is Los Angeles.The notice of localities in which they are working is likea roll-call of the United Nations. Not only does it take inthose nations which we call backward nations, Japan,Mexico etc., but includes Great Britain, Ireland and America, the deep South and the Jews. The Founder-Director ofSoul Clinic International is Fred Jordan. Their literaturesays that they have put into action showers of scriptureupon the three million people attending the conference ofRio de Janeiro, Brazil, and are working throughout SouthAmerica in teams.The Far East Broadcasting Company, Inc.Their headquarters is Whitaker, Calif. However theheadquarters of the broadcasting is in Manila. From thatpoint they broadcast to Japan, the Philippines, Malaya,Formosa, etc. Surely the word of God is not bound. Thisorganization started on a shoe string and soon they weregetting their transmitters on credit, and stepping out onfaith, and on the faith of their contributors are extendingtheir influence far and wide, using many languages.(Continued on page 149)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka. Kansaito promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer* ;not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental Editor*Rev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: S2.60 per year; Overseas, $3.00 ; Single Copiei10 cents.The Rev. E. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, X. Ireland, Agent for theBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newtonunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.Kan -a*147

past."Editorial NotesBy Walter McCarrollOutgoing Missionaries. The Boyles, the GeneSpears and Eleanor Faris sailed from Seattle for Japan on August 3. Gene Spear was ordained by hisPresbytery Sabbath afternoon, June 12, in GenevaCollege while Synod was convened for its annualmeeting. Miss Blanche McCrea sailed from New Yorkfor Cyprus August 10. The Board appointed MissAphrodite Trombettas as a Covenanter missionaryto teach the Girls' School in Nicosia. Miss Trombettas is a graduate of Geneva College. She was appointed for a three year term, the Academy to pay hersalary.Miss Rose Huston will be returning home in lateSeptember, perhaps by a freighter that will dock atSeattle. She writes, "At my request for time extension I was given six months in which to complete thework of preparing the Japanese Psalter. That meansI shall probably sail for home in September, thoughwe have not been able to meet the schedule laid outfor us. Mr. Takase deserves much credit for thiswork of putting the Psalms into meter in addition tohis full time work in Red Cross, and besides, one seldom finds a man who is a Christian as well as a poet.Since March, I have been living with the Hansensin the wonderful Mission House at Suzurandai.During the past forty-five years I have moved intoquite a number of houses, and for the comforts andall."conveniences of modern living, this tops themMiss Huston has had a long and varied career asa missionary amid war's alarms, in journeyings oftenin watchings often, in perils too in the city, in thewilderness, and in the sea. In South China, thenhome. In Syria and Cyprus, then home. In Manchuria, then home. In Kentucky, then back in South China, and then Japan, and now: once more home again.Through it all she never lost that cheerful spirit andher unwavering faith in her Saviour and Lord. Shehas earned a well deserved rest, but rest for her willnot mean sitting with folded hands but an active interest in work yet to be done. Well done, good andfaithful servant !Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson and Miss Elizabeth McElroy were scheduled to sail for Syria September 9. By the time this is read they will likelybe on the high seas en route to their destination. Sofar we have no word that their prayer for a shortterm teacher was answered. Miss McClurkin endsher letter with these words : "Please don't forget ourplea for help a short term teacher for the highschool to come out with the Sandersons and Miss McElroy in September. We have now (for how long?)an open door for evangelism among our high schoolyoung people, and we have many adversaries. How?"while there is timeabout another ally,The Board authorized the Corresponding Secretary to go ahead with the preparation of a brochureon our mission work, to be printed when it could bedone without extra expense to the Board. The regular quarterly meeting of the Board will be held September 20.Understanding Missions in 1955. The followingeditorial is by Harold R. Cook, Editor of the Depart-148ment of Missions in Moody Monthly. This gives anidea of the changes taking place in mission work infields abroad. There is another trend which the editor does not mention to which a correspondent hascalled my attention, viz, the trend away from mission schools "in the sense in which we have knownthem in the To this we shall return in a laterissue.UNDERSTANDING MISSIONS IN 1955By Harold R. Cook in Moody MonthlyThat there are great changes in missionarywork no one can deny. Some, of course, are changesin the physical conditions of missionary work suchas have come with the use of airplanes, radio andother modern inventions. But there are other pointsof emphasis in missions today that seem new tomany.There is the new emphasis on literature, forexample. Pioneers like Carey and Morrison gavepriority in their missionarywork to Christian literature, however, especially distribution of the Scriptures. When Carey distributed his first tracts in Bengal, the people took them eagerly, though comparatively few could read them. Today millions everyyear are learning to read. They are eager for readingmaterial, and others who are not Christian are alsoproducing literature for them.Again we are increasingly emphasizing the importance of training national leaders for the churches. The early missionaries also saw this need andtried to meet it. Their successors were not always sodiscerning, and too much of the work stayed in missionary hands. The closing of China highlighted theneed. But there are complications. Today leaderstrained in mission schools find others eager for theirservices, especially in places like Africa, and theleadership of the church suffers.There are changes in missions, though, thatmake the situation quite different from what thepioneers faced. They are very significant changes,although not well understood at home.For example, in most fields there is already aChristian Church. Our young people today are notg6irig out to fields untouched by the Christian message. This means a new approach, for they mustlearn to work with the church. Some may even becalled oh to work under the church.Often there is heathen competition in the verytypes of work in which Christian missions pioneered.Sometimes it is the heathen equivalent of a Sabbathschool, or it may be a Young Men's Buddhist Association.Those who go to the mission field today, too,soon find that the prestige of the white race and ofwestern civilization has largely disappeared. It isdoubtless a good thing. At any rate it is differentfrom what used to be. The missionary in some senseis being forced back to a first century situation,when the gospel made its way entirely on its ownmerits and the transformed lives of its believers.There are many other trends which might bementioned. In the world picture, America has cometo the fore as the leading missionary nation. Britaineven with a better economic situation than at theCOVENANTER WITNESS

soon."years'need,"us"close of the war, is finding it hard to maintain muchof the work already begun.Both at home and abroad there has been a newconcern for evangelism. Most notable have been themass evangelistic services. However, this concern hasnot resulted in any great change in procedure. Thenumber of missionaries sent out for evangelisticwork as compared with those for institutional workhas not changed appreciably.These observations merely point up the complex,changing nature of missions in the world today.Probably the layman cannot hope to become well informed concerning every aspect of the missions picture, but he can better his understanding of such information as may come to his attention. Above all,he can avoid the grievous mistake of assuming thatmissions and missionaries face substantially thesame problems and situations that they faced in thedays of Livingstone and Carey.Ruth Reade Injured. Late word tells that RuthReade met with an accident and was badly hurtthough not seriously injured. On her way to prayermeeting July 27th she was knocked down by a motorcycle and received injuries in leg, nose, and face,which necessitated a three weeks stay in the hospital. On August 16 Mr. Copeland wrote : "Miss Readewas released from the hospital yesterday, and we areglad that she is on the road to recovery. It has takenlonger than we expected it would in the beginning asthe nose was more badly damaged than it appearedat first. It is looking quite normal again. The legwill require a little longer to heal over completely,though she can get around on it now. She expectsto go to Troodos tomorrow. That is three weeks in ahospital bed she wouldn't have spared in a very busysummer, but God has His purposes and gives Hisblessing with all His strange and secret providences.We are grateful to Him that she will be well and normal againRECEPTION FOR Mr. H. H. MEMOURThe following note in a letter from Rev. ClarkCopeland is of immediate importance since it callsfor your prayers on an important matter, so we areby-passing the Missionary Editor Dr. McCarroll,knowing that he will pardon us this time. Editor inChief.Yesterday morning (August 22) the Weirs,John Bilemdjian a student in the Larnaca Academyand member of the Young People's Society ,andI drove down to Limassol to meet Mr. H. H. Memourwho arrived home after threestudy at theEuropean Bible Institute, Paris. There we found hisfather and mother and brother-in-law waiting forhim to come ashore What a happy meeting it wasfor them and for us! Greater pride and joy couldhardly be evidenced by Christian parents as their sonarrived home from a seminary course to take up hiswork in a pastorate, than these Moslem parents hadon their faces and in their conversation. Truly thatis a work of grace in their hearts, and we trust asign of a fuller work to be realized in their conversion. We agreed to gather some friends and go totheir home in the village for a "home-coming" partyin the evening. About seven o'clock that evening 10of us and the family sat down around a table in theyard to a meal. Some of us had taken things along;there was the usual village feast roast lamb andpotatoes, macaroni, chicken, except for the wine.Relatives and friends came in to welcome the homecomerand stayed on the perimeter of things watching the proceedings, much in the manner of the dayof Christ. After the table had been cleared we sat.there in the yard, the minaret of the Mosque not astone's cast away, and sang Psalm 23 & 121 in English and explained the meaning in Greek (betterknown to most of the people of the village thanTurkish). After reading part of Ephesians 2 different ones spoke a few words of welcome home andinto the Lord's work and Memour replied, showinghow it was God's call and the work of His grace thatbrought him back, not his faithfulness to a promise, because there were many attractions to remainin Etorope and England to work. Another Psalm andprayer brought the evening to a close.It was a very happy occasion for all, the parentsand members of his family included. We beg yourprayers that his entrance into the Lord's work willbe the beginning of a new dayof power in the witness for God here.Sincerely yours,ClarkGLEANINGS from page 147World Fellowship of Slavic Evangelical ChristiansThis organization claims to have been evangelizing theSlavs for more than 80 years, but "your stewardship of theeternity."Lord's money is bringing dividends for Your giftsto the World Fellowship have resulted in many Russiansbeing won to Christ and many more being built up in theirmost holy faith. "We are trusting God to supply the greatfinancialso you His steward maywork in suchcountries as "Argentina, Switzerland, Brazil, Finland,Greece, etc. Most of their doctrinal bases are orthodox, theonly one which we might question is "the Personal VisibleReturn of Our Lord" which is rather ambiguous.MISCELLANEOUSNow we have not mentioned such other organizationsas "Youth For Christ," "Child Evangelism," and the variousorganizations like the Giddeons, the Bible Society,etc. Butthese organizations are carrying on and receiving contributions not from any particular denomination, but just frombroadcasting their literature and seem to extend theirwork indefinitely, and certainly this is one of the signs ofthe times.The Student Volunteer Movement of a fewdecades ago had for their motto "the Evangelization ofthe World in This Generation." Many new facilities of communication and the growing list of evangelizing agencieshaving this goal makes it seem as though this would beimmediately possible. I have not said in so many wordsthat all of these organizations are appealing for funds,nor am I urging anyone to contribute to them, yet I cannot forget that Jesus said to the disciples who rebukedthose who were preachinglowed not withChrist "because they have foland His answer was, "He that is notus."against us is for And so we may all pray that everybit of truth shall reach its proper destination in the heartsof the multitudes and remember the admonition of theapostle when he said, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, beye steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work ofthe Lord, inasmuch as ye know that your labor is notin vain in the Lord." 149September 7, 1955

well""The Service Rendered in This Ministry"By Mrs. Ada M. HutchesonDear Friends:The Witness of July 6 came to us this week andI have enjoyed reading it. I notice that it is the missionary number and yet there are no missionary letters direct from the fields which pushes me to getmy letter written and on its way. However this issueis not lacking in missionary information, much of itquite as important as news from individual workers.The article beginning on the front page about missions in the Holy Land was interesting to me especially, as I had had the privilege of attending aconference in Jerusalem in May. As we were fromArab countries, naturally the conference was heldin the Arab part of Jerusalem. One block from wherewe were staying is the Mandelbaum Gate which iswhere, under strict surveilance, some communicationis allowed. Eight delegates from Israel had plannedto come to the conference but only one was allowedto come. His report was very interesting and quitesimilar to the article in the Witness.At the conference Dr. Park Johnson reported onChristian Work in our area as a whole. He reportedfor the Near East Christian Council. In his talk hementioned the many adversaries in the way of Christian work, among them different phases of nationalism, communism, Zionism and worst of all materialism. However, recalling the story of Ben Hadad andthe Syrians and the four lepers, he said we shouldnot fear to go ahead. Perhaps the adversaries arenot as strong as they seem and anyway we have thegood news and "we do not if we do not tell it.The two pages and more of editorial notes inthe missionary number mentioned above are important reading, each paragraph having informationpertinent to the topic under which it appears. Alsothe article on the EFMA is enlightening. I must goon and say that every issue of the church paper isvery welcome to us who are far from the home basein fact we only realize how much we depend on itwhen a period comes of several weeks with no Witness in the mails. This happened recently. It is goodto get the news of the churches, the progress of theChristian Amendment Movement and all. Many ofyou seem to have enjoyed seeing and hearing MissMcElroy and the Sandersons and now we are beginning to feel they will soon be here in Latakia. Thedeparture of the Hays family left a vacancy but wehope they will have a fine furlough year. This summer is going very quickly and it is surprising howbusy we keep. Miss McClurkin at present is taking alittle vacation in Kessab. We decided to rent ourhouse in Slenfe this summer andstay in Latakiaand so far have not been sorry as the weather hasbeen better than usual.One nice thing about being in Latakia is seeingoccasional travelers. Last Saturday Mr. James Stewart with Mrs. Stewart and Gordon spent the day inLatakia. This is the youngest son of Dr. Jas. S.Stewart who was for years missionary in this fieldso it was a visit to his early home for James. He isemployed by the Arabian-American Oil Co. and theyare on their way to U.S.A. on leave. It was a pleasure to see his pleasure in seeing familiar people and150places and to see how well he speaks Arabic and hissympathy toward the Syrian people. This is the second son of the mission who has visited Latakia thissummer, the first being Mr. C. B. Metheny of Beaver Falls, Pa., whose visit was no doubt mentioned inthe last letter from this station.Political conditions are still unsettled but in factduring the summer it is quieter, I suppose becausethe schools are closed. The strikes and demonstrations usuallyseem to originate among the studentsof the government schools. During this month theParliament is to elect a new president. If they geta good one it will help of course. The wheat and fruitcrops have been a failure in most of Syria this yearand as a consequence times are hard and there ismuch unemployment. In a small country like thissuch failures show up quickly. All the people whowere employed at harvesting, trucking and loadingthe wheat on ships are idle. Besides this the priceof bread goes up.Mr. Hutcheson has kept the school office openat least half a day all summer with parents or students in for conferences continuously. Then he hasbeen supervising workmen doing minor repairs orimprovements about the buildings. The three of us,Miss McClurkin, Mr. Hutcheson and I took three daysfor a trip to Aleppo the main business being conferences at Aleppo College about curriculum, booksand admissions in the high school and college departments of that school. It was interesting to see theirplant. I remembered when Mrs. R. E. Smith and Iwent to Aleppo to see Miss Edgar who was sick in ahospital. Going in we noticed a sign on a barren hilloutside of Aleppo saying it was the site on whichAleppo College was to build. There are now at leasteleven all permanent stone buildings. They have driven wells so that they have water even for a swimming pool and though the climate is very hot anddry, by continual watering, trees and flower gardenshave flourished. This summer two residences forfaculty families are being built and there are severalothers so that most of the faculty will be on the campus. These residences are modern "picture" housesand very comfortable. Pray that this fine physicalplant may be used to further the spiritual work ofthe Kingdom. It was here that the ISCA conferencewas held this spring. (Reported in the July GoalPost)On the second afternoon in Aleppo we visitedthe grave of Miss Elma French and found the slab onwhich the inscription, and also some of the supporting cement work is broken. We determined that itmust be renewed or at least repaired. Coming homethe next day we stopped for an hour at Idlib whereMiss French worked during her last years. We visited the evangelists and he told us he is making everyeffort to reopen the school on a small scale at firstand with an all Syrian staff. So far he has not beenable to get permission but he hopes he mayeventually succeed."Being confident . . . that He which hath beguna good work . . . will perform it"COVENANTER WITNESS

News Briefs From SyriaBy Eunice L. McClurkinThe last two months of the schoolyear in Lataiiawere eventful and fleeting. Something that helpedspeed up our business was the installation of theGirls School telephone. Many thanks to the NationalCovenanter Juniors for their gift of a year ago forthe phone. The gift covered the expense of installation plus deposit on the instrument, and nearly ayear's subscription rate. We have a very fine dialsystem here in Latakia. The Girls School installationis the plug-in variety, so that the phone can be usedin the office on the first floor or in the house on thethird floor. It has been a great convenience to beable to conferquickly with the Hutchesons at theBoys School, the Fattals at their home, and theEducation Department. The phone probably wouldn'thave been in yet if the pastor hadn't used his influence. It was requested in November.The high school young people sponsored a localweek-end conference as follow-up of the Easter-timeconference in Aleppo, which seven students andMuallim John Arakel and I attended. Guest speakerat the Latakia follow-up was Lynn Boliek of theProtestant Student House in Beirut. He's a CalvinistReformed theologian and an enthusiastic personalworker. The conference theme was "Follow Christ,"with particular emphasis on vocations (Bible studyfrom Ephesians 4). Other conferences in May inwhich the pastor Rev. Khaleel Awad, met in Damascus ; and the United Christian Council of SouthwestAsia in its biennial meeting May 23-26 in Jerusalem,to which Mrs. C. T. Hutcheson was our delegate.On the last two Sabbaths of May the sacramentsof Baptism and the Lord's Supper were observed inthe Latakia R. P. Church. On May 22, nine couplespresented five boys and four girls for baptism. OnMay 29, fourteen new members partook of Communion for the first time; nine young men and fiveyoung women. The annual S. S. picnic was held atSnobar (pine grove) on Friday, June 3, the schoolshaving a holiday for the occasion. I had practice indriving the Mission station wagon out to the picnicgrounds, and have since completed all the requirements and got my Syrian driver's license.The Hays family left on furlough according toschedule the morning of June 16. They are due inNew York July 16 after hurried sightseeing andvisits in Europe and the British Isles. No moss grewunder their feet here either in the last days or weeksbefore they left Latakia. The Hutchesons and Ishared in feasts in their honor at the homes of thepastor, the pastor's brother, and the Fattals', and weentertained the village evangelists at a dinner forthe Hayses. Scores of friends came to say good-byeto the Hayses on their official receiving day. Thenext day, June 11, their trunks were put aboard anAmerican Export ship in Latakia harbor, to precedethem to the States. There was Mission business requiring Mr. Hays' attention till the last minute : thewall being rebuilt, the bookstore inventory and orderof school notebooks for next year, the possible saleof a corner lot from the Mission property, pendingapproval from the Board.We had a welcome visitor from America duringSeptember 7, 1955those busy days: C. Brainerd Metheny was the guestof the Hutchesons June 11-14, midway betweenvisits to Mersine and Cyprus. We wish some more ofyou might come to see the schools in action. Notmany of you could entertain us with such magictricks as his ! How the students did enjoy the showshe put on for them at impromptu assemblies! Weeven imposed on good nature for a talk to the Intermediates on Sabbath. Don't be discouraged fromvisiting us by the account of how hard we workedBrainerd Metheny. You might enjoy it, too!And in spite of these comings and goings, schoolwent on. Exams, of course, were a principal featureof the last two months. The government elementary(5th class) exam was held in May. I'm sorry to report that only 8 out of 22 presented by the GirlsSchool were successful, and glad to report that 20of 27 from Boys School passed. School exams weregoing on when the Hayses left, and ended June 21.We had the usual grand rush of grading papers, preparing report cards, and havingteachers'meetings.Grades were distributed the afternoon of June 24,and school was officially over for the year. However,administrative offices have been open for meetingparents and students and teachers. Government brevet and baccalaureate (9th and 12th class) examswere June 27 to July 6, and the results are not yetknown. I have been asked to help grade the brevetEnglish exams, an unusual opportunity for a foreigner.There were social events as well as exams in thelast school months. Saturday June 11, I went withthree other teachers and girls of the 6th and 7thclasses for a picnic at Baseet, the bay south of theTurkish border. The next Monday afternoon, the4th class girls had a picnic up on Tawbiyat, thenorth-south ridge of the Latakia cape. Saturday, the18th, the top high school class and their teacherswere treated by the school to a trip to Banyas, a visitto the Iraq Petroleum Co. installation, dinner in arestaurant, and table games at the Springs. Games,including those given by the Southfield S. S., werealso used at a party of teachers of both schools June6, when color slides were shown too, and at the Baseet picnic.Henry Madany, brother of Bassam, arrivedhome from engineering studies in Belfast on June 22,and spoke to Intermediates the following Sabbath.Intermediates and schools as well as his family willmiss Rev. Bassam Madany who,son, left June 30 for Canada.with his wife andThe Latakia port sea wall is progressing. TheHayses and Hutchesons and I visited the port inMay as guests of the director of the Yugoslav construction company. His two older boys have been inour school, and their English has developed enoughfor them to be able interpreters for their Croatianspeakingparents. We have had some pleasant socialcontacts with Danish and Yugoslav families who arehere in connection with port construction.June was a peak month in the Mystery of theMail. We lost many letters and other pieces of mail.The Director of the P.O. is having our box carefullywatched now, and we hope not to lose any more. Ifwe have not answered something from you, it mightbe it was lost, or it might be we've been too busy ortoo lazy.151

sions"release."conquerors."AnyPlease don't forget our plea for help a shorttermteacher for the high school, to come out withthe Sandersons and Miss McElroy in September. Wehave now (for how long?) an open door for evangelism among our high school young people, and wehave many adversaries. How about another ally,while there is time?Yours for Christ's Crown and Covenant.A Farewell LetterBy Blanche McCreaS. S. Constitution, August 16, 1955Dear Friends in ChristThroughout the States :Not having written a farewell letter before leaving the States, I'm starting on one now the last daybefore we enter the Mediterranean. We are supposedto make a short stop at Gibralter this evening.It was just a year ago today that I landed inNew York on my return from Cyprus. Many pleasant associations come to my mind as I review theyear from my first meal in the Richard Weir hometo my last in the Crawford home. My first churchcontact came at the White Lake retreat, my firstweek-end and my last in the Montclair congregationwhere I spoke my last Sabbath, spending the lastweek-end with friends, the McFarlands.It was possible for me to contact manyof ourcongregations from the Atlantic to the Pacific, butstill there are a number that I missed. Thanks aredue to all in every place I've been, for I have foundvery receptive and appreciative audiences to whomI was happy to speak and tell about what the Lordhas done and continues to do in Cyprus. Many werethe thanks and expressions of understanding thework better, and having a better basis for prayer.My longer stay in Santa Ana, California, callsfor a special note of thanks to my many fine Christian friends there who were so kind and generous.Though in Sterling only about six weeks altogether,I still consider it my home and I appreciate the manykindnesses and tokens of friendship shown up to theFarewell and Steamship telegram containing theirpromise of prayer support.Between speaking engagements I was at thehome of my sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs.Roy Maxwell at Dodge City, Kansas, where I wasalways made to feel very welcome.I want to thank the Synodical ladies for thebeautiful corsage as a token of welcome and the boxof delicious fruit, nuts and candy as a farewell gift.It has been good to be in the Homeland, and yetI am glad and anxious to get back to Cyprus and thetasks awaiting me there. As I look back on the number of years behind me and forward to the feweryears of service left, it spurs me on to greater effortsfor His work in Cyprus.I have not been able to mention everyperson orgroup that has helped me during the past year, butmy last goes to those friends who boarded the Constitution with me and wished me God's blessing asI started forth once more.152Yours in love for Him.LIFE LOOKS AT BUDDHISMfrom front pageThis summary of Gautama's life, including boththe imaginative and the factual aspects, presents thepicture of a seeking soul. A self-satisfying philosophy is finally reached and then preached. At longlast, death ends it all. The total absence of divinerevelation, of the supernatural, of miracles, and of aprophesied plan gives it a hollow ring. The majestic,eternal and foreordained plan which we do clearlysee in the life of Christ is missing. There is nothingin the teaching and death of Gautama that would remind one of Jesus Christ. The absence of a resurrection message places the entire picture on a humanlevel. Gautama himself made no claim to divinity. Infact he makes little mention of God. "He that hathseen me hath seen the Father," could never fit hislips. Guatama's life is not a portrait of the "visibleimage of the invisible God." He made no claim oreven suggestion that he was saved or that he couldsave others through his own virtue or sacrifice. Concerning Christ alone has it been said, "Behold theLamb of God that taketh away the sin of the World.For he was made sin for us who knew no sin that wemight be made the righteousness of God in Christ."Buddha's Message"Gautama inculcated neither prayer nor praise.He offered neither redemption, nor forgiveness, norheaven. He warned of no judgment and no hell." Hismessage was an appeal to "work out one's own salvation by the use of facilities already latent in everyhuman being." It is an evolutionary process to beachieved by one's own efforts. He adopted the Hindudoctrine of Karma, which is the law of cause and effect, as well as the concept "of the world as an abodeof ignorance and sorrow from which wise men shouldseek He accepted the Hindu philosophy"that the path of wisdom lay in taming the appetitesand passions of the flesh."History demonstrates, the human heart bearstestimony to, and the Bible confirms the fact thatone might as well endeavor to get the leopard tochange his spots or the poisonous serpent his waysas to regenerate his own heart through self-effort.The message of the Bible is that "the heart is deceitwicked."ful above all things and desperately realconception of the depravity of human nature forbidsthe thought of the "taming the appetites and pasthrough human effort. ". . . the whole head issick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of thefoot even unto the head there is no soundness in it ;but wounds, andbruises, and putrif ying sores : theyhave not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with It is ointment."only as we become "newcreatures in Christ" that we can become "more thanThe philosophy of Buddhism is outlined in FourNoble Truths, a Noble Eightfold Path and Five Precepts. The Four Noble Truths deal with the causeand cure of suffering. According to these Truths,suffering is universal and the cause is selfish desire.The cure is obtained by eliminating desire. The Noble Eightfold Path consists of things that are right,such as rightknowledge, right intention, rightspeech, etc. These right things are obtained by amethod of "self-discipline that will lead to a life ofgood works and inner peace of mind."COVENANTER WITNESS

shrined,"man."conversion."work."meditation."grace."gift."The Five Precepts comprise a code of conduct.This code presents the negative aspects of behavior.It involves abstinence from the taking of life, fromstealing, lying, intoxicants and illegal sex pleasures.These Precepts remind us of a portion of the TenCommandments with the glaring exception that Godis left out of the picture.Nirvana At Last"For the good Buddhist who has finally achievedenlightenment lies Nirvana, the spiritual goal. Nirvana is, strictly speaking, a permanent state towardwhich Buddhists aspire. It is impersonal ultimatereality. If a man comes to a true realization of self,he loses all craving for worldly pleasures and possessions . . . Thisrealization, however, can come onlyafter long and laborious effort. Through good andself-denying deels and thoughts one is purifiedthrough successive lives. The road is hard, and one isbound for many lives to the cosmic merry-go-round,which is called the Wheel of Rebirth the Buddhistsbelieving as do Hindus, in transmigration."Here again, the Bible message of an eternalabode prepared by the Saviour of the world for thoseHe has redeemed stands in bold contrast to theBuddhistic conception of heaven. The thought of animpersonal ultimate reality cannot be compared withthat eternally living with, and for, the glory of God."And so shall we ever be with the Lord."RitualismBuddhism has "no centralized authority, nopope, no elaborate ceremonies ofThereis, however, much ritual in the Buddhistic system.Celebacy, poverty, renunciation, a rosary of 108beads, monasteries and monks all constitute a part ofthe program. To this can be added the enshrining ofrelics. "Ever since the death of Gautama . . . relics ofhis physical body, including his teeth and hairs fromhis head, have been carefully preserved and ensays Life. It would appear that RomanCatholicism has borrowed some of these rituals andinculcated them in her own system of worship.Buddhistic shrines "are the center of many activities practiced by laymen in order to acquire meritthat leads to rebirth in a better life and thus constitutes a step toward final achievement of Nirvana.but thereBuilding stupas is in itself an act of merit,are other, simpler ways in which a layman may acquire merit : through offerings, through pilgrimages,through meditation, through helping feed the monks,through assisting in the upkeep of the stupas orshrines. Merit may also be acquired by participatingceremonies."in publicSalvation Through FaithThe editors of Life magazine suggest that "adoctrine of salvation through faith was added toBuddhism as it swept north, bringing consolationto the common This so-called "salvationthrough faith," in no sense of the word fits into thebiblical interpretation. Salvation to the Buddhist hasnothing to do with the penalty or condemnation ofsin. No thought of forgiveness, redemption, atonement, justification, or glorification is found in it.It is a self-attained deliverance from the practice ofsin on the basis of human effort apart from God.September 7, 1955Buddhistic faith is very apparently faith in oneself.It is egocentric. The human being is both the subjectand object of faith. This is far removed from theChristian concept of a man's humble trust and surrender to the God who is the God of all flesh andunto whom nothing is impossible. The major premises of Buddhism stand in bold contrast to those ofChristianity. "By the works of the flesh shall no manbe justified." "Enlightened One" DividedThere are two main branches of thought andpractice within the philosophy of Buddhism. Theone called Mahayana is accepted in China, Japan andTibet. The other called Hinayana is practiced in Ceylon, Thailand and Burma. Mahayana Buddhism represents the more liberal aspects with a broader appeal to the common man. In this sect, there is aconcept of a goddess as well as a god. Like the Roman Catholic Madonna, this goddess is supposed to beone of compassion known in Japan as Kuan Yin."Mahayana Buddhism has never had the monopolistic hold on the nations of the north that HinayanaBuddhism still maintains in countries like Thailandand Burma."The followers of the Zen Sect "believe that enlightenment comes, not from the study of the scriptures or from metaphysical speculation, but from asudden flash of intuition which occurs during disciplinedIn theory "after at least ten years of meditationand rigid discipline" can a monk hope to experiencethis revelation. It "is not to be achieved by logicalexplanations or readings of the scriptures but by anintuitive revelation, somewhat similar, on a spiritualplane, to a laugh that spontaneously occurs when onehas suddenly seen the point of a joke." The authority and authenticity for the Christian message is expressed in the following words: "For all Scriptureis given by inspiration of God and is profitable fordoctrine, correction in righteousness that the manof God may be thoroughly furnished unto everygood We unto whom have been entrusted theriches of God's grace can but lift our hearts inthanksgiving to God "for His unspeakable Atthe same time, we must remember that to whommuch is given much shall be required. We dare notallow these 500,000,000 to die without making a serious effort on our part to present to them the lightof the glorious Gospel of our Lord and Saviour JesusChrist. "How shall they call upon him of whom theyhave never heard ?"MISSIONARIES TO JAPAN ARRIVE SAFELYThe missionaries en route to Japan landed safelyafter a pleasant journey, on August 17. An effortwas made to have one of the missionaries preach inJapanese on the first Sabbath of the journey, butsince no one felt equal to that task, Mr. Boyle wasdrafted for a sermon in English. There being manymodernist missionaries on the ship, Mr. Boylefaithfully preached on Eph. 1 :7 ; "In whom we haveredemption through his blood, the forgiveness ofsins, according to the riches of his The multitude was divided and the rebuttal came on the following Sabbath. We regret that the original accountwas mailed out of our reach, but may be availablelater. D. R. T.153

pages."Another Year of BlessingBy the Rev. Charles H. Chao, Kobe, Japanin Sixth Annual Report of the ReformationTranslation Fellowship"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who onlydoeth wondrous things." Psalm 72:18.Probably there is nothing more suitable for usto say than to quote the above words of the Psalmistin order to describe the work of the ReformationTranslation Fellowship which has been carried onby the wonderful grace of God through the past yearof 1954. It is my deep conviction that, although weare weak in every respect, God's grace is sufficient.We cannot carry on our work even one single daywithout the guidance of mercy and the present helpof our sovereign Father who is the only source ofpower.The main publication work of the RTF for thisyear has been the translation of Miss Cameron's"God's Plan and Man's Destiny," which from Augustwe began to circulate to our readers in the differentparts of the world, and the four issues of our regularmagazine, "The Reformed Faith and Life."We received a lot of letters during the past yearfrom our readers, expressing their good wishes andthanks for our publications. Most of the letters camefrom the Free World area. From these letters wehave seen the urgent need for orthodox literary workand the spiritual hunger throughout the Christianchurches owing to the lack of reading materialswhich are based on the Biblical doctrines. Thereforeit is not small encouragement for those who havebeen concerned with the development of the RTFwork to note the voices of our readers.Dr. Hollington K. Tong, the Nationalist Chineseambassador to Tokyo, wrote to the writer of this report as follows : ". . . It is a great comfort to me, andmy admiration goes to you as I learned about yourtranslation and publication work. A copy of God'sPlan and Man's Destiny has come to my hand. Iwould like to say that my faith has been strengthened a great deal after reading it. Allow me to extend my thanks and appreciation to you. . The ambassador and his wife are fine Christians. They attend the Overseas Chinese Christian Church servicevery faithfully in Tokyo which was started by Mr.Donald Hunter in 1950. It is a great privilege for thiswriter to witness among the Chinese Christiansthere sometimes.We appreciate very much the kindness of aChristian worker in the China Sunday School Association of Tiapeh, Taiwan, who has introduced ourmagazine to their subscribers widely throughout thepast year. He wrote to us that he had been greatlybenefited himself by reading our magazine "The Reformed Faith and Life" and is willing to introduce itto the Christian workers.Many theological students and ministers inand Formosa wrote to us and asked forHong Kongour publications and also expressed the benefit theyhad received through reading them. The readers ofour magazine even included some Nationalist soldiersin the camps and a representative of the Chinese Nationalist Assembly in Taiwan. It is very interestingto note that there are five South Korean pastors ofthe Presbyterian Church who wrote to us and askedfor our publication. An old scholar who escaped from154Chungking and finally came to Taiwan got a copy ofour magazine from one of his friends, a universityprofessor in Taipeh. He wrote to us thus : ". . . The'Reformed Faith and Life' magazine has been a greathelp to my faith since I touched its A HongKong pastor wrote to us that he found somethinghelpful in our magazine in regard to the criticism onBarth and his viewpoint in theology. He also introduced the magazine to two other pastors."I never had a chance to study the Reformed' Doctrine of predestination before I got the book by Dr.Boettner which was published by your Fellowship. Iwould like your Fellowship to help me along this linehereafter."A Formosan Christian worker made theabove remark.No letter has been received from the mainlandreaders of our magazine during the past year. Inview of the present grave situation behind the IronCurtain, that is to be expected. However, the unseenweapon of God's Word can still penetrate throughthe Bamboo Curtain with its saving and refreshingpower. So long as the door is open we have no reasonto quit sending our publications to our readers inthat area who are starving spiritually under Redcontrol. We should give our hearty thanks to Godfor His marvelous guidance in helping our brethrenon the mainland in such a way. God has preparedsuch an able Christian young man for dealing withthis work of significance in Hong Kong.We recognize it as our honorable duty to takecharge of printing the late Rev. F. C. H. Dreyer'slast manuscript on the "Errors of Romanism" atthe special request of Mrs. Dreyer of Philadelphia,Pa. It is a timely publication of Dreyer's work, meeting the urgent need of such literature from theProtestant Church while the Catholic influence hasbeen so powerful in the Orient. Many Christianworkers have met such problems as what is the difference in character between Catholic and Protestantchurches. I have had firsthand opportunity to readDreyer's proof and I have come to the conclusionthat it is really a "must-read" volume for each Chinese Christian worker. This book will come off thepress very soon, and many will be richly blessedthrough reading it.We are glad to mention that Dr. EdwardYoung's booklet entitled "Do You Believe ?" and Dr.Machen's "The Importance of Christian Scholarship"are on the press in Hong Kong. The supply of Dr.J. G. Machen's well known work on "Liberalism andChristianity,"which was translated into Chinese byRev. Samuel E. Boyle, has been exhausted for sometime. We published this book in two editions in 1950-51,and a lot of copies were sent into the mainlandduring the past years. Even now we receive lettersfrom the theological students and pastors requestingDr. Machen's message. It it our plan that "Liberalism and Christianity" should be reprinted in its thirdedition in the near future. We hope sincerely that ourfriends who are interested in this project will remember this matter in their prayers.The wonderful grace of God has sustained thework in the Reformation Translation Fellowship aswell as my personal life during the past year. TheLord has dealt with me so graciously that He has enabled me to carry on my various burdens in such away that I cannot describe it with my mortal pen."Come and hear all ye that fear God and I willsoul."declare what he hath done for myCOVENANTER WITNESS

city."city."valor."Lesson Helps for the Week of September 25, 1955C.Y.P.U. TOPICFor September 25, 1955Comments by Rev. J. E. McElroyPsalms:"FOLLOW UP"I Corinthians 15:57, 5848:1, 7-10, page 12284:1-3, page 205128:1, 2, page 323134:1, 2,page 331"Victory through Jesus Christ ourLord."This song of triumph given by Paulto the Corinthian Church is one to encourage the heart of every church-member. Then he gives thanks to God forvictory over death, for the blessed hopeof eternal life. After the thanksgivingthere is a discourse urging them to unshaken firmness and earnest work.Their labor is not in vain though therebe suffering and trials to come.This topic is intended to help thosewho have made decisions recently, perhaps some who dedicated or rededicatedtheir lives to Christ Jesus as Lord. Itis intended to helpon to know the Lord."everyone to "followHere is a plan that should help everyone to grow in Grace, to be living avictorious life in Christ.I. REMEMBER ALWAYS: NOW GODIS FIRST IN YOUR LIFE1. Give God the first hour of eachday. Get Bible Strength before the dailyrush. Pray in the morning and at night.2. Give God the first day of theweek (I Cor. 16:2). The entire Lord'sday belongs to Him.3. Give God the first portion ofyour income (Prov. 3:9; I Cor. 16:2).4. Give God the first consideration inevery decision (Matt. 6:33): Choice ofhome, friends, work, church, school,etc., all to God's glory.5. Give God's Son first place alwaysin your heart (II Cor. 8:5). Live, talk,walk, sing, pray, work, play, think,serve always conscious of His presence.n. PRAY MUCH . . . Just talk to Godabout everything. Be sure to thank Him.m. LET NOTHING DISCOURAGEYOU!Expect temptations and testings(Rom. 8:35-39).IV. SHUN EVIL COMPANIONS LIKETHE PLAGUE.Avoid bad people, bad books, badthoughts (Psalm 1). Do not associatewith their sin by compromise.V. WIN SOME ONE TO CHRIST.Win your friends,warn yourfriends,September 7, 1955witness to them soon (Prov. 11:30;Ezek. 3:18).VI. USE A BIBLE STUDY PLAN.Use one that some one recommends,the C.Y.P.U. study-sheets, or others.Topics may be assigned from thesedivisions.PRAY for those who gave indicationsof new decisions to follow Christ, forthose who rededicated themselves toHim. Pray for your schools and yourcompanions and teachers.JUNIOR TOPICSeptember 25, 1955A SEVEN DAY'S MARCH andFALLING WALLSMartha G. Henderson, Newburgh, N. Y.MemoryScripture Text: Joshua 6:1-27Verse: "And it came to passat the seventh time, when the priestsblew with the trumpets, Joshua saidunto the people, Shout; for the Lordhas given you thePsalmsJoshua 6:16.Memory Psalm for September: Psalm147: 1-3, page 354.44:1-6,page 11026:1-3,7-9, page 6189:13-17, page 2173:1-5, page 5Who of us, whether young or old, isnot thrilled by the marching of soldiersand the blaring of trumpets?In the story which we are to studynow God used the marching of soldiersand the blaring of trumpets to carry outHis plan for destroying the city of Jericho, a strongly fortified city and onewhich stood in the way of the Childrenof Israel in entering Canaan.Seven priests, each with a trumpet,passed on before the Lord and blewwith the trumpets and the Ark ofthe Lord followed them. Behind thisthousands of soldiers followed the arkbut the women and children remainedin the camp at Gilgal.They marched around the city on thefirst day as God had commanded them,the priests blowing the trumpets andthe soldiers remaining very quiet. Thentheycuriosityreturned to their homes. Theof the people of Jericho wasaroused but they could not decide whatthe soldiers were going to do. For sixdaysthey marched around the city,returning each night to their homes asGod had commanded them.On the seventh day they marchedaround the city seven times, and on theseventh time around the priests blewloud blasts on the trumpets and Joshuawho was leading the hosts cried:"Shout, the Lord has given you theAs the multitudes shouted thewalls of Jericho fell down. Jericho wasnow open so that all the soldiers couldenter.The people of Jericho were so surprised that they could do nothing, soas God had commanded, the Israeliteskilled all the inhabitants of Jerichoand even the cattle. Only Rahab andher family were saved because she hadasked Joshua to spare her and herrelatives because she had protected thespies. She afterward lived with theIsraelites and worshiped their God.The Israelites had to learn that theland was a gift to be received by faith,not by effort. God required of them onlyto obey and wait and trust while theDivine Captain led his celestial hosts tothe assult and achieved the victory. Andthe Lord said unto Joshua: "See I havegiven into thy hand Jericho and theking thereof and the mighty men ofThe walls of Jericho could fall downonly by the exercise of divine power:but the children of Israel must needsencompass them.Qustions:1. What three things we do that theIsraelites had to do?Answer: Have faith, obey and bequiet. Wait until God tells us whatHe wants us to do.2. Why did the Israelites have to destroy Jericho?Answer: Because it stood in the wayof their entering Canaan.3. How many times did they have tomarch around the city?Answer: Thirteen.4. What sign did God give them ofHis presence?Answer: The Ark of the Lord.5. Where in the New Testament isJericho mentioned?30.Answer: Luke 10:30 and Hebrews 11:These questions and their answersmight be copied in the children's notebooks.The perfection of the Gospel systemis not that it makes allowances for sin,but that it makes atonement for it; notthat it tolerates sin, but that it destroysit.We cannot improve the content ofChristianity, but we can improve thecontainerourselves.155

upon,"commandments."nant,"whoperformed."SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONSeptember 25, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on international Sunday SchoolLessons; the International Bible Lessons foiChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of ReliEions Education.)RENEWED ALLEGIANCE TO THELAWNehemiah 8; 9; 10:28-39; Ezekiel20:19, 20Printed: Neh. 8:l-4a, 6, 8, 10-12: 9:1-3;10:37, 39; Ezek. 20:19,20.Memory: Ezekiel 20 :19. "I am the Lordyour God: walk in my statutes andkeep mine ordinances, and do them."There is some confusion in our use ofthe word allegiance. Its first meaning is,one's duty toward an authority. In common usage it means obedience to anauthority, whatever it requires us to do.The allegiance that we are studying isto the Law of God, which is the absolute authority, and so obedience to itshould be absolute. We are morallybound to do our duty to every authority.We do not know what oath or promiseDaniel made on his induction into officein Babylon. We feel certain that it didnot require obedience to an immoralcommand. When that came, he disobeyed the king and faced the lions. Wedo not think that he violated any promise or oath in order to obey God. An entangling promise leadsto embarrassment, if not to open sin.One of the early acts of Cyrus, afterhe had overthrown Belshazzer, was topermit all the Jewish captives to returnto Jerusalem who desired to do so. Tothose over 70 years old, it was the landof their birth. That so few chose to return is an evidence that their slaverywas not severe. American Jews todayare rare who are willing to go to Palestine. They are too comfortable here.The permission of Cyrus for the captives to return to Jerusalem carriedwith it a commission to rebuild theTemple. Having completed this task,they became careless of the law, especially in the moral safeguarding of thefamily, and the care of the oppressedand poor. Then Ezra was sent to Jerusalem, and was able to effect a partial reform. It seems that he went back toBabylon, but after 13years, he wasagain in Jerusalem, as we take up today's lesson.The Power of God's word, Nehemiah8:1-8At a convenient open place, probablybecause the Temple area was not largeenough for the immense crowd, the people gathered and Ezra read to themfrom the book of the Law that God hadgiven through Moses. This would include Exodus, Leviticus,156my. Ezra was an effective preacher. Heread distinctly, and gave the sense, sothat they understood the meaning. Somesermons appear deep because we can'tsee into them, when they are only muddy. Commentators like John Knox andMatthew Henry deal with deep subjectsclearly. We do not know if Ezra had asilver tongue. He read the law clearly,and gave the sense, so that the peopleunderstood the reading. When Ezrablessed the Lord, all the people said"Amen,"repeating it for emphasis. Itis a meaningful word. It is not related tothe short word "Finis" that appears atthe end of a story. As a verb, it means"to lean"to trust," "to believe."It is also used as a noun, suggesting"foundation," "security."It is one of theoldest words in our language. It is pronounced the same in Hebrew, Greek,Latin and English. Christ used it inGreek, and the translators used a lessmeaningful, weaker word, when they"Verily."translated it In Ruth 4:16where we are told of Naomi's care forRuth's son, in the phrase "And becamenurse unto it," the verb is "Amen."Perhaps we say it too often withoutmeaning. Perhaps we do not say it often enough with the Spirit and understanding.What the Word Can Do WhenUnderstoodIt will make folks sad because oftheir sin. It will make them glad because of their salvation. The Priests andand Deuterono-the Levites urged them to becausethis was a Holy Day. Then theyrejoice,were to share their joy with the needy,not spasmodically, one or two days inthe year, General Booth of the Salvation army founded soup kitchens, as apart of evangelism, because he found ithard for a hungry man to listen. Christfed the multitude, and they did not forget. Ezra saw that Joy was a part ofGodliness. God is Blessed forever, andHe would have us to be like Him. Hehas told us how we may enter into Hisjoy; Ps. 112, "Blessed is the man thatfeareth the Lord, that delighteth greatlyin HisThe people became very much interested in God's Word. After a long day'sreading, they came back to listen again.In the law they found directions for observing the Feast of Tabernacles, andthey planned to observe it. It was a"Camp Meeting," somewhat like ourC.Y.P.U. Conventions, only that therewas no restriction as to ages.Confession and Covenant. Neh. 9.The verses 8:1-10, 37 are all important to this lesson. They reminded themof their sins, and the sins of their fathers. Customs are not right becauseour fathers followed them, but we havereason to rejoice that our fathers followed many customs because they wereright. If we wish to have joy in our obedience, we must first have sorrow forour past disobedience. The signs of fasting,sackcloth and earth, were of no value without the spirit. A sincere confession mayoutward signs.be accepted without theThe prayer and confession of Chapter 9 leads naturally to the covenant offuture duties to be performsd. Indeedprayer implies the purpose of obedience.Without the Covenant,we cannot pray.If we are not in the covenant, we canstill pray with the covenant as our goal.In Nehemiah 9:32, there is a reference to "God....keepeth covedoubtless referring to the onementioned in v. 8, where God promisedto give Abraham "all the land. .hast. . andWho are the heirs of God's covenantwith Abraham? We know that thosecalled Jews todayviolated God's covenant, crucified His Son and to this dayare rebellious. They have forfeited everyclaim. Fifty days after the crucifixion,three thousand, mostly Jews, becameChristians. Three hundred years later,there had been six million Christiansburied in Rome and Constantinople.Manyof them were Jews. Who wereour ancestors? I do not know. I thinkthey were the children of Abraham according to the flesh, the Lost Tribesof Israel. No difference. The importantquestion is, Does Christ's definition ofthe Children of Abraham, the childrenof Promise, include us? The answer isnot a guess. It is a decision."I am the Lord your God: walk inmy statutes, and keep mine ordinances,and do them."PRAYER MEETING TOPICSeptember 28, 1955Rev. John O. EdgarTHE "AMENS" OF JESUSThe Peril of Riches (No. 9)Scripture Matt. 19:23Psalms :103:1-4, page 24649:4, 6-8, page 12537:14, 22-24, page 9341:1-4, page 105References: Matt. 6:20; 13:22; Luke 12:33; Psalm 52:7; James 2:5; Psalm 62:10; Rev. 3:17; I Tim. 6:17-18.The rich young man who came toJesus inquiring what he must do toinherit eternal life, was a highly favored person. He was a ruler; he hadyouth on his side; he was sincere inhis desire to make up anything thathe might lack; he was willing to comeCOVENANTER WITNESS

else."goods?"gregation."all"to Jesus the great Teacher that he The obligation to give comes not gave away his inheritance when newsmight receive instruction. Jesus must alone in the appeal that the money is of it came to him.have been greatly attracted to him for needed to advance the work of theIt must be made clear that God doesin Mark we read, "Then Jesus behold kingdom. It is far more important thatnot demand that everyone give awaying him loved him." Mark 10:21. we give lest the money have a withering his wealth. The Bible contains notableNevertheless, the young man was in effect upon our souls. The Dead Seaexamples of men who were wealthy.receives but never gives. This is thethe grip of a deadly sin and apparentlyBut they were able to master theirdidn't know it until Jesus flashed the thought expressed in the following lines riches so that they did not become alight of truth upon him and said, "Go of verse:peril to their souls. The real questionsell all that thou hast and give to I looked upon a forsea,every man to answer is whetherpoor."the It was with a shock that heAnd, lo! 'twas his wealth is to him a curse or a blessdead,received these words, for we are told Although by Hermon's snows ing; whether it is an instrument forthat he went sorrowful. away It was And Jordan fed.good in his hands, or a peril to his enthen Jesus turned to the disciples andtrance into heaven.said, "Verily, (Amen) (Truly), I say How came a fate so dire?A minister at Bristol received fromunto you, that a rich man shall hardly The tale's soon told.an individual a note which read, "Aenter into the kingdom of heaven. All that it got it keptperson who is prospering in trade earnAnd fast did hold.estly desires the prayers of this conI. The Illusion of WealthHe was a man who realizedThe disciples shared the usual JewAllish belief that it was much easier for tributary streamsthe inherent danger in wealth and wasFound here theira rich man to enter the Kingdom thangrave; seeking to rise above the temptationBecause thisa poor man. The prosperity of the richsea received, to use it selfishly.But never gave.was regarded as a proof of divine favor.IV. The Blessing of Surrendered WealthNo doubt this accounts for the youngTheOh sea that's young man who was unwillingdead,man's adverse reaction to the words ofto yield his wealth to Christ did notTeach me to know and feelJesus. Without his property he wouldrealize the greatThat blessing he was forfeitselfish graft and greed,be as a common laborer, if not a pauperMy doom ing by his action. Jesuswill seal.said, Give to theand beggar. This teachingcut acrosspoor, and thou shalt have treasure inheaven."the path of all his training and conHeavenAnd, Lord,viction. He did not realize that helprichesme seemed vague and farmy best,had become the important thing in My self to away to the young man. His interestgive,was in the present life with its pleaThat Ihis life, that they had become hismay others bless,sures. The things of this life which theAnd, like Thee, live.master.money would buy was of greater moA Christian bank executive writes:ment than treasure in eternity. He hadm. The Peril of Wealth"The most deplorable fact touching hunot learned that life's greatest joys canWealthman life is that through Satan's masterusually confronts men withnot be procured with silver and gold.temptation they would never have tostrategy a colossal deception is perpeDr. A. T. Robertsonmeet ifgeneration." theytrated on eachThis decepwere poor. Worldly andwrites, "To havetreasure in heaven is antion is the illusion that prosperity andunscrupulous people crave the friendappealingpleasure are the highest values in life.ship of the figure. We wealthy that they may profitcan lay up treasure in heavenfrom their riches. Wealth by the right use of our money here.may give aNo person who is wealthy can growThesocialstrong in the Christian life who doesstanding which others do only way to take money to heavennothere."is to give ithave. People who suddenly becomeaway The rich youngnot increase his giving to the Lord.wealthy often find ruler failed to realize that thethey are invited towaySo often the person who has increasfashionablewhereby he could enjoy hisgatherings where theymoney ined in goods, looks upon them as hisheaven was to give it to the poor aswould be excluded if they were poor.very own, whereas all his substance beJesus has suggested.But with this type of social successlongs to God. That was the fault of thethere often come sore temptations toFor Discussionman whose ground brought forth plenevil.1. What are some of the dangerstifully, and who reasoned within himSo often the wealthy man considers connected with the acquisition ofself saying, "What shall I do, I havethat his wealth means power, so uses wealth?not where to bestow my Itit for selfish ends. He trusts more on 2. To what extent are Christianswas a man of such character who saidthe arm of wealth than on the arm of justified into John Bright, "Do you know sir, thatspending their money forGod. He forgets that it is God who has luxuries?I am worth a million and a half sterling?"given him life and surrounded him with 3. Does Christ today expect ChrisThe blunt old commonor replied,so"Yes; and I know that you are worth many material blessings.tians "to sell when they beginSome of the most noteworthy Chris to follow Him?nothingtians have considered the potentialPrayer suggestionsII. The Obligations of Weath danger of wealth so great that theyEverything which we possess carries have given away all. Hudson 1. That we may all be able to giveTaylor,a good account ofan obligation with it. We are stewards the great missionary to China, thoughtour stewardship2. For our college and ourof the things God has placed within that should be the rule for him, andseminaryour hands. This is the thought express for many years he lived out of God'sed in both the parable of the "pounds"hand in what seems a constant miracle A friend is one who comes in when theand the parable of the "talents." The of provision. Fenton Hall, one of the rest of the world goes out.man who received but one pound or pioneer missionaries to Amazonia, gavetalent was required to give an account away all his money when he started his The stops of a good man, as well asmissionary work. C. T. Studd quietly his steps, are ordered by the Lord.of his stewardship.September 7, 1955'fSVO"'157

Church NewsDid you notice that smiling face atthe top of the Current Events page? Weare celebrating the greatest CurrentEvent of last week, for unless we havebeen mis-informed, September 5LaborDay was the day that Dr. WilliamRussell took unto himself a wife, MissMartha Irons of Beaver Falls. That wasthe best day's work of his whole life.Congratulations, Long Life and a Worldof Happiness! from all of us. We aresorry that we do not have the companionpicture for the other side of the page.GENEVA NEWSIt has been our pleasure during themonth of August to join the CollegeHill church for our evening worship,alternating between the two churches.They enjoyed the fellowship of ourGuest ministers, Dr. George Coleman,Rev. John Tweed, Dr. J. B. Willson andDr. J. G. Vos and we enjoyed the fellowship of their visiting ministers.Our Sabbath School picnic was heldJuly 20. Held in a local park, a covereddish picnic supper with Mrs. SamuelLathom and Mrs. Robert Hemphill incharge, was enjoyed bya large crowdof small fry with a few of us "oldsters"to keep things in order. Games, underthe direction of Kay McCready andVirginia Henery kept up the merriment,sending all home happy and content."Rah, Rah, for Geneva," we took theprize. All because 23of our numberattended the Psalm Festival held August 5 in the Mahoning Church. Thesinging, food, and later the fellowshipwith our folks in this farthest spot in ourPresbytery, enriched our hearts andminds. Quite a few were visiting thisspot for the first time.Thank you,Mahoning, for your warm welcome.The C. B. Metheny summer home wasthe scene of another of our church picnics. The Lillian McCracken M. S. andthe Geneva Guild held their annualsummer meeting, August 11. After enjoying the pleasant surroundings, thegroup settled down for a quiet time ofdevotion led by the Geneva Guild girls.Our folks have traveled hither andyon these past few months. Mrs. WillardHemphill and sons Billie, Bobbie andJimmy, flew to Kansas to spend amonth with Grandpa and GrandmaLinton. Mrs. Vos, Melvin and Raymondwent to Kansas to help "Kathie" tiethe knot. As the summer ends, otherswho have enjoyed this month of vacation time are returning. We praise Godfor the safety of all those who traveled.158It is with sadness that we tell youof the passing of Mrs. C. L. Fallon tothat land "where there shall bemore pain."to her husband and son.noOur sympathy is extendedKANSAS CITYOpen House at the Robbs: The congregation and friends were invited oneevening early in the spring to seethrough the new parsonage. The housereally was open, brightly lighted evento the double garage, where the twoWMS groups took over and served goodhomemade cake and punch from adaintily covered table. This was an evening spent with a delightful host andhostess and we know of no other peoplethat could grace this nice manse betterthan the Robbs.Our Graduates this spring were BenDuffett, Fred McClelland from SeniorHigh; Jane Messick, Jeanne Ulrich andNancy Ray from Junior High. A Dinnerwas served at the church in their honorquite an affair and we must mentionthe place settings they representedcollege students and with such expressions !Mr. W. John Adams has been an elderfor fiftyyears and celebrated his halfcentury as a ruling elder by representing the K. C. congregation at Synod.New Members: Wednesday evening,July 6, Mrs. Harley Messick and MissNancy Ray met with Session, professedtheir faith in Jesus Christ and adherence to the principles of our church.They were baptized by Dr. Robb onthe following Sabbath; also the twosmall children of Mrs. Messick.DVBS started Monday, June 19.Total enrollment was 55; average attendance, 46. Dr. Robb, with efficientMrs. Wylie Hunter, as superintendenthad eleven other teachers and helpers;all very capable of making a very profitable school; we know God blessedtheir efforts.Pulpit Portraits: Our church waspresented on this TV program, Channel4, Wednesday, June 1. The pictures,taken by Dale Musselman, made a fineshowing.The Intermediates: This class is goingstrong. They recently elected officers,namely, Jim Wright, President; NancyDunn, Vice President; Wilbur More,Secretary; Nancy Wright, Treasurer.David Dunn won the Temperance Contest; Nancy Dunn and Wilbur Morereceived honorable mention. In the Temperance Slogan Contest, Nancy Ray wasthe winner. Recently this group tooksack lunches to the Wright home fora picnic. A business meeting followed,then a swim in the Olathe pool.New Bible School Library: We havealreadysome fine books and more areto be purchased soon. We hope to havea good reference library.Dr. H. G. Patterson preached August14 and 21 when the Robbs were on vacation. We were glad to have Dr. Patterson he gives plenty of spiritualmeat in his sermons; his text August21, 2 Cor. 5:17.SEATTLEA very successful D.V.B.S. was heldthe last two weeks of June under thedirection of Mrs. Marion Martin. Therewas a total enrollment of 113 with anaverage attendance of 89.It was the privilege of the SeattleCongregation to be host to the elevenmissionaries sailing for Japan August3. After seeing the preparation neededfor a seven year stay in Japan we realize more than ever the sacrifice madeon the part of those going over. It wasour privilege to hear both Mr. Spearand Mr. Boyle preach on consecutiveSabbaths. On the night of August 1 apot luck dinner was held at the churchhonoring the Boyle family, Spear family and Miss Eleanor Faris. We werealso very glad to have Mrs. MargaretBoyle from Topeka who had come tosee her family off,and Miss EstherFaris from Phoenix who accompaniedher sister Eleanor to Seattle.Three car loads went from the Seattlearea to the Pacific Coast Conference atLake Hume, Calif., where a very goodweek was spent in fellowship, study andfun. We are all richer for having gone.Mrs. Eleanor Jameson has returnedafter visiting her daughter Margaretand family in Idaho and goingon toMissouri to another daughter Berniceand her husband.Mr. and Mrs. Don Crozier and familyspent their five-week vacation in Glenwood, Minn., at Mrs. Crozier"s home.Summer visitors to the northwesthave included Mr. and Mrs. MauriceReed and boys from Sterling, Ks.; Mr.and Mrs. A. D. Robb ofTopeka, Ks.;and Dr. and Mrs. Wm. O. Martin andboys ofTopeka, Ks.WRIGLEY, KENTUCKYGuests for dinner atWrigley, Kentucky, August 16, were: Rev. Hemphilland Rev. H. Thompson, who had drivenfrom Wapsi Conference, Syracuse, Indiana; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wilson andGwen and Winnie from Morning Sunand a niece, Maxine Humphreys, fromAshland, Kansas.All were unanimous in their decisionthat Mrs. Adams and Miss CaldnrwoodCOVENANTER WITNESS

me."are fine cooks as well as missionaries.Can still taste that del-lcious cherry pie!Incidentally it was Gwen's birthdayand they enjoyed a jeep ride over manyhairpin-curved roads to Blaze, Kentucky.HOPKINTONThe Lord's Supper was observed atHopkinton on August 21 with the Rev.R. W. Caskey assisting. His messageswere appreciated by the congregation.Mrs. Grace Caskey and their children,Karen and Allen as well as Mr. andMrs. W. K. Sanderson were present,thus permitting a family reunion withRev. and Mrs. Allen before Mr. and Mrs.Sanderson leave for Syria on the 9th ofSeptember.A reception was held bythe congregation in honor of Mr. andMrs. Sanderson on August 8 and a generous gift of moneythem.was presented toMost of the members who live at adistance were able to be present atthe communion services as Mr. Wm.Edgar and family from Grand Junction,Mr. Andrew Patton and family fromGladbrook and Mrs. Agnes Kenny fromCedar Falls. We were also pleased tohave Mr. Wm. Ferguson and Mrs. MaeRoskamp, former members, worshipwith us.Mr. Lyle Joseph and family are taking a trip through the South with theirdestination Orlando where they expect to attend the wedding of Mr. RayJoseph and Miss Alice Smith. Mr. andMrs. R. P. Joseph, parents of Ray, together with Thomas, expect also to golater and attend Ray's wedding.There are four members of our congregation, Kenneth Sanderson, ThomasJoseph, Jacquelin Patton and LorettaPatton, who are attending or expect toattend the C.Y.P.U. Convention at Forest Park.Mr. Wilfred Kenny and family areattending the wedding of Mrs. Kenny'sbrother at Chattanooga, Tenn. Theirbrother has been preparing for theministry in a college at Chatanooga.Mrs. Agnes Kenny expects to sail shortly for Ireland for a visit with relativesthere.SEATTLEOn Wednesday I had the pleasure ofrepresenting the Synodical in farewellto our missionaries to Japan. There wasa good group on shore.Mrs. Boyle, Mrs. Spear and Miss Fariswere most appreciative of the manygifts received from numerous friends asthey prepared to sail.All were well and no new cases ofmumps had developed in the Boylefamily. It was fun to see their cabins.The Boyles and Spears were across thehall from each other and the othersnear. We on shore joined them in singing the 121st Psalm just before theysailed. Sincerely,,Mrs. Marian MartinOPPORTUNITY IN FLORIDAWould you like to come to sunnyFlorida where the flowers bloom twelvemonths a year? I have a six room house,modern in every way, kitchen equippedwith an electric range, refrigerator, deepfreeze, garage on property available.Any couple interested please write mefor details on a cooperative plan. TheCovenanter Church is within a fewblocks, also the business district of Orlando. M. C. Black1111 E. Washington St.Orlando, Fla.MRS. IDA B. MOOREThe Kansas Women's Presbyterialwishes to expresses its appreciation ofthe life and work of Mrs. Ida Mooreof Olathe, Kansas, who died August 3,1955.Mrs. Moore was a charter member ofthe Kansas Presbyterial and was electedas its first Secretary, in Sterling, Ks.,March 30, 1915.She served on various committees ofthe Presbyterial and was vitally interested in all its work.Mrs. Paul E. Faris, PresidentMrs. J. Harvey McGee, SecretarySADD3 WRIGHT-GREENLEEMrs. Sadie Greenlee was promotedfrom the roll of the Denison church tothe Church Triumphant Thursday, August 25, 1955. After being bedfast forsome time she passed away at her oldhome now occupied by her son John.Her body was laid to rest beside thatof her husband in the Hebron Cemetery.She is survived by her brother JohnWright, five sons and eleven grandchildren. The Denison congregation feel agreat loss in her leaving us.She has received her crown afternearly 76 years of life.MRS. JANE McQUARTER CATHCARTMrs. Jane Cathcart was born in Ayre,Scotland, in the year 1869. One yearlater the family moved to the UnitedStates, settling in Tilden, Illinois. Hereshe grew up and was married to ArthurCathcart. They made their home for anumber of years in Texas, coming toSanta Ana, California in 1919. Herethey united with the Covenanter Church ;here she worshiped and faithfully serveduntil the call came to the Eternal Home.The W.M.S. of Santa Ana desires topay tribute to a faithful member, aloyal friend and a devoted mother. Sheloved the house of God and was alwayspresent unless providentially hindered.Her last years were spent in the homeof her daughter Ruth, who with twobrothers mourn the loss of a lovingmother. "And her children rise to callher blessed."W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Larimer. Editor.Prayer Hour. 1:00 P.M. MondayTheme. ARISE AND BUILDIt's All in the Way You Look at ItA tiger in the living room is enoughto worry almost anyone especially twosmall puppies seeing that huge headwith open mouth for the first time."What is it?" asks one trembling withfear. The other puppy, raising his eyes,looks above this terrible beast into theeyes of his beloved master, and replied,"It looks bad, but the master won'tlet it hurtYou see it is all in the way you lookat it. If you look only at the tiger youcan not help being afraid. If you look upat the Master who loves you, then youknow ALL IS WELL.Paul said, "Look toJesus."You cannot keep your balance looking at yourtrouble or by looking down. LOOK UP.Look up and keep your balance. Thegreatest dangers in life are in the mind.Most of our fears are from our imagination. Most of our mountains existonly in our dreams. That fearful creature on the living room floor spells danger to one little dog because he looks atit and imagines all sorts of horriblethings. To him it is all a terrible obstacle. To his master it is a rug.CALLING ALL SHUT-INSOh, all you shut-ins abed,Or helpless in a chair,Who fear your lives are not worth-while;You have much time for prayer.We who must spend our days in workWish for more time to pray;For, oh so many need our prayers,At home and far away.The pastors, teachers, pupils too,And all who are distressedBy illness or by fears and cares,Can through your prayers be blestSay not there's nothing you can doWhile you are lying there;The great vocation can be yoursOf intercessory prayer!Gertrude E. WartchowCalling all mothersThe best mother in the world is shewho teaches her child to trust God andto get along without her (mother).Mothers who teach their children firstto live wholesome independent livesfind their children forever returning tomother for sound wisdom and sympaSeptember 7, 1955thetic understanding.159

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I am greatly' pleased with thisbook and do not hesitate to recommend it to anyonewho would know his Bible." Dr. Harry Rimmer,Biblical Scholar and Scientist: "I have never seenany other single volume that contains as many practical helps for the beginner, or the advanced studentof the Scriptures. I feel that no student should beRapidly Replacing Oilier Bibles1. Unique chart showing Origin and Growth of the English2. The Outline Studies of Bible Periods, comparing Biblical History with Contemporary Secular History.3. The Analysis of the Bible as a Whole.4. The Analysis of each of the 66 Books of the Bible.5. The Analysis o f every Chapter of the New Testament.6. The Analysis o fthe Verses of the entire Bible.7. The Numerica 1 and Chain Reference Systems.8. Special Analysis of the Important Bible Characters.fi. Contrast between the Old and New Testaments.10. The Topical Treasury. 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BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 2, 1955(JoveiunterwtnessVOLUME LV, NO. 11TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1955REV. PAUL COLEMAN, M.A., Th.D., D.D.Pastor of Long Branch Congregation, Blanchard, Iowa, 1912-1923Pastor of Kansas City Congregation, 1924-1954Served on Numerous Boards and Committees of SynodAwarded Th.D. by Baptist Theological Seminary in 1936Honored with D.D. by Geneva College in 1945Chosen Honorary Moderator of Synod in 1955Called to Higher Service, June 13, 1955

co-existence"quo.".movement."crusader."Current EventsCOURAGEOUS WORDSBy David LawrenceCourageous words have come from the President of theUnited States to dispel the fog left after the Geneva Conference by the ambiguityof Soviet utterances. For thespeeches of Moscow's officials have implied that "peacefulmeans an indefinite prolongation of the slavery imposed behind the Iron Curtainthings as they are.an acceptance ofMr. Eisenhower's address last week before the American Bar Association meeting reminds the Soviet Union'srulers that, while the leaders of our country can be polite, friendly and congenial in international conferences,this doesn't mean that the United States is ready to abandonits ideals or to compromise its principles. For, as the President sees it, appeasement does not mean peacewar.it assuresMr. Eisenhower has given dramatic encouragement tothe oppressed peoples in Soviet Russia as well as in thesatellite states.For many weeks these peoplestheir views reflectedby refugees who once occupied posts of importance in theirgovernments have been increasingly apprehensive lestGreat Britain, France and the United States accept the"statusThis would mean a ratification of the Sovietgrab of territory and its continued domination of hundreds ofmillions of people. Certainly America does not intend toabandon their cause, even though not intending any morethan before to initiate in their behalf a war of liberation.A MERICA represents the moral force of the world. Herspokesman would be faithless to a great tradition if theyfailed to reaffirm a deep interest in the future of oppressedpeoples everywhere. The President said:"There can be no true peace which involves acceptanceof a status quo in which we find injustice to many nations,repressions of human beings on a gigantic scale, and withconstructive effort paralyzed in many areas by fear."The spirit of Geneva, if it is to provide a healthy atmosphere for the pursuit of peace, if it is to be genuineand not spurious,tices,must inspire all to a correction of injusan observance of human rights and an end to subversion organized on a world-wide scale . ."Geneva spells for America, not stagnation, then, butopportunityopportunity for our own people and for peopleeverywhere to realize their just aspirations."Eagerness to avoid warif we think no deeper thanthis single desire can produce outright or implicit agreement that injustices and wrongs of the present shall beperpetuated in the future. We must not participate in anysuch false agreement. Thereby,we would outrage our ownconscience. In the eyes of those who suffer injustice, wewould become partners with their oppressors. In the judgment of history, we would have sold out the freedom ofmen for the pottage of a false peace. Moreover, we wouldassure future conflict!"The division of Germany cannot be supported by anyargument based on boundaries or language or racial origin.162"The dominion of captive countries cannot longer bejustified by anysecurity.claim that this is needed for purposes of"An international political machine, operating withinthe borders of sovereign nations for their political and ideological subversion, cannot be explained awayas a culturalTJERE is a plain-spoken definition of American aims andgoalsour outline of a basis for world peace, as it wasexpresed frequently before the Geneva Conference. Butbeingproclaimed again now after Geneva, it carries a special significance. The President does not advocate violence butrecognizes that peoples living in tyranny will inevitably invoke force if they are driven to it. He makes that pointas he says:"We must not think of peace as a static condition inworld affairs. That is not true peace, nor in fact can anykind of a peace be preserved that way. Change is a law oflife, and unless there is peaceful change, there is bound to beviolent change."The President takes his position unflinchingly for thesupport of American principles longago written into ourrecord in world affairs. He speaks for the whole nation,as he issues to the Soviet Union this piece of timely advice:"Peace and security for all can be establishedfor thefearful, for the oppressed, for the weak, for the strong. Butthis can be done only if we stand uncompromisingly forprinciple, for great issues . . . with the zeal of theWhen principle is forsaken, war comes. When men selltheir souls in craven submission at international conferences,war comes. When statesmen stand steadfastly together forthe right eschewing surrender and appeasement theirfaith and their moral strength can warn an enemy againstthe fatal miscalculations that bring on war. For a sincerespirit of conciliation must not be mistaken againat Munich in 1938peace.for a willingness to pay anyas it wasprice forU. S. Neivs and World ReportLuke 14:20 is the reason Prof. William Russell offeredfor asking leave of absence from his Current Events Columnthis week. So he is not AWOL just busy. Expect him backnext with a new secretary.The person of Christ and our vital relations toHim are oft lost sight of, Brethren, you are to findthe stability of your peace, the foundation of yourstrength and joy, the assurance of your present andeverlasting security, not in something that has beendone by you, or which may be accomplished in you,but in the death and resurrection of Christ. But understand that all is to be enjoyed in Him in suchactualrelationship to Him that He is your life,His destiny is andyours in vital union with a livingloving andperson, and not merely holding an abstracttruth. That union brings with it all needed provisionfor the day of your pilgrimage and conflict. Sel.COVENANTER WITNESS

glory"people."Vineyard GleaningsBan Desired on Use of the Name of JesusA group of Catholic women in Mexico City has askedArchbishop Martinez to ban christening children with thename of Jesus.In their petition they said it was sacriligious that policerecords reported crimes committed by men bearing thename of Jesus. -NowReligion in IndustryClarence Woodbury, in an article entitled "Religion InIndustry"panies, among(This Day, Sept.), reports that at least 1,000 comthem some of the nation's industrial giants,are providing devotional services for employees. Woodburyalso says that 800 other firms are distributing religious literature; 40others have employed full-time chaplains tominister to the needs of their employees.Bible Mastery MonthCharles Hoffmeister, newly installed director of BibleMastery Month, has announced that the 26th campaign ofhis organization will be held during the entire month ofOctober. BMM, originated and directed for 25 years by Pastor C. J. Boppell, began in the Presbytery of Seattle buthas spread to churches of all denominations across the U.S.,Canada and 14 foreign countries. Ideti of BMM is to enrollChristians who will promise to read an entire book of theHoly Bible each day during the month oi October. The bookselected for this year is the three-chapter Epistle to Titus.Disposing ofOur SurplusMrs. Loyd W. Doughty, a Christian housewife fromDallas, Texas, is known as "Katie" to her American friendsand as "Mrs.Noah"to her Korean warphans. The Biblicalname stems from her volunteer effort to ship 2000 head orlivestock with other supplies to Korea. Most recently Mrs.Doughtyhas been in Pusan,trying'pounds of relief goods, including 37 mercyfood, clothing, medical supplies and seeds.to distribute 300,000planeloads of'Martin Luther' Now Available to Churches, IndividualsThe widely-heralded motion picture "Martin Luther,"first church-sponsored film which has been shown exclusively in commercial theatres for the past two years, becameavailable on September 1 in 16-mm. form to churches,schools, libraries and educational institutions. A distributionplan announced by Robert E. A. Lee, executive secretary ofLutheran Church Productions, Inc., will make ownership ofthe feature-length film possible for "thousands of churchindividuals."congregations, educational institutions and evenThe price of the film is $150.00.The picture, which has been seen by an estimated 20million Americans, was produced by Louis de RochemontAssociates for $500,000 a record-breaking budget for achurch-sponsored film. Originally intended solely for use bychurches and religious .schoolsof alldenominations, it wasdecided to show it in theatres when film experts reported itpossessed the excellence of quality and dramatic appeal tomake it a box-office success.Educational Leaders Stress Religion in SchoolsSchool superintendents from 35 states attended the annual Work Conference held at Teachers College, ColumbiaUniversity, New York, early last August. Alongwith otherresolutions adopted was one in which, while the educatorsrecognized the separation of Church and State, they expressed belief that religion should have a more prominentplace than it has had in the past. The resolution (in part) :"Although the State and public schools as an agent of theState are committed to no particular religious doctrine orsect, they are vitally concerned with the positive influence ofthe religion of ourThe resolution added: "The efforts of our public schools in cooperation with the home, thechurch and other religion-oriented agencies of the community can and should become increasinglyeffective in strengthening the individual's understanding of his religious liberties,appreciation of his religous heritage, respect for religionsof other people, and in helping him develop and live by asystem of moral and spiritual values which harmonize withthe highest standards of his own religion and of society."A 50-dayGospel Tract Distributionnationwide gospel tract distribution campaignwill begin on September 11. The "Tractemphasis" project,sponsored by the youth of the Assemblies of God, is expectedto result in the distribution of one million "Ho Neighbor"tracts. The program calls for group action and individualparticipation. In keeping with a current One-Eight Crusadegoal, each Christ's Ambassador will be requested to distribute eight gospel tracts each week.'Ma'Okays 'The Billy Sunday Story' for Gospel FilmMrs. William A. Sunday, widow of evangelist Billy Sunday, who has steadfastly refused for more than a score ofyears to release screen rights to the colorful revivalist's lifestory, announced that she has now changed her mind. LastAugust 19th at an elaborate press conference, "Ma" Sunday,years,""looking remarkably younger than her 86 revealedthat she now believes that "films can be used of God forHisand that she okayed motion picture rights to"The Billy Sunday Story."September 14; 1955THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each "Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHUKCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kanea*to promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer* ,not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing Editor-Frank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Subscription rates : $2.50 per year ; Overseas,10 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons, 3.A.,British Isles.Entered as =econd class matte:under the Act of March 3, 1879.Departmental EmtorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdsrarMrs. Ross Latimer53.00 ;Limavady, X. Ireland,Address communications to the Topeka office.SingleCopiesAgent for thezz the Post Office in Newton, Kansas163

chariots,"

essential."eyes."side."mark"run!"all whom He will, and we must see Him and seeHim above all and see Him first."But, we need to see also that the task of thechurch is not purely evangelistic, but to grow alsointo a body worthy of the Head. It isn't enough justto be born, but we must "grow up into Him in allthings which is the Head, even Christ." "Oh, but,"someone says, "so much of the church teaching is notJust what is esssential? Well, "the essential thing is to get a man born again and get himon the way to heaven. The purpose of the church isto win souls and get men to heaven." Is that so? Ina physicalway, is being alive the only essentialthing. What are the essential things? Is hair essential? There may be some question about that, butthose of you that have it wouldn't trade places withthose of us who don't have so much. I know membersof this Synod who are said to have one third of astomach. Is a stomach essential? There are members of this Synod who have short fingers shorthands. Is a long finger essential? These membersseem to be very well alive without it. Still if somebody offered my son $25,000 for the little finger ofhis baby son, I would fairly disown him if he tookthe money. Is an appendix essential ? Then why doesGod make everybody with one? The fact is that sofar as being alive goes, these things are not essential,but no man can attain perfection in all things physical unless he has them. The church is to grow up intoHim in "all things."The doctrines of our church are not motions thatwere passed on the last day of some long Synod.They are truths that are a part of growing up intoperfection in all things. They are sober teachings ofthe Bible, either by direct statement or by properinference, and they help us to grow into all things.But it isn't enough to have the body only. Itmust be a bodyon the march, going forward, andso we have our great active program. Here we arein a multi-million dollar institution of the Covenanterchurch. Here is our great program for the reliefof the aged and those who are retired. Here is ourmission program, in Japan, where they are so fewamong millions ; in Syria, where there is such fiercenationalism; in Cyprus, where there is an ancientand stagnated church; in the Indian and Southernand Kentucky fields, where people are in need of astrong sound Bible culture. Here is our work forthe young people, of girding for long Christian livesand active service, and here is also our reach intothe nation for an acknowledgement of the LordJesus Christ. We need to see that on our side is theLord Jesus Christ accepted personally and that He isthe rock on which our church is built. We need tosee that on our side is a church growing up intoHim in all things, that on our side is a reaching outthrough workers and means into all parts of theworld and into every realm of activity.How then shall we increase our vision? Howshall we be aware of these things ?"Lord,"First of all, we must start with Elisha's prayer,he said. When the servant was so disturbedabout matters, he said, "my master, what shall wedo?"When Elisha began, he said, "Lord"! And wecan only begin to enlarge our vision by a deeperconsecration and a deeper belonging to the LordJesus Christ, by acknowledging Him, andbeing an-September 14, 1955chored to Him completely. Where there isn't anycontact to Christ, the least we can say is that weare blind. Then, there was the petition, "open hiseyes, open hisHere was a man wonderingabout an army that was right at the city gates,andhis master seemed to be saying, "oh there are plentyof people on our "Well if there were people onhis side, why did the Lord let the army get aroundthe city ? Why should there be about two against tenthousand?"If it was so easy for Elisha to know,why didn't the Lord wake Elisha up first instead ofthe servant ? The servant was scared, why not wakethe brave first ?And so we come asking questions like why isour church declining? Why has the Christian amendment been rejected in congress everyyear for thelast eight years ? Why don't we have a new congregation every year? Why was it necessary to findwater two feet under the best looking church sitein the Poughkeepsie area of N. Y. ? We need to askthe Lord to open our eyes to see the might and powerof the church of Christ as he shows it to us, notto others, but to us !The strength and power of the church of Christin every heart, in every representative, in every organization, working out into all the world. Somepeople are willing to take a little squint at this, somefolks are willing to open one eye on it, but thatisn't enough. We must approach our church, hermembership, her doctrinal basis, her far reachingprogram, with eyes wide open because of our intimate touch with Him, because we come every timeand begin "Lord I" We'll see much better if we makea conscious advance toward these ends. Sometimeswe get ourselves into a little shell, and of course can'tsee from there. We get into our special interestsand into our local communities, and into our littlepet peeves, into our ancient historical backgroundand we just don't see.I remember being in something of a shell onetime. It was the cabin of an ocean liner the firstday out to sea. What did the sea look like? Wellthere was a porthole. You could stand up against itand press your nose against the glass and you couldsee the ocean. It reached out as far as the portholewould let you see, but that wasn't the place to seethe ocean. No, leave the cabin, go up on deck, openthe door, step out in the open. There she lay, thegreat, wide, deep expanse of blue. Paul was standing"out on deck" when he saw that great cloud of witnesses and said, "Lay aside every weight, andHe was on deck when he said, "I forget those thingswhich are behind, and press toward thewitha great vision, not only with open eyes, but advancingtoward it.A third thought is here. "Where do we stand ?"Elisha was speaking to his servant. Elisha was God'sman. Every member of the Covenanter Synod standsin Elisha's place in relation to his congregation andhis people. Every minister has been ordained by hisPresbytery, every elder has been ordained by theSession, and every member of the Synod stands as acommissioned representative of the Lord of Hostsbefore his people. Many of our people if you askthem will say, "I think I'm a Christian," but theydon't know whether or not they are. There are those(Continued on page 169)165

In Memoryof Paul ColemanAdopted by the Synod of 1955The roll of our Synod again has been reduced,and the company of heaven has been increased.Another soldier of the cross has heard and answeredthe call of his Captain to promotion into the higherranks.Paul Coleman, the second son of William Johnand Elizabeth Sarah (George) Coleman, was bornJuly 27, 1884 at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and departed this life June 13, 1955 at Kansas City. Deathcame as a welcome release after a period of declining health and severe sickness which stretched backover a period of five years. Through it all, he "endured hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."The type of home from which he came made itnatural for Paul Coleman to give his loyalty to,and spend his life in, the Covenanter Church.In his youth, he united with the Allegheny Congregation under the pastorate of his father. Hisearly education was received in the elementaryschools of Allegheny. He received his B.A. degreefrom the Western University of Pennsylvania (nowthe University of Pittsburgh) in 1905, and laterin 1911 his M.A. degree from Columbia. Just priorto the later date, a year was spent in Harvard.Throughout all of his educational training he ranked high in scholarship, was outstanding in oratory,and in 1905 was college candidate for the CecilRhodes Scholarship to Oxford.His special training for the ministry was takenin the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary (then inAllegheny) from which he was graduated in 1909.The summers of 1907 and 1908 were spent at theIndian Mission at Apache, Oklahoma.He was licensed to preach by Pittsburgh Presbytery in April 1908. In 1912 he accepted a call fromthe Long Branch congregation of the ReformedPresbyterian Church at Blanchard, Iowa; and onFebruary 15 of that year, he was ordained to theGospel ministry by Kansas Presbytery,and installedpastor of this congregation. Here he served faithfully until released on December 7, 1923 to take upa new charge in Kansas City, where for thirty-oneyears he has been a faithful and beloved undershepherdto that group. On account of increasingweakness, he was forced to give upthe pastorateand was released, with deep regret, on July 31, 1954.During this pastorate he took post-graduate workin the Baptist Theological Seminary of Kansas Cityand earned the degree of Doctor of Theology in1936. He was also honored with the degree ofDoctor of Divinity by Geneva College in 1945. OnJune 8, 1955, five days before his Master's Call,he was elected Honorary Moderator of the Synod(in absentia) the only one, we believe, to have everreceived this honor.On January 11, 1912, he was united in marriagewith Margaret Hastings Fenwick in Cambridge,Massachusetts and through all the years she has166been a worthy help-meet in their work together forthe Lord. The children that have shared in the benefits and blessings of their home rise up to call themblessed. For all bereaved ones we pray God's sustaining grace.Although serving in only two pastorates, theother services of Paul Coleman have been wide andvaried. In the earlier years of his ministry he lectured extensively in Iowa on Reform questions. In hislater years he was a strongsupporter of the Christian Amendment Movement. He spent two summers in the Indian Mission. At varying times, andfor extended periods, he has served on the ChurchErection Board, the Publication Board, the Boardof Christian Education, Synod's Committee on BibleReading, the Temperance Committee, the Committee on Evangelism, and on other committees ofSynod and Presbytery.He was a consistent worker through the yef rs,and from his consecrated mind came the tract, "ThePsalms as a Means to a Srarit-filled Life," and manyworthwhile articles published in the CovenanterWitness.Paul Coleman was a man of marked characteristics. He will be remembered by many for hisearnestness, and sincerity, and carefully thoughtoutjudgments. Some of us remember him as a sortof mediator. He had a well-controlled temper, andwas marked for his calmness and composure whenthe going was rough. He was a master of courtesy,frequently remembering the little niceties whichothers of us forget. With all he was very human.His influence was far-reaching, and his upliftingtouch has been felt by many lives.Paul Coleman loved the Lord His Word HisWork His Church His People. He has served hisgeneration well, and has now fallen asleep in Christ.But, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord,"for as they rest from their labors, their worksdo follow them.P. D. McCrackenIN SYMPATHYKansas City congregation extends deepest sympathy to Mrs. Coleman and the children, in the passing of Dr. Paul Coleman on Monday afternoon, June13. Dr. Coleman served this congregation as ourPastor for upwards of thirty years. Many of us,he led to Christ. He declared to us the whole counselof God from His Word; instructed us in Christiantruth; ministered to us in times of difficulty, sickness, and sorrow; led us in the work of the Kingdom; and by the example of his own life, encouraged us in high ideals of Christian living. We areconfident that "the seed of the Word of God" whichhas shown during his life and ministry among uswill continue to bring forth fruit to the glory ofGod and the advancement of the cause of Christ,even to generations yet unborn.COVENANTER WITNESS

PAUL COLEMANWords of sympathy spoken at the funeral June16, 1955, by a representative of the Roanoke Ministerial Association, Dr. E. B. Snively.isters'It is my privilege to speak for the Roanoke Mingroup because I have known this good manfor the longest period of time 25 years. Yet everyminister of the community, no matter how brief atime he has been here, has felt the spiritual impact of Dr. Coleman upon his life. All of us lovedhim for what he was.Sometimes the minister is called "the man ofGod."And sometimes the minister has the haunting question in his soul, "Have I let God down?Am I His spokesman without fear or favor? Doesmy own life deserve being known as a man ofGod?"But we could not doubt that Paul Colemanwas truly God's man. We could almost see theFather's hand upon his shoulder. About him therewas no shame, no pretense, no make-believe. He wasgenuine through and through. Quiet, sometimesappearing timid, he went his way of devotion andservice to the life of the Spirit. His consecrationto the Master's service was complete. His prayerslifted us into the presence of the Divine.He had an intense devotion to the children ofthe community. Through the years until illnessforced him to lay aside the work he loved, he served as our leader in the promotion of the week-dayschools of Christian teaching. We looked to him forinformation as to the program and progress ofthese schools. He never was too busy or too tiredto visit the sessions, confer with the teachers andmingle with the children. He taught some of thecourses. For the sake of the children he was willingto spend and be spent.He was always cooperative in every endeavorthe community churches undertook together. Ourservices had hisunited Holy Week and Thanksgivingunstinted help. Never did he evade any responsibility of doing his share in these united meetings. Allour churches and ministers were within the circle ofhis affection and prayers.How well the name Paul became him! We recallthat half our New Testament was written by aman called Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles. We inAmerica owe our possession of the Christian faithto this New Testament Paul. So it is not a nameto sit lightly upon any man. It was worthily wornby Paul Coleman.Well, a man like this can never die. We aresure of that. So James Whitcomb Riley speaks forus in his lovely lines:And you 0 you, with the wildest yearnFor the old time step and the glad returnThink of him faring on, as dearIn the love of There as the love of Here;Mild and gentle as he was braveWhen the sweetest love of his life he gaveTo simple things where the violets grew,Pure as the eyes they were likened to.The touches of his hands have strayedAs reverently as his lips have prayed.Think of him still as the same, I say ;He is not dead, he is just away!BRILLIANT, DEEPLY SPIRITUAL, FRIENDLYAs a young minister first attending Synod, Icame to know Dr. Paul Coleman as a very friendlyman. He went out of his way to make friends withthe younger members of the Court. Later I cameto appreciate at least something of his brilliance,his willingness to carry heavy loads, his deep spiritand his Christ-likeness.uality,In the autumn of 1941 he came to our Lake Renocongregation for a week of Evangelistic meetingsfollowing our fall Communion. He operated undera full schedule. In the afternoons he was out inthe country schools, giving temperance talks. Onthe way back to the manse he arranged to talk tosome one about Christ. Every evening he broughta children's message, followed by the evening's evangelistic sermon. At the end of that week, threeaccepted Christ and came into the Church. One ofthe three is now a Ruling Elder in the Church.During Dr. Coleman's long months of illness,his mind was not always clear ; but his faith was always strong. A month before his passing, when Iwas calling on him one afternoon, he treated me toan Irish joke with brogue and all the trimmings.At 4:30 in the afternoon, on Monday, June 13, hesaid 'Good-bye" to us for a little while.One of his favorite Psalms was the 31st:In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust;Ashamed let me not be;According to Thy righteousnessDo Thou deliver me.So did he pass from this life, trusting, andwaiting to be delivered from the long months ofillness, ready to "depart and be with Christ."G. M. RobbI cannot say, and I will not sayThat he is dead, he is just away!With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand,He has wandered into an unknown land,And left us dreaming how very fairIt must be, since he lingers there.September 14, 1955Rev. Boyd White:To me, the whole pattern of his life fits intothe words "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Truly,he was a "Beloved disciple" and his response was"We love Him because He first loved us, and gaveus."Himself for167

man?"excepted'me!"unloose."you?"another?"guile.""A Man Greatly Beloved"Paul Coleman had a large circle of acquaintances,and his circle of friends was almost identical. I say'almost,'for a wise man said, "Woe is me when allmen speak well of but those who knew Paulwell loved him."Circle of friends" is a misnomer since a circleis a curved closed line every point of which isequally distant from the center. But friendship islike a cross section of a lily bulb of which the onionis the most commonly known variety; it is a seriesof concentric circles. Jesus had His beloved Danieland His beloved John; next to them, Peter, James,Andrew, and so to the outer husk, the perimetricfringe. Paul Coleman must have had some enemiesfor he openly testified against wickedness.Kind and loving things have been said abouthim, some of them have even been said to him,enough to make a book. Many of you have said them,and many more have thought them. More thanone stranger has said to me, 'Aren't you Mr. ColeThat was the finest thing they could sayto me, but not so nice to say about him. They musthave been strangers to him too, just sufficientlyacquainted to recognize the superficial cousinly resemblance. I think I can understand how John theBaptist felt when folks said to him, "Art thou Hethat should come, or look we forAnd heemphatically answered, "No, there cometh one afterme the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy tostoop down and Or how a $50,000.00 counterfeit bill feels, passing through one business dealafter another, yet all the time trembling withinfor the time when the human lie detector at somebank will proclaim its worthlessness.One of the finest things I ever heard said aboutPaul was said by his brother John. He and I occupied adjoining rooms with an open door betweenat Madison, Wis. The conversation which passedthrough that door frequently concerned his (brother Paul. Once in a bantering manner I said, "Youthink a lot of Paul, don't There was no uncertainty in the answer: "Paul is the finest fellowI ever knew." There was no suggestion 'of presentcompany meaning me, nor of absent company either, meaning you. What was particularlyfine about that remark was that John was Paul'ssenior by two and a half years almost to a day,and through almost a quarter of a century of childhood and young manhood they were rarely separated.Those few words told of Paul's chastity in heart,sraeech and behaviour, his malice toward none, hischarity for all, his untarnished honesty and love oftruth, his nobility of aim and his hatred of evil. Itwas like the tribute Christ paid to Nathaniel, "Beholdan Israelite indeed in whom there is no OrLuke's tribute to Barnabas, "a good man, full ofthe Holv Ghost and of faith." "Gold tried in thefire."It was the writer's privilege to be closely associated with Paul in his Christian life and work.From the time of the establishment of the Publication Board until his health began to fail he was thefaithful and efficient Secretary. Its burdens were hisburden, his time and wise counsel were at our disposal and how we will miss him! He. wrote of the168things that he felt the Church needed, and had otherarticles on his mind to write had time and strengthbeen given.During presbytery meetings and other gatherings we were at times assigned to the same homesfor lodging, and to the same bed. He tarried longand after rising. Heon his knees before retiringtook time to dress and undress his own soul, toadore his Master, and to present the problems ofthe entertaining household, and of his bedfellow.Those homes were brighter for his visits, sometimesto the extent of another member born into thekingdom. Paul was a personal worker in jails andhospitals, in public schools and wherever there wereneedy souls. Eternity will tell.D.R.T.The K. C. Roanoke Ministers' Ass'n.(Written by Dr. Mace)Dr. Coleman was held in the highest esteem byall of us, because we have believed with all certainty that his character and spirit were muchlike that of our Master. The influence of his goodlife will not soon be lost on this community. Hisministry was to a much wider field than to thoseof his own church. We shall greatly miss him inthe Master's group and we wish you to know thathis Christian spirit and courage have held us up intimes of need.Mr. Proctor Piasters :It was a privilege to have felt the influence ofhis deeply spiritual personality.Mrs. Jennie McFarland:He surely followed his Master faithfully.Mrs. Robert Young :To us he was a radiant Christian. His countenance reflected the beauty of the Saviour he loved.We shall all miss Dr. Paul Coleman, our friend.Mrs. Vera Curry Boston:He was a man among men. I for one fear therewas no other quite like him. I will never forgetwhat he did for me.Viola McFarland Wylie:If I were to try to choose any one way in whichDr. Coleman's ministry helped me most while in theK.C. Congregation, it would be the prayer of penitence Mr. Coleman offered for all of us just beforewe went to the communion table. Partaking of thesacrament became a privilege after such a prayer.Rev. E. G. Russell:He was the choicest kind of a Christian manand most failthful minister of Christ whom all thebrethren thought a great deal of.Dr. J. K. Robb:One could not be about him for very long without being conscious of something helpful and uplifting.Mrs. Harold Auld:Rev. Coleman always made everything so easyto understand in his preaching and when he wrotefor the Covenanter Witness even the children couldunderstand.COVENANTER WITNESS

see,"attend."away."away"HOW TO ENLARGE OUR VISION"(Continued from page 165)who have weaknesses of character. Some have doubtsabout our "distinctives," some have questions aboutthe progress we're making, and it is our task, yourtask, to stand and pray, "Lord, open his eyes thatto teach and to lead them into t,he fullhe mayness of the truth, to lead them into greater activity,into participation in the entire program, but beforewe can do for others, we have to pray for ourselves,"Lord, open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." "Show me thy ways ohLord, thy paths ot teach thou me, and do thou leadme in thy truth; therein my teacher be. For thouart God that dost ; to me salvation send ; and I uponthee all the day; expecting do With muchmore complete surrender to the Head,with personalgrowth toward the ideal of perfection, which is allour heart, and all our soul, all our strength, andall our mind, and in growing in that direction, weshall sing as did Elisha, "they that are with us aremore than they that be with them," and we shallBIBLEpray for ourselves and for our people effectively,"Lord, open our eyes that we !"may seeSONGS THE PSALMS IN METERBy Rev. David T. LauderdaleSomeone has said : "When the child of God cannotargue his worries away, he can sing themDr. A. C. Gaebelein says : "A Psalm a day keeps worryThen, why worry? Whynot turn rightnow to the 34th Psalm of God's precious Word, selection No. 71 in the "Bible Songs," and sing forththese glorious words :Oh, let us magnify the Lord ;Exalt His Name with me.I sought the Lord, and He me heardAnd from all fears set free.They looked to Him and lightened were ;Their faces were not shamed.This poor man cried, God heard,From all distress redeemed.and himOh, taste and see that God is good;Who trusts in Him is blest.Fear God, His saints; none that Him fearShall be with want oppressed.Associated Reformed PresbyterianLesson Helps for the Week of October 2, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor October 2, 1955AMOS: INDIGNANT SHEPHERD(Subject by permission of C. E.)Comments by Rev. Theodore F. HarshPsalm Suggestions:Psalm 11, page 103Psalm 40, page 103Psalm 25, page 59Psalm 12, page 21Psalm 119, page 304Psalm 19, page 42Psalm 49, page 125Psalm 49, page 126The minor prophets were "minor"only in the sense that they didn't writeas many pages of copy as did Isaiah andJeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. They arenot "minor" in that their work or theirrevelation of God's word was of minorimportance to their day or ours. To gaina better understanding of God's messages to us through these shorter books,we are studying God's messengers whodelivered them. We want to makefriends of them, see them as real people,fully alive, men who faced the samelife we face with all of its problems.Name: AmosPersonnel File CardAddress: Tekoah, 10 miles south ofJerusalemOccupation: Shepherd, orchard caretakerOther activity: Business trips to Bethelto Farmers' Market where he discusses current events and offers predictions of things to come.September 14, 1955Remarks: "If he had a tongue like awhip for the oppressor, it spoke out ofa heart of love for the oppressed, Hewas fierce because he was loving. Hisprophecy is molten metal, heated inthe furnace of Walker, Men Unpity."afraidFollowing are suggestions for a shortdramatic sketch, the purpose of whichis to help in visualizingAmos'to the people of Israel at Bethel.Cast of Characters:The NarratorAmosmissionThe Voice of the Lord (entire group)Amaziah, the priest of BethelServantThe people of BethelNARRATOR: It had been 200yearssince the ten tribes under Jeroboam I.had seceded from the Kingdom of Davidand set up the independent NorthernKingdom with calf-worshipas its religion. Baal-worship ha

court."you."God'far! But he didn't stop there withmany stinging words he outlined in particular detail the reasons for the approaching judgment greed, ingratitude,injustice, corruption, and an over-alllackof concern for their neighbors.Would no one stop him?AMAZIAH, the priest of Bethel (to aservant) : Go to King Jeroboam and say,"Amos hath conspired against thee inthe midst of the house of Israel: theland is not able to bear all his words.For thus Amos saith, 'Jeroboam shalldie by the sword, and Israel shall surelybe led away captive out of their ownland.' "(Turning to Amos, angrily) "Othou seer, go, flee away into the landof Judah, and there eat bread,and prophesy there: but prophesy not again anymore at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the kng'siNARRATOR : But Amos moved not oneinch either in word or in deed. So thatthey might know that he came withGod's word, he presented his credentials.AMOS: Chapter 7:14, 15NARRATOR : And gave a direct answerto Amaziah.AMOS: Chapter 7:16, 17NARRATOR: To which Amaziah hadno immediate reply. The people madeno immediate response. Thirty yearslater, Israel fell victim to Assyria andwas no more.QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION1. Were the people of Israel to whomAmos went prepared to understand aspiritual message?2. How did they react when he spokeagainst the neighboring nations? Whenhe denounced Israel?3. What justification was there forAmos to tend to the business of others?Wasn't Amaziah within his rights whenhe told Amos to go back where he camefrom if he didn't like the country?4. Did Amos accomplish any good byneedling the people? In his generation?Since then?5. Does Amos commend himself to usas an example to be followed today? Inwhat ways?6. How would the lonely desert life ofthe shepherd affect his views of people,places, and things?7. Read Amos 5:10. Who does? Whyis it always so?8. Read Amos 5:14, 15. Does it makeany difference who brings such adviceas this?9. Read Amos 5:18-20. What werethey looking for on the "day of theLord"? What would the Lord have instore for those who so flagrantly disobeyed him?10. Read Amos 6 :l-6. What right haveI to tend to my own business and mineonly? Read Genesis 4:9c and Ezekiel33:1-9JUNIOR TOPICOctober 2, 1955DEFEAT AND VICTORY AT AlMartha Hutcheson, Olathe, Kans.,(Syria)Joshua 7 and 8Memory verse: "And this is the victorythat overcometh the world, even ourfaith."I John 5:4b.Memory Psalm4.Psalm 2:1-3, 7, 8, pageReferences: II Kings 18:11, 12; 21:11-15;Isa. 25:8, 9; I Cor. 15:57.Psalms:91:10-12, page 225136:1, 9-13, page 33450, page 128.Have you ever been to a camp in themountains? Isn't it often misty andcloudy in the early morning? The dayseems gloomy until the sun breaksthrough, scattering the clouds and clearing the view. Now you can see for milesand miles. In the mountains of Syria, ona clear day in late summer one can evensee the mountains of Cyprus rising outof the sea manymiles away. Themountains are there all the time, butwe cannot always see them because theclouds hinder our view. It was that waywith the children of Israel as told in the7th and 8th chapters of Joshua. Therewas something hindering them fromgaining the victory that should havebeen theirs as God's people.Joshua was the leader of Israel. Thistime the battle was against the peopleof Ai. As many generals do, Joshuasent out scouts to look over the enemy.Certainly the people of Israel had defeated stronger enemies in times past.The whole army didn't need to go thistime; just two or three thousand soldiers would be plenty. At least this iswhat the scouts thought. That numberwould have been enough had God beenwith them, but the people of Israel werein for a surprise. Instead of winning aneasy victory, the Israelites fled beforethe people of Ai. It was a sad day forJoshua, for he felt that God had forsaken His people.Then God called Joshua to stand up.When you are asked to do the dishes,do you just sit at the dinner table wondering how theywill ever get done?That doesn't do any good. The sooneryou get started, the sooner the disheswill be washed. So God wanted Joshuato get started. First, God gave the reason for Israel's defeat. God had not forsaken them, but they had forsaken Godand disobeyed His commandment. Josh.7:13: "Thou canst not stand beforethine enemies, until ye take away theaccursed thing from among Yes,something had to be taken away beforeGod would give them the victory. Whatwas the accursed thing?God had commanded that none of thespoil of their captives should be takenby the people of Israel. This was probably to check selfishness. Someone haddisobeyed. knew who it was. Hetold Joshua to bring the people of Israel by tribes. Out of them all God selected the family of Achan. When it wasfound that Achan had transgressed thelaw, the goods that he had stolen weretaken, while he and his family receivedthe punishment for their sins. Soon Israel went up again to fight against Ai,and this time the victory was theirs forGod was with them.There was just one sinner to be foundin this case. At other times in Jewishhistorythere was much more sin andwickedness to be dealt with before Godwould give victory. Sometimes we areblinded to the light of God by jealousyand anger, and by many other sins.Anger and hatred are like spots on ourhearts, or like clouds in front of oureyes that will not let us look at God'ssunshine. Do we want to get rid of theseclouds ?The next time you feel like shoutingangrily at a friend, stop a minute andpray to God. Then when you get to bedthat night, talk to God about yourfriend. Look at yourself. Was it yourfault that your friend became angry?Let God look at you. We must be willing to let God search us and to confessour sins and get rid of them. Only thenwill we see the victorious life that Godhas prepared for us.If we have faith in God and HisSon, we can have victory over the cloudsof sin and live the abundant Christianlife. I John 5:4: "And this is the victorythat overcometh the world, even ourfaith."With our faith we can see clearly because the clouds of hatred, jealousyand anger will all pass away."Faith came singing into my room,And other guests took flight;Fear and anxiety, grief and gloomSped out into the night.I wondered that such peace could be;But faith said gently, 'Don't you see?They really cannot live with me.'Questions:his?"1. What did Achan take that wasn't2. Did God know who had sinned?3. How was Achan punished?4. Does God watch us today as He didthe children of Israel?Notebook vjork:Draw a picture of the sun shining onmountains, with small clouds far away.The older Juniors might help the younger ones by labeling the sun GOD'SSUNSHINE, the small cloudsSIN,and the mountain tops VICTORY.The older Juniors might illustrate the170 COVENANTER WITNESS

people."affirmation."poem with a large heart on the board,with sins such as anger and hatred init. They might then eliminate them bydiscussing why each could not be therewith faith, until faith stands alone in aclean heart.SABBATH SCHOOL, LESSONOctober 2, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on international Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted hy the International Council of Religions Education.)THE BIRTH OF JESUSLuke 2:1-40Printed Text, Luke 2:1-14Memory Verse. Luke 2:10, "Be notafraid; for behold, I bring you goodtidings of great joy, which shall be toallLuke is called the Historian. Today'slesson is a fine example of clear concisenarrative. The incident is one of themost striking in all history, because ofthe demonstrations that accompaniedthe incident, and because of the character of the incident recorded.Notice the prominence that the recordgivesto the Birth of Jesus. It waspromised in the Garden of Eden. Thewhole practice and law concerning theblood sacrifices until they were all fulfilled by Christ, is a commentary onthe meaning of His birth. Foretold byprophets, announced by angels and anHeavenly Host, and a star,alone in history.this standsSince this Quarter follows Luke'sstory of the Life of Christ, it is fittingthat the study should begin with Hisbirth. Then, as the last Sabbath of theyear comes on December 25, it wasdeemed appropriate that the study thatdayalso should concern His birth. Inview of the common practices under thename of Christmas, it is not to be wondered that every periodical we saw lastDecember contained some protestagainst the common methods of usingthe name Christmas to promote fun.amusements, business and worse. I enter no controversy as to whether weshould observe a special commemorationof the Birth of Christ. This statement isnot controversial, namely; if we observea commemoration of the Birth of Christ,or introduce the story of the Nativity,or any suggestion of it, into our gatherings orentertainments, it should bedone in a manner that is in keepingwith the sacred character of the subject.In the immediate preparation for thebirth of Christ, an angel fortold it toMary, Joseph and Zacharias, and it wasrevealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit.His birth was heralded by an angel tothe shepherds, and by a star to the WiseMen. It was celebrated by an HeavenlySeptember 14, 1955Host, and by the shepherds who joinedthe holy family in worshiping the Princeof Peace. After weary days of deserttravel, the Wise Men arrived to worship and bring gifts. We are not toldthat any of the worshipers expected orreceived toys, lolly-pops or a sack ofcandy, or that an entertainer was borrowed from the Big Top. There wasnothing to cloud the memory of thatBlessed Meeting.I was asked, with an inflection ofdoubt, what I thought of the NativityCrypt on the Genvea Campus. The firstpart of the second Commandment wasquoted,Thou shalt not make unto theeany graven image, or any likenessThat included all pictures and objects ofart. So we agreed to interpret that bythe second part, "Thou shalt not bowdown to themThen I said, "What doyou think of Santa Claus?" All joinedin smiles, and that subject was closed.Suppose an image of Santa had beenplaced with the "holy family" and theshepherds in the crypt, what would youhave thought? Who is he that he shouldbe fixed most prominently in the mindsof children, that they remember himalone as the event of the evening? "Butthe children would be so disappointed."Of course they would !to expect Santa?In this lesson,supernatural onlyWho taught themLuke speaks of theas it concerns theangel and the Heavenly Host. In thechapter before he tells of the uniquewhich Christ the Son of Godmanner bybecame man. Milton expressed it in thisline; "Bymotherborn."wedded maid and virginThe Roman Catholicshave become quite bold in their pretentions about the supremacy of Mary.That their claim is pure fiction is shownby the lack of any word in Scriptureascribing to Mary any quality that isnot ascribed to other women.There is a very common misinterpretation of the circumstances of Christ'sbirth. Being ina manger is used toillustrate the depth of his poverty, whobeing rich, became poor, that we throughHis poverty might be rich. Notice twothings; first, if Joseph had been a multibillionairethat would be nothing compared to the riches of heaven. Second,there is no indication at all that Josephwas poor in this world's goods. Thereis every evidence that he was a skilled,well-to-do workman. Christ came totake man's nature sothat He couldrepresent mankind at the throne ofGod. So He came through a representative home.It seems that Caesar was using theJewish law of inheritance to get a fullregistration of the Jews for taxation.It was by the toleration of Caesar thatthey were allowed to claim the rightof inheritance. Joseph and Mary wereheirs of David's estate. If they failed toregister on this estate, which includedBethlehem, Caesar could annul theirright.This taxation caused a great homecoming to Bethlehem. It was not on account of poverty, or the inhospitality ofthe inkeeper that Jesus was born in astable. When they arrived, there wasno room in the Inn. It was full. Therewere probablyseveral families in eachroom, and the hall floor covered withbeds. The keeper found them a betterplace. A clean stable, with the cleansmell of animals, to which they wereaccustomed, gave them room and privacy. We are told that according to custom, the shepherds would each bring alamb as a present, and the guests inthe inn where a child was born, wouldeach give a gift. Then the wise menbrought rich presents. Christ becomingpoor for our sakes, has no reference tomoneymatters. The two doves insteadof a lamb, may have been a token offering to fulfill the law, for Christ was theSon of the King, for whom no offeringwas required.There were many great men in Palestine. The announcement of the Birthof the Kingcame to shepherds. Whenthe shepherds at night saw the angeland the glory of the Lord, they wereafraid. A consciousness of the nearnessof God, causes an examination of one'sworthiness to meet Him. But the angelassured them that this was the comingof Christ, (the Messiah), even a Saviour,who is Christ the Lord. This messagethat was for all people, came to humblemessengers.Treasure in earthen vessels.Have we received it?Are we delivering it?DISLOCATED DISCIPLES"Abram, in the land of Egypt, lost hisintegrity; the exciting cause was temporal alleviation.Lot, in the gate of Sodom, lost his testimony; the exciting cause was socialelevation.Samson, in the lap of Delilah, lost hispower; the excitingsolicitation.cause was carnalDavid, in the house of Achish, lost histrust; the exciting cause was physicalpreservation.Elijah, in the shelter of the juniper,lost his courage; the exciting cause wasmental irritation.Jonah, in the hold of the ship, lost hisvision;reservation.the excitingcause was willfulPeter, in the palace of the priest, losthis fidelity; the exciting cause wasboastfulWm. R. Marshall in NOW171

.172willing,"years"Westcottcourse."salvation"wilt."Itsoul."soul."PRAYER MEETING TOPICOctober 5, 1955MAN PROPOSES: GOD DISPOSESPsalms:James 4:13-17M. K. Carson, D.D.93:1-5, page 228124:1-3, page 319107:1, 4, 5, 6, page 264131:1-3, page 327References: Gen. 45:7, 8; Acts 2:23;Matt. 10:29-31; Psalms 145:17; 104:24; 39:5, 6; I Chron. 29:15; Psalm 90:4-6; Acts 18:21; Acts 21:14; Isaiah46:9, 10; Romans 11:36; Heb. 1:3;Job 7:6, 7; I Cor. 4:19; Heb. 6:3;Prov. 27:1The worldliness condemned in thistext is the worldliness that plans for thefuture without any acknowledgment ofGod. This subject follows very closelyour lesson on Humility (Sept. 7). Thehumble man, conscious of his weakness,depends upon God, His Grace, His Wisdom and His Power. The proud man rejoices in his boastings. He is plotting,planning, devising, tearing down barnsand building greater without any reference whatever to the disposals of DivineProvidence. "Soul, thou hast much goodslaid up for manyExodus 5:2).(Luke 12:19-20;The letters "D. V." were often used intimes past in speaking of future events.Many no doubt, were afraid not to usethese "letters." Such a faith might be aform of superstition. But this is not ourdanger. Today many people do not knowthat these letters are an abbreviation ofthe Latin words, "Deo Volente," meaning "God and even if they doknow, they do not submit to God. Wemay not always use these words or eventhe letters, but we should always havethe attitude of absolute dependenceupon God as we plan for the future. Itis not wrong to plan for the future, butit is wrong to plan without God. Thiswas a sin at the time James wrote thisEpistle and it is a sin today. In all ourarrangements we should make it clearlyunderstood that we recognize that Godis over all and that we are under Hiscontrol.Shortness and Uncertaintyof LifeThe uncertainty and shortness of lifeshould make us conscious of our absolute dependence upon God."Ye knownot what your life shall be on the morrow, for ye are a vapor."andHort. What is a vapor? How much dowe know about fogs? Forecasters knowmuch about cloud formations and theconditions which cause fogs, but no onecan predict with any certainty the lifting of a vapor. Astronomers can predict the rising and setting of the sun;the different stages of the moon and itseffect upon the tides; the differenteclipses; the appearance of the comets,etc. In the spring of 1910 the writerwas greatly interested in the appearance of Halley's comet. It was statedat that time that the comet would return in 76 years. But who would dare tomake any such prediction about a fog?"Ye are a vapor."Life is also comparedto a dream, a shadow, a span or anhandbreadth. All of these illustrationssuggest the shortness and uncertainty oflife. "So teach us to number our days,that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom"(Psalm 90:12).We are told that Edward Gibbon, thehistorian, died in great disappointmentbecause he had made plans which required ten more years of earthly life tocomplete. Doubtless many young peoplemake plans for a long life. The wise onesplan their lives subject to God's holywill. In this way they are not disappointed. One of the suggested explanations ofthese words, "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my(Psalm 91:16) is that whatever thelength of our days may be, God is ableto satisfy us. How can young people andthose in the strength of their years, asmany of the martyrs were, be satisfiedto give up their earthly life so early?In writing to the Philippians, Paul realized that his work was not over forhe said, "And having this confidence, Iknow that I shall abide and continuewith you all for your furtherance andjoy of faith" (Phil. 1:25). It was notthat Paul was not willing to die for heknew that to depart and be with Christis far better. When the time of his departure did come, Paul could say, "Iam now ready to be offered. I have finished my(2 Tim. 4:6-8). Paulwas living his life subject to God'sblessed willready to die, willing to live.Limitations of LifeOur limitations should teach us to besubmissive to the will of God. In theseverses, James is striking at the practical atheism of the man who lives hislife as if God did not exist. Men maynot make any intellectual effort to provethat God does not existmight evenargue for His existence but at thesame time continue to live as if Goddid not exist. God is not in theirthoughts or in their plans. They are sufficient in themselves. But how do menknow that they will see tomorrow, orthat they will reach the city, or thattheywill be permitted to remain herea year, or that they will be able to buyand sell, or that they will get gain?Were they not presuming a great deal?On December 22, 1951, the NationalSafety Council announced that the nation's millionth traffic fatality had occurred. Bythis time 140,000 and morecan be added to this first million. Howmany plan an automobile trip but neverreach their destination! This message inJames is very timely.In the COVENANTER WITNESS,February 23, 1949, is an editorial, "TheFinger of God." It would be worthwhilefor the leader to have this article reviewed at this meeting. As has oftenbeen said, "History is His-Story." Thesmall snowflake defeated Napoleon inRussia. "Man Proposes; God Disposes."The rain had an important place in thebattle of Waterloo in 1815. The stillness of the water in the English Channelmade possible "the miracle of Dunkirk,"when 335,000 men were rescued insteadof the 35,000 men which the Britishhoped to rescue. Deborah explained Sisera'sdefeat in these words, "The starsin their courses fought against Sisera."Judges 5:20. How limited puny man is!Surely our very limitations should teachus to say, "If the Lord will . . .Our IgnoranceOur ignorance should enable us totrust Him Who knows the future. Spurgeon said, "If we could have all ourlives written in a book, with everythingthat was to happen to us recorded therein, and if the hand of Destiny shouldgive us the book, we should be wise notto read it .... is sufficient that ourHeavenly Father knows." "My times arein Thy hand."(Ps. 31:15). Could ourtimes be in any better Hands theHands of Wisdom, Power and Love?The future is hidden from us. It iswrong to try to pry into itJ We are tolive by faith. Saul, the first king of Israel, visited "a woman that had a familiar spirit at Endor" (I Sam. 28:7-14).The next day Saul "took a sword, andfell upon it" (I Sam. 31:4; I Chron. 10:4).Wm. Henley in his "Invictus" says, "Iam the Master of my Fate; I am theCaptain of myHow very foolish,absurd and wicked it is to make such aboast. And yet many seem to believe itand teach it. Dorothea Day closes herpoem with these words, "Christ is theMaster of my fate; Christ is the Captain of myWe may not approveof the word "fate" but if we are Christians, Christ is surely our Master andthe Captain of our Salvation (Hebrews2:10).Richard Baxter said, "Lord, whatThou wilt, where Thou wilt and whenThouWhat submission, humilityand trust are in these words! May weall be able to say them! Knowledge ofwhat is evil always creates an obligation to avoid it and knowledge of whatis good constitutes an obligation to perform it. "Therefore to him that know-COVENANTER WITNESS

good."Church NewsThe Board of Foreign Missions hasprepared a Year Book. This publicationhas all reports from the fields.Thecost is 25c per copy, plus 5c postage, etc.If ordered in quantity (10 or more) themailing cost will be paid by the Board.Place your orders with Charles Sterrett,Post Office Box 291, Newburgh, N. Y.Dr. Ira M. Smith, College AdmissionsConsultant, 401 Liberty St., Ann Arbor,Mich., has sent us a full envelope ofbrochures written especiallyfor HighSchool Seniors and College Freshmen on"How to Get The Most Out of College"etc. Mr. Smith is a Covenanter and isRegistrar Emeritus of the University ofMich, and knows to whom he is speakingand what to say to them. It would beprofitable for anyeth to dostudent to get in4:17 We know it isright to live the humble life of trust inJesus Christ. John 15:4; Matt. 26:39;Rom. 8:28."Whose eye foresaw this way? Notmine.Whose hand marked out this day? Notmine.A clearer eye than mine, 'twas Thine.A wiser hand than mine, 'twas Thine.Then let my hand be still, in Thine.And let me find my will, in Thine."Questions:1. What are God's Works of Providence?2. What is the purpose of God's Providence?3. What is the extent of God's Providence?Prayer:For ourselves that we maylearn tosubmit to His will in all things as theangels do in heaven.For our College, Seminary, Schools inSyria and Cyprus and all ChristianSchools.For the cause of Temperance.Wemust trampwhen principle is at stake.upon our feelingsS. J. WilsonA day of worry is more exhaustingthan a week of work.If you start a thing, finish it.Henry Fordtouch with him unless you know everything already.The present address of Rev. NormanCarson is 137 Hesper St., Saugus, Mass.We are holding back some pictures ofDVBS until we will have enough to filla full page, so send yours in NOW.Editor.BARNET, VERMONTDr. and Mrs. Roy Adams and threesonsof Beaver Falls, Pa., worshipedwith the Barnet congregation on Sabbath morning, July 10. Other visitors onthe same day were Mrs. Moffett of theWilkinsburgcongregation and her sonand daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs.James Moffett and children of Westfield,New Jersey.Rev. and Mrs. Richard Hutcheson andfamily spent ten days here visiting relatives. On July 24, Mr. Hutchesonfilled the pulpit in the absence of thepastor, Rev. J. Paul Wilson.On the following Sabbath we wereprivileged in havinga son of the congregation, Rev. Kenneth Smith, deliver themorning message. He was accompaniedon his trip to Barnet by Rev. HaroldHarrington and Rev. Robert Tweed. Mr.Harrington brought the Psalm meditation on Sabbath, and on Monday eveningMr. Tweed gave a talk on his visit tothe Holy Land and showed pictures. Thecongregation was richly blessed by theministryand fellowship of each of thevisiting ministers.The Young People's Society held anoutdoor social at the Berry home onJuly 19.Mrs. Katherine Whitehill who hasbeen hospitalized with a broken ankle,resulting from a fall downstairs, hasreturned to her home. She is being caredfor by her sister, Miss Avis Brock.Miss Pauline Faris of Boston, Mass.,was a guest for a few days at the homeof her niece, Mrs. Ellsworth Shields, andattended church services.Young people attending the WhiteLake conference were Priscilla andWayne Berry and Phyllis and JimmieWilson. Mrs. Paul Wilson and Laurenwere there for the first weekend andMrs. Roger Berry for the second. Mr.Wilson attended the minister's conference.Mr. and Mrs. Russell Faris and Davidof the Cambridgecongregation wererecent visitors at the Sabbath morningservice.ESKRIDGERev. Joe Caskey has recently erecteda very attractive outdoor Bulletin Board,which he made himself.The W.M.S. at their August meetingvoted to give $5.00 to one of the children who attends our Sabbath Schoolto help pay their expenses at ForestPark.Mr. and Mrs. Ross Latimer who areregular attendants at our prayer meeting, won the mileage record this yearagain in our group, as they traveled70 miles round tripeach week. Thismeans between 2500 and 3000 miles in ayear.OAKDALEMiss Annie Laurie Henderson hasearned her M.A. degree from the University of Illinois. She is teaching atToluca, 111.We were happy to have the GeneSpear family with us for a Sabbath after Synod. Our thoughts and prayers gowith them in their new fieldsion in Kobe, Japan.the misDr. and Mrs. W. O. Ferguson attended Synod and visited friends in NewConcord and Cincinnati.Mr. Ward Auld suffered a heart attack. After a stay in the hospital, heis able to be home again and attendchurch services.A family night supper was held tohonor Miss Blanche McCrae of ourCyprus mission. Following the suppershe showed films and we also heardrecordings of testimonies of the students at the Academy.Oakdale was one of the few congregations to have the pleasure of workingwith a Crusader Team. Teddy Morris,Joan Pogemiller, John Russell and DonWindham conducted our communityD.V.B.S. which was a big success. Weenjoyed their fellowshiptheir help in the community. Dr. Aland appreciatedvin Smith, Orlando, spent two weeksof his vacation in July preaching forus. The Young Married Couples Classentertained Dr. Smith and the Crusaders with a picnic at a Mt. VernonPark.Miss Eleanor Thompson recentlyunderwent surgery. She is much betternow and able to be back in her usualplace at church.The Sparta and Old Bethel congregations joined us for the Sabbath morning service, July 24,when the Crusader Team conducted the service, giving their testimonies.Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Frieman,Alice and Jerry have returned from avacation trip taking them west to visitwith relatives in Colorado.Alice Frieman attended the Y. P.Conference at Lake Wawasee.September 14, 1955 173

Summer visitors at our services havebeen : Mr. and Mrs. John Piper and son,Beaver Falls, Pa., Mr. and Mrs. DaleMusselman, Kansas City'; Dr. and Mrs.Floyd Hunter, New Jersey; Dr. andMrs.George Kerr and family, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Piperand family, Ambridge, Pa.; Mr. S. R.Davis, Beaver Falls and Mrs. FredGeorge, Tarkio, Mo.Mrs. Roy Hunter has been in the hospital again, and is coming along fine.Mrs. Ken Auld has just returned froma trip to California.REPORT OF NOMINATING COMMITTEE OF SYNOD1. Moderator's alternate to preach thesermon at next SynodJ. Ren Patterson2. Committee on Arrangements for nextSynodRobert B. TweedD. Howard ElliottEdwin C. Clarke3. Committee on Devotional Exercisesfor next SynodBruce C. StewartT. J. WilsonMilton Harrington4 Committee on Signs of the TimesR. H. McKelvyGlen McFarlandJ. B. WillsonE. Dodds BalphLavern Bish5. Committee on Political DissentT. Richard HutchesonJohn TweedHarold HarringtonGeorge D. HillI. O. McMahan6. Congregations not having an elderpresent at Synod to be written to byelders.BethelEdgar EarneyBloomingtonDonald DoddsChicagoT. A. HendersonOakdaleJ. Merrill RobbSelma : Kenneth KennedyHopkintonBen LintonLake RenoS. J. RobinsonMorning SunG. D. HillSharonE. S. DillWinnipeg J John PeoplesBeulah E. S. DillCache Creek Logan M. CroweClarindaCharles MurphyDenverFloyd FinleyGreeleyJ. L. WrightHebronKenneth KennedyHot SpringsRoss LatimerQuinterE. D. BalphStaffordCalvin McKnightSuperiorJohn CrawfordWinchesterG. D. HillBarnetGeorge L. HenningColdenhamR. J. HueyCornwallisDonald CrawfordMontclairT. B. MonroeCincinnatiWilliam M. MillenHethertonT. A. HendersonJonathan's Creek Calvin McKnightNew ConcordW. R. WhiteFresnoLavern C. BishPortland Paul D. BennettSan DiegoClark C. PollockConnellsville Charles R. McBurneyEastvaleJohn PeoplesRehobothW. J. AdamsRose PointS. M. Dodds174Wilkinsburg E. J. M. DicksonYoungstown Charles D. MurphyThird Philadelphia I. O. McMahanLisbonRoss LatimerLochielJ. D. McClure7. Those to whom and by whom lettersof remembrance should be writtenThomas M. Hutcheson M. W. DoughertyOwen F. Thompson D. H. ElliottKhalil Awad F. E. AllenPaul D. White P. D. McCrackenWalter McGee Joseph A. HillBoyd White Alvin W. SmithW. J. Sanderson Robert ClarkeJ. D. Edgar T. C. McKnightSamuel Edgar F. F. ReadeF. D. Frazer M. S. McMillanJ. K. Gualt M. K. CarsonWalter McCarroll J. A. KempfP. J. McDonald W. J. McBurneyF. M. Wilson H. G. PattersonE. Clark Copeland Paul E. FarisE. A. Crooks R. H. MartinHerbert A. Hays S. E. BoyleJ. K. Robb E. L. McKnightJ. C. Mitchel D. C. WardE. G. Russell John ColemanPhilip W. Martin K. S. EdgarR. S. McElhinney S. Bruce WillsonDavid D. Hansen T. F. HarshRobert W. McMillan David CarsonJ. G. McElhinney F. L. StewartCharles H. Chao S. E. BoyleArgos Zodhiates C. E. CaskeyIbrahim Besna Harold HarringtonC. C. Christou J. Paul Wilson8. Vacancies on Boards and CommitteesBoard of PublicationC. T. CarsonR. W. CaskeyRoss LatimerD. R. Taggart, Ex-officio memberWitness CommitteeT. C. McKnightJ. B. WillsonR. C. FullertonD. M. CarsonP. L. CoonTheological SeminaryRobert ParkJ. R. PattersonT. C. McKnightJohn M. AllenTemperance CommitteeJ. E. McElroyR. W. McMillanMrs. R. H. McKelvyJ. O. Edgar (to take the place ofRobert McBurney)Stewardship CommitteeG. M. Robb, Chr.Prayer Meeting Topics CommitteeJ. E. McElroyEvangelistic CommitteeF. L. StewartPaul FarisJoseph M. CaskeyMilton Harrington (to take theplace of Paul Coleman)Continuing CovenantingWilliam RusellS. Bruce WillsonF. D. FrazerChurch Union CommitteeC. E. Caskey, Chr.Oath CommitteeWillard Hemphill, class of 1956Willard McMillan, class of 1957Foreign Mission BoardCharles S. SterrettP. D. McCrackenEdwin McBurnevT. J. WilsonMrs. James BeattyHome Mission BoardD. H. ElliottJ. B. WillsonR. I. RobbChester R. FoxMrs. J. P. MitchelBoard of Church ErectionG. M. RobbBoard of Jewish MissionSarah ArcherJohn CrawfordBoard of PensionsLloyd EdgarRalph WilsonBoard of Christian EducationClass of 1958F. H. LathomD. Ray WilcoxJ. S. MclsaacClass of 1956R. I. RobbAssistant on Travelling Fund Committeefor 1956Milton HarringtonRepresentative on the Board of Administration of the N.A.E.Norman CarsonSpecial CommitteesCommittee on Bible StudiesR. I. RobbWillard McMillanS. Bruce WillsonJ. Paul McCrackenD. Howard ElliottCommittee to Recommend changes inthe method of electing SeminaryProfessors.David M. CarsonRoy BlackwoodRobert ParkCharles McBurneyKenneth KennedyCommittee on association withCountyand local councils of churchesJohn McMillanJ. O. EdgarF. H. LathomPaul BennettRoss LatimerMORNING SUNThe Ralph Wilson family and MatineHumphrey's called on her aunt, Mrs.Maurice Edgar who lives at Stanton,Virginia, on August 17 on the day thatwouldhave been Maurice's birthday.Mrs. Maurice Edgar is a faithful readerof the Covenanter Witness even thoughshe moved from Sterling about 1902.DENISONMrs. Elizabeth Turner still remainsin a semi-conscious condition in theGreeley Hospital following a stroke onJune 6. She has been unable to speaksince. In early January she celebratedher ninetieth birthday.Recent visitors in our homes andchurch services have been : Mrs. WillardHemphill and three boys of BeaverFalls in the Will Linton home, Mr. andMrs. W. S. Robb of Pittsburgh in theDelber Braum home, Mr. and Mrs. DonCallahan andfamily of Morning Sun,Iowa, in the M. W. Dougherty home.On August 12, forty Juniors and theirmothers enjoyed a party in the churchbasement with their Junior SabbathSchool teachers serving as hostesses:Mrs. Stewart Robb, Mrs. Clarence Wing,COVENANTER WITNESS

Miss Annetta Knowles, Mrs. TrumanHugand Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.PORTLANDWe were happy to have Dr. S. BruceWilson on Wednesday evening August10. We were glad to hear about thework of our Seminary and to see pictures of the grounds, of the faculty andof the student body.Vacation Bible School is history forthe second year. 30 were enrolled, withan average attendance of 25.14 hadperfect attendance. 57 persons attendedthe closing program on Friday evening,August 26. $25.00 was added to ourbuilding fund and $16.00 was receivedto help with the expenses of the school.God has promised that His Word willnot return unto Him void, but that itwill accomplish its purpose.HETHERTON, MICHIGANThe Interim Committee of the OhioPresbytery met July 7 for the installation of Rev. E. Raymond Hemphill aspastor of the Hetherton Congregation.Services were in charge of Rev. HaroldThompson and the installation sermonwas delivered by Dr. M. K. Carson. Rev.Thompson delivered the charge to thepastor and Mr. Malcolm McDonald ofSouthfield gave the charge to the congregation. Mr. James Keys, an oldfriend of the Hemphill family at BelleCenter, gave an interesting talk. Following the services, Mr. and Mrs. Hemphill, Alan, Bruce and Beth were warmlywelcomed by the congregation andfriends in the community. Homemadeicecream and cake were served by theladies of the congregation.On Friday, August 5, an icecreamsocial, sponsored by the Hetherton C.Y.P.U. was held in the churchyard. It being an extremely warm evening, everyone was hungry for that cool stuff anda large crowd arrived. 140 quarts ofhome made icecream were manufacturedand consumed that evening, plus cake,toppings and coffee. Net profit came to$54.00 which was used to aid the youngpeople with their expenses during theconference at Covamikoi. The following delegates attended from the youngpeople at the camp; Joyce Hoy, GordonHarrington, Mildred and Marilyn Harrington, Roy Leino, Mayree and TerryThompson and Alan Hemphill. TheJunior delegates were Linda Hagadornand Beth and Bruce Hemphill. Mr. andMrs. Hemphill accompanied the group.Some very good reports were given thefollowing Sabbath evening by all whoattended. Harriet and Elsie Harringtoncame to the conference from Pennsylvania and rode home to Hetherton withthe others.Those attending Geneva beginning inSeptember are Joyce Hoy, Harriet, Elsie,September 14, 1955Gordon and Mildred Harrington.Hetherton is happy to welcome Mr.and Mrs. Leonard Harrington, MildredMarilyn and John, who have movedback to their home here from Detroit.The Ed Hagadorn family toured Michigan and Ohio for a few days and spentSabbath Day at Camp in Oakwood Park,Syracuse, Indiana.Mr. and Mrs. Ed Roby and son Ron,along with friends, Mr. and Mrs. ArchieBlack and son Vern, toured Michigan'sUpper Peninsula during the week ofAugust 22, took in many of the beautiful sights and indulged in some fishingin the streams there.Rev. Harold Harrington of New Castle Congregation spent a ten-day vacation at the home of his parents, Mr. andMrs. Hugh Harrington. On August 14 hebaptized his nephew, Steven Dale, sonof Mr. and Mrs. Donald Harrington.Two successful DVBS were conductedby Rev. E. R. Hemphill, one in Hetherton and the other in Johannesburg. Attendance was good at both places. Theschools ended with picnics at which parents and children were present. Teachersincluded Mrs. Hemphill, Dolly Hagadorn,Olive Harrington, Hallie Weigandt andEdna Pieper. Fern Leino and ShirleyRoby were in charge of the picnic atBig Bear Lake.During the summer months Hetherton welcomed many visitors. Recent onesincluded Mr. and Mrs. Easson McKelvyand family of Gibsonia, Pa., Mr. andMrs. H. C. Jameson, Mrs. Jessie Harrington, Mrs. Violet Westmore, Mr. andMrs. Herb Harrington, Joy and Jerry,all of Detroit; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Jameson and Jim of St. Louis, Rev. and Mrs.Don Webber and family of CarolinaBeach, N. C, Eddie Weir of New Yorkand Mildred Boyd of Pittsburgh, Pa.Several other visitors attended servicesduring the summer.GENEVA CONGREGATIONJo Fallon, reportingOur congratulations go to Bob Morrow and Shirley Smith whose marriagetook place early in August. Bob, a Clarinda boy, has been worshiping with uswhile a student at Geneva College. Shirley is a local girl, hailing from a nearbytownship. Bob is looking forward in thenear future to being a student at ourSeminary. God bless them both as theybegin this new career of being "married folk."A newcomer to our midst, Jody LynWoods is the daughter of Elwood andShirley Lathom Woods. She weighed ina little over seven pounds, the afternoon of August 31. Our Congratulations!Virginia Henery, Kay and Jim McCready, Sylvia Montini, Melvin Vos, andKathleen Aiken spent this past week atour C.Y.P.U.camp near Youngstown,Ohio. Several others were able to attendpart time. Our C.Y.P.U. had charge ofone of the Campfire programs. Dr. Vosand Rev. Tweed were there as Counselors.Besides these young people attendingcamp, quite a few Juniors were able toattend. They numbered nearly 30. Fromour group attendingwere David andDick Hemphill, Fred Lathom, Jack andRuth McCready. Mrs. Stewart McCready had charge of the Junior workand a fine program of their work waspresented Saturday evening.One thing at Camp couldn't be omittedand that was the food. Under thedirection of Mrs. J. R. Patterson, Central Pittsburgh,right good meals wereserved up promptly to the hungrycampers. Her helpers included Mrs. J.B. Willson, Geneva; Mrs. Robert McConaughy and Miss Minerva Reed,Central Pittsburgh; Mrs. Brown Sterrett and Mrs. Wagner, College Hill.Overseeing the dish-washingStewart McCready.crew wasOpen house for the James Dixonfamily who are leaving shortly to takeup residence in Bloomington, Indiana,was held at the home of Miss AdellaLawson the eveningof September 1.While members of the Rose Point congregation these past few years, they willbe missed in our circle. Mrs. Dixon'shome for many years was in NewGalilee where her mother, Mrs. R.G. Young, brother Bob and sister Helenstill have their residence. Jim joined ourchurch shortly after their marriage andtwo of their children were baptized hereby Dr. Willson. Leonard, Lena andKaren leave a score of little folkbehind as they go to make theirhome in a new place. God bless themrichly.Calling all writers for the Witness.This is our plan. The Board of Trusteesappointed a different person each monthto keep our news on its way to theWitness. It's working fine. Maybe youwould like to try this method. M. F.Murphy is reporter for September.OPPORTUNITY IN FLORIDAWould you like to come to sunnyFlorida where the flowers bloom twelvemonths a year? I have a six room house,modern in every way, kitchen equippedwith an electric range, refrigerator, deepfreeze, garage on property available.Any couple interested please write mefor details on a cooperative plan. TheCovenanter Church is within a fewblocks, also the business district of Orlando.M. C. Black1111 E. Washington St.Orlando, Fla.175

Yes, we RAISED THE BUDGET last Year!Bui let's not REST ON OUR OARS now!Missionaries'children like to eat in Octoberas well as a! the end of March.Congregational Treasurers, please send in yourcontributions to Synod's Budget regularly.Stewardship Committee176 COVENANTER WITNl'JSS

acquire."BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 9, 1955WitnessVOLUME LV, No. 12 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1955The Christian College and World CivilizationJohn Wesley RaleyIn order to play its part in the solution of theproblem of world civilization, Christian educationhas a three-fold aim :Better MenThe solution of world problems is not to befound in the mechanics of government, but in personality of leadership; not in system, but in men.The ultimate goal in education, as we interpret it, isnot intellectual awareness only, but spiritual discernment as well.We are not as much concerned about what ourstudents can do in scientific achievement as whatthey will do in social progress. If progress in the pastfollowed spiritual awareness, then it must be so in thefuture, and we shall accelerate the general progressby inspiring men to interpret life in terms of Christian philosophy.Secular education is in the business of intellectualizingmen ; Christian education is in the businessof spiritualizing the intellect.Secular education deals with the head ; Christianeducation includes the heart.Secular education gives man technical skill;Christian education adds social concern.Secular education points to the factory and theskyscraper ; Christian education points to the church.Secular education deals with cleverness and cunning; Christian education deals with conscience andcharacter.Broader MenThe greatest criticism of modern education isthat it is overspecialized and underintegrated.Aldous Huxley, discussing this particular problem regarding college graduates, says: "They comeout into the world, highly expert in their particularjob, but knowing very little about anything else, andhaving no integrating principle in terms of whichthey can arrange and give significance to such knowledge as they may subsequently Mr. Huxleyis right. Manifestly, what we need is another principle one higher than natural science discovers inthe laws of the material universe.A commission some years ago set up toy theNational Education Association to study the educational problem of America and to define the aims ofeducation as a pattern, stated a fourfold aim: (1)Self-realization, (2) Training in human relationships,(3) Economic efficiency, or a sense oftrusteeship insociety, and, (4) Civic responsibility. How similar tothe principles of Christ as stated in the Beatitudes :(1) Spiritual awareness, (2) Righteous relationships,(3) Usefulness, and (4) Consecration to the task.We propose Christian education as the only hopefor satisfactory integration of knowledge and spirit,technological skill and social progress. After all, thatis what the Man of Galilee meant when He admonished His followers to be "as wise as serpents and asharmless as doves."Christianity as an OperativePrinciple in LifeChristianity can and will bringa new social order. Though manifold, the philosophy of Christianity lends itself to a simple statement the significance of Calvary and Olivet.Leaders of men must accept, not as a sentimen-(Continued on page 183)

Current EventsISLAND TROUBLERepresentatives of Great Britain, Greece, and Turkeyrecently met in London without reaching agreement on thefuture of the island of Cyprus. The British have offered togive Cyprus constitutional home rule, but the Greek government insists on self-determination by a plebescite, whichwould probably result in Cyprus joining Greece. ThoughGreece has never controlled Cyprus, 80 per cent of thepeople are of Greek ancestry and language, and belong tothe Greek Orthodox Church. The remainder of the population is mostly Turkish. Turkey held Cyprus up to 1878, andwants it back again if the British withdraw.When the Turkish consulate in the Greek city of Salonika was dynamited, violent anti-Greek riots broke out in theTurkish cities of Istanbul and Izmir, which have large Greekpopulations. Greek-owned homes, shops, and churches weredestroyed by angry Turkish mobs. It is estimated that 300people were injured, and property damage amounted to $35million. The Turkish government moved quickly to restoreorder, but her relations with Greece are still strained. Meanwhile terrorist outbreaks continue in Cyprus, and we anxiously await word of the effects on our mission personneland schools.FREEDOM GAINEDCommunist China has promised to release all U. S. civilians whom it has been detaining. Forty-one Americans areexpected to gain their freedom from this move. Our government has also given Peiping a list of nearly five hundredAmericans missing from the Korean War, in the hope thatsome of them may turn up in Red prisons and be released.The U. S. reaffirmed the right of any Chinese now living inthis country to return to mainland China if they wish. If anyfeel their departure is being obstructed, they may apply tothe Indian Embassy for assistance. These agreements cameafter fourteen meetings at Geneva, extending over a periodof six weeks. The meetings will continue and the Chineseprobably will seek diplomatic and economic concessions,which we have thus far refused to grant.TYRANNY RESTOREDPresident Juan Peron of Argentina has ended theperiod of "pacification" which began after last June's military revolt. He offered to resign, then quickly withdrew theoffer and launched a fierce attack on his enemies. Declaringa state of siege for Buenos Aires, Peron announced new security regulations giving his police almost unlimited powers.Authorities announced the suppression of two terrorist plots,one including five generals. There is still talk of resistanceto Peron by the army and navy, but he seems to have theloyalty of the street crowds in Buenos Aires. If Peron wereoverthrown by the military, there probably would be littlechange in the government, and perhaps a period of terribledisorder. The iiberal politicians who were active in the pastfew months do not seem to have attracted many of theworking class away from Peron.178MAN VS. NATUREFollowing the floods in the Northeast, the other end ofthe country suffered from freaks of the weather. The LosAngeles area had over a week of 100-degree heat, whichcaused or contributed to the death of nearly one hundredpersons. Then California was struck by a series of forestfires. Over two hundred square miles were burned, and theloss in timber alone was estimated at over $15 million. Eightdays of exhausting work were required to save the greattrees of Sequoia National Forest. Meanwhile India has hada disastrous flood, and Egypt was hit bymay be next.AUTO PEACEan earthquake. YouChrysler Motors ended a brief walkout by signing athree-year contract with the United Auto Workers, including a guaranteed annual wage plan similar to those of Fordand General Motors. Chrysler's 139,000 workers are promised65 per cent of their regular pay for 26 weeks. American Motors (Nash and Hudson) also agreed, after a short strike, toa guaranteed wage system. Because of its precarious position in the automobile market, American Motors won easierterms than the "Big Three," and will not begin paying intothe wage fund until September, 1956. These agreements seemto ensure labor peace for the 1956 production year, which isexpected to set even higher records than 1955. The publicwill be watching with keen interest, the next few weeks, asthe new models appear. There is promise of more attentionto safety features, but higher price tags also are likely.KEEPING FITPresident Eisenhower has called a national conferenceto find ways ofbuilding up the physical fitness of Americanyouth. Leaders in health, athletics, and education will meetat Denver September 27-28, with Vice-President Nixon presiding. America's young people have a high average in general health, but are not outstanding in strength or endurance. Automobile riding and spectator sports are commonlyblamed for this. Our high schools and colleges already giveample attention to competitive athletics, but could do moreto promote general participation in activities which willcarry over into adult life. We hope that our youth will notbe driven into mass calisthenics, or anything like Hitler's"Strength Through Joy" movement.CRUNCHY BUSINESSPopcorn, once considered old-fashioned, has popped backinto style and sales are setting new records. Last yearAmerica's popcorn business amounted to $375 million, fourtimes the level of ten years ago. Nearly all movie theaterssell popcorn, and often make more profit from it than fromtheir films. Home popping also has revived, partly due to thedisposable aluminum-foil package combining popcorn, oil,and salt. The Midwest is the best popcorn market, and salesreach their peakduring the winter months. The early American colonists learned the use of popcorn from the Indians.Many kinds are now available, but the most popular is ahybrid variety introduced about twenty years ago.COVENANTER WITNESS

Vineyard GleaningsSenate Review of Religious LibertyA sub-committee of the Senate Judiciary Committeehas announced hearings on the Bill of Rights, that will begin on October 3, and it would seem that the Bill of Rights(includingmay be taken up clause byparticularlyamendments 1-10 to the Constitution)clause. But we are concernedwith the first one. It reads "Congress shallmake no law respecting an establishment of religion, orprohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the peoplepeaceably to assemble and to petition the government forredress of The grievances."committee conducting this investigation consists of Senators Thomas C. Hennings Jr., ofMissouri, chairman; Joseph O'Mahoney of Wyoming; andWilliam Langer of North Dakota. The hearings on Freedomof Religion and separation of church and state is plannedfor the week of October 3. A tentative schedule also calls fortwo weeks of hearings on Freedom of Speech and Press beginning October 17, and four weeks on the Right of Assembly beginning October 24. The appropriation for this inquiryis $50,000. While the public press seemed inclined to minimize the effect of this investigation at first, the questionnaire sent out by the committee indicates that severalquestions may come up that will provoke debate and perhapssome dangerous consequences. The questionnaire follows:1. (Identification of witness)2. (a) Do you regard the phrase "make no law respectingan establishment ofreligion"as a prohibition againstany direct or indirect government aid to churchesor religious sects?(b) Or do you regard the language as banning preferential treatment of any particular church or religioussect while permittinggovernment aid to religiongenerally or to the various churches and sects on anon-discriminatory basis?3. Do you believe the free exercise of religion protectsatheists in propagating a disbelief in religion?4. Do you consider that the U. S. Supreme Court is correctin interpreting the religion clause in conjunction withthe Fourteenth Amendment as constituting a prohibitionagainst acts bystate and local governments as well asagainst acts by the Federal Government?5. Have you observed anysignificant instances in recentyears of a denial of the rights expressed in the religionclause?If your answer is Yes, kindly enumerate the instances.6. (a) If your answer to Question 5 is Yes, do you considersuch instances as you cite as routine problems inthe course of life in a democracyhandled satisfactorily by the courts?which can be(b) Or do you consider them as evidence of a tendencyto permit erosion of the rights expressed in thereligion clause?7. If you have checked 6 (b), do you think that the tendency could be corrected or eliminated by some Congressional action?If your answer is Yes, please indicate as specifically asyou can the nature of the Congressional action you havein mind:nature of religious beliefs, do you feel that the presentstate of affairs in the United States with respect to therights expressed in the religion clause is :Excellent Good Fair PoorBut the questions 2 and 4 may raise the issue of Government Aid, State or Federal, to religious organizations.The present interpretation of the law is that all such grantsmay be made, but will this apply to states and cities? Andwill the Roman Catholic Church put on the pressure to havea clarification of this amendment to permit them to haveaid for their parochial schools. Another debate may beraised on question 3 whether atheists will be allowed topropagate their doctrines on the same basis as those advocating religious beliefs. The third question that may risefor discussion is the matter of representation to the Vatican.A fourth question mayCourt's decision in the McCollum case.evoke debate on the SupremeInasmuch as this Bill of Rights, as it is usually termed,has endured for more than 100 years without question andmost of the people are generally satisfied with most interpretations of the courts, will this be the beginning of astruggle for power to enlarge the privileges of the RomanCatholic church, now that our schools are crowded beyondmeasure, and do they consider that this is an opportune timeto urge that they be given a share of the public funds? Also.there is the danger on the other hand that there will be increasingsecularization in the interpretation of the law so.that religion shall be ruled out of all public education and:legislation.We quote from a Baptist publication, "Baptists havealways been interested in religious liberty both as personal"soul liberty" and as institutional freedom and independencefor the church. In the past as in the present we have soughtthese freedoms for all peoples in the world at high cost toourselves. There is no doubt that the American people areoverwhelmingly in favor of our American system by whichthe church advances on the basis of commitment and stewardship of the participants rather than by use of tax money.(Continued on page 183)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka Kansntto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer.not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Contributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasDepartmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: 12.50 per year; Overseas, S3.00 ; Single Couiei10 cents.r.British Isles.R- B- LynE. B-A-. Limavady, K. Ireland, Agent for thEntered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton. Kansas "nder the Act of March 3, 1879.8. Speaking generally and considering the deep emotionalAddress communications to the Topeka office.179September 21, 1955

profession,"yourselves"selves,"reprobate."practice."commandments."sions."you"On Close Communion"The Reformed Presbyterian standard of admission to the sacrament is that commonly referred toas 'Close Communion.' "THE QUESTION OF OBEDIENCEby Remo I. Robb, D.D.In response to a paper submitted by the SantaAna session, the Synod of 1955 decided to open thecolumns of the Witness to a limited discussion of'Close Communion' during the year, and that eachside be permitted one page of the Witness per month.In our Testimony, Chap. XXV, section 3, weread :"The Lord's Supper . . is administered onlyby a lawful minister of the word, to such baptized persons, as making- a credible professionof their faith, have a correspondingWhat is this "credible profession of faith" ? Towhom is it to be credible?In the Directory for Worship, Chap. Ill, section4 it is written: "Baptism is to be administered tothose who make a credible profession of their faithchildren."in Christ, and to theirIn the Testimony, Chap. XXV,section 2, thestatement is "Baptism is administered by a Christianminister . . tosuch adult persons as profess theirHim."faith in Christ, and obedience toA "crediblethen, is a "profession offaith in Christ" and "a promise of obedience to Him."The Confession of Faith (Chap. XXVII, sec. 1,and XXIX, sec. 3) agrees that obedience is involvedin the worthy receiving of the Lord"s Supper.The papers presented to Synod over the years,are excellent in their expression of what we ought tobelieve, but they are utterly silent about the obedience men should promise upon partakingof theLord's Supper. And yet obedience is as truly a requirement for admission as is the profession of faith.James links sound profession and obedience asa plan for life (James 1 :21, 22), and other Scriptureslink obedience to the sacraments. Note Matt. 28:19,20 and Romans 6:4, both in connection with baptism.And 2 Corinthians 13:5,which like 1 Corinthians 11begins "Examineand then goes on tosay "Prove your own that is, test out yourfaith by what you do, and determine if you are genuine orA profession of faith in Christ is a professionof love for Christ. His own command charges us withobedience, "If ye love me, keep myThis obedience, you see, is not a legalistic attitude.This is an obedience of love for Christ, not of law bythe Church.But what shall be the standard of obedience?Shall there be many ? How can our Church accept asa standard for others that which it does not allow forits own members? Shall Ave deal "more kindly"toward others than we do toward our own?Our children are members of the Church, butthey have been examined by the session (ChurchGovernment, Chap. II, para. 9). To withhold sacramental privileges until a profession is given is not a180matter of discipline, as some have inferred. It is simply a fulfillment of the Church obligation to lay uponits members a promise of obedience to that which itbelieves is the teaching of the Word of God.Does the Church do wrong in asking of its children a promise of obedience to the great truths itmaintains ? And is it just to our children, under thesepledges, to minister the most cherished Christianbenefits to others, who have taken them and then renounced them, or who never have taken them at all ?That is not the way it was done in Bible times.which preceded theIn connection with the Passover,Lord's Supper, the command was "One law shall beto him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger thatsojourneth among Exo. 12:49.This idea of a single standard of obedience runsall through the Bible. Be sure to read Lev. 24:22;Num. 15:14, 16.But, says someone, this has nothing to do withthe Sacrament. In reply, it has to do with the promise of obedience which is a part of the "credible profession"necessary to a proper receiving of the Sacrament.Where does this then leave us? Does this standard of obedience, to which no other Christian denomination holds in its entirety, mean that nobodybut members of the Covenanter Church are worthyto receive the Lord's Supper? What a ridiculous andPharisaic notion ! ! ! ! How can anyone in his rightmind say that the great Christian characters of thepast and present were unworthy communicants because they were not Covenanters? Our Lord condemned such superiority and self-righteousness in nouncertain terms.These Christians, and all who profess His Name,made what to their churches are "credible profesThe different denominations, or sects, require of their communicants such a profession offaith as they believe is required. That different denominations hold different views of what is requiredis not to be wondered at. Professions made accordingto denominational standards are "credible" in thosedenominations, but not necessarily so in others.The sacraments are the highest privileges ofchurch membership. Above and beyond all other privileges and responsibilities lie those sacred momentswhen, as witnesses or as participants, we step withinthe inner spiritual circle and take the symbols of Hissacrifice and inwardly rest on Him alone for oureternal salvation.For the order of the House of the Lord, it stillseems best that Christians of every denominationshould receive that highest benefit of church membership within the bounds of the church where theymade their profession of faith and gave their promise of obedience. Paul seems to think this way, too.In the chapter of the Words ofInstitution, he wrote"For there must be also heresies (that is, sects ordenominations) among you . . When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat theLord's Supper/' 1 Cor. 11:19, 20.I believe that the Synod should continue, as thelaw of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the practice of Close Communion.COVENANTER WITNESS

vain."creature."Failure ThatSucceedsSermon preached at the opening of Synod by the outgoing Moderator, Rev. A. Guthrie, B.A., Ph.D."I have laboured in Isa. 49:4"Forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not invain in the Lord." I Cor. 15:58.Apparent Success May Be Real FailureWe all know how much success is coveted inevery walk and province of life, and we know alsohow very difficult it is to achieve it in a degree thatwill command the respect of our fellow-men andbring satisfaction to ourselves. We may have stoodthe test of a gruelling competition and gained theprize, but what do we grasp in our hands? Is it notoften something which has already turned to dustand ashes ? No sooner have we scaled one height thananother looms on the horizon ahead beckoning usonward and upward. The peak is never the peak andthe summit has always to be reached. In every success there is failure, how deep we may not tell, and inevery failure there is success which we may not estimate. It is given to a very few to achieve success inthe commonly accepted sense of the word, but howmany successes are among the seeming failures oflife, who shall say ? Robert Louis Stevenson has putthe case very strongly: "There is one element inhuman destiny," he writes, "that not blindness itselfcan controvert, whatever else we are intended to do,we are not intended to succeed. Failure is the fateallotted. It is so in every art and study: it is sowell."above all in the continent art of livingAn old Greek philosopher, the wisest of his race,nearly four centuries before Christ drew from hisimagination a picture of the ideal, righteous man. Itwas an essential feature in the portrait that heshould be misrepresented and misunderstood; that,though righteous, he should be considered unrighteous; that he should meet with persecution andshame; and last of all a strange instinctive prophecy he was to die on the gibbet. This old philosopher was right. It was essential that the ideal manshould fail, utterly fail, in life. Christ's perfectionscould only be manifested by entire failure. This failure is the most brilliant jewel in His heavenly crown ;the richest portion of the inheritance which He hasbequeathed to us.What is the meaning of all this ? Are we doomedto fail utterly and unreservedly ? Is our destiny simply to be beaten and baffled? The answer must be,No. We believe there is such a thing as failure thatsucceeds.Apparent Failure May Be Real SuccessTo begin with, the very fact of failure impliessuccess of some kind. It is only as man rises in thescale of being that it becomes possible for him tofail. In the non-human realm of Nature there is nosuch thing as failure. The animal does not fail, thetree does not fail, the mountain does not fail. Thesong of the birds in the trees does not speak of failure. And when we come to think of it we have to admit that it takes high qualities to fail on the grandSeptember 21, 1955scale. The little commonplace man has his little commonplace ideal and achieves it without much difficulty, and even if he misses what he aims at, hisfrustration scarcely deserves to be dignified withthe name of failure. But think now of the man whocannot and who will not be satisfied with anythingbut the best, no matter what his line may be,andthere indeed you find the failure. The thing is unavoidable. For the loftier the man's standard theless is his chance of reaching it. He is never satisfied with present attainments, ever pressing ontowards the heights, ever aspiring in that heavenlycontest of which God only and the angels are spectators. Such failure is rooted in real success. It isonly the man who by the grace of God has risen tothe loftier ranges of life and manhood who can sayhe has failed. A noble failure is a finer and a greater, and in the truest sense, a far more successfulthing than a mean success. Success at the lowerlevels of living often spells failure at the higher, andthe converse is also true that failure on the lowerlevels may be success at the higher. The acquisitionof wealth is still, alas, accepted as the greatest testof what a man is worth. And yet how often a man'ssuccess at this low level means abject failure on thehigher planes of living. How often does it mean deviation from uprightness, the destruction of thewhole spirit of charity, the degradation of the soul,the sacrifice of principle, character, convictions,truthfulness, even what the world deems honour!Shall this when brought before the Judge of all theearth be proclaimed success or failure?The Hidden Successes in Our FailuresThat fact is, few of us know whether we succeedor fail, because the greatest results of our life's workare always hidden from us. Often we think our labour is in vain when we are being most successful.This is a matter of ordinary experience. Think ofVirgil in despair directing that his immortal workshould be burned after his death. Think of Calvin,near his end, declaring to those around him: "Allthat I have done has been of no value,and I am amiserable And did not Paul himself, afterall his miraculous achievements, tremble lest in theend he should be found to have been a useless worker. It very often happens that the most useful andthe most serviceable men are found ready to echoIsaiah's complaint and to rate their wonderful accomplishments at practically nothing. One reason isa deep Christian humility which sees only the greatness of what God has done in Christ, but still we areentitled to draw the conclusion that the thing weare least capable of estimating aright is the successor failure of our own life and work. We work forsome great end, we strive for the recognition of somegreat principle ; but when the result that we expecteddoes not come in the form in which we expected it,or at the time when we expect it, we accuse ourselves of inadequacy. But if our toiling has beenfaithful, God and sometimeshistory too will pass181

opportunity.'a different verdict. Robertson of Brighton died in histhirty-seventh year abused, misrepresented, and stillcomparatively obscure, and it seemed to many thatan unusually promising career had ended in utterfailure. Years after his death a Brighton tradesmantestified that he kept a portrait of the preacher inthe room behind his shop, and that whenever he wastempted to some shady trick of business, he went inand looked on the face in the picture and then felthe could not do it.It may be we are conscious of utter failure. Yeteven failure may be the instrument of success; it isindeed the first step towards something better. Byrevealing to us our faults it stimulates us to correctthem and so teaches the way to success. By the failure of bad methods the practical man discovers thebetter way of doing things."Not Failure but Low Aim Is Crime"It is a primary necessity of everyday life thatwe should recognize not only the possibility but thepossibilities of failure. We are all failures; we havebroken down at some point or other and unless wehold to the truth that men may fail and yet succeedwe must be exposed to one of two dangers. The firstis the temptation to lower our standards, to hauldown ourflag, to desist from all attempts to take thehighest line about things. Because our principles donot command the assent of many people, does itmean that we are mistaken or have failed ? We havefailed as the world counts failure, but as I said amoment ago we do not know whether we succeed orfail before God. The Liberal Party has failed as mencount failure. But it has failed because it was toosuccessful. Its principles have been adopted wholesale both by Tories and Labour. It has done its work.it has accomplished what it set out to do ; its principles have been recognized and accepted by men inopposite political camps. The Party has passed intooblivion but its principles still live and inspire government policy. Would that we could say the same ofthe principles for which we stand. The only way wecan ever fail would be to desist from all attempts totake the highest line about things. That would befailure of the most fatal kind. The only failure weought to fear is failure to follow the purpose we seeto be best. The second danger is loss of hope and lossof heart. The ideal may not be abandoned but it ispursued without enthusiasm. Let us remember thatno high effort really fails however much it may seemto do so. We fail only when we are willing to stepdown to the lower plane. There are times whenthings seem at their worst in individual life and inchurch life, but we remember that 'man's extremityis God'sThe hours when we are down,when we feel we cannot do anything more, are themost precious hours of our lives in God's sight, forthey are the hours in which He draws near to uswith His almighty power and does for us what wecannot do for ourselves. His word to us in such circumstances will surely be : Stand upon thy feet.Reformed Presbyterian WitnessThe crude and physical agony of the cross wasnothing compared to the indifference of the crowdon Main Street as they "passed by."182Allan Knight ChalmersBlessingsfromChurch PublicationsA SPECIAL E/P FEATURE REPRINTBy Mrs. Henry L. Ruth, in Gospel Herald(This brief article from the pen of a busy housewife highlights and illustrates the purpose behind Evangelical Press Month being celebratedduring the month of October. In few but wellchosenwords she reveals six ways in which sheand her family have been blessed through thereading of church publications. Ed.)Is mail time an anticipated time of the day foryou ? Have you checked yourself to see which part ofthe mail you are most anxious to look at? The personal letter or the unexpected post card from a closefriend usually receives first attention at our house.But after that has been read and reread, what willI reach for next? Will it be Successful Farming orthe Gospel Herald Better Homes and Gardens orChristian Living?One evening as I was about to settle for a bit ofrelaxation with something to read, it suddenly occurred to me that I was more anxious to read Readspent theer's Digest than the Bible. After havinggreater part of the evening with the Digest, my eyesheavy with sleep, I reached for my Bible.There were no two ways about it, I did enjoyreading secular material more than the Word ofGod and that which pertained to it. This thoughtcaused me no little concern. But I thank God thatwithin recent years the Lord Jesus Christ has become more precious to me. And with this new relationship came a growing desire to study the Bibleand also a better understanding of what I read. Ipraise God for this blessed Book which is God Himself speaking to us. I praise Him for those portionsof Scripture whichsuddenly stand out from amongthe rest as though they were spoken directly to us togive new hope and courage. I'm grateful to men ofthe past who risked their lives to preserve its pagesso that I can have the Bible in my possession today.Along with Bible reading came a greater interest in our church periodicals. It seemed as though thearticles published were suddenly very much more interesting than before ; I was the one who had becomemore interested.I have found our church publications to be agood, regular supplement to Bible reading. They havebeen a source of innumerable blessings to me. Recently we had two families visiting in our home overmealtime. During the course of the dinner one of themen asked whether the other two men would be interested in going to a certain revival meeting thatevening. "Sure," said one of them, "we'll go along;we like to be where the blessings fall." After thedessert was eaten the men were off to enjoy an evening of revival blessings about 25 miles from ourhome. I'm speaking for the other two women whenI say that we, too, would have liked to be where theblessings fall, but it was our lot to clean up the foodand dishes, keep seven children happily entertained,COVENANTER WITNESS

en,"objectives.'and then see that they got to bed at a reasonabletime. This is the circumstance we mothers often findourselves in.I thank the Lord, however, that we can enjoyrich blessings right in our own home without havingto take the baby from his crib, dress up, and drive25 miles. Reading our church publications hasbrought blessings to me which I'd like to share withyou. With the mail coming at the time of day whenI'm busy working and wouldn't take time out forBible study, I will pick up the Gospel Herald or theYouth's Christian Companion and glance through.It may be just a poem on the front page or a shortarticle written by a favorite writer that will catchmy attention.1) I have been moved to a greater faith in myLord, a more patient attitude toward my children, alittle more kindness to my neighbor, in this way.2) I have found our church literature to be agood stimulant to my prayer life. While the Biblepoints us to our own need of prayer, our churchperiodicals bring the needs of others to our attention.Many a time I've been led to bow my head and askthe Lord to supply the needed strength and courageto a foreign mission worker to overcome some obstacle. I have asked Him to give wisdom to those struggling with a difficult language and to supply thematerial needs for the cold and hungry refugees, alsoasking Him to lay a greater burden upon my ownheart to help supply the needs of those less fortunate.3) Church publications have proved to be ahelpful source to direct me in my giving. I count ita privilege to be able to help send Bibles to studentsin India who have never had a Bible before. Recentpleas by the Mission Board have made me want togive more liberally toward the work of missionsthroughout the world. Needy fields which are presented throughout the various publications can bebrought to the attention of the youth classes who aretaking an offering and are looking for a special needfor which their gifts may be used.4) Church publications have been a means ofeducating myself at a very low cost. Most of thewriters have gone deeper into the school of learning,both by actual study and by experience, than I have.The language and vocabulary of the writer eventually becomes the language and vocabulary of the reader. Surely a growing vocabulary is a valuable assetto any person who is interested in witnessing for theLord, whether it is witnessing to our children, toSabbath school classes or to the salsemen coming toour door.5) Reading our church publications is a meansof widening our acquaintances throughout theChurch. After reading and enjoying the articles orpoems written by a certain person we can't help getting a good idea of what that person is like. Some ofour writers seem like good friends of mine becauseI've enjoyed their articles so many times. I'm thinking especially of the time I saw the announcement inthe Gospel Herald that Millard and Miriam SieberLind were the parents of a baby girl. Knowing therewere five boys in the family and now a baby girl, Irejoiced with them. I felt like sending a congratulations card although I had never seen or spoken toeither one of the parents. They were my acquaintances through the printed page.6) I can say that our church publications haveSeptember 21, 1955greatly helped me to grow toward a more roundedChristian life. I am grateful to men of the past whosaw the value of printing Christian Literature periodically and also to those who are putting long hoursof real work into our literature today. May the Lordcontinue to bless them as they look to Him for guidance and wisdom to publish that which will be tothe strengthening of the Church. Let us be goodstewards by faithfully subscribing to our publications and keeping up the payments. But let us notfeel it is the proper thing to do and then stack ourliterature in the magazine rack and, eventually, onthe trash pile without reaping any spiritual benefitfrom it. It would be a great benefit to each one of usto heed the advice given to Timothy by the ApostlePaul, "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (I Tim. 4:13).Reprinted from Gospel Herald, April 26, 1955.THE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE . . . from front pagetal sophistry but as a sober fact of the kingdom ofGod, His saying that they take up the cross daily,if society is to be remade for the benefit of the individual. Thus, the cross becomes the essence ofsocial conscience. This is the philosophy discoveredby the poet who wrote :"In the cross of Christ I glory.time."Towering o'er the wrecks ofThis is the philosophy of the cross, the onlypower which can prevent the utter wreck and destruction of society. Christian education is centeredin the philosophy of the cross.And the other phase of the Christian philosophy "Olivet"; The significance here is that rightand righteousness can and will triumph. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heavis more than a pious wish ; it is a program of action and a prophecy of achievement. It is not necessary that we fold our hands and acquiesce becausedestructive forces are unleashed in the world. True,there is Calvary, but there is also Olivet.This is the symbol of the lighthouse of knowledge on the hill. The Christian college dares to teachmen to fight on for right. Its philosophy is not oneof defeating, damning despair, but of gloriousachievement. The Religious Digest.VINEYARD GLEANINGS . . . from page 178Baptists of all fellowships would be happy to cooperate inany moves to facilitate this freedom. We stand firmly withSenator Hennings, who stated it well on the floor of theSenate, 'The committee does not intend to row with muffledoars toward concealedI am sure that SenatorHennings is also aware of the danger of attempting to mountthe proverbial horse, then ride off in all directions."Those who have worked for the teaching of the Biblein the schools or reading of it have found that the Baptistsare one of their main sources of opposition.We are stressing this investigation because now is thetime for our public spirited organizations, the CAM and theNRA to be on the alert and to put in their oar, and for therest of us to be praying that the Bill of Rights will not become a Bill of Wrongs.183

wind"eyes."whirlwind."substance"not"you."Lesson Helps for the Week of October 9, 1955c. y. p. u. topicfor October 9, 1955HOSEA, FORGIVING HUSBAND(subject by permission of C.E.)Comments byPsalm Suggestions:85, page 20732, page 7436,page 90;40, page 102100, page 23789, page 216Name: HoseaAddress: SamariaRev. Theodore F. HarshPersonnel File CardOccupation: Minister of the GospelOther activity: Religious reformerRemarks: "Hosea's sensitiveness accounts for his curious combination oftenderness and fierceness. His sense ofthe love of God made him very tender,and his sense of the way in which thislove was outraged made him like a lionfierce for prey. The lightning flashedfrom his tear-dimmedWalker, Doctrine of the ProphetsThe TimeHow does it feel to live in a nationthat is just on the verge of collapse,such as the Northern Kingdom of Israelin the eighth century B.C.? Most peopleliving in such a nation do not know howit feels because they are not aware ofthe nearness of disaster. Heedless towarnings they go on their merry sinningway. If they did know the real state ofaffairs, they might repent and turn toGod who is always willing to accept truerepentance and give restoring strengthand blessing. But "my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hos. 4:6).When the Kingdom of Israel wasdivided two hundred years before thetime of Hosea, Jeroboam I, a man wisein the ways of the world, had set upa national system of worship "devisedof his own heart" (I Kings 12:33readI Kings 12:26-33). He had "sown theand now Israel under JeroboamII was about to "reap theWho would have thought disaster wasabout to fall? Jeroboam II's reign wasan era of peace, prosperity, and luxury.In Samaria and the surrounding townsthe people indulged themselves in sumptuous living with the inevitable result ofphysical, mental and moral flabbiness.Amos came up from the south out ofthe wilderness to point out their danger,but they told him to go home andprophesy there.184Conspiracies and plots were so common that nobody trusted anybody. Highway robbery, murder, and organizedvice were accepted as almost normal.The religious leaders actually led organized bandit gangs. They were thebrains behind the rackets. Family lifehad gone to pieces. Regard for thesacredness of the home and marriagevows was at an all time low. The falseworship in foreign cults had brokendown the standards of morality andfaithfulness. Drunkenness and all thatgoes with it were fast breaking downhome life and ruining the minds ofthe people.What kind of hearts produced suchugly fruit? Sin ruled in all their hearts.The religious leaders had failed in theirhigh duty to lead the people to knowGod's Word. As a nation Israel had said,"... I will go after my lovers, that giveme my bread and water, my wool andmy flax, mine oil and my drink" (Hos.2:5b).Israel was interested in any god whoseemed to furnish the material thingsshe craved. Being ignorant of the trueGiver, she gropes in search of the bestsubstitute. "My people are destroyed forlack of knowledge . . Even in thisdeath""delirious dance of they arebrazen in conceit. "Yet I am becomerich, I have found me out(Hos. 12:8).God's Man for the TimeThere was one man who knew howit felt to live in a nation whose dayswere numbered, one whose physicaland spiritual eyes were open to thesituation. His name was Hosea,and,unlike Amos the foreigner, he was anative of the Northern Kingdom. He wasa true patriot. He loved his country somuch that he spent his entire life in aneffort to call his people back to God.Early in life Hosea fell in love withand married Gomer. He loved her devotedly. The marriage to him was anoath of allegience for life. She had ashallow, senseless idea of marriage thatwas to cause much sufferingfor bothof them. She could not understand hislove and proved herself unworthy of it,but he kept on loving her. She becameentangled in the web of sin and immorality about her. She finally soldherself as a slave to one who promiseda great deal. When she awoke to hertragic mistake,Hosea bought her back.God's Message for the TimeThe young preacher's heart wasbroken because Gomer did not understand him. Her years of association withhim should have increased her appreciation, but she never really knew him.Hosea represents God as one whoselove has been spurned. The people donot know God. Theyare insensible toall that is high and holy, unconsciousof God's love. They do not know Godand "mypeople are destroyed for lackof knowledge." Since they are unawareof the true nature of God's purpose forthem they cannot understand the loyalty, love, and service that characterizeone who is in covenant relation withGod.God,with great patience, has beenrevealing Himself to men (Hos. 6:6; 7:15; 8:12; 11:3; 12:10). But what was thereaction? (Hos. 6:7; 13:2, 6). Hosea declares God to be willing to go to anylengths to cause the people to pauseand come to know Him (Hos. 2:6, 7.Compare with Luke 15:17-19) (Hos. 9:7,17; 13:7-9). What does Hosea plead withthe people to do? (6:1-3; 12:6, and theentire 14th chapter).God's Message for our TimeHosea presents God as a lover seekingto make Himself known to men thatthey may return His love. He presentsman as ignorantly rejecting that love."He came unto His own, and His ownreceived Him(John 1:11). Hoseapresents God as freely pardoning andempowering those who repent, receivingand returning God's love. ("But as manyas received Him, to them gave He powerto become the sons of God . . John1:12)Additional Scripture references: John3:16, 17; I John 1:9; Luke 19:10; Rev.3:20; II Peter 1:4; I John 3:1; Romans5:8; I John 4:9-11; Psalm 32:5; Prov.28:13; Matt. 9:13 (cf. Hos. 6:6); I Tim.1:15; Isaiah 1:18-20; John 14:23; Heb.12:10.Review the "Brief Covenant" especially the "Confession of Sin."JUNIOR TOPICOctober 9, 1955ACTING A LIEJoshua 9:3-27Jean Mitchel, Glenwood, Minn.Memory verse: "Casting all your careupon Him; for He careth forPeter 5:7.Memory Psalm Psalm 2:1-3, 7, 8, page4.Psalms:127:1, 2, page 32237:3, 4, page 9140: 1-4, page 102106: 1, 2, page 260.COVENANTEE WITNESSI

country!"again,"people"References: Num. 32:23; I Cor. 10:13;I Peter 5:8; II Peter 2:9a; Rev. 3:10.All of us at some time like to dressup and act like we are someone else.We put on different clothes, change ourhair style, talk with a gruff or a high,squeaky voice and even, for the moment, our whole attitude is transformed.This is just what the people of Gibeondid when they heard that Joshua had agreat armywas on his side.and that the God of IsraelYou remember Joshua's victories overJericho and Ai. Now the men of Gibeonhad heard of the destruction of Jerichoand Ai, and they thought that they toomight be destroyed. They were reallyfrightened.They went to see Joshua in Gilgal pretending they were ambassadors from afar country. The men of Gibeon didnot really live far away, so theyput oldsacks on their asses, put on old shoesand torn clothing, and carried old winebottles and stale bread. When theyreached Joshua's camp they lied, tellingJoshua they had come from a far country. They said their clothes had becomeold and their bread dry and mouldybecause of their long journey. Theybegged Joshua to make a league withthem that they might live.If a stranger, all worn out and hungry from a long trip, should stop at ourdoor some day, we would want to helphim and be kind to him. The people ofIsrael were fooledbecause they didnot ask God what to do. They made aleague with these people, promising tolet them live and dwell among the children of Israel.In a few days the Israelites reachedthe cities of these "strange people froma far Then they realized forthe first time that they had been tricked.But Joshua had promised before Godto let these people live, and a promiseought not to be broken. So the Israelitessaved these people, but from that daythey made them servants for the congregation and the altar of the Lord.It was wrong for the Gibeonites to doas they did. They acted a lie. Acting andtelling a lie are both wrong. If a boy inschool holds a text book before him sothe teacher thinks he is studying, yetis reading a story magazine or comicbook, he is acting a lie. If one is givensome money for collection at SabbathSchool or Junior Meeting, but keepspart, or all, to spend for himself, he isacting a lie. Children who deceive inthese and other ways may not be foundout at once by teachers or parents, butGod always knows and He hates suchconduct.Sins like these need to beconfessed and avoided the next time.September 21, 1955according to custom, it is not unlikelyIf the Israelites had put all theirSince His parents went every year lived in His humanity, according to thetrust in God, and had asked the Lord's that Jesus went with them other years.guidance when the "strange ap At the passover there were classes forpeared, they would have been shown children to attend and learn lessons bewhat to do, and they could have had the yond what they learned at home andcity and the land.from the priests. Attendance at theseWe often yield to temptations and classes in the twelfth year, was very imsins because we do not put our full portant.trust in God. Our memory verse remindsus to cast all our cares upon God, forAbout His Father's BusinessHe careth for us. The verses that have When they had spent a week at thebeen the greatest help and comfort to Passover, Joseph and Mary with a groupme are found in Isaiah 41:10 and 13. of neighbors, who no doubt also had"I will help thee," what a wonderful children, started for home. In the evepromise this is! What a blessing to know ning when they counted noses, Jesusthat God is with us to help us at all was not there. They returned faster, notimes if we come to Him.doubt, than they had traveled homeDid you know we have battles to fight ward. They must have been in Jerusajust as the Israelites? Our enemy is lem a full day, before they thought ofSatan. He uses many evil spirits and the right place to find their boy. Wherewicked men in his army. They are busywere they looking? Where would youevery day laying temptations (traps) look for your boy in a city?along the paths in which we walk.Mary was in distress because she hadIt is one of Satan's evil spirits that lost her son, and more, because she susmakes us want to cheat in games or pected Him of misbehaving. If she hadschool work, or be angry with our play not doubted His behaviour, she wouldmates. Every time we are tempted, if have known where to find Him. That iswe just say to ourselves, "That is Satan what He told her: Did you not knowand remember God's promise to that I would be doing the things that behelp us, we will come through without longed to a child of God, My Father?sinning. Then Jesus will be pleased, and Jesus had not run away from His parwe will be much happier to know we ents. He was just so interested in Hisdid what Jesus would have us to do. study with the doctors, that He hadLet us ask Jesus every morning, eve not noticed when they started home.ning, and whenever temptation comes, This visit to Jerusalem marked a newto help us to do right and live victorstage in a boy's development. He wasiously.entering into a higher grade of study,Suggestions for the meeting: Let two let us say into High School. Jesus provedgroups of older Juniors act out the story to be a perfect scholar, listening, anof "The Lie." One group may be the Gib swering, and asking questions. The prineonites and another the Israelites. cipal study for boys until they werePsalms may be sung when the entire twelve, was the Books of the Law, Exogroup "reaches the city Gibeon."dus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy. It reHand reference out as "topics" before quired the same effort for Jesus to masthe meeting.ter His studies that was required by anyNote Book work: The older Juniors other boy. His teachers were amazed atmay want to write the story in their His advancement in human knowledge.own words. Have lessons to be gained We often ask just when Jesus attainedfrom the story printed on the black His Divine perfection in knowledge. Inboard for the younger ones to copy. His divine nature, He always had it. InList some enticing temptations (traps) His humanity, He obeyed the laws ofSatan's army sets for us.His human nature. We have no recordof His ever using His divine power toSABBATH SCHOOL LESSON help His human nature. He used His diOctober 9, 1955vine power to help others. He told Hisdisciples where to fish. He sent Peter,Rev. W. J. McBurneynot to find a coin, that the owner had(Lessons based on international Sunday School lost but still owned, nor a counterfeit,Lessons; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching;, copyrighted by the Interbut to catch a fish that was worth anational Council of Religious Education.) splendid price. That was by the knowlTHE BOYHOOD OF JESUS edge and power that belonged to Hisdivine nature. When He passed throughMemory: Luke 2:52: "And Jesus ina crowd that was trying to kill Him, wecreased in wisdom and stature, and inare not told (in the Bible) that He befavour with God and man."came invisible. When He appeared andJesus went with His parents to Jeru disappeared to His Disciples, that wassalem when He was twelve years old. At for their sake, not for His humanity.that age He became a "Son of the law."Christ developed in His humanity, and185

nothing."whatever."laws of His humanity. At His birth itwas proved by miracles that He was theMessiah. He proved it by His workswhen He began His public ministry.There is no evidence that He used otherthan human power between these times.The Key to a Perfect LifeWhen Jesus spoke of His Father'sbusiness, He used a phrase that any Jewmight have used, for theycalled Godtheir Father. Serving God, doing His will,performing the duties that belong toHis kingdom, this was the key to Hisearly life, and always. Perfect obedience.Jesus was subject to His parents. Helearned the carpenter trade in Hisfather's shop. He was a good carpenter.It is evident that Joseph had been deadfor some time when Christ began Hisministry. Those who did not know Himpersonally, knew His work. He was thecarpenter. His teachers in Jerusalem,if they learned of His trade, and theywould of course, might have said, "Iwould like to have a chair He made. Itwould be comfortable and would notbreak down."When Mary met an embarrassing situation at the wedding in Cana, it was toJesus that she turned. She knew thatshe could depend on Him. Once she haddoubted Him. He asked if she did notknow that He would be in His properplace. Mary laid that up in her heart.She would never doubt Him again.The Development of the Mind and BodyWe are told so little, and yet so much,about the growing years of Jesus. Whatwe are told suggests the normal development of a normal lad, who performsperfectly the tasks that are his. It ispossible that the Rabbis had outlineda course of study that the average boycould master by diligence. Jesus had notonly mastered the prescribed course,but was reaching out into new fields ofknowledge.With the little we are told about Him,we know that whatever He did He gaveit His best effort, as unto the Lord. IfHe did not play with other children, ormingle with other men, that would markHim as unsocial, and would not lead tofavour with men. We are told in verse40, that the child "grew." The wordrefers to natural growth that requiresno effort on the part of the child. Inverse 52,"increased"is a differentword, with a different meaning. It suggests a purposeful effort. Like any otherchild,Jesus'first growth was withouteffort. Later, He must use the strengthof bodyand mind that had been givenwithout His effort. In His humanity, Jesus fulfilled every law that God gaveto man. In this, He set us a perfect example. We should follow the example ofthe perfect man.186The test of conduct, "What would Jesus do?" is misleading, unless we canclearly differentiate between the conduct of His human nature and His divine nature. We stand with mourners atthe grave; What would Jesus do? Heraised Lazarus from the dead. That wasby His divine power. That power is notgiven to us. In His humanity, Jesusshowed sympathy. That is His exampleto us.In His humanity, Christ was a perfectchild and by ordinary methods of application and obedience, He increased inknowledge and in favor with God andman. Before He revealed himself in Hisdivine nature, it is likely that He hadsome enemies. The verypresence of agood person is a rebuke to the wicked,and is likely to breed hatred. To saythat a man has no enemies is not alwaysa compliment. At a neighbor's funeral,his pastor spoke repeatedly of the man'speaceful life, and that he had no enemies. We had just passed through theprohibition campaign in Pennsylvania.This man, a Christian, and an elder,with no public vice,(save smoking,)took no part in the work for prohibition.It might have been better for his boys ifhe had made a few enemies.Christ set a perfect example to youngpeople, by perfect obedience in thehome, and by perfect application to thetask of growing into a perfect citizenof God's kingdom. This was in His humanity. There was no increase in HisDivine Nature.PRAYER MEETING TOPICOctober 12, 1955"PRAYER AGAINST TEMPTATION."Psalm:Matt. 6:13a; Ps. 19:13Rev. P. D. McCracken, D.D.81:9-12, page 19951:7-10, page 13119:1, 8, 9, page 42119:1-3, page 306aReferences: Matt. 26:41; II Chron. 32:31; I Cor. 10:13; II Cor. 12:8; Ps. 119:37; 101; James 1:13, 14; Luke 21:34;Gal. 5:17; Prov. 4:26,27; I Pet. 5:8.COMMENTSIn the study of this subject it willbe well first to turn to the ShorterCatechism, Question 106(See Constitution Book), and to the Larger Catechism, Question 195. In the latter, especially, you will find a full and detailedstatement as to what we pray for inthe sixth petition of the Lord's Prayer, (Lead us not into temptation, butdeliver us from evil) and around thirtyfiveBiblical references to back it up.For those of you who have access toBlue Banner Faith and Life, you willfind on pp. 108-114 of Vol. 4, No. 3(July-Sept. 1949) an interesting andhelpful commentary on the LargerCatechism Statement.The familiar word"temptation" isused in two very different senses in theBible. For example in Gen. 22:1 we read"That God did tempt Abraham"; andagain in James 1:2 "My brethren, countit all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."In both of these passages, theword temptation is used in what maybe called a good sense.Temptation used in this way means"trial"and has for its end and purposethe testingand manifestation of spiritual strength and moral integrity thatwould not otherwise be shown ordeveloped. "The furnace tests ortempts the true gold. The storm testsor tempts the rooted tree. And 'diverstemptations'test and strengthen thefaithful and patient soul, making it perfect and entire, wanting(Whyte). God, the all-wise Creatorknows perfectly what is in man, andin order to developand strengthen andpurify, He uses these proofs and trialsand tests of faith. Remember Job.But the bad sense in which the word"temptation"is used is more familiar,and this is the way it is used in theLord's Prayer. Here it means an enticing to sin, and in this respect Godtempts no man. "Let no man say whenhe is tempted, I am tempted of God:for God cannot be tempted with evil,neither tempteth he any man: but everyman is tempted, when he is drawnaway of his own lust, and enticed("James 1:13, 14).Dr. John Owen defines temptation inits evil sense as follows: "Temptationis any thing, state, way or condition,that upon any account whatever, hatha force or efficacy to seduce or draw themind and heart of a man from its obedience which God requires of him, intoany sin, in any degree of it"A temptation, then, may be goodor evil, may be for salvation or destruction,according to circumstances,according to the intention with which itis sent, and according to the spirit inwhich it is met. A temptation may leadthe unwary soul into the chambers ofdeath, or it may put a man in the wayof gaining for himself the crown of eternal life. A tempted man may come outof his temptations a stronger, holier,happier man; in Job's words, when he istried he may come forth like gold; or,on the otherhand, he may "crumbleto dust beneath the tempter's dart"; hemay come forth of the refiner's fire likereprobate silver. And it is just becauseweak and corrupt men come, for themost part, so ill out of their temptations, that theyare taught to makeCOVENANTER WITNESS

air,"whatsoever."evil,"me."world."understandinit their daily prayer, "Lead us not intotemptation."(Whyte).The Bible makes it very plain thatthere are three main sources of temptation in the bad or evil sense the world,the flesh, and the devil (I Chron. 21:1;Luke 21:34; James 1:14). These areall powerfully arrayed against uswhether we are saved or not.The world here does not mean God'screation, but rather Satan's kingdom,and everything in it that is hostile toGod. This is a fertile source of enticement to sin, under him who is thegreat adversary of souls. Again, theflesh here does not mean the humanbody, but the whole sinful nature offallen man. Even though the sins ofthe Christian areforgiven, the insidiouslurkings of the corruptions of the oldlife, furnish convenient contacts for thedevil to work his wiles, and "the lustsof the flesh, the lust of the eyes, andthe pride of life" tend to lead us astray."And there is a devil, personal, real,and powerful within the limits whichGod permits. He is described in theBible as the Prince of the power oftheand "the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." Heis basically and originally the "tempter,"and is still described as the one "whichdeceiveth the whole world"(Rev. 12:9).Our prayer is to be saved from him,and all of his evil enticements, and cunning ways and wiles.Patterson lists the followingas waysin which Satan's cunning is manifested:1. In choosing seasons of temptationsbest fitted for his destructive purposes.Adam and Eve in the Garden. Christ inthe Wilderness.2. In choosing the fittest instrumentsfor conducting temptations. Job's wife.3. In choosing the fittest persons asobjects of temptation. Haman; Davidnumbering Israel.4. Using legitimate things as snares.Ps. 69:225. Representing Christianity in unfavorable light. A sad and melancholy religion.6. Inciting men to embrace false doctrines rather than the truth.7. Presenting himself as a "friend,"when he is in reality the worst of enemies. "A wolf in sheep's clothing."8. In persuading men to delay repentance toward God, and faith toward ourLord Jesus Christ. "A more convenientseason"idea.9. In endeavoring to undermine anddestroy faith.10. By placing obstacles in the wayof Christians, to keep them from performing duty.September 21, 195511. In drawing men's minds away fromGod's Providences.12. In tempting men to disobey God.In view of the above we need to praycontinually, "Lead us not into temptation,"and "Keep back also thy servant from presumptuous sins, let themnot have dominion over me."The last part of the petition, "butdeliver us fromhas been translated in several revisions as "deliver usfrom the Evil One." The prayer is mostproper either way, for in it "we praythat God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support anddeliver us when we are tempted." Bythis prayer, if sincerely offered, thesuppliants "leave themselves wholly inthe hand of their God, that he maydo with them what seemeth good inHis sight, from a real conviction thatall things shall work together for theirgood both here and hereafter.The great end which we should havein view in offering up this petition isthat our sanctification and salvationmay be perfected; that Satan may beovercome, that we may be fully freedfrom sin, and temptation, and every evilFor Discussion:(Patterson)1. The relation of God to evil in thelight of the Bible.2. God's permitting and restraining ofSatan.3. The Christian's attitude in temptation.W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor,Prayer Hour. 1:00 P.M. MondayTheme: Arise and Build.Topic for OctoberLAYING THE FOUNDATIONMatt. 7:24-27By Inez M. SmithWhen I was asked to submit thoughtson this subject, I prayed that the HolySpirit would guide me, so that my studyon it might lead to my own growth ingrace and also be a help to others.Going back to the Scriptures for ourstated spiritual goal, 1 Cor. 3:9, we read"We are laborers together with God. Yeare God's husbandry, ye are God's building."We are most concerned with laying the foundation first.In laying the foundation for God'sbuilding, the measurements must be exact. In Amos 7:7 we read, "Thus heshewed me: and behold the Lord stoodupon a wall made by a plumbline, witha plumbline in His hand."God's plumbline for laying the foundation of this building of my life and ofyoursis given to us by the Lord JesusChrist. In John 6:38 we read, "For Icame down from Heaven not to do myown will but the will of Him that sentAnd in this high-priestly prayer,the Lord speaks of His own. John 17 :18."As thou hast sent me into the worldeven so have I sent them into the1) The laying of a good foundation requires skilled workmen. In Dan. 9 :21, 22we read, "While I was yet speaking inprayer, the man Gabriel, whom I hadseen in the vision at the beginning beingcaused to fly swiftly, touched me aboutthe time of the evening oblation Hesaid; O Daniel, I am now come forth togive thee skill and2) There is no excuse for unpreparednesson our part for God's promises aretrue and faithful. Read James 1:5, 6;Dan. 1:17; Deut. 8:18; John 16:13, 14;Col. 2:3.3) The layingof the foundation requires strength against storms. Read 1Cor. 3:13; Isaiah 26:3, 4; Ps. 40:3, 4.4) There is only one good foundation.Read n Tim. 2:19; John 10:14, 27, 28;Matt. 4:18-20; John 15:26, 27. In thelight of what we read in the Holy Scriptures, how can we lack faith in our LordJesus Christ or be tempted to say, "Suchand such a condition will never be anydifferent."Thus we hinder the workingof His power in us and through us.The whole armour of God as recordedin Eph. 6 :10-20 is available for all, thatthe foundation of this building may beon the Rock and not on sand.A verse from Margaret E. Sangster'spoem, "Lo, I am with You Always,"comes to mind:Beside the plow, He walks with meAnd if my step be slowHe pauses waiting, so that HeMay lead me where I go.I feel His presence at my side,His hand upon my hair;His love sweeps boundless like the tide,About me everywhere.HOW OLD WAS GRANDPA?(Answer to puzzle on page 192)Number of Commandments 10Job's daughters 3Plagues 10Psalms 150Chapters in Isaiah 66Men in furnace 3Total 242Divide by 11 22Number of days 6Windows in ark 1Days and night of rain 40Grandpa's age 69187

Reformed Presbyterian Woman's Association(Continued from July 13, 1955 number)COLLEGE HILL WOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY $10.001. Clarke, Mrs. Robert2. Cook, Mrs. W. R.3. Elsey, Mrs. D. B.4. Glover, Mrs. M. R.5. Kennedy, Mrs. George6. Lathom, Mrs. Frank7. Pearce, Mrs. M. M.8. Redpath, Mrs. R. W.9. Stahl, Mrs. R. J.10. Wylie, Mrs. A. A.CONNELLSVILLE Association Dues$15.001. Cook, Mrs. June2. Cook, Mrs. Marian3. Cunningham, Mrs. Evelyn4. Fornwalt, Mrs. Bessie5. Fornwalt, Mrs. Virginia6. Hogan, Mrs. Mary Virginia7. Jaynes, Miss Alfreta8. Jaynes, Mrs. Edna9. Jimmerman, Mrs. Evelyn10. Kinall, Mrs. Catherine11. Metzgar, Mrs. Olive12. Murphy, Mrs. Betty13. Murphy, Mrs. Mayme14. Piper, Mrs. Mary15. Wable, Miss BettyEASTVALE Association Dues $18.00ETHYL COPELAND MISSIONARYSOCD3TY1. Adams, Madge2. Babel, Mary3. Clark, Thelma Rae4. Coast, Jean5. Cowen, Mary Belle6. Daniels, Jean7. Eberhardt, Anna Mae8. Garvin, Bernice9. Hall, Mary10. Hicks, Katherine11. Kerr, Annie12. Lathom, Jewel13. Luciania, Louise14. McCracken, Frances15. Pegg, Kathleen16. Snedeker, Naomi17. Wilcox, Elizabeth18. Wood, AliceFIRST BEAVER FALLS AssociationDues $107.00HILLTOP MISSIONARY SOCIETY$23.001. Adams, Mrs. Russell2. Amon, Mrs. Sylvester3. Beighley, Mrs. Russell4. Edgar, Dick5. Eller, Mrs. Theodore6. Hill, Mrs. Orrin7. Houlette, Mrs. Elbert8. Iden, Mrs. Darwin9. Kennedy, Mrs. Louis10. Lane, Mrs. Robert11. Lane, Mrs. Winifred12.-13. Mandeville, Mr. and Mrs. Walter$4.0014.-15. Nahas, Mr. and Mrs. Fred16. Ramsey, Mrs. Ralph17. Senior, Mrs. Howard18. Spooner, Mrs. Albert19. Wenkhous, Mrs. Ralph20. Young, Mrs. Howard21. Young, Miss JeanWOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY$84.001. Belles, Mrs. Charles $2.001882. Caler, Miss Anna $7.003. Caler, Mrs. S. L.4. Fenchel, Mrs. Robert5. George, Miss Emma6. George, Mrs. H. J.7.-8. Harsh, Mr. and Mrs. Willard $5.009. Hays, Mrs. W. L.10. Hill, Mrs. George $2.0011. Javens, Mrs. Norman12.-13. Maratta, Mr. and Mrs. Byron$60.0014. Rutherford, Mrs. Emma15. Tweed, Mrs. J. BoydGENEVA Association Dues $45.00GENEVA GUILD $8.001. Henery, Virginia2. McCready, Kay3. Mitchell, Mary Eileen4. Montini, Sylvia5. Swager, Mary Lou6. Willson, Erla Jean7. Willson, Kathie8. Woods, ShirleyWOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCD3TY$37.001. Aikin, Mrs. Ida2. Clyde, Mrs. Sara I.3. Coleman, Mrs. George S.4. Dean, Mrs. Robert M.5. Dean, Mrs. W. Robert6. Downie, Mrs. J. Vale7.-8. Edgar, Mr. and Mrs. S. C.9.-10. Fallon, Mr. and Mrs. C. L.11.-12. Fallon, Dr. and Mrs. Leslie D.13. Garrett, Mrs. William14. Gilmour, Miss Margaret15. Henery, Mrs. Lucille D.16. Heustan, Mrs. W. B.17.-18. Lathom, Mr. and Mrs. E. F.19.-20. Lathom, Mr. and Mrs. J. Russell$35.0021. Lathom, Yvonne22. McCready, Mrs. W. S.23.-24. Metheny, Mr. and Mrs. C. B.25.-26. Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. M. F.27. Murphy, Miss Isabelle28. Park, Mrs. Robert29.-30. Patterson, Mr. and Mrs. C. M.31. Rader, Mrs. George32. Robb, Mrs. J. Merrill33. Robb, Mrs. W. G.34. Rodgers, Miss Grace35. Young, Mrs. R. G.36.-37. Willson, Dr. and Mrs. J. B.NEW ALEXANDRIA Association Dues$40.001. Beattie, Miss Anna2. Beattie, Miss Elizabeth3.-4. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. R. Lloyd5.-6. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence7.-8. Clawson, Mr. and Mrs. Clair9. Donaldson, Mrs. Ronald10.-11. Duffield, Mr. and Mrs. Robert12. Elder, Mrs. Robert13. Fetters, Mr. George14. Forest, Mrs. Edward15. Fullerton, Robert R. Jr.,16.-17. Fullerton, Mr. and Mrs. Robert R.18.-19. Fullerton, Mr. and Mrs. Roy C.20. Kepple, Bobbie Joe21. Kepple, Dannie22. Kepple, Freddie23.-24. Kepple, Mr. and Mrs. Robert25. Long, Mrs. Frank26. Mack, Mi's. Harry27.-28. Marshall, Mr. and Mrs. Clair29. Marshall, Roy30. McClure, Miss Florence31. McFarland, Mrs. George32. Patterson, Miss Edna33. Pierce, Mrs. Hazel34. Patterson, Mrs. L. B.35. Patterson, Miss Tirzah36. Shaw, Mrs. Steele37.-38. Steele, Mr. and Mrs. J. E.39. Steel, Mrs. J. W.NEW CASTLE Association Dues $14.001. Allen, Mrs. M. D. $2.002. Bond, Mrs. A. L.3. Booker, Mrs. Stella4. Dodds, Miss Anna5. Dodds, Miss Martha6. Gaston, Mrs. Louise7. Gilmore, Mrs. J. B.8. Gilmore, Miss Ruth9. Hollis, Mrs. Edith10. McConaghy, Mrs. Mildred11. Pattison, Mrs. J. D.12. Wilson, Mrs. Harry13. Wilson, Mrs. JenniePARNASSUS Association Dues $14.001. Allan, Miss Mary E.2. Bruce, Mrs. H. E.3. Connor, Mrs. Margaret4.-5. Earney, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar E.6. Euwer, Miss Florence C.7. Euwer, Miss Ida8.-9. McMillan, Rev. and Mrs. Willard10. Miller, Miss Edith A.11.-12. Wenkhaus, Mr. and Mrs. Don13.-14. Young, Dr. and Mrs. R. M.ROSE POINT Association Dues $17.001. Blair, Miss Anna2. Boggs, Miss Laura3. Brown, Mrs. Gladys4. Hutcheson, Mrs. Eleanor5. Kelland, Mrs. Anna6. Ewing, Mrs. Jeanette7. Kennedy, Miss Pearl8. McElwain, Mrs. Mabel9. McElwain, Mrs. Sara10. McFarland, Mrs. Sara11. Munnell, Mrs. Man.'12. Stickle, Mrs. Luella13. Wilkeson, Mrs. Florence14. Wilson, Mrs. Gertrude15. Wilson, Miss Margaret16. Wilson, Mrs. Nannie17. Young, Mrs. NannieUNION Association Dues $28.00Mrs. D. H. Elliott, CongregationalManager1. Dean, Mrs. R. M.2. Downie, Martha3. Elliott, Mrs. D. H.4. English, Agnes5. English, Martha6. Hamilton, Ada $2.007. Hamilton, Eva $2.008. Hartzell, Mae9.-10. Kaltenbach, Mr. and Mrs. Ervine$5.0011. King, Mrs. M.12. McPherson, Mrs. Elsie $4.0013. Renfrew, Mrs. Isabel14. Renfrew, Jack15.-16. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Vance $5.0017. Woodruff, Mrs. AldineWILKINSBURG Association Dues$34.00Mrs. T. C. McKnight, CongregationalManager1. Adams, Miss EllaCOVENANTEE WITNESS

2. Anderson, Mrs. C. P.3. Beatty, Miss Rhoda4. Boyd, Miss Jane5. Boyd, Miss Mildred6.-7. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. R. D.8. Byers, Mrs.9. Clarke, Mrs. T. H.10. Esler, Mrs. Wm.11. Fluke, Miss Bea12. Gloss, Mrs. J. O.13. Harris, Miss Lottie14. Haslett, Mrs. Chas. H.15. Haezlett, Mrs. J. L.16. Hickey, Mrs. John17. Hodgkiss, Mrs. M. G.18. Johnston, Mrs. T. A.19. Liggett, Miss Agnes20. Mathews, Mrs. Clifford21. McKnight, Polly Grace22. McKnight, Mrs. Robert J. G.23.-24. McKnight, Dr. and Mrs. T. C.25. Ostendorf, Mrs. L.26. Potter, Mrs. James $2.0027. Smith, Mrs. H. Raymond $2.0028. Stohner, Mrs. R. H.29. Tibby, Mrs. J. S.30.-31. Willson, Dr. and Mrs. S. Bruce32. Wilson, Mrs. J. R.YOUNGSTOWN Association Dues $10.001. Aikin, Mrs. Ellen2. Aikin, Miss Rosamond3. Dickey, Miss Mabel4. George, Mrs. Marilois5. Lathom, Mrs. Laura6. Marshall, Mrs. Anna7. Marshall, Mrs. Jessie8. Marshall, Mrs. Lois9. Marshall, Miss Louise10. Mitchell, Mrs. CarrieNOTICEAnyone sending boxes or barrels offruit to our Home, please send a listof contents, so that they may be listedaccurately.Thank you, Donation committeeDONATIONS TO HOME:U.S. Government 60 lb. butter, 50 lb.shortening.Phoenix W.M.S.low cases.8 prs. embroidered pilPerrysville Ave. W.C.T.U. Refreshments.Allegheny S.S. Picnic bread and coldslaw.Mrs. Nora HayesMiss Mary AllenCake2 blankets.Mrs. R. M. Young Doughnuts.Mrs. Sara McElwain 2 doz. eggs.Mrs. Oscar Stickelcookies.2 jars peaches &New Alexandria Congregation and W.M.S. birthday party for Miss ElizabethBeattie.Miss Elizabeth Robinsonlade.New Alexandriacabbage.Misses McWilliamsMiss Elizabeth McWilliamspears.7 qts. marmaSack sweet corn and7 qts blackberries.basket ofMr. and Mrs. H. E. McKelvy % bu.apples.September 21, 1955Donation CommitteeswmmiiChurch NewsContributions to the Budget ofthe Reformed Presbyterian Churchof North AmericaApril 1, 1955September 1, 1955Amount of Budget $120,000.00Raised to September 1, 1955 $31,163.22or 26%Received toDepartments Granted September 1, 1955Foreign Mission Board $ 32,400.00 $ 8,180.69Home Mission Board 9,000.00 1,620.00Southern Mission None 2,032.08Indian Mission 2,400.00 432.00Kentucky Mission 4,000.00 3,582.14Home Mission Secretary 4,000.00 720.00Young People's Secretary 350.00 63.00Woman's Association 6,000.00 1,080.00Theological Seminary 9,000.00 1,620.00Students Aid 1,550.00 279.00Ministerial Relief 12,000.00 2,160.00Widows and Orphans 2,000.00 360.00Geneva College 15,000.00 2,700.00Covenanter Witness 7,800.00 3,000.00 Pfd. ClaimWitness Committee 13,500.00 2,420.00Christian Education 500.00 90.00Miscellaneous Account 400.00 72.00Nat'l. Association of Evang. 100.00 18.00$120,000.00 $30,428.91Raised to September 1, 1954 $29,286.73Raised to September 1, 1955 $31,163.22The Following departments are OVERDRAWN.Foreign Missions $ 1,991.72Home Missions Sect. 152.38Theological Seminary 857.14Ministerial Relief 1,720.22Witness Committee 6,262.07Please meditate on these figures andthen consult YOUR TITHE ACCT.rmttir^îMîim>nm>imnm>nCTnm>nm>nm>im>im>imST. LAWRENCE PRESBYTERYSt. Lawrence Presbyteryaccording to adjournment, in the Syrawill meetcuse church, on Tuesday evening, October 8, at 7:30 P.M. Clerks of Sessionswill please bring their sessional recordsfor examination.F. F. Reade, ClerkSANTA ANA CONGREGATIONOBSERVES 50TH ANNIVERSARYOn Friday evening, August 26,Santa Anathecongregation gathered tocelebrate the fiftieth year of organization. The sanctuarymembers, friends, and manyter congregations.was filled withfrom sisMr. Gordon Betts presided. Mrs. Mary$10,983.53Chester R. Fox, TREAS.mnînn^nmîngwnn^nnTrntTippen led congregational singing. AfterMr. H. F. McCrum read Romans 12,prayer was offered by Mr. W. G. Martin. The history of the congregation wasread by Mr. Sigurd Nelson.Greetings were brought by the fourpastors who have ministered to theSanta Anacongregation through thehalf-century Rev. George N. Greer,1905-1924; Dr. Samuel Edgar, 1925-1945;Rev. Robert McConachie, 1946-1954;Rev. Glenn McFarland, 1955-. Otherministers who extended good wisheswere Dr. P. J. McDonald, Dr. WalterMcCarroll, Dr. J. D. Edgar, Dr. ElmerRussell, Rev. John Gault, and Rev. PaulRobb.I189

cook"cooks"Letters of reminiscence were read byMrs. G. N. Greer. An instrumental number was played by Sharon and Rose Ellen Nelson. Three sacred numbers weresung by a choral group.A social hour followed in the receptionhall where a collection of photographshad been gathered and displayed by Mrs.Gordon Betts. Bronze mums in a goldbasket adorned the rostrum. These weregiven as a memorial tribute.QUINTER NEWSMr. and Mrs. Glen Bailey and LouisBailey spent their vacation in Coloradovisiting relatives and friends.Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cox of Phoenix,Arizona, and Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd McElroy of Topeka spent the week end ofof July 17 in Quinter visiting relativesand friends.Mr. and Mrs. Earl Graham and girlsspent two weeks vacationingin theWestern States, theyMrs. Cleod Copeland and family in Fresvisited their sisterno, Calif., Mr. and Mrs. Carl Jewell andJeff at Washougal, Washington.Mr. and Mrs. Bert McElroy enjoyedhavingall their children and grandchildren with the exception of Mr. andMrs. Dean McElroy here for two weeks.Mr. and Mrs. Earl Graham were pleasantlysurprised on the evening of August 18 when thirty-eight relatives arrived to help them celebrate their 25thWedding Anniversary. A beautifulmina-double ring wedding cake with ature bride and groom decorated the center of the table. The eveningjoyed by all.was enLouis Bailey had the misfortune to falland break his hip. He spent two weeksin the Hadley Memorial Hospital atHays and returned to the Quinter Hospital for further rest. He is improving ina satisfactory manner.Four of our youngpeople have goneaway to College: Jean Mann, Don Graham, Jim Haney and Sammy Chestnut.J. C. Chestnut returned to Olathe,Kansas for another school term.Thirty people from Quinter attendedthe Forest Park Conference at Topeka.It was a very profitable conference andwas enjoyed by all.Mr. and Mrs. Dale Bittler, Bruce andKaren of Wichita and Mr. James Latimer spent the Labor Day week end visiting the Graham's in Quinter.ALMONTEA Psalm Festival was held in thechurch on the evening of June 30, thefestival theme being David, Shepherdand King. Various episodes in David'slife were read byseveral people fromLisbon, Lochiel and Almonte and accompanying Psalms were sung. TheJuniors in charge of Mrs. Alan Bums,led the devotions. Later in the evening190choral selections were sung by Lochieland Almonte. Also Psalm 24 was sungas a duet by Rev. Reade and Mrs. TomWilson. The singing of Psalm 149 was afitting conclusion for our evening ofpraise to the Lord. We were happy tohave several from Lisbon, N. Y.andLochiel as well as a number of localvisitors.Rev. and Mrs. Tom Wilson and familyvisited with Rev. and Mrs. Reade inJune. Rev. Wilson brought us severalfine messages on two Sabbath days.Our annual church picnic held July 1,had a record attendance. The folks fromLisbon and Lochiel stayed and helped usenjoy the first picnic of the season. Thedayended with a ball game and refreshments at the home of Mrs. Sam Burns.DVBS was conducted during the 2ndand 3rd weeks of July. The average attendance for the school was forty-two,and on the closing evening there was agood attendance of parents and visitors.Rev. Reade supervised the school andtaught the Juniors. The other teachersand their assistants were: Mrs. W. R.White and Joyce Bums, Miss Rose EllenBurns and Carol Burns, Miss FrancesThompson and Dorothy Walters.Several socials have been held duringthe summer months. A pleasant evening was spent at the home of Mr. andMrs. Alex Burns on the evening of July26. Then on August 1 Mr. and Mrs. IsaacMcKee were host and hostess for a social in honor of Rev. W. J. McBurneyand Mr. and Mrs. Stewart McCreadyand their family. We were very happyto see these folks again. Rev. McBurneyis a former pastor of our church.SEATTLE NEWSAugust 31 saw the members of theSeattle W.M.S. and their friends on ahalf hour television show entitled "CookBook Quiz." Two "cooks" from theW.M.S.Mrs. Marguerite Mitchell andMrs. Mary Lamontcompeted againsttwo cooks from another organization.Points were given each cook for doingvarious things such as making cantaloupe baskets, fixing tomatoes for fryingand guessing recipes. We are very happyto report that our "cooks" won firstprize of $25.00 with Mrs. Mitchell beinghigh point cook for the day and Mrs.Lamont second. Each cook was presented with a bag of groceries and Mrs.Mitchell also received a beautiful orchidcorsage and apron. As a result of being"head for the day Mrs. Mitchellwas asked to the jamboree on September 6 where 16 "headcompetedfor the grand prize of $40.00. Our cooklost this by only a very thin margin!SmithA most enjoyable Labor Day eveningwas spent by the Seattle fellowshipgroup at the new home of Mrs. Gladysat Kenmore, Wash. It all cameas a surprise as we were asked to meetat the church and bring an assignment.From there the group was led out to thenew house. After the weiner roast andball game the evening was finished withcampfire singing accompanied by "various"instruments.The "Over 40 Club" was invited outfor a surprise party a week later and agood time was enjoyed again.DENISONRenovation of the pulpit furniturewas a project undertaken by Mrs. Elizabeth Turner and her children this summer. All old finish was removed, thechairs were reglued, the springs repairedand they were newly upholstered inbeautiful wine colored frieze. The pulpit alone remained from the formerchurch that was completely demolishedby a windstorm on October 1, 1883. Itis of chestnut wood with oak handcarved designs and is especially prized.The work was done by Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Marcellus of Denison, skilled in thisline. The congregation appreciates greatly this additional touch to their redecorated sanctuary.Mr. Harold McCrory was united inmarriage to Miss Elva Mann of the Hebron congregation, on September 5 by theRev. Milton Harrington, assisted by theRev. M. W. Dougherty. Their home willbe on their farm one mile north of Denison.At a congregational meeting, September 7, these additional elders were elected: Mr. Warren Porter and Mr. MerlinWing and these deacons: Mr. StewartRobb, Mr. Harlan Phillips and Mr. Harold McCrory.HEBRON NOTESRev. Milton Harrington, Jerry Milroyand Ward McMahan enjoyed attendingCovenant Heights Camp in Coloradoduring July.Our congregation was favored by having Dr. Bruce Willson give a fine reporton the Seminary as well as presentingthe problems and needs of this institution. Slides were also shown, presentingthe faculty, students and the building.A social hour followed, and it was goodto renew our acquaintance with Dr.Wilson.Mrs. J. G. Vos was a welcome visitorin many of our homes in July.We rejoice in the birth of a fine babyson, John Kevin, to Mr. and Mrs. JackDunn.The men and boys of our congregationspent two weeks razing a bam on theparsonage property, and building a wellplanned two-car garage. This was doneduring "100 degree plus" temperature.So the afternoon lunches furnished bythe ladies were greatly appreciated.COVENANTER WITNESS

nant,"Eight of our C.Y.P.U. members andone Junior attended full time at theForest Park Conference in Topeka. Rev.Harrington was a sponsor for the boy'sdorm, as well as havinga part on theprogram. It was a thrill to hear the reports of these young people and to listen to their impressions. Surely muchfor God's glory will remain in the livesof those who attended, and we wish toadd our thanks to all who helped makethis camp such a success. Several adultsattended part time also.We are thankful that so many of ourmembers have had safe vacation trips,due to the protection of our HeavenlyFather.Our congregation is saddened, andfeels a definite loss in the death of Mrs.Sadie Greenlee of Denison. She was amember here for many years and herchildren grew up here. Our sympathygoes to her five sons and their families,and especially to son John, and his wife,Maxine who cared so tenderly for herduring her last illness.Congratulations and Best Wishes arein order for Mr. and Mrs. Harold McCrory whose marriage took place at thechurch on Labor Day. Mrs. McCrory isthe former Elva Mann. The ladies of thecongregation recently showered her withmany lovely things for her new home.Mrs. Byron McMahan underwent surgery at the Clay Center Hospital recently. We are glad she is recovering nicely,though slowly.Our monthly Family night is provinga great success, as we take this meansof fellowshipwith one another. A covered dish dinner, mention of birthdayanniversaries, and a short devotionalservice are a part of each meeting. Highlight of this month's meeting were theslides shown by our pastor, of variousplaces of interest, taken while he wassupplying other pulpits. A "GuessWhere?"group of slides helped us identify the various churches of our denomination.Our pastor spent the month of Auguston Vacation (?). He spent part of histime helping with two church conferences, then on to Wrigley, and to Orlando. We are glad he is back,and we areon full schedule again. Prayer meetingsand Psalm singings were held in his absence.MORNING SUN, IOWAThe Ralph Wilson family, accompanied by Maxine Humphreys, had theprivilege of attending the White Lakeconference for the closing day. High water prevented them from attending twodays. We have no convention in Iowa,and White Lake looked very well equipped to take care of the crowd; the kitchen and diningSeptember 21, 1955room reminded us ofthe one at Forest Park. They neededhelpers to work at the camp the nextweek. It looked like a place that coulduse work caravaners, similar to the onesorganized in many other churches thatspend their summers helping with laborin locations that ask for their help, andthe evenings are spent in worship andfellowship.POLLOCK-RESENERMiss Laura Pollock, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. C. C. Pollock of Marion Center,became the bride of Carl Resener, sonof Mr. and Mrs. Resener of Indianapolis,Indiana, on Saturday, the 20th of August at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon.The spacious lawn of the Pollockhome was the setting for the doubleringceremony which was performed bythe Rev. Russel Dennis of Indianapolis.Vows were exchanged as the couplestood beneath an archwayleaves.of laurelMiss Janice Marshall played the "Melody of Love" and the traditional wedding music. She accompanied Miss AlyceMarshall who sang "Oh Promise Me,""Through The Years," and as a benediction "The Wedding Prayer."Mrs. Bert Brocius of Sandbury, Pennsylvania, was the bride's attendant.Dick Brady of Indianapolis, Indiana,was best man and Herbert and WallacePollock, brothers of the bride, servedas ushers.Following a wedding trip to NiagaraFalls and Buffalo, New York, wherethey will visit Mr. Resener's brother,they will return to Bob Jones University, where Mr. Resener will continue histheological studies. Both Mr. and Mrs.Resener are June graduates of the University.PITTSBURGH PRESBYTERYOn August 30, 1955, the Ad InterimCommission of the Pittsburgh Presbytery received Rev. John B. Thwing,Th.D., into the membership of the Presbytery. Dr. Thwing had been pastor ofthe Gibson Heights United Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, Ohio. Anticipating that the U. P. churchwould soon unite with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., and feeling the pressure of this union movement strongly inhis church, he was dissatisfied with theprospect of going back into the denomination which, for doctrinal reasons, heleft some twenty years before. He comesto us because of principle, and becauseof a profound conviction that the standards of the Covenanter Church are theclosest to the truth of the Word of God.Dr. Thwing has four children; twoboys, one an ensign in the Coast Guard,the other an FBI agent, and two daughters, both married. His wife has accepted a teaching position for the comingyear in one of the Youngstown schools.After having signed the Terms of Communion, and being added to the roll ofPresbytery, Dr. Thwing preached inthe Parnassus Church on September 11,and is scheduled to assist Rev. RichardHutcheson with the Communion of October 2 at Mercer, Pa., and Dr. KermitEdgar on October 16 at the AlleghenyChurch. Sessions of non-pastored Covenanter congregations, and ministers, areurged to seek the services of Dr. Thwingin their pulpits, that he might becomewell acquainted in the church at large.He may be contacted by writing him:Rev. John B. Thwing, 3305 Market St.,Youngstown, Ohio.CORRECTIONIn the Junior Topic story for September 11, the Scripture reference shouldbe Joshua 3 instead of Joshua 2. Alsoin the 3rd column the number should be3000 ft. instead of 300 ft. where thestatement is "The people were to follow staying 3000 ft. behind the ark ofthe Covenant."The errors may have been mine on thetyped copy I sent in. If so, I am sorry.THE MERRY MENMiss Bess Arnott.That may seem a strange title toplace at the topof this little personalword. I will explain. They called themGod's merry men, these soldiers of theCross who bore in their bodies themarks of their sufferings for the LordJesus Christ, as theyCathedral in the citymet in St. Gilesof Edinburgh forthe first General Assembly following thedreadful years of persecution the Covenanters of Scotland endured. These werenot sour-faced psalm-singing demagogues that a distorted history hassometimes depicted and their enemieshave averred. They were the men of theCovenant who had placed their lives injeopardy for their faith and had lived tosee Scotland set free from Popery andthe supremacyof the Kirk establishedto guide her own affairs. They had seenmanyof their friends win the martyr'scrown during the dreadful "killingtimes,"and though broken in their ownbodies by thumbscrew, rack and boot,and their privations and trials on thehills and moors of Ayrshire and Galloway, they could still sing the songs ofZion with a merry heart when the nightof their affliction was over.Who were these "Men of the Coveand what were they like? In theSeptember issue of The EvangelicalChristian we will commence a series offactual studies of some of the great figures of the Covenanting days. They arewritten by Rev. George Hossack a minister in the South of Scotland who is con-191

age,"you?"came,'years."versant with the history of the times andthe men of whom he writes and has visited the scenes of their labours and theirmartyrdom. The studies will includeSamuel Rutherford, Donald Cargill,Alexander Peden and others.We believe these sketches will be ofgreat interest to all our constituency,and particularly to those who will readthe new serial "How Sleep the Brave!"which commenced in the August issue.The story deals with this period whenthese men suffered, bled and died forChrist's crown and Covenant and thatyou and I might have the heritage of anopen Bible and freedom to worship Godwhen and how we please. We would askour readers to please make this series ofarticles known and secure as many copies of the magazine as possible to sendto interested friends.The Evangelical ChristianHISTORY OF THE COVENANTERSDear Dr. Taggart:Your reference to the series of articleson Covenanter history, now being published in the "EvangelicalChristian"should interest all Covenanters. Theseries began in the August issue. In addition to eight pages of history a column in the "March of Events" sectionbears on the same subject.The September issue covers six fullpages of Covenanter history togetherwith a splendid article on Samuel Rutherford under the title of "Studies of theLives of the Scottish Covenanters." Several others are to follow.I have taken this magazine for yearsand prize it highly. The cost is $2.00for six months or $4.00 for one year. Theaddress is Evangelical Publishers, 366Bay St., Toronto, Canada.Covenanters writing about Covenanters is not new. But when able writersof other churches take the time and energy to praise the deeds and write thehistory of the Scottish Covenanters itcomes with special interest.D. H. ElliottHOW OLD WAS GRANDPA?By Alfred I. TookeOnce a little boy"Grandpa, how old areasked his Grandpa:"Darling, you shouldn't ask peopletheir his mother said."Well, I don't mind this time," Grandpa responded, putting down his Bible."As a matter of fact, I just finished figuring how old I am, so I don't mindtelling you both:"Take the number of Commandments,Add the number of Job's daughters(Job 1:2)Add the number of the plagues (Exodus7-12)Ere Israel passed the Red Sea's waters.Add the number of the Psalms,And the chapters in Isaiah,And the number of the brave menWho went through the furnace fire(Daniel 3:20).When you've figured this correctlyAnd divided by eleven,Add the number of the daysIn which God made earth and heaven(Genesis 6:16)And the days and nights it rained (Genesis 7:12).Now, if you made no mistake,Grandpa's age you've ascertained."How old was Grandpa? You maycheck your answer with the solution onpage 187.Reprinted from The Christian AdvocateDROP IN BEER SALESLiquor sales are showing a gratifyingslump. "In 1954 the U.S. consumed but83 million barrels 4,000,000 barrels lessthan the all-time peak in 1947. In termsof per capita consumption, the dip iseven sharper; beer sales last year weredown almost 15% from the wartimehigh of 18.7 gallons per person. And beeris not the only beverage industry hit:hard liquor sales have slumped nearly30% from the postwar high, to 1.18 gallons per capita. And sales of soft drinksare also down." Time, July 11, 1955."No One Knows Why"The Time editors state that "no oneknows why. Some brewers say thatthey themselves have brought on theslump in beer by preaching moderation.Others feel that it is the natural resultof changes in U. S. living habits. . . . Theworking man . . . has too many . . . thingsto occupy his leisure hours: auto trips,sports, do-it-yourself hobbies, home improvement. Moreover, motorists are increasingly conscious of the danger indrunken driving. Other reasons for thedecline in beer drinking: reducing diets,the fad for low-calorie soft drinks, rising beverage taxes, which have helpedto make the poor man's drink expensive.Ibid.Brewers are now making a supremeeffort to stop the slumpand sell morebeer. "Milwaukee's Schlitz, which onceloaded its beer with vitamin D, is spendingTiny, seven-ounce,millions on TVadvertising."Ibid."ladies' size"bottlesof beer are now on the market. Beerin special small-size bottles selling foras little as five to ten cents is now beingsold. The brewery industry is alert andhustling to regain its lost businessreachingout the "glad hand" to all customers. The head of one of the nation'slargest breweries, in order to halt declining sales in St. Louis, "invited everywholesaler, retailer, and saloonkeeper inthe area to his home 11,000 in all."For eleven nights running, the guestsarrived in batches of 1,000. Bush, withhis handsome third wife Gertrude, 28,made sure to pump every hand, pass afew pleasant words with each. 'Whenmidnight Busch recalls, 'myhand would be so swollen I couldn'tmove my fingers.' Every night hesoaked his hands in Epsom salts untilthe swelling went down; on the eleventhnight the soaking took two hours. Butwhen St. Louis' Budweiser sales shot up400%, Brewer Busch was satisfied."If the vendors of beer are willing togo to such excruciating measures to haltdeclining beer sales, let the advocates oftemperance make even more superhuman sacrifices to drive the beer andliquor interests cut of business.Review & Herald"THE ASTRONOMICAL BIBLE"After almost seven years of work,with a telescope on Mount Palomar, theNational Geographic Societyand theCalifornia Institute of Technology recently announced that three fourths ofthe sky had been mapped to a depthnever before photographed in detail.Two hundred photo-sky-charts, representing the first section of a "GreatAtlas of the Universe," are being sentto the world observatories. The complete work will include 1,758 such mapsand is expected to be ready next year. Inthe announcement from the CaliforniaInstitute ofTechnology, the work wasreferred to as a "treasure chart showingastronomers where to dig for discoveries."Dr. Lee Du Bridge, the Institute'spresident, said it would be "an astronomical Bible for a hundredThis sky survey has been described asthe "farthest reaching everattempted."It reveals "millions of new stars, galaxies and systems of galaxies far out inspace."These discoveries, some scientists believe, may point to a new general law of nature governing the organization of matter in the universe.The facts which our modern astronomers are revealing about our universestagger the imagination. Our standardsof measurement are too small to give usany idea of interstellar space. At bestwe can get a faint notion of the physicalinsignificance of our earth. The wordsof the psalmist are more significant to192day than when they were written,"What is man that thou art mindful ofhim? and the son of man that thou visitesthim?" COVENANTER WITNESS

ECHOES NUMBERBIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 16, 1955WitnessVOLUME LV, NO. 13 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1955Knowledge SupremeKnow thyself, said Socrates; and ever since,some learned men havethought that by this route would man attain the ultimate in human wisdom.Know thy God, say the Scriptures,and a whole new world of knowledge opens up before a person, bringing understanding and eternal wisdom.The greatest treasure a Christian college offers the youth of our landis the knowledge of God. The college which does not.offerthiscanhardly beregarded as a Christian college. Students who graduate from a Christiancollege without absorbing this vital knowledge have missed the uniquetreasure offered by their school.What does such knowledge do for a person? A very great deal, indeed.Constantly it tends to cleanse and purify the mind of the sordid, the selfish,and the distinctly "earthy." Material things must yield their place of primacy in the hearts of men to the things of the spirit. As the concept of eternity, with the infinite God in the center, slowly unfolds before the mind ofthe person enlightened by the Spirit of God, time and matters pertaining tothis life are gradually forced into the background.Inevitably the pursuit of the knowledge of God brings a person faceto face with the Son of God, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Where He is notignored, and thereby rejected, He becomes the directing power in a person'slife. For in the living Christ, the eternal Son of God, are the resources ofthe Almighty. And through Him they are made available to all who loveand trust Him.sent,Thus it may be said, Know thy God and Jesus Christ,and life eternal is yours.Churchwhom He hasBulletin

cause."not."government"same"show."paper."Vineyard GleaningsSix of 10 Americans Now Belong to ChurchesNearly three million people were added to church membership rolls in the United States during the past year. Thelatest count shows that church membership climbed to 97,-482,611 in 1954, a new record. A total of more than 60 percent of all Americans, or six out of every ten persons, nowclaim to be members of some religious body.Church membership today, percentage wise, far exceeds that of the mid-19th century,when Americans werepopularly supposed to be more religious-minded than theyare today.Furthermore, Americans are donating more money thanever for religious purposes. There are more churches thanever. Sabbath school membership is at an all-time high.These statistics are from the Yearbook of American Churches for 1956 released early in September by the NationalCouncil of Churches.In the past year Roman Catholics have gained 2.9 percent and Protestant churches 2.3 per cent. The relativestrength of Protestant and Catholic groups has remained"virtually thefor more than 50 years, the yearbooksays. Protestants now number 57,124,142; Roman Catholics,32,403,332; Jews, 5,500,000; Eastern Orthodox, 2,024,319;Old Catholics and Polish National Catholics, 367,918; andBuddhists 63,000.A breakdown of the Protestant total shows that 18 million are Baptist and 11 million are Methodists.Dr. Benson Y. Landis, Yearbook editor, pointed out thatno one factor can be said to be responsible for the unprecedented degree of religious interest. "The awesome destructive power of atomic energy may have something to dowith it," he said. "But beyond ascribing membership increases to such known factors as unusually high birthrates,accelerated evangelism programs and shifting populationtrends from the cities to the suburbs, it is difficult to pointto theDr. Savage, President of NAE, Sends Strong Red ChinaProtest to PresidentPresident Eisenhower has been made aware of evangelical negative sentiment relative to the U.S. recognitionof Red China and its admission into the United Nations. Theinformation was contained in a letter written to the ChiefExecutive by Dr. Henry H. Savage, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, and delivered in person byClyde W. Taylor, NAE Secretary of Affairs.Prior to delivering the strongly-worded protest, Dr.Taylor stated that the NAE president put the sentiment ofevangelicals on record in such a manner because "severalprominent Protestant churchmen have made various statements on this subject which have appeared to represent theProtestant viewpoint, although we are sure that their statements doIn his letter, Dr. Savage advised the President that "recognition of Chinese Communisteternal blot on our nationalaggressors"would be anconscience."He also pointed outthat the Protestant leaders he referred to had convenientlyoverlooked the fact that they represented only "the smaller segment which has submitted itself to the communistwhile the evangelicals "stand with the largersegment . . . who have rejected Communism."U.S. Editor Raps Religious Curb in Russia194There is not now and never has been religious freedomin the USSR since the beginning of the Communist regime.This charge was made by L. Zabko-Potapovich, editor of theUkrainian Baptist Magazine, at the ninth annual conventionof Ukrainian Baptists meeting in Philadelphia.Editor Potapcvich scoffed at the recent Soviet exchangeof clergymen with the West and said that in reality religiousfreedom in the USSR "is only onHe charged thatworship services shown to the visiting preachers were"nothing but aThe editor, referring to the report that there are now520,000 Baptists in the Soviet Union, claims that there werethree times as many Baptists there in 1918, six times asmany in the 20's, but that most of them were "shot, sent toSiberia or died in the great famine of the 30's in theUkraine."Furthermore, according to Editor Potapovich, the520,000 Baptists are found mostly in the places of exile Siberia, Kazakhstan and othersgrad and Kiev.and not in Moscow, Lenin"It is true that religious freedom is demonstrated totourists and to Baptist leaders from the United States ofAmerica by showing them Baptist worship services in Moscow, Leningrad and Kiev," the editor said."It is nothing but a show. Yet even these shows speak tous. In Moscow in a congregation of 1000, there were onlyolder men and older women. There were no young people.There are no Bibles, no hymnbooks. There are no SabbathSchools. There are no conferences.The editor said that during the Baptist World Congressin London this year the delegates from the Soviet Unionrepeated stereotyped sentences of religious freedom in theUSSR. Yetat the press conference, he said, they had toadmit that they do not have even one theological school inthe whole country."In London, the Soviet delegates were not free, forwherever they went they were followed byspecial agents.You could never see one of them alone, but always in groups."The same delegates proudly declared that there arenow 520,000 Baptists in the Soviet Union. In the year 1918there were 1,000,000 Baptists in the Ukraine alone, and in(Continued on page 196)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka Kanwito promote Bible Standards ofDoctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer*;not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorBFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: 12.50 per year; Overseas, J3.00 ; Single Copiet10 cents.British Isles.E- B" LyOTE- B-A-. Limavady, >.'. Ireland. Agent for tlitEntered as second ciass matter a; the Post Office in Newton, Eanwnder the Act of Marcn 3, 1576.Address communications to the Topeka office.COVENANTER WITNESS

street,"Current EventsMISSION TO MOSCOWChancellor Konrad Adenauer of West Germany concluded his visit to Moscow by agreeing to establish diplomaticrelations with the Soviet Union. In return, Adenauer won averbal promise that Russia would return the 10,000 remaining German prisoners of war. The agreement on diplomaticrelations must be confirmed by the West German Parliament, which probably will balk if Russia does not show goodfaith on the prisoner question.Adenauer claimed that he did not give up any ties withthe West, and did not agree to the present boundaries ofEast Germany. Two days after he left Moscow, however,an East German delegation arrived. The Soviets have madeit plain that they do not consider the Bonn government representative of all of Germany, and that they will not unifyremains in NATO. If fullthe country while West Germanydiplomatic relations are established, Moscow can deal directly with West Germany without consulting the Big Three,even persuade Bonn to recognize the East Germanand maygovernment as the price of further concessions. Adenauer'svisit produced a shift in Russian diplomacy, but not a setback.SCHOOL DAYSNearly 40 million young people are attending Americanschools and colleges this fall, the U. S. Office of Educationreports. This is about a million and a half more than lastyear, markingthe eleventh consecutive year of increasedtotal enrollment. The greatest rise is at the elementarylevel, but high schools and colleges also show an increase.This will become more marked as the war-time "baby boom"reaches the upper levels. The Office of Education predicts atotal school attendance of 51 million by 1964. Already thenation needs 140,000 more teachers and 250,000 classrooms,and the financial problems of our schools are growing steadily more urgent. Local and state meetings are leading upto a White House Conference on Education, which President Eisenhower has called for late November.FARM VOTEDemocrats are moving to make the farm problem amajor issue for 1956. Republican leaders, mindful of thefarm revolt which helped Truman win the election of 1948,have admitted that something must be done. Since 1951,farm prices have dropped 25 per cent and net farm income32 per cent, two-thirds of the latter decline coming underthe Eisenhower administration. Secretary of AgricultureBenson has promised government action to halt this drop.One possible remedy is a subsidy for farmers who withdrawland from crop production. The farm problem will increasethe pressure on President Eisenhower to run again, for heis especially popular among Midwestern Republicans. Agriculture is the dominant occupation in sixteen Americanstates which have a total of 170 electoral votes, and theRepublicans have usually carried a majority of them. TheDemocratic farm campaign is ably headed by two formerSecretaries of Agriculture, Claude Wickard and Charles F.Brannan.CONSTRUCTION SUCCESSThe Ohio Turnpike will open on schedule, October 1st.September 28, 1955It goes for 241 miles across the northern part of the state,from Pennsylvania to the Indiana line. The entire projectwas completed in forty months, as planned. Even more remarkable is the fact that construction costs were very closeto the original estimates, so that the $322.6 million in expenses will be fully covered by the bond issue of $326 millionsold in 1952. The Ohio builders were fortunate in having aperiod of stable prices for their project. They also were ableto reinvest the bond money, while waiting to spend it, andgain more than $9 million in interest. Twenty-two miles atthe eastern end of the expressway have been open for ninemonths and collected nearly $1 million in tolls. The easternend connects with the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and anotherbranch will join with the New York Thruway.LEGION BATTLEA sharp fight is expected when the American Legionmeets in Miami for its annual convention, October 10-13;and we don't refer to the usual boozing and horseplay. It hasoften been charged that Legion policies are set by a smallruling clique of ultra-conservatives. Recently Seaborn P.Collins, the Legion's national commander, issued an attackagainst the Fund for the Republic, a research organizationof the Ford Foundation. The Fund for the Republic is headed by Robert M. Hutchins, an outspoken liberal. It has defended individual freedoms and criticized many of the tactics:used by anti-Communists. The Legion also has split over areport by a special committee on UNESCO. Many Legionnaires had charged that UNESCO was tainted with Communism and atheism, but the Legion committee denied thisand deplored the intolerance of UNESCO's critics. TheLegion traditionally has been isolationist, and it is doubtfulwhether the convention will uphold the UNESCO report. Inany case, some bitter personal rivalries will emerge in theLegion's leadership.EARTHMOVINGAmerican engineers have ended a major threat to thePanama Canal, by removinga large part of Contractor'sHill. This great rock mass was at the Canal's narrowestpoint, in Culebra Cut. Early last year it began to show dangerous cracks, which might have split off tons of rock andblocked the Canal for months. Work began a year ago, andthe 415-foot cliff has now been cut back, with a series ofsetbacks to stop any rock slide. Some two and a half millioncubic yards of rock and earth were removed, at a cost ofthree and a third million dollars.POLITICIANS ABROADOver thirty U. S. Congressmen are visiting Russia orother Iron Curtain countries this fall. Except for a few unfortunate incidents, all have been well received. Senator Kefauver has been busy meeting the Russian "man in theand Senator Ellender of Louisiana seems to havebeen completely won over by Soviet cooking. Others havebeen somewhat more skeptical, or at least non-committal.Most of these trips are paid for by the U. S. government,but their main value seems to be in personal publicity forthe politicians. Few of them can gain any information whichour State Department does not already have.195

ment."self-expression."sins"misery."err."SINRev. E. Clark Copeland"Sin is that abominable thing which God hates,"so we learned in the Children's Catechism. "Abominable"was a big word in our child vocabulary.Probably it was the jaw-breaking dimensions of theword that made the impression. No doubt the mostimportant word in the sentence is "God," because sinhas meaning only in the light He sheds upon it. Nextis "hates" ; that word tells us far more about the awfulnessof sin than "abominable." "For God is love."The terribleness of sin is manifest in the fact thatGod hates it. But that idea all came out of the past.Today sin is dressed up in good clothes and goesabout as a respectable, even desirable, member of so!"ciety. Parents smile at it, "Isn't it cute Educationalists praise it, "It'sJurys are inclined to excuse it, "He's a product of his environYouth insists on it, "Everybody does it." Theabominableness of sin is lost because God who hatesit has no place in the thinking of man.In spite of the outward bluff Society has builtup to avoid any sense of guilt for wrong doing, no.sane individual can look himself in the face withoutrecognizing that there is a lot in him that is, in hisown eyes, abominable, and must be so in the eyes ofeveryone else. God endowed man with a consciencefrom which he cannot escape. True, his conscienceis warped, shrunk, seared until it is no longer whollyreliable. It misses the mark; it fails to work; ithas lost sensitivity ; it is always a few inches short ;it can't "cut a straight line." But it leaves its ownerwretched without knowing why after it is too late.Esau, King Saul, and Judas are but a few examples.serpent,Sin began with Satan who in the form of theentered the world at the permission of oursovereign God, deceived man, and led him away captive, robbed of all good. However, man is responsiblefor his error, being a free moral agent. No amount ofhumanistic reasoning about the existence of God,nor of comparing himself with other men avails tominimize the weight of guilt and its awful consequences.Sin is a miserable estate in which man is completely cut off from God. Paul writes to the Ephesians, (2:1-3) reminding them that they had been"dead in trespasses and until God by His infinite mercy and grace made them alive through faithin Jesus'Christ. In Romans 5:12 we read that deathentered the world through the sin of Adam andthereby passed upon all men. Hence, the Westminster Catechism says "the fall brought mankind intoan estate of sin and Sin, therefore, is basically a condition of nature which all bear and whichbecomes the source of individual sins committedeither in ignorance or willfully.God revealed to Adam His will for man's life,which meant the way of eternal life in Eden. Ourfirst parents discredited God's wisdom,substitutedtheir own rather, the devil's. Hence, even the firstsin is not to be viewed as a simple act, but as a rebellious disposition of mind and heart set against196God. As the head and representative of the race(Rom. 5), Adam passed on to his descendants a corrupted nature, bearing the marks of his own rebellionagainst God. None escapes, for all are as uncleanthings. David was no exception, and he said, "I wasshapen in iniquity." He also bore witness to theiniquitous nature he bore in common with all men,when he said, describing the power of the Spiritupon him, "I kept myself from mine iniquity" (Ps.18:43.)This perverse nature reveals itself in all kinds oflawlessness rebellious acts against God's revealedwill. "Whosoever committeth sin transgressethalso the law: for sin is the transgression of the law"(1 John 3:4). The law is God's revealed will. All sinis either conscious or unconscious breaking of thelaw. Christ's definition of sin in the Sermon on theMount reveals the fact that thought, as well as act,constitutes sin.Inability to meet the righteous standard of thelaw is also sin. The words most commonly translated"sin"in both the Hebrew and the Greek mean "tomiss the mark, to Paul says that "all havesinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom.3:23). Man's blindness, his ignorance, his inabilityto perform even what he knows to be right and desires to perform, are all natural limitations due tothe fall. They constitute his sinful state and are thesource of his sins, for which he is guilty before God.Though God has given man a conscience whichis stirred and uneasy at times, the complete abominableness of sin is not realized except as the HolySpirit stirs the heart through the Word. Conscienceoperates in relation to its enlightenment. Rom. 7 :8-14 shows the power of the Word upon the conscience.Through the Word the deadly disease of sin withinthe heart comes to consciousness. Regeneration doesnot remove the motions of sin. The battle goes on aslong as life remains. But thanks be to God that thereis deliverance from this bodyof death through JesusChrist !VINEYARD GLEANINGS . . . from page 194Russia half a million, together one and one-half millionmembers."In the twenties this number grew to three millionmembers. And now only one-sixth is left of the millions ofBaptists. The rest were shot, sent to Siberia and a greatnumber died in the great famine of the 30's in the Ukraine.And these 520,000 Baptists are found mostly in the placesof exileSiberia, Kazakhstan and others."Now a permission has been granted to print 25,000Bibles. Is that sufficient for the 220,000,000 population ofthe USSR? It is approximately one Bible for 10,000 people.This Bible will be a Russian Bible. That means that 50,000,-000 Ukrainians and 110,000,000 of the other 150 nationalitiesof the Soviet Union will be without a Bible."(Continued on page 199)COVENANTER WITNESS

navigation."44A Tavern in the Sky"By William A. AckermanDirector of The World Home Bible LeagueMany of you have heard of flying fortresses andflying boxcars, but how many of you have heard offlying taverns ? The flying tavern is something newin aviationhistory, but it seems to be an increasinglypopular innovation.Just recently one of the major airlines proudlyintroduced a new plane. In glowing adjectives it describes the luxurious appointments. "It is a revolutionary new passenger plane just waiting to carryyou to glamorous destinations around the world. Itis the ultimate in gracious, spacious comfort. Twoyears of engineering design and $1,500,000 worthof study were involved in making this new contribution to commercial aviation. Four compartments including a lounge and 18 tons of refrigeration equipment equal to 340 refrigerators are featured. Itboasts such things as four 3,250 HP turbo compoundengines and one-half ton of electronic equipment aidsthe crew with communication andWhathath man wrought !But something new has been added. This newlady (if we could call her a lady) of the airlines is aflying tavern too. In order to introduce this luxurious mode of travel to the American public, freecocktails each flight is the featured event and lo andbehold, the drunkard who has often been seen in thegutter, has now been raised to new heights abovethe clouds where people imbibe freely and no amountof liquor seems to be denied.This new plane is easily distinguished from itssister ships for the nose of the fuselage of the ship isblack. A sensitive radar unit is located here which"smells" out storm conditions or danger 100 miles ormore away, enabling the flight engineer to avoid thedanger zone and fly over or around it. It is amazingto note the great costs that have been expended forthe purchase of safety equipment, at the same timethat a more serious element of danger is introducedin the very fuselage of the plane.During the last few weeks Harold L. Pearson,President of the Air Transport Association (ATA),representing 35 airlines, mailed proposals to theCivic Aeronautics Board, urging that airline executives draft a "Liquor Code."As a result of this, and other action, it is reported that certain laws will be enacted, one of themcalling for non-alcoholic beverages to be served onSunday or election day or to minors or to intoxicatedpersons. Sales would be limited also to flights ofmore than and to the hours between noontwo.hours,and midnight. Passengers who became drunk andnoisy en route would be "deplaned" at the first stop.The problem of alcohol in the sky is a problem thatcannot be solved by placing limitations upon theserving of such alcohol. Christians should insist thatalcohol and aviation does not mix and that the serving of all alcoholic beverages on commercial airplanesbe banned.An eminent doctor, having a syndicated columnSeptember 28, 1955in leading daily newspapers, pointed to the fact thatchildren are now visiting bar rooms in the sky. Passengers with children are often embarrassed by theserving of drinks. In most planes the serving of liquor is conducted in the passenger compartment, sono matter how one looks at it he becomes a participant of this evil practice.In a recent article published in the "NationalVoice,"it was stated that "the Airline Stewards andStewardess'Association adopted a resolution disapproving the serving of liquor on commercial airtransports. Officers of the Association were instructed to do their best to discourage the practice "in thepublic' "interest of the safety of the flyingIn a recent article appearing in the "MethodistClip Sheet," the following observation was made:"Airline stewardesses don't like to serve liquor. Manyof them come from homes where alcohol is notserved. They say it is one thing to be a gracious hostess and another to act as barmaid. Handling 'delightfully devilish' passengers is no fun."A few weeks ago I inquired from the stewardessconcerning this practice and this was her reply."We don't really want to serve drinks, but we haveto. All the airlines are doing it." In the particularplane I was in two women passengers had beendrinking excessively and the stewardess referred tothem by saying, "You know, if there was an emergency, I am not so sure I would be willing to sacrificemy life in getting those people out of here. Theyanyhow."wouldn't know what to doFurther elucidation upon this problem of alcohol in the skies is given by a paragraph from "TheChurch Herald" which reads in part, "Pilots deplorealcohol service, according to the president of the Airlines Pilot Assn., Clarence Sayen. Mr. Sayen, according to an article in "American Aviation," opposesdrinking aloft, claiming that pilots should not haveto play nursemaids to people who cannot hold liquor."There is the old story of the principle of themoral margin, telling of the chauffeur who wanted todisplay his skill by showing how close he could cometo the edge of the mountain. These cocktail parties inthe sky are something like that. Flight crews aremen of high caliber and we have the utmost confidence in them for we entrust our lives to their care.But between the cabin and the cockpit is just onethin door and inside the cockpit are the pilot, theco-pilot and the flight engineer. Just a little too closeto this source of liquor to be comfortable too closeto temptation. We have made great advances inaviation history during the present decade, but alcohol in the skies is a problem for all of us to rebelagainst.One of the major airlines at the present timehas a $50,000 contest. In order to win the $50,000one must predict what aviation will be like in 1985.Who dares to make such a prediction in the face ofthe problem we have discussed? And if someone197

dares to make such a prediction, what airline wouldever print it? Look over the timetables of the majorairlines. At the present time one of them flyingexclusively on the west coast has a special planecalled the '^Champagne Flight." It is advertised as anall-luxurious service with champagne at no extracost. Another well-known airline features double deckstrata cruisers and operates a bar on the second deckof the ship. Trans-Atlantic travel is not quite complete now, you know, without the customary drinks.You can travel across the United States and youcan travel across the world on credit today. In fact,they'll throw in free cocktails along the way. In manystates it is illegal to buy liquor on credit, but the airlines have gotten around that.Christians everywhere should rebel against thishideous practice. Tickets which are purchased mustcertainly cover the cost of the alcohol dispensed andthe tickets of the non-drinkers help to pay forthis liquor. The atmosphere of the flying tavern isone that no true Christian can conscientiously enjoy.The Civil Aeronautics Administration has done anexcellent task in keeping the airlines safe. They are aconscientious group who are determined to makecommercial aviation as safe as sitting in your parlor.Christians should write to the Civil Aeronautics Administration at 226 W. Jackson, Chicago, Illinois andprotest the serving of alcoholic beverages on commercial flights. Christians should also check withtravel agents and passenger representatives of theairlines and inquire whether or not there will be alcoholic beverages served on the flight they plan touse. Although free cocktails are dispensed on manyfirstclass flights, not all feature this service. Thesafest way for the Christian to travel today as far asthe alcohol problem is concerned is to take Air Tourist, which is cheaper anyway. In event you cannottake Air Tourist because of a busy schedule and alcohol is served on your flight, ask the stewardess fora complaint form. Write it out and send it to thePresident of the Airlines in protest.Scientists interested in the future of our greatcities are anxiously analyzing and measuring the radio activity in the clouds. Recent explosions ofatomic and hydrogen bombs have contaminated theatmosphere and clouds have borne this contamination over our great cities. But Christians everywhereshould look to the skies too and see a new problemof contaminationalcohol in the skies.BOOK REVIEWSHighlights of Bible Archaeology by Fred H. WightSome people prefer a book on archaeology written by a man who has done actual field work and canspeak from personal experience. This book was notwritten bysuch a man. The man with field experience can speak with authority. Yet his bookis likely to deal with the one field wherehe has worked, instead of dealing with archaeology ingeneral. This book was written by a scholar whoseems to have read almost everything that has beenwritten on this subject of Bible archaeology. It iswell documented. His authorities are quoted in every198case, so that anyone who is interested in a particularfield will know exactly where to turn to find moredetailed information. This deals with all the fields ofBible archaeology, Babylonian, Assyrian, Egyptianand Hittite as well as the Palestinian. The New Testament field is also covered and the more recent discoveries such as the Dead Sea scrolls found in 1947are described. The book is up to date. It contains awealth of valuable material and is one of the bestbooks to appear dealing with the general subject. Itought to have a wide reading. It sells for $3.95 and ispublished by the Moody Press of 820 N. La Salle St.,Chicago 10, 111. R. C. F.J. GRESHAM MACHENA Biographical Memoir by Ned B. StonehouseThat J. Gresham Machen is worthy of an extensive biography, even his enemies would hardlydispute, and he had plenty of enemies. But that 500pages should be devoted to his life and so much of itto his letters to and from his mother, and other material which seems rather extraneous to a biographyof such a man, if it is to be read by a large circle,leads one to doubt the wisdom of the writer in compiling this book. Mr. Machen deserves an importantplace in the history of Presbyterianism as he carriedon the fight for the Princeton of the established orthodoxy of the Presbyterian church. This battle waseventually lost and Princeton Theological Seminarylost its reputation as a conservative champion ofCalvinistic Reformed theology.Mr. Machen also carried on the battle againstmodernism in the Presbyterian Board of ForeignMissions and in the strategy of which he was perhaps the general, the Independent Board of ForeignMissions was established, and this battle finally ledto the expulsion of Dr. Machen and his colleaguesfrom the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.Dr. Machen was the founder of the PresbyterianChurch in America, if any one man can be a founderof a church or a denomination. But let us say thathe was the leader and the first moderator of theirGeneral Assembly. Also that Assembly was the beginning of the Westminister Theological Seminary inPhiladelphia which is still in existence, as is also thePresbyterian Church of America though it now goesunder the name of the Orthodox PresbyterianChurch.In the Third General Assembly the Dr. Carl B.Maclntyre faction lead a skirmish for the ScofieldBible interpretation of eschatology and premillennialism of a certain type. Losing this battle, they formedthe Bible Presbyterian Church and the Faith Seminary. Although we see that Mr. Machen was indeed ahistoric landmark in the history of the PresbyterianChurch U.S.A., as said at first the book is writtenby Prof. Stonehouse who was trained under Mr. Machen in the Princeton Theological Seminary and became his assistant and successor in the WestministerSeminary and is an unrestrained admirer of his hero.lt is a full length portrait with all the trimmings.$5.95 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., GrandRapids, Mich.D. R. T.COVENANTER WITNESS

us."ministers'Ministers'WivesNowadays when a congregation is consideringa pastor they send a committee to hear him preach,and if they like him and his preaching they may invite him to their own pulpit to preach. But their investigation does not stop with finding out about theminister and his work. In nearly every case they alsoinquire about the minister's wife. It is proper thatthey should do so. For the minister's wife may greatly help the pastoral work of her husband, or she maygreatly hinder it.The pastor's wife has many duties and manyprivileges. In many of our congregations she is loaded with duties and responsibilities which should becarried by another member of the Church; as forinstance, the president of the Woman's Society. Sooften she has to teach a class in the Sabbath School.Sometimes that is necessary, I know. But it shouldbe realized that she has many other things to dowhich take her strength and time, and that it iswell for another to do such tasks if at all possible.She is the advisor for her husband. She can tellhim as others can not some things which need to becorrected in his preaching, the little habits whichdetract, of which he is more often unaware. She cantell him when he really had a good sermon, and heusually knows when he had a poor one. She may suggest points which would make it a good one.She often has to stand between her husband andthe members of the Church. Perhaps he wants tokeep study hours without interruptions. She spendshours at the telephone, perhaps learning the factsthat the caller wanted to tell the minister. She informs the person kindly that she will tell the minister when he comes in for dinner, or when he getsback from calling.She spends much time making calls with herhusband. That is a part of her work. It usually makeshis call doubly effective. She is interested in thepeople and is sympathetic with their needs.Those who have special musical talents are expected to help with the choir. They take their turnin cooking for the various church suppers, and entertainments.It should be remembered that she has her ownfamily to care for, the cooking, washing, ironing,cleaning. Members often want to go over the wholehouse to see what she does there, and they are usually ready to criticize if there is something neglected,no matter what caused it to be neglected. Few of ourministers receive sufficient salary to employ help forthese things.She has to stretch the budget to cover manythings. The husband is always before the public andshould be well dressed. People also observe how thewife is dressed. She often has to make over clothesor change last year's hat to make it do anotherseason. She sees that her family has nourishing food,though she has to pinch pennies to give it to them.Much of the discipline and training of the family isher lot.September 28, 1955She must be able to talk, lead in prayer, conduct a meeting, give wise advice, and do it with allhumility and graciousness. Her time, as that of herhusband is not her own. She is on call day and night,and must often give up her own plans to adjust tothose of someone else, often on short notice.All honor to our wives. We often failto give them their due. They are the forgottenheroines, Christian leaders. Many a minister oweshis success to his fine wife.VINEYARD GLEANINGS . . . fromAssociate Reformed Presbyterianpage 196Mr. Potapovich warned that the translators assignedto tourists by the Government can not be trusted by theSoviet Baptists. He said an American Baptist asked themembers of the Moscow congregation :"What message shallI bring from you to your brethren in America?" After along silence an old man answered, "Tell them to pray forBenjamin P. Brown, executive director of the Divisionof Christian Publications of the American Baptist Church,on his return from the Baptist World Alliance Jubilee Congress in London, revealed a Communist trick he observed.Russian delegates attended the congress for the first timein 20 years. They spoke only through an interpreter who wasa Soviet government agent. Dr. Brown noted that the interpreter, an attractive woman, walked out of the sessionswhen a speech on totalitarianism was made, leaving theRussian church delegates ignorant of what was being said.U.S. Medical Team Using Helicopter in Africa SearchIn central Africa a seven-man medical expidition is enroute on the first helicopter crossing of the country, concentration area for some of the world's most serious diseases. The team will make on-the-spot medical surveys inthe Belgian Congo, Ruanda-Urundi, Kenya and Tanganyika.The five weeks expedition will work in cooperation withsome 30 Protestant and Roman Catholic missions. Theteam will gather soil samples from isolated jungle areas inthe search for new antibiotic molds. More than $100,000worth of modern drugs will be distributed to mission stations to help fight local diseases and infection.Color Filmstrips Released by Scripture PressA new series of filmstrips, featuring original paintingsreproduced in full color, has been released by ScripturePress of Chicago. The new 35-mm. strips fall into threeclassifications: Bible stories,gospel narratives and missionary stories. Scripts accompany each. All filmstrips are evangelistic in tone and are slanted primarily for use with children and young people.The six Bible narratives, taken from both Old and NewTestaments, adhere strictly to Scripture. The three gospelstories portray the plan of salvation in fiction about children,while the three missionary strips are authentic incidentsshowing how the gospel reaches individuals in other lands.No missionary organization is mentioned. New titles will beadded to each series yearly.Paintings for the filmstrips were specially designed by acommercial artist and filmed in Kodak color. Closing featureof each strip is an illustrated hymn correlated with themesage of the film.199

served."REMO I. ROBB, D.D.echCovenaiECHOESSeptember, 1955TO ILLUSTRATE THE OCTOBEROctober ThemeOctober 2C. Y. P. U. TOPICSMinor Prophets WhoBecame HeroesAmos.Intolerance at the Top.Support the government and endorseeverything it does or get out. This wasthe order of Hitler to the church whenthe Nazis ruled Germany with an ironhand. Some of the other totalitarianstates have lately imitated this idea indealing with religion. They would nottolerate a faithful preacher who toldthem of their sins and called them to repentance. A country may be very wicked, which is true in many respects ofour country, but so longas we havefreedom of speech and a free pulpit ourchances are favorable to see improvement and we are encouraged to pray fora better day.October 9Hosea.Tested by the Light.Michael Angelo once went into thestudio of a youngartist who had justmade a statue to stand in the publicsquare. Angelo saw its grave defects,and pointed them out to his youngfriend. The exultant artist did not appreciate the criticism of his work, andsupposed the greater man to be movedwith envy. So he told him, in the dimobscurity of his workshop he could notsee the defects which were so apparentto the aged master, and in passion hesneered at the opinion given."Well,"said Michael Angelo, not the least disturbed, "the light of the public squarewill test it.""If we walk in the light as He is inthe light," our professed love for JesusChrist will be well tested.October 16Micah.When War Shall Be No MoreWere half the power that fills the worldwith terror,Were half the wealth bestowed oncamps and courts,Given to redeem the human mind from200error,There were no need of arsenals andforts.The warrior's name would be a nameAndabhorred!againevery nation, that should liftIts hand against a brother, on its foreheadWould wear forevermore the curse ofCain!Down the dark future, through longgenerations,The echoing sounds grow fainter andthen cease;And like a bell, with solemn, sweet vibrations,I hear once more the voice of Christsay,"Peace!"Peace! and no longer from its brazenportalsThe blast of War's great organ shakesthe skies!But beautiful as the songs of the immortals,The holy melodies of Love arise!October 23Henry W. Longfellow.NahumPardon to the UnworthyForgiveness of those who havewronged us is very difficult but veryChristlike.Once when Stewart was governor ofMissouri, he was examining a convictwith a view to pardoning him. He recognized in the man a former mate of ariver steamboat on which he had servedas a cabin boy. The man had been notorious for his cruelty to those at workunder him on the boat. The governorsaid: "I want you to promise that youwill never again take a stick of woodand drive a sick boy out of his berth ona stormy night, because some day thatboy may be governor and you may wanthim to pardon you for another crime.I was that boy once! Here is your pardon."October 30Jonah.A Real Prayer for MissionsA Christian layman at a missionaryconference prayed earnestly, "O Lord,field."send laborers into Thy harvestForThen as the Spirit carried him alonghe prayed, "O Lord, send someone fromour state convention into Thy harvestfield."He paused a moment and then continued, "O Lord, send someone fromfield."our church into Thy harvestAgain there was a pause, longer thistime, and an inward struggle seemed tobe taking place. At length he prayed, "Ihave a daughter, just one daughter. OLord, if it be pleasing to Thee, send herfield."into Thy harvestThat was real prayer for missions.YOUNG PEOPLE'S HELPSAvailable from the C.Y.P.U. Secretary'sOffice1. The C.Y.P.U. Yearbook for 1955.A handbook of information for yoursociety. Topics for each week, suggestions for special meetings, monthlyprojects, a copy of the C.Y.P.U. pledge,and the Plan of Work adopted by thelast national convention, with otherhelps.Although the year is drawing to itsclose, there is still good value in theyear book. Price 15c.2. Pledge Cards.The C.Y.P.U. Pledge on a nice sizedbook mark, handy for your Bible. Freein any quantity.3. The Soul Winner's Project Kit.A manual of discussion and suggestions on different ways of carrying onsociety evangelism. The supply is limited, but free. "First come, firstIt. "What To Do."A booklet prepared by Mrs. A. A.Wylie explaining the duties of the different officers in a young people's society. Free, as long as the supply lasts.5. "The Goal Post."The Covenanter Young People's ownmagazine. The last national conventionset 100% subscription support as an aimfor each society. It is an eight-pagemonthly with articles and items of interest in each copy. Some societies subscribe as a group and take the cost outof their treasury, even as many congregations do for the Covenanter Witness.Subscription price is $1.50each.per year,COVENANTER WITNESS

..DESPEOPLE'SSECRETARYoung People6. The Bible Studies.This is a project of a Synod Committee for the help of youngpeople andadults alike. The studies are too advanced for Juniors,but suitable foryoung people and adult study groups.There are three units, as follows:Unit 1four studies The Gospel, Belief, Repentance, Surrender.Unit 2 six studies Personal Devotion,Obedience, Meeting Temptation,Growth in Grace (2 studies), Witnessing.(Continued on page 203)Left to right(front row) Dr. RemoRobb, Jackie Patton, Cathy Murliss,Alice McKelvy, Nancy Mandeville.(Second row) R. Paul Robb, John Russell, Georgia Wilson, Teddie Morris, SueRobb, Siola Velasquez, Mrs. Ruth Gross.(Third row)James Pennington, DonWindham, Barbara Huston, JoannePogemiller.(Top row)Robert McCracken, RobertYOUNGMcFarland, Scott Boyle, Wendell Spear,Wayne Spear, Robert Gross, Phil Gross.THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING SCHOOLHeld at the Seminary Building, June 14-21, 19551 E , M| j :PtBllf Hjiffe 1/9gBI--r j'j IL.y^^^mm*u*PrTEAM NUMBER ONEwith Oakdale workersTEAMS NUMBER TWO AND THREESeptember 28, 1955 201

game."Lesson Helps for the Week of October 16, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICFor October 16, 1955MICAH, ADVOCATE OF PEACE(Subject by permission of C. E.)Comments by Rev. Theodore F. HarshPsalm SuggestionsPsalm 34, page 79Psalm 37, page 91Psalm 2, page 4Psalm 44, page 112Psalm 122, page 316Psalm 46, page 119PERSONNEL FILE CARDName: MicahAddress : Moresheth-Gath, on the Philistine frontierOccupation: MinisterOther Activity: Social reformerRemarks: "Micah belonged to the people. His sympathies were with thosewhose life he shared. Far from the maddening crowd of those contending forfavor and preferment, he looked atthings not with the eye of the diplomator the party intriguer, but with theclear vision of the onlooker who seesmost of theWard, Prophets of the DawnLittle is known of Micah's personallife. His hometown, Moresheth-Gath inJudah was on the international highwaybetween Egypt and Assyria, so he musthave absorbed his interest in and understandingof world affairs from themessengers who traveled between thecapitals of Egypt, Assyria, and his owncountry. He may have been a peasantfarmer, which would account for hisdeep sympathy with the poor.If Micah is to come alive for us, itmust be through words of his prophecyrather than the details of his life.Most of the evils ascribed to Israel inthe two previous topics could also be ascribed to the Southern Kingdom. Tyranny, oppression, immorality, and idolatrywere widespread. The nation was sowing much the same wind as her neighborto the north, and would as surely reapthe promised whirlwind sooner or later.Couldn't the people see where all thiswas leading? Shouldn't they have knownthe inevitable results of national wickedness? Shouldn't we? Theyshould haveknown, but sin has a way of obscuringthe vision, of making the sinner unmindful of its presence. The people needed aMicah and an Isaiah, and others to declare God's Word and still they continued in disobedience.202Micah's prophecy is not unique amongthose of his fellow minor prophets inhisforewarning of approaching judgall speak of the bitter fruitment. Theyof sin. The distinctive features of Micah's messages are the simple outline ofGod's requirements (6:8) and the promise of a war-free world (4:3)with Isaiah (Isaiah 2:4).sharedThe problems of war were very real toMicah. He lived in a generation thatknew little of real peace, that knewonly war time and a tense, uneasypeace, a generation like our own. Fewat this meeting have lived long enoughto remember a time when there wasneither war nor rumor of war. Everyyoung man faces the call of his countryto military service. What do you thinkof war as a means of settling differences? How should we as Christians regardwar?There are two basic attitudes whichChristians have toward war and participation in war.1. The Pacifist View : People who holdthis view believe that war, especially inits modern form, is always sinful, beinga denial of the nature of God as love, ofthe redemption of Christ, and the unityof the Holy Spirit. Those who hold thisview say that the church will becomea regenerating, remoulding instrumentonly as it renounces war absolutely.Christians are therefore urged to refuse to take part in war themselves, andto replace military force by practicalmethods of active peacemaking. The pacifist turns for his example to Jesus asHe allowed Himself to be arrested, tried,and crucified,and as He refused to allow His disciples to defend Him withforce.2. Others say that there can be sucha thing as a "just" if not "holy" war,that a Christian is obligated to supportthe more just cause even to the extentof war. Those holding this view wouldregard a "just" war as one fought todefend an essential Christian principle.The Christian, though he must be willing to accept martyrdom for himself,cannot expose others to it by refusing todefend them.Thought Questions1. Can a Christian pray for victory inwar? What kind of victory? I John 5:4;I Cor. 15:57; Ps. 98:1, 22. Must a Christian love his enemieseven at the expense of his friends? Matt.5:46-48; Gal. 6:103. If a burglar attacks your neighbor,what is your duty as a Christian? John2 :13-164. Which is the greater evil, resistingevil or accepting it? Isaiah 39:8 ("...peace ... in my days") What is our responsibility to future generations? Micah 2:9bREFERENCES ON WAR ANDPEACE: Isaiah 9:5-7; Micah 5:2-5(This man shall be the peace . . .)Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-5; Jeremiah 614; John 14:27; Matt. 10:34-36; Psalm46:9, 10; James 4:1-3; I Tim. 2:1-4;Philippians 4:6, 7; Ephesians 6:10-17;Hebrews 13:1, 20, 21GODJUNIOR TOPICOctober 16, 1955Mrs. J. E. McElroyMorning Sun, IowaFIGHTS FOR HIS PEOPLEScripture: Joshua 10Memory verse: "Be strong and of goodcourage, fear not for the Lord thyGod will not fail thee, nor forsakethee."Psalms:Deuteronomy 31:6 (a and c)Psalm 118:1-4, page 284Psalm 18:1-4, page 30Psalm 77:11-14, page 186Psalm 107:17-21,page 267Scripture references: Joshua 9:15;Deuteronomy 7:24; Isaiah 28:2; Nehemiah 4:20; Joshua 5:10; I Sam. 7:10;Habakkuk 3:11; Zechariah 14:3.After the Gibeonites had made peacewith Israel in a deceitful way, the kingsof the other cities heard what they haddone. They were very angry with theGibeonites for making peace with theircommon enemy, the Israelites. The kingof Jerusalem sent word to the kings ofthe several other cities and said to them,"Come let us unite our armies intoone great army and fight the Gibeonitesand destroy them; for they have madepeace with Israel."As soon as the people of Gibeon heardthis, they sent word to Joshua, saying:"Come quickly and help us; for weare your servants; and the king of Jerusalem is coming with a great army tokill us all, and destroyour cities. Thewhole country is in arms against us;come at once, before it is too late!"The Lord told Joshua not to be afraidof the five kings, for He would deliverthem into the hands of the Israelites. Atonce Joshua called out his army, andmarched all night up the mountains. Hecame suddenly upon the five kings, andCOVENANTER WITNESS

pleased."their army at a place called Beth-horon.Joshua did not give his enemies timeto form in line, but fell upon them suddenly so that they were driven into confusion, and fled before the men of Israel. The Lord helped His people bysending a hail-storm upon the enemy,which killed more Canaanites than werekilled by the sword.After a while Joshua looked at thesun and saw that it was going down.But the battle was not yet ended, Joshuaspoke to the sun and said :"Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon,And thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon."And for the only time in the historyof the world, the sun stayed in its place.God granted Joshua's prayer and madethe day longer for him. The Lord wantedJoshua to win this battle so that theland would belong to the people of theLord. If Israel had been defeated anddestroyed, instead ofCanaan, then theBible would never have been written,the worship of the true God would havebeen blotted out, and the whole worldwould have worshiped idols. The battlethat day was for the salvation of theworld as well as of Israel.After the victory Joshua followed hisenemies as they fled, and killed many ofthem, until their armies were broken upand destroyed. The five kings who hadled against Joshua were found hiddenin a cave, were brought out and wereslain, so that they might never againtrouble the children of Israel.Still the soldiers of Israel went on, formany days more, taking every city theycame to. The Lord was with them allthe time, giving courage and strengthto Joshua and his soldiers. The Lordwanted all the southern part of Canaan,from Kadish-barnea to Gaza conqueredand inhabited by the Israelites.And we know today that the Lord hassomething for you to do each day andso we must "Be strong and of good courage, fear not for the Lord thy Godwillnot fail thee, nor forsake thee."Deuteronomy 31 :6. And if you but askHim He will strengthen and sustain youso that you will be able to do wellwhatever comes for you to do, whetherit is music lessons, school lessons, homework, Bible study, and many other tasksin which Juniors are privileged to havea part.(Continued from page 201)Unit 3 four studies What is the Bible?, Authority and Inspiration of theBible, Understanding the Bible, Practical Uses of the Bible.Over 8500 copies of these studies havebeen put to use throughout the Church.Cost is 2c per copy.September 28, 19557. Tracts."Covenanter Evangelism"reprint.a 16-page"The Church of the Covenanters"a 4-page brief statement of what we believe and what we have promised ourLord. Good to hand to new adherents.Free to those who will use them.SABBATHSCHOOL LESSONOctober 16, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on International Sunday SchoolLessons ; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Religious Education.)THE BAPTISM OF JESUSLuke 3:1-38Printed Text, Luke 3:2b-8a, 9-22Memory Verse, Luke 3:22: "Thou artmy beloved son: in whom I am wellBaptisms are common. One is witnessed by a congregation, and rates aline in the church paper, and is seldomif ever heard of again. This is the storyof all baptisms, save one. Today thewhole Christian world is studying thebaptism of One Person.John had been baptising many personswho realized that they were lost sinners.They could not be saved in their sins.John baptized them for the remission oftheir sins. John could not remit theirsins. He did not have the power. But hesaw one standing in their midst who hadthe power. He had no thought of baptizing Jesus until Jesus presented Himselfand asked to be baptized. John said itwas he who needed to be baptized byChrist. But at Christ's word, John baptized him.John the Baptist.Who was he? A VOICE from the wilderness. He came and uttered his voice,and disappeared. He had done his workwell.He announced the presence ofChrist in a voice that has reached theuttermost parts of the earth. The Voicewas much more than an announcement;it was an appeal: "Prepare ye the wayof the Lord." What "Way"? The wayinto your own heart.John was born and reared for thisprecise purpose; that by preaching Baptism of repentance for the remission ofsins, he might teach men to prepare theway into their hearts for the Lord toenter. It has been said that in the lifeof everygreat man there has been aperiod of solitude in touch with nature.Moses was alone with his flocks when hesaw the Burning Bush. The Word ofGod came to John in the wilderness. Heobeyed the call and came to the Jordan,calling the people to repent of their sinsand have them taken away.Isaiah called John a Road Maker.Marveloushow some of our modernroads have been leveled, straightenedand made smooth. We must each oneprepare the entrance into our own door.The Highway.Many efforts have been made to prepare a way to glory. One of man's greatest failures was the Tower of Babel. Itsruin is complete. The Pyramids ofEgypt; the Collosseum at Rome; thePeace Palace at the Hague. And is it toosoon to add the great Home for the U.N.in New York? Then there are the multitude of tycoons and the host of thosewhose ambition is to pave with wealtha way where they can travel to glory.All these efforts fail. The way for ushas been prepared. Ours to prepare theway for the Lord to enter our hearts.Christ is our Way, by which He willlead us to Glory. But He must firstcome into our hearts before He can leadus in a life of service, and later to aHome in Glory.The Builders and Their Task.John performed no miracles. He wasGod's Voice, and all classes came tohear him. Some came to find fault. Inone sentence, John laid their purposebare. Our common use of the word"generation"is here misleading. It doesnot refer to those present,or to thoseliving at that time. It is addressed onlyto those who are the offspring, children,of vipers. Like Christ, he was callingsinners to repentance. They thoughtthat a great movement was about totake place. In their present condition,any change might bring an improvement. They did not come to help in agood work, but to take advantage byfalse pretences or trickery of whatevermight come. Now, the "Way" that theywere to build was for the Lord, that Hemight come to them. The repentance towhich John called must not be a pretense. They must cease to do evil, andlearn to do well. From Higley's Commentary; "There is a kind of workswhich is best illustrated, not by the fruittree, but by the Christmas tree. Its appurtancesare artificial. They may bevery glittering, but they are void of life.glitters.' "'All is not gold thatJohn shows that baptism in itself isnot sufficient. It is a sign, a symbol. Thephysical act makes no change in character.John Shows That Baptism Is Not inItself Sufficient.If one receives baptism in the truespirit of repentance unto new obedience,he will receive the baptism of the Holy203

iage."slept."out."marriage."Spirit and of fire. John was not worthyto baptize his Lord, but he was permitted to do so, that Christ in His humanity might fulfill all righteousness.Baptism is more than a turning fromsin; It is an endeavor after New Obedience. That is, the obedience of a NewCreature. Man cannot render perfectobedience as is required. So Christ, inaccepting baptism, assumed man's covenant of perfect obedience, and fulfilledit. So when we enter with Christ intoHis baptism,and join with Him in Hiscovenant of obedience, His perfect obedience is imputed to us through faith.Faith does not release us from anyduty. Christ's work supplements, fulfills, makes perfect, our work that wecannot do.Most of the ancient prophets just appeared. Some, we do not know fromwhence they came. John, the last of theOld Testament and the first of the NewTestament Prophets, was foretold 500years before his coming. He introducedChrist to a waiting world. At Christ'sbaptism the three Persons of the Godhead are introduced in one paragraph;God the Father said, "This is My beloved Son." The Holy Spirit descended inthe form of a dove.John seems to have baptized at several places along the Jordan, but we donot know where Jesus was baptized. Nodifference. There is no promise of special blessing for being baptized in theJordan. However, there are many pilgrims who travel far to be baptized inthe waters in which Jesus was baptized.Water is carried from the Jordan allover Christendom for use in baptism,as though it had some virtue. The waterthat is flowing in the Jordan today, mayhave been in the Mississippi two thousand years ago.We should not confuse baptism withwhat it symbolizes.Some would have over-rated John, hewould not allow it. He could not overrate Jesus.Man's greatest ministryduce Jesus.Psalms:is to introPRAYER MEETING TOPICOctober 19, 1955THE TEN VIRGINSMatt. 25:1-13Rev. Charles Sterrett97:6-10, page 23390:6-8, page 22218:23-25, page 3350:1, 2, 5, 6, page 127204References: Psa. 84:11; Prov. 9:12;Matt. 24:44; Luke 12:35-37; John 14:3;Rom. 14:12; I Cor. 1:7; Eph. 2:8; Col.3:4; I Thess. 3:13; 5:4-6, 23; I Tim. 6:14; II Tim. 2:1; Titus 2:13; Heb. 10:37; 13:9; Jas. 5:8; I Peter 4:7-10; IJohn 2:28; Rev. 22:20.This parable is one of several ourLord told, among other things, in answer to His disciples' question aboutHis "coming" (ch. 24:3). Its main lesson: To be ready and accepted of Himat His coming, whether at the unrevealingtime of one's death, or of theGeneral Judgment of the Last Day,preparatory to "the Marriage.""To meet the Bridegroom," the common hope of all ten virgins in thisParable, is the common hope of all aspirants for "the kingdom of heaven"(v. 1).This hope is not realized by all; inthe parable, only by the five wise virgins who "took oil in their vessels withtheir lamps"; in the Kingdom, only bythose who have in their hearts what the"oil"symbolizes, the Holy Spirit, or theinfluence or power of the Spirit, whichcommonly called grace, supernaturalor divine grace.Common Grace Is Not SufficientIn the parable, the foolish virgins, aswell as the wise, "took their lamps, andwent forth to meet the bridegroom."Eastern nuptial ceremonies consisted inoutdoor processions as well as indoorfestivals. Being held at night, each processionist was expected to carry a torch.As the bearers advanced along the winding paths, the interesting and dancingrays of many separate lights added liveliness to the scene.When the ten virgins in this parblereached a certain point on the expectedroute of the bridegroom, they all hadtheir lamps burning brightly. They allseemed to show equal interest in hiscoming. As they watched and waited, allbecame weary, and set their burninglamps down and reclined on the ground."While the bridegroom tarried, they allslumbered and At the cry of aherald, they were awakened, "arose andtrimmed their lamps" now quite dim;some having gone out. The foolish vir"oil."gins were in trouble. They lackedIn the Kingdom, all members of theChurch, the professed subjects andfriends of the King, the Bridegroom, arebanded together, and are on their way tomeet and honor the Bridegroom. Eventhose who "outwardly" hear and acceptthe Gospel Invitation, who "have somecommon operations of the Spirit" (SeeAns. to L.C.Q. 68), and are identifiedwith the group, hope to be at "the MarApparently, some formal or false pro fessors of Christianity have as goodmoral conduct and Christian refinement to show as those who make a trueprofession; and at the outset, both intheir own opinion and that of theirneighbors, theyare all alike Christians.For quite some time their lives mayglow, their "lamps" burn brightly.But when the sincerity of their profession and ground of their hope is putto the test, it will be found that theirlights will fade away, that they do notreally have what it takes to see themthrough. Common grace that affectsonly one's head or body, and carbonshis "lamp," is not efficacious, not irresistible, not persevering, not saving,not sufficient.Special Grace Is SufficientIn the parable, when the foolish virgins found they could no longer keeptheir lamps aglow, they said to thewise: "Give us of your oil; for our lampsare gone The wise replied thatthey had "not enough for us and you:but go ye rather to them that sell andyourselves."buy forThough it musthave seemed to the wise a late hourto buy oil, it was the best answer theycould give in the circumstances. In theday, when oil was available, each of thewise had bought for herself, personally,and had the oil in her personal vessel, todraw on in case of personal need such ashad now arisen. Only those who werethus provident and wise were "ready"when the bridegroom came. "And theythat were ready went in with him totheIn the Kingdom, empty formalists areinclined to lean on, or sponge off, those"filled with the Spirit." True Christiansare channels of common grace, but notsprings. Each unbeliever is under thenecessity of making direct personal contact and contract with the Lord, fromwhom proceeds the Spirit of Grace, whochanges hearts and gives grace. This isthe Special grace every one needs to beaccepted of the Lord.No saved sinner can be a saviour ofsinners. Christ is the One and Only Saviour for every one. No bestowal ofgrace by the whole Church can absolve asinner. A true Christian can not imparta share of the saving grace that willsave him, to a dying unbeliever. Here'swhere "every man shall bear his ownburden"(Gal. 6:5). Individual responseto, and action on, the Gospel invitation,is required of every responsible person.Personal faith in Jesus Christ is the special and sufficient grace needed; the"saving grace, whereby we received andrest upon Him alone for salvation, asHe is offered to us in the Gospel."isCOVENANTER WITNESS

cometh."onel"saved."say."you,"Special Grace Is AvailableIn the parable, the foolish virgins hadthe same incentive and opportunity toget the special, high-test oil,as thewise. It was their own careless neglectthat left them on the outside of thatshut door.In the Kingdom :"Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation"(II Cor. 6:2). Only those whoaccept Christ's offered grace now, are"wise"and are "ready." And only the"wise"and"ready"can sleep with safety. It matters little to them whether theLord comes when they are asleep, in thefield, at the mill, in the kitchen, in theoffice, on the highway, at their devotions; at work or play; they have received of His grace, have made theirpeace with God, and are honestly tryingto do His will, wherever they are, whatever they are doing. TheyAre you? "Watch. . . forare"ready."ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Sonof ManHOW TO GET RID OF YOURPREACHER1. Look him straight in the eye whilehe is preaching and say "Amen" once ina while. He'll preach himself to death ina few weeks.2. Pat him on the back and brag onhis good points. He'll soon work himselfto death.3. Start paying him a living wage.Perhaps he is one of those preacherswho have gone on starvation wages forso long he'd eat enough to kill him ifhe ever got the chance.4. Rededicate your own life to Christ,and ask the preacher for a job to do,(preferably some lost person you wouldwin to Christ). He'll die of heart failure.5. Get the church to unite in prayerfor the preacher,so effective, some .take him off your hands.and he'll soon becomelarger church willKiamichi Mission News"Education in Cyprus"by W. W. WierCyprus is now in the newspolitically. Why is the movement for unionwith Greece being led by the church?A good time to become informedabout the Island generally geography, history, present development,with emphasis on education including the impact of the schools of theCovenanter Church.You may secure your copy of "Education in Cyprus" by writing to R. B.Weir, 74 Rossmore Ave. Bronxville 8,New York.Price now $2.50.September 28, 1955Compassion for "The ColonelSamuel H. Hadley, successor to JerryMcAuley of far-famed Water StreetMission in New York, contacted manyministers and mission workers in hisday who, sad to say, did not meet withmuch success when it came to winningsouls. Sermons, services, and variousmeans and methods were used in plentybut they did not have the effect ofdrawing men and women into the Kingdom. Hadley realized what was wrong,and remarked to a friend that if moreChristians would experience the love ofChrist as portrayed in the thirteenthchapter of First Corinthians, a revivalwould follow such as the world had never known.Hadley himself had known the disappointment and failure of trying to winthe lost without this love for the oneshe sought to win. His success lastedonly as long as his patience held out.His biographer tells of the time whenhe became sadly aware of his lack.The revelation came one Monday evening. The night before (Sabbath) a character known as "The Colonel" in theBowery district had come to the penitent-form and claimed conversion. Hehad belonged to one of the most wealthyfamilies in Ohio and was actually acolonel in the U.S.A True Story by Elizabeth GatesArmy, but drinkproved his ruin, and for twenty-fiveyears now he had been a confirmeddrunkard and common beggar. His condition was repulsive. He was blear-eyed.He wore a ragged old overcoat, probablypicked out of some ashbin, and fastened with a nail at the front. He hadneither shirt nor undershirt. His trousers were a puzzle of holes tied togetherwith stringand some pieces of cloth.His feet were tied with pieces of carpet.After saying he was saved, "The Colgave Hadleyno peace until hesecured sufficient money to get a bedand a meal. However, he turned up atthe penitent-form again the next night,Monday, with a show of contrition. Hegot down, prayed very unctuously,jumped up and assured Mr. Hadley thathe was "saved for sure this time!" Themission worker had had a tiring day andthe meanness of the man's motivesproved the last straw to his patience.Repellingwith disgust the old tramp'sattempted embrace, he pointed to thedoor. Seeing by Hadley's mood that appeal was useless, the old man obeyed;but as the poor, friendless, miserablefigure passed out into the night theSpirit of God smote Hadley. He sawhimselfa professed soul winner but astranger to that love of Christ whichwould have wept and struggled for thesalvation of just such a soul as he hadsent so coldly and impatiently away.That night was a sleepless one forSam Hadley. One thing only possessedhis thoughtsthe poor old colonel. Theburden weighed upon his heart until twoweeks later when he had to attend themonthly meeting of mission workers.The speaker for the afternoon failed toappear and someone suggested askingMr. Hadley. The latter replied, "Yes, Ihave something toWalking up to the platform withshame and tears, he confessed his treatment of the old beggar. There in thepresence of his fellow workers, he whohad so often called others to the penitent-form became the penitent himself.The effect was powerful. No one suggested prayer, but one and all fell totheir knees and commenced to pray for"The Coloneland for Hadley. Andas prayer arose on his behalf, Hadley, melted in self-abasement, met theSaviour.He immediately hastened to WaterStreet Mission where he found "TheColonel"sitting in his rags and miseryon the back seat. Throwing his armsaround the derelict's neck he wept. Thebewildered old man was then taken fora good meal, after which hot water,soap, towels and clean clothes were produced. With his own hands Hadleywashed and dressed the poor outcast.The old colonel stayed for the meeting.By this time he was shaking with emotion and his tears fell on the floor as hecried, "O Lord, if it ain't too late, savethis poor sinner!"This continued forsix nights, and Hadley wisely left himto the Holy Spirit. On the Saturdaynight, "The Colonel" rose with heaven inhis face, and said, "Mr. Hadley, I am"And I believesaid Hadley, throwing his arms around his friend.The Colonel was transformed fromthat moment into a true child of God.God restored to him his intellect; hisyouth appeared to return and the tall,dignified Christian gentleman testifiedin the most convincing manner to howChrist had reached down and saved him.Hadley said of his later life that theColonel was one of the most noble specimens of humanityhe had ever known.A wonderful conversion, yes ! But whydid it happen? It happened becausesomeone was willing to humble himselfbefore God; willing to appear as nothingin the eyes of his fellow workers;will-205

no'gait!"roast"ing to die to his reputation as a successful rescue worker if he could only getthe love of Christ to possess his heartand flow out through him to the poormen and women in the Bowery. Yes,Sam Hadley knew what it meant for theHoly Ghost to shed Divine Love abroadin his heart, and God used him to winhundreds of men like the Colonel duringhis ministry.The price of success, the price of winning souls, is the same in every case:"Except a corn of wheat fall into theground and die, it abideth alone: but ifit die, it bringeth forth much fruit."Pentecostal EvangelTHE ELDER BROTHERIt was during the dark century whenthe powers-that-be in Scotland had forbidden all attendance at the church onthe Lord's Day. A little lassie was crossing the heath toward a secret meetingplace, when she was stopped by a greatsoldier who pointed his sword at herthroat and demanded where she was going. The heart under the little Scotchplaid yoke may have been beating atdouble time, and the childish voice mayhave trembled a bit, but still she answered truthfully: "And if it please ye,kind sir, my Elder Brother has died;soud I gang to my Father's hoosefor to see what He has left me in Hislast wull and Testament?"This must have sounded likegoodthrifty commonsense to the Scotch soldier for he said to her: "Ay, ay, lassie!Gang yerAnd the little childwent her way to worship her Fatherwith others who had braved imprisonment and death for their love of Godand His Church.First Church Flashes.THE TYRANNY OF "THEY"an editorial from the Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Mass.We wish to quote on a pertinent subject a United States senator, a letterfrom a reader, and ourselves.Says Senator Richard L. Neuberger,writing in the magazine Railway Progress:I happen to be a nondrinker. I justdon't like it. I'm not a prohibitionist,but I am a teetotaler. If I mention thisat a party when tendered a highballI'm invariably amazed by the numbersof others around me who seem to takecourage and add, "I'd like tomato juicetoo. I'm likewise anondrinker."But ifI had not mentioned the matter first Iam sure they would have kept silent andtoyed bravely with Bourbon and soda.206In a letter reprinted on this page aChurch NewsMID-WEST PRESBYTERY MEETINGMidwest Presbytery meets at Clarinda,Iowa October 4, 1955 at 7:30 P.M. ASpecial Meeting is called for October 6,1955 at 3:00 P.M. at Topeka, Kansas, forthe purpose of ordaining and installingDonald McClurkin. Remember Sessionsare to bring reports "On things of spiritual value and interest."There will be two sessions of themeeting in Topeka: the first will be at3:00 p.m., and the evening meeting at7:45 p.m., and the place will be theUnited Brethren Church building, corner of 12th and Quincy Sts. for bothmeetings.C. E. Caskey, ClerkCINCINNATI CONGREGATIONThe new address of Rev. and Mrs.Theodore F. Harsh and family is 1975E. Sutter Avenue, Cincinnati 25, Ohio.The new telephone number is Montana1-5126.NOTICENew Home Mission Secretary AddressAfter October 7, 1955, the address ofthe Home Mission Secretary, Rev. RemoL Robb, will no longer be 1102 NinthAve., Beaver Falls, Pa. He is movingto a new address, which will be 1217Sixth Avenue, Beaver Falls, Pa.After October 7,all correspondenceof any nature should be sent to the newaddress.PSALM SINGPSALM FESTIVAL ATOLATHE CHURCHNOVEMBER 25, 1955at 6:00 P.M.CALLING ALL KANSANS(Further announcement later)OLATHEThere were 19 from Olathe who attended the Forest Park Young People'sConference either for full or part time.Congratulations to Carol and DonaldMcBurneywho were two of the fourwinners of the Psalm Contest of theJuniors at Forest Park. Since therefew days ago one of our readers in Chicago writes:Six of us . . . were sitting near theoutdoor dance floor of one of the hotels.When the native bar attendant approached our table all but one orderedbeer or martinis. But when they learned,through my order, that the bar could,and with some reluctance would, servelimeade, all but one changed his order.were four who came out "first" in thecontest, the silver cupwill be in thepossession of each of the winner's society for three months. Olathe will bepleased to have it for 6 months becauseof our two "winners."On Sabbath, September 4,an unusually fine "Echo Meeting" was held atboth the morning and evening services.There were 16 who took part and eachbrought back splendid reports.We were happyto have Martha andAnna Hutcheson in our midst for awhile before they returned to College.Martha will be a Sophomore at GenevaCollege this year and Anna a Sophomoreat Park College. Friday night, September 9, the Blue Banner Society gave a"weinerLake Olathe.in their honor at the newThe September meeting of the Women's Missionary Society was held inthe home of Mrs. Mary Tippin. Mrs.Mary Everett led the devotional periodand Mrs. Harvey McGee reviewed achapter from the Mission Study Book.We were pleased to have Dr. S.Bruce Willson, President of our Seminary, speak in our Olathe Church andshow his very fine pictures of the Seminary. A "covered-dish" supper was given in his honor.Mrs. Dorothy Brown entertained theYoung Women's Missionary Society inher home in September. Mrs. Patty Mayconducted the devotional period andMrs. Frank Stewart the mission study.We were glad to have Martha and AnnaHutcheson present at this meeting.Mrs. Anna Wilson has been attendingthe morning worship services after along period of confinement in her home.We rejoice that she is able to be out tochurch again.Word has come from Harold Hutcheson that he is now stationed in Frankfurt, Germany and likes his new assignment very much.Norman Hutcheson is still stationedat Ft. Devens, Mass., and is looking forward to being sent to France sometimein November.Mrs. Ella McGee, our oldest memberwas out to church Sabbath, September11, at both the morning and eveningservices. The day before, she was aguest at a dinner given in honor of the"Old Settlers" ofOlathe, during theirannual celebration, and was among theoldest of the Old Settlers present. Mrs.McGee is 95 years of age.COVENANTER WITNESS

serve."TOPEKA NEWS ITEMSOn August 21 we were privileged tohave Rev. J. E. McElroy preach for us,and also to have his family present, andhis father and sister Elizabeth. We worshiped as a congregation at Forrest Parkon the Sabbath cf August 28. This wasthe closing day of the Forrest Park Conference and the climax of a week ofspiritual help and uplift. On September4 our new pastor Lie. Donald McClurkinconducted our services. We are thankingGod that our prayers have been answered and that we now have His servant to lead us. Ordination and Installation Services are arranged for October6.The church building in which we havebeen meeting the past nine months hasnow been sold and we have been forcedto find another place to meet. We arenow meeting in the Washburn RuralHigh School building. This is the schoolof which Wilbur McElroy is principal.We are rejoicing that the deed forour church lot has now been secured andalso that the propertywas recentlyannexed by the city. We are now waiting for the permit to build and hopethat progress toward our new churchbuildingwill go forward rapidly.The newest member of the congregation is Kevin Robert, born August 10, toMr. and Mrs. Robert Maine. He madehis first appearance at church when amonth old.We are sorry to report the death ofone of our members. Miss KathleenQuigley passed away September 2 at theMethodist Home for the Aged at the ageof 81. Burial was at Morning Sun, Iowa.Funeral Service in Topeka was conducted by her former pastor, Dr. Taggart,assisted by Pastor Elect Donald McClurkin. A grave-side service was conducted at Morning Sun by Rev. John O.Edgar and Dr. H. G. Patterson.HOME MISSION BOARD MEETSThe Home Mission Board held its firstbi-monthly meeting for the 1955 fall andwinter season on Monday, September 12,at its usual gathering place, the U.P.Community House, North Side, Pittsburgh, Pa. Not all members were present for this first meeting, but there wasa very good majority.Officers for the comingelected as follows:PresidentR. Howard GeorgeVice-president D. Howard Elliottyear wereRecording Secretary Kermit S. EdgarCorresponding Secretary Remo I. RobbTreasurer Chester R. FoxNews from the fields indicate that theautumn program is opening accordingto schedule. Since the meeting of theBoard came very soon after the openingSeptember 28, 1955of school a number of matters of interest were still unsettled.The Indian Mission reports that a newsuperintendent is in charge at the Ft.Lawton Indian School, "A most sincereChristian man with a wide experiencelocalities."among the Indians in manySomewhat discouraging or uncertainis the program of drastic changes beingpromoted rapidly by the Department ofthe Interior among tribes local to theApache congregation.The Board is happy to present to theChurch Miss Edith F. Moore, the newworker in Kentucky. She is a formermissionary of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Board to India, where sheserved from 1917 to 1951. She is askilled Bible teacher and has taught ina Training School for preachers andworkers. After returning to this countryshe lived for a time in Beaver Falls,and has spoken to a number of thankofferingmeetings. She is also wellknown to some Covenanter neighbors onCollege Hill. A year ago she moved toGlendale, California, where she workedin a religious institution.Her letter to the Board states :"Youmay be assured I shall gladly hold tothe rules of your Mission and be veryloyal to your Church and the progressof your work. In that I have served under the C. & M. A. that will not in anyway lessen myfullest cooperation withyour church and its ministry,nor shallI teach in any way to conflict with yourdoctrines, but shall seek the upbuildingof your work in Kentucky, being faithful to my Lord, your Church, and thepeople whom IMiss Moore reached Kentucky on August 31, 1955, and is now taking up thefull schedule of teaching and driving asan associate of Mrs. R. C. Adams, director of the Kentucky work.The Home Mission Board commendsto the Church these consecrated womenand their missions in teaching the Biblein public school classes and SabbathSchools in the mountain areas of Kentucky.A sentence from the report of a worker in another area sums up the thoughtof our meeting"We look forward tothe coming months with our hopes andprayers centered on a growing spirituallife."The Board asks for your united prayers and your consecrated interests inall its fields and in the problems of theaid-receiving congregations.Dr. Robert C. Murphy of the Connellsville congregation completed his work atthe University of Wisconsin, last yearand has accepted an appointment in theSchool of Medicine at the Universityof Iowa. His new address will be :Dr. Robert C. Murphy311 Stadium ParkIowa City, Iowa.FAREWELL TO CHICAGOTo say good-bye is never an easy task.Saying farewell to your congregation,we were early told, would be one of themore unpleasant features of the ministry. We found it, therefore, a great joyto have our farewell made somewhatlighter by the Chicago congregation itself. On our last Saturday evening inthe city, we were the recipients of abountiful farewell dinner given in ourhonor, tastefully served by our Scottishfriends in the congregation. Despite thethoughts of impending departure, ourevening was made memorable by thedinner itself, the large number of thecongregation who were able to be present, and the presentation by theC.Y.P.U. of "This Is Your Life," withthe writer and his family the subjects ofthe sketch.The Chicago congregation respondedto our leaving them with typical generosity, leaving with us, as they put it,"a small token of their love and regardfor their pastor and family." We can assure them that the gift was much needed in the face of the moving expenses incurred. But more than this token weshall continue to remember the prayersand the support and the interest shownby young and old alike in this corner ofGod's vineyard. We wish here publiclyto express our deepest appreciation toall of our Chicago friends. We commendthis people to the Church, and pray tothe Great Shepherd of the sheep that Hewill, in His time and way, bring anotherundershepherd to guide them. Thankyou Chicago!Norman, Beverly, and Mark Carson207

THIRD CHURCH PHILADELPHIAWhile our pastor Rev. George W.Price was away during August as councelorof youngpeople at White LakeCamp, and on vacation, our pulpit wasoccupied by Rev. Dr. Norman E. Langford,editor of "Crossroads," and Rev.Gordon F. MacClean; and our PastorEmeritus, Dr. Finley M. Wilson. Dr.Wilson also conducted the Sabbathmorning services of the Arch St. Presbyterian Church and Market Square Presbyterian Church of Germantown duringthe absence of their regular pastors.Miss Isabel Crawford, superintendentof the Sabbath School, presented Biblesto two new scholars who had attendedeight consecutive weeks.Transportation to White Lake wasprovided bymembers of the Blue Banner Class for the 12 boys and girls whoattended camp this year. Flood watersprevented Mrs. Price's first attempt toreach camp but we are thankful that allarrived home safely, enriched by theirvarious experiences.Mr. Samuel Nelson, long time friendof Third Church folks passed away August 22 at the home of his son. We misshis happy smile and hearty handshakeand his faithful attendance in SabbathSchool and church.Miss Ray Forsyth has recovered froma severe attack of shingles and is againable to attend Sabbath services. MissMathilda Wolfert is also regaining herstrength, recuperating from a recentfall. Little Ronald Robb, son of our sexton, has been confined to St. Christopher's Children's Hospital with rheumatic fever. Our prayers are for hiscomplete recovery.We were in prayerful concern also, forMiss Elizabeth McHatton who accompanied her sister en a cruse to Burmudaabout the time of hurricanes "Diane"and "Edith."Miss Anne Forsyth visited Mrs. FrankMasterson, out-of-bounds member livingin Wildwood, N. J., and reported hercheerful acceptance of God's will as shefaces impending blindness.Mr. and Mrs. Jackson and the McLean family of our sister congregation,Mr. James McCandless and Mrs. Dorothy Cole were welcome worshipers withus during the summer months.Elder and Mrs. Alex M. Adams spenttheir vacation at the summer home oftheir son, Rev. Arthur Adams of Rochester, N. Y.ALLEGHENYWe had several guests as ministersduring the summer. We were privilegedto hear Dr. Roy Fullerton, Dr. E. L.McKnight, and Dr. J. Burt Willson.208September has arrived, and most ofour members have returned from theirsummer vacations. These vacation spotsextended from New England to Kansas.The most thrilling trip of all is onewhich began on Tuesday, September13th. On that date Miss Myrtle E. Wylie left Los Angeles for a trip aroundthe world by air. It will take until thelatter part of November. About sixteenfrom our congregation went to theGreater Pittsburgh Airport onSaturdaymorning, September 10th to see her offand wish her God-speed.A new amplifying system has been installed in the church. Loud speakershave been placed in both the Sanctuaryand the Ladies' Parlor. There are alsoseveral outlets with ear-phones in two ofthe pews. These can be controlled by theindividual listener.Honorable Eugene Siler, Congressmanfrom Kentucky, will be speaker at thebanquet of the Allegheny County Convention of the W.C.T.U. to be held onThursday evening, September 22nd.The annual corn roast of the BlueBanner Club was held at the Chapel inRiverview Park on Tuesday, September13th. In the evening, we assisted thecommittee of the Christian AmendmentMovement by inserting letters andtracts in envelopes.Respectfully yours,Margaret H. Allen,Press Com.W. J. AULDWard James Auld was born on afarm near Oakdale, 111., December 21,1894, the son of William Reynolds andLou Kennedy Auld.He joined the Covenanter Church atOakdale by profession of his faith, under the pastorate of the late Rev. J. C.B. French.He was united in marriage on March21, 1917 to Jane Piper.They resided ona farm south of Oakdale where theyreared their family, from whence hepassed to the Eternal Home September1, 1955. The end came calmly and suddenly although he had endured for sometime a forced inactivity because of aheart condition which was the cause ofhis death.They were the parents of four children: William Robert and CharlesWard, of Oakdale, Margaret Eleanor(now Mrs. Lloyd Patton of Nashville,and Paul Jean of Everett, Washington.Besides his children, he is survived byhis wife, three daughters-in-law, oneson-in-law, and eight grandchildren:Earla Jean, Ruth, Wayne, Rosalee, Linda, Ronald and Pamela Auld and EmilyPatton. They will miss his counsel, loveand cheery disposition here, but by faithwill be happyin the knowledge of areunion in God's eternal home.He is also survived by two sisters,Miss Eleanor Auld and Mrs. Frank S.Torrens of Sparta, one brother, W. Kennedy Auld of Oakdale, a niece MissLouise Torrens, and a nephew JamesTorrens of Sparta, together with manycousins and a host of friends.Ward was an energetic farmer with akeen interest in church and social affairs in this community, living and doingeach day as he saw best.Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 6, 1955, at the Covenanter Church in Oakdale, conducted byRev. W. O.Ferguson. Interment wasmade at the Oakdale cemetery.OAKDALEOur congregation and entire community were saddened by the death ofWard J. Auld. Although he had beenin the hospital recently because of aheart attack, he had returned home, andhis sudden passing came as a shock.Mr. and Mrs. Harold Auld visited recently with Mr. and Mrs. Earl Auld inMorning Sun, Iowa.Late summer visitors were Mr. andMrs. Wilmer Piper and family, Topeka,in the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Ren Piper; Mr. and Mrs. Dale Musselman ofKansas City in the home of Mr. and Mrs.Harold Auld; Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Harsh,Sidney, Ohio, in the Preston Carsonhome; and Mr. John Miller, of Oklahoma City, in the Wm. Coulter home.Our teachers have returned to theirrespective locations for the fall term:Miss Irene Piper, Columbia, 111.; MissEleanor Thompson, Chester, 111.; MissesClaudine and Lucile Coulter, GraniteCity, 111.; and Miss Annie Laurie Henderson, Toluca, 111.Our congregation is rejoicing in thatwe will soon have as our pastor, Dr. Alvin Smith.Mr. James Boyle, Morning Sun, Iowa,and Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Auld, Everett,Washington, are visiting in the home ofMrs. Ward Auld.We are looking forward to our observance of the Lord's Supper, September25, with Rev. J. E. McElroy assisting.COVENANTER WITNESS

Missionary NumberBIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 23, 1955witnessVOLUME LV, NO. 14 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1955WhyMissions?By Charles J. Woodbridge in Moody Monthlythe deepest needs of men. This is the glory of theThere are some who feel that missions are a3. The gospel is completely adequate to satisfy Moody Monthly for August, 1949.colossal blunder. They intimate that like "The Christian message. Souls that are burdened with sinCharge of the Light Brigade," the effort to extendthe Christian faith to those around the world is atbest an inspiring example of heroic futility. Butthe Bible believer does not share this view. He is persuaded that the missionary imperative is more pressfind in Christ their Saviour. Hungry hearts discoverthat He is the Bread of life. Feet that stumble in thedarkness of superstition and spiritual degradationlearn that He is the Light of the world. Harassed,distraught men and women, lost in the wilderness ofing today than ever . . .frustration, rejoice to know that He is the GoodShepherd whoInloves and cares for His own. Soulsgeneral at least four fundamental truths conwhich are dead instrain believers to go and to give that Christ'strespasses and sin are taught thatsalvation may be proclaimed around the globe.1. The Christian gospel is by nature imperialisHe is "the resurrection and the life." Christ reachesdown and perfectly satisfies every area of humanneed.tic. The message of universal sin and its remedy in4. The Captain of our salvationthe atoning deathhas commandedand justifying resurrection ofus to advance and has never sounded a retreat.Christ brooksOurno rivalry. Ethnic religions are the upreachof the humanmarching orders have beenheart after God. Christianity isclearly given and havenever been repealed : "Go ye . . . andthe downreach of the Almighty to man. No lo, I am withmere religion can be a substitute for faith in Jesus Christ.world."alway, even unto the end of theApart from the work of Christ on Calvary, all men, Yes, the trumpet notes of the Great Commissionregardless of their clime, environment, character orare clear and insistent. Amid the raucous confusiondegree of culture are lost.and blatant alarms of opposing hosts, its melody con2. Men everywhere stand in desperate need ofthe gospel. In spite of the fact that nearly two miltinues to be beautiful and persuasive. Arise, Churchof God! Gird up the loins of your consecration andlenniums have passed since Christ issued His Com generosity! And remember the Saviour who command, multitudes have never yet had the gospel fullypreached to them. In thousands of Chinese villages,manded us is the One who will soon come to receiveyou unto Himself, and with you all those whoin wide areas of Africa, India, South America and through the ministry of your missionary zeal havethe islands of the sea, the name of the Son of God is accepted Him as Saviour and Lord.relatively unknown.Adapted from "The Missionary Imperative,"

car,"'Current EventsSUDDEN CHANGEPresident Eisenhower's heart attack came as a shock tothe whole nation. He had been in good health all duringhis administration, and was in the midst of a long vacationin Colorado. Even if he recovers completely, which seemspossible at the time we write,he will have to restrict hisactivities for the next two or three months. This may haveserious effects on the direction of foreign affairs, and alsoon the preparation of the next annual budget,be completed by January.which shouldEisenhower's illness makes it almost certain that he willnot run for a second term. Thus the Republican leaderswho counted on him to carry the party to victory againare suddenly left with no candidate. Vice President Nixonis considered the next most popular Republican, but heis only42 and has some determined enemies within theparty. The Republicans may regret having set their 1956convention for late August, for this will give them tooshort a campaign if they have to introduce a new candidate. The improved Democratic prospects will put new lifeinto the struggle for that party's nomination.RACIAL TRIALWorld attention recently has focused on a Mississippicourtroom where two men were tried for the murder ofEmmett Till, a 14-year-old Chicago Negro. Till allegedlywas killed for whistling and making improper remarks tothe wife of a white storekeeper. Two white men admittedkidnapping him but denied the murder, and the jury foundthem not guilty. The entry of the NAACP into the case,and the display of Till's bodyon Chicago's South Side aspart of a fund-raising campaign, helped to inflame Southern racial feeling. There was general praise for the conductof the judge and the prosecutor, but the trial showedveryserious weaknesses in the local law-enforcementmachinery. The defendants now will face trial on a kidnapping charge, but liberal spokesmen everywhere call thedecision a setback for American justice.DICTATOR'S FALLAfter ten years in power, Argentina's President JuanPeron had a sudden downfall. His regime collapsed afterfour days of civil warfare, in which about 4,000 personswere killed. The revolt was better organized than that oflast June, with a simultaneous uprising by the navy andby army units in the provinces. The leader, and president ofthe new provisional government, is General Eduardo Lonardi,a 59-year-old professional soldier who had opposedthe Peron regime since 1951. The new government promptly dissolved the Peronist National Congress and freed allpolitical prisoners. A call for new national electionspromised within a month. General Lonardi has promisedto restore civil liberties and democracy to Argentina, anddisavowed any ambition for a new militaryisregime. Tenyears of dictatorship are not easily erased, however. Peronalso left behind serious economic problems of inflation anddisrupted foreign trade.KREMLIN MANEUVERSRussia has signed a treaty giving full sovereignty toEast Germany. The agreement allows East Germany to210control its borders and the approaches to Allied West Berlin. Premier Otto Grotewohl's government can also maintain its own army. This move seems intended to help detach West Germany from its alliances with the free world.Once East and West Germany become equal in sovereignty,Russia will insist that a merger of the two regimes is theonly means of unification. Already there are indicationsthat the East German government may begin its ownblockade of Berlin, to bring pressure for diplomatic recognition from Bonn. But Chancellor Adenauer of West Germany is standing firm. He won unanimous approval fromthe Bundestag for the resumption of diplomatic relationswith Russia, and has warned other powers that he willconsider recognition of East German sovereignty an unfriendly act.WORLD FORUMThe tenth annual session of the U.N. General Assemblyis now under way in New York City. At the opening meeting, Jose Maza of Chile was elected President by unanimous vote. On a resolution introduced by the UnitedStates, the question of admitting Communist China waspostponed for another year. The steering committee rejected a proposal by Greece for debate on self-determination for Cyprus. Last year the U.S. abstained from votingon a similar resolution, but this time we joined Turkeyand Great Britain in opposing the Greek move. This mayproduce an anti-American reaction in Greece, which iseven considering pulling out of NATO. A move by a groupof Asian and African countries to bring the status of Algeria before the Assembly also was defeated. This shelvesthe two greatest colonial issues, though it does not solvethe questions at issue.FOREIGN COMPETITIONVolkswagen, the German "people's has bought aStudebaker-Packard plant in New Jersey and will beginassembling cars in this country. The little German autohas become our most popular imported make, with 1955sales estimated at 25,000. The standard two-door sedan,which sells for about $1500 on the East coast, carries fourpassengers and a small amount of baggage. It has a fourcylinderair-cooled engine, mounted behind the rear axle.With top speed of nearly seventy, it will give better thanthirty miles to the gallon while cruising at sixty. Anotheradvantage of the Volkswagen is that it is three to fourfeet shorter than the ordinary American sedan. Its mainappeal is for the economy-minded smallfamily, or as asecond car for those who can afford one.Volkswagenspent about $4 million for the New Jersey plant. Someparts will be made in this country and others will be shipped in from West Germany.PLANETARY LIFEAstronomers have long puzzled over the possibility oflife on the planet Mars. Long lines of "canals" have beencompared with strips of vegetation, and there are largeareas that undergo seasonal changes in color. Last summera group of American astronomers, making photographsfrom South Africa, found a new green area on Mars,al-(Continued on next page)COVENANTER WITNESS

citizen."religion."Vineyard GleaningsIs Satan Getting Anxious?"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, havingthe key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, whichis the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up,and set a seal upon him that he should deceive the nationsno more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: andafter that he must be loosed for a season."Many interpreters believe that this binding and loosingof Satan is a continuing process. Every soul saved is abinding of Satan, every country opened to the Gospel isclosing in on him. But there come many reverses by thepermissive decrees of God, and Satan is loosed for aseason. Since the chain is certainly not a literal chain,but some spiritual limitation placed on a spiritual being,and since the course of history is a series of spiritualadvances and reverses (at least to the human eye) it isgood that we consider this interpretation. But let uskeep in mind that the Word of God (the written, spoken,and Incarnate) WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND. Vastareas are being closed to the Word of God, Russia andits satellites, China, Manchuria, and much of South America.Limitations Placed on Our MissionsManchuria and South China have been definitely closed,or should we say indefinitely, for we hope that these fieldswill be opened again. In Syria we are forbidden to teachthe Bible in our mission schools except to children ofProtestant parents. The Greeks in Cyprus are kept stirredup to demand a plebiscite, so that the Island may be unitedto Greece, evidently by the Orthodox Christian Church.Rev. Herbert Hays has come home with an invitation notto return, emanating from the powers that be. When MissRose Huston applied for an extension of her permit tolive in Japan (it had already expired), she was severelyreprimanded, but grudgingly given an extension of herstay as an "undesirable This is due to the resurgence of Shintoism. But we turn to other examples.Bhuddist ChaplainsIn Japan there is "grave danger" that the governmentwill stop Christian pastors from visiting prisons. A newruling restores the pre-war system of full-time chaplains,"appointed by the warden, who would be mostlyBhuddhists."During the past two years about 300 pastors, including many evangelicals, have been actively engagedin prison evangelism at one time there were almost10,000 prisoners actively preparing for baptism. They arenow faced with the possibility of being denied admittanceto all jails.New Regulations On Missionaries to IndiaNEW DELHI(RNS) India's new policy restrictingforeign missionaries is set forth in the latest issue of thegovernment yearbook published here. It states that themost as large as the state of Texas. They believe it iscovered with lichens, a low form of plant life. There alsoare signs of clouds and atmospheric belts. None of thissounds as if we need to fear invasion by a race of Martian supermen.issuance of visas to foreignby two considerations:missionaries will be governed1. No new missionaries will be permitted to enter India,either as replacements or additional members of missions,unless Indian missionaries are not available to fill thepositions.2. While foreign missionaries already in India will be allowed to carryon their present activity, new missionarieswill not be welcome if they plan to devote themselves entirely to the propagation of the gospel. They should, in addition, have suitable qualifications as educators or social workers.Purified By PersecutionThe Archibishop of Canterbury, returning to London froma visit to East Africa, said that the trials of the Africanpurified the church. The Archbishop said he talked withone native Christian leader who was slashed and left fordead when he refused to take the Mau Mau oath. TheChristians under the Mau Mau terrorist campaigns haveArchbishop said to him, "You make us who live in quietparts of the world feel very, very humble."Brazil Becomes Fifth Country to Ban 'Martin Luther" ~*::. ;Brazil became the fifth foreign country to ban publicshowing of the film "Martin Luther" according to an announcement made last September 7 by Robert E. A. Lee,of Lutheran Church Productions. Theexecutive secretaryBrazilian ban was imposed by the government's Chief ofthe Censorship Service of Public Entertainments who citeda law which states that a license to exhibit will be denied:whenever the showing will be "offensive to community orPreviously, the governments of the Philippines,Peru, Egypt, and the Province of Quebec denied permitsfor public showings of the film. Although the ban in Quebecresulted in 11 Montreal churches showing the film simultaneously to more than 25,000 in capacity-filled churcheslast summer, Mr. Lee remarked that "if additional attemptsto secure permission for theatre showings fail, we will thenhave to turn to other means of getting this importantmotion picture to the people of Brazil."(Continued on page 216)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday fay the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kai>na>to promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer* :not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental EditorBRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas, $3.00; Single Copiea10 cents.The Rev. R. B. LyonE, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for th*British Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Eansatunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.October 5, 1955 211

poor?"Christian Missions and World RevolutionArthur F. Glasser*Assistant Home Director, China Inland MissionIn United Evangelical Action (Used by permission)Many Christians regard Communism as thepivotal issue of the day. "This is the age of Marxismand its Crusade for World Revolution," they cry.Then, having diagnosed the sickness they promptlyspecify the cure: "And we must counter Communism with a world-wide Crusade for Christ!"These are well-intentioned, brave words. Theycontain much truth. Moreover, they grip the heartsof Christian men. Two Crusades: Communist andChristian ; Two worlds : Slave and Free, Asiatic andWestern ! Two leaders : Antichrist and Christ ! However, to describe the world-wide crisis of the 20thCentury in these terms is to over-simplify a mostcomplex situation.Actually, there is on the natural level a movement in the world today that is far deeper and muchwider than the Communist movement. Unless oneunderstands this larger movement and seeks to relate Communism to it, he will not be able to judgeCommunism aright.What is this more extensive world-wide movement of our day? Ask yourself: What was behindthe "liberation" of China? What is behind the Mau-Mau unrest in Kenya? Behind the political instabilityof Latin America? Behind the mounting tension inthe Near East ? Behind the anti-colonial, anti-westernneutralism of Nehru ? Behind the Asian- African conference at Bandung, Indonesia?Early in April this year, Shah Mohammed RezaPahlevi of Iran called a special session of the Premier's Cabinet. He capitalized on the temporary absence of the Premier to seize his office for a seasonthat he might issue a most remarkable order. To thefearful officials, summoned into his presence, hegave the following abrupt challenge :I want you to make a revolution in this country. I want a revolution. I believe we have to makeit before others seize the chance to make one. Ifwe don't they will. If you cannot perform the heavytask I assign you, I will fire you.Why did he make such startling demands? Because he is aware as millions are aware thatrevolution, social revolution, is in the air, in thethinking of people throughout the world today.Arnold Toynbee, the noted British historian, has observed that this dawning hunger of the masses forchange is one of the most significantrevolutionaryfactors in the proper understanding of the worldwide crisis of our time. These innumerable peoples,who have suffered so patheticallyand pointlesslyfor centuries, are beginning to realize that theirmisery, poverty, sickness and harsh, grinding cirare altogether unnecessary. In fact,cumstances,they are beginning to realize that they are numerically strong enough to rise up and demand thatsomething be done to meet their abject need.212The world is in social revolution: this is itsdominant characteristic. Peoples in the "colonial,backward"areas have heard of the CapitalisticWest. Many have seen films, some have read books,all have listened to the speeches in the market-places."Why,"they ask, "should America be so wealthy,when we are so "How is it that the averageEnglishman appears to live such a comfortable life?""Why is it that in our country the wealth is concentrated in the hands of so few?" "Why is it thatwhile those wealthy white races ruled over us they?"did not make serious effort to help usThen too, they have sensed the corruption oftheir local governments, forever talking reform andyet doing nothing about it. In all probability, duringthe last decade there has been hardly an electionheld anywhere in the "restless" areas of the earthwithout most candidates enthusiastically thumpingfor land reform, but as yet no non-Communist nation has seriously tried to redistribute the landamong the people. Hence the growing restlessnessof the people.The Attraction of CommunismMasses of awakened peoples are demanding immediate and radical changes in their social systemsto attain economic "paradise" in their own generation. How impatient they are! And therein lies thecrux! They cry out: "We want a change; we wantthe change to take place now. Don't tell us to wait.Look at the Soviet Union !Thirty or forty years agoRussia was a poor, diseased, backward nation. Today, after one brief generation, despite a most devastating war, the Soviet Union has become the secondmost powerful nation in the world. If no one else willhelp us, the Soviet Union will! They desire to saveall nations from imperialism, from colonialism, frompoverty, from this horrible status-quo. They cry tous: "Come, follow! Workers of the world unite; youhave nothing to lose but your chains !"Have you ever pondered the impact the greathymns of Communism must make on those who hearthem for the first time? Stirring words for the disinherited !Arise, you prisoners of starvation!Arise you wretched of the earth,For justice thunders condemnationA better world's in birth.No more tradition's chains shall bind us,Arise, you slaves ; no more in thrall,The earth shall rise on new foundations,We have been nought, we shall be all!Now we Americans have a tendency to reply:"Of course ! Those poor people are deceived by Moscow. Its propaganda is just one terrible lie. It doesn'thave a class-less society. It really hasn't solved theCOVENANTER WITNESS

straight."peasants!"way."inmeans."problems of poverty and injustice." Now, it is truethat the Soviet Union has four separate classes in itssociety, and the differences between them are enormous.They have an elite ruling class and an unbelievably large slave class. Then too, there is the skilled worker and technical middle class that is quiteseparate from still a fourth class : the vast mass ofworkers and peasants.However there is little point to trying to exposeall the lies in the propaganda of the Soviet Colossus.Actually, the peoples of the world care little forAmerican efforts to "set the recordTothem, the Soviet Union is a harbinger of hope because of the fact that its common peoples not toolong ago seized control and have changed the country to suit their own ends. To them, the SovietUnion spells equality of opportunity. Do not laughat their naivete. We must not forget that in WorldWar II, "most of the Communist generals who outmaneuveredand defeated the German 'General Staffwere sons of serfs, workers, and smallWithout controversy, there has been an enormouswidening of the base from which the elite have beenreceived.People are hungry for change. They are fed upwith the status-quo. They are attracted by the optimistic propaganda of the Soviets. They are easyprey to its half-truths and deliberate lies. To themKarl Marx makes sense, as he does to anyone whoonly studies him superficially. When he said thatman's knowledge and mastery of physical naturegrows faster than his wisdom in creating newsocial institutions, he was stating observable facts.When he went on to say that man's social institutions cannot easily cope with change because of theinertia of "vested-interests" in older pattern of society, even critical sociologists nod in assent. Butwhen he went on to show that since the old patterndies hard and resists change, it must be smashed tobring about genuine social revolution, even this dangerous call for violence can be uncritically accepted.From here on only a few additional steps are necessary to convince the ardent minority of the desirability of enlisting for violence to "liberate" themasses. Provoking tensions in society is an attractiveservice to some. Did not Lenin point this out as theonly way? "Revolution becomes possible only whenthe lower classes do not want the old way, and theupper classes cannot continue in the old Thenviolence breaks out. The workers gain control. Theysmash the old social structure and establish the new ;the proletariat takes over. It is Revolution ! It solvesall ills.Sometimes, when the dogma is put simply likethis it has the lure of a new revelation. All otherappeals suddenly appear tawdry. The ideal of a classless society draws the impoverished disinherited andawakens hope. It quickens their hungerings. If allare of one class, then all will have a measure ofpower, all will thereby gain prestige, and all will enjoy material prosperity, 'the good things of life.'How enchanting are these appeals to self-interest!To the hungry Communism suddenly appears to havethe only really satisfactory solution for all age-longproblems. Hence its very presence in the earthstrengthens the revolutionary ferment of our day.But Communism is not just a very attractive solution to the problems of power and social justice.October 5, 1955It is also regarded by many as a veritable philosophyoflife, a form of secular religion. In all the chaos andupheaval of our day, men want spiritual security;they desire that life be meaningful. Full"things," employment,and food cannot satisfy the inner heart.The very nature of the Communist appeal, its championing of social justice in the interest of making anew world, lends to it the overtones of a holy crusade. Here is a Cause the Emancipation of Manin which the idealistic yearnings of man have fullexpressions. He can lose himself in service and sacrifice, assisting in the destruction of the out-wornsocial structure of Capitalism that a new worldmight be brought to birth. It was with this call toservice on behalf of one's fellow-man that the Chinese Communists extensively and intensively soughtto capture the hearts of the Youth of China afterthey had captured their bodies through force ofarms. How constantly they preached the comingMillennium! Even chairman Mao joined in thisprophetic ministry !on the occasionOn July 1, 1949,of the founding of the Communist Party in Chinahe said :"When a man reaches old age, he dies : it is thesame with the party. When classes are eliminated,all the instruments of class struggle, political parties,and the State apparatus will as a result, lose theirfunction, become unnecessary, andgradually witheraway, lose their historic mission, and travel towardMankind."the higher plane of the Society ofCommunism's Atheistic HeartIt is at this point that Communism comes intoconflict with Christianity. .Forcalling men to joinits colors it demands a total commitment of heartand life not unlike the call that Christ Himself demands if men are to follow Him (Mark 8:34). Neither Christ nor Communism tolerate partial discipleship. Hence there is an irreconcilable conflict,an unsurmountable impasse. "Ye cannot serve Godand Mammon."At its heart Communism is implacably anti-Christian. It regards Christianity as reactionary, asunscientific,as the most subtle tool capitalists useto oppress peoples and forcibly maintain their socialstatus-quo. To them religion is a mischievous invention of man with which he dupes and drugs his fellow-man, and gets him to submit meekly to exploitation. Communists do not merely say, "There is noGod !" They go on to say, "Men everywhere must bemade to cease believing in God" (Hyde).The whole revolutionary method is admittedlyimmoral. Lenin boasted of the necessity for usinglies, evasions of the truth, subterfuges, etc., to forgean effective technique that would have but one ethic :"The end justifies the It would be impossible to enroll youth in this world-wide conspiracy unless there was first a purging of all theistic concepts.Atheism is the prerequisite to immorality.As one studies the Communist system, he is impressed again and again with the need for this atheistic base. Without it, the whole ideology would collapse. Its very philosophy must be rooted in materialistic presuppositions. And this is the case, forits dialectical materialism is a harsh, mechanicalphilosophy of life that completely excludes all butthe observable elements of a physical universe.Atheism is what makes Communism the oppres-213

church."parents'sive system that it is. The tragic blind spot in Communist thinking is their total unawareness of thefact that in destroying belief in God they are pavingthe way for the creation of an awful despotism. Weare indebted, among others, to Fyodor Dostoevsky,the Russian novelist, once a revolutionary himself,who said that the fundamental issue in the revolutionary situation was rebellion against God. He saidthat if God were destroyed and men deified, then theState man would create would eventually be deifiedtoo. As a result, instead of bringing freedom andblessing to man, all that would result would be anunlimited despotism.(To be continued)"Building TogetherBy E. Clark CopelandAugust is an important month for us in Cyprus.On the first the new currency came into use. Wenow have a pound (still worth 2.82 dollars) dividedinto 1,000 mills rather than 20 shillings of ninepiastres each. It will be easier for the bookkeepersonce the transition period is over. The postage system also changed accordingly, hence there is newinterest for stamp collectors. That might be anexcuse for you to write us a letter.August 2 there was a general strike in protestagainst a new law authorizing the governor to detain indefinitely without trial anyone he is persuaded is involved in the terrorist movement (E.O.-K.A.) to overthrow the. government. There wassome stoning and firingof government buildingsthat night. The Tripartite Talks in London August29 will be an occasion for more demonstrations, weunderstand.August 3-7 we held our Young People's Conference at Troodos. The theme: "Building Together,"Eph. 2:19-22. Morning addresses presented a studyof the church (1) Christ's Body, (2) Christ's Ambassador, (3) Christ's Dwelling Place, (4) Christ'sBride. The Bible Study: The book of Joshua. Oneevening we had a fine address by an English armydoctor on "Modern Science and the Christian Faith."Another evening we heard a very informative address on "The Scripture Cannot Be Broken" presenting archeological attestation to Scripture historicity. Missionaries in various parts of the NearEast vacationing in Cyprus add a great deal to ourconference by their presence, their addresses, anda Missionary Hour on Sabbath afternoon when wehear what is going on in the various fields. Thereare manyvisible barriers in all fields in this partof the world, but there is a note of victory as wehear of the return to historic Christianity as knownin the Reformed faith in some fields, a more ardentlabor in prayer in all. This year a new feature ofthe conference was a discussion group for missionaries and Christian leaders based on a studyof apostolic missionary methods. Though I couldnot attend it, I understand it was a great blessing toall who did. The conference was begun by our missionand continues under our direction and sponsorship,but it has grown far beyond our own churches. Wewere Greeks, Armenians, Englishmen,convertedJews, and Americans representing some fivediffer-214ent denominations. We had a number of Britishsoldiers present. A group of them from Limassolenjoyed the Psalms so much that they ordered twodozen Psalters to use in their own meeting. Oneof the great blessings of the conference was theunity of Spirit that was evident, and the contribujoint"tion "which every supplied. On Sabbath afternoon I went off into the woods to meditate on mymessage for the closing service. I was soon consciousof the sound of voices and the tones of prayer. Ilooked up and there on the opposite hill I saw themajority of the conference in prayer, and I knewthat petitions were going up for that last meeting.It was a great blessing to be conscious of thatsupport.Another note of sadness this summer was thedeath last week of Miss Helen Egyptiades. She wasa teacher of music who had spent many years in theStates. Her last years were spent here with hersister, Miss Effie, who for many years was a teacher in the Academy for Girls until her retirement.The passing of Miss Helen leaves Miss Effie thelast of ten children of the late Rev. Egyptiadeswho was called from Smyrna in the early days ofour mission here to get the work organized andprepare a metrical version of the Psalms for usein the services. Miss Effie is 83 years old, weak andfrail from suffering with shingles for nearly ayear, but cheerful and comforted in the Lord. Wecommend her to His tender care.We are looking forward to Miss McCrea's return on the 28th of August. In a few days Mr. H. H.Memour will return from the European Bible Institute where he has completed a three year course. Hewill teach part time in the Larnaca school and joinin Evangelistic work. We ask you to join us in earnest prayer that his coming will be a blessing to usall and that he will soon be a strong pillar in thehouse of our God. Three other teachers are joiningus from the U.S.A. from outside the CovenanterChurch. Mr. Carlton French has been connected forsome years with a mission to the American Indiansand to Jews, and he has worked as a missionaryteacher in the U. S. and in Europe. In passingthrough Cyprus last year he learned of the Academy and applied for a position. Mr. Theodore is aGreek who has studied some years in the U. S. andbecame acquainted with our work through the Navigators. The Rev. Jesse Mitchel interviewed him inDenver and was favorably impressed. Mr. M. Sparsiswho graduated from the Academy and from GenevaCollege received his M.A. from Columbia this pastyear and is returning to teach in Larnaca. We begyour prayers that these may find their places in themissionary programme of the schools and be usedfor the glory of God here.Just today Miss Reade received a letter fromMiss Aphrodite Trombettas, now visiting her parents in Jiboutti, saying that because of the poorhealth of her father and her fear of thepolitical situation here, she would be unable to cometo teach in Nicosia this year as she had planned.She says that she is very sorry that this change ofplans has to come, but that most of all "I will missmy This creates a need for a teacher atthe eleventh hour.The church and the board have been callingfor greater Covenanter emphasis in the schoolshere. We, too, are asking God's wisdom and graceCOVENANTER WITNESS

in'eat,'that we may be faithful this respect to our personalconvictions, our church vows, and your trustin us as missionaries. This is not a matter of resolutions, however, as much as of personnel. One shorttermer in each school yearly would do more to bringabout what the church at home and we here on thefield desire than resolutions passed in Synod. Letus put the problems before the youth of the churchat home, not before non-Covenanter members of ourstaffs.The 25% cut in our field expense allowance willaffect our evangelistic programme, though we shalldo all in our power to stretch our pennies as far asthey will go. The Board's allowance (now 1,200dollars yearly) is allocated by Commission (presbytery), and not one cent of it is used in the schools.The Larnaca Academy has always paid all my travelfor evangelism in the school as well as for teachingduties. We would have liked to have arrangedMemour's octivities outside the limitations of aschool schedule, but it is financially impossible underthe present circumstances.Miss Avge David expects to leave by air forGeneva on August 31. She is answering God's callto prepare herself to return to work here. We trustyou will all make her feel at home, encourage herin every way possible, help her to see what thechurch there hopes for the mission here, and do allin your power to inspire her to do it to the gloryof God.A Word of FarewellBy Elizabeth McElroy"SEE YOU IN SIX YEARS," said a little totas he waved goodbye at the railway station as mytrain pulled out. His face, those of friends andloved ones left behind will be sweet memories of myfurlough to make the coming years go faster."Time will fail to tell," of all the things thathave happened a month with my brother's familyin Morning Sun; Grinell; last September to Christmas at Moody Institute and the hearty fellowshipof the Chicago Church ; January to April 20 Greeley,Denver, a short stay in the home of Mrs. Matthewswith visits to Los(my sister in Hemet, Calif.)Angeles, Santa Ana, San Diego and Fresno. Thenbegan my bus ride to the south by way of Phoenix,Hot Springs, Fort Worth and Orlando. My speakingschedule took me to Syracuse, Parnasus, BeaverFalls, Synod, Bloomington and back to Topeka. Myvisit to Quinter (my childhood town) was hurriedbut full of touching visits with old and new friends.I expect to meet Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson inNew York City and will travel with them to Syria.I wish to thank the Church for its prayers. Manynew friendships have been made and old ones renewed, all of which will mean much in the days tocome. The children will not be forgotten either, especially their interest and prayers.I have come to know the Topeka Congregationand feel one of them all due to their kindness andfellowship. Forest Park was a mountain top experience with Jesus and Christian friends.Pray that the doors may be kept open andthousands brought to Christ. Be with all ChristianOctober 5, 1955Workers over the world. Pray that Haseeb maybecome an Evangelist if it is God's will. My strengthis in Ps. 73 :23 "Nevertheless continually I am withhand."thee, thou upholdest me by thy rightYour Co-worker in Christ."So We Wrought in the Work"By Chester T. HutchesonDear fellow Covenanters ;How are things going on in your part of theworld? Fine, I hope, but if you should ask me thesame question I fear, I would sayThought in this country is boiling as I suppose itnone too well.always is in a new republic, and more especially inwhen all things move so much faster.these times,Politically speaking our newly elected presidenttakes over on the 5th., and we trust things will take aturn for the better, but we know he has strong opposition. Pray for Syria at this time.I fear that I do not have much to report for thelast summer month. I note an article about "SummerSabbaths"in the 'Witness' for July 27. It speaksof the "Summer Slump" That has been going onhere during August. We have had regular servicesin the morning all summer, but attendance is small,partly for two reasons ; many have gone to villagesfor the summer and some in town find it too hotto make the effort to come to church. However, Sabbath School has continued all through the summer,with a fair attendance. For the younger ones, partlyinduced by a gift of a Christmas card, (used one)for attendance, and a handful of carob pods fromour large tree in the yard. These are 'the husks theswine did but at this time of the year they aresweet and palatable.We had good success in the students that wepresented for the government examinations thisyear, i.e. a good per cent passed according to stateaverages. Only 15% passed in all the state of Syria,in the Brevet examinations, (this comes at the endof the 9th grade) while for our school it was 28%.Perhaps you will say this is low, and it is for U.S.A.but not here. Another 30% or so, should pass thismonth, when they are given a second trial, or makeup examinations as they are called.Our High School class showed good progressfor the year, and all are trying to go on for furtherstudy of some kind, for the coming year.Here is an unsolicited appreciation testimonywhich I thought I might share with you from oneof our High School graduates. It was written to allthe faculty. A part of it reads as follows ;"In that school and in that Christian environment, I was taught to obey, to love, and to help. IfI didn't learn from that school anything except thissentence, 'Wherever you go, what ever happens toyou, don't ever lose your faith, your hopes, and yourdreams,"I would consider it enough to continue mylife and be a man."Although I am happy as I mentioned above,yet there is a sorrow and a sadness that is overwhelming on my soul and vitality, because I am departing, because I am leaving that establishmentwhich is based first of all on the Bible."Registration problems are beginning. Just afew days ago a poor looking man, farmer, came to me215

selves"snakes"to put his sons in school, saying that he could notpay more than 50% of what we asked for tuition.I do not know if he is poor or not. But running onsuch a small margin as we do, we have to try hardto collect the last we can in tuition and cut expenses as much as possible, even to the extent ofhiring teachers as cheaply as possible. This mansaid he used to go to one of our village schools in thedays of Dr. Edgar and liked our teaching very much.To prove it, he recited to me from memory the TenCommandments and the Lord's Prayer without mistake, and he is over 50 years of age. Now the question is how much tuition would you charge him?What per cent of the catalog price? What wouldbest serve our purpose here?We are anxiously looking forward to welcomingthe Sandersons and Miss McElroy back to our foldin about three weeks. We are pleased to know thatthe Hays family are happily situated in Beaver Fallsfor their furlough year.Please remember us in your prayers, each andevery worker here.Yours in His service, and that of your church.A Final Letter to HerCorrespondentsBy Rose A. HustonSchools will soon be out for the summer vacation, and we shall try to have two or three Vacation Bible classes, probably in August. My class atOhashi runs well over fifty, and last week therewere fifty-eight. Several of the older ones have professed faith in Christ,leadership. I have been keeping these after I disand should have a pastor'smiss the little ones, and we are going through asimple catechism, based on the Shorter Catechism,and they are becoming better acquainted with theBible by looking up the proof texts, using the newcolloquial edition of the Bible,which is much easierto understand, though there are some things aboutit that we cannot wholly approve.Mrs. Tanaka is a believer and has interestedher husband in the Bible. Another neighbor attendsthe class, with her four children, this being herfirst contact with Christianity. Mrs. Maeda, in whosehome we hold the class, has not openly acceptedChrist, their twelve-year-old son being the only onein the family who has done so. Pray for this family,that the Lord may soon draw them to Himself.Miss Edamatsu, who was my helper in the BookRoom for some months, has been in a Bible schoolin Tokyo this spring. She was needed to help inher father's restaurant, but when she was requiredto deliver food in the middle of the night to brothels,when the owners of these placesand especiallyurged her to join them because she was attractiveand could earn much money, wear fine clothes, andmake life easy for her mother, she determined toquit. Since her schooling would cost him nothing, thefather gave his consent, and later wrote congratulating her for having chosen that course.One of our young men is attending the Christian University in Tokyo, largely because expensesare cheaper. You may judge something of theirstandards from the fact that one of the professorsapologized to a man who was inquiring, for having216so conservative a man on the faculty as Dr. EimilBrunner. We are glad this young man has Christianfellowship with Bible-believing Christians.Since March, I have been livingwith the Hansen's in the wonderful Mission House at Suzurandai.During the past forty-years, I have moved into quitea number of houses, and for the comforts and conveniences of modern living, this tops them all. Nomud, cement, or brick floors ; no half-inch cracks tokeep your feet cool ; no tubs, pots, and pans necessaryto catch streams of filthy water coming through amud-and-straw roof when it rains; no great stacksof bean vines or corn stalks to drag in for cookingand heating the brick "kang" beds; and no filthyvermin to be exterminated. In fact if the rent werenot so cheap, it would seem entirely too palatial formissionaries representing One who was rich but became poor for our sakes.The place is not difficult of access if you don'tmind a road "as crooked as a barrel of following a rockymountain stream through a narrowvalley for a few miles. The road is narrow with noprotecting wall to keep you out of the rocky riverbed, and is paved only part way. There are also frequent trains, though usually so crowded one has tohang to a strap and risk getting an arm jerked outof joint as they swing around the curves. Severaltrips out every week, with 12 to 20-minute walks atthe other end, I confess, are rather wearisome thesehot days. However, I shall soon pass this privilegeon to others if they decide to continue these classes.And now I must close this my last letter to youas your representative in carrying the Gospel Message to other lands. I thank God for you all, for "giving your own in generous support, for yourearnest prayers, and your faith sustained throughnearly half a century. And I plead the same interestand prayer for all who continue to witness for Christin all these lands.Yours in the Love of Christ,Rose A. HustonVINEYARD GLEANINGS . . . frompage 211The Brazilian censorship ban came exactly seven daysafter LCP announced a plan to sell 16-mm. prints of thefilm to churches, schools, libraries and individuals. (Ordersfor many hundreds of prints were received during the firsttwo weeks the film was available.) Recently, in a report tothe LCP Board of Directors, Mr. Lee said that theatricalshowings in America were terminated August 31. Morethan 20,000,000Americans had seen the film producedby Louis de Rochmont Associates, in more than 4,000 different places. It had been shown in 27 foreign countriesand has been translated in 12 languages. "Despite the demand for theatrical showings which would have kept thefilm in theatres for several years Mr. more," Lee said, "wefelt that the time had come to make 'Martin Luther"available to churches and schools for extensive and frequent use in their educational and inspirational programs.After all, this was the original purpose of the filmprovide a dramatic and forceful teaching aid that churchleaders repeatedly said was urgently needed."It was only after the motion picture was completedthat it was decided to show it in the nation's theatres sothat the story of the Proestant Reformation could be carriedto millions of people who might otherwise never understand the issues and the importance of that momentous erain human history."toCOVENANTER WITNESS

whale."shish."shown."promise."always."Lesson Helps for the Week of October 23, 1955C.Y.P.U. TOPICfor October 23, 1955JONAH, RELUCTANT MISSIONARYComments by Rev. Theodore F. HarshName: JonahPersonnel File CardFather's Name: AmittaiAddress: Gath-hcpher,north of Nazarethabout four milesOccupation: Popular prophet of IsraelOther Activity: Traveling evangelistRemarks: "The truth which we find inthe book of Jonah is as full a revelationof God's will as prophecy anywhereachieves. That God has granted to theGentiles also repentance unto life is nowhere else in the Old Testament sovividly illustrated."G. A. SmithI. Disobedience: Running Away fromGod Jonah 1:1-17There has been a great deal of laughter about how "Jonah swallowed theThis is a tragedy because suchinterpretation hides the rich treasuresof God's truth that are to be found inthe account of this prophet's unusualexperiences.Jonah was not a funny little man,afraid of his own shadow and runningbecause he was scared. He was not acoward, but a willful, strong, impulsiveprophet who felt he could not afford tolet God make a mistake.Jonah enjoyed predicting great thingsfor Israel under Jereboam II (2 Kings14:25). But when God said, "Go, preachto Nineveh, because their wickedness isgoing to bring about their downfall unwarned,"less they are Jonah said, "Sothey will be destroyed? They are ourancient enemies. They deserve all theywill get. Who needs to warn them?"God certainly must be making a mistake, he reasoned, to think of sendinga warning to such a people. And ratherthan stay at home and disobey God,Jonah sought to go beyond the range ofGod's voice. Is there any place that isout of earshot of God? Here is a goodplace to sing from the 39th Psalm, page341.II. Praying: Running to GodJonah 2:1-10Jonah's discovery that God is everywhere as expressed in the above Psalmseemed to be a dark cloud, but it wasmostly silver lining, for Jonah realizedOctober 5, 1955that God is never out of earshot to us.Jonah prayed to God and was heard.Is Jonah's prayer from the depth similarto your prayers in emergencies? In whatways? How does God's answer to Jonah's prayer compare to His answer toyours? How about singing from Psalm130, page 326?III. Obedience: RunningJonah 3:1-10with God-"So Jonah arose, and went . . . according to the word of the Lord." Jonah had had the vivid object lesson ofhis own redemption from the depths,and in chapter 3, he is pictured as operating in the true tradition of theprophet of the living God. He must havespoken to the people of Nineveh withgreat conviction because, in the powerof the Holy Spirit, Nineveh, from kingto commoner, repented and turned toGod. The impending judgment was removed. Jonah's campaign had been unusually successful. Now let us sing fromPsalm 40, page 103.TV. Complaints: Running Ahead ofGod Jonah 4:1-11To Jonah's way of thinking, the campaign was too successful. The resultsdidn't surprise him. He said, "See, Lord,that's what I mean. Warning those people gave them a chance to save theirworthless skins. I knew this would happen. That's way I tried to go to TarGod had yet another object lesson forJonah, who needed to learn that God'slove and concern for His children knowno boundary lines.Compare Jonah's experience with thegourd vine here and Peter's experienceas recorded in Acts 10:9-16. Could Acts11:18b be applied as the lesson of bothaccounts? In Psalm 67, page 160 or 161we sing the words that describe the aimof world missions, ".. . and unto everypeople Thy saving grace beParallel Readings: I. Running Awayfrom God. Peter's difficulty with thewill of God. Matthew 16:21-23; John 13:4-10. II. Running to God EffectivePrayerJames 5:16b. Peter's prayer inan emergency Matthew 14:25-31. Thebasic prayer Matthew 26:37-42. III.Running with God Obedience is not ashard as disobedience. Matthew 11 :28-30;Proverbs 13:15. Bought with a price ICor. 6:20. IV. Running Ahead of GodOther sheep John 10:16; Romans 10:12; Gal. 3:26-29; Col. 3:11.JUNIOR TOPICOctober 23, 1955Mrs. J. E. McElroyMorning Sun, Iowa.FINAL MESSAGE AND DEATH OFJOSHUAScripture : Joshua 23, 24Memory Verse: "Choose you this daywhom ye will serve;and my house,Joshua 24:15 (a and c)PsalmsPsalm 16:1-5, page 27. ..but as for mewe will serve theLord."Psalm 127:1-4, page 322Psalm 44:1-4, page 112Psalm 119:1-3, page 287Scripture References: Deuteronomy 31:28; Numbers 33:53; Deuteronomy 5:32;10; 20; Hebrews 10:38; Genesis 17:1Although Joshua and the children ofIsrael had not yet conquered all theland of Canaan, Joshua began to dividethe land. He gave to each tribe a piece,according to the size of the tribe. Atthat time the Israelites had everythingthat the heart could wish; they hadhouses to live in; rich vineyards; oliveorchards, many flocks and herds, goldand silver, brass and iron.There was one thing which Joshua didnot forget to do; that was, to place thetabernacle in Canaan. He set it up in themiddle of Canaan, at a place calledShiloh.Joshua was at this time a very oldman; he was about one hundred tenyears old. He knew that he must soondie and he wished to give to the peoplehis last words. So he called the eldersand rulers and judges of the tribes tomeet him at Shechem, which was in themiddle of the land and near his ownhome. He stood near a great oak treewhile he spoke. He said to the Israelites,"I am soon going to die. Whom will youworship after I am dead? Will you worship idols, or will you worship God whoyou?"has been so kind to The Israelites all said, "We will worship God."Then Joshua said,"If you choose toworship God, you must not worship idolstoo."serve God."Then they answered,"We will"Now,"said Joshua, "you have promised to serve God only. You must keepyourThen Joshua took a book and wrotedown what the people had said. Afterward he took a great stone, and put itunder the oak, and said, "See thisstone; I have put it here to help youremember your promiseHe then sent the people away to their217

serve."serve."wi' scripture."ways."tribal lands, telling them not to forgetthe promise that they had made. Verysoon afterward Joshua died. He cantrulybe called a servant of the Lord.Something to do:Draw a picture of Joshua under theoak tree as he sets up the stone to helpthe Israelites remember their promiseto the Lord, and color it.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONOctober 23, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on international Sunday SchoolLessons; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Religious Education.)STRUGGLE EV THE WILDERNESS(Lessons based on TEMPERANCE)Luke 4:1-13Memory Verse: Luke 4:8, "Thou shaltworship the Lord thy God, and him onlyserve."shalt thouTempted in all points like as we are.There are three basic temptations; (1)To satisfy our natural desires by unnatural means; (2) To win the world'sfavor by bowing to Satan; (3) To presume on God's power.Christ received baptism that Hemight join in man's covenant with God.He endured temptation that He mightfulfill man's covenant with God. Thiswas not the only time that Jesus wastempted. In this He met the three classes of temptation,and overcame them all.But Satan left Him only for a season.Like a general when defeated, he withdrew his troops, to rearrange them foranother attack. Satan had tempted manout of his Holy and Happy estate inwhich he was created. And now, thatGod had provided a Way by which mancould return to God, Satan was puttingforth every effort to destroy that Way.The First TemptationSatan was given the opportunity totry his strength against the Son of God.Christ was led by the Spirit into thewilderness to.be tempted. Satan is notomniscient. He did not know the powerof Christ, or he would not have madethe useless effort. He had defied Godand been cast out of Heaven. Now hesaw God in the form of a man, and became very bold and earnest to entrapthis sinless man in sin. He had conquered many men; he didn't know thatChrist could not be conquered.Christ was hungry. He had not yetdemonstrated His divine power. Satansuggested a way for Him to do twothings at once; demonstrate His divinepower and so prove that He was theSon of God, and satisfy His humanap-218petite. Satan seemed to doubt Christ'spower. But his plan was deep; if He didhave the power, and would use it tosave His humanity from conditionsthat men must meet, that would destroyChrist's relation to man. Christ met thetemptation with an answer that anychild of God might have given; "Mymeat is to do the will of God."The 40 day fast was not miraculous.It has been demonstrated that a normalman can live 40 days without food. Thedisease that follows famine is not fromlack of food, but from eating what isnot fit for food. That is, by satisfyinga natural desire by unnatural means. Aman near death from thirst will shortenhis life if he tries to quench his thirstwith whisky. Thirst creates a naturaldesire. A temperate man will not tryto satisfy that desire by drinking whatis not suited to his nature.Forty is a common measure of affliction. The flood lasted 40 days. Mosesinterceded for his people 40 days. Nineveh fasted 40 days. Ezekiel bore thetransgression of Judah 40 days. Israelwandered in the desert 40 years. Thelimit for whipping was 40 stripes. Ourword quarantine comes directly fromthe Latin word forty.Christ endured physical hunger to thelimit of human power, and refused tosatisfy it by a way that was not possibleto man.The Second TemptationChrist fully shared the Love by whichHis Father sent Him into the world tosave those who would believe. Men wereslow to believe. Satan had them in hispower. So Satan proposed a compromise; he was called the god of thisworld. He did not know the limitationsof his power. He thought he could do alittle trading to his own profit. Hewould give Christ favor with this world,if Christ would just bow a few times tohis power. Just use the deck or thebones to decide the game, or the disposing of money, and then pray to Godfor skill in using the cards that Satangives you by his alluring device, chance,and he will give you lots of fun, perhaps(you hope) some money, and then youcan sit very reverently in church withno offence to Satan.Satan's proposal was for a dividedservice. He was satisfied to settle for apart-time service. He failed with Christ,so the way is open for all who will accept salvation through faith in theChrist who won our salvation by perfectrighteousness. "Thou shalt worship theLord thy God, and him only shalt thouThis involves Christ's relation to nations. Satan did not know that Christwas even then King and Ruler of all thenations of the world. That nations denyHis right does not change His right orpower. He is the Ruler, and eventually,He will bring all nations into subjection.We have had an epidemic of riotsand rebellions in prisons. Prisoners refused to obey, they fought, destroyedproperty, endangered the lives of themselves and others. Yet all that time,they were under both the authority andpower of the civil government that theydefied. They could have been destroyedby it. We wonder sometimes at themercy with which rioters are treated.Such mercy is not shown among nationsthat have not met the influence ofChrist's teaching.In "Thy Kingdom Come," the mannerof its coming is realized in man's acceptance of it. We pray "That the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it andkept in it." The Kingdom of Glory isrevealed to us and in us, as we approachour proper relation to the Kingdom ofGod. May it be hastened!"Him only shalt thouWorshipand service go hand in hand. Satan mentioned only the Worship. Christ put thetwo together as one.The Third TemptationSatan suggests a beautiful demonstration of God's power, that would amazethe worshipers and make Christ popular,and "nailed itHe omitted a very important line from thepromise in the Ninety-first Psalm; "Heshall keep thee in all thy Thatwould include keeping him from doinganything for vain show. Christ was enduring and overcoming our temptations.We are tempted to tempt God.God alone can decide the issues of theshuffled deck, the spinning arrow or therolling bones. If we attribute that powerto chance, that is idolatry. If we trustto God's power to control these thingsto decide our conduct for pleasure orprofit, that is tempting God. But theysay, "You are trusting to chance whenyou plant a field of wheat."Perhapsthey are. The plowing of the wicked issin. It is gambling with the weather,trusting in chance. The Christian plowsand plants, trusting God for the harvest.Satan asked Christ to break His ownlaw. That raises a question concerningmodern entertainment. I refer to thepopular disregard of physical laws incheap fiction, funny strips or TV. NowDaedalus and Darius Green did not defygravitation; they tried to fly by using it.They failed, and so did many otherpioneers before gravitation was success-COVENANTER WITNESS

me."everlasting."us."fully harnessed. Successful fliers do notdisregard or violate the force of gravitation. They use it.One of our most popular entertainersin fiction, and he has a host of imitatorsnow, sails through the air, not using, butdisregarding all natural laws. Christ metthat"dream"as a temptation, andcalled it tempting God. The specific actthat Christ refused to perform,manyandother feats even more difficult,are now pictured for our entertainment.What does it mean to us and to ourchildren to be entertained by heroes whofeature the disregard of God's naturallaws?Let us get this matter straight. DeanSwift did not represent his hero, DariusGreen, as presuming on natural law.Darius tried to learn from the birdshow to use natural law. He tried usingTiis arms as wings. He tried using hiscoat tail. He became an inventor. He entertains us and we admire him even inbis failure. Perhaps he was an inspiration to the Wright brothers who succeeded.But if we attribute to somecharacter the power to float throughthe air either with or without a sleighor reindeer,and ascribe to him supernatural strength, vision or knowledge, or any power that belongs to Godalone, well, what would you call it?Aesop's Fables give to animals the powers of men, to illustrate man's virtuesand vices. When we attribute to manpowers that belong to God alone,finish the sentence!The Authorityyouof Jesus leaves noplace for Satan's administration.PRAYER MEETING TOPICOctober 26, 1955Rev. John O. EdgarTHE "AMENS" OF JESUS"The Reward of Self Denial" (No. 10)Psalms:Scripture: Luke 18:29, 30119 :l-3, page 287119:1-4, page 30156:1-3, 8, page 14131:4-7, page 71References: Rev. 3:21; I Tim. 4:8; Matt.19:27-30; Luke 22:28-30; Rev. 2:26;Matt. 4:20; Heb. 12:6To fully understand this passage wemust study it in its setting (Luke 18:18-30). These words were addressed to thedisciples immediately after Christ's conversation with the rich young ruler. Jesus had told him to go sell all and give tothe poor, and he would have treasure inheaven. But the young man went awaysorrowful; he was not ready to takethe step of full surrender.October 5, 1955I. Peter's BoastIt almost jars on our ears when Peter,perhaps as spokesman for the others, reminded the Lord that they had forsakenall to follow Him. In the account inMatthew, Peter even went so far as tosay, "What shall we then have?" It iscommendable that when Jesus called thefishermen they immediately forsooktheir nets and followed Him; and thatMatthew left his table at the tax collector's office. But in view of Peter'sremark we might be led to wonderwhether the disciples had forsaken allbecause of a complete devotion to Christ,or whether they may have had some desire for rewards. It appears that thedisciples did have hope of an earthlykingdom, and that when Christ seizedthe reigns of government they might beelevated to power.77. Christ's AnswerIn answering Peter's declaration Jesus said, "Verily (amen, truly), I sayunto you, there is no man that hath lefthouse or wife or brethren, or parentsor children, for the Kingdom of God'ssake, who shall not receive manifoldmore in this present time, and in theworld to come lifeIt might be expected that Jesus wouldhave rebuked Peter for his mercenaryspirit, but with great consideratenesshe gives His reply, "When the Son ofMan shall sit on the throne of his glory,ye shall also sit upon twelve thrones,judging the twelve tribes of Israel."Of this latter statement Burrellwrites, "Whether this great promise isto be literally fulfilled is an open question; though I see no reason why theapostles of Christ should not thus bepromoted to positions of authority. Inany case, however, the promise has beenalready fulfilled in the ever-increasinginfluence of these apostles during theprogress of the centuries. Their powerhas eclipsed that of the Caesars; theirauthority has survived that of the rabbis of Jewry. Their cause has triumphed and their word is with poweramong the whole Israel of God."What spiritual depths are to be foundin these words! Christ never promisedthat it would be easy to follow Him."If any man would come after me lethim deny himself, and take up his crossand followTo the young man whoprofessed that he was ready to followHim, but who asked that he might firstbury his father, Jesus said, "Let thedead bury their dead." It is obviousthat those who would followmust do so immediatelyChristand that noteven the strong ties of filial love shouldprevent that service.Through the centuries there has beena long line of martyrs who have metthis test, even to the point of forsakingthose of their own household. WhenSadhu Sundar Singh became a Christianhe had to choose between the strong tiesof family love, and his love for Christ.Family ties are very strong in India andit was not an easy decision to make.When it was known that he was considering becoming a Christian, an honoreduncle of Sundar Singh, the possessor ofgreat wealth, took him off to his largehouse and led him to a deeplow the main building. Taking him incellar beside the uncle locked the door and Sundar wondered whether his last hour hadcome. But taking a key, his unclestepped forward and unlocked a safe.Throwingopen the door there was revealed to him such wealth as he hadnever dreamed of. Rolls of bank notes,priceless jewels, and quantities of money. His uncle then besought him not tobecome a Christian and said, "All theseshall be yours if you remain withSundar Singh not only met the test ofwealth, but the test of family ties aswell. In a short time he announced hisdecision to follow Christ. When he returned home the pent-up anger of hisfather was let loose upon him. The boywas cursed, disowned and told that hemust go forth from the ancestral homewith only the clothes which he woreupon his back.In the Fifth Commandment we areenjoined to honor our father and motherthat our days may be long upon theearth. But here is an invitation fromJesus to forsake one's own family if itshall interfere with following Him. Howfearful it is to encounter the scorn andhatred of those whom one has lovedsince infancy; how cruel to make warupon their tender and enduring affection; where in this world could such lovebe found as that which exists betweenthe members of the family? But thatis the extreme test which Jesus makesof those who would sell all and followHim.How many young people may havefelt they were beingcalled to the foreign mission field, but were unwilling tomake the sacrifice and separate themselves from their families! Perhapsthere was an obligation to remain athome and care for aged parents. Butwhen Jesus calls men to follow Him, Herequires that not even family ties shallhinder.777. Christ's Promise of Reward.Who can estimate the greatness of reward that shall be given to those whodeny themselves to follow Christ? Doesour Lord not say that those who make219

come"world"ment?"work"the full surrender shall have an nundred-foldin this life, and eternal life inthe world to come? Sundar Singh believed that all the wealth of his unclewas not to be compared to the rewardChrist could give him even while uponthis earth. All the wealth of India couldnot give him peace of heart and mindsuch as that which his Christ could givewhen he was willing to trust Him forsalvation. He could not enjoy earthlyriches with the prospect of the fires ofhell awaiting him after death.Saul of Tarsus proved the truth ofthese words. His conversion to Christmeant the giving up of home, professional outlook, friends, prosperity, ecclesiastical standing, everything; yetwhen writing to Timothy, after yearshad passed, he said, "Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise ofthe life which now is, and of that whichis to(I Tim. 4:8).The promise of reward is not for thislife alone, but for the life which is eternal. Who can estimate the treasure thatis found in these words? If the rewardwere no more than that which we receive here on earth it would be abundant. But this promise comes over andabove the earthly prize. When we catchthe vision of the hundred-fold great reward which comes to those who forsakeall and follow Christ, it would appearthat there should be no suffering toogreat for us to bear, and no service tooarduous for us to render for JesusChrist.For Discussion:1. Is it ever right for a Christian toboast of his sacrifices for Christ? Consider II Cor. 11:18-30 and Gal. 6:17.2. How may we reconcile "Manifoldmore in thiswith the greatphysical suffering some Christians haveto endure?3. Give some examples of great selfdenial on the part of individuals whohave been willing to forsake all to follow Christ.Prayer Suggestion:1. Next Sabbath is World's Temperance Sabbath. Pray for the cause ofTemperance throughout the world, andparticularly that we may be able tomeet the issue in our own communities.THE MINUTES OF SYNODARE NOW READYORDER FROM C. R. FOX209 Ninth St. Pittsburgh 22, Pa.Price $1.00220W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor,Prayer Hour. 1:00 P.M. MondaySynodicalMrs. Olive Beatty writes :As a "greeter' I was privileged to seeMiss Blanche McCrea sail August 10and I wish to quote from a letter fromher aboard the S. S. Constitution.(Quoting from Miss McCrea's letter)"I want to thank the Synodical ladies,and you, Mrs. Beatty, for the lovely boxof fruit. It is so good it spurs one's appetite. It is very kind of the women toshow this gesture of love and friendship.Keep praying for the Lord's work inCyprus that doors may be opened andthat we may be faithful."Rose Munnell was visiting me theweek Blanche sailed, and the McFarlandsjoined us at dinner one evening.The McFarlands, the Weirs in N. Y.,Rose and I were at the pier to seeBlanche off. Blanche said that never before had she had so many to see hersail. It was refreshing to me.On September 9 when the Sandersonsand Miss McElroy sailed I did not attempt to go to the pier. The dockstrike was on and the ship did not sailtill 5 p.m. I sent their farewell packagesto them with Rev. and Mrs. Luther McFarland.Theme: Arise and BuildIt's My Life-Picking up a handful of sand, I let itflow slowly through my fingers. Sandis like time. Each tiny grain minglingwith millions of other grains then Iclutched some of it almost wishing itwere timetime of God.but we can never stay theWhat am I doing about the sands oftime which are slipping through my fingers moment by moment? Yesterday isgone its my life slipping through myfingers! My yesterday is gone. My tomorrow maynever come. But God hasgiven me my now with all its possibilities. How am I using my nows? Mynows are passing like sand. Have I accepted Christ and am I serving Him tothe best of my ability? Am I filling mylife with the GOOD THINGS God hasgiven me?gersAs the sand slipped through my finsuddenly I knew I did not wantmy life with its moments of opportunities to slip away like sand unnumberedand unnoticed. I wanted to use eachprecious 'now' for God, becauseMY LIFE.IT'SQUINTER, KANSASSeptember 3, 1955Dear Friends of the W.M.S. :Now that summer is over, our children and young people have returned toschool, our new and some older missionaries have gone to their fields of service,let us arise out of a summer slump inwhich we may have been, and build.Going on in the rebuilding of the wall,from which our theme for the year istaken, remember the opposition andconditions under which they worked.Yet it was completed quickly "for thepeople had a mind to(Neh. 4:6last clause). I am thinking not only ofa physical work which we must do, butalso a spiritual work as individuals andas groups.Let us have a mind to work.Have you been reading those notes inthe Witness under "Women's Departthey are quite helpful. I likedthe one in the August 10 Witness.While we were at Forest Park, theProgram Committee met and beganmaking plans for our next Presbyterial.Pray for the committee: Mrs. A. D.Robb, Mrs. Lloyd McElroy, and Mrs. M.W. Dougherty.The Executive Committee also met.The Corresponding Secretary found itnecessary to resign, so Mrs. G. M. Robbof Kansas City was appointed to takeher place.Miss Huston is to leave Japan tomorrow; pray for her a safe journey.Have you remembered the SpecialProject for our Synodical this year?Last year's helped send the Spears toJapan. This year we will pay off the restof the debt on the school bus at the Indian Mission, and the remainder goes tosupply some needed furnishings at theSeminary. Last year we were asked for50c per member.Best Wishes to you, and "let us havegrace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear."Heb. 12 :28.Yours in Christ's Service,Mrs. Paul E. FarisKansas Presbyterial PresidentTo those who are sending Anual Duesto the Woman's Association havingcharge of our Reformed PresbyterianHome, please observe the following:1. It is a great accommodation if youwill list the names in alphabetical order.2. Please give the name of the Congregational Manager, if you have one, whohas collected the dues.3. Specify whether your AssociationDues are to be credited to Synod's Budget from your congregation. Most congregations do not count these as a partof their contribution to Synod's Budget,but a few congregations do.COVENANTER WITNESS

4. Send dues to the Treasurer of theWoman's Association, Mary ColemanGeorge, Forest Road, Bradford Woods,Pa. This may be done enther directly, orthrough your Synodical Treasurer, Mrs.Jas. A. Carson of Philadelphia.Church NewsANNUITY AGREEMENTSAnticipating future needs of theTheological Seminary, as an essentialpart of the Church's work in preparing its future leaders, the Board ofSuperintendents of the Seminary aremaking available Annuity Agreements, whereby gifts to the Seminarywill assure the donor:1. That the gift will be used in thetraining program of the ministrycommitted to the Biblicallygrounded Reformed Faith; and2. That the gift will assure the donora favorable rate of interest as anincome for life.For details of this plan, and rates ofinterest, write to:"Annuity Plan"Reformed Presbyterian TheologicalSeminary7418 Penn AvenuePittsburgh 8, Pa.GET THE BIBLE READING HABITAn out of bounds member of ourchurch who is now a busy housewife andmother of two young boys writes to herformer pastor: "Dear Mr."I am so very"glad you started mereading the Bible folders. I still read itthis is my twentieth year time fliesdoesn't it?"I'm sure there would have been dayswhen I got up late or was rushed during college, teaching and maybe now,that I would have been tempted to letit go, had I not wanted to read withoutmissing. It was a challenge."Thanks so much. Mother continuedto read it too, till she died."SincerelyThe writer of the above letter was aJunior when she began getting the Biblereader folders, and her membership isstill in her original congregation thoughshe lives some distance away.October 5, 1955DONATION DAY INVITATIONThe Board of Directors of the Reformed Presbyterian Aged PeoplesHome cordially invite you to visit theHome, Perrysville Ave. and Burgess St.,N. S. Pittsburgh, on their Annual Reception and Donation Day, Tuesday,October 4, 1955. Reception 2 to 5 and 7to 10.CHICAGOOur Vacation Bible School was heldthe first two weeksof August and"Sailing With Christ" was the theme.The average attendance was 44 with thehighest attendance 53. Thirty-five dollarswas collected from offerings and sent tothe Book Room in Japan for the workthere. Thanks go out to the teacherswho helped in the school: Mrs. DouglasFraser. Mrs. Russell Huck, Mrs. HymanLevy, Mrs. Calum MacRitchie, and Rev.and Mrs. Carson. A program was heldthe last day in which the children displayed their handiwork and told of whatthey had learned. Many of the neighborhood parents were present and we werethankful for this. We praise the Lordfor His help in making all these thingspossible.We are happy for the presence of JimTempleton of Belle Center at our services recently. He is stationed at an Anti-Aircraft Post near Lake Michigan nottoo far from the church.Many journeyed from Chicago to LakeWawasee, Syracuse, Indiana, to attendour conference the last two weeks ofAugust. We had fifteen Juniors, fourC.Y.P.U. members, and two adults therefull time. Manymore attended on theweek-end and others during the week.The camp offered us an opportunity torenew friendships and receive the manyblessings the Lord had for us there.We are sorry to report that Mrs.Helen Sinclair has not been able to beout to church for some time. A brokenhipincurred when she fell on the sidewalk is the reason for her absence. Sheis at present in a wheel chair but hopesto be upon crutches soon. We miss seeing her regularly at services.SEMINARY NOTESProf. Bruce Willson reported to theFall meetingof the Seminary Boardthat he had traveled almost 9500 milesduring July and August in a speakingtour of the western congregations, andconferences of the Church. He spokein 21 congregations and at three Conferences. Interviews were held with 22young men, presenting the call of thegospel ministry.There are ten-full-time students enrolled in the Seminary this fall. FiveSeniors returned from summer assignments in various parts of the church.Donald Felker served at Stafford, Kansas.Robert Fullerton preached in anumber of churches in the Pittsburgharea. Raymond Joseph preached atApache, Oklahoma and helped with thework at San Diego. Robert McCrackenpreached at Phoenix, Arizona. ArmourMcFarland served at Mahoning, Pa. Mr.James Nye is the onlystudent in theMiddler Class. He served a congregationof his own church, the Church of God,near Ellwood City, Pa. Four studentshave been accepted as Juniors; PaulMathews from Pittsburgh Presbytery;Marion McFarland from New YorkPresbytery; Robert McFarland fromMidwest Presbytery, and John W. Oliver, Jr. of Pittsburgh Presbytery.The opening lecture of the Seminaryyear was delivered by Prof. S. BruceWillson, Wednesday evening, September14, 1955, at the Wilkinsburg church, onthe subject, "The Relation of ChurchHistory to Preaching."The gratitude of all connected withthe Seminary is extended to the following:To Mrs. Eleanor Jameson of Seattle,Washington for her gift which madepossible the purchase of light-fixturesfor the Library-room of the Seminary,and for an excellent 500 watt "slide andfilm-strip" projector.To Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Dodds and MissRoberta Dodds for their gift which provided installation costs for the Libraryroom light fixtures.To Mrs. James R. Withrow and Mr.Harold R. Greenlee for generous checksto the Library fund of the Seminary.To the congregations, individuals, andconferences whose generosity aided inthe carrying out of the speaking tour ofthe Seminarymer.representative this sumWELCOME HOME TO THE HAYSFAMILYThe Herbert A. Hays family arrivedin New York July 16 after traveling fora month; 13 days on water and 17 dayson land across Europe. We were met inNew York by a brother and his wife,Dr. and Mrs. Robert W. Hays of FortCollins, Colo.;by Norman Hutcheson,son of Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Hutcheson ofLatakia; by Mrs. Donald Appling of221

31stword."patient."Dover, Delaware, formerly a nurse inTripoli, Lebanon, where all our childrenwere born; by Rev. and Mrs. LutherMcFarland of Montclair; and by MissLola Wier of New York who pinned theorchid corsage on Mrs.Hays in thename of the Women's Synodical. Indeedit was a happy landing.Ten days were spent in Berea, Ohio,Hays'visiting with Mrs. father andmother. Grandpa and grandma got acquainted with their grandchildrenwhom they had seen very little, and onewhom they had not seen. A brother Billand his family, and a sister Alyse andher husband came one day for a familyreunion, the first since 1932.Mrs. Carrie Mitchell of Youngstownwrote to us offering us her house untilSeptember 1. Arriving at the house, wefound it not only swept but garnished aswell. The Youngstown Congregation hadbeen displaying again their generosityand the kitchen was stacked high withgood things to eat. They also planneda picnic for us in Mill Creek Park wherewe had an evening of fun and fellowship.Thank you, Youngstown people. Youkeep the warm place in our heartswarm.ofA week was spent in Morning Sun,Iowa, visitingrelatives at which timewe attended the Willson reunion, thefamily of my father's mother.Another week was spent in Denverwhere we enjoyed a Hays family reunion. James A. and wife of Edmond,Oklahoma; George E. and wife and fourchildren of Denver; H. Cecil and wifewith their daughter and her husband,Mr. and Mrs. Dale Minor of Hoisington;Pearl and Milton McBurney and sonKennyof Denver in whose home wegathered for reunion; Dr. and Mrs. Robert W. and Kathleen of Fort Collins;and Evelyn and Kay Gilchrist of Bremerton, Washington, all gathered in forthe event. One brother, John E. of LosAngeles, was unable to attend. It wasindeed a happy occasion.Back to Youngstown for another tendays, part of which were spent at CampStambaugh with the C.Y.P.U. of Pittsburgh Presbytery, and the rest of thetime getting arranged and moved to theGeneva parsonage in Beaver Falls.Thanks to Mrs. J. Burt Willson andMrs. George Coleman and all those whohelped them prepare for us such a comfortable place to spend the winter, what,with varnishing and painting of floors,and scrubbingof windows and porches,everything was spic and span.Now, our address for the Winter is-415 Street, Beaver Falls, Penna.I will be in Sharon, Morning Sun, andDenver the first three Sabbaths of October respectively, and October 25, inSparta for Thankoffering meeting. If I222can be of service to some congregationthe 4th Sabbath of October or anytimeduring the week for Thankofferingmeetings, I shall be very happy.CENTRAL-PITTSBURGHThere have been many things happening these past months besides the changing of the weather. And these are alsothe results of our gracious God's answering many prayers. Last Sabbathmorning, Rally Day, saw quite a fewchildren out, and they are planning tocome back next week. And while we arethinking in terms of showing definiteincrease in the church, we are all thankful for the new addition in the PrimaryDepartment, a Nursery Class, under thesupervision of Helen Price."Lo children are God's heritage." Weare becoming more and more aware ofthe increase in the male population thisyear in the congregation. Arthur William was born to Mr. and Mrs. John McCrory; David Paul to Mr. and Mrs. MaxSummerville; William John to Mr. andMrs. W. J. Boros; William Anthony toMr. and Mrs. Gene Vogel; Jerrold Ralphto Mrs. Dorothy Yunker. Our congratulations are extended to the happy parents, and may the Lord's best be aheadfor this new generation!"No other text I have ever studied inhas influenced my life so profoundly ashas the Bible. Whatever my faith hadbeen founded on, it has been lightenedfrom the studyof His infiniteJack Oliver's first step was to recognizehis need for Christ and while studyinghistory for his Ph.D. at Duke Universitylast fall, he dedicated his life to fulltime service in the work for the Lord.Jack's uncertainty this summer was inawaiting God's word as to whether heshould return to Duke or enter the ministry. This fall, in answer to his fervent prayers, we find a student, veryhappy to be able to enter the seminaryto become a minister of the gospel.Some of the extra duties which Jackwill be performing this fall is to serve inthe capacityhis home congregation.of student pastor here inMany of the families of the congregation have recently moved; leaving theirold surroundings and finding new locations. The Bishes, Hooks, McConaughys,Warfields,and Zieglers, were happy to haveMarcuses, Prices, Summervilles,this opportunity. The Lord's answer toa most recent prayer was by our Pastorfor companions to reside with him atthe parsonage. Last week the doors wereopened wide to welcome newcomers,the newly-weds, Alice and Ray Joseph.These are the cool days that many ofus have been longing for, and what apleasure it is to be able to take a jacketfrom the closet! The warm sunny daysare now behind us and remind us thatsummer vacations are over. Floridaseems quite popular amongour members. The Warfields, the Roesers, theOlivers, Mrs. Brown, and Rev. Smithare all back with fresh tans.The first week of each month is dedicated to "evangelism"; and evangelistic messagesare preached at bothmorning and evening worship services.The special service is designed for visitors and we are urged to bring friendswith us, to show them their need for thelife-changing Gospel, and so pray thatGod will help us all to make them feelfriendly. An opportunity is also given tomake a decision to surrender their livesto Jesus Christ. For this is a way thatwe are helping our lives to grow and tosee our congregation grow. We wereprivileged to hear Leon Seifert, a Chemist for the Koppers Company, here inPittsburgh, give his personal experiencewith Christ on Sabbath Evening. Wefound it very profitable to attend andalso a great encouragement for thosewho have dedicated their lives to Christ.CAMP FERNWOOD, 1955"And the servant of the Lord mustnot strive; but be gentle unto all men,apt to teach, Camp Fernwoodwas held as usual this year from June28 until July 8. Although these datescreated a hardship for some of our mostfaithful workers because of Daily Vacation Bible Schools, vacations, andemployment problems, we feel that wetruly had a very successful camp.The camp saw between fifty and sixtycampers plus the staff of cooks andcounselors enjoying "roughing it" inthe country. The cooks made everyonehappy at least three times a day withtheir wonderful cooking; and the counselors provided excellent spiritual foodas they taught classes and counseled.Our purpose this year was that Godmight be glorified by the bringing ofchildren to know Jesus Christ as theirSaviour and to grow in Him. There weremany who indicated decisions forChrist; and evidence shows that thiswas the Lord's doing.The Camp Fernwood Committee feelsthat this was a very profitable year inthe spiritual development of all who attended, and are looking forward to aneven richer 1956 camp season. Pleaseput our camp on your prayer list.CLARINDANorma Woods and Phyllis Perry aregreatly missed in CYPU, choir, andother church activities. We wish themwell as they begin their college work atGeneva. Mr.and Mrs. Homer Woodstook the girls to Beaver Falls and spentten days at the home of their daughter,Mrs. Roy Adams and family.COVENANTER WITNESS

John David Greenwood was bornSeptember 23 to John and Janet (Whitehill) Greenwood. Congratulations!A good representation from this congregation attended Forest Park all orpart of the time. Miss Mildred Blair wasin charge of the Girls' Dormitory andMrs. Helen Falk looked after the Juniors. Fine reports were given the following Sabbath evening. All, from theeldest to the youngest, gave his impressions of the conference.Dr. and Mrs. E. G. Russell were welcome visitors at our morning worshipSeptember 25. Dr. Russell, a former pastor, preached at the evening service.Mr. and Mrs. Lee Copeland anddaughter Linda of Clay Center, Kan.,spent part of their vacation with Mr.and Mrs. John Cabeen.Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bodie and sonDouglass of Greeley, Colo., were recent visitors at the Manse en route toUrbana, Illinois. Mrs. Bodie is a niece ofRev. Carson.Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Tippin and sonshave moved to Macon, Ga., where Lylehas a position with Capital Air Ways.GENEVA CONGREGATIONOn July24 Kristi Lynn arrived togladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Metheny.Mrs. C. M. Patterson recently visitedher father. Mr. Thomas Funk, elder ofthe Belle Center Congregation, to helphim celebrate his 88th birthday.On Friday evening, September 9, Marjorie May Wenkhous and John D. Lathom were married in the First BeaverFalls R. P. Church. Congratulations!Carey Brainerd Metheny, infant sonof Mr. and Mrs. David Metheny, wasbaptized on September 4.We are happy to have worshiping withus, the Rev. Herbert Hays family whoare living in our parsonage, and theRev. Willard McMillan family who livenear Geneva College where Mr. Mcmillanis a Bible Professor.Erla Jean Wilisonhas accepted aposition as teacher of English in theBeaver High School. Isabelle Murphyhas accepted the position of Art Supervisor in the public schools of EastMeadow, Long Island, N. Y.isconval-Mrs. Marguerite McCrearyesing at "The Overlook," New Wilmington, Pa.Mrs. Sarah Clyde, our oldest livingmember, who has had excellent health,has recently been confined to bed, butis improving.Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Edgar are startingon a Western vacation trip to celebratetheir 50th wedding anniversary.Mrs. Hattie Bell, mother of DavidBell of our Congregation, has suffered aOctober 5, 1955stroke and is confined at the RochesterHospital.Sabbath, September 25, was annualpromotion day in the Geneva SabbathSchool, and a number of children received promotion certificates and prizesfor faithful work this past year.With the opening of College, a number of students are worshiping with uson the Sabbath.UNITED PHILADELPHIAWe are worshiping at the present timein the new YMCA at Lansdowne Ave.and Garrett Rd. in Lansdowne. Therehas been a good attendance for whichwe praise the Lord.On July 30 a son, Robert David, arrived to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs.Robert Ashleigh.Irene McLean, a student at EllisSchool for girls in Newton Square, hasbeen awarded academic honors as thehighest rankingstudent in the 6thgrade. She also received non-academichonors for character. CongratulationsIrene! We are proud of you.A group of our young people will bein Geneva College this year: Jean Finlay, Don and Bill Jackson, Robbie Nimick, Mary and Ray McCracken and DickHpwell.We are happy to have Jack Ramsey,Viola Waterson, and Bob Gross worshiping with us. Bob is a student at Jefferson Medical.Charles Jilek graduated from MiltonHershey School and is now back athome and working in Philadelphia.Our people have very willingly openedtheir homes for the midweek prayermeetingsfor which we are thankful.The plans for the proposed newchurch building in Broomall are movingalong slowly.Our pastor, Dr. Paul McCracken, began a series of Messages on "The Inspired Word, the Books of the Bible andWhat Is in Them," starting with Genesis. The messages will be spaced to giveus opportunity to read each book inpreparation for the study. One messagewill be given on each book giving acomprehensive summary of its contents.At the Cameronian meeting on Sabbathnight Dr. McCracken conducts a veryinteresting Bible Quiz.There will be a congregational dinner at the parsonage on Friday September 30.Communion will be held on October 9with our Pastor's son, Robert McCracken, assisting.September W.M.S. meeting was heldin the Archer home in Paola. OctoberW.M.S. will be in the Coleman-Edgarhome in Drexel Hill. The officers for theyear are: President Mrs. Paul McCracken, Vice-President Mrs. SamuelGreer, Secretary Mrs. Robert Edgar,Treasurer Mrs. James Hartin. Ourtheme for the year is very timely."Therefore we his servants will ariseand build." Neh. 2:20STERLINGThe W.M.S. is a wide-awake organization under the leadership of MaryJane Wilkey. The September meetingmet with Nadine Oline. The next Sabbath afternoon, September 18, in a stewardship meeting, they met with theA.M.E. women. Gail Wilkey and Margaret Reed sang several Psalms andMrs. L. E. Kilpatrick spoke. September21, they sponsored a covered dish dinnerfor the college students and teachersconnected with our church,and a workmeeting for the Selma Mission bazaarwas enjoyed.Mr. Maurice Reed is the newly electedpresident of the city school board.Joe McFarland is President of theReno County Athletic Association.We wish to extend our sympathy tothe sons and families of Mrs. Mary McBurney who was recently called Home.She will always be remembered in Sterling as a kind and loving neighbor, a devoted Christian mother, loyal to herchurch, and always hospitable towardcollege students.Mrs. Olive McNeil and Mrs. CarrieYoung, who attended the NationalW.C.T.U. Convention in Long Beach,Calif., in August, gave interesting reports before the congregation September 11. Mrs. McNeil was called to Billings, Okla., recently by the death ofher sister, Elsie.Teachers from our congregation thisfall are: Blanche Cunningham, SterlingJr. Hi.; Karl Cunningham, GypsumHigh School; Lulu Tippin, Otis; Mr. andMrs.Willis Edgar, Burdett; Joe McFarland, Turon; Sylvia McFarland,Alden High School; Irene Kilgore, Mitchell, and Vera Mann, Hutchinson. MissOra Hays is English instructor in Sterling College and Ben Fose assistantfootball coach.John McFarland isa freshman atHays College, Hays, Kansas. Freshmenin Sterling College are: Jean Mann ofQuinter; Larry Oline and Quenton Kilgore of Sterling. David Hindman ofMinneola is a senior, and is president ofthe student body this year.A C.Y.P.U. social was held at the A.J. McFarland home in August.Two baby girls have come to brightenSterling homes: Elsie Joan, in the Stephen Wilkey home, September 16, andDebra Mae in the Dean Fountain homeon September 15.Robert McCrory, congregational treasurer, suffered a broken leg recentlywhen filling silo. The injury will keep223

him in bed and on crutches indefinitely.Robert McFarland left for Pittsburgh,Penna., September 11, where he will bea first year student in the R. P. Seminary where Armour is a Senior this fall.Armour and John Mitchell of Pittsburgh, Penna., spent one day in Sterling before Forest Park Camp, returningto Pennsylvania from camp. Armourpreached for his home congregationAugust 20.Following Forest Park, Karl Cunningham and Sylvia McFarland attended thePresident's Work Shop of County Presidents on Monday and Tuesdaypeka.in ToThree intermediates, Elaine Boyd,Vickie Wilkey and Bonnie Morley, havebeen promoted to the C.Y.P.U. and fivejuniors werepromoted to the intermediates: Bob Reed, Dennis Boyd, Larry Tener, and Judy, Hadley and JohnWilkey.Mr. and Mrs. Louis P. Velazquez ofNew York Cityannounce the engagement of their daughter, Siola, to Armour McFarland, son of Dr. and Mrs.A. J. McFarland. Both young people aremembers of the Covenanter Church.Siola's father is manager of the ElkingtonMusic Co. in New York, and hergrandfather was a minister in the United Brethern Church. She was graduated from Geneva last spring and is teaching in the Pittsburgh school system thisyear while Armour is a senior in theSeminary.Mr. Bruce Huey,successful Real Estate Insurance Loan firm executive ofHutchinson, has been elected presidentof the newly enlarged firm, "HutchinsonInvestment Company."Thirty-four Sterlingites enjoyedallor part of Forest Park. Those carryingresponsibilities were Robert McFarland,president; Rev. Kilpatrick and A. J. McFarland, speakers; Diane Oline, familyworship leader; Armour McFarland, devotions, campfire and junior speaker;Elda Patton, Junior Superintendent;Margaret Reed, Assistant Junior Superintendent, and Sylvia McFarland,Junior "Sing and Stretch." Mary Margaret WilkeyPsalm memorywon 3rd place in thecontest and John Kilpatrick led intermediate devotions.BLOOMINGTON, INDIANAThe Bloomington congregation is happy to welcome a new member to theCradle Roll. Elizabeth May arrived inthe home of Rev. and Mrs. Roy Blackwood September 12.The Blackwood'shave one other child, Billy. Mrs. Blackwood and baby are fine.The young people enjoyed an outingSeptember 12 at McCormick's CreekState Park. A huge fire was built in thefireplace at the Beechwood Shelter224House, and after much food was consumed, games and singing were enjoyed.Fifteen young people were present.George McElhinney has been confined to the hospital for several weeks.We hope and pray he will make a rapidrecovery.A bridal shower was held in the basement of the church for Miss JackieBaird, now Mrs. James Sturgeon. Jackieis the daughter of Jack Baird of Ellettsville.She received many beautiful gifts.Our best wishes are extended to thisyoung couple.We welcome to our community and toour church, Mr. and Mrs. James F. Dixson and family; Leonard Alan, LenaMargaret, and Karen Louise. They aremoving to Bloomington from near Butler, Pennsylvania.We also welcome as visitors fromPennsylvania, Mrs. Young and herdaughter, Miss Helen Young.Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hinton and Dr.and Mrs. Deane Hinton of Los Angeles,California recently visited Bloomingtonin the homes of Mrs. Clarence Latimerand other relatives.Certain plants of the Christian lifesuch as meekness, gentleness, kindness,and humility,if the sun of prosperitycannot come to perfectionalways shines.F. B. MeyerCAN THIS BE SAID OF YOU?The story is told of Gordon Maxwell,missionary to India, that he went to aHindu teacher and asked him if hewould teach him the language. The Hindu replied:"No Sahib, I will not teach you mylanguage. You would make me a Christian."Gordon Maxywell replied, "You misunderstand me, I am simply asking youto teach me your language."The Hindu replied again, "No, Sahib,I will not teach you. No man can livewith you and not become a Christian."Selected.ALSO, YOUR HITCHING POSTLong ago a young farmer who hadfrequented the village barroom was converted, but he continued to hitch hishorse in front of the saloon. A deacon,noticing this, said, "George, I am mucholder than you are, and will be pardoned, I know, if I make a suggestionout of my wider experience. No matterhow strong you think you are, take myadvice and at once change your hitching-post."Sure enough, it would not beconsistent to pray, "Lead us not intoevil,"temptation, but deliver us fromwhile going into the very jaws of temptation. We must co-operate in the anKEEPswering of our prayers.IT OUTAll the water in the world,However hard it tried,Could never, never sink a shipUnless it got inside.All the evil in the world,The blackest kind of sin,Can never hurt you one least bitUnless you let it in.American comic-book readers spendmore on their purchases every yearthan is laid out for the entire booksupply of elementary and secondary"Times."schools, reports the New YorkTheir outlay for comic books is fourtimes the amount spent for all types ofbooks by the nation's public libraries.These findings were reported in a survey by the Bureau of Public Administration of the University of California.The study found that 25 per cent of thenation's adults who were high schoolgraduates were readers of comic books.Sixteen per cent of the college graduates and 12 per cent of the school teachers were put in the same category.Comic-book sales were reported toaverage 1,000,000,000 copies a year, representing an expenditure of about $100,-000,000. C.U.H.Americanswith statisticsare peculiarly impressedthese here set are peculiarly impressive. Some wag figuredthem out. Population of U.S. 160,000,-000; people 60 years or 62,000,-older,000; balance left to do the 98,-work,000,000; people 21 years or younger,54,000,000; balance left to do the work,44,000,000; people working for the government, 21,000,000; balance left to dothe work, 23,000,000; people in ArmedForces, 10,000,000; left to do the work,13,000,000; people in state and city offices, 12,800,000; balance left to do thework, 200,000; people in hospitals andsanitariums, 126,000; balance left todo the work, 74,000; bums and otherswho won't work, 62,000; balance left,12,000; persons in jail, 11,998; balanceleft to do the work, 2. JustTWOyou and I and you'd better get a wiggle on! I'm leaving this Friday to takea month's vacation in ten days!Minister.TheC.U.H.Order your Minutes of SynodNOWFrom C. R. Fox, 209 Ninth St.,Pittsburgh 22, Pa.Price $1.00COVENANTER WITNESS

BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 30, 1955ovenanterWitnessf SEED).VOLUME VL, NO. 15 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1955New Hoaxes Discovered atPILTDOWNMan Who "Found" Famed Skull Linked to Other FakeryHASTINGS, ENGLAND (Reuters). A wholeseries of newly-discovered hoaxes have been pinnedon the man who fooled the world for forty years witha bogus "Piltdown" skull.Research in 1953 revealed that Country LawyerCharles Dawson did not end his trumpery with theskull he "discovered" at Piltdown, Sussex, about1912. Modern bone examination methods haveproved that the skull, claimed to have been that of aman of 50,000 years ago, was the jawbone of a modern ape.Now the researchers at Hastings Museum havefound out that many bronze axes, implements andspears from Dawson's collection are also fakes. Inaddition, they found that a History of Hastings Castle, published under Dawson's name, was written acentury earlier by Archaeologist William Herbert.Collection SoldDawson died in 1916 without any inkling thathis bogus discoveries would be found out. Later hisextensive collection of allegedly ancient items housedin his private museum were sold for a good price toHastings Museum.Dawson, who practiced law in the nearby country town of Uckfield, became internationally knownwhen, as an amateur antiquarian, he produced thePiltdown skull. When a monument was unveiled tohim at Piltdown in 1938, Anthropologist Sir ArthurKeith said men of science "took off their hats" tothe successful amateur.Made by FakesToday,men of science are taking apart everyDawson "discovery" in an attempt to trace its origins. Curator J. Manwairing Baines of Hastings Museum said the results of research into Dawson's workare "alarming."Some of the admired flint implements fromDawson's collection in Hastings Museum are products of a noted faker nicknamed "Flint Jack," hesaid. Others were apparently picked up by Dawson inDenmark-and New Zealand and brought back to England, where he claimed to have found them.Baines said doubts also have been raised abouta collection of bronze axes found at St. Leonards, amedieval horseshoe from Uckfield, and a horse'sspur from Lewes.Few Pen* ScruplesAnother item wrapped in mystery is a tinystatue which Dawson claimed to be the earliest example of cast iron in Europe. Baines said authoritiestook Dawson's word for it at the time, but it is nowthought the statue is offairly recent date, boughton the Continent.Dawson's pen apparently had as few scruples ashis shovel. Baines said the lawyer's book on HastingsCastle had been regarded as standard authorityuntil a local bookseller some months ago turned upa manuscript by William Herbert who excavated atthe castle early in the 19th century.The Free Methodist

paper"Current EventsFRANCE WALKS OUTColonialism has caused an unexpected crisis in theUnited Nations. The Assembly's steering committee votedagainst including the problem of Algeria on the agenda. Butwhen the committee report came before the whole Assembly,this recommendation was reversed, by a vote of 28 to 27.Since the government of Algeria is united with that ofFrance, the French government calls it an internal problem,beyond the jurisdiction of the U. N. The U. S., Great Britain, and most of the western powers respected France'swishes by voting against the Algeria debate. The Communiststates and the Arab and Asiatic countries, sensitive to colonialism, were the ones who insisted on putting the questionon the agenda.The French delegates promptly walked out, and the nextday were instructed to return to France. It seems unlikelythat France will withdraw permanently from the U. N., forit would lose far more than it could gain thereby. Theprestige of the U. N. suffers sharply, however, when anygreat power defies it. French resentment over Soviet support of the "anti-colonial" position will also help to destroythe good feeling between East and West which has arisen inrecent months. The U. N. vote, in addition, will strengthenNationalist sentiment in Algeria and Morocco, makingFrance's problems there all the worse.MOROCCAN TURMOILThe French cabinet may break up at any time over thequestion of Morocco. This summer hundreds of lives werelost in nationalist riots, centering on demands for the returnof the former sultan. Premier Faure favored negotiatingwith the nationalists for reforms, but the die-hard Frenchcolonials in Morocco, backed byother conservatives inFrance, opposed any concessions. Recently the cabinet announced that it had agreed to remove the present sultan,but Foreign Minister Pinay and high-ranking military officers immediately objected. Finally the sultan left Morocco of his own accord. Full-scale fighting began at once, andagreement is unlikely as longas the French insist on apro-French council to govern Morocco. The French cling toMorocco not only for its economic value, but as a symbolof the great empire which they once ruled. Any Frenchcabinet which gave up North Africa would fall from powerimmediately.OIL FOR ISRAELOil has been found in the southwestern part of Israel, onthe edge of the Negeb desert. The strike seems to indicate amajor field, with petroleum of better than average quality.It is expected to save Israel $50 million a year in oil imports. The discovery will weaken the effect of the Arabblockade, and decrease Israel's dependence on the West.The Arab states have never recognized Israel's title to theNegeb since the armistice of 1949, but Israel certainly willnot yield anyof the territory now.SUPERCARRIER IN SERVICE226The giant aircraft carrier Forrestal has been formallycommissioned. It cost almost $200 million, and will carry acrew of 3,500. The Forrestal is the world's largest warship,and the first of a new class of carriers which will displace70,000 to 80,000 tons each. All will have angled flight decksand handle jet planes. Four others besides the Forrestal havebeen begun or authorized, and the navy wants several more.The building of these supercarriers caused great controversyduring the Truman administration, due to the fear thatthey could be too easily sunk by enemy planes. Some navyairmen have high hopes for the revival of seaplanes. Onenew water-based plane which has proven highly successfulin flight tests is the SeaMaster, a bomber using four jetengines. It can reach speeds above 600 m.p.h. and has arange of 2,000 miles. The SeaMaster could alight on anysheltered body of water and be serviced quickly by submarines, making it difficult for enemy patrols to discover.STOCK BREAKPresident Eisenhower's illness sent a serious shockthrough the American stock market. On the following Monday, prices took their biggest break since the crash ofOctober, 1929. In a few days, however, most of the loss hadbeen regained, and some experts felt that the break hadserved a good purpose by shakingout speculators. Government officials announced that there would be no change inbasic policies and that there was no cause for apprehension.The Ford Motor Co. backed up its confidence in the economyby announcing a $500 million expansion program for 1956.TRAITOR'S STORYABritish "whitehas revealed more ofstory of Guy Burgess and Donald MacLean, the ForeignOffice employees who disappeared behind the Iron Curtainin 1951. Both became interested in Communism during the1930's. By World War II they were already carrying on espionage for the Soviet Union, yet had access to many secretdocuments in the Foreign Office. They first came undersuspicion because ofdrinking andimmorality, and were notsuspected of espionage until 1949. Even then their activities were not curtailed. When they learned in 1951 that theywere being investigated, they left England without hindrance. Mrs. MacLean joined them in 1953. These disclosures have aroused protest against the lax securitymeasures, even though the government says that all employees have been carefully screened since 1952.UNPREDICTABLE WINDSPity the poor weatherman! After elaborate warningsand precautions, Hurricane lone veered out to sea withouthitting the Northeastern seaboard. Many persons were justas angry as if a big storm had struck without warning. Thenext hurricane, Janet, proved more serious. It killed morethan 100 on the Caribbean island of Barbados, then swervednorthwest across the Gulf of Mexico. Blasting the Mexicancoast around the city of Tampico, Janet left nearly 300 dead,1,000 injured, and 100,000 homeless. With nearly threemonths yet to go, we have already had more than the average number of hurricanes for a year.theCOVENANTER WITNESS

profanity."cipline"Vineyard GleaningsAMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY REPORTS MOSTSUCCESSFUL YEARThe AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY has completed itsmost successful year of tract distribution in 1954 with a total of 13,000,000 tracts and booklets distributed during 1954.For over 130 years the Society has ministered to theneeds of individuals, churches, missionaries, missions andservice organizations. In every sense of the word it is trulya missionary enterprise. The purpose stated in the Society'scharter of 1825 is still the guiding principle under whichATS continues to publish an impressive quantity of gospelliterature : "To diffuse a knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christas the Redeemer of sinners, and to promote the interests ofvital godliness and sound morality through religious tracts."THEY'RE MOVING DIRECTLY INTO THE CHURCHHOLY LAND REVISITED is the name of a film madeby a large brewing company. It depicts the newly found tablet made in the 6th Century, inscribed with the Ten Commandments and shows historic and religious backgroundsthat will be a temptation to see. But it ties in directly withits scenes of the President of Israel greeting the brewers'publicity manager and it carries the brewers' imprint.ANOTHER: The Licensed Beverage Industries has secured the names of program chairmen of service clubs andcommunity groups, doubtless to include men's groups of yourchurch, to offer a film-speech program showing untowardincidents of Prohibition days and attempting to prove "economic and social contributions of the legal industry sinceRepeal."They offer the picture and an accompanying speaker with no fee. Can't you see what they will make of this?Local option elections are winning too many victories. AlertChristian men.BUT HERE IS THE WORST: Liquor stores are purchasing calendars with pictures of sacred events and characters. A large painting of the head of Christ is a startlingfront for such calendars, with the name of the liquor storeimprinted directly below. If nothing else will move Christians into action against the Satanic intent of the liquortraffic, this use of Christ Himself as the "come-on" tomen's destruction should.A PLEA FOR "WOODSHED DISCIPLINE"oldfashionedreligious training and a return to "woodshedAn F. B. I. agent told a gathering of parents thatdisdren.are needed to curb the waywardness of today's chilEdwin C. Kemper Jr., F. B. I. agent, told the annualhomemakers'conference at East Lansing, Mich., that the increasing number of arrests of children under fifteen years ofage shows that "something like disintegration is happeningto the American home." He urged parents to take theirchildren to Sabbath School, and to set an example of lawabidingcitizenship.In 1954, he said, more than 163,000 arrests were madeof persons eighteen years old and younger. Of this number,65,000 were less than fifteen years old, while 28,000 were justfifteen and 34,000 were sixteen.Many cases, Mr. Kemper said, were traceable to parental failure. He declared that parents ought to be held financially liable for acts of vandalism committed by theirchildren.KNIGHTS REPORT ON AD CAMPAIGNThe latest reports from the Knights of Columbus concerning their advertising campaign indicates that the RomanCatholics not only got a head start on Protestants but areincreasing their lead each year. During the past year theKnights received 318,000 requests for information about theCatholic faith, in response to their newspaper ads.Since the advertising campaign was initiated in 1948,nearly two million inquiries have been received and 195,500persons have enrolled for courses of instruction inCatholic religion.theThe National Association of Evangelicals is providingmats of very attractive advertisements, free of charge, toany Protestant church or group that will pay the cost of inserting them in local newspapers. The N. A. E. ads are excellent. They not only counter the false claims of other adsbut they also present the Bible plan of salvation in a clearand convincing manner.BAN ON PROFANITYTwo labor leaders have asked union members to "joinall the brigades who are now making an effort to have ourselves understood without the use otEarl W.Jimerson and Patrick E. Gorman, President and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively, of the more than 300,000 memberAmalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workman (AFL),launched their attack on cursing in the current issue of theunions official publication.The editorial refers to General George Washington's famous quote when he said in 1776 he was "sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing in the American Army is growing intofashion."The editorial also points out that "most peopleuse profanity because they lack vocabularies to expressthemselves adequately in the use of good English."The butchers are to be commended for their action.Personally we don't meet many butchers, but we would liketo send the editorial to our local Barbers Union and to someof the fillingOctober 12, 1955stations we visit regularly.Christian Union HeraldTHE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansa= orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka Khiimmto promote Bible Standards ofDoctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer*not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen. D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental Editor*Rev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: J2.50 per year; Overseas, J3.00 ; Single Copiei10 cents.B?" B" Ly

sacrament."scandalous,"saved."authority"argument"practice."communion,"communion,"Is Close Communion Scriptural?"The Reformed Presbyterian standard of admission to the sacrament is that commonly referred toas "Close Communion.' "Synod's Committee, to which was referred thepaper from the Santa Ana Session re the Scripturalrequirements for admission to the Lord's Supper,brought in a report which was adopted by Synodand was published in the August 24 issue of theCovenanter Witness. The paper from the Santa AnaSession set forth what appear to be the Scripturalrequirements for admission to the Lord's Supper. Ifthese are accepted as valid then it follows as a logicalcorrolary that Errors 6 and 8 of Chapter XXII ofthe Declaration and Testimony should be deleted.Dr. Vos and myself were appointed as co-principals to conduct this inquiry as to the scriptural requirements for partaking of the Lord's Supper. Ihave a high regard for the ability, thoroughness, andfairness of my co-principal so we are confident thatthere will be no resort to ridicule, the impugning ofmotives, or charges of disloyalty to our Church. Theaction of Synod in opening this question to publicdiscussion is in accord with the best traditions of ourChurch. It should be welcomed most of all by thosewho are convinced that close communion has asound scriptural basis as it affords them the opportunity to make that scriptural basis clear to all.Since each side is limited to one page of theCovenanter Witness once a month then it is necessary to get to the question at issue at once. We shallstart therefore with the question whether our present practice of close communion has scriptural authority. Some years ago in answer to an inquirywhether close communion was a principle or a practice my esteemed co-principal answered, "It is apractice maintained as an application of a principle.. . . The principle I understand to be that set forthin the Larger Catechism, Q. 173 : "Such as are foundto be ignorant or scandalous . . .may and ought tobe kept from thatScripture passagesare cited for that principle. Of course that is a principle which we all accept. There may be some whowould say that all believers in Christ who are notmembers of the Covenanter Church are either "ignorant orbut most of our members willreject that as Scripture authority for our practiceof close communion.Without Scripture AuthorityTo many of us at least the practice of closecommunion appears to be without Scripture authority. We are aware of the report made to the Synodof 1953 by a special committee and published in the1935 Minutes of Synod. This report contains "AScriptural Argument for Close Communion," andis found on page 145. So for the present we qualifythe above statement "without Scriptureand sav that such Scripture authority is not foundin our Standards. The "Scripturalin theMinutes has never been adopted by the Synod andthe Sessions of our Church. Later we shall seek toevaluate this "Scriptural228By Walter McCarrollWe turn first to Chapter XXV of the Testimonydealing with the Sacraments. In section 3 speakingof the Lord's Supper the Testimony says, "It is administered only by a lawful minister of the Word,to such baptized persons as, making a credible profession of their faith, have a corresponding practice."The conditions are plainly stated: "Baptized,Thecredible profession, correspondingscripture passages cited would be cited by any evangelical church. The gimmick of course is in thephrase: "a credible profession of faith." What is acredible profession of faith ? Some would say that itis as little as Rom. 10:9, "If thou shalt confess withthy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thineheart that God raised him from the dead, thou shaltbe Others will say that to have a credibleprofession of faith that profession must include allthat is in the Confession of Faith, the CatechismsLarger and Shorter, the Testimony, Covenant of1871, the Book of Church Government and the Directory for Worship. The truth likely lies somewherebetween these twoextremes. The correspondingchapter of the Confession of Faith, XXIX, limitsthe participants in the phrase, "the sealing of benefits thereof unto true believers." Will anyone saythat "true believers" are found only in the Covenanter Church?We turn now to the chapters in the Testimonydealing with the Christian Church and Church Fellowship, Chapters XXI and XXII. It is in ChapterXXII that Errors 6 and 8 are found. First we wishto note the use of the word "communion" in thesechapters. Chapter XXI-4, "It is the duty of a Christian to pray for the reformation of every part ofChrist's Church ; to inquire what part adheres mostclosely to the Scripture plan; and without prejudicejoin in that communion which is most pure, and inwhich he may prove most useful in the service ofChrist."Here the word "communion" means denomination. But in the next section XXI-5, "When anychurch imposes sinful terms oftheword "communion" seems to mean fellowship. InChapter XXII-1, "It is the duty of all who hear thegcspel to enter into the communion of the ChristianChurch,"the word "communion" seems to meanmembership. Again in XXII-4, "The ChristianChurch must have explicit terms ofthe word "communion" seems to mean membership.So far the word has been used with three differentmeanings. But in Errors 6 and 8 we have a fourthmeaning for the word "communion," i.e. the Lord'sSupper. In this chapter on Church Fellowship thereis no. discussion of the Lord's Supper, yet in Errors6 and 8 the word "communion" is used as though itmeans the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. And thatis the meaning generally attributed to it,althoughDr. Vos once wrote, "I take the word 'communion'in the Testimony XXII-4 and errors 2, 4, 6, and 8 asmeaning Church Fellowship or the right of enjoyment of Church privileges. Certainly it is not equivalent to the 'sacrament of the Lord's Supper.' " Forthe rank and file of church members this multipleuse of the word "communion" is confusing. Error 6COVENANTER WITNESS

ender?"says "That any person may be admitted to comchurchfellowship."munion who opposes any of the terms ofOur church generally has taken this tomean that no one outside of the membership of ourchurch may be admitted to the Lord's Table. For thisprohibition no scripture passages are cited. So farwe have found no Scripture authority in our Standards for close communion as required by ourChurch. My esteemed co-principal admits that closecommunion cannot be proved by the citation of prooftexts but that it can be proved by "logical argumentor process of inference." Such logical argument andprocess of inference is found in the 1953 Minutes ofSynod, but it is not found in our Standards.At this point many of my readers are eager tosay that the Lord's Supper is but one of the ordinances of the Church and what applies to thechurch as such applies to all of its ordinances.This is an easy and simple answer but it is tooeasy and too simple. The Minority report of a fewyears ago said, "There is no Scriptural warrant . . .for different terms of communion and church membership."That is the point at issue. We believe thatthere is Scriptural warrant for such difference. TheLord's Supper is a unique institution which standsin a class by itself, and is to be administered in accordance with the conditions which are inherentwithin the terms of our Lord's command. It is notone of the "privileges" of the Church which menare authorized to withhold or deny to some who aremembers of the Lord's body. It is presumption forany body of men to lay down rules or set up termswhich Christ Himself has not prescribed for the observance of the Memorial Supper. These terms wehope to set forth in a subsequent article.Psalms In EvangelismCharles McBurneyWe need not apologize for the work of theHoly Spirit in His preparation of Gospel Songs.Great evangelistic movements of the past, from thedays of Paul the Apostle to the days of JonathanEdwards, have found inspiration as well as expression in the Psalms.Not praise of the Psalms, however, but praisewith the Psalms is the Spirit's method of evangelism.Singing them unites, humbles, and strengthens theevangelists and challenges, convicts, and invites theevangelized.Although several elements of effective evangelism are usually blended by the Spirit in each song ofHis inspiration, I suggest here five of these elementswith one Psalm illustrating each.RECOGNITION of God, His holiness. His abhorrence of sin, is an element found in Psalm 5 :For Thou art not a God that dothIn wickedness delight;No evil shall abide with Thee,Nor fools stand in Thy sight.Thou hatest evildoers allAnd liars wilt destroy;Jehovah loathes the bloody manAnd such as fraud employ.October 12, 1955CONFESSION of sin is the central theme ofbeloved Psalm 51. As for Psalm 51, our Psalter contains two versions equally expressive in movementand sentiment:Against Thee only have I sinned,Done evil in Thy sight ;So in Thy judgment Thou art justAnd in Thy sentence right.Beyond confession of guilt and prayer for salvation, this Psalm expresses faith in the atonement :Sacrifice Thou wilt not take,Else would I the offering make.Offerings burnt bring no delight,But a broken heart, contrite,God's acceptance sacrifice,Thou, 0 God, wilt not despise.ACCEPTANCE is the price of salvation and allits benefits. Psalm 130 (either version again) expresses this act of simple faith :I wait upon the Lord with my request;My soul doth wait ;And in His word my hope doth surely restWith heart elate.Or the believer's answer to the question,"What shall I in Psalm 116:I'll take salvation's cup, 0 Lord,And on Thy name will call.INVITATION is found in many Psalms, eventhough, in the wisdom of God, the Spirit's song service is more often God-ward than man-ward. Thesewords from Psalm 95 illustrate the appeal and persuasion of the entire Song, and of many others :O come, and to Jehovah sing. . .0 come, and let us worship Him ;Let us with one accordIn presence of our Maker kneel,And bow before the Lord . . .Today if ye will hear His voice,Then harden not your heart . . .TESTIMONY, that element of evangelism bywhich the Holy Spirit can use every believer, findsmusical expression in many Psalms. Small wonderPsalm 40 is a favorite:He took me from a fearful pit,From out the miry clay;He set my feet upon a rock,Establishing my way.He put a new song in my mouthOur God to magnify. . .Or Psalm 116:I love the Lord because He heardMy supplicating plea . . .Thou hast redeemed my soul from death,Mine eyes from tears kept free ;From falling Thou hast saved my feet ;I live and walk with Thee.In recognition, confession, acceptance, invitation, testimony, the Psalms have the gospel readyfor us to sing.(Based upon a five minute talk at Forest Parkby Charles McBurney, Olathe.)229

WILL YOURWILLSPEAK FOR YOU?A solemn covenant and legal agreement, a will continues your life and influence as yourpersonal representativeBy Hugh Ivan EvansDirector of the Foundation of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.In Presbyterian Life, Used by PermissionA few months ago in Philadelphia, a lady walkedinto the office of a lawyer to complain that she wasbeing deprived of part of her rightful property. Herhusband had died a short time before without making a will ; and she had assumed that, since they hadno children, all of his money and property wouldcome to her. Instead, she said, she would get onlythree fifths of it.The lawyer listened sympathetically, then toldher that under Pennsylvania law the wife was entitled to the first $10,000 of her husband's estate, ifhe left no will, but that any remainder would have tobe divided with other relatives. In this case, becauseher husband had two brothers and a sister living,they were legally entitled to the other half of the remaining $40,000.She protested that her husband had said verydefinitely he didn't want anything to go to hisbrothers, but that he had felt he didn't have to makea will because everything would go to her automatically. The lawyer again explained the law and said,"It's too bad he didn't make a will. He could easilyhave left everything to you. But without a will, thelaw says that his brothers and sister must share inyou."the estate withEvery day, lawyers in every part of the countryare confronted with just such cases and many thatare far more heartbreaking that result from a manor woman not making a will. Far too few people realize that a will is a law, in a sense a law made by themaker of the will. If there is no will, the intestatelaws of the state take over. These laws set forth inprecise language just which relatives are entitledto share in the estate of an intestate, and in justwhat proportions.Intestate means "not making awill."In legallanguage, it applies to an individual who has notmade a will, or whose will cannot have the force oflaw because it is not a valid will one that will standup in court.230An intestate, no matter how well-meaning,throws on the court a job he should do for himself.Even worse, he fails in a vital duty to his family orothers who depend on him. No matter how little orhow much he has to leave, he may fail to leave it tothose to whom he owes the most.Many people think of an estate as a fortune ; andsince they do not have a fortune, they think theyhave no estate. Actually, an estate is the sum of anyone's possessions, no matter what their value, andeveryone has possessions.If you were forced today to leave the countryforever, leaving behind you everyone you love andeverything you own, you would quickly decide towhom you would give your estate. Your first thoughtwould be for your family or other dependents. Youwould divide among them the things theyneed andthe things your want them to have. These might bemoney, securities, other property, or personal belongings; but whatever they are, you would allot themin the proportions you saw fit.If you had been giving to your Church throughout your life, you would try to see that your givingcontinued after you had gone. If there were otherphilanthropies you wanted to aid, and if you had themeans, you would make gifts to them to help supporttheir work.This is just what a valid will accomplishes foryou. It carries out your intentions as if you werethere to direct the giving. The bequests you make inyour will are the gifts you would make if you weredoing it personally. A valid will assures that thethings you own will be distributed exactly as youplanned. A Christian will provides for your Churchas well as your dependents.To make a valid will,you must take two steps.First,you must decide to whom you want your estateto go, and in what proportions. Second, you musthave competent legal advice on the actual drawing ofyour will.Why legal advice? Few people would dream ofsigning an important legal document without consulting a lawyer yet a will has more serious legalconsequences than most papers you will ever sign.Nor would many men or women bring a serious courtaction without the help of a competent attorneybut your will may have to stand up before a court ifit is to be carried out as you wish.Good intentions are not enough for drawing avalid will. Your intentions must be in accordancewith the laws of your state and they must be expressed in language that cannot be misinterpreted.Laws differ from state to state, and all are complexand technical. What may seem to be a perfectlyproper expression of intent may turn out to be an illegal action or one whose meaning proves ambiguousto the court.The cost of legal counsel for drawing a will isvery nominal compared with the possible loss indrawing your own will or neglecting to make one.Failing to heed a lawyer's advice can produceequally distressing results. One such case occurredon the death of an elderly lady whose son had runaway from home years before and had never againbeen in touch with her. Meanwhile she had raised asa daughter a baby who had been left at her door.OOVENANTER WITNESS

possible,"She considered the girl as her own child, althoughshe had not taken the legal steps to adopt her.Concerned for her foster daughter's care ifanything happened to her, she went to a lawyer tohave a will prepared. She told him that she wantedall her estate to go to the girl, but that she understood she would have to leave $5.00 to the son to cuthim off legally. The lawyer assured her that the$5.00 bequest was not only unnecessary but an insulting provision. It was legal and proper, he said, toleave everything to the foster daughter. When sheagreed, he prepared the will accordingly.After she got home that day, the lady talked toa neighbor about her will. The neighbor insisted thatshe had been right and the lawyer wrong, that shedid indeed have to leave $5.00 to the son to make thewill legal. Helpfully she offered to take the lady toa "good" lawyer the next day to draw a "good" will.On this bit of neighborly advice, the lady tore up thevalid will she had just made.That night she died of a heart attack. Sincethere was no will, all of her estate went to her son,as the state law provided. The foster daughter received nothing.Once you have made a valid will, it states yourwishes as of the time you make it, but it does not alter itself to keep up with new circumstances. If youchange your mind about who is to receive your estate, or if the law changes, or if certain other conditions change, you should change your will. You maydo this by adding a section, called a codicil, to yourwill, or by writing a new one.Perhaps you have left something to an individual who has died since you wrote your will ; you maywant to make another bequest in its place. Perhapsyou have another dependent ; you should be sure thatyour will is written so that it provides for him. Youmay have given away or lost some of the propertymentioned in your will, or you may have acquiredsomething that should be included. To be sure thatyour will reflects these or other changes, you shouldreview it at least once a year with your attorney.A New York businessman has solved this problem by setting December 15 each year for review ofhis will. On that day he goes to his attorney andsays, "Ed, I died last night. How does my will looktoday?"Then they proceed to review the will to seewhether it needs changing as the result of anythingthat happened during the year.In making a will which provides bequests for religious, educational, or philanthropic causes, manypeople do not fully appreciate how far into the futuresuch bequests can carry their influence. The meansby which truly long-term giving can be accomplishedis the investment of a bequest so that it earns income year after year. The actual investment may bedone either by a trustee appointed in the will or bythe organization to which the bequest is made.When a bequest is invested, the principal remains untouched and only the earnings are paid, outfor the purpose the donor had written into his will.Many church and other organizations have set uptrust funds through which bequests are invested sothat year after year they provide relatively highearnings consistent with safety. The Foundation ofthe Presbyterian Church, for instance, has a Corn-October 12, 1955bined Trust Fund, made upof government and corporation bonds and common and preferred stocks,which has earned about 4 per cent on Church investments over the past fifteen years.If a bequest earns 4 per cent a year, it will produce income equal to the full value of the bequestover a twenty-five-year period, while the principalremains untouched and still earning. The Foundationadministers one $15,000 bequest received by thePresbyterian Church in the U.S.A. in 1821, which todate has earned about $80,000 for the Church purposes the donor wrote into his will. Bequests like thisextend the influence of the donor for yearscenturies into the future.evenWhen making bequests to philanthropic or religious organizations, the individual is often temptedto direct that the gift be used for a particular purpose which is dear to him. While this is laudable, itcan cause problems if the purpose is too restrictive.As the years go by, there may no longer be a need fora particular type of aid, but a new need may havearisen one the donor would have recognized as being worthy of his support. If his bequest is too restrictive, it may outlive its usefulness.There is a story, well known to lawyers, about aman who made his way westward in a covered wagonto seek his fortune. He ended his trek in the Midwestwhere he found the opportunity he was looking for,and during the remainder of his life built up an estate of around a quarter of a million dollars. Grateful for his success and anxious to share it with others who might follow him, he directed in his will thatthe money be used to help people in need of aid asthey traveled west in covered wagons.He had no better insight into the future thanwe have today, so he couldn't know that in time therailroads would press west, that there would be stillother forms of transportation, and that covered wagons would become museum pieces. In time, it becameimpossible to use his money for the purpose he intended.The case was brought before the local court. After long delays and expensive litigation, the court decided that the cy pres, or "as nearly asdoctrine should apply. It decreed, therefore, that theestate should be used for assistance to travelers inneed, without regard to their mode of transportationor direction of travel. Whether or not this was theway the donor would have decided, had he been alive,no one knows.Such cases point up the usefulness of the unrestricted bequest. Church organizations and manycharities have continuing governoring bodies whichare in a position to know the year-by-year financialneeds of each of their activities. When a donor makesan undesignated bequest to such a group, he is notnarrowly restricting his gift ; he is giving informed,dedicated people the opportunity to use it in the various ways that will be most helpful for the largercause he wants to support. As the years go by, hisbequest will continue its usefulness as it supports thechanging needs of the organization.Another important point in will-making is theuse of the correct legal name of the organizationwhich is to receive a bequest. It often happens thatunknown to the donor, there are organizations inother places and other types of work which have231

churches."you."me,"The Society of EncouragersBy Rev. Walter L. Lingle, D.D., LL.D.The title of this article comes from the biography of Dr. Alexander Whyte, the great pastor ofFree St. George's church, Edinburgh, Scotland, fornearly fifty years. There was a distinguished eldernames similar to the group he wants to benefit. Ifhe has not spelled out the full legal name, his bequestmay not reach the right organization.A case of this kind came up several years agoin the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. A man whowanted to help in the work of one of the Churchagencies had used an incomplete name for the organization in his bequest. After his death, the courtwas called upon to decide to whom the bequest shouldgo. Although his intent seemed clear to those whoknew him, it took the Church agency more than ayear, to say nothing of the legal costs, to prove tothe court that it was the group he had in mind. Fortunately, in this case his wishes were finally carriedout and today his bequest is helping in the work hechose to support. With a different interpretation bythe court, however, all his fine intentions might havebeen thwarted.Any will needs careful thought and preparation,but one which includes a bequest for specific Churchpurposes needs special attention. It is a good ideato consult with the agency in charge of the work youwant to support, as well as with your own attorney.In this way, any possible problems, such as the fulllegal name of the agency, a correct statement of thepurposes to be supported, or the naming of alternate causes for support, can be settled in advance.Your pastor can give you the names and addressesof the agencies in which you are interested, or youmay call on the Synod's Treasurer.Your will is many things. It is a solemn covenant as well as a legal agreement and the documentby which you will be judged by those who haveknown you. It is a continuation of your life and influence, and it is your personal representative.If it is a valid will, it will represent you well. Itwill do its job expeditiously and, if necessary, standup in court to assure that your wishes are carriedout as if you were present.If it is a Christian will, it will in addition havethe spirit, even if not the wording, that appears inone will made by a minister who bequeathed his estate to an agency of our Church :"I have regarded such advantages, opportunities, and possessions as were mine a trust from God,to be administered in a spirit of responsibility andhelpfulness. As this feeling has grown on me, lifehas taken on a greater meaning with each passingyear."It is in the light of this meaning that I amdrawing this, my Last Will and Testament. I wishthis instrument to speak for God, for Jesus Christ,and for the cause of Christianity,which I havesought to serve in sincerity and truth. Because Hehas done so much for me and through me, I wish tolive on in His Service here below long after my spirithas gone to dwell with Him forever."232in this church of whom it was said that he belongedEncouragers."to "the great Society of He was always encouraging somebody, especially his pastor.There should be a society of that kind in every community and we should all be members of it. Theremust have been a society like that back in Isaiah'stime, for we read in his forty-first chapter: "Theyhelped everyone his neighbor; and everyone said tohis brother, Be of good courage. So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth withanvil."the hammer him that smote theIt was the elder's helpfulness to his pastor thatwon for him this title. Did it ever occur to you thatyour pastor needs encouragement? He probablyneeds it more than any one in your community. Thatpeople think ofstatement may surprise you. Manythe minister as the most carefree person in the community. The Apostle Paul, after reciting all the perilsand sufferings through which he had passed, addsthis significant statement: "Beside those thingsthat are without, that which cometh upon me daily,the care of all the I do not suppose thatlayman will ever be able to understand thatanystatement. The care of the whole church is constantly pressing upon the heart of the good minister. Heis constantly visiting the sick and sorrowing andburying their dead. He is a sharer in all the sorrowsand tragedies that come upon his people.In addition to this, he preaches his heart out butthere arevery few visible results. Of course, peopleoften say nice things to him after the sermon, butsome of the things they say hurt. For example, somewell meaning person will rush up and say, "Let mesermon,"congratulate you on that and then he wonders whether that is the deepest impression the sermon, over which he had toiled and prayed, had madeon his hearers. On the other hand, some seriousmindedperson says, "Your sermon today helpedand then he knows that person is a member of theSociety of Encouragers.Some of us who are older remember when thatdelightful little book of Scottish stories called "TheBonnie Brier Bush," by Ian Maclaren, was published.The author's real name was Rev. John Watson, whowas one of the great preachers of Scotland and England. His biographer tells a beautiful story about hisearly ministry. His first pastorate was a small country church with about a hundred members in theHighlands of Scotland. The young minister startedout with a determination to preach without readinghis sermon from a manuscript. It was hard work.Sometimes his sermons would leave him right in themidst of the service. He became terribly discouragedand felt like giving up the ministry.One day after he had forgotten his sermon,a gaunt Highland elder came to him after the serviceand said : "When you are not remembering your sermon, just give out a Psalm and we will be singingthat whiie you are taking a rest, for we all are lovingyou and praying for Dr. Watson became agreat preacher without manuscript, and in afteryears he said : "I am in the ministry today because ofthe tenderness and charity of those country folk,those perfect gentlemen and Christians."By the way, let me commend to all young minis-COVENANTER WITNESS

cheerful."world."medicine."setback."painter."ters the example of Dr. John Watson in perseveringand toiling until they learn to preach without manuscript. Within recent months, I have heard membersof two churches in different states express the wishthat their ministers would not read their sermons.In both cases the ministers are still young men. Perhaps if they would work as hard at it as young JohnWatson did, and if their people were as helpful andsympathetic, young ministers could preach withmuch greater power without manuscript than withit.II.There are many ways in which people can encourage their ministers, and by the same token thereare many ways in which the minister may encouragehis people. To begin with, he can do it in his preaching. Jonathan Edwards preached a great sermonentitled, "Sinners in the Hands of an AngryGod."We are told that he preached with such power andrealism that some of his hearers actually clung totheir pews to keep from slipping right down intoHell. We all need to hear sermons like that from timeto time, but the preacher should not hold his peopleover the pit every Sabbath. Theyneed comfort aswell as warning and exhortation. Dr. Joseph Parker,the great preacher of the City Temple, London, ageneration ago, used to say to theological students:"Preach often to broken hearts. You will find onein every pew. You will find them where you leastexpect them."Much of our preaching is too somber. Preachingof that kind leaves people depressed and discouraged.We should study the art of putting good cheer intoour sermons. You will recall that Jesus said: "Beof good cheer, I have overcome the In Proverbs, according to the Revised Version, we have thisstatement: "A cheerful heart is a goodThe minister can also bring good cheer and encouragement into the lives of his people as he goesinto their homes or meets them on the streets. Oneof the noblest ministers I ever knew was sometimeskept out of the sick room by physicians because hismornful bearing depressed the sick person. In Moffatt's translation we find this statement in thetwelfth chapter of Romans: "The sick visitor mustbe Every minister should keep that inmind. But whether we are sick or well, a ministerwith a radiant Christianity can help and encourageus by his very presence. I shall always rememberwith affection a Methodist minister who lived in ourtown some twenty-five years ago. He was not highlyeducated and did not preach great sermons, but hebrought more good cheer and encouragement as hewalked the streets or entered our homes than allthe rest of us put together. He must have been acharter member of the Society of Encouragers.III.But when I began this article I was not thinkingonly of ministers and churches but of everybody. Letus now turn to the home. That is the place above allothers where we should receive the most encouragement, but sometimes it is the place where we receivethe least. We drift along in a matter of fact way,week after week, just taking things for granted.Sometimes we are actually discouraged by membersOctober 12, 1955of our own families. Many illustrations could be given out of myown observation. Here is one:A devout Christian woman, the mother of several small children, was ill with what she knew was afatal disease. One day when I called she looked sobright and cheerful that I greeted her with the remark that she looked better. She replied that she feltbetter, in fact she felt as if she might get well. Hermaiden sister chimed in : "Now don't get your hopesup too high for you will be so disappointed if youhave a That sister belonged to the Societyof Discouragers. There are members of that societyin every community.Parents do not always encourage their childrenas they should. During my college vacations yearsago, I taught a country school. One day a mothercame with her overgrown teen-age son to enter himin school. In the presence of her son she said: "Myboy is a blockhead and I don't reckon you can learnhim anything, but you can try." No wonder the boywas a blockhead, with a mother like that.On the other hand, Benjamin West, the notedartist, used to say: "A kiss from myme a As she looked at his first crude effortinstead of criticizing it she stooped down and kissedhim. That encouraged him to press on. A frown, acriticism, or ridicule would have probably so dismother madecouraged him that he would never have tried again.I am not sure that parents and teachers are alwaysaware of how deep fault-finding cuts into the heartof a child, or with what enthusiasm little childrenrespond to encouragement.It may be that husbands and wives do not always give each other the encouragement they should.It would be a fine thing if all the members of all ourfamilies would resolve that they are going to join theSociety of Encouragers. It is a Christian society.Sometimes even a brief note or letter will bringa world of encouragement. My graduation speech atcollege was a rather sorry affair. It was not a goodspeech to begin with. And then I was so embarrassedthat my knees trembled and I kept walking back andforth like a caged hyena. On the whole, I was notvery happy about the speech. A few days later I received a letter from Rev. E. P. Davis, whom I did notknow and of whom I had never heard. In the letterhe said a few kind words about my speech, the firstkind words, so far as I can remember, that anybodyever said about a speech of mine. Then he inquiredwhether I had ever thought of going into the ministry. As a matter of fact, I had already decided, buthis letter encouraged me immensely. After all theseyears I have not forgotten it. Bless his dear memory.There are a great many people ministering tous every day. The milkman, the newsboy, deliverymen and women of various kinds work for our comfort every day through rain or shine. Besides these,there are a host of public servants such as policemen,firemen, and the men at the water and electric stations. All these need encouragement.We meet people every day who are fighting ahard battle. A word of good cheer and encouragement may enable them to press on and win the victory. When we come to think of it, Jesus was thegreatest Encourager who ever lived in this world.Christian Observer233

poetry."now."city."carlessly"continually?"right?"might."never"Lesson Helps for the Week of October 30, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor October 30, 1955NAHCM: THE COMFORTERComments by Theodore F. HarshPersonnel File Card:Name: NahumAddress :sible locationsElkosh (there are several poslee, in Judea)Occupation: Prophetnear Nineveh, in GaliOther Activity: Political observerRemarks: "Nahum was a patriotic saint.His sensitive nature, strained nearly tothe breaking point by the godless cruelty of the inhuman warriors was almostfanatical in his exultation over the horrible sufferingof the enemy. His soul,on fire with righteous indignation,flashed and blazed in dramaticKyle M. Yates.Nahum delivered the message thatJonah wanted to deliver. He denouncedwicked Nineveh, not only as an enemyof his people, but as an enemy of GodHimself. He did not call for personaland national repentence as Amos did(Amos 5:4-6). He did not plead for arestoration of lost loyaltyas Hosea did(Hosea 12:6). He did not seek to winhis own people with Micah's tenderness(Micah 6:3). There is not even the hintof clemency for a repentent Nineveh inNahum's prophecy that we found in theaccount of Jonah (Jonah 4:10,11). Nahum enthusiastically declared that justice would be done. Nineveh's wickednesswould receive the punishment it so welldeserved.I. Chapter I. The Judgment of NinevehdeclaredIsrael was a satellite of Assyria. Assyrian policy was to deport conqueredpeople to other lands to destroy theirsense ofeasier to control.nationality and make themThe Assyrians were great warriors.They were continually out on raidingparties. Most nations then were robbernations, and the Assyrians seem to havebeen the champions. They built theirempire on loot from other nations. Theywere cruel. They skinned prisoners alive,cut off their hands, feet, noses, ears, orpulled out their tongues, put out theireyes, and made mounds of human skulls,all to inspire terror.Micah and Isaiah had held out thehope of a future world peace. Nahumpromised quick relief from their greatoppressor, Assyria, with its capital atNineveh. Like the Psalmist, the people of Israel asked, "How long, O Lord?"(Psalm 94:3,4).Nahum said, "It won't be longIt makes less difference how dark the234tunnel is if we can see the light at theend. Hardship has less chance of destroying those who have hope that itwill end. Nahum announced that end indeclaring God's judgment of Nineveh.II. Chapter II. The Judgment ofNineveh DescribedThe fall of Nineveh occurred in 612or 607 B.C. Within about 20 years ofNahum's prediction, an army of Babylonians and Medes closed in on the city.After a two-year siege, a sudden rise ofwater washed away part of the city wall,and the invaders swarmed in (Nahum2:6). Prancing horces, cracking whips,rattling wheels, bouncing chariots,flashing swords, and great heaps of deadbodies were to be seen as promised inNahum 2:3,4; 3:1-3,7; and "the rejoicing city that dwelt(Zeph.2 :13-15) was no more. Xenophon passedby two hundred years later and thoughtthe mounds of Nineveh were "ruins ofsomeParthianAlexandertheGreat fought the battle of Arbela nearthe site of ancient Nineveh in 331 B.C.and did not know there had even beena city there.in. Chapter HI. The Judgment ofNineveh DefendedWho is it that has judged Nineveh?Is it Nahum? or Israel? or a group ofworld statesmen? No."Behold, I amagainst thee, saith the Lord of hosts"(Nahum 2:13). Consider this statementof opposition in connection with Nahum's character sketch of God (Nahum1:2-7).Compare Nahum's characterization ofGod with Psalm 103:8; Psalm 29; Psalm93; Psalm 104:27-32; Psalm 130:3;Psalm 27:5; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 1:6.The denunciation is summed up inthe last words, "For upon whom hathnot thy wickedness passed(Nahum 3:19). Nahum might haveasked with Abraham, "Shall not thejudge of all the earth do Hemight have cited the warning of Psalm9 : 17, "The wicked shall be turned intohell,God."and all the nations that forgetFor Psalms to sing at this meetingtry the above Psalms that were suggested as parallel to Nahum's charactersketch of God.Psalm 103, page 247Psalm 29, page 67Psalm 93, page 227Psalm 104, page 256Psalm 130, page 326Psalm 27, page 62Psalm 46, page 118Psalm 1, page 2.JUNIOR TOPICOCTOBER 30, 1955A WOMAN JUDGEBy Marjorie Mitchel Glenwood, Minn.Scripture Text Judges 4, 5Memory Verse Judges 5: 31"Let all thine enemies perish, O Lord :but let them that love Him be as thesun when he goeth forth in hisPsalms1. Psalm 31, vs. 1-4, page 71Notice the trust in God for help inthese verses.2. Psalm 34, vs. 1-6, page 79See how we can praise the Lord forHis help in all things.3. Psalm 46, vs. 1, 2, 9, 10, page 118The Lord is our strength in all timesof trouble.Memory Psalm Psalm 136, page 334,learn vs. 1, 2In this lesson for October 30andthose through November 20 we will beseeing how God gives victory to thosewho obey and try to please Him. OurMemory Psalm also shows this and isthanking Him for this victory. Duringthese weeks we will be learning verses1-4, 12, 13. If you like, more verses ofthis psalm could be memorized. Noticehow the words "For mercy hath Heever"and "For His grace failethare repeated in each verse. This was toemphasize how much they loved theLord and we should sing these wordswith meaningthought.and with that sameReferences Joshua 1:9; Exo. 15:20,21;Ezra 3:11; Psalm 9:11; Psalm 81:1;Psalm 95:1; Luke 2:36-38.CommentsThe children of Israel were doingevil in the sight of the Lord at this time.So God allowed Jabin (king of the Canaanites in the North) to come andmake trouble for the Israelites. KingJabin had nine hundred chariots of ironand he made trouble for the Israelitesfor 20 years. And then the people finallyturned to Gcd for help.Israel was then ruled by Deborah, awoman judge, who was very wise andgood, who lived in a tent near finepalm trees. When people needed advice,they always came to Deborah. A judgewas a chief ruler of the Israelites, whoprobably had authority to make allthe important decisions about the peoplesuch as criminal and other cases.God told her to tell Barak, a soldier,that God wanted him to take 10,000soldiers and go up north to fight Sisera,who was captain of Jabin's army. Godpromised Barak the victory over them.Barak was timid and said to Deborah,COVENANTER WITNESS

an."might.""I'll go if you come, too, but I'll not goif you do not come." Deborah was braveand said, "Of course I'll go with you,Tsut it will not be you who shall havethe honor of victory over the Canaanites,since God will give that honor to a womBarak gathered 10,000soldiers andwent up to Kishon river with Deborah.Sisera heard they were coming, and gothis own army readywith 900 chariotsand went to this river to meet them.God helped the Israelites, so that Sisera and all of his soldiers becamefrightened and turned to get away, butmost of the armywere killed. ButSisera (captain) saw they were losingand went away by foot from the chariotand ran until he was so tired out thathe could hardly move. He came to acountry tent where a woman namedJael lived. She was a Kenite who livedin the South near the mountains andwas neither an Israelite or Canaanite.Remember that Moses ran away fromPharaoh some years before and lived inthe desert.There he had married aKenite woman. So when the Israeliteswent through the desert later Moseshad asked his brother-in-law to guidethem. This is why the descendants ofKenites lived among the Israelites.Of course Sisera (captain of Jabin'sarmy) didn't know this woman wouldsympathize with Israelites, so he stoppedat her tent asking to rest. She pretended to be friendly and said, "Come inand rest awhile." When he lay down shecovered him and gave him milk to drinkfor he was thirsty and worn out. Hesaid,"Stand in the door of the tentand if any one comes and asks if thereis a man here, tell them "No'."Sisera was so tired he fell asleep rightaway. Jael found a long tent pin like anail and wentquietly into the tentwhere he was sleeping. She then hammered the nail right through his head.He never awoke from that sleep!In a short while Barak camehurryingpast the tent looking for Sisera who hadescaped their soldiers. Jael called to himand said, "Come in the tent and I'llshow you the man ycu arelooking for."They went into the tent to see whereSisera lay dead.Barak returned to report to JudgeDeborah about what Jael had done.Deborah and Barak then praised God forthe great victory, singing for gladnessthis song: Judges 5:31 "So let all thineenemies perish, O Lord; But let themthat love Him be as the sun, When hegoeth forth in hisAfter thisvictory the land had rest from war for40 years. Deborah and Barak had defeated their enemies, the Canaanites,with the Lord's help.Many people used to think that wom-October 12, 1955en could not take responsibility and honor that men usually take. But in thisstory today we see that one woman(Deborah) was a Judge over her people which was a very important position.Another woman(Jael), although shewasn't an Israelite but a friend of theIsraelites, helped them out by capturingthe captain of the enemy's army.ahThe Bible tells us some about Deborshe was fine and good, people cameto her for advice and they seemed tolove and respect her. She had to makemany important decisions and her jobwasn't easy.We see Barak the soldier that Godwanted to be over other soldiers andfight the enemy was really afraid. Evenwhen God promised him the victory herefused to go until Deborah said shewould go with him. She then told himthat the victory would be given by theLord to a woman.Aren't you happyat the end of thisstory that after the victory Deborahand Barak sang a song of praise to ourGod for His goodness? They were givingthe credit to the Lord. Their song wasa beautiful one.Lessons to Be LearnedWe can learn many lessons from this.1. The Lord honors those that honorHim. 2. He can use women, men, boysand girls to do His work, and do it inthe right way. 3. God will give usstrength and courage to do what is HisWill. He will help us to make right deWe should never forget tocisions. 4.come back and in prayer thank the Lordand just tell Him how much we reallylove Him.As boys and girls, it's not too earlyto begin planning our life's work or tobe studying hard in preparation forwhatever He has for us to do.Andright now, we can be making everyminute and day count by doing something kind and telling other girls andboysthat Jesus can do so much in theirlives if they will onlythis.ask Him to doNotebook 1. Outline very simply thefive main points in the lesson. 2. Listspecific ways we can have "the Lord'sVictory"in school, work and play. Thenshow how we can give thanks to Him.THE MINUTES OF SYNODARE NOW READYORDER FROM C. R. FOX209 Ninth St. Pittsburgh 22, Pa.Price $1.00SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONOctober 30, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney.(Lessons based on International Sunday SchoolLessons ; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of ReligiouB Education.)JESUS PROCLAIMS HIS MISSIONLuke 4:16-44Printed text, Luke 4:16-34, 28-30Memory verse: Luke 4:18,19. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because heanointed me to preach the Gospel to thepoor; he hath sent me to heal thebroken-hearted, to preach deliverance tothe captives, and recovery of sight to theblind, to set at liberty them that arebruised, to preach the acceptable year ofthe Lord."Nazareth,Jesus'miles north of Jerusalem,west of the southern tiphome town, was 60and 20 milesof the Sea ofGalilee. Cana was 4 miles north-east ofNazareth. It appears that Jesus livedquietly and industriously at home inNazareth until His baptism six monthsbefore the time of our lesson today.After Jesus' baptism, he spent morethan a month in the wilderness, as westudied on last Sabbath; then severalmonths in Judea and some time aroundGalilee, making a total of a half yearbefore He returned to Nazareth.As his custom was, He went into thesynagogue on the Sabbath. We are notcertain if it was also included in Hiscustom, that He stood up. The synagogue was carefully supervised by several groups of officers and the order ofexercises was prescribed,prayer, reading from the Old Testament, and comments on the passage read. These exercises were performed by anyone giftedin these things. It is possible that Jesushad been employed frequentlyreading and in the speakingin thealso. So itwould seem natural that coming homeafter a few months absence the peoplewere anxious to hear Him, especiallywhen reports of His ministry and miracles had preceeded Him.Christ's Rejection in Nazareth.It is natural for communities to beproud of their sons when they haveachieved some degree of fame abroad.This home-coming had all the elementsthat make for an enthusiastic reception.The people had heard of marvelousthings that Jesus had done abroad, andthey hoped to be entertained and perhaps profited by some of them. Howeasy it would have been for Jesus tohave had these people cheering for theirhome-town hero! Instead of catering totheir pride, Jesus told them the TRUTH.He gave no special place of prominenceto Nazareth in the statement of his mission, and laid bare their inmost thoughts235

prospereth"of selfish pride. Instead of accepting theTRUTH in humility, theyThe Ground of Offence.cast him out.The passage read from Isaiah, whether in the regular order for the day, orselected by Christ,was one of the passages that the Jews recognized as foretelling the coming and work of the Messiah. They expected the Messiah to appear in some great place like Jerusalem,with great pomp and an army, and thatHe would drive out the Romans. Theyhad created their Billiken, "The godof things as they ought to be." Christ rejected their Billiken, and theyout.cast himThe Salvation That the Jews Rejected.While the Jews accepted Isaiah astheir true prophet, they had interpretedhim according to their ownWhat theywisdom.wanted for their salvationwas not what God offered. When Christannounced Himself as the Messiahpromised by Isaiah, the Jews were angry because that was not the way theyhad planned it. Under the guidance ofthe Holy Spirit, Isaiah had describedthe Salvation that Christ came to bring,even as it has been fulfilled both literally and figuratively. It is a salvation forboth the individual and the nation. Manymen, and nations, have not realized thissalvation. That is not for any lack inChrist's power or purpose. Every onewho has accepted Christ's plan is saved.As Christ has been obeyed in social life,the people have been blessed.The fruits of Christ's salvation cannot be fully realized until He is acceptedas our Lord in social life. Slavery andoppression, and much of poverty, are thefruits of a godless social order. Un-socialselfishness led us into a deep concernabout our social insecurity. Will man'splan for Security succeed if it is not inaccord with God's plan for the socialorder?Christ's poverty by which we may become rich, has nothing whatever to dowith material wealth. The difference between Christ's riches that he laid asideto assume our poverty that we might berich, cannot be measured bygold. Heoffers us spiritual wealth. If we applythat spiritual wealth in social life, therewill be much less material poverty andwant. The Jews have followed God's financial plan very largely in their dealing with Jews. There is little povertyamong them, individually. But they holdall gentiles as outside of the law, so thatthey are at liberty to deal with them assuits their convenience. That has madethem hated of all nations. They have notprofited by it except in nations whereChrist's law has some influence in social life. Individual and social salvation236should go hand in hand. When man's efforts in research and invention areturned toward the betterment of humanconditions and social relations, then willbe realized the blessings of the greatsalvation that the Jews rejected.The Acceptable Year of the LordSomething to preach! A year that isacceptable to God. God has accepted it.Christ came to preach it, that man too,might accept it, making the acceptancemutual. When is the acceptable year?The question answers itself. It is thisyear. Now is the accepted time. Today.That is the theme of all Gospel preaching; to proclaim that this is the acceptable year of the Lord. We do not need towait. The time has arrived. Not nextyear. This year. I read a promise inGod's law and in nature, that the sunwill rise tomorrow, but no promise thatit will rise for me, or for our socialorder. What does it matter? I have today, and this is the acceptable year,day, of the Lord. If we have wasted thedays that are past, and are wasting today, why should we be given tomorrow?The Message For Us to Receiveand Deliver.Do we find a more important messagethan Luke 4:19? It is quoted fromIsaiah 61 :2, "To proclaim the acceptableyear of the Lord.' The Jews had thisscripture, and refused to enter into itsblessing. They have suffered for theirfolly. We have every advantage that theJew had, with the lessons of 2,000 yearsadded.What will we do with this message?What will we do with THE BOOK?What will we do with JESUS?Psalms:PRAYER MEETING TOPIC73 :l-3, page 178November 2, 1955RICHESJames 5:1-6.M. K. Carson, D. D.49:4-8, page 12515:1-3, page 2673:9-10, page 179References: Matt. 6:19; Luke 12:16-21;Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:15; Jer. 22:13; Mai.3 :5. Other references are found in thecomments.The three perils against which Jameswarns us are the wrongtongue,use of theworldliness and riches. The power of speech is one of man's greatestgifts. According to its use, it becomes ablessing or a curse (James 3:9).God has provided, and .isconstantlyproviding more and more of the "goodthings."As we look forward to ourThanksgiving Day,our hearts shouldbe filled with gratitude. "Every goodgift is fromabove"(James 1:17)."Thanks be unto God for His unspeakableterialgift"(II Cor. 9:15). But these ma"things"maybecome a curse ifwe do not learn that a man's life consistethnot in the abundance of the"things"which he possesseth (Luke 12:15). Materialism has had its evil effectupon all of us.Riches too, maybe a blessing or acurse. But the love of money is theroot of all"covet"evil."I Tim. 6:10. So if weriches we are in a dangerouscondition and maybe pierced throughwith many sorrows. Is it safe to be rich?Matt. 19:23-26. How much wealthmayone have? John's word to Gaiuswas, "Beloved, I wish above all thingsthat thou mayest prosper and be inhealth, evenas thy soul(III John 2). What a wise answer thisis! If we were prosperous in materialthings onlyin proportion to our soul'sprosperity, how poverty-stricken someof us would be! Or how sickly some ofus would be if our bodies were nohealthier than our souls! Do we alwaysgive the first consideration to the soul?"What shall a man give in exchange forhissoul?"Mark 8:36-37. EvidentlyJames is describingthose who placedthe emphasis upon "riches." They werethe godless rich (2:2;godly5:1-6). There arerich too. To describe a class ofpeople, such as the rich, as wicked, selfish and oppressive, is unjust. And toooften this is done. The ungodly, the unbelieving and the wicked are in a class,whether rich or poor. There is the brother of low degree, but there is also therich "brother" who is made low (1 :9-10). We do not know how he was madelow. Was his wealth taken from himor was he a true brother with theChristian conception of Stewardship, asBarnabas? Acts 4:36-37How quickly our riches may be takenfrom us! The Apostle Paul speaks ofthem as "uncertain" (I Tim. 6:17). Orwe may be taken from our riches. Onegodly man placed over the door of his"Linquenda"home this word,whichmeans "I must leave it." Family Altar.This word is written over everythinghouses, farms, factories, business,bonds, etc. Sir Walter Scott who wasforced to relinquish a portion of hisestate said,"I have walked my lastin the domains I have planted, sat thelast time in the halls I have built. Butdeath would have taken them from meif misfortune had sparedme."Are weheirs of that "inheritance incorruptible,and undefiled, and that fadeth notaway? (I Peter 1:4.).1. Is Our Wealth Productive?The inevitable result of ill-gottenCOVENANTER WITNESS

wage."wealth is set forth by James as if itwere already realized. This wealth mayhave been wisely invested according tothe standards of the world. The ownermay have received a veryhigh rate ofinterest. But spiritually speaking it wasunproductive. It is a great test of character to use one's wealth wisely. Onetemptation is to hoard it. In that casewe become misers. These rich men werecondemned because their riches werecorrupted putrid, rotten. The garmentsare moth-eaten (in tatters) and therefore useless,not from use but from thelack of use. They had been stored toolong. The gold is in a state of rust, atleast, figuratively. It was not used. Theused spade is bright. Rust is costly. How,many things become useless, not somuch from use as from rust. What folly to days"lay up treasure for "the lastan expression which describes in partthe days before the Fall of Jerusalem.Some ambitious men prefer to "wear"out rather than "rust" out. There areextremes, of course. But "the unusedtalent (Matt. 25:25-26) was taken fromhim that had it. What is God's attitudetoward unused things? Judging from thestatistics much of the wealth of thisworldeven much of that which is possessed by Christian peopleis used fora purpose for which it should not beused. How manyof God's gifts arewasted! Is our wealth productive or unproductive?2. Is Our Wealth Rightfully AcquiredThe Apostle Paul speaks of this inEph. 4:28. Abraham was a rich man,but there is no evidence that he got hiswealth dishonestly(Genesis 13:2). Evidently it is a great temptation for somewho are in places of power to use oppressive and fraudulent methods. Thehire of the laborers had been withheld."Calvin suggests that it is specially iniquitous that those whose hard toil supplies us with food should themselves bereduced tostarvation.""Plummer remarks, that the hardheartedness of thegrasping employers is indeed conspicuous when not even the joyof theharvest moves them to pay the poor whowork for them their hardly earnedary of James.Alexander Ross in his commentWhat is the difference between fraudand murder? Is there any relation between the Sixth and Eighth Commandments? Can one purchase food if hiswages ere not paid? If employers areoppressive, might labor be equally so?Can the Christian justify fraud, eitherthe fraud of the employers or the fraudof the employees? How much injusticethere is on both sides! Remember theears of the Lord of sabaoth (The Al-October 12, 1955mighty Lord of all hosts) are alwaysopen (Psalm 34:15).3. Is Our Wealth Used Unselfishly?Are we owners or stewards ? In a veryfew words James gives us a very vividdescription of wicked indulgence, an indulgence, no doubt, which seemed tothem at the time as very desirable, butthe end was death (5:5; Luke 16:19-31;Ezekiel 16:49). These ungodly rich havelived in pleasure on the earth nothought of heaven. They lived like brutebeasts that were being prepared for themarket and for slaughterthe day ofjudgment. At the Fall of Jerusalem therich Jews were slaughtered withoutmercy. This was a very real fulfillmentof these words. There have been manyfulfillmentsone of the most awful wasin Germany under Hitler. Who can understand the "weeping and howling" ofthe condemned?(5:1). These terribleresults of gross selfishness are not limited to the Jews only. Why would anyone, understanding the meaning of thisverse, be envious of those who are living in pleasures . . .nourishing theirhearts as in the day of slaughter? Thiswas the problem of the Psalmist as recorded in Psalm 73. "Ye have condemned and killed the justthe righteous"(v. 6). Does this have referenceto the crucifixion of the Lord JesusChrist? All through history godly prophets had been so treated (Matt. 23:37;Acts 7:59-60).Questions:1. Is wealth a test of character?2. What are some of the dangers ofmaterialism?3. Does James have a message forour time?Prayer:'1. That we may be good stewards.2. That we may be grateful for God'sunfailing and gracious love.3. That our missionaries may beblessed.4. That the editors of the COVENANTER WITNESS," "CHRISTIANSTATESMAN"OT""CHRISTIAN PATRIand "BLUE BANNER FAITHAND LIFE" may use wisely the opportunity to publish the truth.A friend is one who comes in when therest of the world goes out.Order your Minutes of SynodNOWFrom C. R. Fox, 209 Ninth St.,Pittsburgh 22, Pa,Price $1.00W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor.Prayer Hour, 1:00 P.M. MondayIOWA W M. S. PRESBYTERIALThe 65th annual meeting of IowaPresbyterial was held at Hopkinton,Iowa on September 28, 1955. The meeting was in charge of Mrs. Waldo Mitchel, President. The morning session opened with devotionals by Rev. J. E. McElroy. Reports of the Superintendentswere given. The nominating committeereport was heard, and ballots for election of officers were passed out.The afternoon sessionopened withdevotionals led by Mrs. Pearl McElhinney of Morning Sun. The election of officers followed with the officers beingelected as follows :President, Mrs. JohnEdgar; Vice President, Mrs. CharlesPeterman; Corresponding Secretary,Mrs. Ralph Todd; Recording Secretary,Mrs. Raymond Joseph; Treasurer, Mrs.Lyle Joseph; Foreign Missions Superintendent, Mrs. Dale Blair; Home MissionsSuperintendent, Mrs. Walter Hutcheson;Literature & Mission, Mrs. Lois Honeyman; Temperance, Mrs. Robert Baird;Thankoffering, Mrs. Merritt McElhinney; Standard ol Efficiency, Mrs. Phoebe Blair; Juniors, Mrs. Robert Harsh.The topic "Co-Workers with Christ"was discussed by the group. The speaker for the afternoon was Rev. HerbertHayes who gave a very interesting talkon the Mission work in Syria and told ofthe many problems facing the missionaries there and asked for our prayersfor the work.Prayer for the foreign missions wasoffered by Martha Wilson of MorningSun.Praise service was conducted by Mrs.Raymond Joseph and following this,the memorial service was held with Mrs.J. E. McElroy in charge. Those beingremembered were: Miss Minnie Anderson and Miss Margaret Greer of Hopkinton; Mrs. Etta Jane McClure, Mrs.C. B. Wilson, Miss Susanna Henderson,and Mrs. Mary Patterson of MorningSun; Mrs. Bertha Torrens, Lake Reno.Mrs. John Edgar led in prayer at theclose of the memorial service.Devotionals for the opening of theevening session were in charge of Rev.John Edgar.The young people of the Hopkintoncongregation then presented a very fineprogram, using the Thank Offering astheir theme. It was greatly enjoyed bythe group.Rev. Herbert Hayes brought the messages for the evening. Mr. Hayes gavean inspirating talk on the great needtodayfor the Word of God to be spread237

girls'another,"Our pastor, Rev.Church NewsSANTA ANAGlenn McFarland,conducts a monthly junior worship service at the opening of Sabbath School.The senior department, as well as thechildren and their teachers,gain instruction and inspiration. Highlight ofthe service is the talk with blackboardillustrations. Recent messages have beenthe story of the sower, the seed, and thepure oursoil and the need for keepingbodies which are the temples of God.Miss Mae Allen is being missed hereduring her visit to her home congregation in the Midwest. Sabbath services,midweek prayer-meetings, and missionary meetings found her regularly in herplace and ready to make helpful contributions. We hopesoon to have MissAllen in our number again as we like tocount her one of us.Visitors attending our services recently have been Mrs. Pearl Blanck, Buffalo, N. Y.; Mrs. Ellen Brown, Cleveland,Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Chambers andfamily, Los Angeles; Rev. and Mrs. Robert McConachie and Judy, Burlington,Washington; Mrs. Albert Young, Sterling, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Brown,New Alexzandria, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. S.R. Boyd, Long Beach; and Mr. and Mrs.C. K. Greer, Hopkinton, Iowa.New homes are being enjoyed bymany of our congregation. Almost, readyfor occupancy is the Long Beach homeof the Sigurd Nelsons. Most recentlyopened for inspection was the J. G.Betts'home in Santa Ana. Other newhomes belong to tlie Ronald Shepards ofFullerton, the Lewis Keys of Santa Ana,the Jim Stanleys of Corona Del Mar,the John Vogts of Garden Grove, theWm. Hartzells of Hawthorne, and theAlvin Johnsons of Ontario.GREELEYStation KRPC presented a programon "The Sabbath School" in our RallyDay Program on Sabbath, Septemberthroughout the world.Speaking for the courtesy committee,Mrs. J. E. McElroy thanked the Hopkinton congregation for their hospitality, bountiful meals and many kindnesses. It was a perfect day, unblemishedand will long bethose attending.remembered by allThe Iowa Presbyterial will meet nextyear with the Sharon congregation atMorning Sun, Iowa.238Mrs. Ralph L. ToddSec, pro tern.25. The announcer was Charles Cazer;the quartette was composed of theMisses Gwen and Ethel Elliott, MargeryKeys, arid Maurine Dunn. Billy Shupeand Ken Meeker gave testimonies ofwhat the Sabbath School had done forthem, and our Pastor gave a chalk talkon "Fishers of Men."At a Church Night Supper on September 14, the Session presented the program. Our Pastor showed slides of hisrecent trip to Mesa Verde National Parkand Royal Gorge. Preceding the devotional service, Mr. Edwin Keys, ournewly elected Clerk of Session, read apaper from the Session citing the faithfulness and work of Mr. A. A. Carsonas Clerk of Session for 26 years; hethen presented a gift to Mr.Carsonfrom the Session as a token of theirappreciation.Dr. C. T. Carson returned to his former pulpit here on Sabbath evening, August 21, and brought an interesting message on Job. Dr. Ray Wilcox broughthelpful messages to us on Sabbath, August 28.Vacation Bible School ran from August 8 to 19. 35 children were enrolledwith an average attendance of 29.Teachers were: Miss Ruth Carson, Mrs.Warnock Bailey, Mrs. Bruce Stewart,Mrs. Leonard Willcox, and Mrs. JoeMcFarland. Part-time teachers were:Miss Marcia Elliott, Mrs. Clyde Dunn,Mrs. Wylie Kennedy, Mrs. Roy Carson,and Mrs. Geneva Elliott. Mrs. Jane McMillan was in charge of refreshments.Communion was observed on Sabbath,August 7. The Rev. Wyley Caskey wasour Assistant and challenged us with hisfine mesages.Miss Jean Maxwell and Dr. RobertSutcliff were united in marriage in aquiet ceremony at the home of thebride on Wednesday, August 3, at 10:00A.M.Our Pastor performed the ceremony. Dr. and Mrs. Sutcliff will live inTwin Falls, Idaho, where Dr. Sutcliff isa dentist.The church has been newly paintedduring the summer, and the stainedglass windows have been reinforced andcemented. We pray that the beauty ofGod's House may attract men to thebeauty of our Lord.YOUNGSTOWN, OHIORev. Herbert Hays, Rev. George Coleman, and Rev. Howard Elliot preachedfor us during August while our ministerwas on vacation. The fourth Sabbathwas Camp Stambaugh. Most of ourmembers were able to attend at leastthe Sabbath services.A picnic was held in honor of theHayses who visited several weeks inYoungstown before settling in BeaverFalls.The Sabbath School was held September 22 on the church lawn. Aboutthirty-seven children and adults wereable to attend.We miss our college students. LouiseMarshall is at Geneva College. DavidLathom and Bob Marshall are at OhioState.OUR HOMESomebody kindly enclosed atwentydollar bill ($20.00) in an envelope andsent it to the Home. The envelope waspostmarked Pittsburgh. The Boardwould like to know whom to thank forwe are very grateful. If you will let usknow, we will respect your desire foranonymity, but we think you deserve atleast an acknowledgment of our verygreat appreciation. Thank you.Miss Edna George entered the Homeon August 1 as a member. She is adjusting and thinks it is "the religious spirit that makes every one so kind." Whata nicethought, Miss George. We sincerely hope it is our love of Christ thatmakes us desirious to be ofhelp to Hisown.On Sabbath, August 7, Dr. T. C. McKnight preached a very fine sermon atOur Home. His text was "Be ye kind onetostressing kindness inthought, word, deed.On August 16 Dr. Susan Wiggins underwent a successful eye surgery. Shehas returned to the Home, but has notcome back as we had hoped. She wouldappreciate your prayers. Will the wholechurch pray for her, as she has prayedfor the church for many years? She hasloved it and contributed much to itsmaintenance. Let us Pray.Mrs. Delia Stearns passed away onSeptember 7. Her funeral was held atthe Home on September 10. Dr. Holden,her minister, conducted the funeralservices, assisted by the Reverend Kermit Edgar and her sister's pastor theReverend Snaively. The bodywas takento Greenville for burial. Our managers,Mr. and Mrs. James Mitchell, accompanied the body, and kindly took Mrs.Stearns'sister along.Mrs. Purvis returned to Our Home torecuperate and was doing very wellwhen she suffered another gall bladderattack. She is feeling better now.Mr. Jamison's daughter, Mrs. JosephShaply and her daughter Dorothy fromLargo, Florida, visited at the Homefrom Monday to Thursday. How muchMr. Jamison loved having them!Our newYoung Women's Auxiliary isbeginning to function, and we oldstersCOVENANTER WITNESS

old,"posures"sin."right,"you."right,"are delighted at the way they are taking hold! They are assisting with theDonation Day on October 4. Let us tryto make this a banner Donation day. Weneed your sacrificial help.Please remember your contributionsto Our Home (i.e. cash) can be deductedfrom your income tax. And an extra10%can be deducted when given to areligious institution. Prayand Give.IRONS-RUSSEL WEDDINGSeptember 2 in Beaver Falls, Pa.Lovely in a gown of imported Chantillylace, and carrying an eighty-fiveyear old handkerchief for "somethingMartha Ruth Irons was escortedto the altar of the College Hill Presbyterian church last night by her cousin,Donald L. Campbell of Chicago, 111.,who gave her in marriage.Miss Irons, daughter of Mrs. FlorenceC. Irons of College Hill, and Dr. WilliamH. Russell of College Hill, son of Dr.and Mrs. John Dale Russell of Santa Fe,N. M., plighted their troth in a doublering ceremony performed at 7 :30 o'clockby candlelight, by Dr. R. B. Atwell.The chancel of the church was beautifully decorated with cibotium, fernsand palms, flanked by seven branchcandelabra with tall white tapers.Dr. John R. Russell of Indianapolis,Ind., served as his brother's best man.Dr. J. Lawrence Coon, Aliquippa, JohnM. Campbell, cousin of the bride, JamesL. Bowers and David M. Carson usheredguests to their seats.Approximately 300 guests, relativesand friends from Winchester, Mass.,Detroit, Mich., Madison, N. J., Columbiana, East Palestine and Kent, O.,Grove City, Pittsburgh and Valleytowns attended the reception which followed in the church social rooms, including the bridegroom's maternal grandmother, Mrs. Charles E. Hattery andhis aunt, Miss Clara B. Williams ofBloomington, Ind.Mrs. Russell is a graduate of Genevacollege and attended Pennsylvania StateUniversity. She formerly taught in NewBrighton and is presently teachingfourth grade in the Beaver Falls schools.Dr. Russell is a graduate of the University of Chicago and received hisPh.D. from the University of Wisconsin.He taught at Wilson Junior College inChicago and at Eureka College in Illinois before coming to Geneva Collegeas assistant professor offall.history lastMany lovely parties were given forthe bride during the summer months.The rehearsal luncheon was given byher mother in the Brodhead Hotel.After a honeymoon trip through Virginia the couple are at home at 3321Fifth Avenue, Beaver Falls, Pa.October 12, 1955FLASHSYRACUSE NY 6 10:20 AMECOVENANTER WITNESS1209 BOSWELL AVE TOPEKAKANSSYRACUSECONGREGATION GAVEROBERT MCCRACKEN UNANIMOUSCALL YESTERDAYLISHPLEASE PUBD C PARK12TH ANNUAL WORLDWIDEBIBLE READING1955THANKSGIVING TO CHRISTMASHow You Can Find Help fromBible Reading1. Set apart a definite time each dayfor serious reading of your Bible.2. Read in company with someone elsewhenever you can.3. Read thoughtfully, prayerfully andslowly. "Not snapshots but time exshould be the rule.4. Seek a personal message, ready torespond to it. Your answer to God's message is vital. When He condemns, bowpenitently. When He offers light, placeyour hope on it. When He guides, follow.When He commands, obey.5. Reread verses which strike fire.Copy out a key verse which seems tospeak directly to you. Carry it with youand refer to it throughout the day.November24 Thanksgiving Psalms 23:1-625 Psalms 46:1-1126 Psalms 100:1-527 Sabbath Matthew 5:1-2628 Matthew 5:27-4829 Matthew 6:1-1530 Matthew 6:16-34December1 Matthew 7:1-292 Matthew 18:1-143 Matthew 18:15-354 Sabbath Matthew 22:1-225 Matthew 25:1-306 Matthew 25:31-467 Mark 12:18-448 Luke 7:31-509 Luke 14:1-1410 Luke 14:15-3511 Universal Bible DayI Corinthians 13:1-1312 Luke 10:25-4213 Luke 15:1-1014 Luke 15:11-3215 John 3:1-1716 John 14:1-1417 John 14:15-3118 Ssbbath Romans 8:14-3919 Romans 12:1-2120 I John 4:1-2121 Isaiah 9:2-722 Isaiah 11:1-923 Isaiah 53:1-1224 John 1:1-1825 Christmas Matthew 2:1-11For those who will continue readingthe Bible the last six days of the year,these passages are recommended:26 Matthew 2:12-2327 Matthew 3:1-1728 Matthew 4:1-2529 Matthew 8:1-3430 Matthew 9:1-1731 Matthew 9:18-38Won't you make Bible reading a dailypractice? Ask your minister for lists,write your church headquarters or request our "Daily Bible Readings(U-139) from theAMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY(Dept. U)1956"450 Park Avenue, New York 22. N. Y.CLEAN OUT THE WELLA man in the north of England wasconverted and the work was apparentlythoroughly done. When he was fairlyout of the darkness, he began to makethings right with his neighbors. Amongother things he cleaned out his well.In the bottom of it were found three logchains, and various other articles of value which his neighbors had long missedand could not trace.When the man cleaned out his well,his neighbors got what belonged tothem; and you may be sure there wasvery little question as to the genuineness of the work wrought in the man.There are many young persons whoclaim to have been converted, but theirreligion has never gone to the bottomof their wells.Zacchaeus cleaned hiswell, when he said, "If I have taken anything from any man by false accusation,I restore him fourfold."Many a man is wondering why he doesnot have the peace and joy and blessingwhich others possess. Perhaps a look inthe bottom of the well, an investigationof his accounts, an overhaulingof hisbusiness matters, could give him somelight on the subject.Selected."HAM AND EGGS"One of our National pastors in LatinAmerica went into a restaurant recentlyand ordered ham and eggs. The waitressreminded him that the day was Friday,and suggested that he must have forgotten. He replied that he orderedham and eggs whenever he wantedthem, regardless of the day.The waitress was horrified. "If youwant to sin, that is allshe exclaimed, "but I will not take any part inyour"Allto another restaurant."he answered, "I'll just goShe thought a moment and finallytold him, "Wait just a little bit and I'llprepare it forWhen the order of ham and eggs wasbrought, the national pastor bowed his239

once."reading;"head to give thanks. As he prayed someone slipped out of the kitchen and whispered in his ear, "Don't touch that food.Pay your bill and leave atStartled, he sniffed the food and dethetected a strange sweet odor, like that ofcyanide. He gladly paid his bill and leftrestaurant, grateful for a protectingProvidence who had sent the unknownfriend to warn him, sparing his life tocontinue preaching the unsearchableriches of Christ. Edward Wyman,Spanish Bible Institute, San Antonio,Texas.The Free MethodistForty-Five Years of Systematic Bible ReadingThis committee was brought into being at the Synod of 1911, as the resultof aTHE BffiLE READING COMMITTEErecommendation in the report ofthe Committee on YoungPeople's Societies of the previous year. The lattercommittee, in its report to the Synodof 1910, recommended that "in view ofthe interest alreadydeveloped in a Bible Reading movement, especially amongthe young people of our church, a committee ... beappointed to preparequarterly folders for the coming year,containing selections from the Bible fordaily morning and eveningand that "this committee formulateplans with a view of interesting all ouryoung people in this movement andsame."keeping up interest in the It washoped that sale of the folders would reimburse the Literarymoneyspent in printing.Fund for theThe early Readers were issued quarterly instead of annually, as at present.Dr. T. H. Acheson, chairman of thatfirst Bible Reading Committee, reportedthat the cost of printingthe foldersamounted to $42.00 and that the salesthat first year brought in $69.65. Postage, however, was not included in theexpenses reported. Receipts continued toexceed expenditures through the years1912 to 1915, but in 1916 the cost wasgreater than the receipts from sales. In1916 the folder was replaced by a booklet, as at present,and the number soldrose from 2000 to 2843. In this year alsoa diploma for perfect readingwas recommended, and these were printed andused in the followingyear. Dr. Achesoncontinued as chairman of the BibleReading Committee until the Synod of1915. when Rev. J. B. Tweed was appointed. He held the chairmanship foronly one year, as did also Dr. H. G. Patterson who succeeded him.In 1917 Dr. Paul Coleman was chosenchairman and held office for threeyears. By dint of sendingletters to allpastors, and in some cases an additionalletter to young people's societies, Dr.Coleman managed to boost sales to 2968copies, the best record up to that time.In 1919 letters were not sent out asheretofore; sales fell of fifteen per cent,and Dr. Coleman resigned as chairman.He was replaced by Rev. O. F.240Thompson, who revived the practice ofsending letters to the pastors urging theuse of the Bible Readers. Sales rose toover 4000.Under his chairmanship aReader was prepared that covered theentire Bible in one year, the cost of thisbeing paid for out of Synod's LiteraryFund. In 1926 and 1927, however, salesfell off somewhat and Mr. Thompson resigned, feeling that new blood was needed on the committee.F. F. Reade succeeded to the chairmanship in 1928 and continued in thatcapacity until 1934. He revived the planof circularizing the pastors of the congregations and, in one of those years,the superintendents of the SabbathSchools also. As a result sales took ajump, in 1930 reaching a peak of 4677.During this period a ChronologicalReader was prepared and published, andalso two sets of Children's Readers. Because of a more favorable printing costin Canada receipts exceeded expenditures, so that in one year, 1931,theCommittee were able to finance a newChildren's Reader without help fromSynod's Literary Fund, and yet show abalance. However, during the depressionyears sales fell off, dropping in 1933 to2190. Yet even in that year the Committee's report showed a net balance of$10.68.Rev. Remo I. Robb became chairmanin 1934 and continued in that capacitythrough 1939. Higher costs in the UnitedStates brought a deficit during his firsttwoyears'incumbency. Although thenext year showed a favorable balancethere was again a deficit in 1937. Expenses rose duringthese years becauseof awards given for six years of satisfactory reading. From this time on Synod's Literary Fund (later known as theMiscellaneous Fund) was constantlycalled upon to helpfinance the cost ofprinting the Readers or of providingawards for earning diplomas.Rev. D. R. Wilcox was made chairmanin 1940. He worked toward the formation of Bible ReadingClubs. Selmastarted that year with a club of 68 members.Sales of Readers again took ajump, reaching a total of 4166. But in1942 sales dropped to 3500; to 3361 in1943; and to 3100 in 1944. The Committee recommended the appointment of anew committee for 1945.Rev. Harold Thompson became chairman in 1945. A new Children's Readerwas published that year, and the committee, with the helpof $45.00 fromSynod's Literary Fund, was able toshow a favorable balance. But the salesfailed to soar as in former years, 2453being sold in 1945, and 2880 in 1946. TheCommittee resigned and a new committee was appointed.Rev. F. F. Reade again became chairman in 1947 and has continued in thatcapacity to the present time. Sales againwent up, 3096 being sold in that year.That, and the fact that the price ofthe Readers were increased slightly, accounts for a net balance being reported.Sales dropped the following year, however, and have never been able to againreach the peak years of 1928-1930, atwhich period sales averaged 4327 copies per year. The average for the pastnine years has been 2071. Perhaps weneed another circularizing campaign.Yet there is a bright side to the picture when we consider the certificatesand diplomas granted for satisfactoryreading, i.e. where no more than twelvereadings have been missed during theyear. When the old style diplomas werefirst given, 67 were earned. The numberof consistent readers fluctuated duringthe next fourteen years, anywhere from21 to 65 beinggranted annually. Thenumber took a jump in 1933 and keptgrowing (except for one year), increasing from 82 in 1936 to 155 in 1945.From that date until 1953 the averagenumber of certificates and diplomasearned has been 85. About 200 Bibleshave been awarded since 1933 when thepresent plan of awards was initiated.Printing costs took a decided jump in1948, and have continued to soar eversince. In 1928 our printing bill was$62.40; in 1948 it rose to $113.90; and in1954 it reached $145.49. In 1928 we reduced the prices of the Readers, but in1948 had to restore the former scale.The present committee is of the opinion(and Synod has concurred in it) thatprices should no longer remain at the1927 figure. Therefore the price rangefor the coming year will be ten cents forsingle copies, five cents each for ten ormore, and four cents each for one hundred or more. We trust that the congregations will lend their heartythe Bible Reading Campaign for 1956.support toCOVENANTER WITNESS

whipped."suggestion?"sir."BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6, 1955bvcnanterWitnessvolume; LV, No. 16 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1955An Offer of LoveBy S. D. GordonAbout three generations ago, in our New England state that bears a French name, Maine, lived afarmer ; his father had been a British emigrant. Thisfarmer had two boys ; Joe was fourteen and Tom wasabout two years younger. One of Tom's tasks was tolet down the bars when the cows came in from thepasture into the barnyard to be milked, then upwhile they were being milked, and down again, andup again when the cows returned. There werefour handlings of the bars every morning and fourevery night,and Tom thought that was rather toomuch. He was a student of economy in administration like some other boys of various ages,and hesometimes left the bars down when they ought tohave been up. And sometimes the cows would getout and do a bit of damage, and there would be astorm in the house.This happened a good many times. At last thefather said : "Tom, the next time you leave the barsdown I will whip you and you will know you are beingSo Tom was good for a while. But timedimmed the admonition and dimmed the vision of thewhipping in Tom's eyes. One twilight he left the barsdown when they should have been up, and the otherstock came through and did a lot of damage. And thefather's face was clouded. Nothing was said thatnight. The next morning after breakfast the fatherwent down into the lower field, and was turningsome hay over in the rising sun when the older boy,Joe, came down to speak to him.The father did not see Joe at first, so Joe waiteddeferentially. By and by the father said, "Well, Joe,what is it?"Joe, embarrassed, said, "Father, I don't wantwhipped."TomThe father replied, "I must whip Tom; he hasdone wrong,and he must learn to obey. There cannotobedience."be strength withoutFather,""Well, said Joe, shifting his weightfrom foot to foot in his embarrassment, "did you notread at family prayers, 'He was wounded for ourtransgressions' ?"The father looked up and said, "You have got aabout?"good memory, boy. What are you thinkingAnd Joe, flushing, said, "Well, father, I willwhipping."take half of Tom's"No, I cannot let you do that," said the father.wrong.""Tom has done theThen, looking keenly at Joe under his shaggyeyebrows, he said, "Did Tom send you here with thatHe knew Tom's characteristics. ButTom was not in the thing this time."Go and fetch Tom down," said his father. Joefound Tom on the front porch of the little whitepaintedfarmhouse, with his schoolbooks. But he wasnot studying the 'books ; he was studying futures."Tom, Father wants you down in the lowerfield,"said Joe. When they reached the field theyfound their father leaning on his hayfork, wrappedin thought. And Joe said, "Father, here is Tom." AndTom's face was a study ; it was bitter. In boy talk, hemad."was "fightingAnd the father said very gently, "Tom, do youremember at prayers this morning I read, 'He waswounded for our transgressions'?" and Tom wasplainly taken off his guard. That was a surprise attack, and he had no defense at that point. He flushedup and said, "Yes,Tom?""What does that mean, said his father.The boy flushed again and said, "Well, sir, I supposesir."it means that that Christ died for us,"Well, Tom, Joe says he will take half yourwhipping,"said the father., You ought to have seenTom's face now, all changed, all softened. And he(Continued on page 245)

Current EventsProf. William H. Russell, Ph.D.BUSINESS AS USUALOur national government has not experienced the breakdown which some persons had feared from the illness ofPresident Eisenhower. Meetings of the Cabinet and the National Security Council have gone on as usual with VicePresident Nixon presiding. The President has not had todelegate any of his powers, for most of the Administrationofficials are following policies already set, and Nixon cancoordinate their work. This fortunate situation results fromPresident Eisenhower's reorganization of the Cabinet andfrom the increased responsibilities he has given the VicePresident. If no unexpected crisis arises, the governmentmay operate satisfactorily without the President for severalweeks, until he can return to Washington. The result ismuch better than in 1919-1920, when President WoodrowWilson became an invalid and his administration driftedwithout leadership.FUEHRER'S ENDThe mystery surrounding Adolf Hitler's death may atlast be solved. Among the German "warcriminals"recentlyreleased by the Soviet Union was Heinz Linge, Hitler's personal valet. Linge says that Hitler shot himself in his underground bomb shelter, and that his mistress then took poison.Linge carried Hitler's body into the garden above the bunkerand helped burn it with gasoline. Hitler's chief personalpilot also has been released and testifies to the Fuehrer'sdeath. The Russians obtained this evidence soon after thewar, but never revealed it to the Western world. This testimony should end the legends that Hitler has survived inhiding, and enable the German courts to declare him legally dead.BAD BUSINESShed a tear for the poor liquor dealers. The InternalRevenue Service is drafting legislation to increase their occupational taxes. The federal tax for wholesalers would beraised from $200 to $255, and for retail dealers from $50 to$54. Taxes on beer dealers, which are lower, would also beincreased. The distillers also are worried about their hugesurplus stocks. They now have in bond 280 million gallons ofwhisky which is four years old or more. When this poisonbecomes eight years old, it will be taxed at $10.50 a gallonand must be sold, regardless of market conditions. Theliquor interests want to have this law changed, but cannotagree on an alternative. They also complain that moonshiningis on the increase. It is estimated that one-fourth of thewhisky consumed last year was illegally distilled, paying notaxes. The penalties for tax evasion are still light, oftenamounting only to a small fine.WEAPONS FOR EGYPTWestern diplomats are worried by the decision ofEgypt's Premier, Gamal Nasser, to buy arms from Communist Czechoslovakia. Nassar has been determined to buildup Egypt's army, which is only half as large as Israel's. Heespecially lacks planes and heavy armored equipment. Heclaimed that he was unable to buy from the British, French,or American governments without political commitments.Czechoslovakia offered the arms on a purely commercial242basis, in exchange for Egyptian grain and cotton. Czechoslovakia's Skoda arms works, which will fill the Egyptian orders, is controlled by the Soviet army. We were reluctantto sell Egypt weapons for fear of starting a Near Easternarmament race, but we may have given the Russians afoothold instead. Russia also has offered to arm SaudiArabia, and Israel is of course greatly alarmed.ICE BOOMDespite the replacement of the oldtime icebox by electric refrigeration, America's ice industry is flourishing. Thebusiness amounted to about $325 million last year, comparedwith $227 million twenty years ago. About 5,000 ice-makingplants are in operation. More than 8,000 vending machines,produced by seven different concerns, are being used to sellpackaged ice. Portable ice chests are increasingly popularfor picnics and traveling, and more and more ice is beingused in the processingOur 126,000and shipment of perishable foods.railroad refrigerator cars take about onefourthof the country's total ice production. This furnishes agood example of an old business surviving by adapting itself to modern conditions.POLITICS AT ATHENSGreece has a new premier, following the death of Alexander Papagos at the age of 71. As a general, Papagos threwback the Italian invasion of Greece in 1940, and in 1949crushed the Communist guerrillas. In 1952 he became Premier ashead of the Greek Rally, a right-wing party of pro- Westernsympathies. The promised social and economic reforms havebeen slow in coming, however, and the Greek Rally has beentorn by factionalism. To add to the internal problems, thegovernment's demands for control of Cyprus have strainedher relations with two strong allies, Great Britain andTurkey. As the new premier, King Paul chose a member ofthe Papagos cabinet, Constantin Karmalis. If confirmed bya Parliamentary vote of confidence, he will head a fivemancommittee which will control the Greek Rally party.THE AMERICAN WAYTwo out of three American households now have television! This makes a total of about 33 million sets. In ruralareas, 46 per cent of the homes have TV, while in metropolitan areas almost 80 per cent own sets. After ten yearsof amazing growth, the demand may soon begin to level offas the saturation point is reached.American tourists will spend $1.5 billion abroad thisyear, the Commerce Department estimates. This is $200million more than last year's peak.362,310 spectators paid $2,337,575 to see the BrooklynDodgers beat the New York Yankees in the World Series. Itwas the richest series in history, and the first World Seriesvictoryfor the Dodgers in eight tries.EWING-HUGHESCarol Jane, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Ewing ofQuinter, became the bride of Kenneth Hughes, son of Mr.and Mrs. Eugene Hughes of Wakeeney, Saturday morning,September 10, 1955 at the Reformed Presbyterian Church inQuinter, with Rev. Paul Faris officiating.COVENANTER WITNESS

minors'association"Vineyard GleaningsTIME FOR VIGOROUS PROTESTHave you noticed the new tobacco policy to slant advertising toward teen-agers? They started with unobtrusivefeeler-ads, but have become bolder until now they use fullcolor pictures of fresh young girls lighting cigarettes forolder men. The reading matter somehow includes them inits reference. The attempt of course is to accustom us tosuch association and break down resistance tosmoking. The direct approach will follow just as rapidly as publicremonstrance weakens, just as was used in making smokersof women. Write to magazines and to the Children's Bureau, Washington, D. C.Get those petitions signed. Petitions to senators on theLanger bill, S 923, and to congressmen on the Siler bill, HR4627, should now be steadily circulating. If you do not haveenough, type more. Get as many as possible to congress before the hearing in January. These are the twin bills againstinterstate advertising of alcoholic beverages. Why should wepermit our children to become the prey of the liquor saboteurs right in their own homes?IS LIFE WORTH LIVING?About 20,000 people a year commit suicide in the UnitedStates, according to a summary of recent data in The NewYork Herald Tribune. The rate is 16 to 100,000.The high point for suicides in the United States was inthe 1930's when it reached about 17 per 100,000.The rate is higher among divorced than married persons; among professionals than nonprofessionals; amongwhite-collar workers than among laborers; among officersthan among enlisted men in the armed forces; among whitesthan Negroes; among urbanites than country people.Evidently 20,000 people a year come to the conclusionthat life is no longer worth living. Some take poison; othersjump from bridges or high windows; while others resort tofirearms.HARVESTING "WITHOUT GOD"It is reported that East German Communists have beenusing an anti-religious slogan to promote the harvesting ofcrops throughout the Soviet Zone this year. Displayed prominently on the main streets of East German villages, atState-operated tractor-lending stations, and at farmers' cooperatives is this bold slogan"Without God and SunshineWe Are Bringing in the Harvest." What an empty boast!Without God-made seed and God-given sunshine there wouldbe no harvest to bring in.RADIO TALKS ON THE BIBLEThe American Bible Society will present its winterseries of broadcasts on Radio Chapel over Station WOR forthe four Sabbaths in December. Three of the addresses willbe given by Dr. Francis Carr Stifler and the fourth by theRev. Laton E. Holmgren, Foreign Secretary of the AmericanBible Society. The program will be :December 4 "The Bible in Family Life" Dr. StiflerDecember 11 "The Plight Before Christmas" Mr. HolmgrenDecember 18 "Wondrous Things Out of Thy Law" Dr.StiflerDecember 25 "The Book That Came Alive" Dr. StiflerThe broadcasts will be heard on Sabbath, 9:30 to 10:00October 19, 1955A. M. Eastern Standard Time. The Program is especiallyrecommended for those who do not attend Bible School atthat hour.BIBLES FOR FLOODED AREASFollowing the example set by the American Societyin this country in offering to replace Bibles that were lost inthe recent flooded areas, the Mexico agency of the Bible Society made a similar offer to the pastors who had suffereddamages in the floods that swept a part of Mexico City.Pastors of other regions, whose churches had also beenflooded, were made the same offer.In response to requests, several thousand Bibles havealready been placed by the Bible Society in this country.The first request came for 130 copies to be sent to a Lutheran Church in Pennsylvania.SOUTH KOREAN PRISON "SEMINARY"In 1952, while the Korean War still poured its miseryout upon the thirty million Koreans and the United NationsArmy of sixteen nations, Chaplain Harold G. Voelkel, aformer Presbyterian missionary in Korea, witnessed a miracle in the POW camps off Korea's south coast. Scores ofcaptured North Koreans who had served in the Communistarmies joined prison churches, enrolled in Bible classes orbegan Bible correspondence courses. The American BibleSociety provided free Scriptures for this unusual project.Out of the Bible-study groups came men who memorizedentire books of the New Testament. Five men in one compound learned by heart the whole book of Revelation. Perhaps most wonderful was the fact that hundreds of theseformer Communist soldiers began active study to enter theministry. In 1952 there were 600 South Korean pastors whohad been killed. This was nearly identical to the numberof prisoners who began their ministerial studies in thePOW compounds.Mr. Voelkel is again a civilian missionary in Seoul. Afew days ago he had a meetingalumniof the "prisoner of wara get-together of the men who are now(Continued on page 247)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERLAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kniwmto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer* :not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen. D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: S2.50 per year; Overseas, S3.00 ; Single Copiei10 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, X. Ireland, Agent for thBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansasnder the Act of March 3, 1S79.Address communications to the Topeka office.245

about"naked."aprons"myself."evil"sobriety."married."The Editor's PageUnpardonable SilenceWell, I am sorry that I cannot find it I meanthat one-inch clipping from the front page of TheTopeka Daily Capital by Associated Press leasedwire, reporting that a certain minister (name forgotten)) dared to speak out in a church assembly in adistant city, against semi- and subdi-nude attire oftoo many women on our public thorof ares, as devilish"adulterous"(other adjactives forgotten butwasprobably one of them.) Sorry to have lost it, for itis so much pleasanter to quote others on unpopularsubjects than to authorize your own opinions. Butisn't it a shame that we ministers (perhaps more sothan Catholic priests) have been so silent on thiscrime that would not have been tolerated in the common street-walker of two decades ago! So that theAssociated Press makes news of one who dares tospeak out ! It is a little late in the season (early October) to mention the matter now : however, within the last half hour a teen-ager in those stentorianred flannels ( ?) passed my window. But if the season is over, there will be time for prayerful meditationagain.a cooling-off period before the season opensThat old wisecrack about the "man who worriesabout what the women are wearing has mighty littleto worry is not forgotten but it is not whatwomen are wearing but what they are not wearingthat seems to worry God, and if He thinks it worthyHis attention, let us not scorn it as unworthy of ours.Was it not the Holy Spirit that indited this : "I willtherefore . . . that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety"?With those who conform to this command, we certainly have no quarrel.How Much Is God Concerned?Paradise was the home of a Nudist Colony, nudebecause theywere sinless. One of Satan's inducements to sin was :"Then your eyes will be opened,and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and(Gen. 3 :3). She did eat and he did eat. "And the eyesof both of them were opened, and they knew thatthey were But you cannot regain Paradise byremaining naked. So "they sewed fig leaves togetherand made themselves (Gen. 3:7). A solitarystrapless fig leaf was not sufficient, Greek sculptorsopinions to the contrary, notwithstanding; neitherwere our ancestors satisfied to appear in God's sighteven in multiple fig leaf costumes. Adam said 'Iheard Thy voice, and I was afraid, because I wasnaked and I hid "And the Lord God (bygrace of a blood sacrifice) made for Adam and forthem."his wife garments of skins, and clothed Butthis was apparently before they were driven from thegarden, and after the promise concerning the seed othe woman (Gen. 3:21). The use of this passage is sofamiliar to all as symbolical of man's effort to clothehimself with righteousness in contrast to God s providing the robe of righteousness dipped in blood, thata mere reference to it is sufficient.244If anyone wants to Jmow God's attitude towardnakedness in general, a mere glance in your BibleConcordance will answer the question for you. TheNudists will not find very much basis for their creedthere. But our concern now is not nakedness butcommended in thedress; and modest dress is fullyWord of God. The Son of God died hanging on a tree,cursed and naked, despising the shame, but He waswounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was uponHim, and with His stripes we are healed. In gloryHe appears clothed with a garment down to the feet(Rev. 1:12-16).Is He Concerned with Our Mode of Dress?"A woman shall not wear anything that pertainsto a man, nor shall a man put on a woman's garment;for whoever does these things is an abomination tothe Lord your God" (Deut. 22:5). Nothing ambiguous about that language ! No mollifying ointment inthat word 'abomination'! What about Halloween?That's your question. Let your conscience be yourguide. Fashions and customs may change, but Goddoesn't change. Personally, I am taking no risks.Does the male have a scripturally prescribedmonopoly on garments of a particular shape as outergarments? What is not immodest for a man may bevery immodest for a woman,and are not the mostextreme styles for present-day men incomparablymore modest than the extreme styles of women?Read again : "I will therefore . . . that women adornthemselves in modest apparel, with shamefacednessandNo similar injunction for men? Apparently they didn't need it. Do you remember whatMichal said to David about his dancing? And shedespised him in her heart.But Why Am I Fussing?Mind your own business, and let the womenmind theirs.Fussing is my business, as a commissioned minister of Jesus Christ, my brother's and my sister'skeeper.I fuss on behalf of the men and the women whostrive to maintain a sense of decency. From the conversation that I hear we get as disgusted as Michalwas, and with more reason, for David was exposinghimself for the gloryof God. How about you ? Thereare two classes of men on the streets : those who aredisgusted by immodesty, and those whose lusts areexcited. Of which do you desire to have the admiration?"Whoso looketh on a maid to lust after her hathcommitted adultery with her in his heart."JesusChrist. Are you willing to be the victim of that man'slust, even though it terminates only in his heart?You are the victim. Mothers, and fathers too,areyou willing that your daughters and their mothersshall be the occasion of men's sins ?A missionary said to me once when we met avery young naked female child on the street in China,"It is no wonder that the Chinese have to keep theirdaughters locked behind closed doors until they areJ. Edgar Hoover's crime report for 1954COVENANTER WITNESS

wall?"apparel."wrong."sir."wall,"voice"you?"tells us that crime shows a decrease over the previous year of a very slight percentage for aboutevery category except rape which showed a measurable increase. Who is to blame for this outrage oninnocent victims, often pre-school little girls takenout to some lonely spot and violated, then murdered ?The inciter to crime may never be the victim, but sheunless she has obeyed thatcan not plead innocencyinjunction, "Adorn yourself in modestA man was surrounded in his home in a neighboring Kansas county last week by a posse of policemen with a warrant charging him with the rape oftwo very early-teen-age step-daughters. But he shothimself preferring death to capture. And now suspicion has turned on him that he may have been theman who forced a beautiful young mother comingfrom the beauty shop, into her own car and drove toa lonely road between Kansas City and Olathe, andcommitted that unmentionable crime and left hernude body to decay several days before it was discovered. He had lived on a neighboring farm someyears ago.As said at the beginning this subject is an indelicate one, apt to raise a hurricane of indignation aLulu. One ought to go softly. But the scripture says :"Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this ?" So for the sake of anywho may be guilty inadvertently, or otherwist, Iperish."am taking the risk. "If I perish, IWhy Go So Close to the Wall?During the seige of Rabbah, some of David'ssoldiers were slain, including Uriah the Hittite, andGeneral Joab had to send a battle report back to KingDavid. In his instructions to the messenger we seeof war revealed: when youan important strategyfight against an enemy, don't go too close to thewall!The passage goes like this: "Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight?Knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall ?Who smote Abimelech the son of Jeruibbesheth ?Did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone uponhim from the wall, that he died in Thebez? Why(2 Samuel 11:20-21).went ye nigh theGood soldiers knew it was not safe to go veryclose to the wall. They all remembered the story ofAbimelech, who reigned over Israel following thedeath of his father Gideon. Abimelech had been successful in his battles (see Judges 9)until he cameagainst the city of Thebez. As he fought against thiscity, many took refuge in a tower. Upon learningthat the enemies were in the tower, Abimelech organized his soldiers to take flaming fagots of woodwith which to set the tower on fire.Brimming with confidence born of past victories,Abimelech came to the very door of the tower. Acertain woman cast a millstone from the tower andwounded him. When he realized what hadfatallyhappened, he called hastily to his armor bearer andsaid, "Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men saynot of me, 'A woman slew him.' "That is exactly the event for which Abimelechbecame famous for going too close to the wall. Historians did not forget that he was slain by a woman,either !October 19, 1955To think that the head of an army would exposehimself to such a death! He permitted a woman topush a stone from the wall and break his skull ! It ispoor military strategy to go too close to the wallwhen attacking the enemy.Here is a "cue" for youth today who fightagainst Satan! They often ask about commercialamusements, popular evils, and various fads."What's wrong with this?" Ah! remember Israel's"mistake."Don't go too close to the wall. It maymean foolish hazard you may become a casualty ofindiscretion !If you go "too close to the you can nolonger hear your Commander's voice. Your communication line has been cut, and you are no longer a part of the Army only an individual fightingalone. So if your mind is filled with the suggestionsof the world, the "still small of the HolySpirit can no longer be heard. You have lost Hisguidance.There are other reasons than the right and thewrong for doing or not doing ! There is the good andbad ; the beautiful and the ugly. Here are discriminations requiring a finer sense of judgment than merely a decision as to what is right or wrong ! A givenfad or amusement may not be wrong, but is it good ?It may not be evil, but is it the beautiful? Who iscapable of such refined judgments? Only he or shewho is sensitive to the Holy Spirit. For the Spiritis the source of true wisdom which discerns between right and wrong, good and bad, beautiful andugly. "The wisdom that is from above is first pure,then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, fullof mercy and good fruits, without partiality, andwithout hypocrisy."Some say, "It's such a minor thing this can'tbe But tragedy results from neglect of caution as often as from daring to play with temptation.Wisdom is better than valor don't go too closeto the wall ! Unless you heed this warning the enemymay make a casualty of you and you will be merelya victim of a "woman" pushing a millstone from thewall. J. Robert Ashcroft, Pentecostal EvangelAN OFFER OF LOVE . . . Cont'd from front pageswung on his heel, and threw his arms around Joe'sneck, and said, "No Joe you must not do that."Then he turned to his father and said, "I know Ihave done wrong, sir. I am ready for the whippingnow,But the father's eyes were not very clear, norhis voice very steady, and he said, "Well, boys, therewill not be any whipping just now. But, Tom, remember, the next time the bars are left down, Joe'soffer holds good. You may go now, boys." But beforethey went Tom did something very unusual for oldNew England; he said, "Father, may I kissThen the boys went back to the house.But it was Tom himself from whom I got thestory direct when he had reached manhood. Tomsaid the bars were never left down again. Joe's offer,Joe's love, held Tom steady at the bars.How are the bars with you ? Jesus did not offerto take half of our whipping. No ; He took all of it."By his stripes we are healed." Only when it gripsyou that He died for you will you hold steady at thebars. American Tract Society.245

vision,"Our Church's Urgent TaskItem 3 of the Report of the Foreign MissionsBoard to Synod in 1953 read as follows :"That Synod appoint a special committee of theministers and elders to examine the Biblical andcreedal bases of the Church's task and to seekguiding principles from God's Word to enable ourChurch to fulfill in the best possible way her obabroad."ligations at home and"The Biblical and Creedal Bases"The Biblical and creedal foundations of theCovenanter Church's task need no revision nor, inthis Synod, do they need defending. The Church believes the Bible to be the Word of God, and all ourcreedal standards to be "agreeable unto, and foundedupon the Scriptures." A profound belief in the Bibleand in our historic creeds and covenants has been theguiding principle of our people through the whole ofour history. Our achievements, because of these beliefs, may be far greater than we know: the outreach of our Kingdom message will yet bring anabundant harvest.The Confession of Faith and the two Catechismslay before us the great doctrines of grace as taughtin the Bible. The Declaration and Testimony of theReformed Presbyterian Church in North Americadevelops in detail the basic doctrinal and moralteachings found in the Confession of Faith with respect to definite issues in America. The Covenant of1871 and the short covenant renewed in 1954 promiseour Mediatorial King full, cheerful obedience to allthe words which God has spoken.We find, therefore, no need in this report todiscuss further the Biblical and creedal bases undergirdingour Covenanter Church's task in theworld. Rather, our need is to examine ourselves anewin the light of God's Word and by His mercy andstrength to seek to be faithful. Paul's statement, "Iwas not disobedient to the heavenlyshouldbe our goal of thought and action as we face togetherthe crisis in our church.The Covenanter Church's Recurring ProblemThe charge given to your committee seems toimply failure. It might even reveal a latent sense ofdefeatism. It is very humiliating for us to face asteady decrease in the membership of our church,since we believe ourselves to possess a full and adequate system of Bible Truth. "Why are we losingground if our doctrines are true?" is asked.It is the opinion of this committee that thechurch (speaking numerically and financially) is losing ground, not because of the high Scriptural teachings in our "Biblical and creedal bases of theChurch's task," but rather as a result of four chiefcauses :1. Spiritual declension and sin in our ministry andlaymembers which stands between us and God's(Isaiah 59:1,2). This is seen in lack ofblessingchurch discipline.2. Confusing in doctrine and an alarming departure246from the intelligent and willing love of the systemof Bible theologycontained in the WestminsterStandards, and their application to American problems in the Declaration and Testimony.3. A neglect of, or bewildered failure in, the field ofpersonal and congregational evangelism.4. A certain lack of efficient methods to meet newconditions brought about bysocial and economicchanges in America and the world, circumstancesover which we have no control but which oughtto be met by more effective Biblical methodssuited to the modern sinner's needs and prejudices.On the whole, neither our ministers nor our laymen seem to be able successfully to carry on regularevangelistic efforts in their communities which winenough new converts from the world to build up theircongregations, and to keep the congregation dynamicin its growth in the faith and its witness for theTruth. Perhaps the training in the past has emphasized a high tone of pulpit work, and emphasizedthe important duty of seeking national reformationby the Christian Amendment or by civic reformssuch as temperance.Added to our own shortcomings there are alsocircumstances which must be recognized as havinghad a serious effect on our church's loss of membership. Some of these outward circumstances are: theImmigration Law of 1924, cutting off a large inflowof Old World Covenanter stock which kept many ofour eastern congregations up to full strength ; wholesale migration of our people during the two WorldWars and the great economic depression ; the mingof our rural peoples with their neighbors in farmlingorganizations and modern educational programs ; thebroadening and questioning influence of modern education which weakens their intellectual assent toBiblical Christianity and leads them to rebellionagainst old ecclesiastical controls ; the great damagedone by liberalism as preached from many radio pulpits, or from popular books and magazines, seminaries and colleges, tending to create the attitude thatthe Gospel no longer carries weight. New, modernistic ideas about God and man unconsciously impressour people daily and cannot but weaken their loyaltyto an absolute Standard of Truth without which ourCovenanter system can never exist.When one surveys these pressures of today,temptations which former generations of Covenanters knew nothing about ; and when we think of theeconomic changes in the nation which have brokendown so many of our formerly strong rural congregations, diminishing our membership and cuttingdown ourincome, surely it is not possible to view thefuture of our church without deep concern. "Who is>sufficient for these things?" The Apostle answeredhis ownquestion, "Our sufficiency is of God."What Can We Do About It?There is no difficulty in describing these gloomyfacts. Nor is it beyond human wisdom to diagnoseCOVENANTER WITNESS

saved"ago."our ills and guess at the probable causes of our decline. The real test comes when we ask, What canwe do to save our church ? If by facing honestly andfearlessly the problem together, and searching theScriptures and a-examining our creedal standardsnew, we may in God's mercy find certain guidingrules to help us find a way out, the committee's attempt to present something to Synod will not havebeen utterly vain.Causes for ThanksgivingThere is need at this point to pause to thankGod for many encouraging features of our church inthe recent past. We think first of the unusual graceof liberality which God gave to the church in enabling the people to raise the budget and go over thetop by twelve thousand dollars. As many have said,the renewal of our Covenant at Grinnell last year ishaving a beneficial effect on our church giving. Withthis, also, mention should be made of the fine educational work done by the Stewardship Committee inpromoting the tithe. This takes the church out of thespecial appeal area of response into the firm Biblicalarea of regular tithing and sacrificial liberality forall worthy causes of our church.The signing of the Covenant in the congregations has also been a blessing. Sometimes serious division was a result, and many have refrained fromsigning the covenant because they do not acceptsome of our church's principles. This shows a seriousproblem yet unsolved but the over-all effects of thecovenant signing has been to make our people seewhat is involved in the membership which we havein the Covenanter Church. That has been a blessingto all who were able to sign the covenant in a trueand repentant manner.Suggestions for ImprovementI. Organized Prayer for Spiritual Quickening andCleansing for ServiceRecognizing the cause of all failure as sin, wemust begin our plan with a new repentance, continuing our covenant vows in a more thorough manner. If the needs of the whole church could be made adefinite subject of prayer in all the congregationsand homes of the denomination this coming year,could not God's blessing be expected in a new way?"Turn us again, 0 Lord God of hosts, cause thy face(Psalm 80:19).to shine; and we shall beII. Indoctrination in the System of Truth Containedin our CreedsThis basic educational work must be done. Wesuggest the increased memorization of the ShorterCatechism by children, and the return byadults tomastery of the Larger Catechism and the Confessionof Faith.We suggest, also, explanatory articles on thesecreedal books from time to time in the CovenanterWitness. We suggest where possible, that each winter our congregations hold a short series of publicmeetings, well advertised, in which the ReformedFaith will be presented to a popular audience. Specialtraining courses once a year might be planned also,for the members of a congregation at the end ofwhich a suitable recognition of work done might bemade.III. Stimulation of Evangelism as the Regular Activity of All ChristiansThough this is ever the ideal to which we hold,our actual practice falls far below the New Testament pattern. Suggestions are made that the minister seek to train his laymen to accompany him in direct neighborhood evangelism, that Bible memorywork be encouraged, that prayer meetings in centralareas enable working laymen to come together topray out their problems and to gain courage to tryto win others. The matter of constant use of evangelistic tracts and good Christian book distributionis encouraged. Our suggestion is that everycongregation be considered a missionary team, and the endgoal of all congregational fellowship be more andmore united around the idea of winningpeople toChrist and helping them understand and accept thewhole Truth of the Bible as displayed in our standards.Out-of-bounds members, we believe, should betrained and encouraged to start neighborhood Bibleclasses, child evangelism or even Covenanter societymeetings in their homes. Let each out-of-bound Covenanter be urged to form the beginning of a new congregation.IV. Practical MethodsWhile we do not share the feeling that a changeof methods is the only improvement needed, we certainly feel that methods are important to success.Methods should change, but ever in closer conformityto the Bible pattern. We suggest that the Covenanter Church shift from the attitude which regards ourforeign work as one small part of a Protestant worldevangelism as though our doctrine and purposeswere not superior to those of other groups, and thatwe begin to think and plan in sharply denominationalterms instead. That we look on our church's specialmissions as the two-fold responsibility of revivingthe true Reformed faith in the world, and of preaching the doctrine of the Kingshipchurch and state.of Christ overIn face of these perplexing and difficult problems we recommend that prolonged discussion of thisreport be avoided and that Synod at this time turnto God in prayer and ask for guidance of the HolySpirit to help us meet our task.VINE GLEANINGS . . . Cont'dfrom page 243actively studying in the seminaries. He reports : "They havefounded four churches since their release about a yearAt this meeting they took on the project of distributing5,000 Gospels in one month. Three years ago Mr. Voelkelwrote: "The ultimate victory of righteousness over eviltaught in the Bible is of immense comfort and strength tothese men who have become victims of the titanic strugglebetween good and evil in the Orient."WCTU RAPS CRIME COMIC BOOK SALESLONG BEACH(UP) Delegates to the NationalWomen's Christian Temperance Union convention hereapproved resolutions Monday criticizing crime comic books,sale of liquor in Army camps and serving of drinks on commercial airliners.The 1,000 delegates urged in one of three resolutionsthat parents "assume their responsibilities in the promotionof wholesomereading"among children. 247October 19, 1955

Lesson Helps for the Week of November 6, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICFor November 6, 1955IF THE WORLD WANTS PEACE,WHY NOT HAVE IT(Used by permission of InternationalChristian Endeavor)by Rev. D. Howard ElliottScripture: Isaiah 2:1-5; Matt. 5:43-43.Psalms: 34; verses 1-6,37: verses 1-6, page 91page 79119: part 21, verses 1-5; page 31140: verses 13-5, 18, 19, page 104CommentsThere are two kinds of peace, socialpeace which is peace between men, andspiritual peace which is peace betweenGod and man. When we talk of worldpeace we are talking of social peace.It can be peace between a man and hisneighbor or peace between nationswhich is our topic now.If the world wants peace, why nothave it? Things are not as simple asthat. Anyone recognizesthe generalprinciple that things are not obtainedmerely by wanting them. Nations areoften no more capable of getting whatthey want than the individual. As individuals we all know that the things wedesire do not become realities merelyby wishful thinking. Even though allnations talk about wanting peace, itis not obtained until all of their ideasof peace are co-ordinated, and they areall satisfied with the sincerityof eachother. And certainly the world with itsgreat variety of ideologies has a longway to go before complete peace canever come.If we are willing to say that theworld wants peace, we must admit thatthe world does not want peace on justany terms. One nation wants peace onits own terms, but the next nation isnot satisfied with those terms and laysdown its terms for peace. We have accused the communist nations of strivingfor world domination.These nationsclaim that they want peace, but theterms of peace they are willing to accept are that all other nations comeunder their power. In other words, theyare willing for peace only if other nations become their slaves. And naturally, other nations can't accept thoseterms. On the other hand, democraticnations want peace on the terms thatother nations have democratic ratherthan totalitarian governments.So nonation will accept peace on just anyterms.The world may want peace, but oftenpeace is not the first thing248that somenations want. We all have lots of desires, but all of them cannot be ourfirst desire. I may want a new car,but I will want food to eat daily before I want the car. It was reportedof one fellow, however, who said thathe just had to have a Buick automobileeven if he went without food on hisplate.Almost anynation wants independence and freedom to run its own affairs as something that is more important than having peace with neighboring nations. Yes, to the individual aswell as to the nation,things may besome othermore important thanpeace itself. Having decided that somethings are right, and the will of God,we must have those things even at thecost of peace. Paul says in Romans 12:18 "If possible, so far as it dependsupon you, live peaceablywithall"Theimplication is that it may not be possible to live at peace if you are goingto hold some standards of truth. Paulwas not always able to live peaceablywith the people where he preached.How often people rose up against him,and once he was nearly stoned to death!He recognized such dangers when hepreached the Gospel, but it was moreimportant than just being nice to thepeople and going along with them, keeping still about the Gospel of Christ.There was a cold war going on betweenChrist and the Pharisees all the time,until it climaxed into a hot war withChrist being crucified.we be todayWhere wouldand what would be thestate of the world if Christ had soughtpeace with His fellow men at any price,if peace had been the thing of firstimportance to Him?And this leads up to the fact thatthe only way to get peace sometimesis to fight for it. Everywar that wehave fought has been in a certain measure a fight to keep the kind of peacethat we want, on our terms.Then we have to realize that justone weak link in the chain of worldpeace maybe enough to spoil a wholeworld-wide plan for peace and makeworthy desires for peace of none effect.If one hot-headed individual or nationblows up and attacks a peaceful nationor person, the peaceful one has nochoice but to fight, because self-defense is normal and right.Finally it must be said that the desire for peace in itself is not strongenough to subdue the lusts of thenatural heart of man which isdesperately wicked. James 4:1. As long asthe hearts of men are as they are, therecan be no universal peace. It is notthe desire for peace that will changemen's hearts, but it is the grace ofChrist that changes men from warringbeasts into peaceful servants of theMost High God.For Discussion1. Is social peace commanded by theLord? Rom. 14:19, Heb. 12:14.2. Is peace always possible? Rom. 12:18.3. What are some things that are moreimportant than peace?4. Explain Matt. 10 :34.5. When will the earth have peace?6. Does the Lord ever sanction war?7. What can the individual do to helpthe cause of international peace?8. What else is needed for peace besides the stopping of military action?JUNIOR TOPICNovember G, 1955THE CALL AND OBEDD3NCE OFGIDEONBy Marjorie Mitchel, Glenwood, Minn.Scripture Text Judges 6:1-32Memory Verses"And the Lord saidunto him, 'Surely I will be withthee.'(Gideon) Judges 6:16. "And hesaid, Certainly I will be with thee."(Moses) Exodus 3:12.PsalmsMemory Psalm for November Psalm118, p. 284.Psalm 25, pp. 59, vs. 7, 8, 11, 12Psalm 26, p. 61, vs. 1, 2, 6Psalm 119, p. 294, vs. 1, 2, 5Psalm 118, p. 285, vs. 17, 18, 20ReferencesEx. 4:12 Numbers 22:38, Ephesians6:1,5, I Peter 5:7, Ex. 23:22, Hebrews11:8, Revelation 22:14.Notice how God directed in eachperson's life in these verses, but howthey had to be willing for God towork in them first. See how obedience is necessary in our daily lives.CommentsHow many of us enjoy being obedienteach time we are asked to do something? There are many times,that both younger and older people disof course,like doing what they are told to do orwhat they know is best for them. TheIsraelites and people of all time haveoften been disobedient also, and havedispleased God by sinning against Him.You would think from our formerstories that by this time the Israeliteswould have learned to stay away fromidols and worship God, especially whenCOVENANTER WITNESS

you?"ance."they had had victory so many timeswith God's help.But after Deborah died, it's sad, butthey were doing evil things again. TheLord had to punish in some way, soHe let a people called Midianites cometo make war again. These people movedaround from place to place and weren'tliked because theying.were always stealThe Midianites had troubled the Israelites for about 200 years before. Thiswas the time before the Israelites hadcrossed over Jordan into the land ofCanaan. They were living in the landof the Amorites and came to Canaanto steal crops from the Israelites.Now they had increased to a largenation. Theywouldn't settlein onespot to work their own crops in theirown fields, but would take all crops ofa weaker people and move on to dothe same thing again.This time they treated the Israelitesthe same way, coming with tents andcattle like a cloud of grasshoppers andleaving almost nothing for Israelites.They were left so poor and scared because these people would also kill themif they decided to.This went on for seven years andthey didn't even live in their own homesany longer, but ran away to live incaves in the mountains for these peoplehad taken so much from them.When they were about starving theyfinally called to God to help them.They really should have talked withGod long before. He sent a prophet toscold them for worshiping other godsand to remind them He had led themout of Egypt and kept them all thistime.God became sorry for these people,even though they had disobeyed, anddecided to help them. He came in theform of an angel and sat under an oaktree, near to a young farmer namedGideon. Gideon was threshing somewheat and keeping it secret from theMidianites. This angel said, "The Lordis with you; you are a mighty manand brave." Gideon said, "If the Lordis with us, why does all this happento us and where are all the miraclesour fathers have told us about? Itseems like the Lord has forsaken usand given us to our enemies, the Midianites."The Lord looked at Gideon and probably seemed disappointed in him. Hesaid, "Go in your might and save Israel. Haven't I sentGideon was very surprised and managed to say, "O my Lord, how can Isave Israel? My family is very poorand I am the least important in myown home." The Lord said, "I will certainly be with you and you shall con-October 19, 1955quer the Midianites as easily as if thereman."were only oneGideon said he wanted a sign that allthis was true because he could stillhardly believe it. He asked the angelnot to leave until he had brought apresent to him.So he went home, killed a goat andboiled it and made some little cakesof bread. This he took back to the oaktree and the Lord told him to put iton the rock and pour out the brothand he did so.The angel of the Lord touched themeat and cakes with the end of therod he had in His hand. Then firerose up from the rocks and burned theoffering and then the angel disappeared.Then Gideonrealized he had beentalking with the very angel of God!He was very frightened thinking hewould die for having talked to Him.The Lord told him, "Have peace, anddon't be afraid because you won't die."Then Gideon built an altar to worshipGod.Now Gideon's own father did not believe in God, but worshiped idols. Sothat night, the Lord told Gideon tothrow down the altar of Baal that hisfather had in the village. Then he wasto build an altar to the Lord on top ofthe rock and take a young calf of hisfather's and offer a sacrifice to theLord.Gideon was brave and obedient andhe took ten men and did as the Lordhad said, doing this bynight since heknew the wicked men might try to stophim.In the morning the men of the citywere furious, demanding to know whohad donethis. They discovered thatGideon was the one and they went tohis father, saying they would killGideon. It seems that Gideon had toldhis father that the Lord had spoken tohim and he was ashamed of how he hadworshiped idols. So the father said,"Are you standing up for Baal? If he isa god, let him defend himself!" He wasshowing by this that he was withGideon, was obeying God.When the people heard that the trueGod had spoken to Gideon and told himto do this, they were ready to help him.The people had not been willing tostand up for what they believed earlier.But now they were sorry and ready tohelp Gideon, their leader. The Spirit ofGod then came down upon Gideon andhe was filled with great courage tofight the Midianites.Next week we will see how he prepares for this great battle.All of us don't receive big "calls" asGideon did.But God calls all Christians, young and old, to do somethingspecial for Him. Maybe it is to visitthose who are sick, praying daily for afriend to accept Jesus, doing somethingkind and helpful for parents or someone in need, using talents (such asmusic, speaking, acting, writing) allto His Glory, living a Christ-like life,and being an example of Christ tofunothers in our school, work, ortimes. The big question is,"Are wegoing to be obedient when God calls,was?"as GideonNotebooks1. Mention ways God calls young peoplefor His service, such as throughChristian people, messages, Bibleverses, Christian literature.2. List talents that different ones haveand name ways theycan be usedin obedience to God's will, or in waysthat would be disobedient.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONNovember 6, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on international Sunday SchoolLessons; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching:, copyrighted by the Inter*national Council of Religious Education.)JESUS MEETS HUMAN NEEDSLuke 5:1-6:15Printed Text, Luke 5:12-15, 27-32Memory Verse: Luke 5:31, 32 "Theythat are whole need not a physician; butthey that are sick. I came not to callthe righteous, but sinners to repentThis lesson begins with the last of agroup of miracles. Some have sought toinvent new miracles for Christ. This, tosay the least, is unnecessary. There areenough true miracles recorded to answer everyneed. Some claim to haveperformed miracles, or their power to doso. There is little said about Christ'spower to perform miracles. The recordis of what He did perform. In how faris it right for us to dream of miraculouspower?Aesop's Fables ascribe to animalspowers that belong to man, in order toillustrate man's virtues and vices. Wesee no reason to condemn him for thatuse of fiction. What about ascribing toman powers that belong only to God?Christ's miracles were all performedfor others, never for Himself. His tormentors used that fact in seeking tocondemn Him; "He saved others, himself he cannotsave."What the worldsaw as evil was the evidence of Hisgoodness and love.The Healing of the LeperThe leper saw Jesus, and madeprompt use of his opportunity. The op-249

wilt."well."will"suddenly."might"portunity that we have now may nevercome again. Now is the time.The leper came humbly. He prostrated himself so low that Jesus might haveput His foot on his neck. He was notafraid to put himself whollyinJesus'power. He fully believed that Jesus wasable to heal him. He besought him. Thatis a strong word for asking. He felt hisown hopelessness and distress, and hada deep appreciation of the joyof freedom from his disease that was worsethan imprisonment. He had no doubt ofChrist's power. Knowing his own unworthiness, he seemed to be uncertainabout Christ's willingness. "If thouThe lepers were called the untouchables. Theywere not allowed to touchanyone, and must warn all who werenear them, so that they would not betouched. Christ gave His first answer tothis man by touching him. Not since hehad become a leper had he felt the touchof human hand that was not also leprous.Recent Christian work among lepershas led to some interesting discoveries.contageousor hereditary. And whereLeprosy is not necessarily eitherdestruction has not already advanced toofar, leprosy can be healed. Christ taughtus to avoid sin, not to avoid sinners. Itis a terrible mistake to attempt to safeguard children by warning them againstcertain of their playmates because weconsider them bad. It is dangerous totrust the influence of other children because we think they are good. It is notfolks that are good or bad, it is whatthey do. Regardless of what others do,we should "cease to do evil, learn to doChrist did not flee from the leper. Hetouched him, and said, "Iandimmediately the leper was healed. Sincethey were in a city, this miracle wouldcertainly draw such crowds as to interfere with their work. There wereother reasons why Christ charged thehealed man to go quietly to the priestto be examined before he talked aboutit. There was a regular order by whichthe priest was to declare one free fromleprosy (Leviticus 14). Christ, althoughHe knew the man was healed, sent himto fulfill the law before declaring hissalvation. People are not inclined totrust one's profession of a sudden salvation until he has lived it for awhile. Others told the story, and a multitude cameto hear and to be healed.The Calling of an ApostleMatthew was a tax-collector. Whenthe publicans asked John what theyshould do, he told them to be honest. Hedid not say anything250about theiroccu-pation, although it was in bad repute.It may be difficult for an honest lawyerto succeed financially. But he can be anhonest lawyer. Zacchaeus, a publican,confessed that he had not been honest,and he made restitution.There is no suggestion that Matthewhad been in any way dishonest in hisoffice. It seems evident that he and thefishermen had known Christ and hadbeen his disciples before the special callcame to them. Paul was not called intospecial service immediatelyconversion.after hisThe immediate answer of Matthewand the fishermen does not mean thatthey left their work without providingthat it would be taken care of. Matthewdid not jump up from the table and runaway leavingall his accounts and themoney scattered around without anyoneto take care of them. The fishermen didnot leave their ships with nets wet andtangled, and their day's catch to rot.They left them with their fathers afterseeing that they had sufficient help tocarry on their trade. Indeed it appearsthat they still owned the ships afterChrist had risen from the dead.Paul advised Timothy to "lay handson no manA new convertshould not be put into a responsibleposition until he has demonstrated hissalvation by living it. Paul was not advising what was contrary to the practice of Christ.Matthew Plans for Sinners to MeetChristA sure way to get folks to church,or prayer meeting, is to have a dinner.If Matthew invited the Pharisees to hisfeast, they did not attend. But theywatched and were offended that Christwas there. One Sabbath night I wentwith a C. E. group for a meeting withthe hoboes that were allowed shelter ina large basement room in the HomeHotel in Pittsburgh. There were about50 "Knights of the Road" there thatnight. A man made a very touching address on "Jesus, a Friend." I thinkChrist was there. I was told that on another night two of those ragged mensaw where the Youngchurch just around the corner,People went toand decided to go in. They were met in thelobby and ordered out. What would wedo with them if they came into ourchurch?Christ said He came to save sinners.Who are the sinners? Rags and dirt donot make sinners, nor do fine clothesmake saints. Dives was a sinner, thoughhe probably had a cushioned seat in thesynagogue. Christ came to save Dives.Dives may have thought he was saved.He was so busy enjoyinglife that hedidn't have time to make his calling andelection sure. Perhaps he spoke verykindly to Lazarus as he sat among thedogs at the gate. He may even haveasked the servants to be sure there werealways enough crumbs and that the dogsdid not get them first. And the foodwas of the choicest quality. It was theoverabundance of what was preparedfor Dives and his guests. Christ was notat Dives' table;perhaps He preferred tovisit at the gate with Lazarus.We recall the motto, "Christ an inmeal,"vited guest at every A little anger that may be increased by a fewharsh words will spoil digestion. If weinvite Christ to our meals and realizedHis presence, we should have joy andgood digestion even with the most humble fare.PRAYER MEETING TOPICNovember 9, 1955"THE NOTE OF PRAISE IN PRAYER"I Chron. 29:10-13Rev. P. D. McCracken, D.D.Psalm 148:1,4,5 page 357Psalm 147:1-3,6,7, page 354Psalm 144:1,2,5,6, page 348Psalm 107: 1-6, page 264References :Phil. 4:6; Ps. 103; 116:17; Eph. 1:3;Ps. 139:14; 104:1; II Chron. 6:14,15; I Kings 8:15; Neh. 8:5; 9:32.CommentsOur text reminds us of the fact thatPraise is one of the vital elements inPrayer. It is natural and normal thatthere be Confession and Petition, butalso there shouldbe Adoration, and"thankful acknowledgement of Hismercies."That amounts to Praise.David recognized this, and in thePsalms which he wrote, and the Prayers which he offered, it is much in evidencethat he followed this idea. Ifyou will read carefully the seventy ormore Psalms of David, you doubtlesswill observe that although there aremultitudes of petitions, the expressionsof praise usually are dominant,andbecome more so in those Psalms writtenin the later years of his life.ly"After David had prepared "abundant(I Chron. 22:5) and "with all his(I Chron. 29:2) for the Houseof God that was to be built, and thepeople had responded most generouslythere was great rejoicing (I Chron. 29:9). Then David prayed, and before allthe people he praised and magnifiedthe Lord who had provided the causefor this rejoicing:"Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, andCOVENANTER WITNESS

name."eternity"victory."the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that isin heaven and in the earth is thine;thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thouart exalted as head above all. Bothriches and honor come of thee, andthou reignest over all;hand is power and might;and in thineand in thinehand it is to make great, and to givestrength unto all. Now therefore, OurGod, we thank thee and praise thyglorious (I Chron. 29:10-13).This beginning of David's prayer ismuch like the doxology with which theLord's prayer ends: "For thine isthe kingdom, and the power, and thegloryforever."Here we have praiseto God for His Eternal Sovereignty overall his works both in the realm ofnature and of grace. Here is praise forhis Omnipotence, both to will and to doof His good pleasure. Here is praisefor His glorious Excellency, which isinherent in Himself, and demonstratedin all that He does.Such praise is"comely"for God'schildren, and should be much in evidence in our prayers. He has unquestionable title to the very best that wecan offer. His is the greatness which isboth immense and incomprehensible.His is the power, almighty and irresistible. His is the glory, excellent, indescribable and perfect. His is the victory,for he goes forth conquering and toconquer, and is able to subdue allthings unto Himself. His is the majesty,terrible, transcendant, inconceivable,and inexpressible. His is the kingdom,universal in extent and eternal in duration. Truly, we have every reason topraise God, as we address Him in prayer.When we begin our prayers on thishigh note of praise, it will tend tomake us realize how smalland unworthy we are, and create within usthat humble and contrite attitudewhich is pleasing to God.And whenwe end our prayers in some such fashion, we will carry away with us exaltedthoughts of the divine majesty that willenable us to be more guarded againstsin, and to worship and serve Him acceptably.From Patterson's helpfulCommentary on the Shorter Catechism we takethe following excerpts:"We ascribe the Kingdomto God,when we behold Him swaying the sceptre over universal nature, guiding thehelm of providence, and steering Hispeople to the haven of everlasting restin His own time and way; acquiescingin all things respecting ourselves andothers, when we acknowledge that Hewho made us has a right to govern us,and to be obeyed and served by us;October 19, 1955when we study to give Him the glorydue unto His name; when we confessthat all things are in His hands, andthat He can do what He will with allHis creatures; when we ascribe equityand justice to Him in all His ways, andmaintain that He can do no wrong toany;when we ascribe to Him the mostunlimited power; and when we affirmthat He alone ought to reign as universalking.""We ascribe the power to God, whenwe ascribe to Him omnipotence and allpower in heaven and on earth; whenwe acknowledge that He can fulfill allHis purposes, and that none can opposeHis designs, and that He can bestowor withhold what seemeth good untoHim; when we acknowledge that Hecan give effect to His word, howevermuch it mayoppose the will of thecreatures; when we confess that nothing is too hard for Him that whatappears impossible to angels and menis easy to God; and when we acknowledge that there are everywhere in Hisextensive dominions traces of His almighty power, which isnecessary togovern the creatures He hath made,and the whole system of the universe."We ascribe the glory to God, whenwe acknowledge that He is possessedof everyexcellence which can renderHim glorious in the eyes of angels andof men; when we confess that thepraise and honor of everything that isgreat and excellent, or that has a tendency to raise our esteem and admiration, are due to Him; when we acknowledge that there is none so worthyas the Lord; and when we allow thatHe alone ought to be praised by angelsand by men. It may be here remarkedthat in this place, Glory has a particularreference to what God does in His kingdom, and to the exercise of His powerin it; from which glory rebounds toGod, and shall rebound to Him throughout the endless ages ofLet us learn to praise much as wepray.W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor,Prayer Hour, 1:00 P.M. MondayTheme: Arise and BuildLESSON FOR NOVEMBERBy Mrs. R. G. YoungLAYING THE CORNERSTONEIsaiah 28:16The Jewish rabbis have a traditionconcerning one of the stones, cut in adistant quarry for the Temple of Solomon and brought to Jerusalem. But noplace could be found for it,as it was apeculiar shape. So it was cast aside andmade a laughing stock bythe workmen.When the temple was almost completedthey found that this neglected and dispised,moss-covered stone became thetop stone, the crowning beauty of thewhole. So it was cleansed and lifted toits proper place and became the crownand glory of the temple.In Acts 4:11-12 Peter says that Christwho was rejected bythe builders became the head stone of the corner, andthere is no one but He who can save us.In building important buildings thereis often the dedication service and thelaying of the corner stone. So in ourlives we must be dedicated and have thecorner stone, Jesus Christ,who holds allparts together and becomes the crowning glory of our lives. This stone is precious, tried, sure and marvelous.But if we remain in our sins, it willbecome a rock of offense and fall on us,grinding us to powder. We must repent,obeyand serve.The world says: "We hear you saythat you repent but if we do not seeyou living a clean, honest, pure, lovingand unselfish life, we can not believeyou. If Christ cannot give you the power to live a holy life, we suspect He isfalse."Can we meet this challenge? Areour lives proof that we are held together securely by the chief cornerstone?True repentance requires obedienceand dedication for service in His kingdom, obedience in dwelling in Him andHe in us (1 John 3:24). There is nothingthat we can possiblywant that is notincluded in the high reward of obedience.It is the call of dutywhich fills thelife with beauty. As Christ came to minister to others, so He calls us to serveHim. The true calling of a Christian isnot to do extraordinary things, but to doordinary things in an extraordinary way.Someone has said, we should all be"not inert but alert; not dead but dedicated; not seat-warmers but soul winners; not worriers but workers; notmasters of men but servants of God; notpossessive, but progressive; men of vision and vim who will venture for Christand His kingdom untilA THOUGHT FOR YOUDON'T CHOOSE BEAN SOUP ormaybe that's all you will get!Poor tired Esau had been hunting allday. Anyone knows his one desire wasfor food. The wily Jacob knew this asbirthright."well. "Sell me this day your(Gen. 25:31). Esau sold out cheaply251

us.". .for BEAN SOUP the inheritance andrights that were his.It is easy to condemn this hungryman, but lookis that bean soup youare eating? I must confess there arebeans in my bowl too! Christ bridgedthat awful Eden tragedy.. . yet howeasy to choose the scrubby crumbs andwatery stews of worldly, possessions,selling our spiritual inheritance!"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God"by choosing Christ FIRST all thesethings will be added unto you.SYNODICALWar Cry.FROM ELIZABETH McELROYDear Friends:on the High SeasRev. Luther and Mrs. McFarland andMiss Weir came on the boat to see usoff. They gave me the box of fruit fromthe Synodical. I surely thank all thewomen for their thankfulness. BeforeSandersons'sailing we met in cabinfor prayer by Rev. Henning. We sangthe 121st Psalm.On Sabbath, September 11 we heldservices in Sandersons' cabin. As Nehemiah had a work to do so we in thespiritual life have something to accomplish.Pray for a revival in Latakia in 1956,Latakia's centennial. We are notworthy of His blessings. "He visited andredeemed Ps. 45: "My heart dothoverflow, a goodly theme I sing. Mytongue's a ready writer's pen to speakabout the King."Thanks for all your letters.MRS.Yours in Christ,E. McElroyANNA MARSHALLThe Women's Missionary Society ofthe Youngstown Congregation wishes topay tribute to the memory of Mrs.Anna Marshall who was called to herheavenly home on July 11, 1955, atthe age of 83 years. She was a veryfaithful and devoted member and worker, both in our congregation and in theMissionary Society. She came to theYoungstown congregation in the late1890's, and for over 20 years she served as President of the Missionary Society. She also served as Superintendent ofthe Sabbath School for a number ofyears.She is greatly missed by her children,grandchildren and great-grandchildren,and bya large host of friends. Wecommend her loved ones to the Onewho said, "Blessed are the dead whichdie in the Lord from henceforth; Yea,saith the Spirit, that they may restfrom their labors, and their works dofollow them."252Youngstown W.M.S.Would you please print our correctaddress in the Witness? Instead of 1975E. Sutter Avenue,Rev. and Mrs. T. F. Harsh1975 (F) Sutter AvenueCincinnati 25, Ohioour correct address isPSALM FESTIVALFOR PITTSBURGH PRESBYTERYAT THE ALLEGHENY CHURCHNovember 4, 19558:00 P. M.HISTORICAL CORRECTIONIn your review of Dr. Stonehouse'sbook entitled J. Gresham Machen (Covenanter Witness, September 28, p. 198)you state that the first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of America (now the Orthodox PresbyterianChurch) "was the beginning of theWestminster Theological Seminary inPhiladelphia .This statement is incorrect, for Westminster Theological Seminary existedfor seven years before the origin of thePresbyterian Church of America. Theseminary was founded on July 18, 1929,whereas the first General Assembly ofthe Prsebyterian Church of Americawas opened on June 11, 1939.Many people seem to think that Westminster Theological Seminary is an institution of the Orthodox PresbyterianChurch. This, however, is not the case.It is an independent institution not officially connected with any denomination. It is controlled by a self-perpetuating board of 29 trustees. This board atpresent includes members of five different denominations, namely :The Orthodox Presbyterian ChurchThe Christian Reformed ChurchThe Reformed Church in AmericaThe Canadian Presbyterian ChurchThe Southern Presbyterian ChurchOrder your Minutes of SynodNOWFrom C. R. Fox, 209 Ninth St.,Pittsburgh 22, Pa.Price $1.00AMERICAN BD3LE SOCD3TY PLANSTO PRINT RSV: ACCC SECRETARYURGESCHRISTIANS TO PROTESTA number of requests to publish thissad."have come. "If 'tis true, 'tisA letter addressed to Christian publications was recently received from Dr.W. Harllee Bordeaux, generalsecretaryof the American Council of ChristianChurches. The Christian Beacon desires to bring this communication tothe attention of its readers. Dr. Bordeaux writes:If, as I believe is probably true, youregard the Revised Standard Version ofthe Bible as a per-version of the HolyScriptures in more than a few places;if, as I trust is your conviction, you arefullyconscious of the fact that the RSVis the product of those extremely modernistic views, then I am sure you willbe interested in this communication.It is with genuine sorrow that I haveto advise you that the American BibleSociety has been following a policy designed to popularize the RSV on foreignmission fields.Certain "diglots" havebeen prepared by the American BibleSociety, and beside the foreign languagethere is the companion text in Englishwhich is that of the RSV. I believe thata host of godly Christians who are nowsupporters of the ABS (and a multitudeof believers who have departed thislife and gone to be with Christ whowere, during their lifetime, benefactorsof the ABS)shocked if theywould be immeasurablyrealized what the ABShas been doing to popularize and gainacceptance for the RSV.While these diglots are sad enough,something far worse is looming on thehorizon. We know, on excellent authority, that the American Bible Society isabout to accomplish the changing of itsconstitution, whereby it will then havea legal right to publish the entire Bibleof the RSV. Conferences in which Ihave personally participated with prominent officials of the ABS, about two orthree years ago, are such as to convinceme that nothing will deter the ABSfrom accomplishing the revision of itsconstitution andbeginning to publishthe entire RSV Bible unless it is a clamor and determined volley of protestsfrom God-fearing Christians who see theimportance of keeping a pure Bible inthe hands of the people and who willtherefore cease to support the ABS if itstubbornly and sinfully persists in theCOVENANTER WITNESS

much"course which it is following at the pres communion services at Superior theOctober 19, 1955ent moment.first Sabbath in October.But no avalanche of indignant protests will be received by the ABS unlessDoris Stevenson of the Friendly Farmer'^ Club took part in the State stylediscerning Christians in this country revue contest at the Kansas State Fairare informed as to what is about to on September 18. Doris received rehappen unless they are urged to regis serve grand championship in theter their strong disapproval with theABS by letters they write. This is whereyour publication can be of tremendousservice to the cause of the Lord JesusChrist, and of incalcuable benefit to amultitude of people who must be keptfrom adopting the corrupted RSV Biblefrom the American Bible Society forprivate and public use.All such letters should be addressedto: The American Bible Society, 450county style revue and received a redribbon at the State Fair.Eugene, Duane and Jimmy Stevenson all took part in the first footballgame of the season and helped Eskridge make a winning score.Jean Louise is the name of the littlegirl that arrived at the home of Mr.and Mrs. Ross Polenski, Jr. Maternalgrandparents are Mr. and Mrs. JamesMcKnight.Park Ave., New York, N. Y.SAN DD3GOSEATTLE NEWSThe Sabbath afternoon of September18, fourteen persons met at the church,and going "two by two" canvassed theimmediate neighborhood of the churchThe summer has been a busy andprofitable one for our congregation. OurVacation Bible School was held June27-July 8 and was our best one so far.Our enrollment was 184 and average atgiving a special invitation to the Rally tendance was 125, even including theDay services of September 25. Nearly500 homes were reached that day. Dueto the spreading of the word by theFourth of July, which always cuts downon daily attendance.This large enrollment really taxed ourBible School children, the canvass and facilities and our teachers! Just trythe follow-up work of Rev. Martin wehandling a class of fifty-two energeticreached our Rally goal of 125 in Sab 5- and 6-year-olds in the same roombath School. We give thanks for thisand pray that in the days to follow wewill each do our part to continue thewith a class of forty-one equally energetic 7- and 8-year-olds, if you questionthat statement! Or, you might try agrowth of His kingdom.class of forty-five 3- and 4-year-olds!The first fall party of the High But our teachers did admirably in spiteSchool group got under way in the formof a skating party, September 24. Nineof their handicaps. Parents expressedtheir surprise and pleasure, again andteen of the more vigorous attended. again, how much their children hadOur best wishes to Billie Jean Kerseyas she begins her first year at Washington University; to Mary Jane Stila, beginning Roosevelt High School; and toKathy Crozier beginning kindergarten!learned from the Bible in two shortweeks! They and their children turnedout in full force for our closing programso that we were filled from the veryfront row to the very back row.We are happy to welcome Mrs.We were happy to have two CrusadersCharles Dill of Winchester, Kansas who help us in our V. B. S. Barbara Huston,is visiting in the homes of her four chilof Winchester, Kansas, and Waynedren located in this area.Spear, of Bovina, N. Y., endeared themselves not only to the children in theirESKRIDGESeveral of our members who are hardrespective classes but to everyone inthe congregation. Our only regret was tohave to part with them so soon.of hearing are now able to hearWemorehope weof the pastor's sermons, with the may have the pleasure of havhelpof an improvised hearing aid. Con ing them with us again next year!nections for headphones have been Other teachers and helpers (some onlyinstalled in some of the seats, and atpresent a tape recorder is being usedas an amplifier. If the system provespart time) were Mrs. James Riggin'satisfactory, we hope to install a morepermanent sound system and hearingaid in the near future.Thanks to our pastor, Rev. Joe Caskey, our communion service was held theweek of September 25. Dr. Remo Robbwas our pastor's assistant and gave ussome inspiring sermons.Our pastor Rev. Joe Caskey is assistT. Frazier, Mrs. Anna Jolls, Mrs. NormaRunkle, Glenn Wallace, Mrs. R. M. Ott,Mrs. Isabel McDonald, Rev. J. D. Edgar,and Marshall Smith, with Mrs. J. D. Edgar again acting as superintendent.The summer brought us a number ofvisitors from other congregations, all ofwhom we enjoyed having worship withus. Especially did we enjoy the fellowing his father Dr. Cloyd Caskey withthree weeks in our congregation, callingin the homes of the neighborhood, getting some practical experience from ourcommunity visitation program. We werehappy to speed Ray and Alice on theirway with our congregational good wishes as they left for their wedding in Florida.We are still working on our BuildingFund with the hope of adding severalnew classrooms to our church as soon aswe have sufficient funds to buy materials. Several of our Bible School classesare compelled to meet outside of thechurch building. One meets in a tent,others in garages and in the open air.With the approach of our rainy season,the outdoors will shortly not be asuitable class meeting place.Building Fund banks have been givenout to everyone in the Bible School, andeach class has set a goal for itself. Allare anxious to see which class will attain its goal first. Interest is also mounting as to "how can be containedin one of these little Building Fundbanks.OLD BETHELWe were glad to welcome back oneof our out-of-bounds members, CaptainJ. Keith Aiken, of the U. S. Air Forceand his wife and children, Jefferson andSpencer. On Sabbath August 14 theyhad their younger son, Spencer, baptized during the morning service.They have spent the past fouryears in Austria. Captain Aiken hasbeen with the occupation Forces thereand is being transferred to the RandolphAir Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.Charles Finley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Finley, William and Paul Finley,sons of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Finley andour pastor Rev. J. M. McMillan, attended the Y. P. Conference at Lake Wawassee.Dr. M. S. McMillan declared the pulpit vacant at the Chicago church September 11.Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Finley and sonCharles drove to Beaver Falls September 10. Charles remained to enter Geneva College, it being his freshman year.Mr. and Mrs. Finley returned homeSeptember 13.Our communion was held the 25th ofCarol Green, Allen Newton, JeanSeptember with Rev. Robt. McMillan ofSmith,Wayne Adams, Donny Newton, Mrs. R. Fresno, California, assisting.Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Aiken of BeecherCity, Illinois and son, David, attendedservices Saturday and Sabbath, of ourcommunion season, and visited in thehome of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mathewsand family.SEMINARY NOTESThe First Series of Student Preachingship and help of Ray Joseph who spen t will be at the Geneva Church, Beaver253

Falls, Pa., Wednesday, November 2.Speakers are : Raymond Joseph, ArmourMcFarland, and James Nye.The second service of this series willbe at the New Alexandria Church, Wednesday, November 9. The speakers, Donald Felker, Robert Fullerton, and Robert McCracken.Each year the Seminaryplans a special series of lectures or discussions onsome subject of vital interest to thechurch. In November, Mr. Charles McBurney has been invited to lead indiscussions centering in the subject:"The Pastor and the Praise Service."He will meet with the Seminary students three class sessions. On Thursdayevening, November 3, there will be aPsalm Leadership Clinic at the Seminary, for all percenters, choir directors,and others interested in improving thesinging of the Psalms in congregationalworship. Mr. McBurney will also bepresent to participate in the Presbyterial Psalm Festival inthe AlleghenyChurch on the following Friday evening,November 4.The Annual SeminaryReception andOpen House will be on Friday evening,November 18. A cordial invitation isgiven to all to attend.WALTON, NEW YORKOur pastor, Rev. J. A. Hill was absentthe first three Sabbaths of August onvacation. On August 7, Rev. RobertHenning of the New York congregationpreached for us. He was accompanied byhis youngest son Carl. On August 14,Rev. Walter Magee of Goshen preachedacceptably. He was accompanied by hisfamily and they were dinner guests ofDr. and Mrs. Walter Eells. On August21 many members were present at worship services at White Lake CovenanterCamp where Mr. Hill preached thatday.Misses Laura Boye arid Donna Henderson served as counselors at WhiteLake Junior Camp. The Junior Campattracted a large group from Walton, including : John Gilchrist, Hartley Russell,Robert and Kenneth Eells, Bruce Henderson, Nancy and Billy Henderson,Janet Boye, Holly and Agnes Puffer.Welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Elwood who have arrived from Germany.Mrs. Elwood is the former Miss ErikaSchweigert of Berlin, Germany. TheWalton Missionary Guild held a Kitchenshower in their honor at the home ofMr. and Mrs. Thomas Henderson.Miss Isabelle Crawford of Third Philadelphia spent two weeks in the home ofMrs. W. M. Robb and was a welcomevisitor at our Bible school picnic heldat Bassett Park on the Saturday beforeLabor Day.254Dr. Walter E.Eells has completedtwenty-five years of service to Waltoncommunity as a physician.Miss Joan Adams was elected vicepresident of the Senior class at WaltonCentral School.The Walton church was host to visitors from White Lake, Newburgh, andMontclair, N. J., on the evening of September 9 for a Psalm Sing. The themecarried out in melody was "The Churchin the Psalms." A social hour was heldin the Prayer Meeting room afterwards.Mr. and Mrs. Victor Lynn of WhiteLake and Dr. and Mrs. Walter Eellswere celebrating a wedding anniversarythat evening.The C.Y.P.U. has recently begun aseries of Bible studies obtained from theoffice of Home Mission secretary, Dr.Remo Robb.The Trustee-Deacon Board has ordered 60 new folding chairs, which willbe a fine addition to our present furnishings.The large porch at the parsonage isbeing repaired and should be finishedsoon. The ceiling in the pastor's studyhad to be replaced recently, after alarge section of plaster fell.Dr. J. Renwick Patterson spoke inour church on September 25 on behalfof the National Reform Association.His subject was "The Scourge of Alcoholism."amounted to $48.The special offering takenThe Promotion Day program incharge of Miss Blanche Gilchrist washeld on September 25. Several classesof well-trained boys and girls gave us ademonstration of their knowledge of theBible.Mr. and Mrs. Millard Russell tooktheir son, John, also Wendell and WayneSpear, to Geneva on September 12. Theywere overnight guests of Dr. and Mrs.Frank Lathom, returning to WaltonTuesday.Dr. and Mrs. Frank Lathom of BeaverFalls visited recently in Walton. Mrs.Lathom stayed with the Millard Russell's while Mr. Lathom went to Barnet,Vermont, to assist in Communion.Walton congregation was againshocked and saddened with the suddendeath of Miss Blanche Calhoun, R.N.She died after a heart attack while onduty as head nurse at the DelawareValley Hospital in Walton. She had beena resident of Walton for the last twelveyears. She was born March 30, 1900 inAndes and died September 30, 1955. Shewas a member of the Walton ReformedPresbyterian church, the MissionaryGuild, and the American Nurses Association. She was a director of the NewYork State Nurses Association. She issurvived by her aged mother, threebrothers and two sisters.Her funeral was held in the church onMonday, October 3, with the Rev. J. A.Hill conducting the service. Nurses ofthe Delaware Valley Hospital and SmithHospital attended the service in a body,nurses'dressed in their uniforms. Burial was in the Andes cemetery.GENEVA COLLEGEDr. Charles M. Lee, president ofGeneva College, has been appointed amember of the National Association ofIntercollegiate Athletics Presidents' Advisory committee. The selection was announced by E. D. Fish, Emporia, Kans.,president of the NAIA.The committee will serve in an advisory capacity to the NAIA Executivecommittee in all matters of policy affecting the conduct of NAIA. It willgive special consideration to the problem of assuring sound educational standards for the adoption of rules and regulations and shall make recommendations on measures to be considered foradoption.The Presidents' committee will meetwith the Executive committee eachyear. The two groups will discuss theproblems of building and improvinga sound and active intercollegiate athletics program at each of the approximately 450 member institutions of theNAIA.Geneva has represented District 30in the national NAIA basketball tourney at Kansas City the past threeyears.Dr. and Mrs. J. Laurence Coon, Brodheadroad, Aliquippa, have been namedco-chairmen of the 1955 Homecomingcelebration at Geneva College.Both Mr. and Mrs. Coon are Genevagraduates. Dr. Coon, son of Dr. andMrs. Philip L. Coon, head of the chemistry department at the College was graduated in 1940. His wife, the formerGrace Harsh, was graduated in 1941.The festivities, scheduled for theweekend of October 21-22, will be highlighted by the football game with Westminster, Saturday afternoon, October22. The long-time rivals will meet inGeneva's Reeves field with the kickoffat 2:15 p.m.Preceding the football clash, theGenevastudent body will hold theirtraditional float parade through BeaverFalls and to the stadium. An informalreception will follow the game, and theannual Geneva alumni supper will beserved buffet style in Johnston gym at6 p.m.The dormitories at the College willhold open house Friday evening.BELLE CENTER BULLETINTwenty-fourBelle Center membersenjoyed a fine day offellowship withRev. and Mrs. W. J. Sanderson, Mr. andCOVENANTER WITNESS

Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson, Miss MarjorieSanderson and MissRoberta Adams,on Saturday, September 3, in theirhome in Utica. The occasion wasa farewell visit with Kenneth andMarjorie who sailed Friday, September 9, for Latakia, Syria. Following a bountiful dinner provided in partby the Sandersons and in part bytheir guests a time of fellowship was enjoyed. During the year of furlough Mr.and Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson have spoken in many of the congregations and toother groups and have taken a numberof pictures of some of the places wheretheyhave visited and ofthe peoplewhom they have met. It was very interesting to see these pictures which wereprojected on the screen. Before separating,we had a season of praise andprayer. While we are interested in allthe mission work of the Church and inall our missionaries, it is only natural tobe more interested in one from our owngroup. Kenneth, being one of the BelleCenter boys, has endeared himself to hismanyfriends here. We will rememberthem in prayer as they continue to represent us in our Christian work in Syria.Again we thank Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson in extending this invitation tous and for the fine day of fellowshipwhich we had. The Lord bless, sustainand comfort them as they bid "Goodbye"to Kenneth and Marjorie. May theloneliness of separation be tempered bytheir joy and satisfaction in the devotedand consecrated service of their children.CENTRAL-PITTSBURGHAlthough we do not hold weekly altarcalls during our morning services, wewere privileged last Sabbath, after aninspiring message on Christian Homelife,to experience one. Through theHoly Spirit's working in response tounited prayers, results were seen. Threepersons went forward to indicate acceptance of Christ as their Saviour andare now witnessing to what Christ hasdone for them.September has been filled with manyand varied activities getting underway.The Juniors and Teenager's groups began with their new respective names,"Cadets for Christ" and "Prospectorsfor Christ"; and also meeting at thesame time on Sabbath evening is aYoung Adult Group. The Gymnasiumactivities are underway where we hopeto apply principles of Christianity to theyouth of this area. The Mother's Club,well-known fellowship to many, hasstarted its monthly meetings.Prayerand good singing are both necessary foran effective Church; so to make Wednesday night a time of helping in theOctober 19, 1955work of the Church, we have begunchoir practice after Prayer Meeting. Wedo give thanks for the real growth inthese projects as we share our personalexperiences with Christ and continue tobe encouraged by the attendance."May He who has admitted theseyoung people into halls of highest happiness richly bless them in their newlife."In a quiet family weddingat thechurch October 1, Betty Layne was married to Paul Flickenger. Our best wisheswere extended to the newlyweds. Jeremiah 32:39We were happy to have George Vogelhome this past weekend. His completeaddress is: George H. Vogel, FN 473-42-55, USS ELOKOMIN, AO-55, %FPO,New York City, N. Y. He is en route tohis point of embarkation :Norfolk, Virginia, for the Mediterranean Area.Mr. and Mrs. Evan Warfield and Mrs.Nellie Varga have transferred theirmembership to the Mars Congregation.We are sorry to lose them but are gladthey are joininga sister congregationand our best wishes in the Lord are extended.The purpose of our Adult FellowshipGroup is to build a fellowship for youngmarried couples and youngadults devoted to those ideals of personal andsocial living to which we are committedas Christians.The last Friday eveningof eachmonth has been set aside as a time for:food for thought, ideas to keepstepus inwith the times, and to have thetime of our lives. Our last meeting wasat the Bish's newly established residencein Gibsonia. To climax the evening weshared a few personal experiences of thesummer in which we saw the hand ofGod.Miss Mary Thompson arrived homefrom the West Penn Hospital and seemsto be progressing well, and we continueto pray for her complete recovery. Several have been laid aside with sicknessbut are recovering as we continue to remember them in prayer: Dr. HaroldHook is recovering from a recent heartattack; Mrs. Hofstetter from a seriousoperation;and Mrs. James McCune hasnot been so well lately."In everything give thanks, for this isthe will of God in Christ Jesus concerningyou."It's good that we have thispromise for it reminds us in our timesof joy that God is working out His plan.And it also comforts us even in sorrow.Our sympathies and prayers are extended: to Mr. and Mrs. Watson andMrs. Piper upon the death of theirbrother-in-law, Mr. Theodore See; Mrs.Andrew Mcllrath upon the death of herhusband; to Elmer Gates upon the deathof his grandmother, Mrs. Matilda S.Philip.TOPEKACongratulations to Mr. and Mrs. NedNusbaum who are the parents of a newbaby boy, Mark Emerson who arrivedon the 20th of September.Mrs. Anna Lyons underwent a cataract operation on September 23. We arepraying that the operation will be successful so that she will once again beable to find enjoyment in reading.Mr. E. H. Nusbaum has been undergoing treatment at the hospital, but hasnow returned to his home, much better.A surprise shower of household itemswas given for our pastor elect afterprayer meetingon September 29. Mr.McClurkin moved into his apartmentSeptember 30. His address is 1267 Washburn Ave., Topeka.A bridal shower was given for MissDoris Drennon on the evening of September 29 at the home of Mrs. LloydMcElroy. The happy man is Leut. RalphEnlow and the happy date October 22.Mrs. Charles Drennon was put to bedwith pneumonia September 30. At thiswriting she is making satisfactory progress. We hope she will be able to return to her duties in the Topeka HighSchool cafeteria shortly and in thechurch, and for the happy event justmentioned. Her address is 916 Saline,Topeka.Correction: The deed for our churchproperty has not as yet been officiallysigned so progress has been halted.THE MINUTES OF SYNODARE NOW READYORDER FROM C. R. FOX209 Ninth St. Pittsburgh 22, Pa.Price $1.00"Education in Cyprus"by W. W. WierCyprus is now in the newspolitically. Why is the movement for unionwith Greece being led by the church?A good time to become informedabout the Island generally geography, history, present development,with emphasis on education including the impact of the schools of theCovenanter Church.You may secure your copy of "Education in Cyprus" by writing to R. B.Weir, 74 Rossmore Ave. Bronxville 8,New York.Price now $2.50.255

eward."Rs. 3,000 TO THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.UNCLAIMED REWARDThousands of copies of the following Text Leaflets have been distributed for the past three years inIndia and we have never been called upon to paya single Reward. Frequently Roman Catholics havetaken the Leaflets and with great confidence havesaid: "I shall secure a Bible, and be back in a fewdays for my They have either not returnedor have returned only to acknowledge that the doctrines of their Church cannot be upheld by the Scripture. Here again we publish an aggregate Cash Reward of Rs. 3,000 or Rs. 100 per item to any one whoforbidcan produce Biblical (N. T.) proof substantiatingthe following 30 Practices of the Roman Church.REWARD to any one who will produce a, Textprovingthat:of Scripture1. We ought to pray to Mary. 2. Virgin Marywas born without sin, or her corporeal ascension, orChrist being her only son. 3. St. Peter had no wife.4. St. Peter was Bishop of Rome and was in Rome.5. The Pope is the Vicar of Christ or the Successor ofSt. Peter. 6. The Pope is infallible. 7. The Churchof Rome is the first church or the oldest church. 8.The Church of Rome is the Church of Christ or theApostolic succession from Peter to the rest of thePopes, or St. Peter as the first Pope. 9. Priests oughtnot to marry or Priests should adopt a distinguishingmode of dress. 10. Priests can forgive sins. 11. Tliewine at the Lord's Table ought to be taken only bythe Priests. 12. The Priests have power to changethe bread and wine into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. 13. Priests have any right tothe people going to hear the pure Gospel ofChrist preached or the people are the slaves of thePriests. 14. Any one is justified in blindly submittingto priests, bishops,or popes. 15. There is such athing as the Sacrifice of Mass, or the Sacrifice ofMass offered by the Priest is the real perpetual sacrifice of Christ at Calvary. 16. There are SevenSacraments. 17. The existance of such a place aspurgatory. 18. The use of images was recommendedeither by Christ or His Apostles. 19. There are moremediators than one, between God and men. 20. Weought to pray to the Saints or for the dead. 21. Weshould fast on Fridays or during Lent. 22. Baptism"Cleanses from original sin, makes us Christians andchildren of God, and heirs to the kingdom of heaven."23. Unbaptized children after death go to a placecalled "Limbo," or that there is such a place. 24.Priests have power to sanction the baptism or blessing of bells and other heavenly and earthly things.25. A man should be persecuted and cursed who conscientiously leaves the religion in which he was born,to accept that of Jesus Christ. 26. The Bible shouldnot be read by everybody. 27. A man sins when heleaves a false religion to accept the religion of Christ.28. Christ did not believe in freedom of conscienceand freedom of speech. 29. There is salvation in anyother way but through faith in Jesus Christ, whosaid, "Come unto Me" Matt. 11:28. 30. Any manis safe who delays the salvation of his immortal soul.Jesus said : "Search the Scriptures, for in themye think ye have eternal life, and they are theywhich testify of Me." (John 5:39).The Crusade (India)You Are Invited to Subscribe ToBLUE BANNER FAITH AND LIFEfor 1956A Quarterly Publication Devoted to Expounding, Defending and Applying the System of Truth set forth in the Word of God and Summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith and other Standards ofthe Reformed Presbyterian Church.Each issue contains about 50 large pages of helpful, timely, informative material, teaching Christian truth in harmonychurch standards.with our accepted$1.50 per year. $1.00 per year in clubs of 5 or more copies to be mailedto one address.Agent for Britain and Ireland: The Rev. Adam Loughridge, B.A.,Glenmanus Manse, Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, 7s. 6d.per year.J. G. Vos, Editor and Manager3408 7th Avenue Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania256 COVENANTER WITNESS

ground?"ECHOES NUMBERBIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 13, 1955wtnessVOLUME LV, NO. 17TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1955The barren fig tree is a picture ofThe Sin of UselessnessT. Myron Webb*Condensed from "Herald ofHisComing"He spake also this parable ; A certain man had afig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came andsought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said heunto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these threeyears I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and findnone: cut it down; why cumbereth it the(Luke 13:6-7).One of the greatest tragedies of the averageChristian life is that it is useless both to God and toman. This is a lesson which we are slow to grasp butone which we need to learn.The Church of the living God is filled with "barren fig trees." They do not commit open and viciousacts of wrong; socially and morally their lives maybe unimpeachable, thev do not indulge in social sinssuch as beset many. The great tragedy with them isthat their lives are barren. While they do nothingwrong, they do nothing good. While they do nothingto hinder God's work, they do nothing to help it. Ithas been said that there are two ways of stoppingthe clock: you can smash it, or you can let it rundown. By the same token there are two ways to killGod's work. One is to oppose it ; the other is to neglect it.Christians, for the most part need to learn thefollowing lesson :We are saved to serve (II Cor. 5:18).We are not here to lean but to lift (Gal. 6:10).We are not here to absorb but to give forth- -(Luke 6:38).We are not here to be ministered unto but tominister (Mark 10:43-45).We are not here to be served but to serve others(John 21:15-17).We are not here to hinder but to help (Mark14:6).We are not here to be a burden to others butto bear the burdens of others (Gal. 6:2).We are not here to stand on the sidelines andcriticize the players but to get into the game andhelp win the victory (Mark 16:15).God's plan for His people is that they should befruitful. The fig tree had been planted in the vineyard for a purpose to bring forth fruit. The Christian who is not used of God to bring forth otherChristians stands in the same place as the barrenfig tree. God expects us to win others to Christthrough any and every means we possess.We are to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8).We are to be prayer warriors (Eph. 6:18).We are to support God's work financially (ICor. 9:7-14).We are to be aggressive and not on the defensive (Phil. 3:12-14).The barren fig tree utterly failed in the purposefor which it was planted. Has it ever occured to youthat you are failing in the purpose for which youwere planted ? When the owner of the vineyard cameand looked for fruit, he found none. How is it withyou? Does our Lord and Master find any fruit inyour life ?The fruitless Christian demands more attention than the one who is fruitful. He wants more(Continued on page 282)

schools"affiliation,"Vineyard GleaningsOne hundred years ago, when Americans were popularlysupposed to be more religious-minded than today, less than20 per cent were church members. In 1900 the figure was36 per cent. Today it tops 60 per cent.Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro of Baltimore, Md., recentlysent a list of 560 publications, compiled by the National Organization for Decent Literature, to Baltimore book andmagazine distributors with the request that theyrefuse tosell them to youths. He said the city was "going to pioneerin decency."United PresbyterianSURVEY SHOWS RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS OFGOVERNORSMINNEAPOLIS, Minn.(RNS) Nearly half the nation's 48 state governors are either Methodists or Episcopalians, according to a survey here.The study was made by The Bond, publication of Lutheran Brotherhood, life insurance society. It was believedto be the first complete survey ofaffiliations ever made.governors'denominationalThese are the affiliations as learned by The Bond.Methodist, 12; Protestant Episcopal, 10; Baptist, 7;Presbyterian, 5; Lutheran, 4; Congregational, 3; Roman"Protestant,"Catholic, 3; Disciples of Christ, 1; Jewish, 1;1; and "no permanent1.SAYS POAU PLANNING INDIANA SCHOOL SUITSU. E. A.GREENCASTLE, Ind.(RNS) Dr. Glenn Archer, executive director of Protestants and Other Americans Unitedfor Separation of Church and State, said here that his organization still intends to file lawsuits seeking to end thesituation in "half a dozen" Indiana communities where"parochial are supported by public taxes.Dr. Archer made the assertion while he was at DePauwUniversity to conduct a workshop at the annual institute ofIndiana Methodist Men.The use of public funds to support schools in whichteachers are of Roman Catholic religion was one of thetopics discussed at the workshop.Dr. Archer specifically mentioned Knox and Dubois counties as Indiana areas where public schools are allegedly under parochial control.EPISCOPALIANS SEEK WEDDING LAW CHANGEU. E. A.HONOLULU, Sept. 12Delegates to the ProtestantEpiscopal 58th General Convention met today to considerchanges in the marriage canons.A 12-man joint commission on holy matrimony willwork on proposed changes in the marriage canons. Liberalleaders oppose marriage restrictions for divorced persons asrecommended bythe convention's conservation delegates.Rev. Glenn Parrot, pastor of Broadway MethodistChurch of Council Bluffs, la. and president-elect of the city'sMinisterial Association, resigned recently as a member of theLions Club because it showed a film on the beer industry.At a regular meeting of the club, Robert C. Phillips ofDes Moines, a director of the United States Brewers Foundation, Inc., addressed the club on beer taxes and the history ofthe industry, showing a film on the brewing process. The274program was arranged by the head of a beer-distributingfirm.When the film ended, Mr. Parrott arose and protested:"As pastor of the largest Methodist church in CouncilBluffs I feel that I cannot be a true witness if I am identified with a club that condones the liquor industry."The United BrethrenMILWAUKEE CLIPPER INAUGURATES WORSHIPSERVICESThe Wisconsin-Michigan Steamship Company's passenger liner, Milwaukee Clipper, which operates between Wisconsin and Michigan, has discovered the popularity of religious services inaugurated in the ship's movie lounge.The services were introduced primarilyfor the boat'screw. Soon, however, an announcement over the ship's PAsystem welcoming passengers drew, to the surprise of all,a full house.Letters of appreciation from worshipers have causedcompany officials to make the idea permanent and accommodations larger.The United BrethrenJUVENILE DELINQUENCYJuvenile delinquency increased nine per cent during thepast year according to the report of the Health, Educationand Welfare Bureau. One child out of every 41 in the 10-17age brackets got into trouble with the law. Between 1948and 1954 the increase was 58%, while the increase of thenumber of juveniles during the same period was only 13per cent, according to the census.RELIGION IN THE SCHOOLSNorthivestem PilotRecently in New York the public school superintendentsfrom thirty-five American cities adopted a resolution urginga greater effort on the part of schools to help students understand the place of religion in their lives. The conference was sponsored by Columbia University's Teachers College.(Continued on page 282)THE COVENANTER WITNESSNorthivestem Pilotissued eacn Wednesaay by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthromrh its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kiinumto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsmilOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer-.npcessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing Editorsr'nnik E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellW;ilter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb. D.D.Subscription rates :10 cents.The Rev. R.British Isles.S2.50 perDepartmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdsarMrs. Ross Latimerar ; Overseas. S3. 00 ; Single Copie'B. Lyons, B.A., Limavaay, X. Ireland, Agent for thEntered as second ciass matter at the Post Office in Xewton, Kanunder the Act of March 3, 1ST6.Address communications to the Topeka office.COVENANTER WITNESS

Current EventsProf. William H. Russell, Ph.D.WARMING UPThe maneuvering for next year's Democratic Presidential nomination is already well under way. With Democraticprospects improved by the likelihood of President Eisenhower's retirement, the nature of the race is completelychanged. Adlai Stevenson is making political speeches, andis expected in November to announce his formal candidacy.Harry Truman, still one of the most influential Democrats,visited New York and indicated that he preferred GovernorAverell Harriman to Stevenson. Harriman proceeded toclear his own path by announcing that he had no commitment to back Stevenson. Senator Estes Kefauver is absenton a world tour, but has said nothing to discourage hissupporters. If these three leaders should eliminate eachother, doubtless others may be induced to offer the nationtheir services.Among the Republicans, the opposition to Vice PresidentNixon is solidifying, against a possible endorsement of Nixonby Eisenhower. Harold E. Stassen is considered a candidatewho might appeal to liberal Republicans, as is Henry CabotLodge, Jr. There also is talk of "drafting" Chief JusticeEarl Warren, in spite of his declaration that he wouldnever again seek elective office.business venture, to help provide the Koreans with themillion or more homes which they desperatelycan businessmen will help Koreans to set upneed. Ameripilot plants forthe construction of prefabricated housing. The first suchplant is already being built near Seoul. These plants willtrain Korean workmen in the use of modern tools and otherhomebuilding techniques. The project sounds as if it wouldbe an excellent means of helping the Koreans to help themselves.LABORITES CLASHThe annual conference of the British Labor Party wasawaited with interest by those who hoped that the partymight recover from last spring's election defeat. It is generally agreed that the Laborites need a new program, neworganization, and new leadership. But the conference onlydeepened the split between the right-wing forces led by Clement Attlee, and the rebels under Aneurin Bevan. In theelection for party treasurer, Bevan was defeated decisively,but emerged more bitter than ever against the moderatesocialists. The British Labor party seems to be in danger ofpermanent division. Part of their problem, of course, is thatthe Conservatives have adopted so much of the Labor program. The Conservative conference produced some spiritedMOROCCAN CRISISFrance has taken a step toward solving her Moroccanproblem by appointing a four-man Council of the Throne, totake the place of the sultan who retired two weeks earlier.This came after much bitter debate in the French Assembly.The whole country was shaken by the sharp political divisions, and by the mutiny of an army unit which was beingshipped to Morocco. Premier Edgar Faure narrowly missedbeing overturned, but will now go on to try to form a representative government which can gradually assume morepower and establish friendly relations with France. Thebiggest troublemakers are the French nationals in Morocco.They have organized the Union for the French Presence inMorocco, which bitterly opposes any concessions to nativenationalism, and denounces the Faure government as cowardly. Morocco has twenty natives for every European, andnot all the Europeans are of French ancestry.DISASTER STRIKESOver thirty persons were killed in floods in New England, when a local gale brought three days of heavy rain.Nearly five thousand were made homeless in New YorkState alone, and the property damage amounted to manymillions. Helicopters rescued eighty-three persons from atrain which was trapped by flood waters. Many of the hardhitareas were still recovering from the August floodsbrought by Hurricane Diane. The Red Cross has spent $8.6million for aid to victims of the August floods, and the total may reach more than $14 million. Over 10,000 familieshave been helped.HOMES FOR KOREAA new project for aid to Korea is being started by General Van Fleet. Called "Homes for Korea," it is neither aprivate charity nor a government handout. Instead, it is aOctober 26, 1955debate, but little disagreement on basic policies. The government has promised deflationary measures to halt the current rise in the cost of living.JET AIRWAYSPan American World Airways has ordered forty-fivejet airliners twenty Boeing 707 Stratoliners and twentyfiveDouglas DC-8s. They will cruise at 575 m.p.h., and flyfrom New York to Paris in six and a half hours, comparedwith eleven hours on the fastest schedule today. The newplanes also will be able to fly a non-stop great-circle routefrom Chicago to London, making the trip in six hours andforty-five minutes instead of the present sixteen hours. Theflying time from San Francisco to Tokyo will be cut in half.Recently a Boeing 707 flew a round trip across the nation,Seattle to Washington D. C. and return, in eight hours andsix minutes. This cut hours off the previous commercial record. The flight was made at altitudes of 33,000 to 35,000feet. The time may soon come when any place in the worldwill be within a day's travel. Don't be impatient, however,for the new planes will not be in service for three years.SAVE THE BIRDSThe United States Air Force has given way to thewhooping crane. Only about two dozen of these large whitebirds are left, and they are in great danger of extinction.They are the largest of our cranes, standing about five feettall with a seven-foot wingspread. They nest in Canada andspend the winter on the Texas coast. When the Air Forceplanned to enlarge a bombing and gunnery range near theTexas home of the whooping cranes, protests came from theCanadian government and from wildlife lovers everywhere.The Air Force yielded and changed its plans.Probably thewhooping crane is of no practical value to anyone. But mostof us would feel a twinge of conscience if man should unnecessarily eliminate any living thing which God has created.275

accessible."perfection,"The Editor's PageWe are giving herewith a part of the report ofthe Publication Board of the Synod of 1955. It waswritten by the Editor and so no plagiarism is involved in putting it on the "EDITOR'S PAGE." Thequotation from one of our contemporaries is dulyacknowledged, and is an excellent statement of aplea that we have frequently urged in previous reports to Synod, but on a voluntary basis. In this report we aimed to put the authority of the Synodbehind the requests and to lay the responsibility forthe accomplishing of the task on particular individuals. The report follows :EXPEDITING THE WORK OF SYNODCommittees have been appointed in past yearsto bring in plans for expediting the work of Synod,the purpose being to shorten the time of our meetings by one or two days. Important though that maybe, it is not so important as perpetuating the workof Synod by implementing, activating, and bringinghome to the grass roots the results of our deliberations here. Is not the most effective result of ourmeetings, the social contacts, the handshaking, andrenewing our faith in our cause because we have metothers who believe as we do ? As for the reports, thestatistics, the recommendations, do they reallyregister permanently, or are they as a vapor whichappeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away ?Like the hydrogen bomb, they are about one-tenthof one per cent effective. "Oh, but they are printedin the minutes of Synod and are alwaysLess than 600 copies of the minutes are purchased,less than one person per copy gives them even a cursory going over. How many pastors and elders reallymake an honest attempt to carry out the recommendations of the Synod ? How many of the membershipget an impact from our meetings here?Is There A Remedy?Allow us to digress here to quote a brief suggestion from The United Presbyterian."THINGS WHICH BECOME SOUND DOCTRINE"It is the Christian's duty and privilege to "go onunto that is, to maturity in Christianknowledge and development in the spiritual life.It is the consensus of opinion among seriousChristian thinkers that there is a crying need fora reemphasis of the great truths of the Christianfaith.There is a very decided tendency today for professors of Christianity to revert to virtual atheism, or to sink into gross immorality, or to degenerate into worldliness. As a writer in The UnitedPresbyterian says, "The business-wise emphasis276on church organization has let the importance ofaway."doctrine slipThis writer is not far off base when he suggeststhat church boards be organized on the basis ofdoctrine. "Then the General (United Presbyterian)Assemblywould contain reports from the Boardof Judgment and Salvation, the Commission on theAttributes of God, the Board on Scriptural Authority and Revelation, the Board of the Person ofChrist and the Atonement, the Permanent Committee on the Nature of Man, the Assembly Authorized Committee on Sin (with an annual budgetand staff). Then let us have bimonthly mailingsfrom each of these board offices and a 'real cultivation by these board secretaries.Would not this at least give Annual Conferenceprogram committees a real lift in assigning topicsfor addresses, papers, panel discussions and symposiums ?It would perhap very definitely conform toGod's admonition to the people of Israel in pointing to the cause of evil among them: "Hear theword of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for thewith the inhabitants ofLord hath a controversythe land, because there is no truth, nor mercy,nor knowledge of God in the land."The advice of Paul to young Timothy also applies to our situation today : "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, andthem that hear thee" (I Tim. 4:16).We have a number of Committees of the SynodSigns of the Times, Temperance, Christian Education, Psalmody, Secret Societies, etc. The chairman ofeach of these committees studies his subject as timepermits, writes an excellent report to which the other(nominal) members sign their names, usually afterthey come to Synod, and the report is read, withrecommendations, criticized and amended and approved. But the passing shower seldom reaches thegrass roots ; and little fruit is harvested.Let us suppose that wTe follow the suggestions ofthe Editorial quoted above and appoint the committees mentioned. But they are to report by sendingarticles to the Witness a minimum number duringthe year. That would take care of keeping our peoplefed the milk and strong meat of doctrine. Let us addother committees to take care of our distinctives, acappella singing of the Psalms, anti-secrecy, theKingship of Christ over the Nation, etc. A thirdgroup would emphasize Total Abstinence, Bible Reading, the Christian Home, and other practical matters.Most of our work here at Synod (which generallyconcerns the year just past) could be greatly facilitated if we functioned through the Witness duringthe year. Note what the Stewardship Committee didduring the past year.RECOMMENDATIONS1. That a special committee be appointed to reportat this Synod, to nominate Publicity Committeesthat are to supply copy to the Witness as outlinedabove, and that as near as expedient the wholework of the Church shall be kept before the wholemembership.2. That each department of the church give attention to their public relations obligations, and aimto make their reports graphic with photographs,etc.A special committee was appointed and whiletheir report was not just what the Editor had inmind, perhaps their idea was better. Their report isgiven below. It is not to be understood that each ofthe persons named for the various departments hasto do all the work himself; he has the authority todistribute the work as he sees fit, and tocomman-COVENANTER WITNESS

use this year. In the center of the seal is a reproduction of the symbol of 'the burning bush' (Ex. 3 :1-6). Above are the Latin words, "Nee Tamen Con-"Nevertheless Not Consumed." Immediately below the symbol appears the date, 1810, thatof the founding of the Seminary by the Synod. Circling the symbol are the words, "Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, Pa."An explanation of the choice of this symbol maybe of interest. In ancient times seals were used, assumebatur"self,"consumed."THE SEMINARY SEALThe Seal of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary was designed in 1954 and placed insignatures are used today, to authenticate or validatedeer your talents. If you fail to respond, you are therecreant one. Please be faithful.Special Committee ReportYour committee to nominate Publicity Committees to supply copy to the Covenanter Witness wouldrespectfully report.We recommend the followingkeep the various phases of the work of the Covenanassignments toter Church before the whole membershipChurch :of theAreas to be Covered :Contact Person:Geneva CollegeD. Ray WilcoxSeminaryS. B. WillsonR. P. Home Mrs. John OliverBoard of TrusteesR. K. McConaughyForeign MissionsWalter McCarrollHome MissionsKermit S. EdgarPensionsJ. O. EdgarChurch ErectionD. R. TaggartChristian EducationF. H. LathomPublication BoardRoss LatimerWitness Committee Principles David CarsonTemperanceA. W. SmithStewardshipG. M. RobbPrayer MeetingJohn McMillanEvangelismPaul FarisChurch UnionR. M. CarsonNational ReformJ. R. PattersonOathWyley CaskeyBible ReadingF. F. ReadeDoctrineClark CopelandGovernmentJohn ColemanHistoryMel MartinSigned,Wylie Dougherty Richard HutchinsonLester Kilpatrick Joseph CaskeyOctober 26, 1955letters, bills, promissory notes and other kinds ofdocuments. The seal became a means by which a letter or document was recognized as genuine and ashaving legal standing. Today an academic transcript,or a birth certificate must be validated by the institution or the state respectively, before they are considered authentic.Theophilus M. Taylor, in the "United Presby_terian,"recently called attention to the variety oftypes of seals. "In Mesopotamia archeologists haveturned up hundreds of fired clay cylinder seals,which when rolled across damp clay or wax left animpression of their owner's distinctive stamp ormark. Likewise in the Nile valley hundreds of scarabs have been found on the underside of which werethe personal seals or signets of their owners. InGreek and Roman times signet rings, and seals cutinto precious or semiprecious gems by the lapidaryor engraver were fairly common but with the fallof the western Roman empire their use largely diedout again. The papal bullae two-faced lead sealsattacheel by ribbons to papal declarations, and fromwhich we get our term, "papal bull," were the onlyseals used through the ensuing period. Not until therise of the Carolingian kings in France, towards theend of the VIII Century, was their use revived amongsecular authorities. Edward the Confessor, king ofEngland at the time of the Norman conquest, had adouble seal, similar to the papal bullae.After the Reformation the seal designs changedconsiderably. Scenes from the Old Testament weresubstituted for portraits of popes, bishops, emperors,and kings. Four of the seals of Reformed or Presbyterian churches of the post-Reformation period incorporated the symbol of the burning bush." Theywere the Culdees the Scottish Kirk ; the Huguenots(France) ; the Puritans (England) ; and the Presbyterian church of Ireland. The significance of thissymbol of hope lay in their faith in the living Godwho revealed Himself in the living bush, whichthough burning was not consumed. There may havebeen an indirect reference to the thought expressedby Malachi (4:1-6). The prophet, writing of the coming of the promised Messiah, the Messenger of theCovenant, "Who may abide the day of His coming?.... For He is like a refiner's fire. He shall sit asa refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purifythe sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver,that they may offer unto the Lord an offering inrighteousness .... For I am the Lord, I change not ;therefore ye sons of Jacob are notThe church is composed of those, who like Jacoband the "sons of Levi" are all too evidently of thisworld worldly, and yet, who by the power and graceof God are transformed "into the image of His dearSon."The church is under constant temptation toworld,""conform to this and hence to lose something of its unique testimony. But because God, whoin Jesus Christ is reconciling the world unto Himis unchanging, and because His mercy does notfail, the church must pass through refining fires, butwill not be utterly consumed.The Seminary of the Covenanter Church is committed to the training of a ministry within the tradition of the Reformed Faith. It is dedicated to theWord of the unchanging God. It seeks to combine development of intellectual acumen with the fervencyof a spiritually zealous witness to the whole counselof the Sovereign God.S. Bruce Willson277

munication."method."with"objective"sun"The Relation of Church History to PreachingSeminary Opening Lecture September 14, 1955S. Bruce Willson, D.D.Dr. Wm. G. T. Shedd, an influential church historian, once declared that the purpose of an inaugural discourse is "to justify the existence of a specificprofessorship, and to magnify the specific disciplinewhich it imparts." In keeping then with this highpurpose, it becomes a part of a pleasant duty not onlyto attempt to justify the existence "of a specific professorship"in the academic framework of the Seminary, but to indicate a close and vital relationshipbetween two fields of theological study, which aresometimes considered unrelated.The Synod has committed to my trust the teaching of Church History and Practical Theology. In myfirst lecture two years ago, I sought to discuss thesubject, "Practical Theology and the Divine ComTonight I invite your attention to therelation that exists between the disciplines of ChurchHistory and Preaching.To the popular mind these two subjects mayseem irreconcilable one dealing with that whichis totally past, the other dealing with that which ispresent. Furthermore, history, and especially Churchhistory, may be felt to be utterly dry and uninteresting and impracticable by its very nature; whereas"preaching"is essentially practical and contemporary.To discuss a relation between two or morethings, or disciplines, we must define our terms.I. The Nature of Church History.The most obvious fact we have here is that weare immediately confronted with a double term, forit has to do with history and with the church. Butless obvious is the additional fact that the term"church"is not a mere adjective delimiting the extent of the history to be considered. It is not asthough there is the broad scope of history which inturn can be broken down into all types of sub-topics,and sub-sub-topics. Church history then, is not asubordinate part of the record of the human species,but has to do with a study of God's plan of redemption as seen in the record of human life.The Term HistoryOur English word for history came from theGreek (through the Latin) word historia, which isderived from the Greek verb historeo. In its originalinvestigation."usage it meant to "learn by inquiry orIt signified the activities of one seeking knowledge.As to method, it might be compared to our modernusage of the term "scientific It is in thisoriginal sense that Paul uses the word in Galatians1:18 when he describes his interview with Peter inJerusalem. In the King James Version we read, "Iwent up to Jerusalem to see (historesai)Peter."Dr. Verkuyl hints at this meaning of the term in histranslation: "to get acquainted Peter. Paulwas doing the basic work of the historian when he278sought to learn by investigation the truth about Jesus of Nazareth who is the Christ.The Greeks had begun to use the word historikosfor history. It differed from the word historia in thatit was the knowledge acquired by the process of investigation.The first meaning was the process by whichthe records of history were made.The second meaning was the product of that investigation.Then there has come to be a third meaning, theone most commonly used today, "a narrative, a setting forth in writing of the results of an investigation."So we have such a "History of Egyptian Writing"; "A History of the Civil War" ; or "A History ofPreaching."The writings of Luke, the Gospel andthe Acts would be history in both the second andthird meanings.The waiting of history would seem then to be amatter of careful consultation of primary sources,and the recording of answers to the important questions of historical method who? what? when? andwhere? However even a casual comparison of booksof history reveals that given the same "facts" or"data"dealing with these questions, there arises thequestion of evaluating and interpreting those facts.It is at this point that the historian must recognizecertain philosophical elements of history. Facts areinterpreted from some perspective. Even the naiveassertion that certain modern writers have madethat "we write from no preconceived notions, we areentirely is in itself a perspective.Broadly speaking history as the recorded interpretation of the socially significant past may be written and taught from the perspective that all humanexperiences can be understood in terms of this natural world in which we live. "Under the becomes the perspective of two broad concepts of history.1. The Materialists adopt one. They conceive ofman as essentially knowable in the environment ofthis material universe, without reference to the Godwho reveals Himself in revelatory actsprovidential,or redemptive.prophetic,Such men, may adopt a pessimistic attitude andlook uponhistory as a meaningless cycle of humanfrustrations, without purpose, and whose only endcan be decay and oblivion. Oswald Spengler's "TheDecline of the West" follows, in general, this theme.Not allhistorians, who seek to interpret humanlife m terms of this world only, have been of thispessimistic turn of mind. Some have been humanistsin the sense that they have attributed to man himself the innate ability to achieve a better world, andso interpret the data of human experience in thelight of that point of view. The German philosopherHegel, whose influence has been felt in almost evervfield of mental discipline, looks uponhistory as theunfolding of the Absolute Spirit in the developmentCOVENANTER WITNESS

class"need."wife,"sermon?"of the human spirit. Some Christian theologians interpreted this to mean that Hegel was speaking ofthe Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. ButHegel's doctrine of God was far removed from theScriptural doctrine regarding the nature of the Godhead, and hence his concept of history was definitelyinfluenced by his idea of God.2. The other perspective has been that whichlooks upon human life upon this earth as understandable only in the light of the relation of the Godand Creator to the world and man, and the subsequent revelation which this God makes of HimselfGod"in Jesus Christ His Son. Augustine's "City ofis the classic example of this type of history. Augustine treats history, not only of the facts that havebeen verified of ancient Israel, but of all tribes andnations. All history is read in the light of the sovereign God who created all things. The compass orscope of this view of history includes the whole human race, in contrast with the favored German nation of Hegel, or the "working of Marx. Augustine argues that the course of history moves withmajestic purpose to and from the Cross of Christ.In our discussion we are not only concerned withthe broad framework of History, but with CHURCHhistory.Here again the Christian must be aware of thetendency to arbitrarily limit the meaning of the termChurch. Church History is not merely a carefulanalysis of the background of the churches of themodern day, although it will include that. In thestudy of Church history we must seek to interpretthe data, gathered from reliable witnesses in thepast. From those witnesses we seek to understandthe organic nature, the forms ofgrowth, the resultsof corruption in decline, revival and stagnation,struggle against destructive forces outside thechurch and from within its own fold. It is concernedwith the historical work and mission of the Body ofChrist in this earth.If we turn to the essential meaning of the term,church, we find that our word comes from the biblical Greek, kuriakos, "that which pertains to theLord."It was often associated with the word forhouse, and thus the term "the Lord's house." Gradually the term was transferred to "those who met inthe house." So the church is the congregation orbody of people who belong to the Lord. The Scotchword "kirk" is clearly seen to be related. In the Romance languages we find another line of developmentof the idea, church. From the Greek, ecclesia, meaning "assembly" we have our word "ecclesiastical."So the Church is the body of believers, the assembly who belong to the Lord. Christ is the Head.The History of this church, then, is the History ofChrist's Body in the world.Under differing Divinely appointed administrations patriarchal, Mosaic, prophetic, apostolic, theChurch is one. Though in Old Testament times Godmaintained a witness through a chosen people, andthey were in this sense the Church, the story of theChristian Church as such, begins with Pentecost.II. The Nature of Preaching.Paul writes in his letter to the Colossians, "I ammade a minister, according to the dispensation ofGod which is given to me for you, to fulfill the wordOctober 26, 1955of God ; even the mysterywhich hath been hid fromages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints : to whom God would make knownwhat is the riches of the glory of this mystery amongthe Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope ofglory; whom we preach, warning every man,andteaching every man in all wisdom; that we maypresent every man perfect in Christ Jesus." "Thatwe present every man perfect in Christ Jesus," thisis the sublime purpose of preaching. Or as Dr. A. W.Blackwood defines it, "Preaching is the presentationof divine truth through personality, or the truth ofGod voiced by a chosen personality to meet humanIII. The Relation of Church History to Preaching.The immediate relation between the discipliningof the mind of the preacher to the task of proclaiming the gospel rests in the recognition of the validity of the message of the Scriptures as they applyto the needs of men in the past, and as they may beapplied to the hearer today.The gospel is history, but it is more than a record of history. Preaching is speaking with a view topersuasion, but it is not mere salesmanship.Preaching the gospel to the modern need is mosteffective when that need is seen against the backdrop of God's sovereign power and patience in thefull sweep of human history.But the practical problem poses the question,"How may the preacher use history in aIn this immediate relationship, history makespreaching effective in several ways.1. In historically-centered sermons. Preachingbased upon the book of Acts would necessarily involve some reference to the historyThe same would be true of the prophets.of the period.2. History is essential to the biographical sermon. Speaking with a view to persuasion may oftenbe based upon the life of a person. Many of the effective ministers of our day have used the biographicalsermon to present truths otherwise abstract.3. In the teaching ministry. The New Testamentwriters drew heavily from the Old Testament history to teach new truth, or to apply old truth whichhad been permitted to lie dormant. "The men ofNineveh,""Lot's and "Hagar and Sarah" aremeaningless apart from some appreciation of history.Although there are these practical uses of history in preaching they are not as important ultimately, as a sense of Historic continuity. It is in thissense that I believe there rests the most importantrelationship between Church History and Preaching.The Knights of Columbus sponsor an effectiveseries of advertising. The authors of this series delight in keeping Protestants on the defensive. Theycharge that Protestants have no historic roots, thatall Protestants are members of splinter groups fromthe Mother Church. All too often the Protestantmeeklyconcedes that this is true. But such a concession simply overlooks the fact of the continuity ofthe historic faith.The Covenanter Church has maintained a senseof historic continuity in most of its history. Todaywe live in a time when there is a strong attractionfor us to be aligned with a concept of the church(Continued on page 282)279

not,"neither,"system?"system."wrath.'mind"comfortable."ocean."now?"now,"now?"power,"religion."capacity."quotation"REMO I. ROBB, D.D.ECUFor CovenantOctober, 1955TO ILLUSTRATE THE NOVEMBERNovember 6TOPICS// the World Wants Peace,Why Not Have it?Self Defense."Do you think it would be wrong forme to learn the noble art of self defense?"a religiously inclined young maninquired of his pastor."Certainlyanswered the minister, "I learned it in my youth myself,and I have found it of great value during my life.""Indeed, sir! Did you learn the oldsystem?"English system or the Sullivan"I learned"I learned the Solomon"Theyoung man.Solomonsaid the minister,asked the"Yes, you will find it in Proverbs 15:1.'A soft answer turneth away Itis the best system of self-defense Iknow!"It would be a good idea if more peoplewould learn this system of self-defense.November 13 "God's Kingdom" WhatDo We Want?Help for AllThe Gospel River of Life does notbranch out in diverse streams. There isnot a broad sweep of water for the rich,the intellectual, and the cultivated, anda little scanty runnel where the poormay now and then come and get healedby the side of its precarious wave. Thereis no costly sanitarium beneath whoseshade patrician leprosy may get by itself to be fashionablysprinkled andhealed. Naaman, with all his retinuewatching must come and dip and plungelike common men in Jordan. There is nosort of salvation except the one ransomand deliverance that is purchased forrich and poor together by the sacrificeof the Lord Jesus Christ; and the poorbeggar, his garment ragged from thehavoc of a hundred storms, and hisflesh bleeding from the ulcers of a hundred wounds, may dip eagerly into thesame Bethesda, and emerge unscarredand comely280as a child.November 20 "O Give Thanks Untothe Lord"Let us with a Gladsome Mind."The 136th Psalm was the foundationof John Milton's "Let us with a gladsometeen. It is the onlywritten when he was fifone of his songswhich has found a responsive note in thesongs of the Church, though no one feltmore than he did the height of thePsalmist's great argument!"Their songs,with'Thin sown aught of profit or delight,Will far be found unworthy to compareWith Zion's songs to all true tastes excelling,Where God is praised aright, and godlike men,The Holiest of holies, and His saints,Such are from God inspired."November 27 Wishbones, Jawbones,Backbones.Power for Action.A traveler took ship in a deep harborfor a trip across the Atlantic. He madethe acquaintance of the chief engineer,and asked him what was the total capacity of the ship's boilers. The engineersaid it was fifty thousand horsepower."What do you have onthe passenger.inquired"Only five hundred," answered the engineer. "We don't need much just tokeep the water hot and make the cabinsThe ship began moving down the riverand across the bay."How much power have youasked the traveler."Five thousand horsepower. That isall we need to take us across the widebay and into theWhen they had gone out on the oceanwaves a few hours the traveler againasked about the steam power."Ten thousand horsepower," said theengineer. "We are getting down to business now and heading for the ports ofEurope."During the night a storm broke uponthe sea. the waves lashed the deck andthings looked dangerous."How much power do you haveasked the traveler."Full steam,fifty thousand horse-said the engineer. "We are stillnosing toward Europe, but we have tobuck the storm and still make ourschedule. We need all the power forwhich we have"ABSURD QUOTATION"A Congressman Meets Two AtheistsRecently two Atheists summonedGeorge Washington to testify for themthrough a statement which they allegedto have made by him. They were suingto stop the Post Office Department fromprinting "In God We Trust" on postagestamps. But theyreckoned without Congressman Edgar W. Hiestand, a California Republican.The atheists, John L. Manners andWalter B. Stevens of the National Liberal League, in their court brief, quotedWashington as saying "The governmentof the United States of America is not,in any sense, founded on the ChristianSomehow that did not ring a bell withHiestand, something of a historian himself. He checked the Library of Congress. The alleged quotation was froman old English translation of a treatybetween the United States and Tripoli,executed in 1797, and signed by President John Adams. Said Hiestand: "Ithas been accepted as authentic to thistreaty for years, but in fact that statement came from nowhere but the imagination of the translator, an early daybureaucrat named Joel Barlow, who hadthe position of Consul General at Algiers. The fictional Barlow translationhas remained to blur the record and provide atheists with a quotation for theirignoble purposes."The attempt of these atheists of theNational Liberal League, Hiestand added, to tie "this absurdWashington "simply demonstrates howdesperate their movement has become."toChristian Life, October 1955WHAT TO DOFor C.Y.P.U. Officers and Committeesby Mrs. A. A. Wylie(The following article, with others insucceeding issues of Echoes, were published once before in the CovenanterWitness, but a new generation of youngpeople are now wondering "What to Do"in their societies.COVENANTER WITNESS

convenient"0YOUNG PEOPLE'SSECRETARYbung PeopleThese are not exhaustive discussionsbut helpful suggestions for more effective work.A few copies of the complete book arestill available for the asking from theC.Y.P.U. Secretary, 1217 6th Ave.,Beaver Falls, Pa.)Mr. President, Greetings'.Whether you are Mister or Miss President, it does not matter one bit. We areinterested to know how things are goingwith you. In your Covenanter YoungPeople's Union, of course. It is just fine,the way you have snapped into thework.Energy and enthusiasm are socontagious, things can't help but movewhen you put your whole heart intoyour task of being President. It is a realjob and worthy of your very best endeavor. Tuck the last clause of Zechariah 4:6 away in your heart and mind sosecurely that you will never lose sight ofit as your recipe for success, then theHoly Spirit will open to you avenues ofservice and effective methods for doingHis work of which you could never havedreamed without His help.Do not try to do all the work yourself.Surprise your Vice-president by sharingyour honor and responsibility with him.It's funny how Vice-presidents get tothinking theirs is not a real job, just anofficial name. Perhaps it is becausePresidents have a way of overlooking orignoring them. Let your Vice-presidentknow you know he's there, able andwilling to work. He would make a goodPublicity Manager for the Society. Sethim to studying the problem of gettingfolks out to the business meeting; stimulating interest in the society by cleverannouncements, etc. When he applieshimself to this problem, he will find itmost interesting and will soon developsome wonderful ideas of his own, andthen we are going to help him a bit withsome suggestions for that and otherlines of work he may do.The business meeting is one of yourplace, and time will soon get your society into a good C.Y.P.U. habit.The committees will come ready toreport work done or plans to propose,if,before they have their committeemeeting, you can make some suggestions for their special work. You couldhand the chairman of each committee ahelpful pamphlet outlining their workif you will order them from the International Society of Christian Endeavor,1221 East Broad Street, Columbus 5,Ohio. They cost very little and the society will gladly repay your expenditure,for such helps as these are indispensibleif your committees really want to work.Every society should have the C. E.catalog, free for the asking. It will putyou in touch with much valuable material, helpful along many lines.Of course, you have a notebook athand to capture that inspiration, or anenvelope in which to keep that item youfind in print that suggests some workwhich your societycan do. Here is another place the Vice-president can be ofexcellent serviceand passingcollectingsuch itemsthem on to whatever committee should consider them.Mr. President, you are the KEY person in your organization. Be a leader,not a pusher or a driver. It will taketime, attention, energy, to fill youroffice well. The society will, in largemeasure reflect your own interest,enthusiasm, energy, faithfulness andwillingness to work. To keepzation working harmoniouslyan organiand effectively requires wisdom, tact, grit, and(Continued on page 287)BIG responsibilities. The regularity andpromptness with which you call andconduct it means so much. If you consider it of so little importance that it isheld "just when it iscourse, folks will forget about it or haveother engagements. A definite date,ofTWO WEDDING CAI-U5I,two bsy Sammy,, rvc ;-..-oiiii swtere,dasghtesof Dr. and Mrs. Aiw W- Smith, v>erc ~.ncm brides, theirfataar performing the mantege iit in the fefcamad ftesfoyterianchurch. (Utia BajrbaiA Smith became the bride of tt, 8If $.%:rfordScovell

made."matter."you."Relation of Church History to Preaching(Continued from page 279)which makes direct appeal to the New Testamentchurch, as though there had been no interveninghistory of nineteen hundred years. Such a "history-Jess"conception of the church and its work, hasserious implications on the attitude and preaching ofthe church as it faces individual,social and politicalproblems today.In the Reformed tradition we need to be onguard against making the error of overlooking thesignificance of history. As John H. Drommingawrote recently in the Reformed Journal (July-Aug.1955, p.6) "If we,accuse Fundamentalists of makinga long jump back over many important centuries tothe New Testament time, we are better only in degree if we make a smaller jump back to the sixteenthcentury. The length of the leap is not so importantas the fact that a leap is beingTo apply this to the particular problem of theCovenanter ministry, we must be increasingly awareof the heritage of the history of the Body of Christfrom its beginnings, and of the Reformed traditionfrom the 16th Century. In addition to this, however,to make our preaching effective we must rememberthat we live and work and proclaim the gospel, whichis unchanging, in a world which is changing. Wemust furthermore be willing to undertake the grueling discipline of mind and spirit which must distinguish the unchanging truths from the changingconditions which require a faithful application of thefull-orbed gospel. It is in this modern setting that wefind it necessary to maintain a vital and dynamicsense of history.An acquaintance with the social and politicalconditions of the period of Constantine throw lightupon the Nicene Councils and the definitions of theDoctrine of the Trinity and the Person of Christ.Just so an introduction to the period prior to theCivil war makes meaningful a relationship betweenthe earlier evangelical revivals and the religiousand social unrest in the face of human slavery.A knowledge of history will continue to be anecessary element in effective preaching of theSovereign God and His infallible Word in the faceof such problems as:The place of the Covenanter church in Inter-Church Movements of the mid-twentieth century._The importance of doctrine as an expressionof revealed truth. Dr. Kromminga tells of the difficulty of getting a discussion of doctrine, "It becomesimpossible, even at a meeting of seminary professors(such as one held in Chicago in connection with theWorld Council of Churches) to a hearing for thequestion of what the seminaries are to teach and thechurches to preach. Only the how seems toThe moral and social implications of the problems of racial tensions, of intemperance, of humanistic education ; all these in the light of the Word ofGod, and not merely on economic and social bases.The claims of the Lord Jesus Christ to thenation and the nations as He proclaims His salvationto man in his environment.The challenge of preaching remains the sameas that of the first century. An appreciation of history, is essential if we maintain the standard, ". . .that we may present every man perfect in ChristJesus."282SIN OF USELESSNESS . . . from front pageflattery, more babying,more petting than all of thefruitful members of the church combined. They arethe ones who find the most fault; they are the onesoffended. The average fruitlesswho are most easilyChristian seeks to justify himself by being a criticand a faultfinder. He becomes antagonistic to allplain preaching of the Word of God.Cut It DownThis is the inevitable result of fruitlessness,and it invites disaster. The Lord called for extermination of the fruitless tree. The fact that the order forthe destruction of the fruitless life is delayed is nosign that destruction will not come.God not only wants you to repent of murder,fornication, blasphemy, etc., but He wants you torepent of the uselessness of your life ! He wants youto engage in worth-while service. He wants you to befruitful."Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you,and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forthand that your fruit should remain : that whatfruit,soever ye shall ask of the Father in My Name, HeJohn 15:16.may give itUsed by permission of Herald of His Coming, Box 3457Terminal Annex, Los Ageles 54, Calif.*Rev. Webb is the speaker on the Back to the Bible Broadcast.GLEANINGS . . . continued from page 274ALCOHOL RELATED ARRESTS IN 1954Based on FBI Uniform Crime ReportsDrunkenness 713,837Disorderly conduct 167,571Driving while intoxicated 84,600Liquor law violations 34,276TOTAL 1,000,248"Alcohol related arrests totaled 59.2 per cent of all arrests for all offenses in 1954."The arrests tabulated above do not include assault, rape,murder, and offenses against family and children in whichalcohol is so frequently a major or contributing factor."Cedric Adams in a recent news broadcast reported thatin the state of Minnesota taxes on liquor sales for August1955 were $1,034,000 as against only $600,000 in Augustone year ago.BATTLES OVER CYPRUSNorthwestern PilotAmericans may be mystified as to why mobs in Turkishcities could be stirred to riot against the Greeks over Cyprus.To fully explain the mob violence, it's necessary tolook farther back in history. Good relations between Turkey and Greece have existed only for the past 30 years.Before that, they battled for centuries, and the TurkishEmpire held Greece in enslavement from the fall of theByzantine Empire in 1460 down to 1827.Since 1827, Turkey and Greece have fought several warsthe last as late as 1921, when the Greeks tried to takeSmyrna and territory in Asia Minor from Turkey.Northwestern PilotCOVENANTER WITNESS

come'come"you."come,"you."Lesson Helps for the Week of November 13, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor November 13, 1955GOD'S KINGDOM WHAT DO WEWANT?(Used bypermission of InternationalChristian Enaeavor)by Rev. D. Howard ElliottScriptureMatt. 7:21-29; 13:31-33,Psalms44-50.8: verses 1-4, 7, page 1222: verses 12-14, page 51102: verses 7, 11-13, page 241103 : 13-15,"Thy Kingdompage 248is the secondpetition of the Lord's Prayer. Everytime that we pray the Lord's Prayer weare supposedly expressing a desire forGod's Kingdom to be brought into itsmost complete form. We would all openly say that we want God's Kingdom tocome, but what more is there for us towant about God's Kingdom? Withoutknowingwhat the authors of the assigned topic had in mind, I am in doubtas to what purpose the last part of thetopic serves. "What do we want?"Towant God's Kingdom to come is about asfar as we can go in that regard, since itdoes not matter what we will want inregard to God's Kingdom for it will beGod who designs and orders it completely.The Shorter Catechism question 102says, "In the second petition, which is,"Thy Kingdom we pray, that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed; andthat the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others broughtinto it, and kept in it; and that thekingdom of glory may be hastened."This suggests two aspects of theKingdom referred to as the Kingdom ofgrace and the Kingdom of glory. Thisprobably refers to the present and thefuture aspects of the same Kingdom.There is a phase of the Kingdom whichis a present reality, evidenced by thegreat company of believers who strive todo His will and seek to bring others intothat same relationship with Him. Thepresent operations of the Kingdom arereferred to as the Kingdom of grace because it is by His grace that we havebeen redeemed and brought to knowHis will. It is by grace that sinners arebeing converted and born again into HisKingdom.The Kingdom of God is surely a present reality in that we believe Christ tobe the King of kings at the present aswell as in the future. Not all peopleadmit this yet, but when that happens,October 26, 1955then will be ushered in the Kingdom ofglory. The present and inward aspect ofthe Kingdom is seen in Luke 17:21,"And when he was demanded of thePharisees, when the kingdom of Godhe answered them andshould come,said, The kingdom of God cometh notwith observation: Neither shall theysay, Lo here! or, Lo there! for, behold,the kingdom of God is withinThe future part of the Kingdom iscalled the Kingdom of glory. The Kingdom of grace is glory begun in thehearts of men,and the Kingdom ofglory is its future completeness. TheScripture promises such a time as this.When Christ returns He shall establishHis Kingdom of glory. When that willbe, of course no one knows but it ispromised that His saints shall reignwith Him. Consider such references asDan. 2:44, Luke 1:33, Eph. 1:10, Phil.2:10, 11, Heb. 8:11, Rev. 11:15 andMatt. 25:31 ff.In praying "Thy Kingdomweare not praying that God's Kingdomwould just be erected, but are prayingthat His Kingdom, which is a presentreality, will be advanced and hastenedto its completeness.We will never understand the Kingdom of God fully until we are a part ofits completeness. Christ gave us sidelights on the Kingdom by His parables.How often he began "The Kingdom of.Heaven is like . . Youmight assignthe various parables of Christ that beginthis way to different members of yoursociety to review and tell what theyteach about the Kingdom. The Scriptureassigned for this topic will give somepassages with which to start.And such passages as John 18:36,Romans 14:17, and I Cor. 4:20 will provide material for a discussion as towhat the Kingdom is not.What is there for us to do in regardto the Kingdom of God?First it isimportant that we have opened up ourhearts to allow the Kingdom of God tobe within us which is by faith in JesusChrist. Then as to the advancement ofChrist's Kingdom now, the Larger Catechism question 191 says that thesethings should take place: the destruction of Satan's kingdom of sin; the propagating of the Gospel of Jesus Christthroughout the world; the church furnished with all gospel officers and ordinances, purged from corruption, countenanced and maintained by the civilmagistrate; the proper dispensing of theordinances of Christ so as to bring aboutthe conversion of sinners and the confirming and comforting of those who arealready in Christ.For a discussion of these things see"Blue Banner Faith and Life" volumefour, number two, pages 73-76.JUNIOR TOPICNovember 13, 1955"GIDEON GETS READY FOR WAR"Marjorie MitchelJudges 6:33-7:8Glenwood, Minn.Memory Verse "And Gideon said untothem, I will not rule over you, neithershall my son rule over you; the Lordshall rule overJudges 8:23Gideon said this after the battle wasover, but this was his attitude duringthe preparation for war in all that hedid. He truly let the Lord rule in allthings !PsalmsMemory Psalm for November Psalm118, p. 284, vs. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 (Anynumber of verses can be learned)Psalm 143, p. 347, vs. 4, 5, 7Psalm 146, p. 353, vs. 3, 4, 6, 7Psalm 119, p. 300, vs. 1, 5, 6Psalm 91, p. 224, vs. 1-3, 6ReferencesI Peter 3:12; 5:6, 7; Romans 8:14; Matt. 7:7, 8; Ezekiel 36:26-28; 34:31; Isaiah 50:7; 45:22Comments Last week we found outthat Gideon was filled with courage bythe Spirit of God to fight the Midianites.Now he prepares for this task withGod's help. The people were all readyto help him, so he sent messengers tothe tribes of Manasseh, Naphtali, Asher,and Zebulun, the northern tribes. Soonhe had lots of soldiers from these placeswho were anxious to help fight, nowthat they had a leader to guide them.The Midianites were also well prepared to fight and they were now in thevalley of Jezreel with more than 120,000men, three times as many as the Israelites had.Gideon was still wanting to be sureGod was with him, so he asked for another sign. You see,Gideon probablywas afraid, and maybe he wasn't surewhat the Lord's will was, because it's soeasy to get our own feelings mixed upwith what the Lord wants.Gideon put a fleece of wool on theground and said to God, "If you willtruly save Israel by me, let the fleece bewet with dew tomorrow and all theearth around it be dry." In the morninghe found it so wet that he could wringout a bowlful of water and the groundaround it was perfectly dry. Yet Gideonasked for one more miracle. This timehe asked that the fleece be left dry, and283

you"dew cover the ground. And God didagain as Gideon asked. Now Gideon believed he had really been chosen theleader of the Israelites against the people of Midian.So early one morning Gideon took his32,000 soldiers and made camp on thesouth side of this Valley of Jezreel on ahillside where they could look down intothe camp of Midian.Now even though the soldiers of Israel were fewer in number, the Lordtold Gideon that he had too many soldiers and if they won the battle theywould say they had done it and that itwas not the Lord who had had victory.So Gideon let all those soldiers who wereafraid go home.The soldiers were quite amazed! Howcould they ever win without a big army?They couldn't understand it when 22,000men went home, leaving only 10,000.(The Midianites still had 120,000.)But again God told Gideon there weretoo many. He must take them to thebrookside and God would show him howto choose the ones he would keep. Themen were told to drink water from thebrook. Every one that lapped the waterwith their tongues from their hands,were to be set in one place. Every onethat got down on his knees and put hisface to the water were in a group. Threehundred men that lapped water withtheir hands were chosen by God and Hesaid, "By these 300 men I will save youand give you victoryites."over the MidianAll the other men were told to gohome. These men God chose were probably strong, alert, and showed this bynot bothering to get down on their kneesto drink! God had a purpose in choosingonly these men to His service, even asHe has a purpose in calling each onetoday.So the soldiers (300) took food withthem and their trumpets and made acamp on the south hill ready for warwith the huge company of Midianitesthat were camped in the valley justbelow them.Next week we'll see the thrilling outcome of God's victory.I wonder if we all understand whatfaith really is. Faith is something realthat we know and believe in and yet notalways actually see, except we seewhat happens as a result of faith. Gideon had faith in God's promises of helpin battle and followed God's leading inpreparation for war. Think of this example. We believe that there is such athingas the wind. We see the cloudsmove, the trees sway, the results ofwind storms, leaves and objects blowingin the air, and yet we can't actually seethe wind. In the same waywe see thepower and force of faith in God when a284person turns his whole life and purposeover to Him.Notebook work1. Put down the number of Midianitesoldiers at the beginning of our storyand the end. Also list the number of Israelite soldiers each time they were decreased by God, and compare.2. Why did God want the Israelites tohave fewer soldiers?3. Pretend that you are an Israelitesoldier at this time with Gideon as theGeneral. Explain how you feel.4. Explain what faith means to you inyour own words. Did Gideon have faithin God?Suggestions for teacher1. Illustrate how Gideon knew the willof God by the signs of the wet and dryfleece of wool. Tell how he prayed andasked God to show him as you demonstrate with a piece of wool.2. Divide into two groups and havethe boys and girls demonstrate how thesoldiers drank from the brook and whichones God chose.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONNovember 13, 1955(Lessons based on international Sunday SchoolLessons; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the Inter*national Council of Religions Education.)Rev. W. J. McBurneyJESUS TEACHES HOW TO LIVE(With Folks)MEMORY VERSE, Luke 6:31: "As yewould that men should do to you, do yealso to them likewise."This lesson deals with our relationwith our fellow men. Robinson Crusoewould have had little opportunity topractice the teachings of this lesson.One must live with folks in order topractice the methods of living explainedhere. How little there is in the teachings of Christ that does not relate usto our fellows! In the Beatitudes, thereare only three that could be applied toa solitary person, and eventhey losemuch of their meaning to one who nevermet with other people.God intended us to live with otherfolks, and therefore placed us in groupsof folks. And so the great part ofChrist's teaching deals with our relationto others. In our lesson today, Christteaches how to live with folks who arehard to get along with.How to Meet Evil Words, Thoughts,or Wishes.If one assumes the attitude of anenemy toward you, love him. If he hatesyou, do him whatever good you can. Ifhe curse you,("Wish a curse againstyou,"Young,) bless him. Wish himhappiness. Do something to bring happiness into his life. Those who do or sayanything just to spite you,need your prayers.certainlyIt is strange how these things react.One who wishes to harm you, harmsonly himself, so far as the wish goes.It does you no harm, unless you let itbreed hatred in your soul. "I hatebecomes a festeringthe one who says it. To avoid any insore in the soul offection, we need to apply a healing,antiseptic lotion; love, good deeds, something that will cause pleasure, prayer.This will not only ward off injury, butwillstrengthen for future enduranceand service. It may win a friend.How to Meet Injury to Body or PurseThe smiting here is not an injury,but an insult, a slap. There were thosein a former century, who thought that aslap on the cheek must be met by mortal combat. That was dangerous to bothparties, and probably left a family feudfor generations. Christ offers a way thatharms no one, and may heal a festeringsore. Show that you are too big to resent an insult. There are not many whowill slap the other cheek. Perhaps thebigQuaker was right when he got thesecond slap and rolled up his sleeveslaw."saying, "Now I have obeyed theVerses 29b and 30 are perhaps thehardest in this lesson to understand,and to practice. We may look on themas offeringa concrete example of anabstract principle for guiding our conduct. It is the principle of non-resistance in regard to our moneythat theformer verses offer in regard to ourdignity. We are not told what we shouldgive to one who asks. We should consider what he needs and supply that so faras we are able. He mayneed a job oradvice. If he has power to take awayyour goods, don't put up a fight. It isprobable that if the man on the roadto Jericho had not fought, he might nothave been so badly beaten up. There isno use in punishing ourselves to no purpose. Moreover, the spirit of non-resistance mayadvantage. Now comeswin a friend to our mutualThe Golden RuleIn considering the use of this Rule,we must notice to whom it was given.Christ was speaking, not to a group ofworldly people, but to His disciples. Oneof the elements of this rule is the desire of the one who uses it. If the desire or judgment is wrong, the measurement will be wrong. For example; aman with a perpetual thirst meets afriend; with his own desire in theequation, he buys his friend a drink ofwhisky. Now if one of Christ's followershad met this friend,he would havetreated him to milk or orange juice.COVENANTEE WITNESS

another."repenteth"want".."Under the person of the young'prodigal"country'-obedience."Since our own desire enters into theequation of the Golden Rule, it may beused subjectively, to measure our owncharacter. A pipe for tuningyour violinis effective only so far as your sense oftone is accurate. But its constant usemay correct a faulty sense of tone. Souse the Golden Rule carefully. It willhelpboth your neighborhood and yourself.Giving or TradingA college mate, years after graduating, showed me a table full of packagesshe was about to mail to her "ChristmasList."She had 36 on her list, mostlyfrom her college days. She said thepackages were mostly books, and thatshe would get a like assortment in return. I suggested that she would havea lot of reading matter. She said shedid not read any of them. She read agreat deal, but chose her own books.She said she wished she could get rid ofthat list. She did not mind the expense,she could stand that. But there weresome on the list who could not affordthe waste, and there was no way to stopwithout fear of offense. She said she gotno joy out of giving to receive again.She did find pleasure in helping somegirls who needed it, and were not ableto repay in kind.RewardsThe doing of a kind deed is its ownreward. Christ said, "Ye shall be theChildren of the Highest. A child isproud to be like his father. Then bemerciful, as your Father also is merciful. Do not judge, or condemn, but forgive. Then you will be forgiven. Whatgreater reward could there be.In all things we are dealing with God,and are sure of a generous reward. Italso pays in the long run to deal generously with men. Christ mentions thatin v. 38, "Give, and it shall be givenunto you good measure shall mengive unto you. For with the same measure . . .We have all seen this in actual life.We had a neighborhood of neighbors.It took a lot of men and horses onthreshing day. We never counted hours,only in a general way did we countdays, and I never heard a word of complaint except from neighbor John. Johnwas so honest that he counted even toa quarter day. So the neighbors counted quarter days with John, and in emergencies that was embarrassing to John.When anyone ran out of grain, they justborrowed until harvest. John stroked.the half-bushel. That was legal, but nooneelse took the trouble,except in returning grain to John. In a trade, it wasas fair one way as the other. This Honesty (?) caused John some anxiety,amused the neighbors,good.Romans 12 :9 :and did John no"Be kindly affectionateone to another, with brotherly love; inhonor preferring one another."John 13:34: "A new commandment Igive unto you, that ye love one another;as I have loved you, that ye also loveonePsalms :PRAYER MEETING TOPICNovember 16, 1955THE PRODIGAL SONLuke 15:11-32Rev. W. C. McClurkin138:1, 4-6, page 338119:part 8, page 293107:13-16, page 26673 :9-ll, page 17932:1, 2, 6, 7, 12, 13, page 74References: Ezra 10:11; Psa. 34:18;51:17; Prov. 28:13; Isa. 1:16; 53:6; 55:7;64:6; 66:2; Jer. 3:13; 31:18-20; Ezek.10:11; 18:31; Hos. 14:2; Joel 2:13; Mark14:72; Luke 18:13; Acts 3:19; 8:22;17:30; II Cor. 7:10; I Peter 5:5-7; IJohn 1:8, 9This parable is the climax in a seriesof three which our Lord told when selfrighteousJews murmured concerningHim: "This man receiveth sinners andeateth with them" (v. 2).By these parables, Jesus explainedthat His mission was "to seek and tosave that which is lost" (19:10) whether one is lost for want of knowledge,like the silly sheep; or through another'scareless trusteeship, like the woman'scoin;or through the power of one's uncontrolled passions, like the waywardboy.And, with variations and comparisons,Jesus spoke of the joy of the findersover the restoration of the lost. "Likewise", He said, "joy shall be in heavenover one sinner that(v. 7).Also, different aspects of the experience of repentance are presented inthese parables. In the former, of thesensitive Lost Sheep, and insensate LostCoin, the Saviour's part is seen; thewanderer is sought and found and borneback, as if almost passive in the experience. In this, of the reasoning, LostSon, though there were antecedent influences that caused the sinner's repentence,the sinner's own action is emphasized; he reasons and repents of hisown free will, and returns on his ownfeet.as Calvin says, "Christ describesall sinners, who, wearied with their ownfolly, throw themselves on the grace ofGod."That is to say, in this parable, ourLord stresses the sinner's experience ofrepentance.The Necessity of RepentanceIt is our previous departure fromGod, in the first Fall and in actual deviations and transgressions, that makesrepentance, on our part, necessary.Though God, in Christ,came down andshared in suffering the evil consequences of our sins, He did not come downto our wayof sinning. If we at all desire His favor, we must turn our backson sin and companions in sin, and returnto God.Our spirit bynature is like that ofthe prodigal. We are not satisfied withour Father's provisions and government;unappreciative of the comforts and privileges to be enjoyed in our Father'sHouse. As if entitled to more temporalthings, we ask for them, and for selfishreasons.Obtaining our heart's desire, beingleft to the freedom of our own will, wego into "a far without movingfrom the spot where we were born. Thatis, it is "far" as regards the alienationof the heart from God, not as regardsdistance in space. When we entertainevil thoughts not fit to print, and actually gratify lusts,we begin to be "inwhich could never be, if we werewith the Lord God, our Shepherd.What folly and madness to prefer thesocietyof the wicked to the favor andcare of the ever blessed God! Can anycitizen of the world give us what wemost need? Can the world console us insickness? Will the world be faithful tous in old age? Can the world receive usinto glory after death? As Augustineconfessed and declared, "Our souls arerestless till they rest in God," we cannever be happy till we return to God.Repentance is necessary.The Nature of RepentanceThe pinch of "want" was instrumentalin bringing the prodigal to his senses."When he came to himself" he realizedthat, before, he had not been himself;that he had been in a state of madness;and yet, that he himself was to blamefor his folly. This guilt, or sense of sin,is more than feeling sorry for the evilconsequences of sin, and is essentiallypreliminary to any true repentance.Then, once blind to the things of God,and insensible of the comforts of theFather's House, the true penitent, likethe prodigal, has a new discovery ofthem. This, as we have learned in ourCatechism and by experience, is an"apprehension of the mercyof God inChrist,"and is a part of that change ofmind essential in repentance.In the mental process, too, is the resolution :.";"I will arise and go to my fatherwhich is a "full purpose of . . . newOctober 26, 1955 285

obedience."red"sin"servant."son"spirit."country"Then comes the "endeavor after, newcame to his father."The prodigal "arose, andAll this is involved in the true penitent's return, along with "grief and hatnot of "husks," but "of hisas sin. Hunger for Home overcomes thelingering bad taste of "husks." Memories of unappreciated kindnesses, of despised mercies, and of brazen attitudesand affronts, now worry him more. Andyet, there is an encouraging remembrance; that of a patient and longsuffering and wonderfully gracious Father.All this change of thinking, feeling,and action, is, in the true penitent, ofhis own free will; and yet is the resultant work of the Holy Spirit. (SeeAns. to S.C, Q. 31, 87, and L.C. Q. 67,76.) Suffering the first pangs of hunger,the prodigal doubtless wished for achange of fare, but wishful thinking isnot resolute thinking. Not until "hecame to himself," or had a change ofmind, thinking thoughts of another antecedent to, and better than his, did hechange his faring, and resolve to return,and openly to confess his sins, humblyto entreat forgiveness, and to ask permissionto become a servant, thoughnot a son, in his father's house. .. . Allthis is in the nature of true repentance.The Results of RepentanceA blessed, affectionate, and honorablereception by God, the Father, awaits alltrue penitents. This is indicated by theaction of the father in the parable.Long before the prodigal reachedhome, "when he was yet a great way off,his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, andkissed him" a picture of the way Godgreets penitent sinners in the person ofJesus Christ.The prodigal's confession was intercepted at the point before the premeditated plea to be made a "hiredHe had already been received as a son;and without rebukes for his folly, orany sort of return demanded, other thanthe return of himself in his rags. Thatwas all taken care of by the father. Hisfather's love for him was not abated inthe least degree. The tokens of sonshipalready ordered were put on him. Hehad been a disgrace to the family, and isnow received with as great honor as ifhe had gone out and done somethinghighly honorable.Brethren, let's just read this parableover again a few times, and put ourselves in the prodigal's placethe penitent prodigal, of course, and try torealize how graciously God deals withus when we truly repent! He loves usfreely. He clothes us in the spotlessrobes of our Redeemer's righteousness.He satisfies our hungrysouls with theChurch NewsOn October 5 I moderated a call atSyracuse, N. Y. Mr. Robert McCrackenwas elected on the first ballot by a largemajority. The call was immediatelymade unanimous.Signed, R. H. McKelvyFIRST BEAVER FALLSMelba Jean Lane, daughter of Mr. andMrs. W. E. Lane, and Edward VernonFry, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Frywere united in marriage in a doublering ceremony August 5, at 7:30 P.M.in the First Beaver Falls Church by thebride's pastor, Rev. D. Howard Elliott.Attendants were Mrs. Melvin Kraynie,sister of the bride, Mrs. Kenneth Locke,sister of the bridegroom, Miss MaryAnn Elder and Dick Zuberbuhler, friendof the groom.Nancy Fuller Mandeville, daughter ofMr. and Mrs. W. F. Mandeville, andDonald Edwin Moore, son of Mrs. IreneMoore, were united in marriage in adouble ring ceremony August 19, at 7 :30P.M. in the First Beaver Falls Churchby the bride's pastor, Rev. D. HowardElliott, assisted by Dr. R. I. Robb. Attendants were Ellen Jean Robb ofBeaver Falls, Martha Caskey, Clarinda,Iowa, Jean Young, Beaver Falls andJames Steel, Greensburg, a roommate ofheavenly food of His gracious promises.And He opens before us a prospect ofhappiness beyond our highest expectations.The "elderwould have no partin the reception. Too bad for him! It illbecame him to taunt his father for overlooking his worth, as he thought, andnot giving honor where honor was due.Somehow, his self-righteous and unbrotherlyattitude was not allowed tointerrupt the joy in the Father's Houseover the return of the penitent prodigal,the one who "was dead, and is aliveagain; was lost, and is found." The elder son is the one in the "farnow. But the way was open, is open forall the impenitent, to repent, to return."Blessed are the poor inHappy the convinced and penitent sinnerwho hopes in God's mercy! No childever had such reason to believe that hisfather would receive him as the penitent "chief ofsinners"has that God willreceive him, and honor him, andfreelygive him all things; according to John3:16; Romans 8:32;and this wonderfulparable of the Penitent Prodigal Son.the groom at Pennsylvania State University.Marjorie May Wenkhous, daughter ofMr. and Mrs. R. E. Wenkhous, and Corporal John David Lathom, son of Mr.and Mrs. S. D. Lathom of the GenevaCongregation, were united in marriagein a double ring ceremony September 9,at 7:30 P.M. in the First Beaver FallsChurch by the bride's pastor, Rev. D.Howard Elliott. Attendants were JeanYoung, cousin of the bride, and DickHowell, cousin of the groom. Marjorie isa sophomore at Geneva College and Jackiswith the Marine Detachment stationed aboard the USS Wisconsin.DENVER, COLORADO ITEMSMrs. S. E. Greer of Philadelphia, Pa.,who spent the summer in Ft. Morgan,Colorado, with her brother-in-law, Mr.Cubit, was in Denver on August 31calling on friends.Mr. Paul McEnderfer, recently out ofservice,will attend the Eastman schoolof music in Rochester, N.Y., the comingyear.While Rev. Herbert Hays and familywere in Denver, the brothers and sistersin the Hays family held a family reunion. Seven of the eight members ofthe family and their families,twentyeightin all, were present.Mrs. Neil Curry of Winchester, Kansas, was the incentive of social eventswhile she was a guest in the home of theJohn Madory's.Mr.and Mrs. Fred Hinman visitedin Denver during the summer.The Women's Missionary Society helda tea and linen shower at the Atchisonhome September 15. The linens and donations were for the Aged People'sHome.Mrs. Bertha Lyne of Superior, Nebraska, was a visitor in the home of heraunt, Miss Pearl Allen.Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Russell worshipedwith the Denver congregation September 18.The Denver congregation mourn thedeath ofElder Herbert Martin whopassed away on October 2.Mr. and Mrs. Guy Black of Clarinda,Iowa, came to be with Mrs. Martin whois Mr. Black's sister.Mrs. Ruth Carson andHarry Bearwere married October 4 at the home ofher son James Carson.While Dr. Mitchel was on vacation,the Rev. Paul White filled the pulpit.286COVENANTER WITNESS

We thank the Missionettes for theirgift of four couafes, to be used at dinners and social affairs at the church.DENISONPromotion Day in the Sabbath Schoolwas observed by a program, September25. Glimpses of the year's work weregiven: Bible, Psalms and Catechismmemory work and Bible Lessons presented through questions, answers and flannelgraph. A new class, to be taught byMrs. Dale Blackwood, has been added.Small awards were given to all pupils.Dr. G. M. Robb of Kansas City assisted most ably in the communion services,September 30-October 3. His messageswere stimulatingand challenging. Thefellowship of Mr. and Mrs. Robb in ourhomes was much appreciated. Miss MaryFrances Braum was received into themembership of the congregation by profession of faith and Mrs. Harold McCrory bycertificate from the Hebroncongregation. Margaret Louise, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Phillips, andKevin Robert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Maine of Topeka, received the sacrament of baptism.October 8 at 3 P.M. Miss KathleenMcCrory and Mr. Dale Blackwood wereunited in marriage in a church ceremony performed by their pastor, Rev.M. W. Dougherty. They are at home ona farm three and one half miles southwest of Denison.MID-WEST PRESBYTERY MEETINGMid- West Presbytery met at Clarinda,Iowa, in the Clarinda Church Tuesdayevening October 4, 1955, at 7:30 P.M.The retiring Moderator, Rev. BruceStewart, gave an inspiring message, using the second chapter of Titus as histext.The following officers were elected :Moderator, Rev. Joseph Caskey; Clerk,Rev. Paul Faris; Assistant Clerk, Elder W. A. McElroy.On Wednesday the devotionals wereled by Rev. R. W. Caskeyand Rev. M.W. Dougherty. In the reports given onthe spiritual growth in the congregations, some were very encouraging.The committee working with theHome Mission Secretary to investigatethe possibility of startinga church inWichita, reported that three lots werepurchased and they hope to buy anotherone adjoining on which to build a smallchurch in the near future. They arealso looking for some one to man theproject. They feel that it will be a realchallenge.Presbytery adjourned Wednesday evening at 5:30 P. M. to reconvene at 3:00P. M. Thursday in Topeka, Kansas, forordination and installation ofDonaldMcClurkin. Wednesday evening theClarinda congregation gave part of thecentennial program theyearlier in the summer.had presentedAt 3 P.M. Thursday, Presbytery reconvened in the United Brethren Churchin Topeka to hear the trial sermon andexposition of a portion of scripture byDonald McClurkin. Dr. C. E. Caskeyand Rev. Bruce Stewart examined thecandidate as to soundness in the faith,adherance to the distinctive principles ofthe R. P. Church and personal piety. Inthe evening Dr. G. M. Robb preachedthe ordination sermon. The ordinationprayer was offered by a former pastorof Mr. McClurkin, Rev. Wylie Dougherty, during which there was the layingon the hands of the Presbytery. Dr. C.T. Carson addressed the pastor and Rev.D. C. Ward the congregation. A handclasp of welcome was extended by thepresbytery and congregation. Therewere numerous friends from our neighboringcongregations. Those in the receiving line included Mr. and Mrs. Calvin McClurkin of Morning Sun, Iowa,father and mother of the new pastor,and Mrs. George Aiken, his aunt, andher son George.At 9:3C the Midwest Presbytery adjourned to meet next year at Denison,Kansas, Rev. Donald McClurkin pronouncing the benediction.The Topeka Congregation held a reception for their pastor and the Presbytery immediately following the installation.THIRD CHURCH, PHILADELPHIAA very interesting feature of the September meeting of the Women's Missionary Society, which was held at thehome of Mrs. John McClay in the Mayfair,was the reading of excerpts fromthe first Minute Book of the MissionarySociety back in December 1870. Therewere seventeen charter members in this"Female Missionary Society" and manyof their family names, Boyle, Steele,Clyde, Mackie, Armstrong, Forsythe,Blair, McFarland, are still beloved andfamiliar in our own congregation and inthe church at large. The membershipincreased to 37 within a year. Rev. R. J.Sharpe was pastor of Third Philadelphiaat that time. Its prime objective was"to raise funds for Missionary purposesboth Foreign and Domestic" and "anyfemale member of the congregation orfemale adherent or anyfemale of goodmoral character outside the congregation"could become a member. The firstmonies disbursed w.ere for the familiesof Rev. R. J. Dodds and Rev. J. S. Buck.Our pastor, Rev. George W. Price,gave us a summation of his experiencesat White Lake Camp the first Sabbathafter his return from vacation. We prayour Lord's blessing upon all of the efforts put forth to give our Juniors andyoung people a saving knowledge of ourRedeemer and to bring them to a decision to accept Him as their personalSaviour and give their lives to His service.Weeklyprayer meetings were resumed on September 14 with twentyfivepersons present. Special prayerswere offered for Miss Margaret Frazierwho is recuperating from an operationon her leg; and for Mrs. Carl Keefauverwho is in a cast in Temple Hospital, having broken her hip when she fell in herhome. Earnest petitions are also beingmade for Dr. John Peoples. He too is apatient in the Temple Hospital.We are glad that Miss Isabel Crawford's foot injury was not too serious.She continues to serve very efficientlyas superintendent of Sabbath school.September brought worshiping visitorsfrom the South, North, and West. Mr.and Mrs.Evans from our mission inSelma, Alabama, who were guests oftheir son and daughter who reside inPhiladelphia; another daughter, MissE. F. Evans, from Boston, who cameto Philadelphia to visit her father whilehe was a patient in Jefferson Hospital;and Mrs. Frank Barrington of Ojai,California, who spent several weekswith her sister, Miss Elizabeth McHatton.Dr. F. M. Wilson and Mrs. ThomasGill joined Miss McHatton at the airport to see Mrs. Barrington take off inher homeward flight. Our hearts werewarmed by the presence of Miss AnnaTaylor, now a resident of the Presbyterian Home in West Philadelphia, andMr. and Mrs. Robert Adams and children of Springfield, Penna. They wereaccompanied by Lois' mother, Mrs.Piper of Pittsburg. We welcomed alsoMr. and Mrs. James Carson of theUnited Congregation.Attendance at morning worship hasincreased since manywho spend theirsummers away from Philadelphia havereturned to their homes and various professions. Elder and Mrs. George J. Fisher left on September 26 for a two weeksvacation in Ohio.ECHOES . . . frompage 281grace. Where will you get these muchneeded virtues? Ask God for them. Asyou follow His leadership you may leadothers successfully.A parting wordbe generous in encouragement and appreciation of allthe efforts made by your officers, committees, and members, and you will be apopular and successful President.Here's to youMr. President.October 26, 1955 287

Invest in LEADERSHIP!MENTHEINTRAININGSeminary Senior ClassGOSPELMINISTRYSeminaryJunior ClassFOROur THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY receives a large share ofits support from SYNOD'S BUDGETSynod's Budget needs our steady supportStewardship Committee288COVENANTER WITNESS

Missionary NumberBIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 20, 1955CovenanterWtnessVOLUME LV, NO. 18TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1955Lazaro the BellRingerBells are important in African mission colonies. They rouse the peoplefrom sleep, call them to worship, announce all public gatherings. Sincemost Africans cannot afford clocks and watches, the bell is their custodianof time.For Lazaro, one of the oldest patients at Oicha, the African InlandMission treatment center in the Congo Beige for Hansen's disease, the bellhas a special significance.Lazaro is the bell ringer at this large (almost 4,000 patients) stationdeep in the Iturie forests not far from the equator. When he came to themission for help fifteen years ago his name was Vubisi. In his home villagehe had been a "mufumu" (witch doctor).Years of observing the miracles wrought by the Christian gospel atOicha finally brought Vubisi to the realization of its meaning for him.He became a Christian, joined the church and took the name Lazaro, who,like himself, had also been poor.But Lazaro was rich in spirit. He became a teacher in the church. Andhe never tired of expressing his gratitude for the new life that was his. Hisonly regret was that the hoarseness of his voice brought on by the disease,kept him from complete expression of his praise in song.When Dr. Carl K. Becker, medical director of Oicha, told his patientsthey were to have a new church, Lazaro was among those who requesteda bell to replace the traditional African drum as a call to worship.When it was installed and Lazaro tested the iron casting with a longpole, its resonant peal seemed to the old man to express the praise he'dalways longed to express in loud song.

security"Current EventsProf. William H. Russell, Ph.D.THE LAW'S DELAYOne of the most serious defects in American government is the delay in our courts. In some Federal DistrictCourts, a plaintiff must wait for more than four yearsto get a case to trial. Such delays are expensive and oftenprevent justice from being done. The Justice Departmentis now making a strenuous effort to reduce the backlogof federal cases, and has lowered it by about 12 per centin the past year. Judges will be required to work throughthe summer months if necessary.Attorney General Brownell has also presented President Eisenhower with a program to speed up justice in thefederal courts. He would create twenty new judgeships,and set up special "task forces'' to go into districts whichare not keeping up with their work. The handling of federaloffenders would be improved by the building of two newcorrectional institutions in the Middle West, one for youthful criminals and the other a "maximum prison.VOTE FOR SELF-GOVERNMENTThe people of South Viet Nam have voted overwhelmingly to reject the rule of Emperor Bao Dai, legal heirto the throne of the old native state of Annam. The 42-yearoldBao Dai has spent most of his 23 years as "emperor"on the French Riviera, doing little if anything for his country.To the people, he became a hated symbol of French colonialism and corruption. Nearly five million of the South VietNamese voted against Bao Dai, and in favor of allowingPremier Dinh Diem to lead them toward republican government. Diem took over when Viet Nam was partitioned lastyear. His government still faces many difficult problems,but he has overcome the internal opposition stirred up bythe French, and is a staunch anti-Communist. A constitutional assembly will now be chosen to draft a new planof government. Communism may yet be defeated in Indo-China if democracy can succeed in South Viet Nam.V. N. POLITICSThe U. N. General Assembly has become deadlockedon the election of a non-permanent member of the SecurityCouncil. The six non-permanent members are elected fortwo-year terms, by a two-thirds vote of the Assembly. Theseats have usually been rotated on a regional basis, withone each for East Europe, West Europe, Latin America,British Commonwealth, etc. Turkey's term expires thisyear and the Soviet Union announced that it would backPoland for the seat. The U.S. chose instead to support thePhilippines. After a brief deadlock, the U.S.S.R. switchedfrom Poland to Yugoslavia. This might have been acceptable if we had not already promised to back the Philippines. Some of our non-Communist friends are displeasedat our stand, for they feel that the Turkish place shouldbe taken by another East European state. Our support ofthe Philippines may win favor in Asia, but the islandsstill have too many ties with the U.S. to be consideredneutral.next year. It would decrease the number of states from28 to 16, with only two usingmore than one language.Some of the smaller states would be abolished, and otherboundaries rearranged for geographic or economic reasons.Next year India will begin her second five-year planIt will shift emphasis from agriculture and power production, prominent in the first five-year plan, toward industrialdevelopment. Much of the new industry will be governmentowned,since Prime Minister Nehru and his Congress partyfavor socialism. The five-year plan will seek to create 11million new jobs; but many more are needed. Unfortunately, the people of India still think that machines eliminatejobs instead of creating them. Thus there have been strikesagainst the introduction of textile machinery, without whichIndia cannot compete in the world market. Gandhi did notbelieve that India should industrialize, and he still hasmany followers.WELCOME, COMRADESSeven Russian journalists are now touring the UnitedStates. Their visit was delayed three months by a wrangleover their travel plans. Our State Department has barredmore than a fourth of the U.S. to Russian citizens, in retaliation for similar restrictions in the Soviet Union. TheRussian newspapermen are not allowed to see Detroit ,butare visiting New York, Cleveland, Chicago, and other largecities. This is the first important group of Soviet writersto tour our country since 1946.Ten Russian housing administrators also have visitedAmerica. They were interested mainly in mass-productionmethods and apartment buildings, for they consider ourindividual homes inefficient. They seemed quite skepticalof the value of American kitchen gadgetry and other modern"improvements."SAAR DECISIONThe people of the Saar, the rich industrial valley between France andGermany, have rejected by a two-to-onevote the proposal to Europeanize their little state. Theplan, agreed to by France and Germany last spring alongwith Germany's entry into NATO, would have placed theSaar under a neutral commissioner, and continued its customs and currency union with France. But the SaarlandersareGerman-speaking and pro-German parties put on afierce campaign for union with the "Fatherland." Immediately after the election the pro-French premier, JohannesHoffman, resigned. The outcome is also embarrassing toWest Germany's Chancellor Adenauer, who had urged ratification of the plan he and the French government had developed. The Saar will remain under its present status untilthe Allies sign a peacetreaty with Germany. Meanwhileit will continue to be a source of friction between Franceand Germany.MEDICAL PRIZEThe 1955 Nobel Prize in medicine has been awardedto Dr. Hugo Theorell, a Swedish bio-chemist for his workREMAKING INDIAThe government of India has announced a plan forpolitical reorganization, which it hopes to put into effect290in the field of enzymes. These substances promote variousvital processes, such asdigestion, without themselves being(Continued on next page)COVENANTER WITNESS

world."Glimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen, D. D.A WORD OF THANKSAs I begin writing for the Witness again I wish tomake a few personal remarks, and the first of these isto thank the many friends who wrote to me during myillness in the summer. I appreciate your prayers, messagesof sympathy, and kind expressions concerning this page inthe Witness."SpeakingofOperations"There is a book which we read a few years ago writtenby one who had been through an operation, entitled, "Speaking of Operations." The writer tells how the various patientsinsisted on telling of their operations. I too, have heard manytales in former years and in late months of illness andoperations and resolved that I would try to refrain fromburdening others with my troubles and pains. As ministers,we try to sympathize with others and keep our own troublesto ourselves.A Few FactsHowever, since many have asked concerning my recentillness and operation, and various reports seem to havecirculated, here are a few facts for interested friends. Ifelt almost normal during the recent meeting of Synod,but three days afterward was taken ill and was not ableto retain food. After examination by doctors of the MayoClinic at Rochester, Minn., I was operated on by Dr. HowardK. Gray when a duodenal ulcer was discovered. Dr. Graytold us that three tests were taken none of which showedany malignancy. He stated, furthermore, "Strange as itcancerous."may seem a duodenal ulcer is never I am thankful to God for His gracious preservation and for my recovery, and also to have had the services of one of themost skilled surgeons in America. My readers, I am sure,as stated above, will appreciate the omission of details.A Call to WatchMy sudden knowledge of illness, as that of manyothers, is a reminder that we do not know what a dayor an hour may bring forth. We should live in confidentfaith, serving the Lord faithfully, and knowing that He iswith us always even unto the end of theHis graceis sufficient and His strength is made perect in weakness.Dr. H. K. Gray's Sudden EndThe above warning has been emphasized by the suddendeath, by drowning, of Dr. Gray. The Rochester Post-Bulletin stated: "Dr. Howard K. Gray of Rochester, 54, aninternationally known abdominal surgeon and one of themost popular and respected members of the staff of theMayo Clinic, drowned late yesterday afternoon (Sept. 6,1955) in Lake Pepin near Lake City. The body was recoveredchanged. The chemical composition of enzymes and themethod of their operation was a mystery until Dr. Theorellbegan making his discoveries, twenty years ago. He hasisolated many enzymesand explained their functioning.One result is a better understanding of the chemical differences between normal cells and cancer cells. This maycontribute to a method of curing or controlling cancer.thismorning."He drowned, though he was a good swimmer, while attempting to retrieve a boat which broke loosefrom his cabin cruiser. There was speculation as to whetherhis drowning resulted from a heart attack or from crampsdue to the cold water.Dr. GrayA Christian Surgeonwas an almost ideal physician and surgeon,a Christian who was not ashamed of being known as such,a man who believed in and practiced prayer in connectionwith his surgery. When he decided to operate on me onJune 29 I asked him if he would pray for Divine guidanceand he replied that he would do so. Would that we had ahost of medical men of like faith and skill! When we firstknew of Dr. Gray it was through a nurse who was attending Mrs. Allen, then in the hospital, who told her of alecture he had given to a class of Christian nurses in whichhe took exception to the theoryof evolution. This nursehad not known that any scientist would oppose the widely accepted theory of evolution. Later we sent her oneof my books on evolution. Fourteen years ago, after Dr.Gray had operated on me on account of gall stones, Ihad a heart-to-heart talk with him when I urged him toorganize and direct a truly Christian hospital, not merelyone with a denominational name, but which was positively Christian all the way through. He said he would thinkabout it, and mentioned it later when I talked with him,and again in a letter saying he was keeping it in mind.I have been a patient in two denominational hospitals andI appreciate their Christian service so far as it goes, butit does not go far enough. A genuine thoroughly Christianhospital would be a great blessing to any community.Parental TrainingDr. Gray had visited his mother shortly before heoperated on me recently. I asked him if she was still teaching the Bible. He replied, "She will be teaching the Bible(Continued on page 296)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 120 West fith Street, Newtcm. Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansasto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer,not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen. D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas, $3.00; Single Copies".10 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newtonunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.KansasNovember 2, 1955 291

Editorial NotesBy Walter McCarroll, D.D.A Request from Cyprus Mission. At a businessmeeting in August of the Cyprus Mission, the following resolution was adopted: "That the ForeignMission Board send a representative, either from itsmembers or from Synod, to visit each Mission Field,spending preferably three months at each. Expensesat each field to be paid by the local mission, and thetravel expenses and salary to be arranged by theForeign Mission Board. This request to be presentedas a petition to the Synod of 1956, with the understanding that Synod provide the necessary funds inaddition to the regular budget for Foreign Missions."The Missionary Hour. At the Christian YouthConference held on Troodos the first week in August,under the leadership of our missionaries in Cyprus,one session was given over to addresses from someeight different Missions in the Near East. Therewere representatives from the German-Swiss Evangelical Mission in Upper Egypt, the InternationalChild Evangelism Fellowship in Israel and Cyprus,the Canadian Holiness and the Standard ChurchMission in Egypt, the British and Foreign Bible Society in the Near East, the United Presbyterian Mission in Egypt, the Peniel American Mission in PortSaid, The Presbyterian Mission in Lebanon, andthe Egypt General Mission.This proved to be a very informing and inspiring hour. It was a revelation of the breadth anddepth of the mission work carried on in the NearEast. The central work of the Evangelical Missionis in their hospital in Asswan, with one sub-stationin the north and another in the south. They are endeavoring to train their native helpers so as to 'becapable of bearing the responsibility of the work incase the missionaries are forced to leave. The representative of the Fellowship of Child Evangelismrevealed the world wide extent of the work of ChildEvangelism. Miss Alexander's field is Israeli andCyprus, with a resident worker in each country. Oneform of their ministry is their Teacher TrainingClass, in which they gather together interestedadults and train them to win children, and use themethods and materials of Child Evangelism.The work of the Canadian Holiness Mission andthe Standard Church Mission, is largely in UpperEgypt, and principally in the villages and towns.Both missions have elementary day-schools, and avery fine school for girls in Assiut. They have alsostarted a Bible school in Assiut. A fine four yearcourse of training is offered to candidates for theministry.Mr. Vahan Ekmedkdjian spoke for the work ofthe British and Foreign Bible Society. He is themanager of the Bible Lands Agencywith headquarters in Port Said. If we remember correctly heis a graduate of our American Academy in Larnaca,and is doing a fine piece of work for our Lord. ThisAgency takes in Ethiopia, Eritrea, the Somolilands,the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, southernArabia, and Cyprus. The year 1954 was a recordbreaking one for the sale of the Scriptures in Egyptoveralone,187,000 copies of the Scriptures in scores292of different languages through the services of devoted and faithful colporteurs, over 40 strong. Theirreports show that lives have been enlightened andblessed. The Scriptures in Arabic are now beingprinted in Cairo. Four printing and one bindingHouse work for the Bible Society in Cairo. Theprinting program for this year calls for 80,000Arabic Bibles, 50,000 Arabic New Testaments, besides thousands of Gospels and Portions.The United Presbyterian Mission in Egypt hasbeen celebrating 100 years of uninterrupted service.The 100 years of service has seen the establishmentof the Egyptian Evangelical Church of some 25,000members with its Synod and Presbyteries all working independently of the Mission. This Church hasits own Seminary for training its future ministers,and made history last year by sending its own missionary to work with the American Mission in theSouth Sudan. The Mission conducts a Boys' Collegein Assiut with over 600 students, a Girls Collegein Cairo with 1,000 students, four other girls'secondary schools and four primary and intermediateschools, a hospital in Tanta and one in Assiut, anda Girls' Orphanage in Abassia, and many other activities.The Peniel Mission is a small, interdenominational work located in Port Said. Their work isevangelistic and educational. Their school for morethan fifty years has been an agency for getting thegospel to hundreds of children. A greatly enlargedprayer group has resulted in marked spiritual awakenings and revival. They expressed the longing thatall missionaries and national workers could unite insoul-searching, importunate prayer for an outpouringof God's Spirit upon this spiritually dry Middle East.and its witness to the Lord. Since the first worldwar the policy has been to bring the Arab leadersinto places of responsibility, but this policy has beenthwarted in part by the steady emigration of manyof the leaders and laymen to other parts of theworld. One of the ways ofassisting the church wasby the development of the Larger Parish,whereseveral villages are under one pastor and have a unified Christian education program. One of the requests for prayer was, "That God might raise upfaithful young Arab pastors, willing to consecratetheir lives to the work of Christ in their own country."The Egypt General Mission was represented byMiss Sybil Webb. Their work is primarily amongMoslems. This Mission has about forty missionariesThe Presbyterian Mission in Lebanon was representedby Rev. H. T. LittleJohn. The work in Syria-Lebanon had its beginning as far back as 1825 butcame under the Presbyterian Board alone in 1870.Stations were founded at serveral points throughoutSyria and the Lebanon. The Mission has passedthrough wars, epidemics, and various crisis with theEvangelical Church gradually growing in numberworking in ten stations between Alexandria andHirz,near Minja. Their hospital atShebeen-el-Kanater has 140 beds, and 17,000 new cases havealready been seen this year in out patients. Everyeffort is made that all hear the Gospel by ward lessons, personal interviews, village visiting, conferences, work-classes, and Bible Vacation schools."Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the workCOVENANTER WITNESS

man?"way."of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance." Isa. 19 :25."Out in the darkness shadowed by sinSouls are in bondage, souls we must win,How can we win them ? how show the way ?Love never faileth. Love is HisAn inspiring missionary fellowship on Troodosthe first week in August, 1955, for theyin Christ Jesus their Saviour and Lord.were all oneThe Academy Annual 1954-55 is published bythe staff of the Academy Herald, and is dedicated"to our devoted, hard-working, conscientious teacherHutcheson."and sincere friend, Mr. T. M.The Director's page is written by W. W. Wier, O.B.E., B.A.,M.A., Ed.D., LL.D. The faculty of 30 is an impressivelooking body of men and women. The twenty-onegraduates would be a credit to any school in ourcountry. The new building is an attractive androomy looking structure of which the School canwell be proud. A large audience was present and important personages took part in the dedication ofthe new building last April 30. The Annual hassixty pages of pictures and descriptions of the various classes, and of the many varied activities of theSchool of 488 students. All in all it is a work ofwhich the graduating class may well be proud.FINANCIAL REPORTApril 1, 1955 Sept. 1, 1955RECEIPTSLiving Donors $9,172.97Bequests 1,875.00Dividends 109.90Transfer fr. JapanMissionary Acc't. 4,851.69Total Receipts $16,009.56EXPENDITURESTravel Expense $6,508.29Cyprus 3,106.83Syria 4,040.33Japan 3,475.00Home Base 144.31Miscellaneous 705.53Overdraft April 1,55 331.37Total Expenditures $18,311.66Overdraft Sept. 1, '55 $ 2,302.10Christian EducationBy Walter McCarroll, D.D.I have been asked to write a monograph onChristian Education with particular reference to itsbearing on our Mission Schools. The first questionthat arises is, What is Christian Education ? It is possible in thought to separate Christian Educationfrom organized schools of learning, and one mightsay that it is possible to receive a Christian education at home by being taught the Bible by Christianparents, and being brought up in an atmosphere ofprayer and worship and obedience to the Lord's willas revealed in His Word. We make our subject moredefinite by asking, What is a Christian School? Atfirst thought the answer seems easy and plain: AChristian school is one where the teachers are Christian, the Bible is taught regularly to each class, withregular chapel services in which God in Christ isworshiped.But further reflection leads to the conclusionthat a school may have the above requirements andstill not ibe a Christian school in its ultimate influence on the life of the student. With the above requirements such a school may turn out agnostics orunbelievers because it is a compartmentalized school.The Bible is in one ofmany departments and each department is taught according to the basic philosophyof that department. A Christian school is one wherethe Bible is at the center and each department drawsits basic philosophy from the Bible. Then there willbe no conflict between the department of Bible andthat of History, for example. History and Geographymay go back to the origin of the world and man'sbeginning on the earth. The Psalmist asked the question, "What is That question is asked andanswered in every school at some stage. What is theorigin and nature of man ? That is the real issue overwhich two world wars have been fought and that isNovember 2, 1955setting the stage for a third. When a government isset up on the basis of a doctrine that rejects God,and man is only a brute beast that has evolved byblind chance, then the nations that believe that manis a being created in the image of God and that freedom comes from Almighty God, must gird themselves to fight for their freedom.In a Christian school then the departments of Biology, Zoology, Anthropology, etc. will teach accordingto the Bible revelation of the origin of the universeand world, and of the origin and nature of man. Theteaching of any and all of the sciences may reveal thepower and wisdom of God in His universe, or it mayignore God entirely and leave the impression thatpower and wisdom come only from the mind of man.In the Bible department the student may learn aboutGod and His will, but in the department of science hemay learn that God is not at all necessary in theworkaday world. In the Bible department the studentmay learn about origins and ultimate realities according to Revelation, but in the department of Philosophy he may be presented with plausible theoriessuch as Monism, Materialism, Pluralism, each ofwhich will reject a personal God who has spoken toman, and who rules and governs in the affairs ofmen. Such contradictory teachings may be found inChurch Schools, but not in a genuine Christianschool.Furthermore Christian education must take account of evil in the world and in the hearts of men.Any system of education that denies an inheritedsinful nature, that teaches that the child is born innately good, and needs only a good example, goodsurroundings, and good teachings, cannot be Christian education. Christian education insists that thechild needs a new nature,and that new nature can293

come only from our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.Christian education then must impart a knowledgeof the nature and character of God as revealed in HisWord, and of man's essential relationship to God asa being created in His image and to that extent apartaker of divine nature, thus man is related toGod in a father and son relationship; that man byhis disobedience severed that relationship and set upself as an independent being. It still fails to be Christian education unless it imparts a knowledge of thePerson of Christ and of. His atoning death for thesins of the world, etc.The question now arises can Mission Schoolsthat have been established to give a general androunded education be genuine Christian schools?They receive pupils from varied religious backgrounds or of no religion at all. Are such schools freeto follow through with a system of genuine Christian education? They are free to teach the Bible inall classes. At least they were free previous to theworld revolution which has brought with it a rebellion against Colonialism and a resurgence of Nationalism. This has brought a limitation in Syria.But where there is such freedom there is no reasonwhy the Mission school cannot be a Bible-centeredschool in the meaning outlined above. Of course thatwill depend in large measure whether teachers canbe secured who are at the same time qualified toteach the subjects assigned and are genuine believers in the Bible revelation. Whether a Mission schooloffering a program of general education is equippedto teach properly concerning the problem of evil inthe world and of sin in the human heart and of theBible remedy for sin, is another question. It can ifall of its teachers are genuine evangelical Christians.If it is not possible to have all its teachers evangelicalChristians, what then ? Well, then it is an imperfectinstrument, but still an instrument that the HolySpirit can use so long as the total witness of theschool is a witness for Christ. So long as the Schoolkeeps the ideal before it and is constantly seeking forconsecrated teachers it is a school that the HolySpirit can use. There is always the temptation tocompromise, and the pressure to lower the standardfor the sake of a larger school or for more income,but that is true not only of a Mission school but ofall of us wherever we are.It must be remembered too that the Missionschool is an instrument for creating opportunities forthe Gospel. The itinerant evangelist is regarded withsuspicion, and doors are closed to him more quicklythan to others. The school opens a door not onlyto the mind and heart of the pupil but also to thehome from which he comes, and to the village inwhich his home is. Both would be completely closedto the itinerant evangelist if the school has not firstopened the door. Even where the school is not free toteach the Bible to all students it is still free for personal workers to present Christ in a winsome way.The Mission school is a place of opportunities. An advertisement of Westmont College has the question,"What make a College Christian?" The answer givenis, "It is the presence of Christ on a campus thatmakes a college genuinely Christian." What makesa Mission school Christian? It is the presence ofChrist in the school. If our schools in Syria and Cyprus have Christ in their midst then that is ampleauthority for their existence in the fulfilment of Hispurpose.294Greetings and Appreciation FromLatakiaBy Marjorie Allen SandersonDear Covenanter Friends,Greetings again from Latakia. After an absenceof about fourteen-and-a-half months we are glad tobe back in our second home in Syria and among thosewhom we love here. We see some changes here butnot as many as I had expected. I suppose that was bycontrast to the many changes we saw in the UnitedStates after an absence of six years, such as, children grown up, older friends snowing signs of ageor having passed away, etc.It was a real privilege and spiritual blessing tous to be home for the past year. We gained a betterperspective on our work here. We saw the manyproblems that confront the individual congregationsat home, thus realizing that not all the problemswere ours to solve ; as well as seeing many encouraging signs, such as interest in personal evangelism inour church at home. We gained new appreciation ofour church principles from our classes in our Seminary as well as helpful ideas and thoughts to passalong in our work here. It was fine to see old friendsagain and make new friendships. For all these thingswe are thankful to God, as well as His care over usin our travels to and from the United States andwithin it.We would like to express our thanks to the Synodical for the fine going away gift that was delivered to us on the boat before we sailed on September 9. It was pleasant to have the fellowship of MissMcElroy and to be able to join in family worship together each day. On the whole the passengers in ourclass on the "Andria Doria" were rather uninteresting, many of them being Italians who were returningfrom Canada to Italy either to visit or remain permanently. The lady in the cabin next to us told meshe hadn't seen her mother for twenty-six years. Atthat time she had left Italy for the U. S. as a bride.Another younger woman told me that her motherhad gone back to visit her former home, Italy, in1950 after an absence offorty years. She was greatlysurprised to find her young nieces smoking anddoing other things of which she did not approve, andfinally after two months there when her sisters became quite disgusted with her because she hadlowered herself (?) by helping the servant make thebed she decided to cut her year's visit short andwrote home to her children asking them to send herthe money to come home and writing, "I no likkaItaly."This girl said she was now going over to visither relatives and see for herself what it was like.We do "likka Syria" and are glad to be back.It was a realjoy to see Miss McClurkin on the dockin Beirut waving to us as we landed in Beirut onSeptember 23. We got our things through customswithout much trouble and up to the garage fromwhich cars leave for Latakia. Then we really knewwe were back in Syria, for we spent the better partof two hours arguing off and on about the price of acar to bring us and our luggage up to Latakia. Thegarage people did not want to keep their originalpromise as to amount charged and since there wasCOVENANTER WITNESS

esons'pital."anyway,"services."prosper."but one garage which sends cars here we had to fallinto the custom of the country and bargain and shoutjust like all true Syrians do. In the end we got all ourstuff and ourselves in a seven passenger De Soto,paid them a couple dollars more than the originalprice and I guess everyone was happy. At any ratewe weren't left in doubt that we were back in theNear East.Upon arriving in Latakia about seven p.m. wefound Mrs. Hutcheson waiting at the Girls' Schoolgate, as well as other friends, and it wasn't longthereafter until we were all seated around the Hutchdining room table for a good dinner of friedchicken and all that goes with it.Since then we have been busy getting our housestraightened around and the dust of a year sweptout. Kenneth has been trying to learn something ofwhich Mr. Haysthe details of running the bookroom,has formerly done. Eunice McClurkin and Mr. Hutcheson have been busy with school registrations. Itlooks as though our schools would be full ; however,it is still a little early to predict definitely. A fullstaff of teachers has been hired for both schools.Pray with us that these teachers may be consecratedChristian teachers seeking not only to impart bookknowledge to those under their care but also the loveof the Lord Jesus Christ.Today Miss McElroy and ourselves plan to holdopen house for our Syrian friends. Quite a lot havealready come to call, but more have realized we werebusy unpacking and getting straightened aroundand waited for this "official" time to call. This isquite a customery thing among both Syrians andAmericans to have special calling days for yourfriends.Some will be interested, I am sure, to know whathas happened to the young people whom we mentioned who had come out strongly for their Lordand Master. We haven't seen all of them yet, butthose whom we have, seem to be holding firm totheir beliefs and tell us good news of the others. Yesterday morning we had our first Intermediate Meeting at eleven a.m. following a couple of months or soof summer vacation. A goodly number turned out.The subject was "Our Heavenly Calling" from IITimothy 1:9. Church attendance yesterday had increased considerably over the week before for people are beginning to return from the villages wherethey had been summering: Rev. Awad went up withsome of the missionaries to Gunamea to preach inthe afternoon. A good crowd of attentive listenerswas present.One change we noticed upon our return was thenew Psalm books which are in use in the church.Due to the expense of printing and of paper, a bookof Psalm selections was printed and put into useabout the time of World War n. These copies hadbeen almost used up, so complete Psalm books wereagain ordered printed, in Arabic of course, and areagain used. We pray that this will increase the loveof the people for the Psalms.Kenneth and I wish to express our thanks to allour many friends for their love and kindness to usduring our furlough year and ask for your continuedprayers to the Lord of the harvest for the work herein Syria.November 2, 1955A MissionaryDoctor SpeaksBy William H. Chisholm, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.I.C.S.Independent Board Missionary to KoreaExcerpts from a manuscript, "In and Out of Korea"SIN UKIE -THE RENEWING OF THE MIND"Sin Ukie would like a job working in the hosIt was just one of the innumerable applications we received."We cannot take him," I replied, and thoughtwe had made a final and satisfactory decision in thematter.There seemed to be nothing in this young manto commend him for work in the hospital. He hadvery little education, having perhaps finished thefourth grade in the Japanese curriculum. He camefrom the poorest of the poor; in fact, his home wasoften referred to as the "dog kennel." Furthermore,he gave one the impression of being almost boorish,and his face wore a most stupid expression. My wife,who worked among the women concurred in the decision that we ought not to take this young manon our staff.Some time later we were urgently in need of anadditional worker and did not know whom to hire."Why don't you take Sin Ukie? He is working foryousaid one of our employees."What! Working for us? I haven't hired him,"I replied, remembering that as superintendent I hadthe responsibility of hiring the help."No, you haven't, but he is so anxious to workin a Christian atmosphere that he comes very earlyin the morning and is donating his"How is he doing ?" I inquired further."Splendidly,"replied the fellow worker.Since the lad was that anxious to work for us,we decided to give him a trial. He worked with ustwelve years. During that time he accomplished onefeat which seems almost incredible. He read theBible through one hundred and sixty times! He became our authority on the Bible. The Scriptures werethe very center of his life.But did he do anything else beside read theWord ? He certainly did. He became interested in ourlaboratory. I had sent men away to study laboratorytechnique in order that we might do the best possiblework for our patients. But Sin Ukie took to thiswork like a duck to water. His laboratory work wasmost thorough and dependable. Sin Ukie also becameinterested in our pharmacy. His work, there, too,was accurate and dependable and quick; better, Ifelt, than that of our staff druggist.Everything this lad put his hand to prospered.And after all, was not this to be expected? TheScriptures give a definite prescription for a successful life, and Sin Ukie had fulfilled the conditionslaid down therein. For in the first Psalm we are told,"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the councilof the ungodly, 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 hemeditate day and night. And he shall be like a treeplanted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forthhis fruit in his season ; his leaf also shall not wither ;and whatsoever he doeth shallThe first part of this prescription, verse one,295

movies?"can."page,"anything."deals with separation from sin. Sin Ukie certainlymet that requirement, as well as the second, versetwo, which deals with one's relationship to the Word.I remember on one occasion saying to him, "Sin Ukie,what do you think of the He was a manof incisive mind and great brevity of speech. Hereplied with only three words: "Of the devil."The Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of wisdomand understanding, did impart wisdom and understanding to this, by nature, most unpromising lad.But he did not do it by magic ; He did it by the oneagency through which he works. In Psalm 119, verse98, we read, "Thou through thy commandmentshast made me wiser than mine God enemies."gavethe psalmist wisdom, but He did it through theScriptures ; and if the psalmist had not been readingand meditating on the Word, the Lord would nothave been able to impart the wisdom he needed. SinUkie was saturating his life with the Bible, throughwhich the Spirit of God does His work. In the OldTestament the clean beast parted the hoof andchewed the cud. May it not be that the cleft hoofspeaks of the walk of separation from evil, and chewing the cud, meditation on the Word of God?As Sin Ukie continued to meet the conditions,the Spirit of God was doing something more in hislife. For the Apostle says in II Corinthians 3:18,"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glassthe glory of the Lord, are changed (transfigured)into the same image from glory to glory, even asby the Spirit of the Lord." The Mirror, as Jamestells us, is the Word. Inasmuch as Sin Ukie continued daily to gaze into that mirror, the Spirit ofGod was transforming even his appearance. Thestupid expression began to disappear, and underthe powerful influence of the Holy Spirit workingthrough the Scriptures, one of strength, power, andcharacter took its place. He finally became the mostuseful man we had on our regular hospital staff,and we made him secretary of the institution.[In the summer of 1948, God again called thisdevoted man back into active service. Living inNorth Korea, he had no knowledge of the whereabouts of the Chisholms, but through a remarkabledream twice repeated, felt he was being called toseek for them and join them in Christian work.At great sacrifice he and his family left all that theyhad, and after a long and difficult journey reachedSouthern Korea where he found to his delight hisold friend, Dr. Chisholm. With his great love for theBible, and his God-given knowledge of the Word,he was admirably fitted to work in the newly establish^ Bible Institute where his ministry is beingblessed.] Christian BeaconTHE AMERICAN ACADEMY'SSUCCESSFUL YEARSome of many all round activities of the American Academy, Larnaca, one of the largest Englishlanguage secondary schools on the Island are reviewed in the "Annual" published this week by the"Academy Herald" editorial staff.Established in 1908, the school has 488 studentsduring the 1954/55 academic year and a teachingstaff of 30.Highlight of the year was the completion of thenew school building at a cost of 27,500. Its dedication took place on April 30. The new buildingwill296be called the main building while the old one will beknown as Memorial Hall.AdviceOn the "Director's Dr. W. W. Wier,Director of the Academy offers some advice to graduating students.Supposing that some of them will be in a position to vote on the question of Larnaca's future as asea port. He advises them to support any plan to givethe town a modern harbour after Famagusta andLimassol have been modernized.On the subjects of Larnaca's suggested Casino,Dr. Wier says, What influence would be made onthe youth of Larnaca by the attractive presence ofidle, international gamblers? Character developedin honest toil is more valuable than money.Character is built by planning and reducing to aminimum the element of chance; it is weakened bydepending on chance as the chief factor in profit.Students spend as long as eight years at theAcademy. Some come from outside the Island, fromEgypt, Sudan, Turkey and Abyssinia. There are over130 boarders.The annual reports on athletic recreation andextra curricular activities such as drama, the scienceclub and the various brotherhoods.Trophies and prizes won by the Academy boysinclude the Cyprus Mail football shield and theCyprus Mail Essay Competition which was won byAndreas Hji Vassilious.The annual edited by Lazaros Sparsis, is thisyear dedicated to our devoted, hard working conscientious teacher and sincere friend, Mr. T. M.Hutcheson. Cyprus Mail.GLIMPSES .... from page 291as long as she is able to doSome years agoshe broadcast Bible lessons from a station in Omaha whereshe lived. After talking to the nurses on a Bible theme Dr.Gray told them they could ask him questions if they desired, and added, "If I cannot answer them my motherIf I remember correctly, Dr.once chosen Golden Mother of America.Gray's mother wasWhen parentstrain their children for Christ how little they know howfar the results of their training may extend, as in the caseof Mrs. Gray! Dr. Gray's wife has also been a Bible teacherin her church and on one or two occasions Mrs. Allen appreciated being in her class.Evangelism and MissionsEmphasis is being placed "upon Evangelism and Missionsat the present time both within and without our church.The reason I wrote a book on THE ACTS OF THEAPOSTLES was because none of the books to which I hadaccess emphasized the two great themes of THE ACTS,Evangelism and Missions, as the Book demanded. This Iattempted to do by messages and illustrations in the variouschapters. There are, of course, many other lessons in THEACTS which are brought out. I have some 200 volumesleft and am offering these at $1.00 per copy plus postage.The postage amounts to about 20 cents per copy.This book of 858 pages if printed today would haveto sell at from $6.00 to $8.00. It originally sold for $3.50.At this price of $1.00, almost giving the book away, I amhoping that each person or family may purchase a copyand that some may want additional copies for friends.Can you find a cheaperholiday gift of value? Look foran advertisement elsewhere in the Witness and note whateditors and other writers say of this book.COVENANTER WITNESS

praise."man?"name."name."ciples."Lesson Helps for the Week of November 20, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor November 20, 1955"O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD"(A Praise Meeting1)by Rev. D. Howard ElliottScripture: Psalm 136 and 145Psalms : The topical index of the Psaltergives a great number and a variety ofpraise Psalms. You may want to giveover most of the meeting to the singingof these Psalms. The Book ofPsalms is of course the book of praisein the Bible and for all time.Praise is a common subject to Christians. The world knows about praisealso, but in a different sense. The worldloves to be the object of praise as doesevery selfish heart. But the Christianlooks on the matter of praise as something to be given to God and not to besought after for one's personal glory.We may honor one another and saygood things of other people, but complete praise is due only unto the Lord.Praise is ordinarily granted unto onewho has been responsible for someworthy accomplishments; and who hasdone more that is good than the Lord?Praiseways of doing it.what is it, why do it, andWhat is praise? Praise is the bestowal of approval and honor upon another. When God is praised it amountsto worship and glorification, Psalm 50:23. People may receive some praise, butonly God is worthy of worship and ofbeing glorified.Why do we praise God? This is thechief purpose of mankind. To praise andto glorify mean very"What is the chief end ofmuch the same."Man's chief end is to glorify Godand to enjoy Him forever." The Lordsays in Isaiah 43:21, "This peoplehave I formed for myself; they shallshew forth myWe praise because it is a duty commanded by theLord. Rom. 13:7: "Render therefore toall their dues: tribute to whom tributeis due; custom to whom custom; fear towhom fear; honour to whom honour."Also read Psalm 150:1-6 which commands praise of the Lord. And surely wepraise the Lord not just because it iscommanded, but because we see, appreciate and are awed by His most wonderful works toward us and the world atlarge. Meditate for a few moments onwhat the Lord has done for you and theworld in general.Your heart cannothelp but be lifted up and your expres-November 2, 1955sions of thanks and praise pour forth.What are some ways of praising God?This is Thanksgiving week and the136th Psalm expresses one of the firstnormal reactions of men to the callto praise God. "O give thanks unto theLord."Thanksgiving and praise go handin hand. If one is truly thankful, he willalso praise the Lord. The following references show the relationship of thanksgiving and praise: Psalm 69:30; 95:1, 2;100:4; 105:1-3.In praising God we are likely to thinkimmediately of singing unto Him withthe Psalms. Psalm 47:6, 7 says, "Singpraises to God, sing praises : sing praisesunto our King, sing praises. For God isthe King of all the earth : sing ye praiseswith understanding."Therefore if thesinging is to be real praise, it must bedone with an understanding of the wordsused. It is possible that some of oursinging may be done for the sake of thetune and of making harmony. Such isnot true praise. Again the Psalmist says,66:1, 2, 4, "Make a joyful noise untoGod all ye lands: sing forth the honourof his name: make his praise glorious.All the earth shall worship thee, andshall sing unto thee; they shall sing tothyHere is a listing of Psalms that singof God's praise : for His goodness to IsraelPsalms 46, 48, 65, 66, 68, 76, 81,85, 98, 105, 124, 126, 129, 135, 136; forHis goodness to righteous men Psalms23, 24, 36, 91, 100, 103, 107, 117, 121;for His goodness to individuals Psalms9, 18, 22, 30, 40, 75, 103, 108, 116, 118,138, 144; for His attributes Psalms 8,19, 22, 24, 29, 33, 47, 50, 65, 66, 76, 77,92, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 104, 111, 113,114, 115, 134, 139, 147, 148, 150.God is to be praised with our speechas well as with singing. Ps. 35 :28, "Mytongue shall speak of thy righteousnessand of thy praise all the day long." Wecall this witnessing and giving of testimony unto others. Heb. 13:15 says, "Byhim therefore let us offer the sacrificeof praise to God continually, that is,the fruit of our lips giving thanks to hisGod is praised by our act of worshipwhether it be rendered in private devotions, in family worship or in the church.Of course the worship must not be inoutward form only, but must come fromthe heart, and when that happens, theoutward forms will not be neglected.Luke 24:52, 53, "And they worshipedhim, and returned to Jerusalem withgreat joy: and were continually in thewhichtemple, praising and blessing God."God is praised by our good worksmay also cause others to praiseGod. Matt. 5:16, "Let your light so shinebefore men that they maysee your goodworks and glorify your Father which isin heaven." Read also in this connectionMatthew 25:37-40. And in close association with the subject of good works isthe subject of fruit bearing which is alsoa means of praising God. John 15:8:"Herein is my Father glorified, that yebear much fruit; so shall ye be my disThe ways of praising God are numerous, of course, but every Christianought to look carefullyenough at thesubject to be certain that he is praisingGod in some ways; and the more ways,the better.JUNIOR TOPICNovember 20, 1955"GOD GIES VICTORY"Marjorie MitchelGlenwood, MinnesotaScripture Text Judges 7:9-25Memory VerseJudges 7:14 "This isnothing else save the sword of Gideonthe son of Joash, a man of Israel : forinto his hand hath God deliveredMidian,and all thehost."(Even the enemy realized that the power of God was working in a man of Hischoosing.)PsalmsMemory Psalm for November Psalm118, p. 284, vs. 10-12, 17, 18, 20.Recite all verses memorized of thisPsalm at this meeting.Psalm 106, page 260, vs. 1-4Psalm 136, page 334, vs. 1-4, 12, 13Psalm 45, page 116, vs. 1-4Psalm 148, page 357, vs. 1, 4, 5References Prov. 21:21; 22:4; Ps. 73:23-26; 55:22; 20:5, 6; Job 5:17; Isaiah50:7; 61:10, 11; 65:24; 64:4CommentsThe Lord had kept the army of theIsraelites small, just 300 men, to helpthem remember to give the Lord creditfor any victory. As you remember, thearmy of the Midianites was still 120,000men. When something goes real wellthat you have done, don't you feel verygood and a little bit proud? The Lordwas afraid they would be so proud thatthey would forget the Lord Himself,so He took away many men so the armywould be convinced that they could notwin alone.God came to Gideon at night tellinghim that now is the time to go down inthe valley against the Midianites, for Hewould give them victory. If Gideon was297

ground."play"side?"afraid to go alone, he could take hisservant along and the Lord said that thethings they would overhear would givehim courage to fight.Gideon and his servant slid down thehillside very secretly in the dark, creeping nearer to the camp of the Midianites.Then they heard two men talking together in a tent and one man said, "Ihad a dream and in that dream I sawa loaf of barley bread come tumblingdown the hillside into our camp, and ithit the tent so that it toppled over andfell flat to theThen the other man said, "That dreamhas a meaning. That loaf of bread meansthe sword of Gideon and his soldiers, forthe Lord has given all Midian into hishand."This was an example of how asmall loaf of bread (meaning Gideon'smen) could knock a whole tent down(meaning Midianites).But wasn't that something for a manof Midian to say? How did he know?Maybe he had heard an Israelite soldiersay this. After Gideon had heard this, hewas much braver and he and the servantcrept carefully back up the hill to theircamp.Gideon then worshiped God and nodoubt was very, very thankful. Then hecommanded his troop to "Arise, for theLord hath delivered into your hand theMidianites."He divided the 300 men into 3 companies and put a trumpet in each man'shand and gave them each empty pitchers with lamps inside the pitchers, sothat their lights would not be seen.Now theywere ready! In the middleof the night Gideon and his 300 bravemen slipped down the hillside without asound. They had to be very careful andstill so they could come to the very edgeof their camp.One hundred went to one side, another hundred on the other side, andone hundred went behind the camp.They were so quiet that none of thesleeping soldiers awoke to give an alarm.Then all of a sudden Gideon gave thesignal. He put the trumpet to his lipsand gave a war crywith it. He threwhis pitcher on the rocks with a crashand waved his torch light and cried,"The sword of the Lord and of Gideon."Right awayall 300 trumpets blaredout around the camp, 300 pitchers wentcrashing on the rocks, and 300 torchesflared out in the dark and 300 menshouted, "The sword of the Lord and ofGideon."The sleepy Midianites awoke andwere very afraid. Theysaw all thetorches on all sides with strange soldiers. They were still so tired andthought that a large army had invaded298and they wanted first to save themselves. They were so mixed up in thedarkness that they became wild andwere killingeach other instead of theIsraelites in Gideon's army.Gideon sent messages to men he hadsent home to have them run after theMidianites who had run away towardthe Jordan river. One hundred andtwenty thousand had already been killedby swords. On the other side of theriver were 15,000 men with two kings.Gideon didn't want to leave any, so hecrossed the river.Gideon continued to win great battles,but always in the name of the Lord andnot in his own strength. The Lord usesour strength and talents, too, but onlyas we are willing to let Him use themand to live pleasing lives before Him.Our title "God gives Victory" can beused in referring to the game of life inthe experiences of a Christian boy andgirl. How do you feel when you are onthe winningside of a ball game atschool? I'm sure you are very happy,you want to talk about it, and maybeyou think you are a little better thanthe boys and girls who lost. But didyou ever think about the victory thatGod gives: It's one that we can be sojoyful in and talk about, but we can'tconsider ourselves better than everyoneelse. This is because this victory is agift and we didn't earn it or even deserve it. Our lives were full of sin and"baduntil that wonderful timewhen we took God's gift and victory(His Son, Jesus Christ) into our heartsand asked Him to take awayour sinsand give us constant victory that countsevery day for Him in this importantgame of life we each must play.Each day we will have either small orlarge battles to fight, because Satandoes his best to make you a prisoner onhis side. So we must pray all the timethat we will be loyal and fight hard forour great King of kings and Lord oflords, and, with His helpthat He haspromised, we will be victorious everytime. Boys and girls, think about itand each one answer this question, "AmI on the winningNotebooks1. Each one might list as many "battles"as possible that has or could happen to a Christian. (Such as, honesty inschoolwork, losing tempers, taking somemoney or something belonging to someone else, helpingat home, etc.)2. Show how the Christian can havevictoryin each.3. Find verses where God promiseshelp or giving victory to those who wantit. (Such as some of references givenabove.)SABBATHSCHOOL LESSONNovember 20, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on International Sunday SchoolLessons : the International Bible LessonB forChristian Teaching,copyrighted by the International Council of Eeligious Education.)EVIDENCE OF JESUS' POWERLuke 7; 8:22-56Printed Text, Luke 7:11-23Memory Verse, Luke 7:22: "Go andtell John the things that ye have seenand heard; the blind receive their sight,the lame walk, the lepers are cured, thedeaf hear, and the dead are raised up,the poor have good tidings preached tothem."The events of this lesson take placealong the north border of Samaria,about five miles south of Nazareth. Jesus was performing many miracles, andmany people were following him.John the Baptist was in prison. Hisdisciples had been watching Jesus andreporting the marvelous things He wasdoing. John sent two of his disciples toask Jesus if He was indeed the Messiah.Jesus told them to tell John what theysaw Him do. They had probably arrivedin time to see the miracle with whichthis lesson opens.The Raising of the Widow's SonWithout question there were two thatChrist raised from the dead; Luke tellsus that the widow's son was dead. Christsaid that Lazarus was dead. But in thecase of"She is notJairus'dead."daughter, Jesus said,It was those wholaughed Him to scorn who knew (?)that she was dead. Jesus' answer to thedisciples of John might appear to referto other such miracles,not recorded.That the widow and her son wereprominent people is shown by the factthat much people were with her. However willing they were, theycould nothelp. If she had been in need of food orclothing, theycould have supplied herquickly. A widow bereaved of her onlyson was not thinking of those things.It was different with Jesus. When Hesaw her, He had compassion on her.How often we are told that He hadcompassion on those who were inneed! A need that only He could supply,and always His compassion was active.We are not told if this widow had anyformer knowledge of Christ. It is possible that she was one of the true children of God, either waiting in faith forthe coming of the Messiah, or havingfound Him in the Christ, had acceptedHim in faith. Christ may have come toher in answer to her prayer for help. Wehave no record of anyone asking Christto raise one from the dead. Christ answered prayers exceedingly beyond whatwas asked or even hoped for. He saidCOVENANTER WITNESS

not."church."to the widow,"WeepThen Hecalled the young man to life, and gavehim to his mother.Fear came upon the people, and theyglorified God. Their conclusion was truethat this was a great prophet that hadcome from God. Some saw more thanthat; they believed that Christ not onlycame from God, but that He was God.That was believingunto salvation.Christ and John the BaptistWe are told very little of the acquaintance of these two. They met at the Jordan as though they knew each otherwell. John knew and testified thatChrist was the Messiah.His parentsknew of the work for which John wasborn, and surely they told John aboutit. John was not the only one that wascalled from the wilderness to take uphis great work. He seemed to know whoChrist was before he saw the sign thathad been given him. It surely was hardfor him to understand his imprisonment,and the reports of the marvelous worksof Jesus that were brought to him wereprobably very different from what hehad expected from the Messiah. John'simprisonment would seem even morestrange to his disciples. Perhaps it wasto strengthen their faith that John sentthem to ask Jesus a fair question, andJesus gave them a fair answer.There is little said of Christ's powerto do miracles. There is much said ofwhat He did. Miraculous power is not athing to be claimed. It is to be proven.There are few records either in Old orNew Testament of men being raisedfrom the dead. Those so raised, muststill meet death on the way to the resurrection. It is appointed to all menonce to die, and after that the resurrection. Sickness is not a universal affliction. Many asked Christ for healing forthemselves or their friends, and Hehealed many.That did not interferewith the general plan of Life. The raising of the dead has raised many questions that are too deep for us to solve.Christ faced death for us, that He mightlead us through death to the resurrection of life.The purpose of John in sending hisdisciples to Christ might be made moreclear by noticing what Christ said ofJohn. Repeatedly, Jesus rebuked Hisdisciples for their lack of faith, thoughthey were only disciples, learners. Johnwas in a class by himself. He was theherald that announced the coming ofthe Messiah. Surely if he had shownfear, Christ would have rebuked him.Christ did not suggest that there wasany lack of faith shown in John's question, but instead He spoke of John inthe highest possible terms.November 2, 1955There seems to be a paradox in whatChrist said of John. There had not been agreater than John. Yet among those inthe Kingdom of God, the least one wasgreater than John. There have been several explanations offered. Let us lookat Christ's own definition of greatness.Christ looked at man's definition whichHe took from the very thoughts of Hisdisciples. Would we not agree with thedisciples? Was not the one who sat atmeat greater than his servant? We usedto see the well-dressed man standingagainst the wall while a ragged littleboot-black polished his shoes.In ourrating of society, one was at the topand the other at the bottom. Which?Christ pointed out that the onewho served was the greater. So Christwho rendered the greatest service to all,is the greatest of all. He was the leastaccording to man's estimate, but thegreatest in fact. We approach greatnessby becoming like Him.The disciples strove among themselves as to which of them should bethe greatest. That is, the greatest ascompared with each other. John compared himself only with Christ. He sawno value in his own life, other thaninsofar as he could make Christ known.He must fade, in order to show the preeminence of Christ. He could not standbetween the people and Christ. In prison? Not one word of complaint. His onlyquestion, interest, is in Christ. Accordingto Christ's rating there may be othersas great, but none greater than John,except Christ who humbled Himself thatHe might become the servant of all,even the lowest.In our study of Jesus' power, is therea greater evidence than His power toproduce a man like John?PRAYER MEETING TOPICNovember 23, 1955THE AMENS OF JESUS (No. 11)THE MEASURE OF LIBERALITYComments by Rev. John O. EdgarPsalms61:1-4, page 15149:1, 4, 7, 8, page 12537:14, 22-24, page 9350:7-11, page 128Scripture Passage: Mark 12:41-44Scripture References: Prov. 11:24; IJohn 3:17; Prov. 3:9; II Cor. 8:12; IIKings 12:9Perhaps more spiritual failures havebeen caused by the wrong use of moneythan from any other single cause. Paulwrote, "The love of money is the root ofall evil."We may go through history,both Biblical and secular and we willdiscover that desire for material gainhas been involved in almost every warthat has been fought. It is not surprisingthat Jesus has so much to say aboutmoneyuse.and property and their properThe incident of the poor widow bringing her gift to the temple took place onthe last day of our Lord's earthly ministry. Sitting by the treasury of thetemple He saw the rich bringing theirgifts and presentingthem in a mannerthat would call attention to the gift.But when the poor widow came it wasin such a spirit of humility and generosity that Jesus was led to exclaim,"Verily (Amen) (Truly) this poor widow cast in more than all they that werecasting into the treasury."I. THE GIVERNo details are given as to whom thisperson may have been. It would havebeen entirely contrary to the spirit ofthe woman if the Gospel writers hadidentified her. We onlyknow that shewas a widow and that she was poor.1. She Gave In HumilityMany coming to the temple weredressed in costly apparel, designed toattract the eyes of men. When they deposited their money in the brass funnel-shaped mouth of the chest, it wasdone so there would be a resounding"clink."This was the very kind of giving Jesus had warned against in the Sermon of the Mount when He said, "Whenthou doest thine alms, do not blow atrumpet."The poor widow had grasped the spiritwhich says, "Let not thy left hand knowwhat thy right hand doeth." It is possible that she may have gone to thetemple in a furtive spirit because herclothes were not in keepingwith thoseof others. But unlike many in our generation she did not make the excuse,"My clothes aren't good enough to go toShe might also have hesitatedto go because her gift was small incomparison to that which othersbrought. But even this did not keep heraway. How happyshe must have beenwhen the Lord himself took knowledgeof her gift!2. She Gave ofHer PenuryWe do not know why she was so poor.Probably it was due to misfortune rather than indolence. People who have adeep love for the Lord's work such asthis woman had are not inclined to beidlers. Furthermore the Lord rewardsthose who are liberal with Him, andthe means are provided for daily bread.We do not know whether the womanhad children to support, but if she did itwould speak the more stronglyfaith.of herIt is not alone the rich that may bemiserly and grasping; the poor may beequallyguilty. Whether one's posses-299

sury."erality"all"giver"sions are many or few he has an obligation of stewardship. Not infrequently weread of people who have lived as paupers and theywere looked upon with abject pity. But when they died it wasdiscovered that they had money inbanks, or not trusting banks, wouldhave it stored away in an old trunk orbeneath the attic floor.But this widow was not that kind of aperson. Although she had little to giveshe was ready to bestow it upon someone whose need was greater than herown. Her gift was a sacrificial gift and atrue act of self-denial. Sometimes wehave "self-denial" offerings and it is debated whether those who give truly denythemselves. But there can be no doubtthat this woman gave a self-denial offering.3. She Gave in FaithThe widow probably didn't knowwhere she would get her next meal, butshe had trusted the Lord before and hadfound Him faithful. She had learnedto pray, "Give us this day our dailybread" and believed that the Lord wouldgrant her petition. The widow of Zarephathat the time of the great droughtin Israel used the last of her meal tobake a cake for the prophet Elijah. Andwe are told that the "jar of meal wastedfail."not, neither did the cruse of oilR. G. LeTourneau was heavily in debt.He felt led to pledge $5,000 to missions,believing that the Lord would enablehim to meet his pledge. He not only paidhis pledge but was able to pay off his indebtedness as well.A Sabbath School missionary of theNorthwest was trying to raise money fora church library. Money was scarce, butfinally a man said he would give $5that he had been saving to buy a swarmof bees. He would get along without thebees some way. Later in the week whenthe missionary called on the man, theman came running to tell him that uponreturning torn church he had found avery large swarm of bees over the doorof his house and that he had had to remove the bees before he could open thedoor.The Lord rewards those who give infaith, believing. The reward may not always be so spectacular as in the abovementioned cases, but one who gives outof a true heart is not unblessed by God.II. CHRIST'S OBSERVATIONSeeing the woman's spirit of love andself-denial, Jesus was led to exclaim,"Verily she hath cast in more than allthey that were casting into the trea1. God Is More Interested in the GiverThan the GiftThe woman had brought only two300mites. It would take five of them toequal a penny in our money. Shebrought two coins of little value but shebrought all. As Paul wrote to the people at Corinth, "Every man according ashe purposeth in his heart, so let himgive, not grudgingly or of necessity, forGod loveth a cheerful (II Cor.9:7). The members of the Macedonianchurch were among the poorest of theChristians but they were also among themost liberal. Paul speaks highly of themwhen he writes, "that in a great trialof affliction the abundance of their lib(II Cor. 8:2, 3).2. God Is Able to Multiply Small GiftsFive loaves and two small fishes wereall that a boy had to offer to Jesus. Buthe was able to multiply them and feed amultitude. The Kingdom is not dependent upon a few large gifts from therich but the many small gifts of thepoor. It is not always the amount ofseed sown that counts, but the qualityof the seed.Seeds sown in dry soil may not thrivebecause there is no moisture. But if thesoil is irrigated the seed will sprout andabound. Perhaps the reason we have notgotten larger returns on our investmentin the work of the kingdom is becausethe seed has not been sufficiently watered by prayer.3. God Still Sits over against theTreasuryAs Christ watched the people bringtheir gifts to the temple, so He looksdown upon men as they bring their giftstoday. He does not demand that we"cast inas the widow did, but Hedoes desire that our gifts shall be accompanied by the same sacrificial loveand devotion as the woman had. Thereal problem is not how much we shouldgive (we believe the tithe is required)but how little we can conscientiouslykeep for ourselves. We are entitled touse that which is necessary for the usualdemands of life. The real question is:How much may we take for ourselvesthat is over and above the necessities?Some people give in accordance withwhat others are giving. Let it never besaid that they did not give as much astheir neighbors. The rich man and thepoor man will pay the same amount fora sack of potatoes or a new automobile,but it does not follow that the rich manshould pay the same as the poor manfor the support of the church.The Lord loves those who give without thought of being seen by men.Twelve years ago a new Mennonitechurch was built at Croghan, New York.The contractor who built the church,and who was a member of the congregation, related that he was told tobuild a church. No effort was made toget subscriptions for a building fund.But when the church was completed thecongregation met to pay for the church.Blank slips of paper were passed out andeach one was asked to write on thepaper the amount he would subscribefor the church. No names were signed.When the slips were collected it wasfound that all except a very smallamount had been pledged. The pledgeswere paid directly to the contractor. Hewas the only one in the congregationthat knew what anyone had given. Buthe did not know about all the gifts, formany of them had been received by hissecretarynot to enter anyamounts received.and she had been instructednames beside theWe do not suggest that this planwould work in every congregation, butit is a fine example of giving heartilyunto the Lord and not to be seen of men.Thought Suggestions1. Should we have "Every MemberCanvasses"in our churches or shouldour giving be entirely upon a voluntarybasis?2. Is it a good thing to publish listsshowing the amount which each memberof the church contributes?3. To what extent is a poor man obligated to contribute to the Lord's work?4. If a rich man gives the tithe faithfully, will he have met all the demandsupon his stewardship?Prayer suggestion:Have all the prayers center in our giving. Pray that we may have the truespirit of liberality. Pray for the financialneeds of the local congregation; of Synod's Budget with its various departments. Pray for the deacons or trusteesadminister thethat they may faithfullyLord's money.W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor.Prayer Hour. 1:00 P.M. MondaySynodicalTheme ARISE AND BUILDIn spite of many difficulties Miss RoseHuston prepared the temperance story"I will not Drink" from Mrs. Anna Mc-Kelvy's book, "TAUGHT OF THELORD"and 2000 copies were printed inJapanese in tract form. Her first orderfrom a high schoolasked for the entire 2000 copies. A second 2000 copieswere printed at once. These are beingused in the schools of Japan. Pray thatmuch will be accomplished through thisbook.COVENANTER WITNESS

Hrs. Anna McKelvy, Glen Sandfield,Ont, Canada, is writing the NationalTemperance Study Course Lessons forJuniors for 1956. They are studied byschool children in Canada, Bermuda, etc.Pray that the Lord will bless Mrs. McKelvy in this endeavor and that manychildren in many lands may be helpedher work.byHave you gotten your copy of "Taughtof the Lord" by Mrs. Anna McKelvy,yet? Watch for further announcementfrom the committee soon!Notes from a letter from Miss Carlene Hutcheson, Troodus, Cyprus.All have been busy in summer campthis summer. Miss Blanche McCrea arrived safelyabout the first of September. Miss Ruth Reade is recoveringnicelyfrom her accident. The missionforce were going down to Larnaca andNicosia the first part of September forre-opening of schools. It is most inspiring to read of our mission work as written by a high school girl of the American Academy, Larnaca, Cyprus.SynodicalDear Iva: Since Grinnell I have done alot of thinking about our theme, "Ariseand Build." I wish I could do somethinglike those good women. They are 'thesalt of theearth'like Jesus talkedabout. I seldom get to our society.Once they asked me on a committee butI just couldn't, because the women heredo not like me. Wish I could see you.Sincerely, Ineeda FriendDear Ineeda: Your letter moves medeeply. You saythose good women atGrinnell are salt. So must we all be salt.Their salt made you thirsty to ARISEAND BUILD. But you are salt too, because you make me thirsty to ARISEAND BUILD too. Every day I see women thirsty thirsty and they need afriend too. I love your name because itexpresses the thirst of Everywoman.Let us pray God to help us make everywoman thirsty to ARISE AND BUILD.Till we write again,The 1955-56sists of:A REMINDERIva HeartSynodical project con1. Paying the balance of $200.00 for Indian station wagon.2. Purchasing for seminary a gas heater for a class room and carpets forhalls (18x18 ft.) and (9x9).The heater has been donated by RossLatimer, Emporia, Kansas (Eskridge),with the Synodical paying the freight.Keep these goals in mind and pleasesend in your contributions promptly tomeet these needs.Syn. Pres.November 2, 1955Mrs. A. J. McFarlandChurch NewsPLEASE SIGN YOUR ASSIGNMENTSIt is nice to get credit for things welldone, especially when it is not of yourdoing. The Prayer Meeting Topic forWednesday, Oct. 19 has been charged tomy account. It should have been charged to the account of Rev. Walter McClurkin of Coldenham. Would youplease make this correction?Thank you,Charles SterrettORLANDOThe Orlando C.Y.P.U. sponsored awell planned day of activity on LaborDay, September 5. The Congregationwas invited to a camp near Orlando fora day packed with water skiing, swimming, boating, horse shoes, and afternoonrelay games. The daywas climaxed with a chicken dinner at 6 :00p.m. The Young People then closed theouting with a period of devotionals. Certainly it can be said that real fun andfellowship can be found with Christianfriends.The Orlando Congregation had theprivilege of hearing Licentiate RaymondJoseph preach on August 28, the morningservice. Rev. Kenneth G. Smithpreached that evening and the followingSabbath morning. Jack Oliver led prayer meeting a study of Genesis 3 August 31.The C.Y.P.U. held a business meetingat the home of its sponsors, Mr. andMrs. John Bayless, September 13. Theelection of officers was the main business. The officers chosen were as follows: President, Alan Windham; VicePresident, Edith Price; Recording Secretary, Anna Belle Donahue; and Treasurer, Alan Dudley.The Young People's Sabbath SchoolClass had a bowling party September 17.A three hour study on Personal Evangelism was conducted by Rev. SmithSeptember 19, 26, and October 3. Allwho attended feel more sure of themselves and the way to use every opportunity we have to witness for our Lord.The home of Dr. Mrs. Wm. E. Dill wasthe scene for a Psalm Sing, October 2.This was another session with the aimin mind of singing twenty-five pages atthe time to familiarize ourselves withthe tunes of the Psalms.SMITH-SCOVELLDr. Alvin W. Smith officiated at thewedding of his daughter, Sarah Barbarato First Lt. Rolf Sanford Scovell, sonof Mrs. Anne L. Scovell of Washington,D. C. and the late Robert J. Scovell,Saturday, August 27.Assisting Dr. Smith and presentingthe program of nuptial music was thebrother of the bride, Kenneth Smith.Miss Alice Smith was her sister's onlyattendant.Best man was First Lt. David S.Doyle, and ushers were First Lt. CharlesW. McCausland, First Lt. David L.Oakes, First Lt. Norman M. Winter,and First Lt. Walter J. Bacon Jr.Following the reception which washeld in the church parlor, Lt. and Mrs.Scovell left for a wedding trip to Ft.Lauderdale and Key West, Florida.They will be at home after September10 at 2108 Hillcrest, Valdosta, Georgia.SMITH-JOSEPHDr. Alvin W. Smith officiated at thewedding of his daughter, Alice Muriel,to Raymond P. Joseph, son of Mr. andMrs. Raymond P. Joseph of Hopkinton,Iowa, Saturday, September 3.Rev. Kenneth G. Smith, brother of thebride presented the program of nuptialmusic.Miss Smith was given away by hertwin brother, Alvin W. Smith, Jr.Mrs. R. S. Scovell, sister of the bride,was the only attendant.Best man was Mr. Thomas Joseph andushers were Messers. Jack Oliver, Lt.Rolf S. Scovell, Wm. E. Dill, and DonaldWindham.Following the reception which washeld in the church parlor Mr. and Mrs.Joseph left for a wedding trip to Washington, D. C. and New England. TheJosephs will be at home in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, where Mr. Joseph willcontinue his theological studies.BELLE CENTERA good delegation from the BelleCenter congregation attended the sessions of Camp Covamikoi either full orpart time. We were honored in havingthe very efficient president, Mrs. AliceTempleton Barbour,from our group.Her brother, Robert Templeton, waselected president of next year's camp.The first week in September, the devotional services over the Bellefontaineradio station, WOHP, were conductedby Dr. M. K. Carson and by ProfessorDavid M. Carson, each speaking on threemornings. The Orpheus Choir recording301

of the 23rd Psalm was used each morning as a theme song and received manyfavorable comments.On Saturday, September twentyfourof the Belle Center folk spent a3,fineday of fellowship in the home of Rev.and Mrs. W. J. Sanderson in Utica, fora farewell visit with Kenneth and Marjorie who were on their way to theirfield in Latakia. Kenneth is claimed asone of the Belle Center "boys" and holdsa large place in the hearts of the people in the congregation and community.Miss Marjorie Sanderson, director ofnursing in Miami Valley Hospital inDayton, Ohio, received an outstandinghonor in being awarded for this year, astudy fellowship in the graduate schoolof Teacher's College, Columbia Universityand will spend this year's leave ofabsence in New York City.Arthur McClure, a fourth year student at Geneva, is spending this semester at home, attending Ohio NorthernUniversity in Ada, Ohio. He expects toreturn to Geneva for the second semester. R. H. Reed and W. J. Keys, provisional session of the Cincinnati congregation, assisted the pastor, Rev. T.F. Harsh in communion services on October 2. Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Keys accompanied their husbands.Mrs. Agnes Templeton recently celebrated her ninetieth birthday and washappy to have with her in honor of theoccasion, Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Murphyand Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Barbour, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Templetonis the niece of Rev. William Milroy, whoa century ago was pastor of the Northwoodcongregation.Mrs. Cameron Patterson, BeaverFalls, Pennsylvania, was a recent visitorin the home of her father, Mr. T. W.Funk, who recentlyBirthday.BLOOMINGTONpassed his 88thSeveral of our members have been unable to attend church because of illness.Mrs. Paul Kennedy is in the hospitalfor observation. Mr. George Mcllhinnyhas been inthe hospital for severalweeks. Mrs. Bert Mcllhinny and Mrs.Clarence Latimer have been confined totheir homes because of illness. FreddieCurry, son of Robert Curry, Jr., hasbeen ill. John Cameron Jackson is inthe hospital for surgery.Rev.Robert Tweed of the Genevachurch assisted with our communionservices October 16. We found his messages most helpful.A work night was held October 10 toclean the church. Members broughtsandwiches and coffeeserved by the Work Committee.and tea wereBecause of unfavorable weather, theannual church picnic was held in the302basement of the church September 26.We were pleased to have so many attend.Mrs. John Jackson has been appointedSupervisor of the Nursery Department.We extend a welcome to Mr. and Mrs.James Dixon, Mrs. Tommie Faris, andMrs. John C. Jackson, who were accepted into the fellowship of our congregation during the communion season.Recent visitors were Mr. and Mrs.Dale Russell of Santa Fe, New Mexico.ALLEGHENYCheryl Ann Gerstner, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Henry W. Gerstner was baptized October 6, 1955 by our Pastor.Mrs. Kermit S. Edgar who was recently Elected President of the Allegheny County branch of the W.C.T.U.attended the State Convention of thePennsylvania W.C.T.U. in Bradford, Pa.,for a few days.Our Congregation observed the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper October 15.The Assistant was Dr. John BurtonThwing, of Youngstown, Ohio. Dr.Thwing came into the Fellowship ofthe Covenanter Church last August.We were happy to welcome into membership of our Congregation the MissesMary and Emma McFarland by letterfrom the Topeka, Kansas, Congregation,and Miss Ella Margaret Stewart fromthe New Concord Congregation.Our Congregation has enjoyed theFellowship of the Central-PittsburghCongregation in the closing Services ofOur Communions.We are glad to welcome Rick Georgeback into civilian life, as he has completed his Military Training.Mr. and Mrs. John W. Anderson Jr.,and family have taken up residence inBeaver Falls, Pa. We are sorry to seethem go from our midst.GREELEYThe Rev. Herbert Hays was thespeaker at the Thank-offering meetingof the Missionary Societies on Wednesday evening, October 12.Following achurch-night supper, Mr. Hays pointedout the development of our missionarywork as a whole, and then gave us aninsight into the work in Syria.A new Blue Banner with the inscription "For Christ's Crown and Covenant"was presented to the congregation bythe Young People and dedicated on Sabbath morning, October 16. Our Pastorspoke of the history of the Banner andof its continuing significance to theChurch today.On Sabbath evening, October 16, weunited with the Denver congregation atthe closing service of their CommunionSeason. It was helpful to us to fellowship with a sister congregation; we alsogained more knowledge of our SyrianMission through the pictures and message of the Rev. Herbert Hays. We joinwith the Denver people in their sorrowat the passing of Mr. Herbert Martin.ROSE POINTThe members of Rose point congregation enjoyed a communion season onOctober 9, with Dr. Robert Park ofBeaver Falls as assistant. He preachedthe Thursday and Friday evenings preceding, and Mercer congregation joinedwith us in the Sabbath evening service.We had the pleasure of meeting Dr.and Mrs. John Thwing of Youngstownat the morning service on October 2. Dr.Thwing assisted that day in communionat Mercer and Rose Point joined themfor the Sabbath evening service.A newcomer to the congregation is adaughter born to Mr. and Mrs. ClydeGraham, on Thursday, September 29.Our pastor, Rev. T. R. Hutcheson, administered the sacrament of baptism toDale Richard, son of Mr. and Mrs. RoyBessell during our communion season.The new oil heater recently installedin the church is a great improvement.Both missionary societies arebusilypreparing to send boxes of clothing andarticles for the bazaar to the SouthernMission.Our pastor is assisting in communionin the midwest October 16 and 23.. Students from the Seminary, Robert Fullerton and Donald Felker, are preachingduring his absence.Mrs. T. R. Hutcheson and Miss MaryJane Wilson attended a meeting of theExecutive Committee of the PittsburghPresbyterial recently held in Pittsburgh.On the afternoon of the same day theyassisted the Woman's Association withDonation Day at our Aged People'sHome.A Junior meeting is held regularly onSabbath evenings at the same hour asthe adult meeting. The sponsors areMrs. T. R. Hutcheson and Mrs. WalterMcElwain.Mr. and Mrs. Harry McElwain haverecently become the parents of a son,named David Mark. Their daughter,Linda, because of bronchial trouble, ishaving to move with her parents to adryer climate. They are preparing tomove to Arizona about November 10.LOS ANGELESOn August 21, Mr. and Mrs. ClarenceWalker became the proud parents of ababy girl, Donna Lee. Congratulations!Dr. and Mrs. E. G. Russell left September 15 to take up the work of"stated supply" in the Chicago congregation. They are greatly missed by theLos Angeles folks and we appreciatevery much the wonderful work theyCOVENANTER WITNESS

marrieds"overnight,"country,"have done in our midst and we prayGod's richest blessing on them and theChicago folks as they work together.On Friday evening, September 16, areception was held in our church forour pastor, Rev. R. Paul Robb. Thechurch was filled with members, neighbors and friends, and many from SantaAna. Words of welcome were spoken byrepresentatives of various organizations,and Rev. Glenn McFarland of SantaAna spoke on behalf of his congregation.Mr. Robb responded in his usual splendid manner. A skit portrayingsome ofthe humorous phases of congregationallife was put on by"youngmembers of theand the script waswritten by Mrs. Esmond Smith (Marjory). After the program refreshmentswere served in the dining room from abeautifully decorated table. The socialhour which followed gave everyonean opportunity to welcome Mr. Robb.It was a very happy occasion for us.Friday evening, September 30, thecongregation met for a pot luck dinner,which was followed by a congregationalmeeting for the purpose of makingplans for enlarging our plant to accomodate our growing Sabbath School. Weare very crowded at present and afterthe needs were presented by Mr. JamesHoneyman, it was decided to go aheadand build additional rooms. A committeewas appointed to make plans, get prices,and so forth. We plan to build a largeauditorium, adequate kitchen, LadiesLounge for missionary meetings, andconvert the two existing roomsintopartitioned class rooms. We ask for yourprayers as we go forward in this program.Sabbath, October 2, Rally Day! Underthe direction of our program chairman,Mrs. Wilbur Aikin, a splendid programwas planned and executed by classesfrom the primary department. Therewas a good attendance, 98. Since thenwe have had 108.Some of our folks who have been vacationing are: Mr. and Mrs. RichardHinton and Dr. and Mrs. Dean Hinton,visiting relatives in Indiana and Wisconsin, and Mr. and Mrs. George Chambersand Mrs. Willetta Ross visiting in Hopkinton and Burlington, Iowa. Mrs. JerryYagoda and little daughter, Jerylin, areat present visiting in the midwest.Mr. Gray Caskey,elder of the congregation, who has been in bed for someyears, was taken to the hospital recentlyfor tests and X-rays, but is now back inhis home. Mrs. George Chambers wasalso hospitalized for tests and X-raysbut is now back in her home. Mrs. GiragasHarootunian, who has been ill forseveral months, has been placed in theWhite Memorial Hospital for help andtreatment. Her condition is not good andNovember 2, 1955we covet your prayers for her and herfamily. Mrs. E. L. Dodds is also in theBurbank hospital for observation. Weask for your prayers for our sick folks.On Sabbath evening atsix,'we havethe following classes: Nursery for preschool children, Junior meetings for elementary age children under the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Gross. Theadults meet for study, with our pastorin charge. The nursery class is in chargeof Mrs. Floyd Walker. On Wednesdayevenings we meet for prayer and Biblestudy, with Mr. Robb as our teacher.We are at present studying II Thessalonians. These classes are proving veryinteresting and beneficial and drawing agood attendance.Our fall communion is set for November 6, with Rev. Bruce C. Stewart ofGreeley as assistant.GENEVA COLLEGEHistorical Geneva College October 21embarked on a development programafter signing a contract for preparationof a Master Plan which will make recommendations on how the College canenlarge its facilities to keeppace withincreased enrollment and communitygrowth.At a special meeting of the Board ofTrustees, a contract was signed withthe consulting engineering firm ofMichael Baker, Jr., Inc., and Joseph F.Bontempo, A.I.A., Architect Associate,Rochester, Pennsylvania, for a MasterPlan study of the school's present facilities and recommendations for development and possible expansion of thosefacilities.The announcement of the expansionprogram was made by J. Merrill Robb,president of the Board of Trustees, andDr. Charles Marston Lee, president ofthe College, to officiallyannual homecoming weekend.start Geneva'sGeneva College is one of the oldesteducational institutions west of theAlleghenies. It was founded in 1848 inNorthwood, O., and moved to its present location on a 30-acre tract overlooking the Beaver River in 1880. In its108-year-old history, the Reformed Presbyterian school has had students fromeverystate and from numerous foreigncountries. The school received its namefrom Geneva, Switzerland, home of theReformation movement.Dr. Lee said the master plan to beprepared by the Baker firm will includestudies of everyphase of Geneva's facilities and operations. He did not estimate the eventual cost of the plan."This program is not one that will becompletedDr. Lee said. "Instead, it will enable us to expand in anorderly fashion with 'first things first'so that the expansion does not create toogreat a financial burden." County Commissioners William V. Kennedy, SamM. McCune, and George L. Werner in atelegram to Dr. Lee lauded the schoolofficials for undertaking the ambitiousprogram."We are pleased and proud that Geneva College, the citadel of higher education in Beaver County, is keeping pacewith the county's Program of Progressin serving the educational and spiritualneeds of our youngpeople upon whoseshoulders rests the future of our community and ourthe telegramsaid. Michael Baker, Jr., president ofthe engineering firm, said work on theplan would get underway immediatelyand will be completed in approximatelysix to eight months.Baker planning specialists will studythe need for additional class room facilities, a new chapel-auditorium, recreational facilities, housing for students andfaculty, administrative space, parkingfacilities, campus layout and growthfactors that will affect enrollment overthe next two decades. The Master Planfor Geneva is the third made by theBaker organization for district collegesin the past two years, including the College of Steubenville and St. FrancisCollege at Loretto, Pa. Numerous studies have been made for public schooldistricts throughout the tri-state area.The contract with the Baker firm resulted from a recommendation by theCollege Long-Range Planning Committee, which was organized last spring,Mr. Robb is chairman of the committee.Other members of the group are Dr.Lee, James L. Bowers, Dr. Edwin C.Clarke, W. Stewart McCready, and Dr.John S. Mclsaac, representing the college, and W. Scott Bliss, J. DouglasBrooks, the Reverend D. Howard Elliott,Sidney L. Lockley, Dr. C. BrainerdMetheny, Eugene W. Ramsey, and Dr.Robert M. Young, from the Board ofTrustees. The completed Master Planwill be available before the end of thepresent academic year. The Collegeplanning committee will use this reportas a guide to future developments atGeneva. The last major improvement atthe College was construction of the 106-man Memorial Hall Dormitory. Thebuilding was started in 1951, and wasready for occupancy in September, 1952,at a cost of approximately $440,000.Landscaping of the major portion of thenorth end of the campus was also completed during this period. Other projectsof the last ten years were the erectionof a temporary field house and temporary student union, an addition tothe Science Hall and improvement ofother present buildings and facilities.Enrollment at the College has increased 38 per cent since 1951.That303

exposition."speech."year the total day-schoolenrollmentwas 614, compared to this fall's total of832. The teaching faculty staff has risenfrom 37 in 1941 to 52 this year. Geneva'srecord enrollment was in 1947 duringthe post-war enrollment boom when dayschool students totaled 903. Night schooland extension classes have also shewn asteadyenrollment increase the past 15years. In 1941 there were 402 studentsenrolled in extension classes. This year'scurrent total both on and off campus is1,068 with 851 night school students oncampus, and 217 persons registered forextension courses offered off campus atseveral centers.The College owns 17 campus buildingsincluding Old Main, McCartney Library,Memorial Hall, Fern Cliffe, McKee Hall,Johnston gymnasium, Brigadoon, Science Hall, Patterson Lodge, NorthwoodHall, George Manor, Alumni Hall, FieldHouse, and four other faculty and staffresidences. During the past 15 years theCollege's endowment has gradually increased until it was valued August 5,1955, at $925,542.01.Dr. Lee has been president of the college since 1949. He succeeded Dr. McLeod Milligan Pearce, who held officefrom 1923 until his death in November,1948.WINCHESTERThe Young People and several of theolder members have spent one night aweek recently, painting and sanding inthe new Jefferson County MemorialHospital located close to our church.Mr. and Mrs. Harold Curry announcethe engagement of their daughter, Aliceto Mr. Ralph Johnson of Topeka.Bruce Curry received his Master ofScience degree at Colorado A&M andis now teaching at Missouri Universityat Columbia. He has visited his parents,Mr.and Mrs. Neil Curryweek-ends.on severalMr. and Mrs. O. H. Curry celebratedtheir 60th wedding anniversity on August 8 at St. Mary's Hospital,Knoxville,Tennessee, where Mr. Curry was apatient. All their children and grandchildren were with them on this occasion.Rita Arlene arrived at the John O'Neill home on September 5. Linda Jerry,and Bonnie are enjoying their new babysister.Joe Huston is a Junior this year atTarkio College. He was honored by being elected Class president. Roy Freer,Jr. is attending Technical Institute inKansas City. Barbara Huston is enrolled in Geneva.Mrs. Inez Dill accompanied Mr. andMrs. Verd Dunn of Seattle home afterthey had visited relatives and friends inthis section of the country. While on the304west coast Mrs. Dill visited her sons anddaughters who make their homes there.Mrs. Alice Duguid has left for a visitin California with her sisters and brother there. She drove out with her brother,Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Davis who visited inWinchester recently.The last news notes stated that thelate Nannie French was our congregation's oldest member. It has since beencalled to the reporter's attention thatwhile she was the oldest resident member, having been in Winchester whenthe congregation was first formed, however, Mrs. Sarah Shaw is most certainlythe oldest member on our roll. Mrs.Shaw, who makes her home with herson, Mr. Mell Shaw, at Superior, Nebraska, is still quite alert in this herone hundred and second year.THE ACTSof The Apostlesby Frank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. Leander S. Keyser, D.D."For practical purposes it is the bestexpository and applicatory treatment ofacquainted."The Acts with which I amThe Evangelical Christian"A book of real merit. If you wish anexposition of Acts get this work. Homileticalin form, spiritual in tone, evangelical in doctrine, attractive in style,and leaves no matter in the Acts untouched. For helpfulness to the studentand teacher it is unsurpassed. An idealMissouri Baptist"It is written in a way that is especially attractive. It is a real interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles withoutany of the tiresome treatments of mostcommentaries and exegeses. It is trueto the Scriptures and is intensely missionary. Of course, it could not be otherwise it is true to the text of the Acts."United Presbyterian"One of the most practical commentaries on the Book of Acts that has beenpublished. . . . Here is a gold mine ofclear,precise illustrative material ofgreat value in expounding the Book ofActs."Price $1.00, plus .20 cents postageOrder from Frank E. Allen, Hopkinton, Iowa.Mrs. G. R. McBurneyOn Sept. 14, 1955 the earthly pilgrimage of Mary Bertha (Mrs. G. R.) McBurney wasended at Spring Valley,N. Y., when her Lord called her to serveHim in fuller measure in the Valley ofEternity.Her preparation began as one of theolder of 14 children in the Joseph Huston home at Blanchard, Iowa. Next asa bride, she with her husband servedboth the poor whites and the Indians inOklahoma. As a busy mother she foundtime to help in those early days of theQuinter congregation; then for over 30years her services were given to theSterling, Kansas, community. In 1948they returned to Quinter where Rev.McBurney passed away in 1950. For herthese months were a climax to her services to a loved one who for years hadbeen infirm. Since his passing she hasspent time in each of her four sons'homes. Of special note is the service rendered for three years in Paul's homewhen she, nearing the four score yearmark, took the place of a mother for alittle granddaughter. Her sons are:Edwin of Spring Valley, N. Y. ; Waldo ofQuinter, Kansas; Paul ofAlbuquerque,N. Mexico and Elmer ofCorvallis, Ore.She looked forward to the return of hersister, Miss Rose Huston, but her Lordcalled her to higher service.THANK YOU, NEWBURGHThe Pastor and his family looked forward to just another CongregationalParty. Before the evening of September23 was over, the ordinary became a surprise. Following a games period, a cakewith nine candles and abeautifullywrapped gift box were brought forward.The Congregational Chairman "made aThe Pastor and family wereasked to come forward, blow out thecandles, and open the box. After muchunwrapping, nine envelopes were found.And in these envelopes pictures of menon green paper.This is only one of the many acts ofgenerosity and kindness which we haveexperienced since our arrival in Newburgh seven years ago. Prior to this,the Congregation granted a loan in order that we might buy a home.We wish to use the columns of theWitness to give a public expression ofour thanks to the Newburgh Congregation.The Sterretts, Charles, Alberta.Mary Beth, Sammy.GREAT OR SMALL"No service in itself is small,None great, though earth it fill;But that is small that seeks its own,And great that does God's will."Then hold my hand, most graciousLord;Guide all my goings still;And let this be my life's one aimTo hear and do Thy will."Anon.COVENANTER WITNESS

NATIONAL REFORM NUMBERBIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 27, 1955bvetunterwitnessVOLUME LV, NO. 19 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1955of God's DayRev. Ronald W. Francis in "JOY AND LIGHT""I would suggest in the first place that The nonobservanceof the Lord's Day is robbery. Malachi3 :8, "Will a man rob God ?" You can apply that toyour Christian Sabbath if it is God's Day. It belongsto Him, God has set it apart for Himself. The manor the woman who does not give God that day in thefullest sense is robbing God, therefore one of thesins of Sabbath breaking is robbery.The non-observance of the Lord's Day is alsodisobedience. We have the Ten Commandments andalongside the commandments not to steal and not tokill is the commandment to "Remember the Sabbath.Day to keep it holy," and men seem to think thatthey can disobey that one Command. Those of us whoknow God know His Word, know that God has notonly set apart that one day for Himself, but He hascommanded that it be kept holy.The non-observance of the Lord's Day is alsofolly. Our Lord Jesus Christ said "The Sabbath wasmade for man and not man for the Sabbath." Isn'tit strange that this verse has been used for thecomfort of the guilty conscience! God has given youthis Day, He has given it to you for your good, Heknows you need it; therefore, God in His grace andHis love has given you His holy Day. It is sin andfolly to take that day and to misuse it and,as itwere, throw it back into God's face.Lastly, the non-observance of the Lord's Day isclearly sacrilege and desecration. The Bible is particularly clear on this point. When anything is sanctified (qodesh), set apart for God, God's judgmentis upon those who desecrate those holy things. In theaccount of the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6 and 7) wefind that everything in the city was to be sanctifiedor consecrated unto the Lord, but Achan decided totake the holy thingand misappropriate it to his ownends, and you know the terrible judgment that followed because he took that which was peculiarlyGod's. Uzzah put out his hand to steady the ark andhe touched the holy thing and he was struck dead(2 Sam. 6). I believe God sent His judgment in theseinstances to show man that these things which areholy are to be observed as holy and with the utmostreverence and grace on the part of those who comeinto contact with them. That which is holy, whentreated with disrespect, brings God's judgment down.In Daniel 5 we read of Belshazzar and of the writingon the wall ; I suggest that the supreme sin of Belshazzar which brought down the judgment of Godwas that of desecration and sacrilege. He took thevessels which had been consecrated and set apart forthe service of the living God and he desecrated themdeliberately.This Day is God's Day. He has consecrated itand set it apart for Himself, thus imparting to it aparticular holiness and sanctity which is quite inapplicable to the other days of the week. We as anation are desecrating that holy Day and we need topray that God in His long-suffering, will convict andbring about such a change of heart on the part ofour people, our leaders and our nation as a whole,that His judgment may not fall upon us, as undoubtedly it deserves to do."Adapted from "A VicarAND LIGHT" July-September, 1955.Testifies,""JOY

sins."civilization?"Glimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen, D. D.Religious LibertyThe U. S. government, during the last nine years, hasnegotiated treaties of friendship, commerce and navigationwith twelve different countries. All of these, except Haiti,have agreed to provisions concerning religious liberty. Inone of these provisions it is agreed that, "Nationals of eithercountry, residing in the territory of the other,will be permitted to conduct religious activities and to acquire or leasebuildings for religious Another purposes."part of the agreement states, "That nationals of either country, residing inthe territory of the other, shall be allowed to exercise liberty of conscience and freedom of worship, and they may,individually or collectively, without molestation, conduct religious services and give religious instructions in their housesand in other appropriate buildings."A Lesson for Our NewsmenWhat is said to be the leading native paper in Africa,published in Nigeria, is a credit to Negro abiltiy and Christian ideals,and furnishes an example to our news reportersand editors. The editor criticizes a new textbook for learning English, used in the schools, because eight pages out ofthirty-two contain drawings of cigarettes. He says: "Whyshould tobacco companies teach our women this unnaturalhabit in their advertisements? Why teach our young peopleto enjoy the lustful near-nakedness of godlessOne correspondent writes in this paper: "I differ fromN. E. N. (in the November issue) in his saying that cinemagoingis no sin because wearing fine clothes, living in goodhouses, and other such things are not sinful. He should remember that the majorityof practices in the cinema areopposed to the rule of God, such as burglaringothers'properties, committing adultery, and other things. The movie is abox of Another correspondent testifies : "I was a notorious pagan until I started to read the Bible. Now Iknow there is only one God, the Creator. A passage in theBible says that 'he that heareth my word and believeth onhim that sent me hath everlasting life.' I do not believe intalismans and handmade gods, but in the true God."Miss AmericaThe new Miss America, Sharon Kay Ritchie, 18-year-oldcollege girl from Denver, does not smoke or drink. She alsostates that she does not propose to appear in a bathing suitagain until next year's contest if she can help it. She stated"I think Miss America should be in a formal and nice dresswhen her picture is taken." She has been a Sabbath-schoolteacher. Other Miss Americas before her did not smoke ordrink.ing. I was talking recently of this with Dr. W. E. Adams ofChicago University Clinic, an internationally famed lungcancer specialist who has a home in Hopkinton, when he toldme that it is now known that there are marked changes inthe lining of the cells of the bronchi of the lungs of heavysmokers, and these are termed precancerous lesions. Thesame effect is produced by tobacco products in the skin ofmice and rabbits in experiments which have been performedby such noted specialists as Dr. E. A. Graham and E. L.Wynder. Dr. Adams assisted Dr. E. A. Graham in 1933 inSt. Louis in the first successful removal of an entire lung forcancer. The patient was Dr. James Gilmore of Pittsburghwho is in active practice more than 22 years later.Growth of Scripture PressMany of our readers know of the evangelical standingcf the Scripture Press and some use the material put outby it. It is beginning to build an editorial office in Wheaton,111., on a seven-acre site, which is to cost $1,000,000. Thisbuilding is to house editorial, shipping and business offices.The 21-year growth and expansion of such a large firmwhich publishes evangelical helps and literature which isused by churches of fiftydenominations shows that thereare a vast number of churches and Sabbath Schools whichprefer evangelical to modernist literature. There are alsomany other evangelical publishing houses which have a verylarge business. When we see and hear much of modernismlet us remember that evangelicals are prevalent and verymuch alive.Argentina's New PresidentThe new provisional president of Argentina, Gen. EduardoLonardi, has not only pledged freedom for the RomanCatholic Church, but has promised respect and liberty forall faiths. We will hope that his government will truly afford liberty for all faiths.Conference of Korean PastorsA very large conference of Korean pastors, and others,was held recently near Seoul on South Mountain, the formersite of a Shinto Shrine, where a crowd of about 80,000 gathered. The chief promoter of this was Dr. Bob Pierce. Whenthe audience learned that he and others with him were leaving for Indo-China, offering plates were placed at the exits,and these Korean Christians, out of their poverty, gave some$600.00 to be taken to Indo-China brethren who are knownto be victims of the Communists as the Koreans were only afew years ago.Communion in MoscowSmoking and CancerThe moving picture, "One in 20,000," which was shownbefore Synod by Rev. J. R. Patterson, and, we understandis being shown widely by him, has been purchased by Rev.John O. Edgar and shown in his vicinity, is to be given to thechurch to be shown in various areas. He brought it to Hopkinton at the time of our meeting of Presbytery and showedit to the High School here. It is a very effective pictureshowing how lung cancer is caused smokbycigarette306An American Protestant clergyman, Dr. T. F. Adams,administered communion to Russian worshipers at a Moscow church for the first time since the Bolshevist Revolution. Dr. Adams, the head of the Baptist World Alliance,visited Russia with three other Baptist leaders during thepast summer. Russia has relaxed considerably not only inits willingness to allow American farmers to visit its country, but also in permitting religious leaders to visit and(Continued on page 312)COVENANTER WITNESS

area"Current EventsProf. William H. Russell, Ph.D.UNEVEN PROSPERITYFinancial reports for the third quarter of this year indicate that 1955 may be the most prosperous year in ourhistory. Many corporations have had record-breaking salesand earnings. General Motors, our largest corporation, willprobably reach $1 billion in net profits by the end of theyear. The gross national product is now at a rate of $392billion per year, $7 billion above last year. The increase isnot due to inflation, either, for the cost of living has notvaried more than a few tenths of one per cent.However, about 120 cities in the U. S. still have heavyunemployment. One such "distressed is the textileregion of Massachusetts, due to the flight of this industryto the South.Eastern Pennsylvania's anthracite miningtowns show an unemployment rate of ten to fifteen per cent.Their plight is due to the increasinguse of oil and gas forfuel. The government offers rapid tax amortization for newbusiness in these areas, and tries to give employers preference in government contracts, but the results are questionable. The administration is now consideringa more direct program of technical aid to help the depressed regionsgain new industries or revive their old ones.FARM SLUMPAnother dark spot in the national economic picture isthe farm situation. Gross farm income is running a billiondollars a year below the rate for 1954. Between mid-September and mid-October, farm prices dropped two per cent,bringing the parity ratio down to 82, the lowest since 1940.Secretary Benson is under heavy fire. Democratic leadersadvocate a return to rigid price supports at 90 per cent ofparity, and payments to farmers for taking land out of cropproduction.One factor in the farm-income drop is that hog pricesare about 25 per cent lower than last year. The acreage controls put on corn did not apply to corn raised for feeding onthe farm; so farmers raised just as much as ever, and fedmore of it to hogs, glutting the pork market. The government will buy $85 million worth of hog products in an effortto keep up prices. Cotton prices also slumped following theforecast of a larger crop than last year. Acreage allotmentswere cut 14 per cent this year, but good weather and moreintensive cultivation have more than made up for this. Acreage will be cut another 4 per cent next year, but even thiswill not be enough to reduce the huge surplus already ingovernment warehouses.BRAZIL HESITATESA presidential election was held in Brazil on October 3,but it is still doubtful whether the victors will be allowedto take office January 31, as the constitution provides. Thepresident-elect is Juscelino Kubitschek, formerly a physician.The grandson of a Silesian immigrant, Kubitschek made agood record as governor of the state of Minas Gerais, wherehe concentrated especially on economic development. He wassupported by a coalition of leftist and center parties. Kubitschek is not liked by the enemies of former PresidentVargas, but the opposition centers on his vice-presidentialNovember 9, 1955running mate, Joao Goulart. As head of Vargas' own LaborParty, and Labor minister in the Vargas cabinet, Goulartwon the hostility of the armed forces and other conservative elements. The top military leaders of Brazil have promised to support the constitution, but there is still muchtalk of a military coup.WHAT TIME IS IT?At the end of October the entire country finally returnedto Standard Time. This year the situation was more complicated than usual, because some areas which had DaylightSaving during the summer dropped it at the end of September, while others continued for another month. Some statelegislatures set one time for the entire state, but manyleave the matter up to local governments. Daylight Savingis usually favored in urban and suburban regions, but opposed in the rural areas where people rise earlier. Probablythis is one matter which still can best be decided by thewishes of the local residents, even if the result is confusingto travelers.JURY TALKQuite an outcry has been raised over the use of concealed microphones to record conversations in a Wichita juryroom. The deliberations in six civil cases were thus recorded.This violated the traditional secrecy of the jury room, butit was done purely for scientific purposes, and with theconsent of the judges and lawyers involved. The recordingswere treated as confidential research data and were madeavailable to only a few persons. Many distinguished juristsendorsed the study as an aid in determining how jurors arrive at a verdict. Yet there have been demands for a Congressional investigation and for punishments of the officialsconcerned. Attorney-General Brownell denounced the studythough he himself has asked Congress for greater wire-tapping powers. We cannot see how the protests are justified.Part of the uproar probably comes from the fact that thestudy was financed by the Ford Foundation, which hasespoused many liberal research projects.WATER FROM THE SUNThe Interior Department of the U. S. Government isspending $10 million to find the most economical means ofconverting salt water into fresh water. The object is tomake large quantities of pure water available for irrigationnear the seashore. One experimental device,now beingplanned, will utilize the heat of the sun as its source ofenergy. If successful, it will permit the continuous distillation of sea water, using the sun to boil it during the dayand letting the cooler night air condense the pure water.Phoenix, Arizona, has had a world symposium on thepractical applications of solar energy. Scientists from overa dozen different countries presented research papers. At thesame time a "solar fair" displayed devices for harnessingthe energy of the sun, such as stoves andhome-heatingunits. Most such inventions are still in the rudimentarystages, but sunlight is free and may be of great practicalvalue when other fuels have become more scarce.307

ages"rest."aside."grace;"The Believer's Sabbath-Restby Rev. Joseph A. Hill"There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest forthe people of God." Hebrews 4:9 R.V.rest."The Sabbath is much more than a "day ofAlthough the term "Sabbath" means "rest," its truesignificance cannot be summed up in the idea of taking a day off from our ordinary occupations. Christians will not be inclined to observe the Sabbath unless they grasp a higher meaning of the sabbaththan simply its use as a day of rest and religiousactivity.The typical attitude of many Christians is likethat of the lad who was going to the river on theLord's Day, carrying his fishing rod. On the way hemet his pastor who said to him, "Son, the Sabbathwas given us for a The boy replied, "But Iaside, but has meaning for all time, not only forages past, but for today and for the future age ofeternity.This great truth is set forth in this chapter inthis way: The writer argues that the Sabbath restof Canaan was not the fulfillment of the type ofGod's own Sabbath rest following His work of creation. If God's creation-rest had pointed forward onlyas far as Canaan, Scripture would not afterward(in David's time) speak of another day of Sabbathrest. But since it does speak thus (in Psalm 95) we,must conclude that the great Sabbath rest whichGod's creation-rest prefigured, is still future. Thisconclusion is clearly stated in verse 9: "There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people ofGod."ain't tired!" The Meaningof Divine RestThere is a higher and spiritual meaningof theSabbath, which is summed up in the fact that ourtrue rest is to be found in God. Augustine in hisConfessions, speaking of the believer's deepest need,said to God, "Thou madest us for thyself, and ourheart is restless until it find rest in thee."It is not too much to say that the whole of truereligion is summed up in the spiritual meaning of theSabbath. Dr. Geerhardus Vos states the importanceof the Sabbath thus : "The Sabbath is not only themost venerable, it is likewise the most living of allthe sacramental realities of our religion. It has faithfully accompanied the people of God on their marchthrough the (Biblical Theology, p. 155). Thistruth is clearly set forth in the fourth chapter of theEpistle to the Hebrews (which you should read atthis point).Notice in this chapter that the Sabbath is shownto span all the ages of history, extending from thecreation of the world to the consummation of theworld. At the beginning there was God's own Sabbath rest,upon which He entered after completingHis work of creation. Next, there was the rest ofCanaan, into which Israel entered under Joshua.Finally, there is the eternal Sabbath rest for thepeople of God in the age to come.Certain "Fundamentalists" teach that the Sabbath was to be kept "under the law;" Christians,however, are "not under the law, but undertherefore Christians are not obligated to keep theSabbath holy. This view is expressed in a teacherLessons"manual of "Sunday School published byScripture Press (Senior Teacher, July-Sept., 1955,p. 54), followed by the statement that "nowhere inthe New Testament is there anything to indicatethat Christians are to keep the Sabbath (even ifsome do erroneously refer to Sunday as the 'Christian Sabbath,' which it is not.) On the contrary, theSabbath is definitely setLet us see whether there is anything in the NewTestament to indicate whether Christians are to keepthe Sabbath. Let us look more closely at Hebrews 4.Here we see that the Sabbath is definitely not setAfter the toils and hardships of the earthly lifeoffaith, believers shall enter into the heavenly blessedness of God's finished work. Israel failed to enterinto the sabbath rest of Canaan because of unbelief;but the way into the eternal sabbath rest of heavenremains open to God's people today, who are called toenter in by faith.Let us lay to heart the deep meaning of Sabbathkeeping which is taught in this fourth chapter of theEpistle to the Hebrews: Nothing but a true andhearty faith can bring salvation to the soul and giveentrance into the eternal sabbath rest which is laidup for the people of God.? * * #God's Satisfaction in His PlanAfter God's works of creation were finished,God "rested" on the seventh day. God's rest doesnot, of course, mean relief from weariness or fatigue,for God is almighty and unchangeable and cannotgrow tired as man does. The meaning of God's sabbath rest following the work of creation is that Godpaused in joy and satisfaction over His perfect work.This is expressed in Geneis 1:31 "And God sawTHE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 120 West fith Strfiet. Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka Kansasto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine. For Worship and Lifeindividuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer,not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.5010 cents.per year; Overseas, $3.00; Single Copies, "R' B' Lyons' BA- Limava

world."providences"place"everything that he had made, and, behold, it wasgood."veryGod's works, however, include not only creation but providence, His preserving and controllingHis creation every moment toward the fulfillmentof His eternal plan. Although the work ofcreatingthe world is finished, God is still working by Hisprovidential acts to bring to pass His eternal plan inhistory.If God is still working providentially, in whatsense could God ever be at rest? God enjoyed Hissabbath rest because He saw His eternal unchangeable plan fulfilled, and all His works finished. Godcould look down the corridor of time and see His entire plan carried out to its completion. He does notneed to wait until the end of history to see how itwill turn out. His unchangeable plan was settled forever in eternity. That this is the real significance ofthe sabbath rest is proved by Hebrews 4:3, whichtells us that "the works were established from thefoundation of the Thus, as a reminder ofGod's rest, the Sabbath day is virtually a reminder ofGod's eternal unchangeable plan.Miss Viola Cameron, in a splendid little volumeentitled God's Plan and Man's Destiny, teaches thistruth in a striking way. She states that in givingman the Sabbath to keep in Paradise, God was askingman to resign his will to God's will, to God's eternalplan. That was what Adam in the garden was unwilling to do. Instead of submitting to God's plan,Adam took the course of his life out of God's handsto determine the future for himself. He failed therefore to enter into God's rest. "He did not resign hiswill to God's will, and therefore he procured for himself the labor of planning for himself, independentof God's guidance, that labor which always followslack of trust in God's word and God's(p. 161).God will not give His rest to the unbelieving,who are unwilling to resign their will to God's willand rest in His plan. Hence we read in Revelation14:11 of those in hell that "they have no restnight"daynor; but those who die in the Lord "do restthem"from their labors, and their works do follow(Rev. 14:13).Thus, every week we are reminded by the returnof the Sabbath that we may enter into God's restonly through resignation to God's will. Since man'seternal destiny is appointed by God's eternal plan,we must rest in complete faith in God's plan.f'fi * % %Man's Faith in Accepting God's Will Brings RestGod's plan is fulfilled in the course of humanhistory. Part of that plan was fulfilled in Israel's history, through His providential preserving and guiding of His people in bringing them into Canaan.Their entrance into Canaan was a necessary part ofthe plan which God had laid in eternity for the redemption of the world.Israel, however, was unwilling to submit toGod's plan. During their sojourn in the wildernessthey continually disobeyed God and, because of suchunbelief God would not allow them to enter Canaan.Canaan was the rest which God had provided for Hispeople, but God swore in His wrath that this generation should not enter into His rest. Accordingly,during the long sojourn in the wilderness they hadno rest, but were constantly on the move, wanderingabout from place to place. Canaan, on the other hand,was to be their permanent abode where theywouldsettle down and find rest from their weary wanderings. That Canaan was to be a rest for the people ofGod is clearly stated by Joshua as he addresses thepeople just before they entered Canaan: "Rememberthe word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you saying, The Lord your God hath givenyou rest, and hath given you this land" (Joshua 1:13).If Israel was to enter the rest of Canaan, itmust be by relying on God's plan, by depending onHis works which they saw forty years in the wilderness (Hebrews 3:9), and by faith in the promiseland"made to Abraham : "To thy seed will I give this(Genesis 12:7).Once again the truth is clearly taught that reliance on God is the necessary condition for enteringinto God's rest. If we are to receive His promises,we must rely on His plan and work of redemption.* * * *God's Promised Eternal RestCanaan, however, was only a partial fulfillmentand was not the finalplace of God's gracious purposes. There isof God's promised redemption,restinganother rest in store for the people of God, an eternalrest, of which Canaan is an earthly sample. Just asJoshua led God's people of old into the rest of Canaan, so Jesus leads God's people into the eternalrest which lies in the future. The name "Joshua," incidentally, is the Hebrew form of the name "Jesus."Both names mean "Saviour." The name "Jesus" inHebrews 4:8 refers to Joshua, who led God's peopleinto Canaan.Canaan was not the final rest for God's people,but only a figure of the rest of eternity which lies inthe future. This is proved by the fact that, after theywere settled in Canaan, David in the 95th Psalm,spoke of another day of Sabbath rest. Canaan, therefore, is not the fulfillment of the type of God's restfollowing His work of creation. Canaan is only a partof the fulfillment of God's plan. It was only a "lodgingin the plan of redemption. There is another Sabbath rest reserved for the future, whenGod's plan shall be complete and all His works ofprovidence and redemption shall be finished.God's resting on the Sabbath following His workon the six days of creation is a type of the course ofhuman history. There is to be an age-long history oftoil and effort, followed by an eternal Sabbath ofrest for the people of God. History is the fulfillmentof God's eternal plan. When this plan is completelycarried out, at the end of history, and all God's worksarefinished, then will begin the eternal Sabbathrest for the People of God. Human history is not aimless or meaningless ; it proceeds toward a goal. Everyweek we are reminded by the return of the Sabbaththat human life has eternity for its goal. Everyweek the Sabbath reminds us that human historywill have a consummation ; that there will be an endof the world, followed by eternity.The Sabbath is not a thing of the past, but hasreal meaning today, and points ahead to the future.True Sabbath keeping is evidence of the believer'srest in God's plan, of his faith that one day God'splan will be fulfilled and His works finished, and thepeople of God will enter into His rest, that is, theyNovember 9, 1955309

ages."will participate with God in the joy and satisfactionof His perfect works.In the beginning of history, when God saw allthat He had made, it was very good; and so Godkept Sabbath by taking pleasure in His perfectworks. But one day there will be a new heaven and anew earth, a promised land far more glorious thanCanaan, an eternal abode for the people of God.The Sabbath is not an end in itself, merely providing a convenient time for rest and worship, but instead the weekly Sabbath points forward to the endof history when God's works shall be finished andHis Church will be assembled to worship and praiseHis name in the magnificent words of Revelation15 :3 "Great and marvellous are thy works, 0 LordGod, the Almighty ; righteous and true are thy ways,thou King of theSince eternity is the goal of human history,man's labors are to 'be directed to that end. Hebrews4:11 commands us to labor to enter into that restwhich is laid up for the people of God in the future.This means, in the words of Proverbs 23:4, "Labornot to be rich, cease from your own wisdom"; thatis, labor not for your own glory for fame, riches,popularity. Instead we are to labor for the glory ofGod, with a view to entering into God's rest whenour life's labors are completed, and into the finalrest of eternity, when God's works are completed atthe end of time.Keeping Sabbath from week to week throughout life is an evidence of the believer's life of faithand hope in God, of his submission to God's will andof his deep rest in God's plan which guarantees that human history is not futile, buthas a glorious destiny in store for it. EverySabbath day should be a reminder of God'spromise of a future Sabbath of glory, which He willbring about in His own time and way. And restingfrom our works each Sabbath day should be a reminder to us that we are to renounce all human efforts to bring His promises to pass by our ownworks, and in our own way ; but that we are to trustGod to bring them to pass by His power and in Hiseternally appointed time. We are to yield our lives toGod and rest in the assurance that our hope shall berealized in the course of the unfolding of God's eternal plan by His works of providence and redemption.May we labor to enter into God's rest, andthrough faith and patience ultimatelyobtain thepromises.Federal Trade Commission'sSuggested Standards forCigaret AdvertisingOn September 20, 1954, the Federal Trade Commission propounded for advertisers in the tobacco"standards,"in the hopeindustry a set of suggestedthat the industry could be induced to draft voluntarily an advertising code. No such code was forthcoming however. This year, on September 26, the FTCset down a modified version of the "standards" toguide its staff in appraising1955 suggestions are as follows :310cigaret advertising. TheNo representation, claim, illustration, or combination thereof, should be made or used which directly or indirectly :1. Refers to either the presence or absence ofany physical effect or effects of cigaret smoking ingeneral or the smoking of any brand of cigaret.Note: Words, including those relating to filtersor filtration, which imply the presence or absence ofany physical effect or effects are considered subjectto this guide.2. Represents that any brand of cigaret or thesmoke therefrom is low in nicotine or tars, or contains less nicotine, tars, acids, resins, or other substances, by virtue of its ingredients, method of manufacture, length, added filter, or for any other reasonor without any assigned reason, than any otherbrand or brands of cigarets when it has not been established by competent scientific proof applicable atthe time of dissemination that the claim is true, andif true, that such difference or differences are significant.Note: Words including those relating to filtration which imply lesser substances in the smoke,through filter comparisons or otherwise, are considered subject to these guides.3. Refers to the effect or effects of cigaretsmoking in general or the smoking of any brand ofcigaret on the (A) nose, throat, larynx or other partof the respiratory tract, (B) digestive system, (C)nerves, (D) any other part of the body or (E) energy.4. Represents medical approval of cigaret smoking in general or the smoking of any brand of cigaret.5. Compares the volume of sales of competitivebrands of cigarets, or the purchase or use of particular types, qualities or grades of tobacco in cigarets,when such claim is not based on reliable information currently applicable when disseminated.6. Relates to or contains testimonials respectingcigaret smoking or the smoking of any brand ofcigaret unless (A) the testimonial is genuine, (B)the advertiser has good reason to believe it represents the current opinion of the author who currently smokes the brand named, and (C) it containsnothing violative of anyforth herein.of the other guides set7. Falsely or misleadingly disparages other cigaret manufacturers or their products.The best these standards can do if adhered tocarefully is to make cigaret advertising a little morerefined and a little less brazen in its glamorous andexalted claims.There is another standard it would be well forthose to read who may be tempted to indulge by anyof the cigaret ads. It is found in Romans the 12thchapter, verses 1 and 2:"I beseech youtherefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice,holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not conformed to this world, but be yetransformed by the renewing of your mind that yemay prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." j. R. p.COVENANTER WITNESS

-10,000,-Number printed in 1953Number printed in 1955450,000375,000Total 825,000The 450,000 printed in 1953 were completely disposed of. Of the 375,000 printed in 1955, about 60,-000 Allegheny County, Pa. folders remain to be distributed. The total number for this year included55,000 National Folders containing national data onall four pages and useable anywhere in the country.105,000 similar folders for Pennsylvania, 105,000 forAllegheny County, 20,000 for Illinois, 10,000 for Arkansas, 10,000 for Texas and 20,000 for New Jersey.The Ways in Which They Are Used1. Distributed in Churches and Bible Schools onTemperance Day.2. Enclosed in letters which pastors and church officials send to members of their congregations.3. Distributed from house to house in communities.4. In connection with Local Option Elections on theliquor issue.5. To send to members of Legislatures in which billson the liquor issue are pending.6. To send to public officials Judges, District Attorneys, etc.7. And best of all, for use in the public schools junior and senior high schools.Their Use in the Public Schools in Counties inWestern PennsylvaniaThe Folders printed this year were preparedwith a view to their use in the public schools as wellas through other channels. What has been done inthe following counties of Western Pennsylvania indicates what might be done on a state wide and nation wide scale. As of this date (Oct. 19) the recordfor a number of counties follows :The Cost of the FoldersPreparing these folders requires considerabletime and expense. A large amount of research ingathering the data from reliable sources (Washington, D. C, and State Capitols) is called for. There isa tremendous amount of arithmetic required in working out the total expenditures nationally and forstate-states and the per capita cost nationally andwise, repeating the same for public school expenditures and instructional staff salaries, and drawingcomparisons. This calls for long, tedious and carefulwork. Then the layout for the folders, the art work,proof-reading and double checking has to be doneall of this before the Folders are actually printed.The cost of this work has to be met. Then there isthe cost of printing in color and distribution. Postageand shipping costs alone is no small item.The public schools have no funds allocated formeeting such costs. Having these Folders used in theschools is a gratuitous service. The National ReformAssociation assumes the responsibility of securingfunds for meeting this cost, as well as the total costof the Folders used in other ways.This project has developed sufficiently now to indicate that the door for the use of these folders iswide open in the public schools. The opportunitieshere are almost unlimited.To meet the total costs indicated above, $20.00per thousand is required. Many schools take 500,1,000, some 2,000 and even 3,000 folders. It is apparent how manyof our youth in the Public Schoolscan be reached with these facts in this way. $20.00will reach a thousand youths. The cost is 2 cents perstudent. What an opportunity!What You Can DoWhy not get behind this plan. If you live in astate that can use 10,000 or more of these Folders,we can have a special edition printed for your state.What state cannot use at least 10,000 ? We solicit theinterest of temperance minded people throughout theof the COVENANTER WITNESS. HerereadershipBeaver County Public SchoolsLawrence County Public SchoolsButler County Public SchoolsWashington County Public SchoolsAllegheny County Public Schools-- --25,000 Church Schools 35,0008,000"2,000,10,0008,000 2,000,10,000"15,000 (Number not known) 15,00040,000JJ >> rr40,00096,000With reference to Allegheny County, 20,000were used in schools under the jurisdiction of theCounty Superintendent of schools and were distributed through his office. The other 20,000 were usedin the schools that are of the Independent districts,of which five of the 24 of the county are yet to becontacted. The schools of the City of Pittsburgh areyet to be contacted, which, if cooperative, shoulduse many additional thousands.To date, no Superintendent or Principal in anyof the counties named above have declined to receiveand use the Folders. They are used largely in thehealth classes. Teachers are glad to receive them, forit assists them in carrying out that part of the schoolcode found in most of our states requiring that instruction on effects of alcohol and other narcotics onthe human system be given in the public schools.November 9, 1955110,000is a project you can work at, a task you can help theNational Reform Association to perform.Go to your school superintendent and principals and get them to use the folders. Tell them howthey are being used elsewhere. If folders for yourstate are unavailable the National Folders will servethe purpose well. There are people in your community who will be glad to help underwrite the cost. Thechurches will help, and the money given will be supportinga project right there at home in your ownschool and in your own community.Support the National Reform Association generously when the offering is taken in your congretion.Perhaps many of you would like to add something extra to help with this project, or to send usa contribution from time to time through the year sothat this work may go forward as the Lord continuesto open the door. J. R. P.311

. Peterperish."For Your ConsiderationThe new fiscal year of the National Reform Association begins on November 1, 1955. Following thatdate congregations (a few in advance of it) will begin taking their annual offering for the work of theAssociation. The taking of this offering is endorsedand recommended by Synod. A goal of $10,000 isadopted as the amount the church should strive toreach. This goal is never reached. It would be fine ifit could be reached. It could be reached if all contributors through the church to this work should doubletheir contributions. It would be unfair to ask thathowever, as many are contributing in a very generous manner now. But there are many who coulddouble or triple their annual contributions withoutany tremendous sacrifice being made, and yet theAssociation would be greatly helped thereby.If you contribute a dollar a year, it takes all ofyour dollar to pay for the CHRISTIAN STATESMAN. If you contribute two dollars a year, one goesto pay for the CHRISTIAN STATESMAN and itleaves a dollar for the other work of the Association.If you give $3.00, it pays for printing your copies ofthe CHRISTIAN STATESMAN and leaves $2.00 forthe other work of the Association, and so it goes onup the scale.Some people are unable to contribute more thana dollar, and for some even that may represent aconsiderable sacrifice. Remember the widow and hertwo mites. Those dollars are deeply appreciated. Youmay be sure the Lord takes note of them. We aresure there are others who could give more than theydo and could do so without affecting their otherbenevolent giving in any way. Perhaps it may be thatwe have not kept the importance of this work sufficiently before you, or that you do not realize howmuch this work is dependent upon you.The National Reform Association does not participate in the synodical budget. That is why thesespecial offerings are authorized. That is one reasonwhy it is so important to this work that these specialofferings be not neglected. The Covenanter Churchhas always played a big part in the life of the Association. Without the Covenanter Church the National Reform Association would probably not exist, andwithout the National Reform Association the outreach and influence of the Covenanter Church wouldbe greatly lessened. Think it over when you give. Ifyou are doing the best you can, well and good. But ifyou are able to double or triple what you have beenaccustomed to giving to this work, will you not thinkabout it seriously and prayerfully, and ask if perhapsthis is what the Lord would have you do. J. R. P.GLIMPSES from page 306travel there. Let us hope that this spirit grows and theChristian spirit of fellowship finally prevails.More Bars than ChurchesThe Methodist Board of Temperance reports that thereare now 141,733 more bars, cocktail lounges and liquorstores in the United States than churches, synagogues andtemples of all religious groups. Jeremiah would have weptat hearing such a report. What would Nehemiah have done?What should we do?Lesson Helps for the Week of November 27, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor November 27, 1955WISHBONES, JAWBONES andBACKBONES(Used by permission of InternationalChristian Endeavor)by Rev. D. Howard ElliottScripture: Psalm 27:4; I Kings 2:7; IPsalms:3:13-18138: verses 1-4, page 338119: verses 1-3, page 28715: verses 1-3, page 2671: verses 1-4, page 17037: verses 25-28, page 94Comments :The topic, Wishbones, Jawbones andBackbones, is an attempt to characterize people, especially Christians. Thewishbones are those who are alwayswishing for better things, yet that is asfar as the improvements go. The Jawbones are those who are always talkingabout things, yet not likely to do verymuch about them. The backbones are312those who are strong in their convictionsand rigid in their practices. The implications might be at first that we shouldnot be characterized as wishbones norjawbones, but only backbones. HoweverI think that there is a place for allthree bones in the Christian's moralmake-up and that to show only just oneof these qualities is to displaycomplete existence.an inFirst there are the wishbones. This isexpressive of the characteristic of desire. Desire is prominent in almost anylife. Where there is no longer desire,that life is practically dead. It is normal to want things and long for betterconditions. How could we have improvements or developments in anything ifsomeone didn't first desire them.It is certainly legitimate and right todesire some things. Desire can be goodas well as evil. There are many good desires expressed by the Psalmist such as"One thing have I desired of the Lord,that I will seek after; that I may dwellin the house of the Lord all the days ofmy life, to behold the beauty of theLord, and to enquire in his temple"(Ps. 27:4). And in the 107th Psalm fourdifferent times he goes over it, "Oh,that men would praise the Lord for hisgoodness, and for his wonderful worksto the children of men."The fulfillment of legitimate desires isseen in Ps. 37:4, "Delight thyself alsoin the Lord; and he shall give thee thedesires of thine heart." Also read Psalm40 :l-4 and Psalm 42.We must have some conceptions andvisions of things being better before wecan expect them to develop that way."Where there is no vision, the peopleSo the exercise of one's "wishbone"may serve some valuable purpose.However just to be wishful withoutanything more to go with it can be sortof deadening. Just to sit and wish maybe one of our most impractical and unprofitable exercises. We can spend ourtime dreaming about big things whileignoring some of the little practicalitems we could be attending to. Has itCOVENANTER WITNESS

power."name."earth."so."might."me."sweetness."ever been expressed in your mind thus,"I wish I had a million dollars. Then Iwould do so much good with it. I wouldgive the church what it needs, and Iwould support some mission work, Iwould be good to this and that personwho is in need . . That wish will likelynever come true, but the doing ofsome of these things need not be left undone.Are you givingwhat the Lordexpects of you, the tenth of your income? Are you helping in the little waysthat you can now, without waiting forsomething bigger? or "I wish I were abetter Christian. I wish I had that spiritual something that Jim has. I wish Iknew the Lord and His Word better?"Such are noble wishes about whichsomething can be done. To wish and donothing is useless.Second, there are the jawbones whodo a lot of talking. Talking a thing upcan be a good thing while at the sametime it is possible to kill some thingswith talk. We are all bound to do acertain amount of talking and somemuch more than others. We are to givecareful consideration to our talk lestour talk be only idle words of which weare told we shall give an account. Thebest kind of advertising for anything isthe talking people do if it is favorabletalk. If we have wishbones, we shallthink of things that can be done to improve the Kingdom work. The nextstage after wishing for a thing is totalk about it, speak of it to others inorder to generate some enthusiasm inthem for such things. If we have visionsof righteousness, we ought to talk ofthem. Ps. 145:11, "Theyshall speak ofthe glory of thy kingdom, and talk ofthy Mai. 3:16, "Then they thatfeared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, andheard it, and a book of remembrancewas written before him for them thatfeared the Lord, and that thought uponhisLuke 24:14, "And they talkedof all these things which had happened."We are told to give testimony and bewitnesses for the truth. Ps. 107:2, "Letthe redeemed of the Lord sayActs1:8, "And ye shall be witnesses untome both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea,'and in Samaria, and unto the uttermostpart of theActs 4:20, "For wecannot but speak the things which wehave seen and heard." And if we are toteach the truth to our children or others, much of that will be done with our"jawbones,"Deut. 6:7.The vision, and then the talk areboth steps in progress. The danger involved is in just talking and going nofarther. Some talk is done without anyintention of going farther. Jesus said ofsome, Matt. 15:8, "This people drawethNovember 9, 1955nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips: but theirheart is far fromJude 16.Compare alsoThird, there are the backbones. Whenwe say a person has backbone we meanthat he has some strength of characterthat keeps him standing straight in thestorms of evil. A Christian who is steadfast in the faith we may refer to as having backbone. We admire those withbackbone, those who endure in the midstof trial and do not bow at the request ofthe devil. Here are some references onenduring and on being steadfast withoutwavering: Matt. 10:22; James 1:12, IPeter 2:19; Ephesians 4:14; Hebrews13:4; James 1:6.If you have a conviction of the truthand stand by it, you have backbone.However, sometimes those with backbone are accused of being merely stubborn. But a Christian, if he wants to,can use his wishbone and his jawbone toshow to the world that he has backbone,and not just a streak of stubbornness.And on the other hand, a backbone canbe an easy justification for a wishboneand a jawbone.Questions :1. How does one develop backbone?2. Trace the development of Peter asto his jawbone and backbone.3. Suggest a formula for keeping thewishbone, jawbone, and backbone functioning harmoniously.4. A backbone is normally flexible.What things should we remember inorder to keep our moral backbones fromgrowing too stiff?JUNIOR TOPICNovember 27, 1955STORIES OF SAMSONJudges 13, 14Jacquelin Patton, Hopkinton CongregationMemory Verse: "Finally, my brethren,be strong in the Lord, and in the powerof HisPsalms:Ephesians 6 :10Memory Psalm: Psalm 27: 1-5, page62Psalm 108: 1-4, page 270Psalm 31:1-3, page 71Psalm 46:1-4, page 118This week our Junior lesson is aboutthe strongest man who ever lived. Hisname is Samson. Before Samson wasborn, God sent an angel to tell hisfather and mother that their child wasto be a "Nazarite unto God." Thatmeant that their son would belong tothe Lord, and God would use him to freethe children of Israel from their enemies, the Philistines. As a sign thatSamson was especially set apart to serveGod, he was commanded never to cut hishair, and it grew to be very long. Today when boys and girls decide to livefor Jesus Christ, we call them "Christians."What is there about a Christianthat makes him different? Can youname some ways that your friends willknow that you belong to God?The Lord blessed Samson as he grewup. Judges 14:25 says that the Spiritof the Lord began to move him. He wasgiven a verygreat strength. But eventhough Samson was very strong physically, he had weak places in his character. At the time when he was young,the Philistines from the west were inpower over the Israelites, and Samsonmade the mistake of choosing friendsamong the enemy Philistines. He fell inlove with one of these people, andwished to marry her. God used that tohelp the Israelites in the end, but itbrought Samson nothing but trouble,and finally his death.One day on his way to Timnath hesaw a lion in the vineyards outside thecity. The Spirit of the Lord came uponhim mightily, and with his bare handsSamson literally tore the fierce animalapart and killed it. Later, as he returned again to Timnath for his weddingfeast, he found that a hive of bees hadmade their home in the lion's carcass,and he ate some of the honey. On thefirst day of the feast he told this riddleto thirty young men of the Philistines:"Out of the eater came forth meat,And out of the strongcame forthIf they could guess the riddle, he promised them thirty suits of clothes. Thefeast lasted many days, and Samson'swife begged to know what the riddlemeant. But when at last Samson toldher, she betrayed him by giving the answer to the thirty youngmen. Samsonwas very angry, and he left the feastand went down to Ashkelon (can youfind it on the map?); there he killedthirty Philistine men singlehanded, tooktheir clothes and brought them back tothe men at the feast.Samson is mentioned in Hebrews 11 :32, 33 as one who was able to accomplish great things because of his faithin God. Even though we wonder at someof the things he did,still we are amazedat his superhuman strength and his exploits against the Philistines when hewas faithful to God. Surely the Lord hasa special purpose for each Junior whohas the faith to look to Him for dailystrength.For handwork write Samson's riddlein your notebook and put the answer(Judges 14:18) upside down at the bottom of the page.313

What tribe did Samson belong to?(Judges 14:25) Can you locate it on amap of Palestine?Supply the missing words in this versefrom Psalm 118:14: "The Lord is myand, and is become"myList in your notebook six ways thatyou can be a stronger Christian: Ephesians 6:16; Luke 11:10; I John 3:14; IJohn 4:7, 8; Proverbs 23:12; 24:5; andPsalms 107:2 are some suggestions.SABBATH SCHOOL, LESSONNovember 27, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on international Sunday SchoolLessons; the Internationa] Bible Lessons foiChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Religious Education.)SPREAD OF THE GOOD NEWSTEXT, Luke8:l, 4-8; 9:1-6; 10:1, 2a,8, 9, 17aMEMORY VERSE: Luke 10:2; "Theharvest indeed is plenteous; but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore theLord of the harvest, that he send forthlaborers into his harvest."Christ taught the people.He performed many wonderful works. He prepared His disciples to do "greater worksthan these." Christ wrought Salvation.He did what no man could do. His lifeand work is the best news that theworld has ever heard. It is the "Gospel,"the Good Story. Having done that whichHe alone could do, He trained and commissioned men to do what they wereable to do by His power.It was the enemies of Christ thatcalled His disciples ignorant and unlearned men. That could not be saidof them after they had been in trainingunder the best of all teachers for threeyears. Christ taught the wayof life toall who came to hear. But He taught Hisdisciples how to teach the way of life.Christ came to save sinners. He alonecould do that. But men could teach theway of the great salvation that Christhad wrought. So Christ taught men howto show men the way of salvation.So we would define the study todayin this way; Christ Teaches His Disciples How to Spread the Good News.He Taught Them by ExampleAfter His disciples had learned theway of salvation, and had enlisted in thegreat work of spreading that knowledge,Christ gathered them about Him andtook them out among the kind of folksthey were to teach, and they watchedHim while He did the kind of work theywere to do. Christ was an ideal teacher.He started with what was known, andled to what was not known.314There were times when He introducedevery mystery by a parable. They werewindows to let the light in. There werethe lilies growing about them in suchbeauty as no artist could approach.Countless thousands of them, each in aperfection of beauty beyond their comprehension, who made them? There,just across the valley on the hillside,was the grain field. They rememberedwhen it was planted, and knew that thefarmer used the same seed on all of it.But the harvest differed in differentparts of the field. It was from the verybest to what was wasted land and effort,and seed. There, while He warned thepeople of the danger of failing to makethe best use of the truth offered tothem, He showed His disciples the kindof people that they would have to teach.He showed them how to offer hopeand joy by the Beatitudes. They were allexemplified in the experiences of livesthat they knew. Everything about us isa parable to those who study them inthe light of God's sovereign power.For a couple of years, I have beenreading "NOW," a four page semi-weekly published by "LeTourneau Teck."One page is given to short EvangelisticMessages by Tom M. Olson. The rest ismainly filled with news of new developments in super-powered machines. Everyitem leads the writer of it to suggestsome way in which the news illustratesthe way of salvation and service. Whenbusiness is dedicated to Christian service, there is hope for the Kingdom. Le-Tourneau's ventures in business evangelism are worth watching.The Parable of the Seed, the Sower andthe SoilChrist Himself explained this parableso plainly that there seems little moreto do than to study our own lives, andsee where we fit into the picture. Weare in it, and when we find our facein the picture, if we don't like the pose,well, it's a moving picture, we canchange it, for the future. All fourkinds of soil are to be found in almostany crowd. No difference about otherfolks until we have found where we fitinto the picture. Do we hear the Wordwithout listening? Do we make goodresolutions under showers of blessings,and forget them when the weather getshot? Do we attempt to live a Christianlife without giving up doubtful occupations, or pleasures, or our pet idols? Or,have we prepared the soil of our hearts,without fencing out the tramping feetthat would pack it down so that theseed could never take root? Perhapswe make good resolutions only in thewarmth of a communion season or a revival, and when special influences havepassed the fruit withers for lack of adeep contact with the never-failingspring of Christ the living fountain.Perhaps we have not broken the entangling alliance with sins that are rootedin our lives, that spring up and growfaster than we thought they would, until they take the nourishment of the soilaway from the good seed, or perhapscrowd it out altogether. It is not hard tofind all these conditions in other folks.Have we looked for them in ourselves?The part of the field that delights usis where everyseed has grown and isbearing a heavy harvest of grain onehundredfold.Christ Taught the Art of Teachingthrough Practice.Christ had shown His disciples Hismethod in actual dealing with the world,sowing the seed in all kinds of soil. Hehad explained to them the seed and thesoil, and after He had warned of whatthey might expect from the world, Hesent them out to try the work for alittle and then come back and reporttheir experiences and receive further instruction. They were seeing the effect ofthe Gospel on the various people thatheard, and the encouraging and the discouraging conditions that they wouldmeet. When they were finallysent outpermanently, they would not be shockedor bewildered by what they met.This method is being followed moreand more in many schools. TechnicalSchools and factories are co-operating.The LeTourneau Teck is working closelywith the factory. It is worthy of notethat LeTourneau Teck attempts to leadevery student to a saving knowledge ofJesus Christ. And in the tremendousreclamation projects that the LeTourneau company is carrying on in thejungles of South America and Africa, alltheir workers, and the teachers thatthey take to train native workers areChristians who seek to teach the nativesthe Christian way of life. Into everyfield they open, Christian Missionariesare taken with them. This principle canbe applied to small business enterprisesas weH as to large ones.On their first trial trip, the discipleswere to travel light. On the secondjourney which was longer, theywere togo better equipped for their personalneeds. We must remember that theywere among folk of their own culture,with whom they could talk in their ownlanguage for the most part. We cannotapply their methods to foreign missionwork.Eastern greetings and farewells consumed much time. So the disciples werenot to move from one house to another.If no-one in a town would receive them,they were to shake the dust off theirfeet and leave. This jesture seems tohave had two meanings; it was a testi-COVENANTER WITNESS

soul?"am?"send?"me,"up,"purged."us."up."me."up"me."matter."package."mony to the people that they had rejected the offer of salvation that hadbeen made to them. Then it was tolighten the burden they might feel forthe rejection of their message by thepeople. They traveled on their feet. Theywere to shake off the dust so that theirfeet would not be made heavy by thedepressing influence of that city.PRAYER MEETING TOPICfor November 30, 1955C. E. Caskey, D.D.WHOM SHALL I SEND?Isaiah 6:8Suggested Scripture Reading, Isaiah 6Suggested Psalms:Psalm 145:1-3, page 350. (openingPsalm)Psalm 40:9-12, page 103. (closingPsalm)Psalm 51:7-10, page 131.Psalm 22:9, 11, 12, page 51.Psalm 107:1, 5, 6, page 264.Psalm 103:1-4, page 246.Suggested References: (Remember thecountryprayer meetings when we saton a plank between two nail kegs andeverybody, including we children, foundhis own references?) Matthew 9:36-38;John 5:35-38; I Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11-13; Acts 13:2; Jer. 3:15; Rom. 10:13-15;Titus 1:2, 3; Jer. 23:21, 22; Acts 18:3-5 (in connection with suggested discussion).This is the last of the series "GreatQuestions God Asks." We have takenthese up on the fifth Wednesdays duringthe year, with the question, "What isthat in thine hand?" in March, "Whatshall a man give in exchange for hisin June, "Whom sayin August,ye that Iand now the challengeto definite Christian service and action,"Whom shall IThat our church needs to considerthis question is evident from the factthat we have issued calls for workersrecently to which no one has respondedfrom our own ranks. A few years agothe question was raised as to what to doabout the ones who would volunteer fordefinite Christian service and therewould be no opening for them. Untilrecently there have always been somewho volunteered for foreign missionaryservice and there was no place for themto go. (About 50% of an interdenominational group in 1920 actually got intoforeign mission work. In our own denomination more were volunteering thancould be used.) Why the change? Maybethe things that happened just beforeIsaiah said, "Here am I; sendhelpus answer the question.1. The Removal of King Uzziah.willWas Isaiah's mind too much taken upNovember 9, 1955with the splendor of Uzziah's court?Did the victories over the Philistines,the fame of Uzziah, the towers that hebuilt, the skill and strength of his armies, and the new and clever militaryweapons which were devised under hisencouragement, shut out the vision ofthe greatness of God? At any timewhen a nation feels strong because ofarmies and armaments the vision of Godand the sense of needing God will decrease.It may be that our failure to have volunteers for more places than can befilled is because our "Uzziahs" dim ourvision of God.2. Vision of the Lord "High andliftedPerhaps our vision of the Lord hasnot been high enough. We have not seenHim on His throne with absolute authority over everything, includinglives. We have not seen Him "liftedour ownabove our own personal desires. We havenot seen His glory prevading everythingbut have been too consciousour ownglory. We have not caught the vision ofHis absolute holiness. If we had something of the vision Isaiah saw of theLord, "sitting upon a throne, high andlifted and felt something the wayIsaiah felt about God's holiness, our response to His call might be different.3. Consciousness of Sin.Seeing the Lord and sensing His holiness caused Isaiah to cry out, "Woe isme! for I am undone: because I am aman of unclean lips, and I dwell in themidst of a people of unclean lips: formine eyes have seen the King, the Lordofhosts."Isaiah became deeply conscious of his own sin and that of hispeople. Isaiah a man of unclean lips?We can't imagine such a thing aboutthe man who wrote so beautifully andspoke so powerfully. Yet he confessed it.Were his lips unclean by the commonstandards of his day and ours? Or wasit the vision of God that made him cryout about his own sin and that of thepeople around him? Have we an adequate vision of God?4- Forgiven and Cleansed.When Isaiah lamented that his lipswere unclean one of the seraphim tooka live coal from the altar and laid itupon the mouth of the prophet and said,"Lo, this hath touched thy lips; andthine iniquity is taken away and thy sinThen Isaiah heard the question, "Whom shall I send, and who willgo for And then Isaiah was readyto say, "Here am I; sendPerhaps we have not had an experience similar to the touching of the lipsof the prophet. When our lips are readythere will be plenty of work to do, forthe opportunities are all about us. Unclean lips are not called to service, butcleansed lips can scarcely respond to themultitudes of calls.What is there for us to do? First, letus pray for workers. We are definitelycommanded to pray that the Lord ofthe harvest will send forth workers.Second, we can be available to answer,"Here am I; send It may be tosend us to our next door neighbor, or toa fellow-worker, or down the street. Orit may be to the distant places. It doesnot matter so much where we are; it iswhat we are that matters. If we areavailable to go wherever the Lord leadsthere will be no problem in manning ourfields at home and abroad.To discuss and pray aboutWhat of encouraging our young peopleto take up some work in which theycan make their living, but with the purpose of servingthe Lord as their chiefaim? That is going as Miss Faris hasto work in Japan in order to help ourmissionary work; or for a young minister to take a job teaching, or in someother occupation, with the purpose ofopening a church in a new place.W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor.Praver Hour. 1:00 P.M. Monday"Please send all used Christmas cards,pictures, and books to be colored, as"printed1. Do not seal packages only tie them.2. Erase with purex the writing andleave plain side for Arabic Bible verses.3. Do not send over 6 lbs. 3 oz. in anyoneElizabeth McElroyPSALMS 103:1-5Bless the Lord, O my soul: and allthat is within me, bless his holy name.Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forgetnot all his benefits: Who forgiveth allthine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life fromdestruction;lovingkindness and tender mercies; Whowho crowneth thee withsatisfieth thymouth with good things;so that thyyouth is renewed like theeagle's.THE MINUTES OF SYNODARE NOW READYORDER FROM C. R. FOX209 Ninth St. Pittsburgh 22, Pa.Price $1.00315

SOME DAILY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLSNo. 1. Nursery Class, PhoenixNo. 2. Kansas City D.V.B.S.No. 3. Phoenix Bible School Group. Enrollment 115,highest attendance 86, average 78.No. 4. A class in the Eastvale D.V.B.S.No. 5. Another class in Eastvale D.V.B.S.No. 6. Fourteen of the nineteen teachers and helpersin Phoenix School316 COVENANTER WITNESS

work."Church NewsMr. Clair Kahl of the United Temperance Movement of Minnesota spokevery acceptably in our church September 18, in the absence of the pastor whowas preaching for the Winnipeg congregation.NOTICE OF CALLOn Saturday, Oct. 29, I moderated acall of the Stafford Congregation on theRev. Joseph M. Caskey. It was unanimous on the first ballot and the Staffordpeople are hoping it will be accepted.signed/Waldo MitchelTHE WICHITA FUNDMidwest Presbytery, at a meeting atBeaver Falls during the 1955 meeting ofSynod, appointed a committee to proceed with the opening of a work inWichita. The Evangelism Committeehad already made some investigation ofthe field, and it was on the basis of thatinformation that Presbytery acted. TheHome Missions Board granted $1000 forthe purchase of a property.There are manycommunities in thisrapidly expanding city where churchesare few, but prices are high, vacant lotsare scarce and those that are to befound were often found marked with asign, "Site of the New Presbyterian (orChristian or Baptist or Nazarene)Church."The committee chose to purchase asite just outside the city to the southwest, where there is the greatest building activity. The price was reasonableand there are advantages to be gainedfrom building before the area is takeninto the city.Since a suitable meetingplace hasbeen a great problem in previous efforts at Wichita, it is proposed to erectan inexpensive but serviceable and attractive building, possibly with livingquarters for a minister, which may laterbe converted to classrooms. This willmean, of course, the need for borrowingsome money, an amount which theChurch Erection Board at present is notin position to provide.The proposal being considered is someform of a plan currently used by manychurches and denominations. It is, inbrief, that Covenanters who may havesome money to invest sayat 5%could provide the money, with thepledge of support given by MidwestPresbytery as security, the loans to berepaid over a period of 10 years, out ofthe support coming from the congregations of the Presbytery.The final paragraph of the Committee's report to Presbytery is as follows:"The Committee recognizes, however,that finding the man to be sent to thiswork is the real problem. The youngpastor of the church (Mennonite) whichNovember 9, 1955we visited in Hutchinson, urged the needfor a man whom God has called. Whilewe recognize that we cannot cease ourefforts to find the man, nonetheless, thisis a matter which we must ask God toprovide. If this work is of God, thenwe may believe that He has His manto send, and He is able to impress Hiscall on him and bring him forward totheThe Committee: R. J. Huey, JosephM. Caskey, Ross Latimer and Lester E.Kilpatrick, Chairman.20 Oct. 1955LAKE RENOEight persons attended all or parttimethe Forest Park Conference. Thosemaking the 500-mile trip were DavidPeterman, Paul Mitchel, Bobby Elsey,Jean Mitchel, Mrs. Charles Peterman,Mrs. Gwen Elsey, and Rev. and Mrs.Mitchel. Bobby is the newly-elected secretary of the Conference.Scott Boyle spent ten days in Glenwood visiting his relativesthe Elseysbefore going East to enter Geneva College.We've been happy to welcome, insome of our services, the new GlenwoodHigh School foreign exchange student,Miyoho Wahao. Her father is a physicianin Japan. She was educated in a missionschool.The Juniors and Young People haveeach enjoyed a scavenger hunt party inrecent weeks. Before that, the Juniorshad a weiner roast at the Ermel Blairhome. The Blairs permitted the use oftheir Shetland ponies, and the childrenenjoyed rides, driving ponies hitched tosmall vehicles, and the pony merry-goround.The children really had a goodtime.Marjorie Mitchel, a Senior StudentNurse in Rochester, Minn., and Jean,Sophomore in Geneva College, visited atthe parsonage early in September.A group of enthusiastic men andwomen met at the church in Septemberand gave the church its annual housecleaning.Communion services were held October 20-23 by the pastor unassisted. Thecongregation was very happy at thistime to welcome into membership Mrs.Gwen Elsey and children, Roberta, Jimand Mikey.Mrs. Phoebe Blair, Mrs. Gwen Elseyand Rev. and Mrs. Mitchel drove toHopkinton, Iowa, for meetings of Presbytery and Presbyterial, September 28.Rev. Mitchel assisted in communionsat Stafford and Sterling, Kansas, October 30 and November 6. On those datesthe congregation had as guest speakersRev. Gus Hansen, District Superintendent of American S. S. Union, and MissM. B. Schilling of Minneapolis whoworks as missionary among Jews in thatcity.The annual Thankoffering service, incharge of Mrs. Phoebe Blair, was heldOctober 7, at the church. Fifteen Juniors had part in the beginning of theprogram. Miss Evelyn Cathcart, UnitedPresbyterian missionary to Pakistan,gave an excellent message and showedpictures of the work there. Membersand friends enjoyed a social hour.UNION CONGREGATIONMars, Pa.The assistant at our October communion was Dr. M. K. Carson of BelleCenter, Ohio. Mrs. Carson and Mrs. J.M. Coleman accompanied him. It was asplendid communion occasion and Dr.Carson's messages were on his usualhigh plane of Gospel preaching. Threenew communicant members were received together with 3 baptized children.The W.M.S. Thankoffering meeting isto be held on November 9 with the Rev.Herbert A. Hays as the speaker.Dr. J. Renwick Patterson, Superintendent of the National Reform Association, spoke to our congregation on October 30 after which the annual offeringwas lifted for this cause.Licentiate Armour McFarland of theSeminary conducted the services onOctober 23. The congregation was gladto have his father, Dr. A. J. McFarland,also present. He spoke to the SabbathSchool on the Christian AmendmentMovement.The Pittsburgh Presbytery met in theMars church on October 11. There wasa large attendance of delegates and theladies served a bountiful dinner in thenew basement of the church.Dr. D. H. Elliott presented to thepresbytery his resignation as pastor ofthe congregation, to take effect on October 31. This marks the close of sixyears as pastor in addition to two yearsas stated supply making eight years inall. It also marks nearly 52 years in theministry.The congregation at his urgent request acquiesced with the condition thathe serve as stated supply until anotherpastor can be secured. The Presbyterydissolved the pastoral relation as re-317

quested and appointed him stated supplyuntil the next Presbytery meeting inMay.QUINTERTwenty-six attended the bridal shower for Miss Jane Ewing on Thursdayevening September 8, at the ReformedPresbyterian Church. She received manybeautiful gifts.Dr. Remo Robb, Secretary of C.Y.P.U.,assisted in Communion services on October 2. His messages were very helpful. Our appreciation to Mr. Robb.Our new communion plates were agift to the congregation in memory ofMr. Roy Bailey from his children.Karen LaVenna Mann, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mat Mann receivedthe sacrament of baptism on Saturdaybefore Communion.Rev. Paul Faris and Mr. R. W. McBurney attended the Presbytery atClarinda, Iowa on October 4-5. On October 6 they attended the Ordination Service for Rev. Donald McClurkin at Topeka.The Junior S. S. had a partyat theChurch Friday evening October 7 afterschool. It was well attended.After our prayer meeting service onOctober 12 Rev. Faris showed the film"One In 20,000."One evening recently the young peoplemet to sort "Powers and Counselors"to be sent to the Kentucky Mission.Cookies and Cocoa were served at a latehour.On October 19 our L.M.S. held theirThank offeringmeeting. Rev. H. A.Hays of Latakia Mission was the speaker.On October 13 our L.M.S. met in thecountry at the home of Mrs. Joe Mann.They packed a box for the SouthernMission, also items for the Aged People's Home.Mr. Lee Craig was admitted to theQuinter Hospital on October 6 and dismissed on the 15th. He is improvingsatisfactorily.Mrs. Bert McElroywas admitted tothe Quinter Hospital on October 18 andwas dismissed on October 22. Herdaughter Mrs. Scott Milroyof Winchester, Kans., spent two weeks caringfor her mother, and at the present timeMrs. Kenneth Hurd of Superior, Nebr.is here.ADIEU, ORLANDOTwo farewells. Yes Sir, that was theexperience of the pastor's family in Orlando. A sumptuous dinner, served inbeautiful style was enjoyed by 'just thefamily,'viz.the congregation on thefirst Wednesday night in October, the318night of our regular monthly fellowshipdinner.Never will we forget the devotions ledby Alan Windham, president of theC.Y.P.U., followed by the entertainingprogram with Dr. William E. Dill asM.C. and representatives of the variousorganizations of the church taking partand presentinga humorous gift fromeach, to be carried away by us.But the final gift, presented by Mrs.E. S. Dill, chairman of the congregation was by no means humorous. It wasa heart felt love-gift in the form of acheck from the treasurer, showing thekind, generous spirit of these Orlandobrothers and sisters in Christ.Friday evening, October 14 proved theculmination of this real Southern hospitality, when the church parlor, beautifully gowned in autumn splendor, wasthe scene of the reception given for thecongregation as well as numerousfriends and neighbors of the Smiths.There were guests from the MinisterialAssociation, the Orange County Temperance League, the W.C.T.U., local andstate, Youth for Christ and the ChildEvangelism Fellowship, present.Also the final Sabbath with its twofarewell services, at which time, threechildren of the congregation were baptized, adds a glow of warmth and satisfaction to these thirteen years of service.Our thanks for all these kindnesseswould be incomplete without mentioningthe time and hard work contributed bythe men and women, when our goodswere being packed and loaded, the manymeals provided as well as comforts furnished us, the week after our goods hadgone.For all these and -moremany expressions of your good wishes, we heartilythank you Orlando folks. May the Lordbless you and make you fruitful in everygood work.Signed: Alvin and Sarah SmithNEW ALEXANDRIA, PA.An attendance contest was conductedin the Sabbath School recently and thelosing team entertained the winningteam with a magic show by Mr. MarionMcFarland, a first year student in theSeminary. The losing team served refreshments to approximately 85 members and friends. The committee incharge were Miss Edna Patterson, MissKathryn Coffman and Mrs. J. C. McClure.Philip McFarland is attending schoolat Stanford University in Leland, California.Wilma Shaw is enrolled as a Freshman at Geneva College.Mrs. Jean Forest and son spent several weeks with Dr. and Mrs. Fullertonrecently. She was later joined by herhusband.Roy Edward Forest and Dal EllaLocke were baptized on September 4.Congratulations and best wishes toMr. and Mrs. J. Elder Steele who weremarried fifty years ago on October 11,1905 and to Mr. and Mrs. James Clawson, Jr., who were married on October12, 1955.The September C.Y.P.U. social washeld at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Clark.Dr. Renwick Patterson, Secretary ofthe National Reform Association,preached in New Alexandria on October23. A special offeringthis work.was taken forMrs. James Beatty of Allendale, N. J.,visited friends in New Alexandria recently.Mrs. Henrietta Nickols of State College is visiting in the Steel home atHannastown, Pa.Rev. Kenneth Smith of the CentralPittsburgh church was the assistant atcommunion services in New Alexandriarecently.ALMONTEA wiener roast was held on Sept. 6at the home of Mrs. Sam Burns. Therewas a beautiful bonfire which toastedthe wieners and marshmallows and laterthe singers gathered around it.A good time was had by all those whoattended the social at the home of theMisses Scott on September 29. HappyBirthday was sung for two of the ladiespresent.Our annualThanksgiving service washeld onMonday October 10. During theservice Prof. W. R. White was installedas elder. The address to the new elder was given by Mr. W. J. Burns andMr. Milton Bowes addressed the congregation.Our best wishes are extended to thenewly wed couple, Mr. and Mrs. Melville Bowes, whose marriage took placein Ottawa on October 10.Rev. and Mrs. Reade and Mr. W. J.Burns attended the St. Lawrence Presbytery meeting which was held in Syracuse on the 18th and 19th of October.The annual Thank Offering meetingof the W.M.S. was held Friday eveningOctober 21. Mrs. F. F. Reade as VicePresident conducted the service andMiss Rose Ellen Burns, the ThankOffering Superintendent, led in the devotions.The Juniors then took partunder the direction of Mrs. Alan Burns.Mrs. Anderson, wife of the AlmonteUnited Church minister, was the guestspeaker and gave a very timely address.Following the meeting tea was servedat the manse.COVENANTEE, WITNESS

promising"all."Minutes of the Reformed Presbyterian SynodThrough the courtesyof Ireland_1955of Mr. H. B.Holmes of Ballymoney I have on mydesk the Irish Minutes and have culleda few items that should be of interest toWitness readers. We on this side of theAtlantic should know more about theChurch from which so many of our forefathers came.The new Moderatorthe Rev. IsaacCole, B.A., minister of the Trinity congregation, Belfast.There was a "Minute" on the Rev.Professor John Ramsey, LL.B., whopassed away on November 26, 1954, atthe age of 94. For fifty-three and a halfyears he served the Ballymoney congregation, a faithful minister of the LordJesus Christ. For forty-five years hewas the able and diligent editor of THECOVENANTER and "showed a breadthof vision, a depth of culture, a knowledge of men and affairs and an appreciation of the fine things in life that belong to few." For twenty-three years,1922-1945, he was the professor of Hebrew, Greek, and Biblical Criticism inthe Seminary. He served for twentyyears as a Trustee of the Synod's funds."Many members of Synod enjoyed thehospitality of his home where his wife,who predeceased him by a few months,was a gracious hostess. To his sons anddaughters, in Ireland, England, and theU.S.A.tended."warm cordial sympathy is exA number of years ago Prof.Ramsey's name was heralded inourAmerican newspapers from coast tocoast because of his daringwoman at Niagara Falls;William Ramsey,rescue of a"The Rev.a Covenanter ministerfrom Ireland." Mr. William Ramsey, active in the Syracuse congregation, is ason of Prof. Ramsey, and Mrs. ThomasNimick of the United Philadelphia congregation and of the Foreign MissionBoard is a daughter.The Synod authorizes the PsalmodyCommittee to proceed with the printingof two thousand copies of the Psalterand to confer with the Trustees of theSynod concerning the finances of theproject.The attention of the Synod was apparently directed in a large measure tothe revision of the Terms of Communion. An Australian lawyer, an authorityon ecclesiastical law, had declared thata trust held for the Geelong congregation would be affected by the adoptionof the new Terms without sending themdown to the sessions in overture. This isnow being done. Also a change is beingmade in the Terms, makingthem morespecific and "it was agreed that thesubscription should now read: I believethat the System of Doctrine set forth inthe Westminster Confession of Faith (asapproved by the Church of Scotland inher Act of 1647) and the Catechisms,Larger and Shorter, and in the Doctrinal and Practical Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland,is founded on and agreeable to the Wordof God, and as such I subscribe to it asthe confession of my faith."The Foreign Mission work of theChurch is now centered in the town ofZahleh in the Republic of Lebanon,where there is more freedom than inSyria. An "interesting andfield is found among some Assyriansin the outskirts. Does it make the descendants of the people of Sennacherib,to whom Jonah preached, and of whomIsaiah and Ezekiel wrote, now seemmore real when we find Covenantermissionaries giving them the Gospel andwithout the compulsion that sent Jonahtheir way? The Rev. Wm. Lytle hassought permission to visit his formerfield at Idlib in Syria, but so far thishas been denied. The work there, however, still continues under native leadership with two services on the Sabbathand a midweek prayer meeting. TheMoslems, whose interest in Christianitywas probably the cause for the expulsionof the missionaries, are still friendly tothe Gospel. The missionary personnel includes the Rev. and Mrs. Wm. Luthe, theRev. Robert Lytle, Miss J. H. Gardnerand Mr. J. Claude Macquigg (a shorttermer) .May our brethren have great blessingsfrom the Head of the Church during thecoming year.John ColemanMISS BLANCHE CALHOUNThe Walton Congregation was saddened by the death on September 30, ofMiss Blanche Calhoun. She was supervisor of nurses at the Delaware ValleyHospital. Previous to that, she hadserved for a few years as superintendentof Smith Hospital. Her death came fromcoronary thrombosis just as she leftduty for the day.Miss Calhoun was born in 1900. Shehad lived in Walton for the past twelveyears. Previous to this, she had lived inAndes, and Delhi, New York. She hadspent two years in Topeka, Kansas andone year in Kentucky.Miss Calhoun had acted as directressof nurses in several hospitals before taking the positions in Walton. She hadspent one year in Mary BreckenridgeFrontier Nursing Service at Hayden,Kentucky.The Walton Missionary Guild wishesto record its tribute to Miss Calhounwho was a past president and a veryactive and efficient member of thatgroup.The unselfishness and devotion of herlife have greatly influenced our organization and our congregation.Miss Calhoun leaves an aged motherMrs. Alice Calhoun, three brothers, andtwo sisters.IF YOU PLAN TO SMOKE IN BEDHave you seen one of the new, warning cards now appearing in hotels andmotels?This is what is on it:"Inform the Hotel Desk where to sendyour remains."Leave a list of your nearest relativesat the Desk."Leave your Last Will and Testamentwith the Clerk."Check your insurance policy makingsure the premium is paid."Inform the guests on each side ofyou of your intentions to endanger theirlives."Advise others on your floor to checkthe nearest fire escape or exit."Havehand.a fire extinguisher near at"Call the local fire department andask them to stand by for fire-call fromyour room."(signed) FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU"We should like to add: "Whether youplan to smoke in bed or not, you shouldbe prepared for fatal accidents, possibleto occur at nightendfor death does notThe Scripture says after death, "thejudgment."(Hebrews 9:27)There is a grand exception: "There isno condemnation (or judgment) tothem which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).The Lord Jesus Himself said: "Verily,verily, I say unto you, he that hearethMy word, and believeth on Him thatsent Me, hath everlasting life, and shallnot come into condemnation (or judgment) ;life"but is passed from death unto(John 5:24).Why not heed His word, and rejoicein the assurance of "no Condemnation"?NowNovember 9, 1955319

TH E BIB LE that will Surprise You!Reveals S p iritua I Mea nin gof Ve rses-lGives Desired Information More QuicklyMo*fHelpfulBiblePublished55 FEATURES. ..7 GREAT DEPARTMENTS MAKE-THE NEW CHAIN-REFERENCE BIBLETruly a Bible PLUS a Biblical Libraryin ONE VolumeREAD WHAT OTHERS SAY:The Late Dr. Walter A. Maier, Former Radio Speakerof the Lutheran Hour: "It has been a great help tome in my radio work, preaching, literary and editorial activities. I recommend it highly to pastors,teachers, students, and Biblereaders."Dr. E. L.McKnight, Former Moderator, Reformed PresbyterianChurch of North America : "This Chain Bible fixesand holds attention upon the Scriptures themselvesWe are finding this kind of Bible study much morehelpful than any we have attempted heretofore. ThisChain Reference Bible not only directs one's mind tothe study of the Bible text but offers the necessaryaid to such a study. I am greatly pleased with thisbook and do not hesitate to recommend it to anyoneBible.""who would know his Dr. Harry Rimmer,Biblical Scholar and Scientist: "I have never seenany other single volume that contains as many practical helps for the beginner, or the advanced studentof the Scriptures. I feel that no student should beRapidly Replacing Other Bibles1. Unique chart showing Origin and Growth of the EnglishBible.2. The Outline Studies of Bible Periods, comparing Biblical History with Contemporary Secular History.3. The Analysis of the Bible as a Whole.4. The Analysis of each of the 66 Books of the Bible.5. The Analysis of every Chapter of the New Testament.6. The Analysis o fthe Verses of the entire Bible.7. The Numerical and Chain Reference Systems.8. Special Analysis of the Important Bible Characters.9. Contrast between the Old and New Testaments.10. The Topical Treasury. New Topics for Prayer Meetings, Men's Meetings, Women's Meetings, Missionary Meetrings. Young People's Meetings, etc._11. Special Bible Readings for private devotions and public services. New and different subjects.12. Bible Harmonies of the Lives of Moses and Paul.13. Special Portraits of Jesus.14. Chart of the Messianic Stars.35. Chart showing cause of the Babylonian Captivity.36. Chart of the Temple of Truth, illustrating the Sermon on the Mount.17. Chart of Jesus' Hours on the Cross.18. The Christian Workers' Outfit. Of special value to soulwinners.39. All Prominent Bible Characters Classified, listing thePatriarchs, Leaders in Early Hebrew History, CourageousReformers, etc., with meaning of their names given.20. Golden Chapters of the Bible.21. A Complete General Index of over seven thousandtopics, names and places.22. Special Memory Verses selected from each Book of theBible.23. Chart Showing Seven Editions of Divine Law.24. Graph of the Prodigal Son.25. Bible Mnemonics, or how to memorize.26. The Principles and Best Methods of Bible Study.27. Pictorial Illustration of the River of Inspiration.28. Bible Markings, Explaining best methods of markingone's Bible.29. Concordance.30. Atlas of 12 colored maps with Index for quickly locating places.Other Features In Text Cyclopedia31. Topical Study of the Bible. Correlated Scripturesprinted out in full under 2467 topics and sub-topics. Threetimes as many as in any other Bible.32. Contrast Study of Great Truths of the Bible. EnablesEDITED By REV. F. C. THOMPSON, D.D., PH. D.you to study the Constructive and Destructive Forces ofLife, with the Bible verses printed out in full under such subjectsas Faith Unbelief, Love Hatred, Courage Fear, eto.33. Life Studies, 6uch as Business Life, Home Life, Devotional Life, The Surrendered Life, etc.34. Bible Stories for Children. A list of 56 stories to beread from the Bible itself.35. Miracles of both the Old and New Testaments listed5n Chronological Order.36. Parables of the Old Testament. Parables of the NewTestament, listing those given in One Gospel Only, thosegivenin Two, and those given in Three.37. Titles and Names of Christ; of the Holy Spirit; of Godthe Father; and of Satan.38. General Bible Prophecies.39. A List of the Prophets of the Bible.40. List of Judges of Israel and Judah given in Chronological Order.41. List ofthe Notable Women of the Bible.42. Mountains and Hills referred to in Bible, listing theScenes of Great Events.43. Dictionary Material.44. Tables of Time, Money, Weights and Measures.Eleven New Features Added in the Third Improved Edition45. The Historical Bridge, covering interval between theOld and New Testaments.46. Chart showing the History of the Apostles.47. Harmony of the Gospels, citing references in differentGospels where events are given.48. Calendar of the Christian Era.49. The Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus, illustrated with well-known paintings.50. Chart of the Seven Churches of Asia, described byJohn.51. An Outline History of the Evangelistic and MissionaryWork of the Early Church.52. The prophesies Concerning Jesus and their Fulfillment,arranged Chronologically, with principal verses printed outin full.53. Map Showing Approximate Distances from Jerusalemto Various Historical Points.54. Chart Showing the Interior Arrangement of the Templeat Jerusalem.55. Thirteen Special Illustrated Maps Showing the Journeys of Jesus, Peter, Paul, and the Journeys of the Childrenof Israel from Egypt to Canaan. These are separate maps,mind you not several crowded together on one page.without this splendid aid to study and instruction."Dr. F. M. McConnell, Editor, Baptist Standard: "Ifirmly believe that a boy in the seventh grade canget more information from this Bible in two daysthan a preacher can get from an ordinary Bible inweek."Dr. a J. A. Huffman, Dean. Winona LakeBible School: "I have never seen so much splendidBible."help crowded into a single volume of theRev. Chas. E. Fuller, Old Fashioned Revival HourBroadcast: "J wish every preacher and teacher ofthe Word had a copy of this most usable and logicalreference work."Dr. Jas. B. Chapman, Gen. Supt.,Nazarine Churches: "It is a Bible, a Concordance, aBible Dictionary, a Commentary, a Book of Outlines,and an Encyclopedia, all under one rover, and stillit is not clumsy. I certainly would advise you to buyit and use it."Dr. Bob Jones, Boh Jones College:"I wish I could influence every Christian to purchaseone of these Bibles."Has So Many More New Helps!The Revised Version is given in the widemargin opposite the verses, wherever an important difference in meaning occurs.Be Fair to Yourself!See this special Bible with its ynequaledpractical helps before youbuy any Bible -or you may regretit as others have. Ask your pastorabout it. No other Bible is so highlypraised by so many renownedBible Students.SEND NOWfor thisbig FREEdescriptiveBOOKJig"AgentsWantedB. B. KIRKBRIDB BIBLE CO., INC.Dept. W-2fill K. of P. Bldg.Indianapolis, Indiana.? Without cost or obligation to me, senda copy of the big illustrated book, "A NewBible for a New Day," and full particularsconcerning the Third Improved Edition ofyour New Chain Reference Bible.'kbrkleW-2611 K. OF P. BLDG.INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA? Send your special terms to Representatives.NameAddress-City-.State,

out!"gan."view"am"BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 4, 1955WitnessVOLUME LV, NO. 20 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1955"Where Everything Began"byEdwin Raymond Andersonall began, and become touched with that sweet wonI have just called upon a brother who has remotions . . .well, high time to look back to where it sake.cently been given the position as Superintendent ofa Rescue Mission. He was not in his office when Icalled, but was asked to wait. I spent the time bylooking about at "this-and-that," the books on theder of first-love. Some of us are so "advanced" thatwe actually are going backward where spiritual sensitivities are concerned; there is a traffic in unfelttruth, and of a solemn truth, that is dangerous driving! The Lord Jesus must forever be FIRST in allshelf, the pictures on the wall . . . and then my attention was struck by the picture directly above hisdesk.It was not exactly a picture, but one of thosecheap "2 for 5c" picture post-cards of street sceneswhich may be purchased in any five-and-dime store.This was a view of two streets, surrounding buildthings, all ranges, heating the heart as well as molding the mind. "Seek ye FIRST" and then the otherthings will fit into acceptable proportion.There is a certain value then in looking back;back to Calvary, to the dawn of that marvelous meeting with His Precious Person. This is in sympathyings, cars and people,allthat generally makes up with the Scriptures ; "Hearken to Me, ye that followsuch a setting; it was taken in a mid-western city.And in a certain section of the street-corners, a small"x"had been marked and circled.after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord : look untothe rock whence ye are hewn and to the hole of thepit whence ye were digged" (Isa. 51:1). Look backThe brother smiled when I asked about it. "Ina way that is the most precious thing in this office.It was on that corner, at the spot marked V that Imet my Saviour face to face, where He lifted mefrom the miry clay and set my feet upon the Solidthat we may better look up and follow Him in thepaths of righteousness, and find ourselves stirred ofthe Spirit to seek after those deeper treasures of theLord. To think what we were! to think what wemight still be! to think where we might ibe evenRock. Some thirty-five years ago now, a street corner now! . . . but praise His Name, the New Birth (John3) and the New Creation (2 Cor. 5:17) has radicallymeeting conducted by a local gospel group. . . hiseyes misted with remembrance. "Every morning asI come into this office, to take up the work which theLord gave me, I always look up at this view and recall how it all began. You see it serves to keep mehumble and gives the fresh view of Calvary. .changed the course from groan to glory. Lovers willoften ask each other, "Remember that first meetingwhen we saw each other for the very first time?"Well, is not the blessed Lord forever meant to be theLover of our souls ? and should not the love of ourWe all ought to treasure suchscenes,such remembrances, for one of the greatest of Christianneeds is that of the, "fresh view of Calvary," as ifhearts oft recall the blessedness of the cleansing ofCalvary ?It was thus with the apostle as he declares, "Butthe glory of salvation's dawn were but yesterday by the grace of God I am what I (I Cor. 15:10) ;for the spiritual thrill of the redeeming wonder. Thisis particularly true for those of us who have been athat journey on the Damascus road was never forgotten and became part of his missionary passion.long time on the Christian way. There is ever that Don't despise youras you journey"DanAascus"down"peculiar peril of "settling into the hum-drum along; put "heart's finger often upon it and sayroutine, and as one has rightly remarked, "when you softly with thanksgiving, "Here is where it all belose the 'thrill' watch When the thrill topples This will glorify His "so great salvation" andinto the tedious and the living Lord becomes matterof-fact,grant that "fresh which will enrich the life toand we find ourselvesonly going through the deeper worth and richer fruitfulness for His Name's

saucers"able"saucer."Current EventsProf. William H. Russell, Ph.D.BORDER TROUBLEThe Middle East seems closer to war than at any timesince the signing of the armistice between Egypt and Israelin 1949. Due to the East-West split in the U. N. and the implacable hostility of the Arab states, no formal peace treatyhas even been considered. In spite of occasional clashes alongthe border, neither Egypt nor Israel seem anxious to renewthe war. Now Russia's decision to arm the Egyptians hasupset the balance of power. Since the first agreement withCzechoslovakia last August, Egypt has received at least tenshipments of arms, including some jet planes. Soviet militarytechnicians also have arrived. At the end of October, heavyfighting began in a demilitarized zone along the border inthe Sinai Desert, with several hundred troops engaged. Thereseems to be no good prospect of a settlement through theU. N., and the U. S. and Great Britain are afraid to reinforce Israel on a large scale for fear all the Arab states willline up with Moscow. The role of the peacemaker has seldombeen more difficult.GOING WESTThe Census Bureau has released a detailed analysis ofthe national population at the end of 1954. During the fiveyearperiod since 1950, the total rose from 152 to 162.4 million, a seven per cent increase. All regions showed increases,the greatest in the southwest. Nevada and Arizona had thelargest percentage increases. The only states showing a netloss of population were Maine, Vermont, Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. In continuation of the modern trend, farm population declined, from25 million to less than 22 million. This is largelysteady increase in the efficiency of farm production.ROYAL, CHOICEFor three weeks the English-speakingdue to aworld waited tolearn whether Princess Margaret of Great Britain wouldmarry Group Capitan Peter Townsend. The situation hadelements of tragedy, for no happy ending seemed possible.Margaret's final decision, not to marry Townsend, was basedprimarily on the laws of the Church of England against theremarriage of divorced persons. Margaret also would havehad to give up most of the privileges of royalty. The Britishroyal family is expected to set an example for all its subjects, and many felt that the marriage would have seriously weakened its prestige. Others were less sympatheticbecause Townsend was a commoner, and sixteen years olderthan Margaret. On the other hand, many Englishmen feltthat Margaret should be free to follow her own wishes, especially since she has only a remote chance of succeeding tothe throne. The case certainly proves that royalty is stillimportant in Great Britain. It was unfortunate that thematter could not have been settled earlier, before it becamea public controversy.SAUCERS AND SPACE SHIPSFor several years the Air Force has painstakingly investigated all reports of "flyingor other unusualobjects in the sky. A detailed study of nearly five thousand322such "sightings" has been released. The majorityof themwere identified as balloons, aircraft, meteors, or other natural phenomena. Less than 9 per cent could not be explained, and the descriptions of these showed no commonpattern. The Air Force concludes that it is "highly improbthat anyof the objects sighted represent more advanced types of aircraft than we have. Actually, there soonwill be experimental planes flyingwhich are very close tothe popular conception of the "flyingSULTAN'S RETURNFrance has agreed to reinstate Mohammed ben Youssefas Sultan of Morocco. Two years ago the French ousted himbecause of his sympathy with Moroccan nationalists, andput in a puppet, ben Moulay Arafa, in his place. This merelyinflamed nationalism and made ben Youssef a martyr. Following heavy fighting last summer, ben Arafa stepped downin September and a regency council was established to forma new government. Still not satisfied, the nationalists demanded the return of ben Youssef. When the leading nativeprince, the Pasha of Marrakech, turned against them, theFrench gave in. Morocco is to become a "democratic constitutionalyet to be defined.POLIO CONQUESTmonarchy,"with the degree of French controlThe Public Health Service predicts that this will be thelightest year for polio since 1951. So far there have beennearly four-fifths as many cases as last year, but the mortality rate is only half as high. About 29,000 cases are expected for the whole year. The Salk vaccine is not creditedwith this improvement, for not enough persons received thefull inoculation of threeshots'to change the national rate.However, the seven million children in the five-to-nine agegroup who did receive Salk vaccine showed 25 to 50 per centfewer cases than among those not inoculated. Next year,when the Salk vaccine gets a full trial, the evidence may bemore conclusive. An official of the National Foundation forInfantile Paralysis predicts that the paralytic form of poliomay be virtually eliminated in seven to ten years.DICTATOR'S LEGACYEx-President Juan Peron of Argentina is visiting Nicaragua as the guest of President Anastasio Somoza, an oldfriend. General Somoza has been dictator of Nicaragua since1933 and might give Peron some political lessons. Peron,however, has accepted internment in Paraguaythat he has no intention of returning to Argentina. Meanand claimswhile, his successor, President Eduardo Lonardi, has hishands full at Buenos Aires. In the last five years underPeron, Argentine foreign trade dropped to half its previouslevel. Reckless inflation also contributed to the economicchaos. In order to correct the balance of trade by encouraging exports and discouraging imports, Lonardi has devalued the peso. When Peron's stronghold, the national confederation of labor unions, threatened to call a generalstrike, Lonardi promptly suspended every union official. Argentina has hard days ahead before she can regain eitherdemocracyor prosperity.COVENANTERWITNESS

praying."Glimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen, D. D.Alcohol and CancerAn alcoholic who also smokes has a twenty times greater risk of cancer than one who neither smokes nor drinks.This, among other things, was the finding of Dr. Ledermann,a noted French statistician whose conclusions are drawnfrom a study of 3,500 cases of cancer made by the Instituteof Demography, Paris. His findings agreed with those reported in the United States on cancer resulting from theuse of tobacco. A smoker who does not drink has five timesas great a risk of cancer of the stomach as one who neitherdrinks or smokes. An alcoholic who does not smoke hasfive times a greater risk of cancer than one who neitherdrinks nor smokes. As a result of drinking as well as smoking, cancer more often develops in the intestinal tract, thelungs, the sexual organs and the bladder.A Flying SaloonOne of the major airlines has recently introduced whatthis new luxurious plane. It has a sensitive radar unit.of engineering and studywere involved in preparation forthis new luxurious plane. It was a sensative radar unit.which will"smell"storm conditions or danger 100 milesaway, so that the flight engineer can avoid the danger zoneand fly over or around it. Free cocktails are to be offeredwith each flight and it appears that no amount of liquor willbe denied the passengers. Stewardesses have protestedagainst the sale of liquor on planes, and they mostof all, should know its disastrous effect. The more the passengers drink, the more likely pilots are to drink also. Noone wishes to fly in a plane where a pilot is even partly intoxicated.Evangelism in IrelandAs a "follow-up" of the Billy Graham evangelistic campaign in Scotland the Presbyterian Church in Ireland haslaunched a crusade in which every congregation in theChurch is mobilized for active participation. They are sending out 750,000 leaflets and 30,000 prayer cards to Presbyterian homes in Ireland.The Gospel AirliftThe Gospel Airlift plans to send 100,000 "Bible baloons"over the iron curtain this year. These are to bear Bibleportions and Christian tracts into Russia and communistcountries. This is the third year of the work of the GoepslAirlift.Survey of Sabbath LawsThe general secretary of the Lord's Day Alliance, Rev.M. M. Forney, has announced that a survey of the Sabbathlaws now on the statute books of the 48 states is being made.This is the first survey in recent years. A questionnaire hasbeen sent to the attorney general of each state in order togain this information.Programmed to DeathAn editorial in The Watchman-Examiner asks: "Areyoung people in our churches being programmed to death?We would not limit the 'program' to mere church activities.The schools have their programs. Other good agencies havetheirs. Being young these days means that you are muchsought after, particularly if you have natural gifts, goodlooks, are healthy, and are identified with a church. Christian talent in youth is at a premium in many organizations.If youth is conscientious, we do not see how all the programscan be carried out with efficiency. Particularly do we fearthe loss of any quiet time for thinking andpraying."Youngpeople should take this advice seriously, select carefullyamong the many demands on their time and activities, andnot be "programmed to death." Parents should supervisetheir children's activities intelligentlylife interesting and profitable. The youngand make the homeus need time, as the editor says, "for thinking andBibles in Germanypeople and all ofDuring 1954 German and Evangelical Bible Societiesdistributed a total of 1,800,000 Bibles and Scripture portionsin Germany. There are 32 Bible Societies in that land.Blasphemy of CommunistsIt makes Christians shudder at its blasphemy, but it isreported as a fact that East-German Communists have distributed prominentlyon the main streets and villages, atstate-operated tractor-lending stations, and at farmers' cooperatives the slogan, "Without God and Sunshine We AreBringing in the Harvest." This anti-religious slogan hasbeen distributed throughout the Soviet Zone.World-wide Bible ReadingThe American Bible Society has selected for the themeof the World-wide Bible Reading observance from Thanksgiving through Christmas, "Take, Read." It is expected thatmore than 15,000,000 bookmarks listing the day-to-day readings will be distributed in the U. S. this year. Last year persons in more than 40 countries participated in using the listof Bible readings.(Continued on last page)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 Wrat 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansasto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer,not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2. BO per year; Overseas, $3.00; Single Copies,10 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansas,under the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.November 16, 1955 323

soul."many."satisfied."soul."satisfied."us."glory."elect,"Our Happy RedeemerJ. K. Robb, D.D."He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall beIsaiah 53:11We think of the Old Testament prophets as having been the predictors of coming events. It is butnatural, perhaps, that we should so regard them,since we have come to know of so many events fulfilled that were foretold by them. But the prophetsthemselves must have regarded their predictions asbeing secondary in importance to other work of amore pressing nature.These men were preachers of righteousness.They were religious statesmen. And so their missionwas primarily to the people of their own day. Butdelivering to Israel the messages of God, they pointed to the future, and uttered predictions of a mostwonderful character concerning things to come. Buttheir prophecies, whether of promise or of warning,whether of blessing or of woe, were employed bythem as so many reasons why Israel should in thepresent return to God, and renew their vows madewith Him. And so it was for the purpose of kindlingagain in the hearts of backslidden Israel the fire ofdevotion to their Lord that Isaiah presented this incomparable picture of the Messiah's sufferings andthe glories that should follow.This chapter deals principally with the lowliness and sufferings of Jesus, and contrasts strangelywith other prophecies of glory and of royal majestythat are found in this same book. It presents Jesusas the suffering Saviour in a light that is scarcelyexceeded by the actual story of the cross as foundin the gospel, and the whole range of His sufferingsis expressed in these simple words, "The travail ofHis But let the prophet tell us what he meansby them : "He was wounded for our transgressions ;He was bruised for our iniquities ; the chastisementof our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes weare healed." It means just what Jesus Himself said"The Son of man came not to be ministered unto,but to minister, and to give His life a ransom forIt means just what Paul said: "He, whoknew no sin, was made to be made sin for Inother words, all the sorrows and humiliations andsuffering in His undertaking to save His people fromtheir sins, all the agony and cost of it, are expressedin this saying, "The travail of HisAnd so Isaiah goes on to say, "He shall see thetravail of His soul, and shall be After soultravailcome the fruits of it. What has been the outcome of the soul-travail of Jesus? What have thesufferings and death of the Saviour accomplished,and with what measure of satisfaction to Himself ?I HE WAS SATISFIED WITH HIS EXHIBITIONOF THE DIVINE CHARACTER.One of His earlier and best-remembered utterances is, "I must work the works of Him that sentMe."And what was that work so imperitive in character? It was to reveal God to a sinful world. Theworld had forgotten. The divine image,even where it324remained dimly,was all distorted and blurred. Theminds of men were darkened; they did not understand God. They made deities with their own hands,and called them their gods. And how much menneeded to know God, and to understand the divinecharacter as it really is ! And let us not forget thatthe divine attributes had not been revealed in alltheir glory until the Lord Jesus Christ Himself declared, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father."And so this soul-travail of Jesus has revealed God,and has enabled men to know Him as he really is,the One and only God.And so it has come to pass that we can now knowGod in what would seem strange to us the most unlikely manner imaginable. Strange as it is, there hasbeen made a revelation of the Most High, to us themore wonderful than that which burst upon the eyesof trembling Israel when Sinai, altogether on asmoke because the Lord descended upon it, shookwith His footsteps, and its crest flamed with the fireof the unapproachable Presence. And Isaiah himselftells of the vision that he had seen of One seated on athrone high and lifted up; One before whom theSeraphim stood with veiled faces, crying one to another and saying; "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord ofHosts the whole earth is full of His Onewhose verypresence smote the prophet with penitence and caused him to cry out, "Woe is me !for Iam undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, anddwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; formine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts."But if we are to know God we must turn our eyestoward Calvary, and see that rabble about thosecrosses, on the central one of which a Jewish peasantis transfixed. He is dying of a grief that has brokenHis heart. His enemies are mocking Him, and laughing at His agony. And finally, under a darkened sky,with none to pity, with none to comfort, this crucified Jew expires with a loud cry. Who is He? and thevoices of angels, the voices of prophets, the voices ofapostles,and now the voices of countless multitudesproclaim, "Behold your God." Jesus on Calvary presented the opportunity for the world to know thetrue God, "the only Redeemer of God's theeternal Son of God. This is the climax of God's revelation of Himself to man. And today our Lord sits atthe Father's right hand, knowing that He has madeit possible for man to know God; that He has madeGod's purpose and desire known, and all that wasneeded to be done. So, out of this travail of soul Hehas enabled men to know God, and with this exhibition of the Divine character Jesus is satisfied.II. HE SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH THERESULTS OF HIS REDEMPTIVE WORK.The text is the prophecy of the time when allends of the earth shall remember and turn unto theLord. He is to have the heathen for an inheritance,and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession.This is the sublime outlook for evangelism throughout the world. Jesus Christ is to be satisfied. He isCOVENANTER WITNESS

earth"observation."satisfied."repenteth."am"earthworld."not fully satisfied as yet, but that He will be mustbe as certain as His death on Calvary. And yet, in theface of this glowing prophecy there are those who inhopes?"quire, "What is there to justify such high"What does the past or present furnish to encouragethe belief that all ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God ?" And we cannot blind ourselves to thefact that, judged merely by appearances, the timewould seem to be a long way off. Sin probably neverseemed more potent or more strongly entrenchedthan it is today. The forces of evil never appearedmore numerous nor more aggressive than at thispresent moment. Had we nothing but appearancesupon which to base our hopes, we should be almostconstrained to admit that the advantage appears tolie with the great adversary. Hitherto, the results ofChristian effort have been seemingly, somewhatmeager. Generations have come and gone ; centuriesrolled by until now, after the lapse of almost twothousand years, the world is still, broadly speaking,in an unredeemed state.But the future is not to be measured by the past.We do not believe that what shall be hath alreadybeen. If one persists in keeping his eyes on theground, he cannot expect to see the stars of heavenabove him. And just as the blackness of the nightbrings out the brightness of the firmament, so thevery darkness of the present may serve to cause thefuture to glow more brightly by very contrast. Certainly we should not be of those who think the worldis ever growing worse. Remember that "The kingdom of God cometh not withThingsare not always what they seem to be. There areforces that cannot be measured operating for thekingdom of God. The forces that make for evil maybe judged more easily than those that make forgood. Historic facts may teach us lessons to be remembered. It is true that after the apostolic era thechurch was largely negligent of the Lord's commandgiven at the time of His ascension, that "the uttermost part of the must be reached with thegospel. The apostles proved faithful in the fulfillment of their duties. But after their period of servicehad ended there followed the era of darkness termed"the Dark Ages." The modern mission work of thechurch goes back two centuries. In fact, so late asthe earlier part of the nineteenth century the churchassemblies of ministers even, were actually debatingamong themselves whether or not the people of Indiaand China and Japan and Africa, were really thelegitimate subjects of divine grace.And are we really grasping what, in these twocenturies have been accomplished ? Robert Morrison,the first Protestant missionary to China landed inthat country in 1807. After twenty-odd years ofhardships such as later missionaries in that countrycould not imagine, he was taken to his eternal rest,and his resting place is in Macao, a Portugese colonyforty miles from Hong Kong. His last words heard,by a younger associate, were to the effect that in onehundred years there would be as many as one thousand Christians in China. At the end of that onehundred years, the various Christian missions established in China united to celebrate the progress madeduring that century. At that time the number ofChristians united with the various missions countedup to three hundred thousand members. And now,India has myriads of followers of the Nazarene.November 16, 1955Africa, that dark continent, is stretching out herhands to God. And all this in face of the fact thatthe church has just been waking to the fact that theworld's evangelization is a task worthyof her verybest efforts, and is just beginning to realize herresponsibilities and opportunities.Yes! Jesus shall be satisfied! The chariots ofsalvation are traversing every land. There is thesound of a going in the tops of the mulberry treesthat cannot be mistaken. "Mine eyes have seen theglory of the coming of the Lord." Just before theLord ascended to Heaven, He said to His disciples,"Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghostis come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses untoMe both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of theWhat a stupendous program ! How few, how pitifullyfew there were to carry it out! But how superblythey were equipped !Then there is another scene; not in the past,but in the future ; one that John saw on Patmos, anddescribes beyond our ability to comprehend. He says"I beheld, and lo, a great multitude which no mancould number, of all nations, and kindreds, andtongues, and peoples, stood before the throne, andbefore the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palmsin their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying,"Salvation to our God, which sitteth upon the throne,and unto the Lamb!" An innumerable multitude, anecumenical multitude, a saintly multitude, a triumphant multitude, a Christ-saved multitude! That waswhat John saw. That is what the future holds. Thatis what Jesus, by His soul travail, has made certain."He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall beAnd the prayer of the Saviour shall be answered. "Father, I will that they also whom Thouhast given Me be with Me where I (John .17-24)Thus shall He be satisfied.III. HE SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH THEREWARD OF HIS SOUL TRAVAILApart from His satisfaction in having finishedthe work given Him as the Redeemer of mankind,Jesus was promised a reward commensurate withHis sufferings. It must be true that His redeemedpeople are in themselves a reward, a source of deepest satisfaction. "There is joy in heaven over onesinner thatHow much greater must thatjoy be when they shall fly as a cloud, and as doves totheir windows ! But there is another form of rewardof which the Lord Jesus is the recipient, a reward inthe form of royal honors: "We see Jesus, who wasmade a little lower than the angels, for the sufferingof death crowned with glory and honor" (Heb. 2:9)."He became obedient unto death, even the death ofthe cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exaltedHim, and given Him a name that is above everyname ; that at the name of Jesus every knee shouldbow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, andthings under the earth ; and that every tongue shallconfess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory ofGod the Father" (Phil. 2:9-11).So then, Jesus Christ is a King. In reply to Pilate's question, "Art Thou a King?" Jesus said,"Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was Iborn, and for this cause came I into the Todeny the fact of His kingship in its widest sense is325

one,"men"ernists"to deny the fact of His soul travail. To call in question the character of His kingship is to cast doubtupon Gethsemane with its strong crying and tears ;and upon Calvary itself where He poured out His soulunto death. For the suffering of death He is crownedwith glory and honor. Men and nations may, and do,rebel against Him, and declare that they will nothave this Man to reign over them. There may beindeed, a seeming prosperity in this revolt againstHis righteous rule. But it must all come to nought.For He is able to make even the wrath of man topraise Him, despite all opposing forces. His purposesare being accomplished, and His kingdom will betriumphant at the last.The national events of recent years would seemsomewhat indicative of the nations of the world having ibeen removed further from Him and His Gospelthan we had suspected. So He is not satisfied as yet."Peace on earth; goodwill toseems attimes to be, if not forgotten, at least an impracticablecomegoal. The nations seem to have forgotten God, andthat the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.And as long as this state of things continues, Jesuswill not be satisfied. He cannot be content with knowing that it is His right to rule, and then have menand nations deny that right. He must be recognizedand every knee must bend before Him. He must berecognized as the King of kings. And He will overturn and overturn and overturn until the kingdomsof this world, themselves confessing it, shall have bethe kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.Then, and not until then, will our Lord be satisfied.And now, what does this soul travail of Jesusmean to us ? Can we think of it, can we look upon it,and remain unmoved? For His soul travail was to theend that we might have a new life. And now, sincethis new life has become ours, what duty urges itself on us? The great mission of Christians in theworld is the same as that of Jesus Himself, elf-sacrificing and whole-hearted service. "He laid down Hislife for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for thebrethren."There is nothing worth the doing thatdoes not involve sacrifice. We never rise to our truelevel as Christians. We never become worthy of Himuntil soul-travail with Him becomes the masterpassion of our souls. We have had our part in makingthe world what it has become, and thus increasingthe pain and burden of His soul-travail. Surely we arenot now going to do anything short of our best inmaking His satisfaction complete. Whatever ourshort-comings may have been in the past, now isthe time for us to vow that from henceforth we arefor Him, and Him only; and that we will spend andbe spent in His service as He was spent for us. Andremember that our toil and tears and sacrifices, whenspent in such service, are in His eyes like His veryown. We become in deed and in truth workers together with Him. Travailing in soul as He did, weshall with Him see the travail of our souls,satisfied.and beOn Close Communion"The Reformed Presbyterian standard of admission to the sacrament is that comCommunion.' "monly referred to as "CloseSCRIPTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTAKINGOF THE LORD'S SUPPERBy Walter McCarroll, D.D.Our first article sought to show that our Standards reveal no Scripture authority for the kind ofclose communion required by our Church. We alsostated that the requirements for partaking of theLord's Supper are inherent within the terms of ourLord's command instituting the Memorial Supper.We shall now look at these requirements a littlemore closely. We shall begin where our Lord began.1. "This do in remembrance of ME." (Luke 22 :19). Who is this "ME" that we are to remember?This is something that we take for granted that everybody knows and proceed from there. But withJesus it was a question of supreme importance. Aftermore than two years of teaching and training Hisapostles He put to them this question, "Who do mensay that the Son of man is ?" When Peter answered"Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God,"Jesus said, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah, forflesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, butmy Father who is in heaven." When Jesus said, "Iand the Father are the Jews took up stones tostone Him and said, "For a good work we stone theenot, but for blasphemy ; and because that thou being326a man, makest thyself God." This was the burningquestion that brought on Him the condemnation ofthe Sanhedrin.The controversy over the person of Jesus continued for three hundred years and came to a climaxat the Council of Nicaea, a small town in Asia Minor,in the year 325 A.D. The two leading protagonists inthis bitter and often violent controversy were Ariusand Athanasius. Arius took the position that "Christis the first and highest of all created beings. He doesnot exist from eternity, and is not of the same substance or essence with the Father. On the otherGod."hand Athanasius taught that Christ is veryPowerful forces were supporting Arius, and at timesAthanasius seemed to stand alone against the world.Finally the Emperor Constantine called a generalcouncil to meet in Nicaea in the year 325. There weremore than three hundred bishops present. The outcome was the adoption of what is known as the NiceneCreed. In this Creed the Church confesses thatChrist is very God of very God ; begotten not created: co-substantial with the Father, that is, of thesame substance or essence orbeing as the Father.This is still a burning question today. The "modin the large denominations that have atare in fact Unitartained to positions ofleadership,ians who reject the doctrine of the Trinity and denythe deity of Christ. Can the Church therefore do lessCOVENANTER WITNESS

many"ungodly."us."subject."old"salvation"than require an acknowledgment that the Lord JesusChrist is the eternal Son of God who became man,and so was, and continued to be, God and man in twodistinct natures and one person forever ?risk his life to save anotherand in so doing lose his own ? What does Christ Him2. "Ye proclaim the Lord's death." (1 Cor. 11:26). What is the meaning of the death of Christ?This is another controversial question on which thereare almost violent differences of opinion. Was it thedeath of a martyr who would die rather than denyhis faith? Was His death merely an example of selfsacrifice,as one mayabout this ? "Even as the Son of man cameto give His life a ransom for (Matt. 20:28). The apostle said, "Christ died for the"But God commendeth His own love toward us, inthat while we were yet sinners, Christ died forThis is what is known as the substitutionary atonement. But this doctrine is openly and blatantly deniedtoday. Harry Emerson Fosdick is quoted as havingsaid in reply to an inquiry, "Of course I don't believein that old fashioned doctrine of a substitutionaryatonement, and I don't know of any intelligent minister who does." Can the Church do less than ask of intending communicants an acknowledgment that thedeath of Christ was a substitutionary atonementfor the sins of many?self say3. "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drinkthe cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death TILL HECOME"(ICor. 11:26).The Second Coming of Christ is another controisversial question, not only between Modernists andFundamentalists, but also between Fundamentalistsand Conservatives. We as a Church have placed solittle emphasis on the Second Coming of Christ thatmanyof our brethren in other denominations appearto think that we do not believe in it, and some classify us with the Modernists because we appear to reject a literal second coming of our Lord. Perhaps thisdue in part to our reaction from the extreme positions of the Pre-millennialists. A correspondentwrites, "Many Covenanter writers of the last centuryseem to have had little or no interest in the SecondComing beyond a blanket opposition to Chiliasm.They seem to have had little or no positive doctrineof their own on the He tells of a ministerof another church who said, "There is just one matter which I could not expect you as a Covenanter tobelieve in, the Second Coming of Christ." Our Churchhas in its Standards positive teaching on the SecondComing, and the fact of the Second Coming is anintegral part of the Memorial Supper. What saith theScripture ?"This Jesus, who was received up from you intoheaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheldhim going into heaven (Acts 1:11); "whom theheaven must receive until the times of restoration ofall things, whereof God spake by the mouth of hisprophets that have been of (Acts 3:21) ;holy"So Christ also, having been once offered to bear thesins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from(Heb.sin, to them that wait for him, unto12 :26) ; "Looking for the blessed hope and appearingof the glory of the great God and our Saviour JesusChrist"(Titus 2:13).The Second Coming implies all of the facts recorded in the Gospels concerning His resurrection,appearances, ascensions, and reigning as Mediatorand Lord, into whose hands all authority in heavenand in earth has been given. Can the Church do lessthan ask of intending communicants an acknowledgment that the Lord Jesus Christ is the risen, ascended, and reigning Lord who will surely come again tojudge the world in righteousness,and inaugurate thekingdom of glory?The one page limitation makes necessary thepostponement of further discussions until nextmonth.Heresy Set to MusicRev. William Goddard Shermanin "The Expositor" Used by permissionDr. Addison H. Leitch, president of Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary, is the author of a weekly column which ranks with the best. His delightfulwritings under the title, "Take it From Here," sparkle with a keen wit and a pungent insight. Writingrecently about 'Ye Olde Thyme Religion,' Dr. Leitchmakes reference to what is commonly called an oldfashionedhymn-sing. He writes,I wouldn't go across the street to attend it. The'old-fashioned'description is what leaves me cold,.I know what I am afraid of in that service and Iwon't take a chance. In the first place they willsing some very light weight stuff like 'In the Garden.'Don't tell me. But people will sing thosenumbers. People will sing in beer halls, too, whichdoesn't prove a thing. The point isn't whetherthey will sing, but whether the stuff is worthsinging, and whether, indeed, it has anything todo with the Christianity of Jesus Christ. Much ofit will be bad theology and some of it almost blasphemous.November 16, 1955The last sentence is our main concern here:Much of it will be bad theology and some of it almostblasphemous. How tragically true! Many of ourhymns are crammed full of outworn theological concepts which are little short of heresy. This can ibedangerous. While it is true that the majority ofchurch-goers sing the hymns week by week withscarce recognition of what is implied, it is also truethat many more will take the words of the hymns asinfallible truth. A misinformed laity will grow up ifour people take as factual and biblical all of the errancies set to music.For example, one of the greatly loved hymns ofthe Church is Faber's "There's a Wideness in God'sMercy."The fourth stanza-closes with the words:And our lives would all be sunshineIn the sweetness of our Lord.It's a lovely thought, but it simply is not true.It is alien to the teachings of Jesus Christ, for Henever promised His followers a life of ease. To seek327

sunshine."'concepts."to win men and women to Christ on the basis of apromise that their lives will be nothing but 'sweetness and light' would be false advertising.Jesus gave His disciples more of a challengethan this. He said to them, "In this world ye shallhave tribulations." Notwithstanding this fact, wecontinue in our churches to stand and sing the hymncalled "We Gather Together," which offers thisprayer :Let Thy congregation escape tribulation .. .So! Jesus promises us one thing if we take upour crosses and follow Him, and we pray for deliverance from that very thing. Heresy set to music !This is one of the most widespread misconceptions in modern-day Christianity and it is just thiswhich gives rise to the abandonment of faith whensorrow comes. Suppose a man and his wife havetaken Christ as Lord believing that their lives will be"all They are happy Christians. No harmcan come to them for they are Christ's. No sorrowcan come nigh their dwelling hasn't Cod so promised?Suddenly tragedy strikes. Possibly illness takesone of their children, and they face stark reality totally unprepared because theologically ungrounded.They discover that allegiance to Christ does NOT assure them of a life free from sorrow. But in the midstof the tragic hour it is too late to instruct. The resultis a shaken faith, possibly a complete rebellionagainst God, and a forsaking of the Christian faith.Too many of our hymns portray Christianityas a rabbit's foot religion. A charmed life is not oneof the fruits of Christian conviction. The Bible doesnot teach this fallacy, but we sing hymns which do.We have noted one or two already. Another, equallywell-known and frequently sung is "Now Thank WeAll Our God." The same extra-biblical doctrine isfound in the second stanza:And free us from all illsIn this world and the next.One misguided soul with whom I counseledsaw this verse of the hymn as sanctioning ChristianScience: "Isn't this what Mary Baker Eddy taught?"she reasoned. "He frees us from all ills."Let the case rest there. It should be clear thatwhen our hymns imply to untrained minds thatChristianity is a promise of freedom from sorrow,suffering, and sickness, it is hardly strengtheningthem in a faith which is adequate for these tempestuous times.Moreover, the high privilege of prayer is reduced in the hymnal to a heavenly push-button service. Take for example the well-known hymn, "Godwill take Care of You." The third stanza has thisglowing promise :Nothing you ask will be denied.How can we reconcile this with the clear statement of Jesus, "Ye ask,and ye receive not . .Now to be sure, there are other verses of Scripturewhich may be cited as a basis for the words of thehymn, notably Matthew 21:22, and it is surely notour purpose to suggest that prayer is unavailing. Butthe Scriptures must be read in context, and Jesusever taught that true prayer must be in His Name.That means more than simply tacking onto the end328of the prayer the words, "In Jesus' Name." It meanspraying in His Spirit, His very Personality.True prayer, then, will never even request thingswhich are not in withharmony God's will. Trueprayer seeks not so much to change things as tochange the person who prays. When these conditionsare met then God surely will grant the requests ofHis people.If all of this is presupposed in the hymn at hand,then we have no quarrel. But to make a categoricalstatement that "nothing you ask will be denied" is toopen the door for a variety of mistaken conceptsabout the nature and purpose of prayer.Note other instances of wobbly theology, thesewithout detailed elaboration. Dr. Leitch, in the quotation cited, mentioned the hymn, "In The Garden."This is one of those hymns or more accurately,songs, for it is not correctly designated a hymnwhich enjoys a fabulous popularity. I fear its greatpopularity is a rather revealing barometer both ofAmerica's spirituality and its musical appreciation!This song suggests an anthropomorphic God who"walks in the garden in the cool of the day." Notfar advanced beyond Adam and Eve. The secondstanza begins,He speaks and the sound of His voiceIs so sweet the birds hush their singing . . .Theological tommyrot! Unless God is speakingin audible tones the birds would hardly hear andthereupon cease their chirping. God speaks to us inthe still small voice. He does not walk and talk inthe physical fashion described in this song.Consider the chorus of the same song. Read thewords with an imaginative eye, trying to form avisual picture of the scene. It sounds for all the worldlike a lover's tryst ! Hardly a picture of a deep spiritual communion with the Almighty.In the same vein there is the anthem which isranked among the most popular, and which portraysthe God of Creation as an anthropomorphic Beingwith whom one roams the fields. The reference hereis to "My God And I," in which are to be found thosestartling words:We'll walk and talk and JESTas good friends do.Imagine one jesting with the Almighty !But the prize of them all is the fabulously popular gospel-song, "Sweet Hour of Prayer." I search invain for Scripture to substantiate, or imagination tovisualize its last sentence :And shout, while passing through the air,Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer.EDITOR'S NOTE :The above article is used by permissionof the EXPOSITOR and the author, and though they didnot authorize us to condense it for our purpose, we havetaken the liberty to do so by leavingout several paragraphswhich we considered "Heresy." One of the omitted paragraphs begins: "The hymnal is full of these fallacious concepts."We heartily agree to this and even go so far as tosay that we doubt if there is any book of praise except thePsalter (150 Spirit-indited psalms) that does not containnumerous "fallaciousbyThe Psalter is the standardwhich concepts are to be judged whether or not theyare fallacious, for it the very Word of God, and the prescription Himself has ordered.THE COVENANTER WITNESS

up."ceasing"queen."me."world"coat,"geometry,". Butweakness."Lesson Helps for the Week of December 4, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor December 4, 1955PRAYER CHANGES MEIsaiah 55:6hll; Matthew 6:5-14(Topic used by permission of International Christian Endeavor Society)Psalms5:1, 3, 5, page 8143:1-3, page 34628:1-3, 7, 8, page 6425:1-4, page 5861:1-4, page 61143:4-6, page 347.References: Daniel 6:10, 11; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Matt. 26:39-44; Genesis 18:22-33; 28:20-22; 2 Kings 19:14-19, 32-34;Acts 12:12-17.Pray: For your society and its needs.That the National C.Y.P.U. Staff willbe led in the path of God's will.For our missionaries, both abroad andat home, whether in planting the seed ofthe Gospel, or standing firmly for thetruth.For the Covenanter young people atGeneva College, and that our Collegemay truly serve Christ and Country.For the Covenanter Church to "growup into Him in all things."Comments by Remo I. Robb, D. D.As 1955 moves into its closing weeks,the young people's topics emphasize themost important helps to Christian livingprayer and Bible study."Pray without wrote Paulto the Thessalonians, and "In everythinggive thanks, for this is the will of Godin Christ Jesus concerningyou."Davidsang "My voice shalt thou hear in themorning, O Lord; in the morning will Idirect my prayer unto Thee, and willlookIn the Sermon on the Mount,our Lord spoke as though prayer wasthe commonly expected activity of Hisdisc'iples; He said "But thou, when thou. . .prayest, When ye . . .pray Afterthis manner therefore, pray ye . .We have all heard it said that "prayerchanges things." This has some very definite limitations. For example, prayerdoes not change God, nor God's will. Godis a Sovereign God. If man by his prayercould change God, then He would beundependable, for at any time we mightfind that He had changed His plans toanswer somebody's prayer.Not long ago I was in a section of themidwest affected by drought. At thatNovember 16, 1955particular time, a state fair was goingon, and the management did not wantrain. Whose prayers should have beenheard, the farmers', lookingat theirparched fields, or the fair managers',looking at their great outdoor displays?In approaching Godin prayer, wemust ever remember that we are coming into the presence of the Lord of allthe earth, and that "known unto Godare all His works, from the beginning ofthedoes not change Him.(Acts 15:18). Our prayerYou can see how out of place are the"give-me"petitions, which pass commonly as prayergrade infurquarter-back""Give me a passing"Give me a new"Give me a date with theor the "home comingThis is not real prayer at all, forit leaves out altogether the great andsovereign Lord,and exalts the pettywhims and greed of our world-effectedminds.The topic states that "Prayer changesIn what ways am I changed bysincere and genuine prayer?1. God Gets First Place in My Thought.When I begin to pray, I say "Our Father which art in heaven" or somethingof that sort. My own father nearly always opened his prayers by saying "Ourkind and gracious heavenly Father,.I have been greatly influenced by thataddress to God. It helps me to think ofmy relationship to God, and of the wondrous nature of Him to whom I ama child. I cannot approach Him in anyway as an equal, for He is Father, andmy heavenly Father. In both cases Heis supreme and I am and ever must beHis subject.2. God's Will Becomes My DesireOnce a man told about a family difficulty that he and his wife decided tolay before the Lord. They got down ontheir knees to ask the Lord to do something about it, and the first thing theyknew they were thanking Him for whatHe had already done.Our giving ofthanks is a good deal of a habit. Itcomes out of our lips without muchthought, "Our Father in heaven, wethank Thee for . if we are trulythankful for the revelation of His willthrough past blessings,we should understand that that Will is the very bestthing for our lives.3. Prayer Brings Me into Subjection toGod's Will.Remember Paul's thorn in the flesh?(2 Cor. 12:7-10). A chronic jabbing,pricking thorn would be no help to atraveling preacher like Paul was. Heprayed three times that the Lord wouldtake it away, but the Lord didn't. Paul'sprayer could not change God. But everytime that thorn jagged, Paul thoughtabout the Lord and His greatness andpower. And after a while he said, "I'mkind of glad to be pricked by it, for ifit pricks me all the time then I thinkabout God all the time, and that's thebest thing that could happen to me.'Most gladly therefore will I ratherglory in my infirmities, that the powerof Christ mayrest uponme.' "Theprayers which we think are unanswered.frequently are God's channels by whichHis will is made more glorious and moreacceptable. His word always is, "Mygrace is sufficient for thee; for Mystrength is made perfect in4- Prayer Deepens my love for Him.The first and greatest commandmentis to love God with ALL our being.That's tremendous, and very few of Hischildren ever give Him ALL, reallyALL. Still, in the minutes when we prayto Him, thinking about His limitlessBeing, the richness of His blessings, theperfection of His will, and His amazingguidance that enables us to ask forthings agreeable to His will, so that theycome to us even greater than we ask,and when we think further of His promises, even life forevermore in His presence, we find ourselves changed "intothe same image from glory to glory,even as by the Spirit of the Lord."TALK THIS OVER1. Have a testimony or two abouthow your lives have been affected byyour prayers, or by the known prayersof others.2. Do you think that the prayer atthe opening of the World Series reallycontributed to the recovery of PresidentEisenhower? Is there anything out ofline in prayers of that sort? What?3. How can you m^ke sure that youpray for what is God's will?Order your Minutes of SynodNOWFrom C. R. Fox, 209 Ninth St.,Pittsburgh 22, Pa.Price $1.00329

cross."me."worry?"nay."SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONDecember 4, 1955Rev. W. 3. McBurney(Lessons based on International Sunday SchoolLessons ; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Religious Education.)Memory Verse. If any man would comeafter me, let him deny himself, and takeup his cross daily, and follow9:23LukeTHE MEANING OF DISCEPLESHD?"Let him deny himself and take uphis Jesus had just told His disciples about His own cross. If Satan couldobstruct the cross, that would destroyChrist's plan of salvation. Unable toconquer Christ in a direct attack, Satan used Peter to voice His words. Andso, as recorded in Matt. 16:22, Peterbegan to rebuke Him, saying, "Be it farfrom thee,Lord."Jesus addressed thereal author of the thought, and said,Satan.""Get thee behind me, But Healso addressed Peter, who had voicedSatan's words. Satan prompts us to desire what suits ourselves, We must denyourselves, and say "yes" to Christ, if wewould be His disciples.The words save and lose each havetwo sides. We might extend the 24thverse to read, "Whosoever will selfishlytry to hold his life in his own hand forhimself alone, shall lose all the valuethat it might have to him. But whosoever will turn his life loose from hisworldly desires, that it may be used forChrist, shall save it for himself as wellas for others.The selfish desire to possess the wholeworld cannot be realized,more thanthe baby's desire when he cries for themoon. But if the moon could be tossedto the child, it would crush him. Andif a man could gain the world, it wouldcost him his life. How we do labor forour own destruction! Very soon now,folks will be wearing party badges, displaying them to all that they meet.What about showing in our daily lifethat we are followers of Christ? If wehesitate, or are just a little ashamed toconfess in social or business circles thatwe belong to Christ, can we expectChrist to be proud of us in the courts ofHeaven?The Kingdom of God! Some were tosee it even in this life. Who, and when?Did Christ refer to the three discipleswho were on the Mount of Transfiguration? Now the Kingdom of God is thedominion over which God is King. It'shere, everywhere. The servant of Elishacould not see the chariots and horsementhat filled the mountain until his eyeswere opened. There are some so blindthat they will not see the Kingdom ofGod though it is all around them. The330Kingdom is here. Pray that the Lordmay open our eyes.In the mountain, Christ prayed, andHis raiment became white and glistening. Just what was the nature of thatlight in His raiment? I don't know.You don't know what causes the light ofthe glow worm or the fire-fly. Anyonediscoveringthe nature of that lightwould be ranked with Edison. Whyspeak of the physical nature of the lightin Christ's garments? We know that insome small way, it showed forth Hisglory.In what form did Moses and Elijahappear to the disciples, and how werethey known? Elijah was translated toHeaven without passing through death.Moses died and God buried him. Thereis no evidence of the truth of the lines,"The angels of God upturned the sod,And laid the dead man there." Mosesmust have appeared in the form of aman, that would not show who he was.The disciples had never seen either Elijahor Moses. They were doubtless revealedby their conversation as they talked withChrist of His returning to Heaven byway of death on the cross.When the disciples awoke and sawChrist in the light of His glory, theCross that Peter had seen as a thing ofhorror to be shuned, they now saw in theglory of Christ's plan. Peter wanted tostay right there in that glorious vision.He did not know what he was talkingabout. There was a crowd waiting forthem below. In the strength of that vision, theycrowd and work.were to go down into thatPerhaps Peter thought of the tabernacles only as a memorial to which theycould return occasionally and live thatwere to live invision over again. Theythat vision not occasionally, but continually.Peter's suggestion was interrupted bya cloud, and answered by a voice whichsaid, "This is my beloved Son." Thecloud shut out Peter's earthly dream,and left the disciples with Christ alone.Since only three of the disciples werepermitted to be present at that wonderful vision on the mount, it is plain whythey should not be telling it to the otherdisciples or others that were waiting forthem below. Even after their experienceon the mount, they did not understandthe mysteryof the cross which wastalked of there. But when Peter had seenthe whole tragedyperformed before theworld, he was able to write with understanding, "We have not followed cunningly devised fables when we madeknown to you the power and coming ofour Lord Jesus Christ; but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For He received from God the Father honor andglory, when there came such a voiceto him from the excellent glory, '"Thisis mybeloved Son in whom I am wellpleased. And this voice which came fromHeaven we heard when we were withhim in the Holy Mount."To the men of the world, this lessonbrings a distinct challenge. Recent discoveries of what is or may be beyond thevisible stars excite our curiosity, thoughit is hard to see what benefit the knowledge could bring to us. But when visionsof present opportunity that may open tous a lifethat in riches and extentreaches far beyond the realm of stars,how can this challenge to investigatethis heavenly glory be lightlyset aside?And to those who have seen the visionof this Heavenly Glory, there is the challenge to invest our lives in the serviceof the King of kings, even to be "crucified with Christ," as Paul calls it (Gal.2:20). A sinner may have an experiencethrough which he is transformed byfaith into a Citizen of Heaven, and intothe enjoyment of the wonderful privileges that belong to the Sons of God.Psalms:PRAYER MEETING TOPICDecember 7, 1955James 5:7-20. RESTORATIONM. K. Carson, D. D.143:1-3, page 34637:4-6, page 9134:1-6, page 79119:4-6, page 312.References: Found in the discussion.James turns from the oppressor (5:1-6) to the oppressed. It is in our suffering,disappointments and trials that patienceproduces her perfect work in us (1:4).In this way the excellent quality of endurance will be developed, as was manifested in the sufferingand yet patientprophets. Job also was an outstandingexample. The Lord's pity and compassion sustained these sufferers. Are weexperiencing the Lord's love and compassion? Being repelled and rejected dowe find our repose and defence in Christand in the assurance of His second coming? How needless then, is it for us toresort to oaths. We cannot "make onehair white or black" (Matt. 5:33-37).Often in our trouble and excitement welose control of the tongue. James has already spoken about this sin (3:1-12).The simple statement of the truth ismore effective than an oath. We are tolet our yea be yea and our nay,5:12). This simplicity is one of thecharacteristics of the patient man.Prayer."Why should we pray when we canOf course worry is no solutionto any problem, but so many of us seemto be using this method rather thanprayer in seeking to solve our problems.COVENANTER WITNESS

much."away?"months"One cannot worry and trust at the sametime. But if we trust we will pray. So inall our afflictions we are to pray (5:13).Some have suggested that we mighttranspose these statements. In our afflictions, sing Psalms, in our joy, pray.Many have been able to do both, bothin affliction and in joy. Paul and Silasunder very trying circumstances, prayedand sang praises unto God with wonderful results (Acts 16:25). "As thanksgivingsweetens sorrow so supplicationsanctifies joy." In our prayer meetings,the second week of each month, we havehad excellent discussions on Prayer. Inthese concluding verses, James is emphasizingprayer as a solution for allour problems. We are to prayfor thesick, for the forgiveness of sins, for oneanother and for rain. How much is included! Phil. 4:6; Eph. 6:18; Romans 8:26.What are the conditions of effectiveprayer? The author of this Epistle wasa verypractical Christian. He emphasized "Works" (2:26). But to James themost effective way to produce worksevidences of Christian faith wasthrough prayer. It was not so much byworking as by praying that these essential works were accomplished. Have wefound this so? Have we been able toaccomplish anything worthwhile apartfrom prayer? "The effectual ferventprayer of a righteous man availethBut who is a righteous man?Only those who are made righteous inChrist can qualify. Elijah, a man subject to all the frailties of life, had power in prayer (Acts 14:15). "He prayedearnestly that it might not rain;and itrained not on the earth by the space ofthree years and six18:36-38, 42).Restoration.(I Kings"Brethren if any of you do err . .Some stray away from the truth by deliberate choice,others are easily ledaway by enticing companionships, evilinfluences and innumerable other ways.There are many temptations,as we allknow and unless we are "kept" we cannot keep ourselves (I Peter 1:4-5). Evidently James is speaking about thosewho have known the truth, at least ina measure, but for some reason haveneglected it. Through indifference andneglect of the truth they slipped awaynot fully conscious, perhaps, that theywere drifting away (Hebrews 2:1-3).Christ spoke of some who seemed to beinterested for a time (Matt. 13:4-7; 19-22). To the Twelve, He said, "Will yealso goJohn 6:66-67. Paul hadhis experiences with Demas, Hymenaeusand Alexander (II Tim. 4:10; I Tim. 1:20). The Epistle to the Galatians waswritten to keepNovember 16, 1955whole groups fromerr-ing from the truth. John's heart too wasfilled with sadness for he says that "theywent out from us but they were not ofus; for if they had been of us, theywould no doubt have continued with usbut they went out, that theymade manifest that theyus (I John 2:19). Among the Corinthmight bewere not all ofians there were those who were weak,sickly and sleepy because they were notable to discern the Lord's body (I Cor.11:29-30). These examples are warningsto all of us. Paul said, "Brethren, if aman be overtaken in a fault, ye whichare spiritual, restore such an one inthe spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1). All of us have sinned and are weak.How important it is that we seek to dothis work in meekness. And what joyand satisfaction it is to be able by Hispower to help others to find rest inChrist (Matt. 11:28-30; Luke 15:7)!Some of those, no doubt, who err fromthe truth have not been born again.Others who have had a real Christianexperience will be brought back for webelieve that the good work which is begun will be continued (Phil. 1:6; John10:27-29; Romans 8:33-35). We need toseek both groups. How carefully theskilled surgeon performs his task! Howmuch greater skill is required to bringback some offended weak or erring one.May the Holy Spirit give us this skill.The task is difficult (Heb. 6:1-6).James knew this too. What then is ourencouragement? "The effectual ferventprayer . . . Jamesemphasizinghad a purpose inprayer in connection withthis appeal for restoration. It is onlythrough prayer that souls can be restored and won. May the Lord give usthe power and somethingof the sametenderness and compassion for the erringwhich characterizes the Shepherdand Bishop of our souls,and forgive uswherein we have failed Him by neglecting our erring brother (Proverbs 10:12;I Peter 4:8; Heb. 13:17). "We musttake heed lest souls perish through puresloth whose salvation God puts in amanner in our hands. Not that we canbestow salvation on them, but that Godby our ministry delivers and saves thosewho seem otherwise to be nigh destruction."Calvin.PrayerThat the Lord will bless to us ourstudy of this Epistle of James.That all of us may be kept fromerring from the truth.That all our congregations may beable to win the erring and to save soulsfrom death.That the American Bible Society maybe able to supply the Word of God to allwho desire and need it.A LETTERFOR YOU TO ANSWERDear Friend:Deeply moved in my soul and completely despairing of life, I have gotten out of bed to write to you. I ama young girl who for eight years hasbeen going from one sanitarium toanother because of the dread diseaseof tuberculosis, but to no avail. Iburn dailybecause I lack money for the necessary drugs.with a high fever simplyI have no one in this world to helpme. My father is a drunkard, mymother died from tuberculosis andeven my sister is tubercular. She hasbeen put out of one sanitarium because they cannot keep her afterthree years. We are trying to get heradmitted here, at the sanitarium ofLamia, but she does not even havethe fare to come, let alone money topay for medicine.My three little brothers at home goabout in the streets begging forbread. Some people help them; somechase them. Poor little fellows, theyoften come home crying and go tobed hungry. They are ragged andbarefoot because no one cares forthem. Myfather is a slave of drinkand does nothing for his motherlesschildren.In spite of the seeming hopelessness of our situation, I am looking toJesus for help. I know that it is inHis name that those of you who readthis letter will want to respond. Ithink I have said enough. There areno more words to describe our plight.May God have mercy on us. Withlove,EVA BAGGOUWe have "no more words"to describe this situation, either, but weknow that you share our heartacheand deep pity for this suffering girland her family. The medicine for herand her sister will cost $50 to provide,and $10 will purchase locally 80 lbs.of nourishing food. We invite you, ourreader, to respond to this patheticappeal and to hundreds of others likeit. You may help through the American Mission to Greeks, Inc., Dept.CW, P. O. Box 423, New York 36,N. Y., Rev. Spiros Zodhiates, GeneralSecretary.Ave., Toronto 7, Ont.)(In Canada: 90 DuplexThis Mission is also reaching thesouls of the thousands of tubercularpeople in Greece by providing Biblesand New Testaments for them in theGreek language. While we are concerned about the tragedy of the suffering body, we must not forget theplight of the sinful heart.

publication."news."Church NewsWHAT CONSTITUTES A GOODCHURCH PAPER?From United BrethrenIf an abundance of local church newsis a criterion of a good church paper,then the 25% or more of the folks whoexpress to us their ideas of the UnitedBrethren have a point to get across, forabout one out of four clamor for morechurch news.Almost everyannual conference session allows a discussion of our publishing interests and always there are thoseremind us that too little localwhochurch news finds its way into the paper. All of us may agree on this matter.Where we differ may be in the matterof what constitutes church news.Luckily, we are able to cite an authority on the subject William F. McDermott,a Christian journalist who formany years was on the staff of the Chicago Daily News. He makes it clear that"the storyof the Lord at work in Hisworld in these desperate, yet challengingdays,is the greatest continued newstimes."story of ourOver against the blatant paganismand atheism of our day, says Mr. Mc-Dermott, "there's news there, friend.The greatest, best, most exciting newsanywhere. And there's only one placeyou will find it chronicled faithfully,fully, accurately and inspiringly inyour church"I turn to my church paper. I findthere the story of a Christian doctor ina primitive, hunger-ridden land, who inhis missionary hospital performed 3,000cataract operations in a year on the eyesof people going blind, and of a groupof American churchwomen furnishinghim 500 artificial eyes for those whohave lost partial sight. You read . . .of jails packed with teen-agers,of adolescents committing atrocious murders.But there's another side to youth. In mychurch paper I find the account of 11,000Christian workers traveling a total of6,000,000 miles to attend a great Sabbath school convention. . . .My churchpaper tells me of new churches beingfounded, of Christian services in prisonsand hospitals, of evangelical schools andcolleges preparingmissionary work,...men and women forof revivals theworld over, of the Word of God being. .preached in hundreds of.languages,of thousands being converted in evangelistic campaigns here and in foreign332lands, making one realize that 'My wordshall not return unto mevoid.' "Local churches should have so muchnews of the above nature to report thattheyneed not fall back on church improvement projects and poundings thatinvolve merely or chiefly so many galvanized water containers, so many dozens of eggs, so much canned goods, chenille bed spreads, lingerie, and whathave you. Editors don't feel that theyare publishing for the Lord" when theyhave to fill column after column withsuch reading matter.Then, too, there is so much of the obscene in much that is read today thateditors regret having to decide whetheror not to use what borders the pornographic in art. We will gladly give sixpages to church news every issue onlylet it be news and that with a degreeof dignity.A denominational paper can be soldoutside of the denomination when thesaturation point is reached within itsown constituency, but that denominational paper cannot be dealing in thetrivialit must keep Christian journalism on a high level.We agree that there should be morechurch news in the United Brethren.Church news, however, don't come downlike manna from heaven. It accumulatesfrom the offices of pastors,Sabbathschool superintendents, Christian Endeavor presidents, WMA presidents,and other local church officials andworkers who are in the news-makingbusiness.We verily believe that there are projects, events and activities in sufficientamounts and number and of vital significance takingplace throughout ourentire constituency to satisfy the clamorfor "more church We solicit it.PORTLAND NEWSOur Fall Communion service was heldon October 23. Rev. M. Martin from Seattle brought us challenging messagesat our preparatory services and we werehappy to have his fellowship.Two congregational meetings havebeen held within the last month to hearand discuss the report of the BuildingCommittee. It was decided at our November 2 meeting to proceed with building an extension to the rear ofour present building in order to provide more adequate Sabbath Schoolroom. The estimated cost of the projectwill be $6,500 and our building fund issteadily growing.During the month of October we havehad a Sabbath School contest which wasclimaxed by a partyon November 4.Six new members have been added tothe roll of the Sabbath School duringthe contest.A solid oak register board was madeand presented to the Sabbath School bythe father of one of our Sabbath Schoolchildren. The lumber used was grownnear Portland, Maine, the city for whichPortland, Oregon, was named.We thank Iris Hutcheson for hertimelyBusiness Clock for our church.gift of an attractive SessionsEASTVALE NEWSThe 19th AnniversaryDinner of thecongregation was held in the churchOctober 19. After a delicious meal, ourpastor led in the devotions. We werethen entertained with a delightful program. Mrs. H. C. Anderson was chairman for the dinner, and the programwas in charge of Mr. Paul Coast.We are happy to have a new memberin our church services.Cheryl DawnMcCracken came to live in the parsonage on August 24.Mr. and Mrs. GaryCongratulations toSmith upon the arrival of their son Gerald Arnold, bornAugust 31.Rev. David Carson preached for uson Sabbath, October 9,while our pastorwas assisting with Communion servicesat Youngstown.We extend a heartywelcome to thestudents from Geneva College who worship with us each Sabbath Day.Four babies received the Sacramentof Baptism on October 23; Jeffrey OrinSnedeker, Jonathan William Douglas,Gerald Arnold Smith, and Cheryl DawnMcCracken. We pray for God's blessingon these little ones and their parents.The Lord's Supper was observed onOctober 30, with Rev. Kermit Edgar ofthe Allegheny Congregation, assisting.It was a real pleasure to have Rev. Edgar with us again, and his messageswere most helpful and inspiring.The Annual Halloween Party was heldNovember 2 in the parsonage basement.NEWBURGH, NEW YORKThe regular monthly meeting of theW.M.S. was held on Tuesday, September6, at which time a special collection wasreceived for the Kentucky Mission. Atour October meeting, boxes were packedfor Selma, Alabama, and Apache, Oklahoma. Mrs. Rosanna Mcllwee, was hostess for this meeting. Dues for the Women's Association of our Home in Pittsburgh, Pa., were received at this meeting and we are happy to report thatCOVENANTER WITNESS

coholism."through the efforts of our Treasurer,Mrs. John White, eight new memberswere recruited for this year. Our Thankoffering Service was held at the churchon Wednesday evening, November 2, onour regular Prayer Meeting night, withthe members of the Congregation invited to attend. Although no speakerwas obtained for this meeting, a specialThank offering program was plannedby the Superintendent. A $10.00 gift wasgiven by Mrs. Margaret Hayes, in memory of her mother, Mrs. Samuel Smith.This amount was added to our Thankoffering collection. On Sabbath, October24 the family of Mrs. Samuel Smithalso, placed a beautiful basket of flowers in the pulpit in memory of theirmother.During August,have as our guest preachers, Rev. Walwe were privileged toter Magee of Goshen, Rev. Donald Robbof Cambridge and Rev. Robert Henningof New York.On September 9, several of our members journeyed to Walton, N. Y. for thePsalm Sing.On Sabbath evening, September 25,Dr. J. Renwick Patterson spoke at ourchurch regarding a phase of the work ofthe National Reform Association, "AlMembers of the ColdenhamCongregation joined us for this service.Our Communion service was held onSabbath, October 2, with Rev. GeorgePrice of Philadelphia as our Assistant.We enjoyed the fellowshipof Rev.Price and his wife and the fine messagewhich he brought us. On October 16, ourpastor assisted at the Communion Services of Rev. Price's congregation inPhiladelphia, On this Sabbaht, the Newburgh Congregation had a speaker fromthe Gideon Bible Society.Rev. Sterrett and family have movedinto their new home. On Friday evening, September 23 a social was held atthe church sponsored by the W.M.S. After the singing of some of the old songsand playing games, surprise was sprungon our pastor and his wife in memoryAnniversary. Althoughof their Weddingthe party was held ten days late, we didmanage to surprise the guests. A giftof money from the congregation wasgiven to Rev. Sterrett and wife for usein their new home.The Semi-annual S. S. Teachers meeting was held at the home of Miss Elisabeth Henderson, Friday evening, October 21. We are happy to have Miss MaryLee Meneely join our teaching staff asassistant to Mrs. Somers in the PrimaryClass. A social time followed the meeting.We are happy to have Mr. WilliamSingleman worshiping with us again,for sevafter being away from the cityeral years. He has taken up teaching inNovember 16, 1955one of the Junior High Schools in Newburgh. We wish him the best of blessings in his work here.Jack White has returned to his studiesat Geneva College after spending thesummer with his parents. It was apleasure to have Jack with us and takean active part in the services of thechurch. While home he assisted Rev.Sterrett in the Junior work.DENISONThe annual Thank offering meetingwas addressed by Rev. Herbert Hays,October 24. Mrs. Stewart Robb presided.Social fellowshipover pie and coffeeconcluded a profitable evening.Donald William came October 27 togladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm.Porter.Mr. and Mrs. T. Arthur Humphreysof Sterling and their daughter, Marjorie,of Hutchinson worshiped with us, October 23. Mr. and Mrs. John Goodhueand three sons of Indianola, Iowa, werealso guests.Mrs. Delber Braum underwent majorsurgery October 28 in the Holton Hospital.The Adult Group enjoyed a fellowshipsupper October 27 at the church. Mr.Pfiffer of Holton showed pictures takenon a recent trip to Germany and told ofthat country and its people. Newlyelected officers for the coming year are :President, Mr. Ray Knowles; Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. Clarence Wing.The Young Adult Group held a chilisupper at the church October 28, withMr. and Mrs. Junior Blackwood actingas host and hostess. Fifty-eight werepresent. Mrs. Lloyd Copeland directedthe entertainment and Lloyd Copelandled in the closing devotional period.Mr. Robert Martin of the Clarindacongregation is visiting in the JohnYoung home.CLARINDACongratulations to Pfc. and Mrs. Wendell Westenberg of Baltimore, on thebirth of a son Thomas Mark, Oct. 26.The Clarinda congregation was happyto entertain the Midwest PresbyteryOctober 3 and 4. The last evening a portion of our Centennial program was repeated for the benefit of our guests.We were inspired and helped in ourspiritual life by the messages from theWord given by Rev. Robert McMillan atour fall communion. This was Mr. McMillan's boyhood home and his returnwas a mutual delight both to him andthe congregation.Mr. and Mrs. John Cabeen and Mrs.Cabeen's mother, Mrs. Stevenson, spentten days with the Richard Cabeen family in Washington, Pa. They were joinedthere for a few days by another son,Lyle, who came from his post in Ft.Monmouth, N. J.Mr. and Mrs. J. Guy Black have returned from Denver where they hadbeen called by the death of their brother-in-law, Herbert Martin.We shall miss Mrs. Myrtle Tippin, oneof our faithful members, who is leavingfor Denver to make her home for atime with Mrs. Herbert Martin. At thesemi-annual birthday dinner held at thechurch recently, Mrs. Tippin was presented with a gift from the SabbathSchool in appreciation of service rendered through the years.The Juniors held a Halloween party atthe Manse. All came in costume andenjoyed an evening of fun and frolic.Mr. and Mrs. Paul Paddock of Marshalltown,Iowa, spent a few days withMrs. Paddock's brother, Mr. J. Ren Lee.They were accompanied by their sonPaul Jr. who is in diplomatic service andhad just returned from a tour of dutyabroad.Relatives here of Mr. and Mrs. HaigMouridian of Limon, Colo., receivedword of the death of Mr. Mouridian'sfather, Dr. Mouridian in far-away Cyprus. Our sympathy goes out to thesefriends.John David, infant son of Mr. andMrs. John Greenwood, is quite ill at thiswriting and the hopes and the prayers ofthe people are for a speedy recovery.YOUNGSTOWN, OHIOThe Rev. J. Paul McCracken was theable assistant duringour fall communion season. Preparatory services wereheld Thursday and Friday evenings.Mrs. John Thwing presented her letter from the United Presbyterian churchto our session and was received into themembership of the Youngstown Congregation. We are happy to have theThwings worship with us while they arein Youngstown.The Floyd Sweetapples' new homewas the scene of a surprise housewarmingin October. The Sweetapple'swere presented with a hassockfor the house. Cider and doughnuts wereprovided by the invading horde.Carol Elizabeth arrived October 18 tomake her home with John and AltaTweed in the Youngstown Parsonage.A Halloween partyalways brings outthe best of ghosts, witches and goblins.The Party held in our church basementOctober 28 was no exception. Everyoneentered into the fun and games and enjoyed the evening.333

you."along."me""The following article by Mrs. AldineWoodruff was written and sent tothe members of her "Prayer Shut-inClub"in five states and the vicinity ofPittsburgh. This club consists of 125"shut-ins" with whom she keeps in constant contact by mail, telephone and byprayer. She carries on a telephone ministry for those who call her for spiritualhelp. A prayer group of 15 earnestChristians joins her in prayer at a statedtime each day in their own homes. Shehas spoken frequentlyWork Among Shut-Insover radio stationWPIT with an evangelistic appeal.Mrs. Woodruff is a Covenanter withmembership in our Union congregationat Mars, Pa."WHEN YOU PRAY, BELDSVEDear Friend in Christ:Are you weary, tired and discouraged?Are you seeking for healing of body andsoul? I know One who can help you,dear friend, and that One is Jesus, ourLord. He can heal every heartache;there is nothing impossible with Him.Put yourself in His care and keepingpower. Nothing can touch you there.Oh, claim the precious promises He hasgiven us; give yourself to Him, bodyand soulall you are and all that youhave are His. In John 15:7, Jesus said:"If ye abide in me and my words abidein you, ye shall ask what ye will, and itshall be done untoare yours.Then all thingsWill you not venture out on His promises? Are you so fearfulcourage that you cannot stepso lacking inout uponGod's promises, and risk your all onHis faithfulness? If Peter did sink beneath the waves, he had the courage toventure out at Christ's call. If we do notstep out on His Word, and put thatWord to the test, we will never knowwhat God means when He says, "Callupon me and I will answer thee andshow thee great and mighty thingswhich thou knowestnot"(Jeremiah 33:3). Are you willing to do this?1. Completely surrender yourself to God;begin with a clean heart and a perfectyieldedness to His willthen He willcover you with His robe of righteousness.2. Commit His promises; stand firmlyupon them; study His Word for inGod's Word you will find the strengthand faith you need. Commit His promises; hold them deep in your heart,and when you need them they will bethere. Here are a few that have334helped me: Mark 9:23; 11:24; I John5:14, 15; Ex. 15:26; Psa. 103:3; Isa.40:31.3. Be definite with God; tell Him exactlyyour need. Remember you are talkingto Him who loves you and knows allabout you and your need. Trust Hislove for you and have a definite prayer time to meet God. He will not failyou. He will be there to meet you.Have faithfor faith is the key thatopens the door. When we have a business transaction, we believe in theone with whom we have it; we takehim at his word and accept his promises. Oh, what a pity that we can anddo take man's word so easilyand beso definite in our transactions withone another, and so indefinite with ourGod!4- Expect things from God. There aretwo kinds of Christiansthose whopray and expect things to happen, andthose who just pray, but do not expectthe answers. How much they miss,for again we hear Him say: "Callupon me and I will answer thee." Howit must grieve the loving heart ofChrist for His child to pray on and onand never show an expectant attitude.Listen to His words as He speaksthem: "Whatsoever things ye desire,when ye pray, believe that ye receivethem and ye shall have them." Do youbelieve His word? When you prayBELIEVE!5. Accept from God. It is amazing howpeople who, after having asked God todo the giving, actually expect Him todo the taking also;expect Him without the least effort on their part, tocome right down and lay it in theirhands. God does not do that. Oh no,we must go to Him and accept ourgifts, meet His conditions; believe andreceive. "Believe that ye shall receive them, and ye shall have them"(Mark 11:24). Stand on His promises;stand your ground, knowing no matter what happens, God does not andcannot fail. For every look at yourtroubles, take a hundred looks at thepromises of God.6. Put faith into action. As someone hassaid, "When faith goes to market, ittakes a basket When we go toGod in prayer, let's not take a thimble, but a basketGod"(Mk. 11:22).and "Have Faith in~. Praise Him and thank Him for youranswers. You have sent in your request,now wait in confidence for itscoming. Leave it with Him, for Hehath never failed in one of His promises. In Psalm 103:2, 3, we read "Blessthe Lord, O my soul, and forget notall His benefits; who forgiveth allthine iniquities; who healeth all thydiseases."Oh, how much He has togive to you His child, if only you willgive Him a chance! Christ stands without-stretched hands to you, and Hishands are filled with gifts of love;with Forgiveness, Peace, Joy, andHealing. He is your Saviour who lovesso much He willingly died for you. Hesees every tear; He knows everyheartache ; He hears your lowest whisper, and longs to share them with you,but cannot, unless you ask Him. Oh!He is such a wonderful Christ! Whenyou go to the Father's throne inprayer, you do not go alone. Oh, no!He, the Holy Spirit, prayeth throughyou, and Christ, our Lord, intercedesfor you. Now how can you doubt sogreat a love when He said: "If thoucanst believe, all things are possibleto him that believeth" (Mark 9:23).The eternal promises of God are triedand true. "He shields all who take shelter with Him" (II Samuel 22:31). Wemust obey God's leading. We cannottrust our own wisdom. Outside of God'swill we can do nothing; but as Paul said;"I can do all things through Christ whostrengtheneth(Phil. 4:13). Let usgo forward with Him, letting Him Live,Love, Speak and Pray through us."Brethren, I count not myself to haveapprehended; but this one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind,and reaching forth unto those thingswhich are before, I press toward themark for the prize of the high calling ofGod in Jesus Christ.""Giving thanksunto the Father, who hath made us ableto be partakers of the inheritance of theSaints"(Col. 1:12). "Thanks be to Godwho gives us the victory through ourLord, Jesus Christ" (I Cor. 15:57).God bless you.Mrs. Woodruff."HIS WILL BE DONE ""His will be done," we say with sighsand trembling.Expecting the trial, bitter loss and tears.And then how doth He answer us withblessingsIn sweet rebuking of our faithless fears!"God's will is peace and plenty and powerTo be and to have the best that He cangive:A mind to serve Him and a heart tolove Him,The faith to die and the strength to live.COVENANTER WITNESS

ness""It means for us all good, all grace, allglory;His Kingdom coming and on earth begun.Why should we fear to say: "His willHis righteous,His tender, loving, joyous willdone?"beAnnie Johnson FlintSANTA ANARev. Bergen Birdsall of Los Angelespresented the cause of the CaliforniaTemperance Federation on Sabbathmorning, October 16, while our pastorwas assistinggenerous offeringcommunion at Fresno. Awas lifted for temperance work. Laymen who participatedin the service were Mr. Gordon Betts,Mr. Lewis Keys, and Mr. M. J. Crockett.When Miss Jennie M. Dean broughtgreetings during the morning worshipservice on October 16, we learned of aBible Class which Miss Dean conductsfor Chinese students each Sabbath afternoon at a Presbyterian Church inSanta Barbara, where Miss Dean nowresides with her sister.Rev. Bruce Stewart came from Greeley, Colorado, to assist our pastor in theobservance of the Lord's Supper on October 30. Preparatory and Sabbath messages were helpful and Spirit-filled. Mrs.Stewart's accompanying Rev.added to our pleasurable fellowship.StewartA family night on October 31 gavefurther opportunity for visiting with theStewarts of Greeley. Rev. Stewart's colored slides showing conference scenesand family pictures were enjoyed duringour program of music and readings. Ourpastor's approaching birthday came tolight through a musical parody composed by Mrs. Nell Thompson. Mr. Gordon Betts expressed the congregation'sbirthday wishes to Rev. McFarland.Rumor has it that the birthday cardcontained good wishes in a tangibleform.MRS. MARY BERTHA McBURNEYThe Quinter congregation and Women's Missionary Society desire to express their appreciation of the life ofMrs. Mary McBurney, wife of the lateRev. G. R. McBurney who ministered toour congregation from 1899 to 1906. Shepassed to her heavenly home September14, 1955. We appreciate the quiet, effective Christian testimony she livedamong us.She was vitally interested in all thedepartments of the Women's MissionarySociety and recently was made a LifeMember."She openeth her mouth with wisdom;and in her tongue is the law of kind(Prov. 31:26).November 16, 1955MEMORIAL OF WARD J. AULDThe Board of Deacons of the Oakdale,Illinois, Congregation would record itssincere appreciation of the life and workof Ward J. Auld, who was called to hisHeavenly Home on September 1, 1955.Mr. Auld served as a member of thisBoard for many years. He was faithfulin his attendance at the meetings, interested in the welfare and progress ofthe congregation and endeavored alwaysto do his part in keeping the Churchproperty in repair. His regular attendance at the services of the Lord's Housewas evidence of his love for it and forthe Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himselffor it.MRS. ANNA CAMPBELLThe Women's Missionary Society ofHetherton Congregation wishes to paytribute to the memory of Mrs. AnnaCampbell who was called home to bewith her Heavenly Father on October10, 1955 at the age of 79 years. Shejoined the Covenanter Church in heryouth in Old Bethel Congregation andlater moved to Hetherton, Michigan,where she became a charter member ofthat congregation. She was a very faithful member at the services of both thecongregation and the Missionary Societyas long as she lived where she could attend them.She is greatly missed by her children,grandchildren, a brother and a sister anda host of friends. Funeral services wereconducted by her pastor, Rev. E. R.Hemphill, in the Hetherton church onThursday, October 13. "Blesed are thedead who die in the Lord."TOPEKA NEWSMiss Doris Irene Drennon became thebride of A 1/c Ralph Enloe in a candlelight double ring ceremony, October 22,in the First Christian Church, rented forthe occasion. Rev. Donald McClurkin officiated. Mrs. Phyllis Sholout played thenuptial music and accompanied Mrs.Robert Maine who sang "I Love YouTruly" and"Because."attended by Mrs.The bride wasRoy Ottensmeir asmatron of honor and Miss Beverly AnnPrice as bridesmaid. A 1/c Elijah Enloeattended his brother as best man. A 1/cThornley Morehead and A 1/c LonnieDeaver were ushers and candle-lighters.Patty Dick was the ring bearer. Mrs.Ernest Losey and Mrs. Richard Pricewere in charge of the reception. MissNellie Melroy presided at the guest book.The Enloes will make their home in Topeka.A Christian Leadership Seminar beginning October 25 and running weeklyfor 15 weeks is being conducted by ourpastor. We hope to be better Christiansand Leaders as a result of this course.Our communoin season is November3, 4 and 6. The messages are beingbrought to us by Rev. C. E. Caskey ofSuperior. May our spiritual life be deepened through his message and throughthis sacred season!HETHERTON NEWSHetherton friends of the former pastor and wife, Rev. and Mrs. Robert Henning, were happy when they came backfor a short visit in September. OpenHouse was held in their honor at theparsonage.Mr. and Mrs. Harold Phillips of Alpena, Michigan, are the proud parentsof a baby boy born October 4, andnamed Perry Ray. Mrs. Phillips is theformer Geraldine Brown, a member ofHetherton Congregation.Mrs. Ray Hagadorn has the sympathyof the congregation in the loss of herfather who was killed in an accident recently.Communion was held at Hetherton onOctober 23, at which time the congregation also signed the Brief Covenant.Our pastor, Rev. E. R. Hemphill broughtvery fine messages and the services werewell attended. At this time, Hethertonreceived six members into the congregation Mrs. Lizzie Gray, Mrs. JennieHemphill, and Marilyn Harrington bycertificate and Mrs. Beatrice Long, JoLeino, and Alan Hemphill by professionof faith.For six weeks previous to Communion,our pastor conducted a class on eachTuesday evening to enable the youngpeople to become better acquainted withthe principles of the church. Althoughthe Communion season has passed, theclass is being continued at the requestof the young people.Mr. and Mrs. Tom Jameson and sonJimmy of the Southfield Congregationrecently spent a day with Mr. and Mrs.Ed Roby.OUR HOMETuesday, October 4 was Donation andReception Day at the Home. Each roomwas the recipient of a vase of flowers,which the members all look forward to,and chrysanthemums and roseswereeverywhere! These are brought in byBoard members, florists who know ofOur Home and wish to contribute something to its beauty and joy, and friendsof the Home. How much our membersand friends do enjoy their beauty! Theyadd so much to the attractiveness of theHome! And the tea table is always sucha joy to behold! How the Board wishesyou could all be with us on just one, atleast, Donation and Reception Day! Ourmembers dress up in their best bib andtucker, and their joy knows no bounds335

nothing."when friends and loved ones come to seethem! The beautiful silver, table cloth,and decorations (brought in by friendsand Board members for the occasion)are so much appreciated. Our Homedoes own a very beautiful coffee urn,presented to it by Mrs. Edna McKeeHouston, which we use so proudly andappreciatively on company days. Thankyou again, Mrs. Houston, for the joy ithas brought to us. And, thank you, OurChurch, for your thoughtful contributions to the Home larder. You realizewhat it means to provide sustenance tojust your own family; now, think whatit would mean to provide such for forty,three times a day! Tea, coffee, punchand cookies and nuts were enjoyed byall.And for the first time, our AuxiliaryBoard was a tremendous help. They assisted throughout the dayand evening!Thank you, Auxiliary, the Board wasgrateful not only for your help, but appreciated your spirit. And how wonderful it was to see these younger womendoing the Lord's work there.The Reverend C. A. Dodds, D.D., visited at the Home from October 7 to Oct.28 while his daughter was on vacation.Communion Service was held at theHome on Sabbath October 9 at 4 P.M.by the Reverend Mr. Kenneth Smith,assisted by elder Mr. Knox M. Young.It was a beautiful service. Thirteen partook of the communion.Sabbath, October 23, 3rd year student Mr. Armour McFarland preachedmost acceptably at the Home. Armouris a son of Dr. McFarland of the Christian Amendment Movement, so we expect good things of him. And, he did notdisappoint us.On Thursday, October 27, the Mrs.Wenkhous, Mrs. Cypher, and Mrs. Eslerfrom Parnassus congregation played recordings of the wonderful addressesgiven by Mrs. Hayes McKelvy, and Rev.Sam Boyle at our Presbyterial. You willnever know, Parnassus, what that evening has meant to our members! Notonly that, but they brought along Dixiecups, coffee, homemade cookies, andHalloween candies. Thank you!Respectfully submitted,Press Committee.RESENTMENTOne day when I was very smallI fell against the garden wall;And smarting with the hurt and pain,I kicked that wall with might and main,Struck at it with my little fistAnd bruised my head and sprained mywrist.I screamed with rage, as children will,Who fancy things have done them ill;With more of anger than of pluck,Against the solid wall I struck,Resenting what had gone beforeI madly hurt myself the more.This was the error of a child;How oft at such a scene we've smiled,And yet how often still does ageSeek comfort in defiant rage,Thinking in bitterness to findSweet consolation for the mind.When grief has hurt us, as it must,unjust."We cry aloud, "God isWe strike at faith, that solid wall,Which shelters and sustains us all,Not knowing when our hearts are sore,Resentment only hurts us more.In bitterness no comfort lies,No tear or sorrow hatred dries;Who turns upon his God in griefFind endless woe in disbelief.Who cries that Faith in God is vain,Condemns himself to greater pain.ExchangeGLIMPSES from page 323Henrietta MearsThere is an interesting article in Christian Digest aboutone whom the writer calls, "The Fabulous Miss Mears." Sheis director of education in the First Presbyterian Church ofHollywood which has 5,000 in its Sabbath School, and editorof Gospel Light Press Sabbath School helps. She was dissatisfied with the lack of depth of the Sabbath School helpswhich she examined, and as she questioned children onesaid, "Sunday School gets dumber and dumber. The samestories all the time." She was a devout girl from early childhood and had an earnest, praying mother. In order to findtime in her busy life to pray she gets up at four o'clock inthe morning. It is remarkable that she has done so much, forsince childhood she has had very poor vision. The doctor toldher mother when she was in 3rd grade, "If she does not stopschool she will be blind by the time she is 30." "Henrietta decided she would rather be blind with a full mind than to haveher eyesight and knowShe did not become blindbut she has to wear special glasses. She relies on the promise in the 37th Psalm, "Commit thy way unto the Lord;trust also in him; and he shall pass."bring it to Recently,her doctor told her, "If I were your physician I would tellyou never to read another line, but I am not your physician,you are in the hands of the Great Physician."Gospel Light HelpsWe have found the Gospel Light Press helps quite satisfactory in our released time Bible School. They take the336Bible as an inspired, infallible book, and are opposed to thetheory of evolution. They frequently present the pupils witha personal appeal to accept Christ as their Saviour and tolive consecrated lives. There are some issues which presentthe Pre-millennial view, but these we endeavor to sift out.They are published in Glendale, California, and may befound in many book stores.YOUBy G. E. Bilbo in The PatriotIf you can't be an oak on the top of a hillBe a bush in a valley close by,The Oak was a bush, but it grew, so can you.But you can't tell how much till you try.If you can't be a General there's a place you can fillBut you can't reach the top at one stride,The General began at the foot of the hill,But he did not advance till he tried.If you can't be a Doctor, Lawyer or Nurse,There's a talent entrusted to you,Do your dead level best, just forget all the rest,Be amazed what you really can do.After all just be YOU, in the things that you do.If you don't think you'll win, you won't.Would you do greater things if you just had thechanceWhen the things that you can do, you don't?COVENANTER WITNESS

gether"praise"maker"ever"giver"ear"purity"words"give"speak"circumspectly"storehouse"still"only"BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 11, 1955wtnessVOLUME LV, NO. 21 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1955Etiquette in the House of GodMartha S. Hooker, in "Moody Monthly"What Our Attitudes Should Be-About attending services in the house of God:"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves to(Heb. 10:25a)."As his custom was, he (Jesus) went into thesynagogue on the sabbath day" (Luke 4:16).On Sabbath morning as we go to the house of God:"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us gointo the house of the Lord" (Psa. 122:1).On entering the house of God :"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with (Psa. 100:4a).About the church building:"Reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord" (Lev.19:30b)."For where two or three are gathered togetherin my name, there am I in the midst ofthem"(Matt. 18:20)."This is none other but the house of God, andthis is the gate of heaven" (Gen. 28:17b).In His presence:"O come, let us worship and bow down: let uskneel before the Lord our (Psa.95:6)."Be still, and know that I am God" (Psa. 46:10a).During the worship service:"God is a Spirit; and they that worship himmust worship him in spirit and in truth"(John 4:24).During the song service:"Sing of the mercies of the Lord for89:1a).(Psa."In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singLord"with grace in your hearts to theing(Col. 3:16b).During prayer:"They bowed their heads and worshipped"(Exod. 4:31b)."He that cometh to God must believe that he is,and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6b).During the reading of the Word of God :"I will hear what God the Lord will (Psa.85:8a)."Carefully hearken unto the voice of the Lordthy God" (Deut. 15:5a)."My son, attend to my (Prov. 4:20).During the offering service:"Honour the Lord with thy substance, and withthe first fruits of all thine increase" (Prov.3:9)."Every man ... so let him give ; not grudgingly, or of necessity : for God loveth a cheerful(2 Cor. 9:7)."Freely ye have received, freely (Matt. 10 :8b)."Bring ye all the tithes into the(Mai. 3:10a).During the preaching of the sermon:"Meditate upon these things ; give thyself wholly to them" (1 Tim. 4:15a)."Hearken . . . and consider, and incline thine(Psa. 45:10a)."Commune with your own heart . . . and be(Psa. 4:4b).After leaving the house of God:"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers(James 1:22)."See then that ye walk(Eph.5:15a)."Let no man despise thy youth; but be thouan example of the believers, in word, inconversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith,in (I Tim. 4:12).

years'Glimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen. D. D.Widespread Use of DopeA bishop of the Episcopal Church, Clinton S. Quin, ofTexas, believes that the use of narcotics, commonly called"dope,"is so widespread that there is a need of an organization similar to Alcoholics Anonymous which might be calledDopes Anonymous. Though there is so much defiance of thelaws against the illicit importation and use of narcotics wedo not hear a clamor for the repeal of these laws, such aswe have heard against the laws restricting the sale of liquor.Newspaper reporters and publishers can do untold harm byplaying up sentiment against good laws, as they have donein the case of the much-talked-of marriage of Princess Margaret with GroupCaptain Townsend.religionis reported by Protestant ministers of South Africaamong the youth of that part of the Dark Continent, andthat this has been going on for the past two years. Theyaffirm that membershipin Christian youth organizationshas increased 25 per cent during this period and "young people are flocking to church by the thousands." The revivalhas been so marked and sudden that they are unable to explain it. This religious awakening has not been confined toany one group, but includes university students, office workers, craftsmen, and mechanics. One is inclined to think thatthis revival may be due in part, to religious broadcasts suchas "The Hour of Decision" and other gospel messages thatgo over the air to all the world.Compare Communism with RomanismIn the city of Montreal several of the leading storeswere convicted of breaking a by-law which required them toremain closed on Roman Catholic holy days. These convictions were upheld by the Quebec Court of Appeals, but theruling has now been reversed by the Supreme Court of Canada.In Czechoslovakia another Baptist preacher has been arrested and sentenced to fourimprisonment. In 1953four Baptist pasors were accused of spying for the U. S.Government and were sentenced to terms in prison from18 mo. to 5 years. It is believed that one of these mendied in prison and the other has been ill for a long time.A minister from Poland told me that he had more liberty under Communist rule than he had before while the Roman Catholics were in control. Both are extremely oppressive where they have the power.A Visitor in SyriaOur missionaries in Latakia, Syria, were agreeably surprised near the last of October by a visit from Miss MyrtleWyley of Pittsburgh, who, with a party of tourists, was ona tour around the world. The missionaries were pleased toentertain and visit with her and show her their mission andschools. It would be interesting to have her report as ateacher and a surprise visitor at our mission.Work ofMission StudentsWe are always interested in the follow-up work aftera revival such as that which follows the ministry of BillyGraham. We are also interested in what the students dowho go out from our mission schools and who are activeChristian workers in places where they have gone. An Armenian boy who is going to college in Beirut is teaching aSabbath School class there. A girl who is a freshman in thenursingschool of the American University of Beirut andanother girl who is taking her first year in the University ofDamascus are both teaching Bible classes. The latter wasteaching in our school in Latakia the past two years.Though this girl has been discriminated against in her entrance to the university, she is showingChristian resignation, saying, she believes God's promise, "All things worktogether for338good,"and that God has a purpose in it.Revival in South AfricaWhat is called an "unprecedented" revival of interest inMission Effort in IsraelThe Southern Baptist Convention of the U.S.A. sentout missionaries to Israel who planned to open a Baptistcenter in Tel Aviv. The Baptists spent about $5,000 on aproperty which was to be used for reading, Bible study, andworship, but about two weeks before the mission opened, thehall was destroyed by the police with battering rams. TheOrthodox rabbis evidently brought such pressure upon theowner of the property that he canceled the contract with theBaptists. The case has been taken to the Israeli SupremeCourt.Would Prohibit Airline LiquorSenator Thurmond of South Carolina has told leaders ofthe W.C.T.U. that he has asked the Civil Aeronautics Administration to prohibit the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages aboard commercial airliners. He has statedthat he is prepared to introduce appropriate legislation inthe Senate to effect such a ban if the CAA fails to act.Representative Lane of Massachusetts has said that hewould introduce a similar bill in the House of Representatives to stop the growing practice of serving liquor in flight.(Continued on page 344)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 Wpst fith Strpet, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansasto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer,not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing: EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Subscription rates10 cents.The Rev. R. B.British Isles.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross Latimer$2. BO per year ; Overseas, $3.00 ; Single Copies,Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theEntered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansas,under the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.COVENANTER WITNESS

spirit"government,"Current EventsProf. William H. Russell, Ph.D.BACK IO WORKDwight Eisenhower's welcome back to Washington wasone of the warmest personal tributes ever paid an AmericanPresident. After a weekend in the White House, Eisenhowerwent to his farm home near Gettysburg, Pa., for six moreweeks of convalescence. There he will gradually spend moreand more time on official duties, working from improvisedheadquarters in the local postoffice. During the next fewweeks he will have to make major decisions on the budget,and complete other Congressional messages. The collapse ofthe "Genevapolicy.also calls for a new approach to foreignIt will be January or February before the doctors canadvise Eisenhower definitelyas to whether he can standanother term in the White House. His good recovery hasrevived second-term hopes among some Republicans, but thegeneral belief still is that his illness will confirm his ownreluctance to run again. The big question then remainingwill be whether he will endorse some other Republican candidate,or leave the field wide open.STRAWS IN THE WINDThe state and local elections held on November 8 gavesmall comfort to Republican strategists, for in most areasthe Democrats continued the gains made in 1953 and 1954.Indiana, normally Republican, changed from Republican toDemocratic mayors in forty-three towns. Democrats keptthe mayoralty of Philadelphia and gained in municipal elections in New York and Connecticut. A. B. Chandler waselected Democratic governor of Kentucky by the largest majority in the historyof the state. These results give addedevidence that the Republicans cannot hope to win in 1956without a strong Presidential candidate.FORD STOCKAmerica's largest family business finally has become apublic corporation. The Ford Motor Co., controlled by theFord family since 1919, will begin selling stock to the publicearly next year. The Company now has 3.5 million shares ofstock, mostly held by the Ford Foundation, a philanthropicorganization. But the family owns all 172,645 of the votingshares. The stock held by the Foundation is to be split fifteen-for-one,with 15 per cent of it offered for sale immediately and more later. As soon as it is sold to the public, thisstock will acquire voting rights. The sale of the stock willpermit the Foundation to diversify its investments. The Fordfamily will keep 40 per cent of the votingrights of thecompany, which is enough to ensure effective control, sincethe 60 per cent held by the general public will be widelydistributed. The record earnings of the Ford Co. this yearguarantee a strong demand for the stock. The Ford familyfeels that the change will bringgoodwill.G. I. VICTORYmore public interest andThe Supreme Court has invalidated the military trialof Robert W. Toth. In May, 1953, six months after his honorable discharge, the Air Force seized Toth from his work ina Pittsburgh steel mill and flew him to Korea, for militarytrial on charges of murdering a Korean in September, 1952.November 23, 1955The arrest was made under a provision of the Code of Military Justice, revised in 1950, allowing military trial for former servicemen in certain cases not under the jurisdiction ofcivil courts. The Supreme Court ruled, 6 to 3, that thisprovision was unconstitutional, because the trial of a civilianby a militarycourt denies some of the judicial safeguardsguaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Toth's case was supportedveterans'by all organizations and is considered a great victory for the rights of ex-servicemen. The decision also freedthree Korean "turncoats" who had been discharged from theservice but then arrested, on their return to this country,for collaborating with the Reds.ARMY RULEBrazilian politics still are in a turmoil. In August, 1954,President Getulio Vargas committed suicide when the armyforced him to resign. Vice-President Cafe Filho took overand conducted himself well until a recent heart attackforced him to yield to Carlos Luz as acting President. Meanwhile, Presidential elections returned two former allies ofVargas. Acting President Luz disliked them and was accusedof conspiring with elements of the armyto prevent theirinauguration. The Minister of War and other generals, whofavored regular constitutional procedures, ousted Luz toforestall the conspiracy. With more than two months yetto go before the inauguration of President-elect Kubitschek,anything can happen.After seven promising weeks in office, General EduardoLonardi has been ousted as Provisional President of Argentina. General Pedro Aramburu, Lonardi's army chief ofstaff, was named to succeed Lonardi after an army revolt.Lonardi's cabinet began to fall apart three days before hisouster, which apparently came from his preference for theright-wing element in the revolutionary party.SECRECY ABUSEDA House subcommittee is beginning an investigation ofthe suppression of official information by government agencies. A recent report of the American Civil Liberties Unioncharges that this form of "invisiblealways adifficult problem, has reached the worst point in many years.Thirty-two different classifications have been discoveredunderwhich administrative departments may withhold orrestrict information of their operations. In some cases thepublic has been denied material which already was availableto the Russians. Some phases of scientific development, theCivil Liberties Union claims, have been seriously impeded byexcessive secrecy. John E. Moss, California Democrat, ischairman of the House Government Operations subcommittee which is looking into the problem. Congress can hardlydefine the limits of secrecy by statute, but publicity mayhelp to change the policies of the executive departments.CRUMBLING ROCKIf you haven't seen Niagara Falls, you'd better hurry.Every few years another piece of rock falls, changing theshape of the falls slightly. Within a thousand years, geologists report, the brink of the falls will have receded a fewhundred yards upstream to a stratum of soft rock. This willbe cut through rapidly and form a long series of rapids, instead of a spectacular waterfall.339

order."patience."Counsel for the Church(A Teaching Program)Titus 2Rev. Bruce C. StewartRetiring Moderator's Sermon Midwest Presbytery Clarinda, Iowa, 10-U-55(Requested by the Presbytery for publication in the Covenanter Witness)In the first chapter of his Epistle to Titus, theApostle Paul urged the young pastor to "set God'shouse in The immoralities of the Cretans, thetraditions of the Jews, and the commandments ofmen were turning the church from the truth. Therefore one of the first steps in setting God's house inorder was the orientation of elders in each congregation that true teachers might silence the false teachers.Occasionally we will run into folks that do notfeel that any church organization is necessary ; theyfeel that a personal relationship with Christ is sufficient ; but that is not the teaching of the Scriptures.Christ said, "I will establish my church, and thegates of hell shall not prevail against it." Paul wentthroughout Europe and Asia Minor establishingchurches, preparing leaders, and helping with thework of organization as well as of evangelism. If werealize the authority of Scripture in organizing theChurch, in giving it authority and power, in committing the growth of the Kingdom to the Church,then there will be less confusion in understandingthose actions in which we engage not only as individual Christians, but as a Church.In the remainder of the first chapter Paul goeson to give the personal qualifications for elders. Hestresses the importance of a wholesome family life.He shows the need for personal committment toGod's will. He reveals the necessity of fellowship andfriendliness with God's people. And he emphasizesthe constant duty of studying and teaching the Scriptures.Then in the second chapter, Paul gives additional counsel to the Church. He sets up a teaching program which Pastor Titus and the new elders can putinto practice. "But speak thou," he says, "the thingswhich become sound doctrine."I wouldn't be surprised if that Cretan Churchwas the first one to have graded lessons in the Sabbath School because Paul has special instructions todifferent age groups. He said, "I want you to put theold ladies in one class, and the aged men in another ;I want you to have one class for the young women,and one for the young men ; I want the slaves to havea special class, too."And what were they to teach? "The thingsdoctrine!"which become soundOr to put it a littlemore clearly, "The things which naturally go alongdoctrine."with soundApparently, the problem inCretejust as it is today was not so much an ignorance of the truth as a lack of consecration. Theyknew the truth, but they listened to Jewish fablesand the commandments of men as well ; they knewthe truth', but were not willing to live the life. Sothese Sabbath School classes were not only to teachdoctrine, but to apply doctrine to daily living to340seek to bring the conduct of the church up to theprinciples of the church.That is a problem which we face in every age.Are we going to bring the principles of the churchdown to be consistent with the conduct of the members, or are we going to bring conduct of the members up to be consistent with the principles of thechurch. The current trend is to relax the principlesof the church, but the teaching of the Scriptures isto bring the life of the members up.Paul's first word of counsel is to the aged men.We usually think of the children first in SabbathSchool, but Paul starts out with the elderly. I don'tthink we should ever feel that we are too old to goto Sabbath School ; we are never too old to learn, andthe aged men are instructed to "be sober, grave, temBeperate, sound in faith, in charity, incause of the influence of their example, I believe theApostle starts with the aged men. People had moreveneration for their elders in those days than we dotoday; therefore the conduct of the older men wasextremely important.There are perhaps two words which would sumup the characteristics of Christian old age. One is"self-control"; the other is "maturity." The firstthree words here in the second versetemperate""Sober, grave,would fall under the category of selfcontrol.The Greek word which is translated "sober"here means to control your emotions and desires;that is what our faith should lead us to do not tofollow the desire of the moment, not to seek the lustof the flesh, not to give in to every impulse thatcomes along, but to evaluate each situation accordingto God's Word, and to act accordingly. The words,"grave" "temperate" and also fit naturally into thissame pattern. Self-control is a fruit and evidence ofsubmission to Christ. The second three words orphrases here "sound in faith, in charity, in patience"would fall under the category of maturity;the Greek word for "Sound" means healthy. Healthiness in old age would suggest maturity: not beingled astray by every new doctrine or cult, but beingable to discern between truth and error mature infaith; not giving up those friendships and relationships, but loving one's neighbor as one's self maturein love ; not giving up easily orbecoming discouragedin the good, but persevering therein to the end mature in patience. Paul's suggested curriculum for theaged men therefore revolved around the main courses in self-control and maturity.2.Now to the aged women. Even though Paulnever married, he seems to have known quite a bitCOVENANTER WITNESS

wine."accusers."works."world."you."about feminine character, and feels qualified hereto offer counsel to them, "The aged women likewise,that they be in behavior as becometh holiness." Ifsanctification is the work of God's Spirit, and a gradto muchual approach towards holiness, it stands to reasonthat the aged should be closer to the pattern of holiness than the younger, if they have followed theSpirit's leading all their lives.Paul continues, "not false It seemsthat the women then had the reputation of beinggossips, and Paul said that such conduct was notbecoming a child of God. Paul goes on, "not givenThe women, too, were to exercise selfcontrol;many authorities have pointed out that awoman that drinks can be a greater problem thana man.Then Paul tells us that they are to be "teachersof good things." Where was Pastor Titus going tofind teachers for the Sabbath School? Among theelders, of course, but also among these aged women.Ever since, as the Psalmist wrote, "The women are amighty host to make the tidings known." The womenhave a responsibility in the home to train the children ; the women have a place in the church to teachthe younger generation ; and in v. 4 we see that theyare to teach the younger women.3.Paul believed in the Christian home ; he was notanxious that any of the mothers in the congregationshould be career women, for he counseled the youngto lovewomen "to be sober, to love their husbands,their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers athome, good, obedient to their own husbands, that theword of God be not blasphemed."Once again, the course of study centers aroundself-control. How could the Christian young womenon Crete show their love for Christ? Through awholesome family life, and a refusal to enter into theheathen feasts of drunkenness and immorality. TheChristian mother has a responsibility to her husbandand to her children. Her place is in the home. She isnot instructed to work in an office while a maid or anursery minds the children, but at home. She is noturged to go to the bridge club when her children arecoming home from school. Certainly, there are situations where it is necessary for the mother to work,but it should be done only as a necessity, not just tofulfill a mother's desire to express or emancipate herself. One reason that some of our young people arenot maturing in the faith is the failure of modernmothers to follow this advice.In the class for the young men, they are also exhorted to be sober-minded to have self-control.You notice how self-control is the theme of thelesson in each class ; one thing that goes along withself-control is consecration. No matter how well theyknew the doctrines, if they could not apply them todaily life, they were of little value. The same is trueof each of us; we may be proud of the history andstandards of our church, but if we cannot apply toour everyday living the doctrines which the Bibleteaches, what good are they to us ? Self-control, consecration, is necessary for the life of the church.Verses 7 and 8 are addressed to Titus himself.If Titus was teaching the members of the congrega-November 23, 1955tion to be more consistent in their conduct, it waseven more imperative that he should show himself"a pattern of good The Pastor is no betterthan his people, but because of his position, his conduct can more easily bring honor or reproach uponthe church.In Cambridge, Mass., there is a church wheresome years ago the minister ran off with one of thechoir girls ; for several days headlines of all the leading newspapers gave the details; now many yearslater, that church still suffers some from the stigmaof that one evil deed.As pastors, elders, as members, it behooves usto live consecrated lives that we may not bring reproach upon the church of Jesus Christ, or as Paulputs it, "that he that is of the contrary part may beashamed, having no evil thing to say ofslaves'Now we turn to the Bible Class. Paul exhorts them "to be obedient to their own masters, andto please them well in all things; not answeringagain; not purloining (that is, not stealing), butshowing all good fidelity; that they may adorn thedoctrine of God."Why should Paul make such a statement toslaves? The fact that Christianity accepted slavesand sinners was one of the objections which manymade to it, but Paul knew that when Christ transformed an evil, thieving, disobedient slave to be gentle, kind, and honest, that it would be a powerfultestimony to their masters of the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The slaves were to "adorn" thedoctrine of God. We seek to adorn that which is goodand beautiful ; we put a nice frame around a beautifulpicture ; we put a coat of paint on our houses. What isthe result of this adornment ? It enhances the beauty,and also it advertizes the beauty; it makes it morenoticeable. That is true when we put on the doctrineof God and let it fill our hearts and determine ourconduct; it makes us better people, and it advertizesthe Gospel. Even the slaves had their place in thechurch of Christ.We might imagine that following the SabbathSchool hour all the age groups gathered for thechurch service; verses 11-15 were the text thatTitus used. Here in a few short words is a summaryof the Gospel.Paul speaks of the grace of God which makespossible our salvation; he speaks of Christian conduct in this life many of you will recognize thatpart of our Young People's Pledge is taken from thistwelfth verse, "Teaching us that denying ungodlinessand worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,and godly in this present Once again we find"Self-Control."the same themeIn verse thirteen Paul speaks of our blessedhope, the second coming of Christ. During the meetings of the World Council of Churches at Evanstonthey took as their theme, "Christ the Hope of theWorld"; but throughout that meeting they couldn'tdecide whether it is through His teachings that Heis the hope of the world or through His coming again.They couldn't agree whether the purpose of theChurch is to get people into Heaven or to make aheaven here on earth. The tendency on the part ofthe liberal is to try to improve social conditions, and(Continued on page 344)341

plains."Does Christmas Honor Christ?John M. McMillanThere have been a good many questions andmisgivings on the part of Christian people in thepast few years with regard to the present-day celebration of Christmas. Does this day, so widely observed, truly bring honor to Him whose birth it professes to celebrate? We have been slowly wakingup to recognize what an unholy mixture "Christmas"is ; what a profane confusion of things Spiritual andthings worldly.Last year, a few days before December 25, aChristmas program was broadcast from the capitolof Arkansas which professed to be religious in character, and invited us to join in the campaign to "putChrist back into Christmas." Yet that programclosed with a prayer addressed to the "unseen, universal Santa Claus," and it requested Santa to putpeace in every stocking, and also in every person'sheart this Christmas. How our Lord must be grievedand angered by such a celebration,to be commemorating His birth,petitions to Santa Claus !which professesyet offers its peaceThe question must be asked : Are we warrantedin trying to "rescue" Christmas from all of this evilincumbrance? Should we labor to put Christ backinto Christmas, or does Christ really belong in theobservance of such a day? We must hold firmly tothe principle that in determining what belongs andwhat doesn't belong in the worship of God, we areto follow the directions of God Himself, as revealedin His Word, and not the inclinations and inventionsof men. The late Charles H. Spurgeon, in his exposition of Psalm 81 in the Treasury of David, declares,"When it can be proved that the observance ofChristmas, Whitsuntide, and other Popish festivalswere ever instituted by a Divine statute, we alsowill attend to them, but not till then. It is as muchour duty to reject the traditions of men as to observethe ordinances of the Lord."When we study the Gospel records of Christ'sbirth, we are impressed by the amount of rejoicingwhich took place not on the part of all men but onthe part of those who were taught by the Spiritto appreciate the meaning of that birth. The angelsof God rejoiced ; also Mary herself, her cousin Elizabeth, the shepherds, the wise men, and Anna andSimeon in the temple. We notice that this was notany blind homage paid to a little babe in the manger,but a clear recognition of whom that babe was, andfor what purpose He was born into the world. Theangels announced to the shepherds, "Unto you isborn this ....day a Saviour, which is Christ theLord."The wise men knew that He was born to bea king, and they knew that He was to be no ordinary king of the small nation of Israel, for theycame from a far country to worship Him. Josephand Mary knew why they were to call His nameJesus: He was to save His people from their sins.Simeon in the temple said, "Mine eyes have seen theSalvation of God." Their gladness and rejoicing was342intensely Spiritual in nature "TheyglorifiedGod."However, there is not the least record of thecontinued celebration of the birth of Christ fromyear to year by the disciples or the early church.Christ Himself instituted the commemoration of Hisdeath in the observance of the Lord's Supper; andby His example He established the commemorationof His Resurrection in the observing of the first dayof the week as the weekly Sabbath. But there is noScriptural warrant for a special observance ofChrist's birthday. It is no accident that the Bibleis silent as to the date of His birth, which suggeststhat it was not the Spirit's intention that it shouldbe celebrated. According to the New InternationalEncyclopedia, "It is almost certain that December 25cannot be the nativity of the Saviour, for it is thenthe height of the rainy season in Judea, and shepherds could hardly have been watching their flocksby night on theIt is not known just when the observance of"Christmas"originated. At first various dates wereobserved, but in the fourth century the Bishop ofRome officially set December 25 as the date on whichthe birthday of Christ would be commemorated. Thisparticular time was chosen because it was the timewhen the pagan Romans held a great celebrationdedicated to their god "Saturn." It was also the timeof year that the Germans held their great Yule feast,believing that during the twelve nights reachingfrom December 25 to January 6, they could trace thepersonal movements of their great deities. The celebration of Christmas was intended to counteract theinfluence of these heathen feasts. Yet the practicalresult has been that many of the customs and names,and much of the worldly atmosphere of these heathen feasts have crept into the observance of Christmas.Should we, then, attempt to "purify" Christmas? Should we not rather confess that from thevery beginning it was man's invention, and not God'sappointment ?To speakout, as our church has done in the past,against the observance ofChristmas, in these timesof almost wild over-emphasis upon the day, is not aneasy task. Some would say that it is quite impossible.Yet the religious observance ofChristmas, withoutDivine warrant, opens the way to such an observanceof Lent, Good Friday, and Easter, and all of the otherin a Church Year which hasbeen set up without regard for the purity of God's"days"and"seasons"worship. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "Ye observedays, and months, and times, and years. I am afraidof you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour invain"(Gal. 4:10, 11).Our attitude must not be simply negative. Weought to rejoice often and heartily in the birth of theSaviour, and in all that His incarnation has meantfor us ; but let us conform our worshiping and ourrejoicing, not to the world's will, but to God's.CX)VENANTER WITNESS

ejoice"self"end."sorrows"wealth"you"ways,"angle."wicked."men"What Shall It Profit?R. K. McConaughyDo you believe "there can't be an honest millionaire"? that "General Motors should be investigated because they are money"making too much ? thatthe "woodcutter must be poor if he's honest" ?IS FINANCIAL PROFIT DISHONEST? Let'sconsider first what makes wealth. The air, theearth's surface, the earth's interior, the seas, all areteeming with raw materials. To be useful they mustbe removed, moved, refined, combined, broken downand built up. Follow this process with a gallon ofCrude OilIn the groundAbove groundAs gasolineworthlessworth 5cpriced at 12cAs watch oil sells for $80.Notice the four ingredients that went into thisincrease in value. There was the raw material, thecapital to provide working funds and machinery, themanpower for labor and management, and the inventive mind to think up products and uses, services,new and more useable forms, more efficient production. Every step in the refining process increased thevalue received from the original raw material. Andeveryone who touched the process in any way sharesin the wealth that has been produced, from the driller in Oiltown to the milkman who delivers to thedoorstep of the service station operator at Crossroads.God expects us to work and to increase our substance: "And the Lord God took the man, and puthim into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keepit."Gen. 2:15"Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, andhis substance is increased in the land." Job 1:10See also Ex. 20:9, Deut. 6:3, Matt. 25:19-23.Profit can be honest. It can be right. It should beexpected.IS LARGE PROFIT WRONG? Perhaps a company makes a profit of 10c on a teapot. Is it wrongthat they make $200,000 on sales of 2,000,000 teato repots? A man of inventive mind sees a waytrieve the sulphur from the waste gases of a refinery. Is he dishonest if he makes a million dollarsfrom sales of a product countless others have passedby as worthless.God did not condemn wealth. "The Lord hathblessed my master greatly; and he is become great:and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silverand Gen. 24:35. See gold,"also Job 42:12, Prov. 31:31.Large profit can be honest and right.Then WHAT RULES SHALL GOVERN OURPROFIT SEEKING?1. Don't be envious of another's hottest profit.We do not all have the same talents. The same opportunities and circumstances do not come to everyone. "Let each esteem other better than themselves"(Phil. 2:3). "Rejoice with them that do(Rom. 12:15).November 23, 19552. Don't be covetous of dishonest profit. "I wasenvious when I saw the prosperity of the"Until I went into the sanctuary of God ; then understood I theirPsalm for a vivid description of the strong temptation there is to covet and envy the wicked's prosperity, and for the answer to overcome this temptation.Psa. 73:3, 17. Read this entire3. Be diligent in business. Use what you have.In the parable, one man gained five talents; theother hid his talent. Never is there a promotion inour company without certain ones showing envy andcomplaining that good fortune never smiles on them.I think of two men of equal ability who workedacross the desk from each other. One worked faithfully but in addition he used many of his extra hoursgoing to night school. Now he is boss of his neighborwho also worked faithfully, but made no effort toimprove himself otherwise. This experience in various forms occurs again and again. See Prov. 27:23and Prov. 31:10, 27.4. Seek profit from that which is honest, goodand helpful to others. Even as the value of the can ofcrude oil can be increased manyfold to bring manyblessings, so the raw heroin can be refined and packaged to increase in price manyfold but to bring onlymisery. A young man worked in a store where he wasrequired to sack up 50 one-pound (?) packages ofsugar from one 50 lb. bag. He knew it couldn't bedone honestly and gave up the job."Provide things honest in the sight of all(Rom. 12:17). "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy(Lev. 19:18).5. Don^t let profit become your God. I asked afriend if she thought a certain man might volunteerservices to a community project. "I doubt it," shesaid, "I've never heard him speak of doing anythingwithout discussing the money Many excusethemselves from community projects, from churchwork because they are too busy with an extra job,night school, or selling gasoline seven days a week."For the love of money is the root of all evil:which while some coveted- after, they have erredfrom the faith, and pierced themselves through withmany (1 Tim. 6:10). See also I Tim. 6:17-19.6. Put God First. "But seek ye first the Kingdomof God, and his righteousness ; and all these thingsshall be added unto (Matt. 6 :33). "Rememberthe Lord thy God : for it is he that giveth thee powerto get (Deut. 8:18). We will strive to keepall God's laws. He who said "Six days shalt thoulabor,"also said, "Remember the Sabbath Day tokeep it holy." He who said "Go to the ant, thou sluggard,consider her also said "Thou shalt notoppress a stranger."I am speaking particularly as a member ofSynod's Board of Trustees. Not many people are familiar with this Board and its work. We handle theChurch's money and are responsible for some $1,500,-343

soul?"works."000 in cash and investments. We try to follow therules I have outlined above. A profit is sought butonly by investments that are in honest and uprightbusinesses. We strive to handle honestly and fairlyall requests made through us.Use God's giftsthe bounty of earth,the talents within us.But above allneglect not His great salvation."For what shall it profit a man if he shall gainthe whole world, and lose his own Mk. 8:36."Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Cor.10:31).Money Will Not Spoil ThemA Special E/P News ReportBy H. Leon Taylor in Boulevard MagazineYou are hereby notified that money will notspoil them. Long before they determined to take upthe holy ministry, there was a full realization thatthe pay would be disgracefully low. It is readilyconceded that most men of the cloth were and aresincere and consider themselves called to do thegreatest possible good for their fellowmen. It is indeed amazing that even though there is a greatshortage so many young men are sufficiently inspired to undertake the call of the ministry.Hardly receiving enough to support themselves,they are expected to have families and to rear andeducate the children in accepted fashion. If theydrive a small second-hand car the very folks who payless than a dollar a year call it disgraceful. They donot receive ten cents a mile to travel among theirparishioners but a deputy sheriff does to serve divorce papers!It seems to be expected of the minister that hebe holy, poor and bluff prosperity. It is his desire togo about doing good and to save men's souls ; it maybe surprising to know that this can be done just aswell when decent salaries are paid. Many people areactually good and can do good work even though theymay be able to pay their bills and buy a few government bonds.It would seem that the poorer the minister, thehappier the congregation. Why this lopsided arrangement? We prefer to pay $25.00 a day to the plumberfor saving our sanitation and $7.50 a day for savingour souls. Perhaps there are those who argue thatthis is the proper system; they probably also advocate paying Jerry Lewis ten times more than President Eisenhower.Lincoln and Franklin did their best work afterthey had overcome poverty. A man kept poor miserably poor must, of necessity, be nice, timid and ayes-man to the controlling inside clique. He too,would love to have the feeling of being appreciatedand to have some hope for security for himself andhis children.A low sweeping bow to the men of the Christianministry ; they battle on in spite of the adversity wecause or permit them to have.We call for the big-city specialist when illnessstrikes and this man of God prays for our recovery344at the very moment when his own child must dependupon the home-town general practitioner.Let's not be afraid that the man in the pulpitwill lessen his affection for the members of his congregation if they pay him a respectable salary. Bywhat callous indifference has the hideous comparisonbeen made possible ; millions for the veneer of Hollywood thousands for the bigexecutive or union bossonly hundreds for the indispensable man ofChrist's ministry! By this comparison we operateandthoroughly enjoy doing so.Even more admiration for them when we knowthat they never ask for increased pay; they wouldprobably be critical of the sentiments herein expressed ; but they do have a definite right to hope forand expect sufficient income to live at least on thelevel with the man who hangs wallpaper. It is not aquestion of how much does he deserve; it is ratherthe question of how much must he have to live inpeace of mind and contentedly.If only one-half of the money spent for cocktailsat the country clubs were added to the pastor's salary, they might be able to live at least on the standard equal to the average mechanic.Let's not be in fear that an honorable pay willproduce inefficiency in these men. Moreover, everyone interested in the work of the Kingdom will rejoice when the leaders will not need to beg or borrow. May we stop acting as though we really believedthat adequate money would spoil them.COUNSEL FOR THE CHURCH .. . frompage 341use moral philosophy as the hope of the world. Thetendency of the extreme fundamentalist is to seeonly the future coming of Christ as the hope ofthe world.As we read God's Word we find the assurancethat we can have not only hope in a Second Comingof Christ, but also a present hope because Christ isliving and reigning today at the right hand of thethrone of God. Christ died not only to save us fromthe penalty of sin, but also to save us from committing sin ; "That he might redeem us from all iniquity,and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous ofgood Christ not only died to assure us ofeternal life, but He is coming again to usher us intoglory. That is our blessed hope !This then is the teaching program that Paulsuggested to the Rev. Mr. Titus for the church atCrete, and it is such that all churches can use it andprofit by it. Let no man despise you if you areteaching the truth!GLIMPSES from page 338Challenges Faith HealerA minister, Dr. V. E. Sears, ran the followingadvertisement in the South Bend Tribune: "Let several peopleproved by a doctor's panel to have incurable diseases,or tobe hopelessly crippled, ortotally and hopelessly blind ordeaf, be instantly and completely cured or healed as inBible times in these healing meetings, and I, Victor Sears,will give them the sum of $1,000, plus appearingat theirmeeting to testify on their behalf, and to publicly renouncemy Baptist pulpit and espouse their cause from thenceforth."No healer, up to the present time, has accepted theoffer.THE COVENANTER WITNESS

_A THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION *By The President Of The United States Of AmericaThe custom ofdevoting one day each year to nationalthanksgiving is a wise and an ancient one, hallowed by observance in the days before we became a nation, and sanctioned throughout the succeeding generations. It is therefore in keeping with our oldest traditions that at the fruitful season of the waning year we turn again to AlmightyGod in grateful acknowledgement of his manifold blessings.At this time ofthanksgiving, may we express our deepappreciation of those forebears who, more than three centuries ago, celebrated the first Thanksgiving day. Throughtheir industry and courage, our nation was hewn from thevirgin forest, and through their steadfastness and faith, theideals of liberty and justice have become our cherished inheritance.May we lift up our hearts in special prayers of gratitude for the abundance of our endowments, both materialand spiritual, for the preservation of our way of life, in itsrichness and fullness, and for the religious faith which haswielded such a beneficent influence upon our destiny. Maywe show our thanks for our own bounty by remembrance ofthose less fortunate, and may the spirit of this Thanksgivingseason move us to share with them to alleviate their need.Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Presidentof the United States of America, having in mind the jointCongressional resolution of December 26, 1941, which designated the fourth Thursday of November in each year asThanksgiving day and made that day a legal holiday, dohereby proclaim Thursday, the twenty-fourth day of November, 1955, as a day of national thanksgiving; and I urgeall our citizens to observe the day with reverence. Let us,on the appointed day, in our homes and our accustomedplaces of worship, each according to his own faith, bow before God and give him humble thanks.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set myhand and caused the Seal of the United States of Americato be affixed.DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER* Signed by the President from his sickbed in FitzsimonsGeneral Hospital, Denver.Lesson Helps for the Week of December 11, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor December 11, 1955THE BEST BOOK FOR ME(Topic used by permission of International Christian Endeavor Society)Psalms:78:1-6, page 18719:5-7, page 4251:7-12, page 131119 :Pt. 14, 1-4,Pt. 9, 1-5, page 294138:1, 2, page 338.page 301References: Jer. 36:21-24; Acts 8:26-35Eccl. 12:1; Rom. 15:4-6; Eph. 6:17Jas. 1:22-25; John 12:48; Heb. 2:1-410:28, 29; 12:25; Deut. 6:6-9.Comments by Remo I. RobbA young Covenanter, high in the BoyScout program, recently received its"God and Country Award." To qualify,he had to do 150 hours of work at hischurch, be examined in the doctrines ofthe denomination, the history of his local congregation and of the church, showthat he contributed systematically andregularly, that he could lead a publicmeeting, and that he observed daily devotions including prayer and Bible reading.It is encouraging to see the BoyScouts of America put some definiteemphasis on personal devotion and par"1955"November 23,yticularly on prayer and Bible reading.So great a youth organization as thatmust believe that for character development among American youth, the Bibleis "the Book for Me."What about the Bible makes it thebest Book for me?To start the discussion, it is God'sWord.You'll hear a lot of arguing about this.Some folks, and among them preachers,say that the Bible contains God's Word,but they also want to decide what partis and what isn't the Word of God. Formy part, I don't want any mere doctorof divinity or erudite scholar to tell mewhat part of the Bible is God's Word.Either God Himself told me, or I havenot been told at all.God has told me and in these words:"Thy Word is true from the beginning,and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever." Psalm 119:160."All Scripture is given by inspirationof God, and is profitable for doctrine, forreproof, for correction, for instruction inrighteousness, that the man of God maybe perfect, throughly furnished unto allgood works" 2 Tim. 3:16.But someone says "I know all that,and everybody tells me to read it, butmostly it's a lot of bignames and dis-Iconnected sentences.ested in it."can't get inter-There are some big names in theBible,it's true. The New Testamentstarts off with a list of them. They meanlittle now to a beginner, but they had adefinite value when they were written,which you yourself will discover afteryou have become better acquainted withthe Book. Keep reading Matthew andyou'll soonfind the most marvelousstory in all the writings of mankind. Itis the record of Jesus Christ, and it istrue to the last comma and semi-colon.A boy I know began to read Matthewwhen he got home from the meetingwhere he had given his heart to Christ.He read the entire Gospel before he shuthis Bible. He says "I couldn't have laidthat book down, it was so interesting."All the Bible stories are truethoseof Joseph and Moses and David and Elijah and others of the old heroes; thesayings and miracles of Christ; and thegreatest of all historic episodes, thedeath and resurrection of Jesus Christ,is so true that billions who have diedover 19% centuries, and half a billionnow alive, are staking their eternal destiny on it.When you read that gripping recorduntil you have realized that it happenedfor your sake and for your benefit, and345

work?"work?"work?"unseemly."silver."that having believed in Jesus Christ asyour Saviour you are now His forevermore,then you will be ready to readwith some interest the how and why ofthe Christian teaching.You will wonder "Does this reallyAnd the Acts of the Apostlesshows you that it does.Then you will ask "How does itAnd the epistles of the NewTestament answer the query.But still you ask "What if it doesThe Revelation gives the answer in great moving pictures.What do you want in your reading?Do you want poetry? Read thePsalms, which hold the answer to everyhuman problem.Do you follow history? Then read thecourse of empires from the dawn ofEgypt to the coming of Alexander theGreat, as it is laid out in the Old Testament.Do you want philosophy? Read Ecclesiastes.Do you want literary drama? ReadJob, and remember that it actually happened.Do you ask concerning God's interestin men and in nations? Read the prophets Isaiah, Amos, Jonah, oh yes, readall of them.In her new book for teen-agers, called"Never a Dull Moment," Eugenia Pricewrites :"Jesus Christ is alive and near you(in you) as you sit reading your Bible,and if you will read it with an openmind, being willing to admit to someinterest now and then, He will light upyour mind and little by little it will begin to clear up for you. None of us willever understand all that's in the HolyBible. God's mind is so great we couldn'tbegin to keep up with it. And don't forget, the Bible is God's Book. So, don'tput it down and quit just because youget stuck and can't understand something. Don't even try to figure it out.Just keep reading and stay open. Readit and ask the Holy Spirit to give youthe impression He wants you to haveas you read it.Can you learn to like to read theBible?"Yes, because Christ is alive and Hewill draw your interest to the story ofHimself in the Bible, if you are willingto be drawn."The Bible isdid come out of that tomb.about Him, and He"Is there anything dull about that?"TALK THESE OVERPage 61.1. Is a matter true because it is inthe Bible, or is it in the Bible becauseit's true?3462. Show how knowing the backgroundof a book of the Bible helps to an understanding of its message.3. What Bible verse do you recall asthe first one you ever learned? WhatBible story?4. How has daily Bible reading affected your school activities?JUNIOR TOPICDecember 4, 1955MORE STORHQS ABOUT SAMSONJudges 15, 16Jacquelin Patton, HopkintonCongregationMemory Verse: "Blessed is the man thatendureth temptation: for. when he istried, he shall receive the crown of life,which the Lord hath promised to themthat love him." James 1:12.Psalms:Psalm 18:1-4, page 30Psalm 121:1-3, page 315Psalm 43:1-3, 6, page 109Psalm 143:4-6, page 347Scripture Reading: James 1:1-22You will remember from our laststudyof Samson that after Samson'swife had betrayed the riddle's answerto the thirty men at the feast, Samsonwent home in a great rage. When fallcame he decided to go back to Timnath, and he took with him a present,a young goat, only to find that his wifehad been given by her father to another man. Samson completely lost histemper at this, and he went out into thecountryside and caught three hundredfoxes. He tied burning torches onto theirtails and let them go in the grainfields and vineyards of the Philistines.Of course, you can imagine the greatfire that started. It was harvest timeand the corn was dry and burned veryrapidly. The Philistines were now afraidof Samson, and they burned down bothSamson's wife and her father. But whenSamson learned this he was angrierstill, and he killed a great many moreof the enemy Philistines.From this time on the Philistines triedto destroy Samson. An army came upto Israel and camped. Now three thousand men of the Israelite nation marched to the place where Samson was living to deliver him to their enemy. Samson only laughed and allowed himself tobe securely tied upand taken. As themen carried him captive into the Philistine camp,the Philistines raised agreat cry of triumph and feeling againsthim. At this the Spirit of the Lord cameupon Samson; suddenly he burst theropes that had held him as if they werethreads and, grabbing up a jawboneof an ass from the ground, he swungmightily. That day Samson killed athousand men, and he called the place"Ramath-lehi,"which means "the liftjawbone."ing up of aDuring the twenty years that followed Samson was a judge of the southwest part of Israel. Then Samson lovedanother Philistine woman whose namewas Delilah. And the Philistine rulerscame to her and said, "If you can findout the secret of his strength and howto bind him, we will reward you withmany pieces ofYou may read this story from Judges16:6-21. What a little thing it was thatcaused Samson to lose his strength andbecome weak. He could not control histongue! "Whoso keepeth his mouth andhis tongue keepeth his soul fromtroubles"(Proverbs 21:23).Often the littlest things can be thedownfall of the mightiest. Just a tinypiece of sin can creep into a life and unravel it all, and that sin can block allthe good you would like to do,andkeep you from being fruitful. Sometimes it is temper or angry words.Sometimes it is laziness at home or atschool. Or perhaps it is that favoriteof the devil, pride. Do you ever lookat your accomplishments and puff upwith pride? It is a sin to love self, andthe remedy for it is sincere love, ahumble, self-effacing love for yourSaviour that "doth not behave itselfPray that God will removethese selfish sins and determine to trustyourself completely to His keeping.SuggestionsHave all Juniors review the story ofSamson (Judges 14-16) before the meeting. Then have a "tell-time." EachJunior tells a part of the story untilthe leader says "stop." The storytellerthen chooses someone to continue andso on until the story is finished.Draw a garden of flowers and weedsin your notebook. Label each weed as asin that you can weed out of your heart.Or draw a scene from Samson's life.Now divide into two groups to lookup references. The first one to find theverse may stand to read, also tellingwhat the verse means, and his groupreceives the point. James 3:5, 6; Galatians 6:14; I John 4:4; Luke 16:10;Col. 3:17; Judges 16:30; Heb. 11:32,33: I John 1:9; Psalm 34:13; I Chron.28:9.THE MINUTES OF SYNODARE NOW READYORDER FROM C. R. FOX209 Ninth St. Pittsburgh 22, Pa.Price $1.00COVENANTER WITNESS

neighbor?"cy."wise."pray."SABBATHSCHOOL LESSONDecember 11, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on international Sunday SchoolLessons; the International Bible Lessons foiChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the Inter.national Council of Religious Education.)WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?Luke 10:25-37MEMORY VERSE. Luke 10 :27. "Thoushalt love the Lord thy God with all thyheart, and with all thy soul, and with allthy strength, and with all thy mind; andthyself."thyneighbor asFollowing his Galilean ministry,Christ journeyed through Perea, towardJerusalem. The fame ofHis, works andteaching had gone before Him, and ofcourse, these reports were not altogether accurate. A lawyer, who had understood that Jesus taught some new wayof salvation not in accord with the OldTestament, stood up to tempt Him. Theword tempt as here used, does not meanto persuade to do evil, but to show thatHe was doing evil. To show that He wasnot teaching according to the Old Testament, the lawyer asked, "What shall Ido to inherit eternal life?" There wouldbe two elements in the crowd of listeners;some would be with Jesus, andsome would be against Him. So therewould be deep interest in what appearedto be the opening of a contest betweenChrist and the lawyer.Jesus did not start an argument. Heasked what was written in the law, asthe lawyer understood it. The replywas decidedly given. It was the law oflove taken from Deut. 11:13 and Lev.19:8, as it was in their phylacteries.Christ commended him for giving a correct answer from the law, and acceptedthat asthe answer to the lawyer'squestion. "This do and thou shaltlive."There were smiles when thelawyer quotedthyself,""and thyneighbor assurely. And it probablyturned to laughter when Christ commended the lawyer's answer. In the eyesof those who knew him, he had convicted himself. So he determined, (willing is the participal of the verb to will,)to justify himself, said, "But who is myHe was ready to argue thatpoint.Again Jesus left him to answer hisown question. He told the story of aman who was robbed and beaten. Hemay have been of any nationality, orsocial cast. He needed help.A priest came along. When he saw theman in need, he went to the other sideof the road and passed on.Then a Levite saw him and looked athim to see if it was anyone he knew. Itwas none of his friends, did not attendNovember 23, 1955his synagogue, did not belong to his Levite was a Mason, and that the needylodge. Or if he did he was too near dead man was not. We are not informed asto give the Grand Hailing Sign of Dis to the line bywhich he decided whotress. So he went on.would receive help from him. But he hadThen came a Samaritan, despised ofa line that put him out of step withthe Jews. This was not a common Sa neighborly folks.maritan. There were good Samaritans, If the good Samaritan was guided byand he was one of them. He saw theany oath, it must have been the oath ofman in need. He immediately rendered allegiance to His Lord and Saviour Jefirst aid. Then he took him to an inn sus Christ. That puts him in decidedand arranged to have him cared for ascontrast with the priest. The priestlong as was needed.would not help anybody. The Good SaThen Christ turned to the lawyer and maritan would help anybody. Eventualasked him which of these three men ly, there might be a great gulf fixed befulfilled the Old Testament law that tween them.would lead to eternal life. I think there The tempting lawyer? He had certainwas no one laughing now, as the lawtalents, and Christ used them to the adyer acknowledged his defeat? O no.vantage of His Kingdom. Under Christ'sChrist had not entered into any contest questions he gave a fine demonstrationwith him. He had simply led him to of the Law of Love.answer his own question. It would seemWhen Goldsmith wrote The Villagethat Christ had won the lawyer, as hePreacher, he must have been thinking ofanswered, "Surely, he that showed merChrist, and perhaps of this lawyer whenChrist said, "Go thou and do likehe came to the lines,"At church with meek and unaffectedIn this lesson, we have six examplesgracethat are worth our study. They all sug His look adorned the sacred place;gest some application of the study a Truth from his lips prevailed withmonth ago on How to Live. Changing double sway,the order, notice The Man Who FellAnd fools who came to scoff, remainedAmong Thieves. Whether he was attofault does not change the fact that heneeded help. A child disobeys by climbing an apple tree and breaks his arm ; he PRAYER MEETING TOPICis not immediately chided for disobediDecember 14, 1955ence. The first concern is to care for his "THE 'AMEN' IN PRAYER"arm. That, however does not excuse hisRev. 7:12sin. Christ's rules for non-resistence im Rev. P. D. McCracken, D.D.ply that we are in the power of the Psalms:oppressor. If we are compelled to go a Psalmssmile, return good for evil and go two. 41:9-12, page 106There was more than one robber. The 89:23, 24, 28, 41, page 218traveler might have seen at first that he 106:30-33, page 263had no power to defend himself. If he 72:9-12, page 175had not put up a fight, he would have References:been robbed, but not likely beaten. That Matt. 6:13; Eph. 3:20, 21; I Cor. 14:would have saved trouble for himself 16; Rev. 22:20, 21; Num. 5:22; Neh.and for the Samaritan. Robbers have 8:6; Deut. 27:15; Jer. 28:6; Matt. 28:been converted by kind words from 20; Rom. 1:25; 11:36; Phil. 4:23; Rev.their victims.1:6.The lazy indifferences of the priest toCOMMENTSsuffering fills us with indignation, it is With this study we have reached theso evident and cruel. What are we to do end of a series on Prayer which haswhen whole nations are robbed and run once a month throughout the year.spoiled?We have considered such subjects asNotice the man who passed by when "The Neglect of Prayer," "Reverence inPrayer,"he found no special reason why heand "Confidence in Prayer."should help. His looking at the man in These were followed by eight studiesdicates that there were some that he all centering in The Lord's Prayer. Wewould have helped. There are several believe it is fitting and proper nowways by which men group themselves to come to the "Amen."for help. We may feel that the man But what does Amen mean? To manyhad no appearance of being a Levite, who pray, or listen to prayers, it meansor the Levite would have helped him. nothing more than a period, the stoppingPerhaps he was of a different nationali place, the announcement of the end, thety from the Levite. If the Masonic order time to change and do something elsewas half as old as Masons claim it is, maybe sit down. But this is very trivial,we would certainly suspect that the to say the least, even though it be very347

saints."you"rest"earth"men"me"righteousness"whole"creature"voice"mastercommon. Martin Luther said once ofthe Lord's Prayer that it was the greatest martyr on earth because it was sofrequently used without thought andfeeling, without reverence and faith.This could truthfully be said also aboutthe "Amen" in prayer."Amen"is basically a Hebrew word,but we find it also in Greek, and Latin,and English, and either it or its equivalent, in many other languages. It hasa variety of meanings, or shades ofmeaning, in different settings. Dr.Whyte, in his Commentary on the Shorter Catechism makes this comment:"Amen is sometimes used in Scripturein an interjectional sense,as a finalword of devout acclamation (Ps. 72:19);sometimes in a confirmatory sense, reaffirming what has just been said(Deut. 27:15-26); sometimes in adverbial sense, asserting the truth of whatis to be immediately spoken (John 14:12) ; and sometimes in a substantive andappellative sense (Rev.3:14)."When we try to define the word"Amen,"there are manywords thatcan properly be used. It means "firm,""steadfast,""not easilyshaken," "true,"and "reliable." In certain cases it signifies assent, and isused in place of"Yes."Among the Jews it was usedto endorse and affirm anything certainor true. Christ used it over and overagain in the sense of "truly." Dr. Vos,in the B.B.F.&L. tells us, "In the GreekNew Testament the word occurs 150times, of which the King James Versiontranslates 50 by "Amen," and 100 by"verily."(Samples of this may be foundin John 16:23, Mark 10:15, John 3:3-5,etc.) Several of these have been usedin our Prayer Meetings the past yearunder the title "The Amens of Jesus."Patterson, among other things, hasthis to say about "Amen." "At the endof a creed it means "so it is," implyinga belief of the doctrines contained init, and at the end of a prayer it means"so let it be" or "so it shall be."And so we are taught in ourCatechisms (L. C. 196 and S. C. 107)that "in testimonyof our desire andassurance to be heard we say "Amen."Our desire is shown as we plead withGod to answer and fulfil our requests,so we say "Amen." Our assurance isshown when we rest upon God and trustHim, knowing that His is the Kingdom,the Power, and the Glory, and that "Heis able to do exceeding abundantlyabove all that we ask or think",so we say "Amen".andAccording to the Rev. Wm. VanPeursem in the "Family Altar" "Amenis the voice of faith. God's Amen ofconfirmation becomes the Amen of ouracceptance. God's truth should be metby our confidence, His faithfulness by our348faith. When we pray, we are- to believethat God hears us; and we express thisby saying Amen."Amen is also the answer of a goodconscience. Just as God's Amen meansthat He is true, so man's Amen is apledge of sincerity. Our Amen is a signthat our prayers are from the heart."Amen is also the renewal of ourdedication to God. As God gives Himselfto us, we give ourselves to God. God hasbound Himself to us by His Amen, andwe bind ourselves to Him byourAmen."At the end of our letters we place oursignatures. At the end of our prayerswe say Amen. Both are proper endingsin their respective places, but more thanthat, they are evidences of our sincerity,our desire, and our trust. Verily So letit beAmen.W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor.Praver Hour. 1 :00 P.M. MondayOUR HOMEThe Board of Directors of Our Homereport sorrowfully to the church atlarge the passing of Mrs. Myrta MaeDodds, widow of Dr. J. Boggs Dodds,on October 18, 1955. Mrs. Dodds andher husband had served as missionariesto Syria for ten years, and sixty-fiveyears ago they were returned home beDodds'cause of Mrs. health. After herreturn she was instrumental in organizing the Women's Synodical MissionarySociety, and served as its first president. Mrs. Dodds entered the HomeJune 21, 1954 from her son's home, theReverend and Mrs. Walter Dodds, fromIthaca, New York.The services were held at the Homeon Thursday afternoon, October 20, withthe Reverend Kermit Edgar officiating.It was a beautiful service. Two sonsand Mrs. Walter Dodds came on in response to a message, but arrived justof HisPsalm 116:15.The Board also regrets to announcethe passing of one of our oldest members, both in age and in years spent inthe Home. Mrs. Agnes Snyder, (Mrs.Henry) passed away Saturday, October29, at 11 :55 A.M.,after some months ofdiscomfort. Mrs. Snyder was born the9th of August, 1863, and entered theHome the 28th of June, 1930. For fiftyyears Mrs. Snyder had been confinedto a wheel chair because of the amputation of both limbs above the knees,but through it all she was always happyand smiling. Mrs. Snyder is survived byone son Clyde, and three granddaughters and a sister from Butler, Pennsylvania. Services were held at the HomeMonday the 31st,conducted by the Reverend Kermit Edgar. The body wastaken to New Castle where serviceswere held on Wednesday, November 2at 2 o'clock, conducted by the ReverendHarold Harrington. "For me to live isChrist,and to die is gain. Phil. 1:21.Press CommitteeALPHABET VERSES ON THE"WORDS OF JESUS"(Compiled by the late Mrs. Ida Moore,of Olathe, Kansas.)JESUS SAIDABC"All power is given unto Me in heaven and in(Matt. 28:18)."Be of good cheer; it is I; be notafraid"(Matt. 14:27)."Come unto me, all ye that labourand are heavy laden,(Matt. 11:28).youand I will giveD "Daughter, be of good comfort; thyfaith hath made thee (Matt. 9:22).E "Every tree which bringeth notforth good fruit is hewn down, andFGHIJKLMNOPQcast into the fire" (Matt. 3:10)."Follow me, and I will make youfishers of(Matt. 4:19)."Go ye into all the world, and preachthe gospel to every16:15).(Mark"He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47)."I am the way, the truth, and thelife :no man cometh unto the Father, but by(John 14:6)."Judge not, that ye be not judged"(Matt. 7:1)."Knock, and it shall be opened unto(Matt. 7:7)."Lay not up for yourselves treasuresupon earth"(Matt. 6:19)."My sheep hear my10:27.)"No man can serve two(Matt. 6:24).(John"Other sheep I have which are notof this fold : them also I must bring"(John 10:16)."Pray ye therefore the Lord of theharvest, that he will send forth laharvest"bourers into his(Matt.9:38)."The queen of the south shall rise upin the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it" (Matt.12:42).R "Rejoice, because your names arewritten in heaven" (Luke 10:20).S "Seek ye first the kingdom of God,and his(Matt. 6:33).T"Therefore,all things whatsoever yeCOVENANTER WITNESS

eward"men"'PROPOSED CHURCHThis isthe architect'sdrawing for anew Reformed PresbyterianChurch of Topeka to be builtat 21st and Fairlawn. Bids forthe modern brick building willbe opened November 22, Dr.W. 0. Martin, president of theboard of trustees, said. Members of the congregation haveworshipped at the old OtterbeinE.U.B. Church, the Woman's Cluband now Washburn Rural HighSchool, since selling their churchbuilding at 920 Clay last year.Courtesy Topeka Daily CapitalUVWwould that men should do to you,do ye even so to them" (Matt. 7:12)."Unto you it is given to know theGod"mystery of the kingdom of(Mark 4:11)."Verily I say unto you, they havetheir(Matt. 6:5)."Watch and pray, that ye enter notinto temptation" (Matt. 26:41).X "eXcept your righteousness shallYZexceed the righteousness of thescribes and Pharisees,ye shall in nocase enter into the kingdom ofheaven"(Matt. 5:20)."Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I commandyou"(John 15:14)."Zacchaeus, make haste, and comedown; for today I must abide at thyhouse"(Luke 19:5).PSALM FESTIVALFOR MID-WEST PRESBYTERYAT THE OLATHE CHURCHFriday, November 25, 1955SUPPER WILL BE SERVEDat 6:00 P.M.PRICE $1.00PSALM FESTIVALat 7:30 P.M.YOU WILL NEVER BE SORRYFor telling the truth.For living a pure life.For your faith in Christ.For confessing your sins.For doing your best.For thinking before acting.For hearing before judging.For forgiving your enemies.For being candid and frank.For helping a fallen brother.For being honest in business.For thinking before speaking.For being loyal to your church.For standing by your principles.For stoppingNovember 23, 1955your ears to gossip.Author unknownChurch NewsREPORT OF THE MEETING OFNEW YORK PRESBYTERYThe Coldenham Congregation washost to the meeting of New YorkPresbytery on October 11 and 12. Rev.J. A. Hill preached the retiring moderator's sermon on the theme, "Are WeLabouring in Vain?" to the congregation and the members of the court.Rev. Robert A. Henning took officeas moderator for the year and afterbrief arrangements were made the courtadjourned for the evening.On the 12th the regular docket wasfollowed. Two members of Presbytery,Timothy Sanderson and George Arnott,were remembered in a memorial service.Only one paper was presented, a personal paper from the Cambridge Congregation requesting the ruling ofPresbytery on the advisability of definitely pressing for a test case for theExplanatory Declaration in the politicalfield. The Judicial Committee answeredto the limit of the question as it wasstated in the paper but ordered thepaper transferred to a committee ofSynod for further study and a morecomplete answer.The Presbytery has completed thefirst year of a program of congregational visitation with the purpose in mindof uniting the churches of the Presbytery in spirit and effort, of strengthena-ing each individual church, and ofchieving closer oversight of our variouschurches which are so widely scattered.At least two members of Presbytery,and three or four if possible, visit achurch and meet privately with the pastor, with the deacons and elders, andalso the congregation at a congregational meeting at which the pastor is notpresent. The visiting members of Presbytery then act as "middletohelp in any way the relationship ofpastor and people, and advise in theirplans as far as possible. Three congregations were visited during the yearand three will be visited each succeedingyear until all ten are accounted for.Then the cycle will be repeated.The workat East Bend Park inPoughkeepsie, New York, has beenabandoned for the time. The propertywhich was under our consideration hasturned out to be unfit for any construction work of any kind. The owner hastried over and over to sell it unsuccessfully and finally gave it to the city. Wethank the Lord for having protectedthe church from making an investmentwhich would have lost a great deal ofmoney. But we trust that the Lord willshow us another field which can beopened and which will bring forth muchfruit.Other regular work of Presbyterywas considered in order and the courtadjourned to meet next October inMontclair, New Jersey.The officers for the year are: Moderator, Robert A. Henning; Clerk,Donald I. Robb; Treasurer, J. Paul Wilson.LOCHIELMr. Douglas MacCallum, an out-ofboundsmember who had been in failinghealth for some time, passed away inApril. Douglas leaves a wife and twoyoung children who reside in Ottawa.Rev. S. Boyle was the assistant atour Communion in June bringing usvery fine messages. Rev. Boyle alsogave a splendid talk on "Communismin China." We had the privilege of signing the Covenant at this time.Our D.V.B.S. was held in the churchin August under the leadership of Mrs.R. H. McKelvy. At the closing meeting349

the British and Foreign Bible SocietySecretary showed pictures, some ofwhich had been taken at the BibleSchool picnic the year before. The offering of over $50.00 was presented tothe Bible Society.Alice McKelvy spent two weeks holidays at home before returning to College for her second year.Walter Brodie Jr., 23 years of age,the son of Mr. Walter Brodie Sr., whois a member of our congregation livingin Montreal, was fatally injured on September 3 when his car went out of control and hit a tree. Walter Jr. is agrandson of Mrs. W. F. Brodie ofLochiel. Besides his mother and father,Walter is survived by two brothers,Donald and Melvin.KANSAS CITYKansas City held its Daily VacationBible School last summer from June 20to July 1. Mrs. Wylie Hunter was Superintendent. There were four departments, with a total enrollment of 55, anda total of 10 workers on the staff.Our summer visitors included Dr. S.Bruce Willson from the Seminary; Mr.Levon Yergatian, one of our Covenanteryoung men from Cyprus; Private JamesRussell of our Syracuse congregation,who has been stationed at Ft. Riley; Dr.Remo I. Robb, Home Mission Secretary;Dr. Alvin Smith from Orlando; and Dr.H. G. Patterson from Morning Sun, whopreached for us the Sabbaths of August14 and 21 when our pastor was on vacation.Our social schedule has been a fullone, with Sabbath School and Missionary Guild picnics, Young People's andJunior parties, and a supper in honor ofour students going away to college.On July 6, Mrs. Harley Ray Messickand Miss Nancy Ray were received intothe Church on profession of faith. Onthe Sabbath of July 10 Dr. G. M. Robbadministered the Sacrament of Baptismto Mrs. Harley Ray Messick, Miss NancyRay, Rebecca Sue Higginbotham, andJames Oliver Higginbotham II.On June 25 a daughter, Edrena Lynn,was born to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Scott.Mrs. Scott was formerly Miss NancyRobb. On July 4 a son, Ernest Sidney,was bom to Dr. and Mrs. Carl Cashion.On July 24 a daughter, Carol Sue, wasborn to Mr. and Mrs. Elgin Thelen. OnSeptember 18 a son, Robert Gene, wasborn to Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Skeens.A large number of our young peopleattended Forest Park,and many of thecongregation were present for the Sabbath services. Herbert Hunter won firstplace in the Juniors' Psalm MemoryContest.Bob More, Jr. is a Junior at Genevathis fall. Ben Duffett, Jr. is a Freshmanat Kansas University350at Lawrence.Rally Day was observed the Sabbathof September 25 with a full house. TheSabbath School classes participated inthe program, and our pastor brought aflannel-graph message for the children.A joint meeting of the Women's Missionary Societies and the Young Women's Missionary Societies of Olathe andKansas City was held on Thursday, October 13, at the home of Mrs. T. J. Humphreys. Olathe was in charge of thedevotions, and a book review was presented by Mrs. F. L. Stewart.Our C.Y.P.U. members have been veryactive this fall. They were in chargeof a Gospel Team service on the Sabbath of October 2 when our pastor wasaway. Now they are organizing into aband, to provide music for the Christmas entertainment and at other occasions during the winter.Our church building is undergoingrather extensive repairs and redecorating, inside and out.Our Fall Communion was observedthe Sabbath of October 23.The Rev.D. Howard Elliott of First Beaver Fallswas the assistant minister. His messageswere most interesting and helpful to usall. We were glad Mrs. Elliott could accompany him.Mrs. Paul Coleman went east withRev. and Mrs. Howard Elliott, to spenda few weeks in the East with friendsand relatives.MRS. LIZZD3 McBURNEYMrs. Lizzie McBurney, widow of thelate Rev. Elmer McBurney, and sisterof Dr. Ida M. Scott and Mrs. J. H. McBurney, died suddenly in her Oakland,California, home on October 22, 1955,after one week's illness, aged 86 years.ESKRIDGEThe two movie films, "Any BoyU.S.A." and "Liquid Lore," were shownin Eskridge last February. Four thathad to be returned without being shownon account of the winter's worst coldwave and no school that day, werebrought back to town and shown to theHigh School students one afternoon inOctober. Rev. Caskey was present andgave a short talk. Tracts were given toeach student.Stickers have been placed on magazines in the High School Library.Mrs. Caskey's parents, Mr. and Mrs.Hill, of Beaver Falls, Pa., are enjoying avisit with Mr. and Mrs. Caskey andAlice. Mr. Hill has been helping with therepair work on the church. The churchis receiving a new coat of paint. Severalmen in the community have contributeda day's work to help with this project.The roof over the south entrance hasbeen remodeled. Rev. Caskey has donemost of this work himself. Mr. Roy Dill,a contractor, supplied the blue print.Recent gifts to the landscaping plan ofthe church yard are peonies, forsythiasand a redbud tree from Mrs. Lottie McKnight, several redbud trees from Mrs.Sylvia Dill and Miss Murrell Dill.BARNET, VERMONTOur fall communion was observed onSeptember 25 with Dr. Frank H. Lathom of Beaver Falls, as assistant. Dr.Lathom's practical and stimulating messages were profitable to us all.We were happy to greet a number ofvisitors at the Sabbath morning servicesduring September. These included: Mr.and Mrs. Abbott Cutter and Arthur Cutter of the Cambridge congregation whospent the Labor Dayweek end in thiscommunity; Mr. and Mrs. James Doddsand son, Robert, from the Central-Pittsburgh church, over night guests at theparsonage; Mr. and Mrs. Cloud Millicanand granddaughter Dolly, of Wentworth,N. H.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Millican andson of the Cambridge congregation; Mrs.James Boylin of Beaver Falls, a guestof Mrs. Paul Wilson; and Mr. J. K. McKeown of Arlington, Mass., a visitor atthe home of Mr. Elmer Faris.Other visitors earlier in the seasonwere Captain and Mrs. Robert Self andtwo children from Manchester, N. H.,who came on the Sabbath that the pulpit was occupied by Capt. Self's brother,Rev. Kenneth Smith.On October 9 when our pastor, Rev. J.Paul Wilson, was assisting at communion in Montclair, four of our young people carried on the Sabbath morningservice. The speakers were Wayne Berry, Priscilla Berry, James Wilson andPhyllis Wilson.In observance of Temperance Sabbatha W.C.T.U. film was shown at the beginning of the Sabbath School hour.At the October meeting of the Women'sMissionary Society a large box ofclothing was packed for the Selma Mission.THIRD CHURCH, PHBLADELPHIAWeekly meetings of the Boys Club,directed by Mr. Walter McClay, theJunior Girl's Club, under the leadershipof Mrs. George W. Price, and YoungPeople's Groups, supervised by Rev.Price, were resumed early in Octoberwith good attendance.Rev. Dr. Finley M. Wilson occupiedthe pulpit two Sabbaths in Octoberwhile Rev. Price was assisting with communion services atNewburg and WhiteLake, New York.Rev. Chas Sterrett of Newburg, N. Y.was assistant to our pastor during ourcommunion season. His messages weresearching and stimulating, preparingour hearts and leading us to the mountain top experience of the Lord's Supper. There were 70 communicants in-COVENANTER WITNESS

ard."you."good,"eluding visitors from other congregations. We welcomed Rev. Dr. JuliusKempf and Mrs. Kempf and Mr. andMrs. Dodds. And it was a joy to seeagain those out-of-bounds members whotravel over a hundred miles twice ayear to observe the Sacrament in theirown church. Mrs. Wm. Foster and hersister, Miss Edna Claypoole, who camefrom Atlantic City, N. J. We missed theRobert Wilson's and Miss Helen Euwerof Ocean City, N. J., who were traveling in the West during October. Wewere glad that so many members of theUnited Congregation joined us in theclosingservice on Sabbath evening.Miss Isabel Crawford, superintendentof the Sabbath School, gave some interesting news of our missionaries and theirproblems in Kentucky, just before thespecial offering for that work was takenon October 23.It has become an annual custom tohave reminiscences of White Lake Campon Rally Daywhen all who have attended camp give their impressions, recitememorized scripture or retell Bible stories heard there. Rally Day was also"promotion day" for some of the boysand girls of the Primary department.Their new teacher is Mrs. Walter McClay.The Halloween Party, sponsored bythe Sabbath School was held on Friday evening, October 28. Just abouteveryone was on hand for the funbutit took some guessing before anyoneknew who really was who!Mrs. Carl Keefauver still remains onour special prayer list; while hospitalized for a broken hip, she also contactedpneumonia.Mrs. Thomas McClay,as congregational representative, has been makingthe annual solicitation for membershipdues for "Our Home" in Pittsburgh.OAKDALEKenneth Hood was inducted into theArmy, September 20. His address is:Pvt. Kenneth Hood, U.S. 55-510-599,Fox Company, 63rd Infantry Regt., FortOrd, California.Members of the congregation workedseveral days at the parsonage lookingforward to the coming of our new pastor. On October 18 a "work day" washeld at the church to clean the auditorium, S. S. rooms and basement.Dr. and Mrs. Alvin Smith arrived heresafely on October 21 and Mr. Smithpreached for us the following Sabbath.The congregation rejoices in their coming and is so thankful to have a pastor.The semi-annual congregational meeting was held October 21. Robert Piperwas retained as our congregationalchairman and Charles Auld elected secretary.November 23, 1955The joint meeting of the Illinois Presbytery and Presbyterial was held atOakdale, October 25 and 26. Rev. E. G.Russell, Miss Esther Latimer and Mr.Thomas Lynn represented Chicago andRev. and Mrs. Roy Blackwood and newlittle daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. ArthurMoore came from Bloomington, Ind. OldBethel's and Sparta's nearness to Oakdale permitted a number from there tobe present. On Tuesday evening Rev.Blackwood preached the retiring moderator's sermon and Dr. Alvin Smith waschosen the new moderator. Dr. Smith'sinstallation followed and the large audience went forward to extend the handof fellowship and wish the Smiths wellin their new field of labor. The followingday Rev. Herbert Hayes spoke and thePresbyterial elected Miss Esther Latimer to succeed Mrs. Floyd Finlay aspresident.Miss Rose Blair of Denver, Colorado,has been visiting in the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. J.Ren Piper.Dr. W. O. Ferguson's Bible Class,comprised of young married couples andyoung people, enjoyed a hay ride andweiner roast recently. Mrs. Fergusonand Dr. and Mrs. Smith were specialguests.The Juniors have held two parties inthe past few months : one at the home ofMrs. Harold Auld, our Junior leader,and a Halloween party at the home ofPhil Carson.Dr. Smith preached a short, but veryinteresting and helpful, children's sermon, November 6 and has promised thechildren to continue this practice thefirst Sabbath in each month. The children and adults are looking forward tothis.Mr. and Mrs. Finlay Torrens and family of Three Rivers, Wisconsin, visitedhere recently with relatives.Mrs. Jane Carson has gone to Orlando,Florida, to visit her niece and nephew,Mr. and Mrs. Reid Terry and family.The congregation held a reception inhonor of Dr. and Mrs. Smith, Friday,November 11. A program consisting ofspeeches of welcome, verses and singingby the Junior Society, and several musical numbers was followed by a responsefrom both Dr. and Mrs. Smith. Refreshments were served in the church basement.THE WHOLE UNITED STATESL. L. FarisAt Revere Beach, we were sitting under a pavilion looking at the AtlanticOcean. Next to me was a couple talkingabout a man who was a "no-good drunkHOWThey were very much disgustedwith him. I had a bag of miscellaneousChristian literature to give away, mostof which I tossed in open windows ofparked cars. I hunted for somethingappropriate to give to them. I selected"Power,"dated June 5, 1949, with thestory, "Bulldog Simpson." Handing it tothem I explained that it was about aman who was saved, the Lord helpedhim so he did not drink. They spoke ofBilly Sunday and said it was strangethat he and Billy Graham should havethe same first name. They spoke friendly about both of the evangelists.But when I remarked that the Prohibition Amendment was a good law,they became cross and argued that conditions were much worse, and that nearly every house was a drinking place during prohibition. I said statistics provethere was more money in the banks andconditions were better."Statistics!"they said angrily,andargued louder in favor of repeal of Prohibition."Atleast,"I ventured, "you couldwalk down the street without anyonebumping into"Well," she said, "in my town ofMedford you don't see anything likethat! No!The policeman would pickhim up that quick. Our town is a goodclean place. We don't even allow thestuff to be sold. We don't have any saloons in Medford."(Have learned since that Medford hasa few package stores.)"That soundsher heartily, and added,I complimented"I wish thewhole United States was just like that."The anger of the two strangers fromMedford melted into thoughtfulness.TO READ THE BD3LEI supposed I knew my BibleReading piecemeal, hit or miss.Now a bit of John or Matthew,Now a snatch of Genesis;Certain chapters of Isaiah,Certain Psalms, the Twenty-third,Twelfth of Romans, first of ProverbsYes, I thought I knew the Word.But I found that thorough readingWas a different thing to do.And the way was unfamiliarWhen I read the Bible through.You, who like to play at Bible,Dip and dabble, here and there,Just before you kneel, aweary,And yawn through a hurried prayer,You who treat the Crown of WritingsAs you treat no other bookJust a paragraph disjointed,Just a crude, impatient lookTry a worthier proceedure,Try a broad and steady view;You will kneel in very rapture,When you read the Bible through!Amos R. Wells.351

wealth."The Tithe Is the Lord's!He has given us the health, the wisdom, the environment,that enabled us to gain what we have.and the good fortune"Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth theepower to get(Deuteronomy 8 :18)In return for all He has given us God asks of us,not one half nor one third nor onefifth, but one tenth. Nine tenths of what He has given us, is ours to be used forour own needs. God claims the other tenth as that which is His Own,and as thatwhich is to be given back to Him for the work of His Kingdom. At the same time,God has given us a sure promise:"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat inmine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord ofhosts, if I willnot open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out ablessing, that thereshall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10)OUR TITHING GOAL THIS YEAR: 500 NEW TITHERS EN THE COVENANTER CHURCHStewardship Committee352COVENANTER WITNESS

mine."way"nothing."receive?"ECHOES NUMBERBIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 18, 1955QbvcnanterwitnessVOLUME LV, NO. 22TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1955One of the besetting sins of God's PeopleEternal EmbezzlementWilliam L. Fisk *Condensed from "The StandardA little child clutches his favorite toy in hishands and cries petulantly, "You can't have it. It'sThe parent attempts to show the child theselfishness of his ways or else chalks it up to his immaturity. As God observes us, His children to whomand for whom He has given everything, I suspectthat we often appear to Him quite as childish, livingout our self-centered experience.We may be religiously giving a tithe of our income and a portion of our time. This gives us nolicense to squander the ninety per cent we have leftnor to waste the remaining hours. Christian givingcannot be separated from Christian living nor can itbe divorced from doctrine. Consider itsInspirationSin is essentially the refusal to acknowledgeGod's supreme will as it relates to the individual'slife. It is unwillingness to accept the right of theLord to rule because of His two great unaided actsof creation and redemption. "We have turned everyone to his own (Isa. 53:6).For the unconverted sinner, this means ignoringthe righteousness of God as revealed in Christ Jesusand attempting to substitute a moral standard andpractice of our own. To the one who has been pardoned, purchased and empoweredsin involves theembezzlement of any part of our total personality forselfish purposes.The inspiration of stewardship is Biblical in itsorigin and its order.Direct commands for contributions are inscribedon many pages of the Word of God. "Honor the Lordwith thysubstance and with the firstfruits of allthine increase" (Prov. 3:10). Paul commended theCorinthian Christians because they had prefacedtheir dues with personal dedication which must everbe the spiritual sequence. "If I give and have notlove, it profiteth me The philanthropistmay be pagan."What hast thou that thou didst not(I Cor. 4:7). God has freely given us all things thatpertain to life and godliness. He expects that we willby faith use every potential which we possess to glorify Him.Our responsibility for offering a living sacrifice,including our substance, is not secondary. Think ofitsImportanceW. B. Hinson wrote : "The unused ability of thechurch is the exultation of hell, the surprise of heaven, the loss of man and the grief of God." With butfew exceptions Gospel churches proceed under halfsteamwith fifty per cent of the enrolled membershipdoing little, if anything, to promote the ministry ofthe church. Xerxes, leading an army of a million men,was heard to say, "Would that I had as many soldiersmen."as I haveGenuine, consecrated contributing is proof ofthe reality of our faith and our loyalty to JesusChrist who once said, "Not everyone who saith"Lord, Lord" shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is inheaven."Giving is the finest discipline we can accept forthe development of our Christian lives. It teaches us :self-denial. In child-like faith that God is able to care(Continued on page 358)

ule.'Glimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen. D. D.The Fabulous Clare Booth LuceThe current issue of Woman's Home Companion publishes an article with the above title about Mrs. Luce, ambassador to Italy, and wife of Henry Luce. Mrs. Luce wasborn of poor parents in New York City but as a girlwas considered beautiful, did some acting, got into society,and married a rich bachelor, George Brokaw, whose wealthwas estimated at from 30 to 50 million dollars. They livedand traveled in luxury, had many servants, did not haveto think about the cost of anything they wanted, but hewas an alcoholic. He drank more and more until he wasin a daze most of the time and hardly knew what he wasdoing. She was very unhappy regardless of all their money.To say a rich husband is a confirmed alcoholic is something like saying Naaman was a great man with his master,but he was a leper. Mrs. Luce divorced Mr. Brokaw gettinga cash settlement of $425,000.Liquor AdvertisementsThis article glamorizes Mrs. Luce tremendously, but ifshe has half the intelligence, wisdom and beauty that sheis said to have, she should use her glamorous influence topersuade her husband to cease glamorizing liquor in theadvertisements in his magazines, as Life, Time and Fortune,and thus leading other girls and boys'into the habit ofdrinking whiskey and other intoxicants resulting in ruinedlives and broken homes. The love of money is the rootof all kinds of evil, the Bible tells us, and the fabuloussums garnered from liquor advertisements seem to blindthe conscience of this "fabulous" woman and her husband.Freedom of ReligionFurthermore, if Mrs. Luce believed in freedom of speechand press, as she pretends to do, she could make an effortto see that American Protestant ministers and churchesare freed from persecution in Italy. A part of her dutyas ambassador is to see that citizens of her country arefully protected.Judgments re Church PropertyErnest Gordon, writing in the Sunday School Times, says:"Southern Baptists are awakening to 'the implications ofJudge Paul, of North Carolina, whose decision gave thechurch property to the minority of the congregation. "Dr.Bulman of Mecklenburg, N.C., is rallying the Baptist pastors in protest, and this is appropriate, for it will be remembered that, in 1775, men in Mecklenburg took the leadin the fight for national independence. He adjured Baptist ministers therefore 'to lead in a fight today for preserving the independence of ourattorney says, "both courts 'utterlychurches.' "A Baptistoverlooked the fundamental usage, practice and custom of Baptist churches,namely, majority"The Wisconsin Supreme Court has unanimously ruled infavor of the majority of a Baptist church as over against asmall minority which claimed the property when the majorityvoted to leave the American Baptist Convention andaffiliate with the Conservative Baptist354Association."Presbyterians Lose PropertyThere is a news item in Presbyterian Life which tellsof the action of a circuit judge in Clearwater, Fla., whoruled that the Central Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg had a right to withdraw from the Presbyterian Churchin the U.S. The pastor, Dr. E. R. Barnard, who had beenpastor of the church for thirty years, was deposed by thepresbytery on the ground that he was trying to dividethe church. Dr. Barnard had notified the presbytery severalmonths earlier that the church wished to become independent. His charge was "modernism" in the denominationwhen the leaders of the chlrch planned for a merger withthe Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and the United Presbyterian Church, its affiliation with the National Council ofChurches, and its endorsement of the Revised StandardVersion of the Bible. The writer of this item says, "A decision which may have far-reaching effects within thePresbyterian family of Churches was made last month byFla."a circuit judge in Clearwater,It becomes clear from these opposingrulings of judgesof courts in different states that it is very important thatpresbyteries and congregations make sure that their property is legally held by the presbytery for the denomination.Tragedy in the Near EastReports came over the air yesterday of severe riots inNicosia, Cyprus, and recently of fighting on the borderbetween Egypt and Israel. An eyewitness writing recently inthe London Daily Mirror says: "I arrived in Istanbul to ascene I can honestly say was worse than anything I sawin the blitz." The toll of human lives was not so greatbut the damage to property was greater. He saw mensweeping upendless mountains of broken glass. Goods inmany stores was destroyed and thrown into the street.An old woman was battered to death in her bed, a priestwas dragged from bed, the hair torn from his head, andhis beard literally torn from his chin. Another old Greekpriest was burned alive in a house belonging to the churchwhere he lived. Another 75-year-old priest was strippedentirely of clothing, tied behind a car, and dragged throughthe streets. Lists had been made out for the rioters toattack certain houses or stores and leave others alone. AllGreek-owned stores in Istanbul were systematically wrecked and looted. The same applied to a number of Jewishand Armenian stores. Conservative estimates placematerial damage alone at tens of millions of dollars.Seventy-eight out of eighty Christian Orthodox churchesin Istanbul were attacked, looted or burned. In Izmir, thebulding of the Greek Consulate, the Greek Pavillion at theInternational Fair in that city, and the Greek orthodoxchurch were burned.A Doctor SpeaksThe National Voice quotes Dr. J. P. Price, of Florence,S. C, as saying at a meeting of the American MedicalAssociation in Miami Fla., that: "It is my sincere beliefthat the greatest need of our country today and of ourprofession is a spiritual rebirth, a return to God and Hiseternal principles ... He cites the laxness of morals inour national government in recent years, the hold whichorganized vice has on legislative and sociallife, dishonestyand corruption in state and local governments, increase intheCOVENANTER WITNESS

evils."citizens."war"Current EventsProf. William H. Russell, Ph.D.DEADLOCK AT GENEVAThe recent foreign minister's conferenceat Geneva,Switzerland, has chilled last summer's hopes of worldfriendship. Three weeks of negotiations ended in completefailure to solve any of the major issues on the agenda. TheSoviet Union once more refused to allow free elections asthe basis for reuniting East and West Germany. In thefield of disarmament, the Russians brushed aside PresidentEisenhower's proposal of air inspection to enforce atomicdisarmament, and revived their own "comprehensive" program of disarmament without adequate safeguards. Neither did Molotov show any sincere interest in improving East-West cultural contacts, which had been another purposeof the conference. The meeting broke up with no attemptto conceal the disagreement or to plan another conference.Secretary of State Dulles reported his satisfaction thatthe Western states had demonstrated their unity and exposed Russia's determined opposition to necessary measuresfor world peace. Apparently we can expect another longcoexistence,"period of "Competitivealso known as the "coldwar."Russia's arming of the Arab and. nations, a goodwill tour by Bulganin and Khrushchev to Afghanistan, India,and Burma, indicate some of the new lines of Soviet diplomacy.IN THE RINGAdlai Stevenson has become the first. Democrat to announce his formal candidacy for the 1956 Presidential nomination. He now shows none of the reluctance he.had in1952, when he had to be "drafted." During the 1952. campaign Stevenson made a go6d impression as an intelligent,middle-of-the-road candidate, and he stands in well withmost professional Democratic politicians. Next March hewill enter the Presidential primary in Minnesota, where heis strongly backed bySenator Hubert Humphrey. Stevenson also will go on the. primary ballot in Pennsylvania,California, Oregon, and perhaps a few other states. Senator Estes Kefauver, a leading rival, is expected to announcehis candidacy in December. New York's Averell Harrimanwill not enter any primary contests, but will remain available as a compromise candidate.NEW BLOODEver since 1950, the membershipof the United Nationshas stood at sixty. Twenty-two nations have applied sincethen, but none have been admitted because of the East-West deadlock. New members must be approved by theSecurity Council, where the big powers have a veto power,and also must secure a two-thirds vote in the Generalcrime in our teen-age population, evidence of bribery andunethical conduct in amateur athletics, the effort madeby many to cheat on their income tax."The mad search for pleasure which causes our peopleto spend four times as much for alcoholicbeverages, asthey do for religious and welfare activities."The inroads which the doctrine of aetheistic communism is makingupon, the thinking of some of ourDr. Price called upon doctors to remember that theyare men and citizens and should try to counteract suchNovember 3,0? 1955Assembly. Canada recently sponsored a"package"resolution to admit all the applicantsthe divided statesof Korea and Viet Nam. Among the candidates proposed bythe West are such important states as Austria, Ceylon, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, and Spain, as wellas several smaller countries which have a clear right tomembership. These would more than balance the SovietsponsoredAlb'ania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Rumania,and OuterMongolia. However, the U. S. delegation has announcedthat it will oppose the admission of Outer Mongolia because it is not an independent state, having no diplomaticrelations even with the Soviet Union. The Russians, in turn,threaten to veto all the Western-sponsored countries unless Outer Mongolia is admitted. This deadlock may halt avery promising move to make the U. N. more representative.FRENCH DELAYThe French National Assembly has again proven itsgreat skill at doing nothing. To strengthen his government,Premier Edgar Faure proposed that the Assembly be dissolved and national elections held in December, six monthsahead of schedule. The Assemblymen, determined to holdtheir places as long as possible, passed instead a law directing the premier to draw up a new electorial redistrictingplan. This will take at least a month and then will consume more weeks of Assembly debate. The delay is favoredby the backers of ex-Premier Mendes France, who hopes toreturn to power next spring. Legislation will probably beat a standstill until then. In Great Britain, where the primeminister can dissolve Parliament without its consent, suchstalling is impossible.HEADING SOUTHRear Admiral Richard E. Byrd is leaving on his fifthexpedition to the Antarctic. He will help prepare forAmerica's part in the investigations of the InternationalGeophysical Year, 1957-58. Admiral Byrd, who founded:his famous Antarctic settlement of "Little America" onhis first expedition in 1928, believes that from now on theAntarctic will be permanently occupied. The South Polarcontinent could be of immediate value as a testing groundfor guided missiles and atomic weapons, in addition totheultimate development of its mineral resources. It maybecome involved in a genuine "cold if the Russians tryto make good some of their early territorial claims. During 1956 and 1957 the U. S. will establish at least six bases,one directly at the South Pole. The expedition is appropriately known as Operation Deepfreeze.TWO-PARTY SYSTEMJapanese politics has shaken down into a hard strugglebetween two major parties. In October the two Socialistparties merged on a compromise platform of neutralism inforeign policy and leftist experimentation in domestic economy. Then in mid-November, the two conservative groupscombined to form the Liberal-Democratic party. PremierIchiro Hatoyama, a Democrat, will probablyspring in favor of Taketora Ogata, a younger Liberal leadresign nexter. The conservatives evidently had to combine in orderto'maintain their lead over the Socialists. In addition topromising many economic benefits, the, Socialists are paci-(Continued onjpage 356)355

overtime."The Art of LivingDr. Robert Park's AddressFaculty-Senior Banquet, 1955, Geneva CollegePresident Lee, members of the Faculty, andseniors of the class of 1955 of Geneva. I have beenasked by the committee in charge of this banquet tonight to address you seniors in behalf of the Faculty.Hence, I speak to you not as an individual member ofthe Faculty, but as the representative of all of themwho are your hosts. I suppose that the committeeasked me because you and I are going out together.I do not think that any of you entered when I did.I have known some students who required five yearsto graduate, but I am safe in saying I have neverknown anyone who required thirty-three or nearlythat number of years.It has been the custom of the Geneva facultyfor some forty or more years to entertain their seniors at a banquet. This is a tradition at Geneva andis unique of the colleges of our country. Whereasmost of the colleges and universities have a seniorball as their last social function Geneva entertainsher seniors at a banquet. May this fine wholesometradition ever be retained by this college.Here tonight we meet you in a different capacitythan upon any other occasion of our commencementseason. This morning we met you in chapel in capand gown, but it was in the presence of the otherstudents of the college. On commencement morningyou will meet as a class but surrounded byotherstudents and your friends and relatives. Tonight wehave you to ourselves, by yourselves.Success Requires Tireless ApplicationSome fifteen or twenty years ago as I was passing through the dining room of my home, whichwas that old landmark just recently purchased anddemolished by the college, I heard a voice on the radio. I stopped and listened for a minute to that voice.The person talking narrated a story of a young woman who had been in a Chicago theater and had seenCharlotte Cushman act. This young woman met thegreat actress back stage after the performance wasover and asked her what she would have to do to become a great actress. Charlotte Cushman replied :"Art requires the most tireless application butit pays great dividends." I immediately wrote downthat statement on a small slip of paper and shoved itinto my pocket. I was thinking that that statementcontained a fine idea to pass on to the theologicalstudents whom I was then teaching, for preachingis a great art and it requires most diligent application and for such pays great dividends. I never usedit for that purpose, but I want to make it the basisof what I would like to say to you tonight. "Art requires the most tireless application, but it pays greatdividends."fist, which is now a strong position in Japan. The Liberal-Democrats will continue to favor strong ties with theU. S. If the two-partysystem can become established inJapan as it has in the United States and Great Britain,it will be a big step toward effective representative government. Multi-party states, such as France and Italy, tendto have weak parliaments.356A labor leader once asked Dwight L. Hillis whowas then pastor of a church in Brooklyn, New York,as to whether he believed in an eight hour day.Dwight Hillis' reply was, "Very much so. So much soday,"that I put in two of them every and then wenton to say, "the great achievements of the world havebeen accomplished in the unpaidHow truethat is. Men without watching the clock orthinkingof the payroll have given to their fellowmen some ofour finest blessings.It is said of Thomas Edison that he would slip asandwich prepared by Mrs. Edison into his pocket, gointo his laboratory, lock the door to shut out all interference with his task and spend hours alone trying tosolve a problem. Just think of the blessings all aroundus because he spent hours in unpaid overtime. LillyPons has delighted the music world with her voiceand Heifitz has done the same with his violin, butwho can count the hours of training of voice and offingers of these two that they might entertain theworld ?When a crisis comes in a victim's life thethought arises in many minds, whom do we have whowill lead us in our struggle to victory? Then cometo the fore men like Marshall and Nimitz and Eisenhower and MacArthur who almost unknown and seldom thought of but who in those previous years havespent a life in mastering the planning and techniqueof warfare.Whatever art you work at, art of music, ofteaching, of preaching, of healing or of writing, youmust make tireless application of your energiesin that art to gather great dividends. But tonight Iwant to speak to you concerning one artimportant of all arts, the art of living.The Possibility of Failurethe mostHow sad is the story of many great artists whohave achieved great dividends in some one art, butTHE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West fith Street, Newtan, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka Kansa9to promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer,not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas. ?3.00 ; Single Conies,10 cents.R' B' Lyons' B,A- Limavady> N. Ireland, Agent for theEntered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansas, 'under the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.COVENANTER WITNESS

picture."wretchedness."with."have failed dismally, tragically failed in the art ofliving. I think ofGoethe, Harriet Martinean, GeorgeElliott and Thomas Carlyle, masters in the art ofliterature. George Elliott has written some fineworks but her life lived with another woman's husband was most unworthy. Let us confine our thoughtin this vein to Thomas Carlyle alone. Here is whatone of his most friendly biographers has written ofhim. "His life was one long snarl of circumstancesand people. His mouth was full of cursing; his arrogance, pride and intellectual tyranny were simply indescribable. His married life from beginning to endwas a terrible study in black, he being the wretchedartist, altogether responsible for the. . ."If ever the elements of a truly grand life were inany man they were in Carlyle. He ended his life ofintolerance, selfishness, bitterness with a loveless,hopeless old age; his closing days were full of unspeakable remorse andRobertBrowning has said that "the acknowledgement ofGod in Christ accepted by the reason solves for theeall questions in the world and out of it." Carlyle believed in Nature, in Providence, in God, but he didnot believe in Jesus Christ. Instead of God in Christhe worshipped the "Eternal Unnameable," "the Infinities,"whatever they are. Thomas Carlyleachieved great dividends in the art of writing, but inthe art of living he was bankrupt. He did not knowor follow Him who said "I am come that ye mighthave life, and that you might have it more abundantly."We have tried to inspire you to be tireless workers in the particular field or art in which you willspend your life and at Geneva we believe we havehad signal success in that respect. At least the records ofmany of our graduates attest to that belief,but if we have done only that we have failed. Wewant above all else that you shall achieve great dividends in the art of living.The Guarantee of Successful LivingWe sang at your class day exercises this morning in chapel, "Her true sons are jewels," and youwill sing that at the closing of your commencement.What is it that makes Geneva's sons and daughters"jewels"? I would center that answer around fourand loyalty.words, integrity, purity, unselfishness,Integrity. What does that mean? It meanssoundness of character. It means you can tap thatlife any time, anywhere, under any temptation andit will ring true. You will find no crack in the bell.It means that life can stand the searchlight of God'seye as the flawless steel stands the test of the electriceye.I believe that there are two fundamental qualities in a life of integrity honesty and truthfulness.How necessary it is that we possess those two qualities for there is so muchdishonesty in business, ingovernment and even in institutions of learning. Notlong ago a congressman was tried and convicted ofdishonesty. While America's sons and daughterswere giving their lives for their country, this congressman by crooked methods was making profit outof our struggle. Only this week the newspapers allover the country carried the news of one of our greatuniversities put on probation because of dishonestpractices in the recruiting of athletes. We want youto be honest in all your transactions.November 30, 1955Truthfulness. Just recently one of our citizenshas been imprisonsd for perjury. He has confessedto lying before a judicial committee and now is writing a book telling of his lying and why. In fact he haslied so much that few will believe anything he writesor statements he may make under oath.We want our government officials to tell us thetruth. They need not tell us everything, especially ina time like ours, but they need not lie to us. Wewant our merchants to tell us the truth about thegoods they sell to us. We want our physicians to tellus the truth about our physical condition. Some yearsago, a neighbor of mine, a young mother, contracteda fatal disease. Her physician knew it, but he wouldnot tell her. Her husband dared not for he, becauseof his sin, was the cause of her fatal condition. I wasasked to tell the young mother that from all indications she could not live. I did so as tactfully and asgently as I could. I shall never forget the cry of anguish that came from that young mother's heartwhen she grasped the reality of her condition. Thenshe became calm, thanked me for telling her thetruth, and requested I pray for her. I believe that itwas because she was not deceived or ever left in ignorance but was told the truth that she, clothed inChrist's righteousness, entered into that other worldwhere there is no sin, no pain, no sorrow, no heartache. Sons and daughters of Geneva, whatever thetrial ordifficulty involved, have the courage to tellthe truth. If you are honest and truthful you will livea life of integrity.Purity is another characteristic that makes onea jewel. One of the greatest blights of this world isimpurity. The great weakness of America is impurity. The chief cause of these awful crimes that attimes make headlines in our newspapers is impurity.The basic reason for the unprecedented number of divorces in our land is impurity. It is also the chief reason for suicide among our young people, and especially among young women. Too late they find that theyhave sold their birthright of chastity for a mess ofpottage. Geneva expects her sons and daughters to bechaste in speech and pure in life. Would that eachone of them had the fortitude of a Joseph who farfrom home, a slave in a pagan court, under greattemptation could say, "How can I do this greatGod?"wrong and sin againstUnselfishness. Two fellow students graduatedwith me from Syracuse University fifty years agothis June. One was a member of the football squadand the other a member of the track team. The football player wasn't much of an athlete. He thought hewas. He was very vocative in telling the other players how to play the line, until one day our big huskypowerful coach took him in hand personally and individually taught him how little he knew aboutcharging and blocking. After that personal combathe wasn't so vocative about his own abilities. Oneday the Y.M.C.A. secretary said to me about him,"He is the most selfish student I have ever had todeal This secretary doled out the jobs aroundthe campus. He said this chap always wanted theeasiest job and that paid the most money. Fifteenyears later I was spending a vacation at Ocean Groveon the Atlantic coast. Two friends of mine who werealso there told me that there was a preacher rooming in the same place as they were who the womanwho ran the tourist home said was the most selfish357

you?"selves to save others the swifter are our steps andthe higher our diadem."serv-Jesus said, "I am among you as one thatand "he that would be chief among you, let himbe servant of Young folks all."we send you forthnot to be leaders, but to be servants of your felloweth,"succumb."peach."undefiled."others."also."week."guest she hadevfi? had in her house. Upon furtherinquiry I found that this was. the same chap whograduated with me at Syracuse. Think of it. Thisman was going through life arid tagged as the mostselfish person his acquaintances ever met.The other student, the track man, wasn't agreat runner. He could win a point or two sometimesin a meet, but he was happy that he could contributesomething to the score. This same Y.M.C.A. secretary said to me concerning him, "He is a Anda "peach" he was. He fell in love with a woman ofthe class who was several years his senior. Becauseof her age she refused to marry him. He confided histroubles to me. I said to him, "Do you really love herage?""Yes,"in spite of herhe did. "And she loves"Yes, she does." "Well, buddy, hang on, shewill And she did. They went out to Koreaas missionaries. I had several letters from him telling of their joy in carrying the Gospel to those paganpeoples. Then one day came a letter of the passingof the wife in giving birth to a son. Not long afterwards came the news of his own passing away. Unselfishly they gave themselves for others. I believethat today you could find some of their converts, orthe offspring of those converts standing loyally forthe faith that alone can save us from communism.William Watkinson, a great preacher of England, hassaid this, "In the very nature of physical contests, tohelp an opponent cannot be, but in human life it isthe essence of success that we are helpers of oneanother's job, that the strong aid the weak, the wisecounsel the inexperienced, the pure lift up the fallen,and the more sincerely and vehemently we deny ourmen. Live your life unselfishly.Loyalty. We all know what loyalty means. Lovaltyto a friend, loyalty to a sweetheart, loyalty toparents, loyalty to one's husband or wife, loyalty tocountry. It is a quality that we admire and thattouches us deeply when we behold it. But I speak tonight of the highest loyalty a loyaltywhich if wepossess we will be loyal in everyother relationshipin life I speak of loyalty to Jesus Christ.PRO CHRISTO ET PATRIAorPRO CHRISTOJesus alone of all mankind has mastered the artof living."He spake truth.""He was holy and harmless and"He gave himself for"He was loyal to his Heavenly Father.""Not my will but thine be done." "The cupwhichmy Father gave me to drink,shall I not drinkit?"He alone can enable you to master the art of living. I plead with you to be loyal to Jesus Christ.We hope that while in our midst on Geneva campus by fellowshipwith our faculty of Christian menand women, by direct instruction in our Bible courses, by worshiping in our chapel services, by the messages from God's Word in our monthly convocation358services, Geneva may have made upon you such impression indelible impression that you will goforth to live for Christ loyal to Him.Some of you have finished your formal education, some will go on to obtain a master's degree inscience, in mathematics, in history, in Bible. May allof you obtain unto that master's degree in the art ofliving, and you will if you live a life of integrity,and are loyal to Jesus Christ.purity, unselfishness,"Art requires the most tireless application, butit pays great dividends," and in no field does it paygreater dividends than in the art of living. May eachone of you be such an artist.Class of 1955,"Farewell"and "God Bless You."ETERNAL EMBEZZLEMENT . . . from front pagefor us, we take from our income no less than a tenth,surrenderingpersonal desires.Consistency. "On the first day of the Toomany of God's people are like wells that have to bepumped, rather than like springs that flow from theheart. What we do regularly becomes a habit andforms the pattern of our personality.Honesty. What I present to God must be cleanand without blemish. The end never justifies themeans. The way in which we get our money is as important as the way in which we give it. We dare notmisrepresent, shirk our responsibilities or be unscrupulous.Stewardship of our funds is anIndicationNot necessarily the amount, but surely the attitude, of our giving reveals much about our spiritualstatus and signifies the extent of our interest in theGospel. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, therewill your heart be If our gain is in this world,our attention and affection will be focalized in temporal values. When we reckon the riches of His gracemost worthy, our estimate will be eternal.The Biblical principle ofpriority, that is firstfruits,indicates that if the first is God's all the restis His as well. The Scripture reasons that if God didnot withhold His own Son from us, will He not withHim also freely give us all things ? It is a prevailingfallacy that we may do as we please with our resources after we have given God a portion. It grieves ourhearts to see expensive collections of useless baublesand trinkets in the homes of our church families,gathering dust and pleasing the pride, but deprivingsome one of the opportunity to hear the gospel. Extravagance and indulgence with the ninety per cent isas offensive to God as is trifling with the tithe."That there may be meat in mine house" reveals theof giving.ImperativeModern transportation and communication havereduced the world to a neighborhood; but we havenot loved our neighbors as ourselves in sacrificialevangelism. There is not an evangelical agency thatcould not enter open doors of opportunity if fundswere available. The evangelistic and Christian educational program of each of our churches could be expanded with the addition of equipment and personnel.COVENANTER WITNESS

great"order."up"mine"salvation."sins.""The harvest isthe commission is costly. Ina war of former years the standard bearer advancedahead of the troops. When bidden to return he calledstandard."back, "Bring the company up to theThe incentive to sacrificial giving is that ourgiving is anInvestmentEvery cent we spend on ourselves to keep alive,regardless of how legitimate it may be, is still anexpenditure. All that we heartily, faithfully contribute to the cause of Christ is an investment whichpays eternal dividends that do not depreciate. Whatwe try to keep our purse and our person we inevitably lose; but what we willingly share of ourselvesand our substance is forever "laid for us in heaven. Present blessings and future rewards are God'sinterest payments on all that we return to Him (Mai.3:10).Sight tells us that we ought to take care of ourselves; get all we can, keep what we get and enjoylife while it lasts. Faith tells us that we are in thecare of God, we are to give all we can, share what wehave and great shall be our reward in Heaven. "Ihave called thee by my name for thou art(Isa. 43:1).* Dr. Fisk is pastor of the Fairfield Avenue Baptist Church,Chicago, Illinois.Used by permission of The Standard, 5750 N. AshlandAve., Chicago 26, IllinoisII. ConvictionRev. E. Clark Copeland"What then is the content of the Christian message in the view of Paul, the greatest of all theologians? He says that it has two dominating notes:Condemnation and Justification, and the messagemust be proclaimed in that (Salvation & Behaviour, by W. G. Scroggie, p. 11. Keswick lectures1952 on Romans.)It is not enough for the worldly man to recognizethat he has sinned in some particular instances. Hemust see himself condemned in God's sight becauseof his sinful nature and practice ; he must see Christcondemned in his place before he will seek salvation.To this end God gave His law, in fact, the whole ofHis Word, to reveal sin, and the Holy Spirit to bringconviction through the Word.Christ described to His disciples the Spirit'swork in this respect in John 16:8-11, "When he iscome, he will reprove the world of sin,of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believenot on me; of righteousness, because I go to myFather and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."The Greek word translated "reprove" means "toconvict, to refute, or confute generally with the sugconvicted"gestion of the shame of the person(Thayer). A proper conviction is brought about byplacing the truth of the case in such clear light thatit will be seen and acknowledged as truth ; it involvespersuasive presentation by reasoned arguments; hewho rejects the truth thus presented, rejects it withhis eyes open. Truth seen as truth carries with itcondemnation to all who refuse to welcome it. Langedefines conviction as "a bringing to consciousness ofthe truth in such a way that decision must ensue, reimpenitence."either in faith orsultingChrist mentioned three things about which theSpirit convicts the world, or unbelievers : He convictsconcerning sin. The very root and essence of sin, aswell as its manifestation, is unbelief. (Verse 9.) Sinbrings condemnation. The Spirit convicts concerning righteousness. As verse 10 indicates, this is therighteousness of Christ, our crucified, risen, ascended Lord, imputed to believers by faith. See also, Romans 4:24, 25. The testimony of the Spirit is torighteousness which cannot be earned, but is entirelyof grace. He thoroughly convinces that no humanworks can satisfy God's demands on fallen man. Thespirit convicts also concerning judgment. Satan,prince of this world, has already been condemned(verse 11), and all his subjects with him. There canbe no escape from that condemnation except by believing on the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18).The work of the Spirit is personal conviction,not mere general information. He persuades me thatI am dead in trespasses and sins; that my sin outraged God's holiness and stirred up His wrath ; thatChrist Jesus took upon Himself the indictment ofmy sins and nailed it to His cross (Col. 2:14).The distinct aim of conviction is to restore thewrong doer (Rev. 3:19). "Scripture indeed indicates,in our view, that where it does fully take place it is,as a fact, followed by the new life; (however), "conviction of sin does not itself secure the man's partin(Outlines in Christian Doctrine, H. C.G. Moule, pp. 131, 132.) Conviction produces either a"pricking"of the heart" whith leads to repentance(Acts 2:37), or a "cutting to the heart" which endsin reprobation (Acts 5:33). It may be deeply felt, yetleave man void of eternal life. The work of convictionmust proceed to repentance and union with Christ"who is our life." One reason for shallowness of religious experience is an inadequate attention to thisside of the truth of the Gospel and to consequentweakness of hold on the revealed facts of acceptanceand life.True conviction produces a hatred of sin becauseit outrages God's holiness, not because it brings undesirable consequence in man's life. Note the clearstatement of the Westminster Confession of Faithxv, II, "By it (repentance unto life), a sinner, OUTOF THE SIGHT AND SENSE NOT ONLY OF THEDANGER, BUT ALSO OF THE FILTHINESS ANDODIOUSNESS OF HIS SINS, AS CONTRARY TOTHE HOLY NATURE AND RIGHTEOUS LAW OFGOD : AND UPON APREHENSION OF HIS MERCY IN CHRIST TO SUCH AS ARE PENITENT, sogrieves for, and hates his. . . etc.It should be noted that conviction does not endwith conversion, but continues to underlie all laterexperiences. In fact, conviction is intensified by regeneration. See Romans 7:14-25.Examine yourself: Are you rightly convicted ofsin? In your witness to sinners, either personal orpublic, are you leading them to seek salvation because they hate sin for what it means to God, orbecause they are afraid of hell ? 359November 30, 1955

missionaries.'ager"can,"REMO I. ROBB, D.D.ECUFor CovenalECHOESNovember, 1955ILLUSTRATIONS FOR DECEMBERDecember 4A Final Request.C. Y. P. U. TOPICSPrayer Changes Me.When Ulysses S. Grant lay strugglingagainst cancer he was visited by General O. O. Howard, known as "the Christiansoldier."For a while there was talkabout the campaigns and battles inwhich both men had played illustriousparts. But Grant was facing the greatest need of his career and he spontaneously interrupted his fellow soldier withthe inquiry, "Howard, tell me what youknow about prayer."December 11Faithful Reflection.The Best Book for Me.When Queen Elizabeth I advanced inage, her wringles waxed deep and many.It is said that an unfortunate master ofthe mint incurred disgrace by a toofaithful likeness of her impressed on ashilling. The die was broken and onlyone mutilated specimen of the coin isnow in existence. Her maids of honortook the hint and were afterwards verycareful that no mirror nor piece of amirror was left in any room of the palace. An old magazine reported that thequeen "had not the heart to look herselfin the face for the last twenty years ofher life.''A mirror exposes wrinkles, dirt, andthe like, that may be on the face; sodoes the Word of God with the heart.Reading the Bible shows us our sins. Ifwe refuse to repent and change we soonget tired of seeing our "wrinkles" inGod's mirror, so we stop looking. Howfoolish! That doesn't change our facesone bit. Better see the wrinkles, confessour sins which cause them, and be renewed in the blood of the Lamb.December 18 How Much EmphasisShall we Put on Christmas and Easter?The History of Santa Clans"The early Christian Church apparently did not make so much of Christ'sbirth as of His death until about thebeginning of the third century A.D., andnumerous sources tell us that 'for several centuries Christmas was solely a360church anniversary, observed by religious services. But as Christmas spreadamong the people of pagan lands, manyof the practices of the winter solsticewere blended with those of Christmasbecause of the liberal ruling of PopeGregory I and the cooperation of thei(Encyclopedia Britannica)Perhaps in Gregory's shoes we shouldhave done the same, and thought it nottoo bad when people connected the return journey of the sun with the comRighteousness."ing of the 'Sun of"And how did Santa Clause get intothis festival. Well, originally there wasSt. Nicholas, who was born in the thirdcentury A. D. He became bishop of Myraat the beginning of the fourth century.Many stories are told of miraculousmanifestations of his extreme holiness,already in infancy. Because of his remarkable babyhood and childhood,later became the patron saint of children. Because of numerous miracles supheposedly done by him, he is also the patron saint of bankers, pawnbrokers,mariners, scholars, and poor but marriageable maidens who cherish matrimonial ambitionsand he at least usedto be the patron saint of Russia. He wasespecially famed for unexpected gifts,and subsequently all gifts from unknownsources were ascribed to him; it also became the custom for parents to tell theiryoungsters that their presents at hisfestival came from him. He was firstadopted as the patron saint of childrenby the Netherlands, but was found insome form of name throughout Europein later years."It was a much changed St. Nicholaswhich the Dutch settlers brought to theUnited States. His name was abbreviated to Santa Claus. In the new world hispale, ascetic face acquired the tint ofrosy apples. He traded in his old graymare which he rode in Europe for reindeer and sleigh. He gave up his own day,December 6, and took over December25, 'Christ's birthday' (so-called), towhich he has successfully clung eversince. And (I quote from ChristmasTraditions, a book by William MuirAuld, p. 159) 'after these accomplishments in America, he re-crossed theocean and gained many adherents all theway from gloomy Scotland to sunnyAustralia. His dominion steadily increases;and it looks as if he might yetreign over all Christendom as the Kingof Christmas."From the Lutheran School Bulletin,October, 1949.December 25 Everywhere ChristmasToday.The Best Christmas Present.A father was so preoccupied by hisprofession or business that he did notassociate with his familyshould. Beginningas much as heat a certain Christmas, he resolved to reform at this point.As a Christmas present he placed uponthe tree for his little boy a note over hissignature, promising that he would givethe boy in the coming year one hour ofhis time each week day and two hourson the Lord's Day. The boy on readingthe note shouted, and told everybody itwas the best Christmas gift he had received.WHAT TO DOFrom the booklet by Mrs. A. A. WylieA WORD TO THE VICE-PRESIDENTPerhaps, you thought, when you wereelected to the office, you would havenothing to do just be a "figurehead" inthe organization. No, indeed! There arejust lots of things you can do to help inthe work, that will not in any way trespass upon the work of any officer orcommittee.You might take for yourmotto for the year the first clause ofEcclesiastes 9:10, and be the "Whatsoever Man" in your society. In almostevery organization, there is some onewho works about, quietly doingall theodd jobs that nobody else sees to do orwants to do. Such folks are worth theirweight in gold. Sharp eyes and a willingheart have just prepared you for thistask.The President is going to depend onyou to help in the general administrationof affairs. Of course, you will take hisplace and do his work, if ever, for anynecessary reason, he should be absent.He may ask you to be "publicity manfor the society. Don't be frightened but say, "I'll do the best Iand send to the International Societyof Christian Endeavor, 1221 East BroadStreet, Columbus 5, Ohio, for "PublicityPlans for Christian Endeavor," costCOVENANTER WITNESS

one,"waters."up"speeches"men."paper."copy,"magazine."alarmed."DESYOUNG PEOPLE'SSECRETARYoung Peopleabout 25c. If you wish to make posters,which very effectively advertise the doings of your society, try "The AmateurPoster Maker," from the Pilgrim Press,Boston, Mass. Price, at least $1.00. Follow the instructions and with little practice you will be able to make very attractive posters which will create interest and enthusiasm for many different lines of work.You can make short "peparouse interest in new projects and encourage the society to continue workthat has already been begun. Some societies are graveyards for unfinishedtasks. Work is undertaken; pledges aremade with momentarytoenthusiasm andspirit, then lag or grow stale just because nobody"speaksfor them.Rev. Joseph Clark has worked out for usthe following.Four Good Rules for Any Task1. Tackle It.2. Work at It.3. Continue in It.4. Finish It.Keep this before your society and getthe members to work on that platform,and the results will be gratifying.Be the "cheer leader." Never criticizeany one. He may be doing the best hecan. Encourage timid or backward members; cheer everybody on to do his verybest "as unto the Lord."Be "an Oiler." Little frictions sometimes arise because folks are humanand misunderstand or are jealouseach other. From your supply of tact,sympathy, and encouragement "pour oilon the troubled Help folks toforget slights real and imaginary.When the President gets blue or discouraged because things do not go ashe had planned and worked and prayedthey might, you can encourage him tobelieve that, if one plan will not work,another may. Help him find a solutionfor the problem. "Two heads are betterthanofand a team can pull more andbetter than a single horseif they pulltogether. Just one person doing whatyou can do will very shortlyraise themorale and working power of any society; things will run smoothly and workwill be accomplished.you!Oh! for a host of Vice-presidents likeNovember 30, 1955PRESBYTERIAL Y. P. SECRETARIESRECENTLY APPOINTED.Pacific Coast Mr. Joseph Lamont, Jr.,6537 46th Ave., N. E., Seattle, WashingtonMidwest Presbytery The Rev. MiltonHarrington, Idana, KansasMidwest Junior Hi Secretary The Rev.Donald McClurkin, 1267 Washburn,Topeka, KansasPittsburgh Presbytery The Rev. T.Richard Hutcheson, Route 6, NewCastle, Penna.Philadelphia Presbytery Paul D. McCracken, D.D., 36 W. Hillcrest Ave.,Havertown, Penna.THERE IS A DEMAND FORCHRISTMAS GOSPELS"No longer do I regard Christmas asseasonal madness, but as the Birth ofChrist for allSo said a prisonerin a State penitentiary whose only giftlast Christmas was a small ChristmasGospel.This Gospel, bound in a attractivelycolored and appropriate Christmas cover, had been produced by the AmericanBible Society. More than 1,500,000 copiesof this small book were distributed lastyear by church groups, and many individuals who wrote the Bible Societysaid they were using the Gospels inplace of the usual Christmas card greeting.The Bible Society, in addition to itsEnglish edition of the ChristmasboundGospel of Matthew, has shipped 772,000copies in Spanish for distribution by itsagencies in Latin America. A specialedition of 25,000 copies in Korean havebeen forwarded to the Rev. Young BinIm, secretaryof the Korean Bible Society, for circulation in that country.Men in all parts of the world willbe reading the Christmas Gospel thisyear. Chaplains, in the various branchesof the Armed Forces, have ordered theselittle books for distribution to the menunder their care. In line with the Society's program, these Gospels, as wellas all other Scriptures, are furnishedto the Armed Forces without charge.STOPPING THE PAPERSometimes we receive a letter froma reader telling us he has "stoppedtheThat reminds us of astory of a famous New York editor.Mr. Horace Greeley. After leaving hisoffice one day,said in veryhe met a man whoaggrieved and aggressivetone, "Mr. Greeley, I have stopped your"What,"said the editor in a veryshocked voice, "you have stopped thepaper. When I left the office a fewmoments ago the machines were running, the pressmen were on the job,and the papers were flowing over thecylinders in a great stream. And yousayyou have stopped the paper. However did you succeed in doing that?""I mean that I have stopped mysaid the man."Oh,"said Mr. Greeley, "that is different. For a moment you had meWhatever the reason, we never liketo receive a letter from a reader asking us to stop his copyof the magazine. We would really and truly liketo grapple each reader to our soul withhooks of steel that Shakespeare speaksof and never let them go.Sometimes a subscription is cancelledbecause of a disagreement with something we have written. That of courseis always possible though regrettable.But that is not often. The letter thathurts us most is the one from someone in a far distant place telling uswhat a blessing the magazine has beenbut financial circumstances forbid themcontinuingwith us. It is then we wishwe had unlimited funds so that themagazine might besent indefinitely.As a matter of fact, in the case of missionaries, we try as far as our fundspermit, to do just that. But this is agreat financial strain on ourlimitedresources. So we appeal once again toour readers to remember this Godhonouringministry and help us to provide the magazine for these servantsof the Lord who have found such blessings in its pages. We are in great needof donations large and small to this fundfor missionaries. Will you not help usnow so that others may share the blessingof this ministry of the printed page?Evangelical Christian361

no,"mass"Lesson Helps for the Week of December 18, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICforDecember 18, 1955Remo I. Robb D.D.HOW MUCH EMPHASIS SHALLWE PUT ON CHRISTMASPSALMSAND EASTERMatt. 15:8, 9; John 4:2416:1-4, page 2763:1-4, page 15378:1-6, page 187112:1-3, page 277139:1-6, page 341REFERENCES Prov. 23:26; Isa. 29:13; 58:6-8; Ezek. 33:31; Acts 8:21;14:8-18; Col. 2:20-23; I Tim. 4:7; Titus1:13-15; Gal. 4:10; Rom. 14:5-9.Once in my father's early days inSouth China, he was invited by a prominent Chinese family to attend abirthday supper in honor of the youngest son. There was a large companyof guests, and father was accorded theplace of honor near the oldest son ofthe family. As he looked over the assembled company he could find no traceof the man in whose honor the supperhad been announced. He said to theolder brother, "I don't see your younger brother. Is he not here?""Ohsaid the host, "He is ona business trip to a city three hundredmiles away. But his mere absenceshould not hinder us from having afeast in honor of his birthday."This Christmas business isa gooddeal on that order. Not only is theOne, who is said to be honored, verylittle and very seldom around, but itprobably is not His birthdate at all.The annual celebrations of Christmas and Easter require annual attention. Theyour wayare now so much a part ofof life that we cannot ignorethem as has been done in past years.No young person can stepout of hisdoor in December or in March without having to face up to Christmas andEaster.Christmas is said to be the feastof the birth of Christ. On that dayin the Catholic churches, both Romanand Greek, masses are said in honorof the infant Christ, hence the name"Christ or "Christmas." Easter,of course, is the feast of Christ's Resurrection, and is mentioned one in theKing James translation of the Bible(Acts 12:4).The date of Easter is fixed annuallyby the time of the Passover moon at362which time Christ was crucified, so thatthe time of the resurrection is fairlyaccurately determined. The birth ofChrist, however,seems hardly to havetaken place at the date fixed as Christmas. I have had two men, both carefulstudents, say respectively that the probable date was in August, and at thetime of Pentecost.Regardless of the accuracy of thedates, what shall guide our thinkingand actions in respect to these days?The official voice of the Churchshould first be heard."There is no day holySabbath . .except theTestimony, Chapter XXVI, paragraph2."We therefore condemn the following errors, and testifymaintain them?1. That anyagainst all whopart of time is appointed in divine revelation, or may be appointed by the Church, to be keptholy,in its weekly, monthly, or annual return, except the first day ofthe week, which is the Christian Sabbath."ror 1.Testimony, Chapter XXVI, erBy this testimony,no Church hasany authority to set up any annual"holy day." The one day which Godintends His children to observe byDivine appointment is Resurrection Dayin its weekly return.I believe we should not hold religiousservices on Christmas, simply becauseit it Christmas.Protestants until somewhat recentyears have opposed the observation ofChristmas and Easter as religious holidays, and have allowed themselves tobe drawn to the opposite extreme. Thedays have become commercialized, untilChristmas is the big sellingseason ofall the year. The giving and receivingof gifts sometimes takes on ludicrousextremes. Everything is bound up to amythical and impossible character called in America "Santa Claus," and insonie countries "The Little Christ."While the season is one of joy andgaiety, of good will and earnest friendliness, still we cannot forget that onthe non-religious side it has fast degenerated into a caricature of Christianity. We are involved in a way ofliving in which the Christmas spiritis a definite part. We enjoy it andit ought to bring us joy. But we mustnot fall into the worldly habit of giving in order to get.A factor, which merits considerationin this dayof religious ignorance andwide-spreaddisinterest in the Bible especially among thenon-church^d peoplesis that these "days" offer opportunityto proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ asnothing else does. On a ChristmasSabbath or on an Easter, children willcome to Church School talking aboutSanta Claus presents, Christmas trees,etc. On Easter, its "Bunny Eggs." Anda time,when the little spark of religion,which the world seems to have,talks about the birth of Jesus Christand His Resurrection, surely the Christian has an obligation to his Lord.When the greatest events in mankind'shistory are "celebrated," the Christianought to proclaim with all the certaintyof his being, that Jesus Christ, the Sonof God,and rose again.was born, and that He diedNo, we ought not to observe annualreligious days, we ought not to overspend ourselves in a commercial swirl.We ought to remember for ourselves,and to let others know of a certainty, that Jesus Christ was born, andthat He rose again.TALK THESE MATTERS OVER.1. How did Christmas and Easter originate?2. How do you separate the joy ofChristmas giving from the myth ofthe Santa Claus fable?3. Much is said about "putting Christin Christmas." How can that be donewithout violating the standard of"no holy day except the Sabbath?"4. Since these special days are notdivinely appointed, and since we donot want to turn them over to theworld, can they simply be ignored?HANNAH'S PRAYER ANSWEREDDecember 18, 1955Mrs. John C. FinlayHopkinton, IowaI Samuel, 2:18-21Memory verse: "Then Eli answered andsaid, Go in peace: and the God of Israelgrant thee thypetition that thou hastasked of Him" (I Sam. 1:17).Psalms:Memory Psalm: 61: page 151, verses1-4Psalm 65 : page 156, verses 1-3Psalm 25: page 58, verses 1-4References: Psalm 55:17; 102:2; Luke6:12; Phil. 4:6; James 5:15; I Tim. 2:1; Psalm 108:12CommentsToday we are beginning to studyabout the life of Samuel. Of course wehave all heard of him and all knowCOVENANTER WITNESS

sore."sons?"er."something about him, but let us seehow many new things we can learn.First, let us read the first chapter ofSamuel together. What about the veryfirst verse? There are a lot of big wordsthere. Should we skip over them and goon to the next verse? No, I don't thinkso. Many Bibles have pronouncing helps.Try to find one that does and then asksomeone at home to help you read thatfirst verse. I am sure your Junior leader will be very proud of you if you cando it.I wish that each boyand girl wouldmake it a challenge to pronounce Biblenames and places correctly. That is areal test of whether or not you are aBible student.As we continue to read the chapter welearn that Elkanah lived in Israel. Hehad two wives. Their names were Peninnah and Hannah. We may think thatvery strange but in those days manymen had more than one wife. In thosedays everywife wanted to have a finelarge family and it was considered adisgrace not to have any children.Peninnah was very proud because shehad many sons and daughters. Hannahdid not have any children. She was sosad that many times she could not eatnor sleep.Elkanah was a good man who lovedHannah very much. He tried to comforther. He said, "Why weepest thou?Am I not better to thee than tenHannah knew the true God and knewthat He was a prayer-answering God.She left the others and went to the temple of the Lord. "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord,and wept She made a vow that ifthe Lord would give her a son she wouldgive him back to the Lord to serve Himall his life. As a sign of this promise shesaid his hair would never be cut. Hannah prayed so earnestly from her heartthat only her lips moved. Eli, the priest,did not understand this and scolded herbecause he thought she was drunk. Shesaid, "I have drunk neither wine norstrong drink, but have poured out mysoul before the Lord." Eli told her to goin peace; that her prayer would be answered.Hannah was no longer sad becauseshe was confident that her prayer wouldbe answered. She went back to Ramahwith her husband Elkanah. There, theson that Hannah had prayed for wasborn. The child was named Samuelwhich means, "asked of the Lord."When Samuel was three or four yearsold Hannah took him to Shiloh whenshe and Elkanah went to offer theiryearly sacrifice. She took the child toEli and said, "For this child I prayed;and the Lord hath given me my petitionwhich I asked of Him."Hannah left her son Samuel with Eli.Each year she went to see him and aswe learn in I Samuel 2:19, she broughthim a little coat. Don't you think thatshe really loved the Lord very much.Note Book Work1. Write the names of five people thatwe studied about.2. Write two things that we learnedabout each one.3. Name an important lesson we couldlearn from Hannah.4. What do you think that Hannah putinto Samuel's little coat each year?5. Can you spell Hannah backwards?SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONDecember 18, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on International Sunday SchoolLessons ; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Religious Education.)JESUS A MAN OF PRAYERLuke 3:21,22; 4:12; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18,29; 10:21, 22; 11:1-4Memory: Luke 11:9, "Ask, and it shallbe given you; seek, and ye shall find;you."knock, and it shall be opened untoLuke tells us more of Jesus' childhood, of His mother, and of His prayerlife than is told in the other Gospels.In this lesson, there have been collected eight passages from Luke, that tellof His prayer life. One gives the substance of His prayer, and in one He isteaching His disciples to pray.Jesus Prayed at His Baptism(Luke 3:21.)It seems to have been in answer toHis prayer that the heavens were opened, that the Holy Spirit descended onHim like a dove, and that a Voice fromHeaven testified to His deity.We wonder that these evidences werenot more fully accepted. The appearanceof the Dove might have seemed just acommon thing to all except John, towhom it was given as a sign. But wasnot the Voice from Heaven heard byall who were there? Perhaps it wasbetter that the understanding of thepeople should be opened gradually untilthey had learned more of His missionand power. Some would try to explainit away. Even when the evidence of Histruth and power were multiplied, multitudes refused to believe. Yet there weresome who followed Jesus to the wilderness, and urged Him to remain withthem (Luke 4:42).Jesus Prayed in the Wilderness(Luke 5:16).After Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, He returned to Nazareth in Galilee,declared Himself in the synagogue, andwas cast out. As He went through thecities of Galilee performing many miracles, people followed Him until therewas a multitude. It was probably forrest and prayer that He withdrew himself into the wilderness. When He returned, His fame had spread abroaduntil there were Pharisees and Doctorsof the Law from cities all the way fromGalilee to Jerusalem gathered to hearHim. He was filled with power andhealed many of them.Jesus Prayed All Night in theMountain (Luke 6:12).Many have sought to follow His example in praying all night. What can onesay in a prayer lastingall night? Christwarned against vain repetitions in prayer. One man, when he reported that hehad prayed all night, was asked whathe prayed about. He said that when hecould think of nothing else to say, hejust said "Jesus, Jesus,Jesus."Wewould suggest that the successful allnightprayer comes by inspiration, rather than by a plan or purpose.Immediately after His night in prayer, Christ appointed His twelve Apostles. That was an important matter topray about. I wonder if the Apostleswere praying, too.Jesus Prayed Alone (Luke 9:18).It was following this period of privateprayer that Jesus questioned His disciples intimately about their understanding of His nature in relation toGod. In answer, Peter made his "GreatConfession."The truth that Peter expressed is the basis of our faith. We willcome to this again directly.Jesus Prayed on the Mount ofTransfiguration (Luke 9:29).Our eyes are not strongenough toendure the light from an A-bomb fora moment. It would destroy our eyesjust as a heavy weight falling on uswould crush us. A full vision of Godwould destroyus because we are notstrong enough to endure it. Moses couldsee only where God had been. His footprints. What He had done. Only threeof the disciples were strongenough tobe allowed to see the faint glow ofChrist's light on the Mount of Transfiguration.Luke Records the Substance of one ofChrist's Prayers (10:21).Returning to the question of Jesus'relation to the Father while He was onearth, I quote from one commentator;"Jesus laid aside His position in Heavenwith the Father and became the Sonof Man in order to make the Fatherknown to men. He did not, however, inso doing, shut Himself from communionwith the Father, but availed Himself ofman's privilege of communion by prayThis is a fairly popular view. Thisview, however, is not in accord withNovember 30, 1955 363

pray'us."ground"not."en."east,"void"pearls"pearls"man"sanctuary"safety"pearls"pearl"pearls". .. .Christ's words in verse 22. The unionof the human and the divine in Christis a mystery that we cannot understand.Yet it is a mistake to believe that Heever laid aside His relation with theFather. His prayers to God were notlike man's prayers. For man to use inaddressing God the prayer of Christ referred to above, would be extremelyprofane. The disciples realized that, andso they asked Him to teach them how topray. The manner of prayer that Hetaught them would not have been suitable for Himself. Christ does not change.We do not have to wait for some futureevent. Now is the accepted time, becauseChrist lives in the eternal Now, thesame yesterday, today and forever.Jesus Taught His Disciples How toPray (Luke 11:1-4)."After this manner pray ye. Theyrealized that they could not copy Hisprayers for their own use. So they asked how they should pray. This prayer isoften used in private prayer, or recitedin unison in public meetings for worship.When that, or any other set form isused, every care should be used to prevent it from becoming a mere form thatis not a real expression of our desires.This is dealt with in our Declaration andTestimony, chapter 24, paragraph 9 anderror 9.toMatthew Henry says, " 'Lord, teach usis itself a good prayer, and avery needed one, for it is a very hardthing to pray well, and it is only Hewho can teachIt is a great privilege to pray asJesus did, "Our Father."The first and second petitions areboth pledges and prayers.Bread, Forgivness, and Guidance, weneed daily.In the conclusion of the prayer, Matt.6:13, we acknowledge that Jesus Christ,as God has entire and eternal Dominion,Power and Glory.PRAYER MEETING TOPICDecember 21, 1955THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICEMatt. 13:45, 46Rev. W. C. McClurkinPsalms: 119: Part 2, page 288119: Part 8, page 29373: 10, page 17986: 6-10, page 20945: 1-3,6,7, page 11689: 1, 6, 7, page 216References Deut. 4:29; II Chron. 15:15; Psa. 24:6; 27:8; 105:4; 119:72; Prov.3:13-15; 17:8; Song of Sol. 5:10; Isa.55:6; Luke 11:10; 14:33; 18:28-30; John12:20, 21; Acts 4:12; Phil. 3:7,8; IPeter 2:6,7.364In other parables our Lord likenedHis kingdom to a worldwide field inwhich a sower sows his seed; and to afield in which some plowman or prospector might find treasure; in this parable, to a great market place in whichan enterprising merchant deals andfinds and buys the summum bonum.Some, Gentiles principally, receiveChrist from missionaries, as "goodreceives seed from sowers.Others find Christ while at their regular work or reading, like the man whostumbled upon treasure hid in a field(v. 44), and like those of whom Paulquoted the prediction of Rom. 10:20,"I was found of them that sought meBut Christ is also found by earnestseekers after truth: like Simeon, the"wise men from theNathanael,the Ethiopian treasurer, Cornelius, andothers. Each of these is like the "merchant man"in this parable.SEEKING GOODLY PEARLSIn the parable, the "merchantevidently, was a reliable and well-established jeweler; no junk dealer. Hehad a good eye, was an expert in judging the comparative values of preciousstones, and would not be deceived byimitations. And he had such businessacumen and financial ability that hecould get almost anything he wanteduntil he saw a pearl far better than heever dreamed existed, "one pearl ofgreat price."Like such a merchant, Jesus teachesis an honest inquirer, an earnest seeker after truth in "the kingdom of heavA subject of this kingdom, actualor prospective, being concerned aboutthe chronic "achingwithin him,seeks that which will satisfy his heart,but does not know, at first, just whereit may be found. In his diligent searchfor the "goodlyof knowledge,he has learned and acquired by his observation of,ture, alongand experience with, nawith his social studies andpersonal research of various histories,philosophies, and ologies, many valuablefacts, ideas, axioms, and extensional,intensional, and normative truths, andsuch, none of which, however, are wholly satisfying. "Where shall wisdom befound,"he cries, as Job did (Job 28:12-28), and, with Job, Solomon, andother seekers, he at length finds it in"the fear of the Lord" in the Lord'sown Revelation of Himself in the Gospel of His Kingdom."FOUND ONE PEARL OFGREAT PRICE"In the parable, the merchant wasabroad seeking "goodly of various values, and had money enoughwith him to buy several. But when hewas confronted with a pearl of surpassing beauty and surpassing value, hefound it to be beyond his means. Yetthe more he looked at it, the more headmired it and wanted it. And he deliberatelyresolved that he would haveit for his very own, if at all possible.In "the kingdom" a sinner with an"achingvoid"within him, an earnestseeker of happiness, after disappointment with various nostrums and planshe has tried, is confronted with JesusChrist offered to him in the Gospel.The Evangelist recommends Him asOne who would be all hissalvationand all his desire (II Sam. 23:5,) theOne anly Only Saviour and Lord (Acts4:12; Rom. 10:12), in whom all fulnessdwells (Col. 1:19). "One Pearl of greatprice"!Christ is further recommended to himas the fulness of truth "in whom arehid all the treasures of wisdom andknowledge"(Col. 2:3). He learns thatall other arts and attainments inknowledge are not such "goodlyof knowledge at all, without "the exChrist"cellency of the knowledge of(Phil. 3:8), and he verily believes thatChrist is the "One Pearl of greatprice"!And he is told that Christ has fulness of grace (John 1:14), as well astruth; that He is the "perfection ofbeauty"(Psa. 50:2) that shines out ofZion; the real strength and . . .beautyin His(Psa. 96:6); that Heis "the chiefest among ten thousand . . .yea . . . altogether lovely" (Song of Sol.5:10,16); and that He is to be desiredabove all others in heaven or earth(Psa. 73:25). Surely, He is "One Pearlof great price"!And Christ has "fulness of joy" (Psa.16:11) for those who believe His Wordand receive Him (John 15:11). Whyshould the seeker of happiness lookelsewhere? Even in song, he hears:"How long will ye love vanity. . .say,who will show us any good? Lord .Thou hast put gladness in my heart .peace, and . . . (Psa. 4). And,he is shown the vision of the heavenly gate which is "one (Rev. 21:21), a metaphor of Christ being the"Way," or"Door,"into everlastingpeace and blessedness truly, OnePearl of Great Price!"In the parable, the merchant was outto buy "goodlyhand and still retain hisland and store already wellwith cash inhouse andstockedwith jewels. But this unusual and u-nique pearl, he found, could not be hisbut by giving up all he had. Being wellpersuaded of its value he was willingto do this. So he "went and sold allthat he had and bought it," believingthat this new possession would repayCOVENANTER WITNESS

price."price,"wood?"up,"all his outlay and give him a fortunebesides.In "the kingdom" an honest inquirer may start out with the idea of turningover a new leaf for a record ofgood conduct, writing out a few checksfor good causes, accumulating somegood deeds, and hope thus to improvehis moral credit with God, and somewhat to lessen his guilt and fear. Ashe finds this to be a vain hope, and areal hope presents itself in the Gospelof having Christ, and all good things inChrist, he gives it his serious consideration. He concludesthat all his goodas over against Christ and all His goodis nothing, and that in the proposeddeal, he would_be receiving Christ asoffered, "without money and withoutSo he closes the deal. The covenant is made. The transaction is done.He is Christ's; and the "One Pearl ofgreatChrist, is his.As Calvin comments: "By makingmerchandise,that anyChrist does not mean,compensation is offered bymen, whereby they may secure forthemselves eternal life; for we knowon what terms the Lord invites peopleto come to Him, Isa. 55:1. But althoughthe gift of God, eternal life, is bestowed gratuitously, with whatsoever pertains to it, we are yet told to purchaseit, since we can voluntarily deprive ourselves of fleshly gratifications, that wemayafter it."not be hindered in our searchFor any who do not "diligently attend to searching the Scriptures, religious conversation, the duties of private prayer, the household, the fellowsanctuary,"ship meeting and thea quotation from Eylert would be pertinent:"Jesus here shows us the true point ofview, from which we must considerChristianity, if ever its holy design shallbe accomplished in us. It must be tous a thingwhence we must applyof the greatest importance;ourselves aboveall things to become fully acquaintedwith it, to know it always moreandmore thoroughly; and this knowledge,this conviction, will be a thing soughtafter, will be obtained with labor, application, and perseverence. . . . wemust sacrifice all, surrender all, thatis incompatible with a Christian frame,Phil.3:7-9."THE MINUTES OF SYNODARE NOW READYORDER FROM C. R. FOX209 Ninth St. Pittsburgh 22, Pa.Price $1.00W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Lanmf:. EditoiPrayer Hour. 1:00 P.M. MondayDear Mrs. Carson:SynodicalMiss Rose Huston docked at Vancouver early last Sabbath morning. Wedid not meet the boat aswe wereholding communion in Seattle. MissHuston's good friends of Manchuriadays met her and she stayed with thema few days. Now she is here in Seattle.She plans to stay on the west coastthrough most of the month of November, I believe. She is very tired andneeds to relax.SynodicalSincerely,Marian MartinProgram CommitteeMrs. Robert McConaughyMrs. S. Bruce WillsonMrs. W. S. RobbMrs. R. C. FullertonChr.Announced by our President Mrs. A.J. McFarland.They needed a pulpit for the new Salvation Army Center in Chicago. Theold master workman agreed to make afine pulpit out of special wood a proper one no dowels nor nails, beautifully grained sides and a good solid topfor the Holy Book."That's a fine idea but where shallwe find suchthey asked. Theold man smiled, "We got some onthe scrap pile waiting to be burnthe replied.So from piecesof old chests andtables that had been battered beyondrepair, the pulpit began to take form.Layer upon layer of blistered paint wasscraped away. The wood had to be sanded down till it was smooth like china.Ugly nail holes were filled and smoothed. Board had to be fitted to board bya master hand, cut exactly to specificationsperfect! The ancient cabinetmaker applied "splines," thin woodenstrips, with infinite care to hold thepieces together.The pulpit stands today sturdy andbeautiful with its broad graining andcrystal finish of SOLID OAK.He knew about scrap heaps alrightfor once he had called the filthy streethis home. He knew only Jesus can putHis Master Hand upon a piece of humanwood from the scrapit into a pulpita strongof God's workmanship ofpile and remakeuseful piecesolid oak.There are human scrap heaps in theyards of our churches. Do we with expert care pick up these pieces and makethem into useful members for God'sGlory?Dear Iva:SynodicalYour letter about our theme ARISEAND BUILD did me a lot of good. Butthe past few days I am so discouragedI do not know what to do. Please tellme why I feel this way. Sincerely,Ineeda Friend.Dear Ineeda:Your letter makes me think you areworrying too much. Last spring whenyou were tending your fine bean patch,I recall you said the hot winds woulddry up the beans before you could everharvest them. But the rains came andthe beans grew and you recall you canned a record cropyour familyof fine beans forof six. But you were nothappy because you told me that a summer like that takes everything out ofyou.Why are women like that? They seemto enjoy looking on the dark side. Weall are like that sometimes. We oftenexpect almost hope for the worstWE can not enjoy today because ofthe dread of some real or imaginarytroubles of the future.When you worry all day do you notnotice how tired you become? Constantworry tears down health and wreckshappiness. Axnious, fretful worry is asin. Worry is unbelief in God and HisWord.Face up to your troubles. Examinethem. Are they worth worrying about?Some of them are real and you don'tknow what to do. Turn them over toGod casting all your care upon Him.It will make a great difference. Youwill be surprised how easily things willwork out.Till we write again,Iva HeartTHE BRIEF COVENANT OF 1954A new printing of the Brief Covenant is now available for distribution. They may be ordered in anyquantity from Dr. Remo I. Robb,1217 Sixth Ave., Beaver Falls, Pa.The only cost to individuals or congregations requesting copies is thereturn postage.This printing has been made in accordance with instructionsSynod of 1955.at theCommittee on Future CovenantingS. Bruce Willson, Chairman.November 30, 1955 365

GENEROUS PREMIUMSFOR OBTAININGNEW SUBSCRIBERS.On the back page of this numberof the Covenanter Witness appearsan advertisement of the"CHILD'S STORY BIBLE"The writer of the story is Katherine F. Vos, who is the mother of Prof.Johanas G. Vos,now professor of Bible in Geneva College. So we maynow say that she is the grandmotherof students now taking Bible underProf. Vos.This is one of the most popularchild's story Bibles on the market,so popular that it has been translatedinto various foreign languages,Europe, Africa and Arabic languages.No home with small children orlarger ones should be without thisbook, a fine book to give to yourJunior Superintendent. Price of thebook is $3.95.PREMIUMS FOR GETTINGSUBSCRIBERS FOR THECOVENANTER WITNESSFor each new subscriber that yousend us for the Witness outside ofthe Covenanter Church we will allowyou $1.00 on the price of this book,so for one new subscriber the pricewill be $2.95. For the book, 2 newsubscribers, $1.95; 3 new subscribers,$.95; and 4 new subscribers the bookwill be given gratis. The subscriptionrate is $2.50. How about sending usnames of friends as gifts to them forChristmas, the Christmas that will bebrought back to mind every week.A fine chance to impart some spiritual gift.signed/The Covenanter Witness1209 BoswellTopeka, KansasTHE SE?iIINARYThe students of the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary and Congregations ofthe surrounding district had an outstanding privilege during the past week.Beginning November 3, Mr. Charles McBurney, an experienced and able songleader from Olathe, Kansas, held a clinic366on the use of the Psalms in the Worshipof God. Of particular value was his emphasis onimproving the leadership itself. With special instruction and practical experience for those interested heillustrated means by which the congregational singing could be developed. Alsohe made available suggestion sheets forthe acting precentor. In four sessions ontwo consecutive days, the group raisedquestions, discussed, studied, and practiced methods of improving the praiseservice. All who attended were greatlyhelped and encouraged in their effort tomore adequately express their praise ofAlmighty God.Friday evening, November 4, a Presbyterial Psalm Festival was held atthe Allegheny Church. Mr. CharlesMcBurney directed the program whichwas centered around theantiphonalsinging of the Psalms. There was alarge and appreciative audience present. The social committee of the Allegheny church entertained at the fellowship hour which followed. The Festivalwas co-sponsored by the PresbyterialYoung People and the Seminary.The special Psalm Emphasisweekwas climaxed with a Union Service ofthe churches of the Pittsburgh area inthe Central Pittsburgh church on Sabbath evening, November 6. "The Lord'sPrayer as found in the Psalms" furnished the expression in thePraiseservice. Prof. David Carson of Genevaspoke on "IF THESE STONES COULDSPEAK."This was a profitable series, and wethank Mr.leadership.Charles McBurney for hisFRESNOOur communion services were heldthe third Sabbath of October, Rev.Glen McFarland of Santa Ana assisted.We enjoyed his very helpful sermons, aswell as his presence among us and inour homes.Mrs. Willa Copeland united with thecongregation by profession of her faith.She was baptized on Sabbath of Communion. Also, at the same time, DanielMiles, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. JamesCopeland, was baptized.Friday evening, November 11, wewere pleased to have as our speakers,Dr. Walter McCarroll of Santa Ana andRev. David Calderwood of Los Angeles,members of the California ChristianCitizens Association. This organizationhas for its object the promotion ofmany worthy causes, one of which thesemen stressed particularly, the fact thatwe do not have the Bible in our publicschools.The state authorities continually and strenuously oppose it. Severalministers of the city were present andentered into an interesting discussionfollowing the addresses. Do we needto ask why there is so much JuvenileDelinquency in our state?Mr. John Walkinslaw, one of ourelders, fell and broke some ribs. Heis getting over it nicely.Mrs. Willa Copeland has our sympathy. Her father, Mr. Ernest McGee,died suddenly with a heart attack.UNITED PHILADELPHIAThe delicious dinner at the parsonage was quite a success. Let's do itagain. We expect to put the proceedsfrom it towards a stove for the newchurch kitchen.We are glad to report that varioussick members of our congregation areimproving in answer to prayer.The Misses Elizabeth and MattieHenry are in the Thoroughgood Nursing Home at 400 South 40th St. MissLois Morphy is in the Lurana ConnHome at 4108 Spruce St. Lois is muchimproved and was able to take communion with us.Dr. John Peoples underwent surgeryon September 24 in Temple UniversityHospital. We were thankful for his presence at communion. After convalescing at his son's home in Bloomsburghe is back home again and in his usualplace.up,Mrs. James Jackson has been laiddue to a fall which injured thesciatic nerve. We were glad to see herbetter. Also Miss Edna Steele and Mrs.Fisher are off the sick list.Our first communion at the Y waswell attended and one long to be remembered. The assistant was RobertMcCracken, 3rd yearSeminary student and son of our pastor. He broughtusinspiring and helpful messages. Inthe eveningour sister congregationworshipped with us. It is indeed refreshing to have fellowship together.PORTLANDOur Women's Missionary Society hasbeen following the calendar of givingas proposed in the Uniform Programs.Each month we have sent off a boxor money for those who have requested it through our programs.On November 11 the W. M. S. heldtheir annual Thank-Offering meetingwith Miss Rose Huston as our Missionary speaker. We...praise God forthe privilege ofhelping to support theseCOVENANTER WITNESS

ended"ered-dish"missionaries while they are on the field.We were happy to welcome to ourmeeting some friends and relatives ofMiss Huston's: Mr. and Mrs. SloaneThomas and their daughter Marion:Mr. and Mrs. Elmer McBurney; andMiss Alice Morrison.On November 13 a new Junior society was formed and will meet everySabbath evening. Miss Huston showedslides and told the children of the workin Japan at the first meeting.SHARON, IOWARev. Herbert Hays was the assistant at Communion services, held atSharon on October 2.were challengingand helpful. ThoseHis messagesuniting with the church by professionof faith were: Janet Robertson, LouiseEdgar, Alan Thompson and DavidCummings.Two babies: Vickie Sue Kerr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Merle Kerr, andJohn Edward Baird, son of Mr.Mrs.October 2.andRobert Baird were baptized onMembers of the Sharon Woman'sMissionary Society were guests of theMorning Sun Society at the Thankofferingservice held on October 7. Rev.Herbert Hays was guest speaker andtold of some of the opportunities andproblems of the work in Syria.The Sharon and Morning Sun Juniorsenjoyed a Halloween party at the churchon October 29.We are happy to welcome to ourchurch and community the Dr. Raymond Dill family who moved here inAugust from Auburn, Nebraska. Dr. Dillhas established a Veterinary practicehere. Dr. and Mrs. Dill formerly livedin Sterling, Kansas.The ladies of Sharon congregation hadan all day work meetingon November3 to make quilt tops and rugs for missions. The regular W.M.S. meeting convened in the afternoon. Another work"bee"was held one afternoon the following week. Boxes of bazaar articles,used clothing and toys were packed forSelma and Apache.Rev. John Edgar has shown the cancer film "One in 20,000" in recent weeksto 12 High Schools, Burlington Nurses'Training School, Morning Sun Lion'sClub, Louisa County Ministerial Association and 4H Club.A Leadership Training Coursedesigned to give inspiration and instruction to Sabbath School workers is being sponsored by the Sharon Church under the leadership of the pastor. A session will be held once a week for fourweeks. Four other churches in the communityare participating. The courseconsists of a series of ten film stripsand records, followed by discussion.November 30, 1955This series may be secured from theRev. F. H. Lathom, Chairman of theBoard of Christian Education. We heartily recommend this course of study toother congregations.The Sharon Juniors presented a play"The Time of Thanksgiving"at theevening church service November 13and gave their Thank-offering whichamounted to $13.71.DENISONKeith Merlin arrived November 12at the Holton Hospital to blesshome of Mr.theand Mrs. Merlin Wing.There are two older children: Dennisand Sandra.Mrs. M. W. Dougherty had minor surgery at the Holton Hospital on November 2."The summer isCOLDENHAMin Coldenham.Any saved? Having attended the publicworship and Sabbath School for sometime, six more of the young people ofour community have recently taken refuge in Christ and His Church here,and enlisted for His service.On November 6, Elliott George Arnott, Dorothy Elaine Arnott and JoanMarie Arnott were baptized, after having publicly professed their faith on aprevious Sabbath.Also, Aubrey Ann, Andrew Jamesand Kenneth Edward Rain, who hadbeen baptized in infancy in the UnitedPresbyterian Church, voluntarily applied for admission, and were receivedon profession of faith.We have welcomed these young peopleinto our fellowshipand commend themto the interest and prayers of ourbrethren. Elliott Arnott, driver of alocal oil truck in daytime, attendsnight classes in the State College atMiddletown, preparing for a degree inelectrical engineering. His sisters areseniors in High School. The Rains arein the elementary grades.On October 30, Denise Elizabeth, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. RobertWinchell, was baptized.In the late spring, but not previouslyreported, Delores Elsie (Mrs. KennethWinchell) breaking with Papal ties, wasreceived on profession of faith and wasbaptized. And Deborah Jean, infantdaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Winchell, was baptized.The congregation observed the Lord'sSupper October 16. Rev. Robert A.Henningof New York gave valued assistance to the pastor on Friday andSabbath evenings of the sacramentalseason.The members of New York Presbytery encouraged us by their presence,October 11 and 12. Not since 1947 hasColdenham enjoyed entertaining Presbytery. A picture of the former occasion shows some who have departed :the venerable F. M. Foster, the youthful Robert D. Edgar, and Elders HughRobinson and George Arnott.OLATHERev. D. Howard Elliott was the assistant at our Fall Communion Services and brought helpful and inspiringmessages. It was a pleasure to haveRev. and Mrs. Elliott in our midst onthis Communion occasion.The Olathe W. M. S. was delightfully entertained by the Kansas CityParty"W.M.S. at a "Dessert in thehome of Mrs. J. T. Humphreys.Dr. and Mrs. Clarence E. Wilson ofStafford, Ks.,and Mr. Robert Tippinof Sterling, Ks., worshiped with usSabbath, November 6. The Wilsonswere visiting in the home of Mrs. AnnaWilson, and Bob was visiting his mother,Mrs. Mary Tippin.The Thank Offering MeetingW.M.S. and Y.W.M.S. was held on Wedof ournesday evening, November 9. A "covdinner preceded the meetingto which all the congregation was invited. The speaker for the evening wasMrs. Lloyd Northrup, a convertedJewess, who, with her husband, aremissionaries to the Jews in KansasCity. Mrs. Northrup gave a wonderfultestimonyof her Christian experienceand told of her life before she becamea Christian. It was a challenging story!Our Thank Offering amounted to $122.We are happy to have five visitorsfrom a localThank Offering Meetingchurch present at ourwho said thatthey greatly enjoyed the meeting andespecially the Psalm singing.Mrs. Mae Coulter entertained theW.M.S. at the church in November.Charles McBurney is back in Olatheafter his "flying trip" to Pittsburgh.He was thrilled with the Psalm Festival at the Allegheny Church in Pittsburgh, his contacts at the Seminaryand his various other contacts including his visit with the C.A.M. Quartette,the Sabbath night service at the CentralPittsburgh Congregation and his visitswith relatives and friends.NOTE FOR THE WITNESSWe thank Rev. W. J. McBurney forthe faithful service he has done in writing the comments for the SabbathSchool Lessons for the last year. Hehas asked to be relieved and we havesecured the services of the Rev. JohnK. Gault who has graciously agreed totake this work for the coming quarter.His new address is: 15303 San BrunoDrv., LaMirada, Calif.367

girls.",**'*thafalMh1,'8'01',5fr"'-K'chord"-avaiFAVORITE IN100,000 HOMES^w^fT^Jf"Favorite in 100,000 Homes >>from Boston to Seattle's Beacon HillReprinted with permission from the Seattle Times. One ofa series of articles depicting the role of rehgton m Seattlefamily life.Religionmis ,-,"**,;, aHlclthe role o, re?" '" Sbe,,eVesXt ,s a way of ijfe,'>s'y.cem0CfrjogF"Because it is graded especially forchildren of 7 to 12 years, this book isadmirably adapted to home, classroomor Sunday School sessions. The teacherwill find this book ideal."CHURCH SCHOOL PROMOTERchurch ti communityMrs. Pascoe said:"Spiritual beliefs amson's mostdasi^Va able * a,Cpossession. If wechildren whenHivS0I. It ,s something toRichard live bysaid: "I ]ik t'^'.î:gS-fxhy SchoolRELIGION. FAMILY STYl c. d ,to *leam'aboS, 'Child's Story Bib? f 'rm '-o d -r f-'y. 3918* .. home ^Vc^l2tR.A,v-Comfort of'th. Wred in ReligionA ^1. F^ left,1" andPQ!coe_sessions with they rechildren , .ConMrs P.Thf ffree,limoHc show, us the 5fi Jffif"Best summaryof the Bible in story formWritten by Catherine F. Vos. Illustrated byDirk Gringhuis. Publishedby Eerdmans.From everystate in the union and from every English-speaking country in the world,a volume of orders and commendations continues to mountgrowing for THE CHILD'SSTORY BIBLE by Catherine F. Vos. Written by a sprightly story-teller, it has becomea favorite especiallywith teachers for re-telling the Bible stories.Easy to read and understand and with exciting full-color pictures, it is the center of interest in the familycircle as the above article and picture soaptly depict.THE COVENANTER WITNESS1209 Boswell Ave. Topeka, Kansas368 COVENANTER WITNESS

fl!*1J**w\KroMissionary numberBIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 25, 1955yovenanterWitnessVOLUME LV, NO. "22- TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1955UPPER LEFT: Youth Christian Conference, Mount Troodos, Cyprus, August 3 8, 1965.UPPER RIGHT: The Rev. Gene Spear, wife Ruth, Carol and Bruce, Kobe, Japan.LOWER LEFT: Latakia, Syria, Intermediates, May 1955 in girls school yardLOWER RIGHT; American Academy Memorial Hall, Larnaca, Cyprus (See page 359)

seller"sex."anything."Glimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen, D. D.The December issue of the Christian Herald carries aleading article by the executive editor, Dr. Hall, supportedby the editor, Daniel Poling, entitled, "An open letter topublishers."offending bookDr. Hall names three prominentpublishing houses and three of their "best books, oneof which he affirms, "is without exception one of thedirtiest and dullest books to be printed in this or anyother year. There is not a redeeming character in the cast.Just a dreary procession of pimps, call girls, queers, lechers."To this publisher he says :"You were out to sellanother company and of another book, he asks: "Does itnot say to old-hand and novice alike: 'if you want to makemoney authoring, all that is needful is plenty of sex, plentyof profanity, plenty ofobscenity?' "We do not wish toname these books of the publishers, but if any one desiresto know these names and read a strong denunciation ofthem he can find it in the above named magazine.Warning to ReadersThe article just mentioned is a warning to readers tochoose their books with care. The fact that a book comesfrom an old established publishing house is not a guaranteethat a book put out and advertised by them is good. Oneman wrote to Dr. Hall: "I paid no heed to the publisher'sname before. But since a big book club foisted off on mea profane and dirty novel a couple of years ago, I now lookfirst to see who the publisher is. I'll never buy anotherbook with that publisher's imprint again, no matter howgood it is."The editor encourages people to read books in thesewords: "We believe in books, in encouraging people to readbooks. We tell them there is no substitute, never will be,for books. Books, we believe, cannot be made passe by anyother mediumnot by radio and TV, not by movies, magazines, newspapers or any other means of communicatingideas."We agree with the editor in this. Let us not ceaseto search for and read good books!Synod of IrelandMr. Harold B. Holmes, as in former years and hisfather did before him, has kindly sent me a copy of theMinutes of the Reformed Presbyterian Synod of Ireland.progresssthat is being made in our church there. Dr. JohnThis I greatly appreciate and am pleased to note theColeman has already received several items in the Minutes,but we believe it will interest our readers to mention someadditional ones.The statistical report shows an increase in the numberof communicants, the average attendance at public worship,in the number of baptisms, the membership of the C.Y.P.S.,and the number of Sabbath School teachers. The report alsoshows increases in giving to a number of funds. The number of emigrants is not nearly so large as it used to be, atleast there were only nine cases reported to the EmigrationCommittee during the year. Four of these went to Canada.We wish that all of these might settle within the boundsof one of our congregations.370Irish EvangelizationThe Committee on Irish Evangelization (which meansTowork among the Roman Catholics) states: "It rejoices inthe fact that many Roman Catholics are receiving theScriptures freely and some are eager to talk about thethings of the Gospel." One of the missionaries, Mr. Beck,reports: "A good deal of the old antagonism to the workhas vanished, due, I believe, to a vast number of RomanCatholics listening to Gospel broadcasts. Over and overagain Roman Catholics tell me they listen to the Protestantservices on the wireless and would not miss them forPublic MoralsThe Committee on Public Morals reported that theliquor business has not achieved its primary objectives asit had hoped, yet there is no room for complacency. "Gambling remains an ever-growingharder for Christian bodiesto helpthan in the case of the liquor traffic,menace to society. It isrestrain this crazesince no question ofpublic health or safety is involved." Powerful vested interests are attempting to sweep away the old safeguards ofthe Sabbath, but they have made no noticable enroachmentsduring the past year.Changes in the MinistryAs I look over the list of pastors of the congregationsin Ireland I notice manychanges since I visited theintwenty-five years ago. It reminds us of the changes in ourown church during the same period. The Synod acceptedthe resignation of Mr. Henry C. Lyons as treasurer of theforeign mission funds for the past 24 years. At the time Ifirst visited Ireland Mr. Lyons had two brothers in theministry in Belfast, one is now deceased and the other,Rev. Nevin Lyons, has resigned from the pastorate of theGrosvenor Rd. church, the church where the TheologicalHall is located, and the Seminary meets. I look back withpleasure and profit to the time when I was entertainedin the homes of most of the ministers and spoke in most ofthe churches there. We have wished that more of the ministers from Ireland and Scotland would visit our church inthe U.S.A. It is with great regret that we have learnedthat one of the more prominent congregations of Scotland,that of Greenock, where Rev. Gregg was pastor at the timeof the 300th year of the signing of the National Covenant,has left the church of the Covenants.The Spirit of the MartyrsThe spirit of the martyrs has not been forgotten inthe Old Land, and it is being widely published in the New.Dr. D. H. Elliott has already called attention to the bookserial, "How Sleep the Brave," being published in TheEvangelical Christian, Toronto, Canada, and the other articles on Covenanter martyrs, one of which appears eachmonth. These articles and this book pay tribute to thestaunch and courageous stand of the Covenanters in thedays of the persecution and show how much we, as theirdescendants, and the free Christian world owe to themtoday. The book, "How Sleep the Brave," may be hadfrom Evangelical Publishers of Toronto, or from Zondervans.of Grand Rapids, for $3.00. This book is also running in(Continued on page 377)COVENANTER WITNESS

Current EventsProf. William H. Russell, Ph.D.FREEDOM OF TRAVELRacial segregation in interstate train and bus travel willbe prohibited by the Interstate Commerce Commission after January 10. The decision does not apply to travel within a state, but the effect will be to eliminate segregationthere too, except for local systems. Four Southern stateshave indicated that they will fight the order. It seems likely,however, that the U. S. Supreme Court would uphold theI.C.C., for the Court recently prohibited segregation in public recreational facilities.Federal District Judge Luther Youngdahl has ruled thatthe State Department cannot deny a citizen a passport without revealing the information on which the decision is based.This strengthens a decision made last June, that a citizencannot be refused a passport without a hearing. Americansthus are protected in their right to unrestricted travel.Youngdahl's ruling may also lead to a Supreme Court test ofthe use of "confidential information" in security cases.JOINING HANDSA new international agency, METO, recently was created by a conference at Baghdad, Iraq. It is the Middle EastTreaty Organization, linking Great Britain, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Pakistan. Through Turkey and Pakistan, METOwill be tied to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization onthe west and the Southeast Asian Treaty Organization onthe east. The purpose is to build an anti-Communist blocacross the northern zone of the Middle East. These countriesdo not have enough military strength to stop a determinedSoviet offensive, but their alliance is expected to have psychological value. Russian concern is shown by a sharp noteto Iran, warning that membership in METO will be considered a threat to the Soviet-Iranian frontier. Our weakness inthe Middle East is highlighted by the continued tension overIsrael, by Russia's arming of Egypt, and by the strife inCyprus.MORAL CLEANUPPremier Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam has launcheda crusade against the "four plagues ofsociety"opiumsmoking, prostitution, gambling, and alcoholism. The campaign began with a huge public bonfire of opium pipes, indecent literature, and gambling devices. Gambling and prostitution in the capital city of Saigon formerly were majorsources of income for the government of Emperor Bao Dai,and the resulting moral corruption infected all levels of administration. The public establishments for these vices arenow being closed. Opium smoking also was legal under theold government, as long as the Frenchcontrolledstocks. The government is now closing the opiumdrug came fromdens and offering medical cures to addicts. Some of themore "advanced" nations could use leaders like Diem.NUCLEAR TESTSSoviet Russia has exploded a powerful hydrogen bombas part of a recent series of atomic tests. Russia exploded itsfirst atomic bomb in September, 1949, and has conductedseveral tests since then. The exact size of the latest bomb isnot known, but it was equal to at least one million tons ofTNT. The largest bomb we exploded in the Pacific last yearDecember 7, 1955had the power equivalent of 15 to 17 million tons of TNT.The Russians announced that theyexploded the bomb atgreat height, to keep the radioactive fallout at a minimum.However, Japan had a highlyradioactive rainfall. Our ownatomic scientists learned of the Russian test blast from theirsensitive detection apparatus, before the official Soviet announcement.RED PURGERecently the Soviet government announced the execution of six more former associates of Lavrenti Beria, once thehead of the great secret police system. Most of them wereformer police officials in Beria's home province of Georgia.Beria himself and six associates were executed in December,1953, and last year a second group of followers were liquidated. Since all these men were arrested at about the sametime, it appears that the Soviet government is spacing theexecutions to avoid the appearance of a great purge. Westernobservers believe that many lesser officials also have beeneliminated without public announcement, for Beria's secretpolice system reached into every level of Russian society.HONORABLE DISCHARGEA new directive of the Defense Department will removeone of the abuses of the government's security program.The armed forces no longer will be allowed to give dishonorable discharges to servicemen merely because they are foundto have been past members of organizations on the AttorneyGeneral's subversive list. A federal judge ruled that "asoldier has a right to an honorable discharge if his militaryrecord merits it," and this seems entirely just. The armedforces might very well bar persons with subversive recordsfrom positions of unusual trust, but theyshould not penalizethem for earlier actions not connected with the service. Adishonorable discharge has become a real punishment, forit often creates a barrier against future civilian employment.(Continued on page 373THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each "Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN" CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansasto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer,not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Contributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasDepartmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year ; Overseas, $3.00 ; Single Copies,10 cents.The Rev.British Isles.R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theEntered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newtonunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.Kansas,371

question."me."others."Christian Missions and World RevolutionArthur F. Glasser*Assistant Home Director, China Inland MissionIn United Evangelical Action (Used by permission)(Continued from October missionary number)Indoctrination in CommunismReal benefit can be derived from a careful studyof the theory and practice of Communism coupledwith the appeals this movement is making in theworld today. Why is it so attractive ? The EvangelicalChristian missionary today should seek to projecthimself into the thinking of the peoples to whom hewitnesses overseas to see why they respond to Communist propaganda.One book we have recommended that our Columbia Bible College missionary candidates read is TheGod That Failed, a record of the experiences of several intellectuals who were drawn to Communism butwho later apostatized in disillusionment. It is a vividportrayal of the essential bankruptcy of Communism.But more, it is a sharp reminder as well of the utteremptiness of the intellectual position of the modernwestern materialist. One of its contributors is Arthur Koestler, a prominent novelist. He describes hisconversion to Communism while reading Communistbooks as follows:"By the time I had finished with Feuerbach andState and Revolution, something had clicked in mybrain which shook me like a mental explosion. To saythat one had 'seen the light' is a poor description ofthe mental rapture which only the convert knows.The new light seems to pour from all directionsacross the skull ; the whole universe falls into patternlike the stray pieces of a jigsaw puzzle assembled bymagic at one stroke. There is now an answer to everyMissionary candidates coming from America,have a tendency to be unaware of the impact of thismovement on the minds of men. Theyshould be encouraged to realize that the human heart in its totality and that includes its political thinkingneeds to be studied if it is to be won to Christ.Have you ever read the Communist explanationsfor the sicknesses of society ? Communists are expert diagnosticians. Have you ever given their solution for mankind's ills a careful study? Try to feelthe way the common people feel when they hear thispropaganda. Try to appreciate the fervor with whichthey say: "The Communists use the correct labels.They call injustice, exploitation, oppression by theirtrue names. They have a basic honestyabout things.They look facts in the face."Have you ever tried to sense how the powerof the Soviet Union must appeal to the helpless, disinherited of earth? Can you hear them say: "TheseCommunists represent the Soviet Union. That nationhas power enough to set me free. It claims to have aconcrete, workable solution for my need. Its powerimpresses me. Just think, it is interested inHave you ever tried to ponder the total Communist outlook on life? It is attractivehardly to us;we are followers of Christ. But it is attractive to372many : those who have never had contact with realChristianity. Listen to them say: "Why, these Communists have an explanation for everything. Theyare scientific. They are up-to-date. Look at whatthey have done in so short a time in Russia. Lookhow dedicated they are to their cause. Look howselflessly they live forAt this point, bear with a word of testimony:I used to regard Communism as "just another oneof those things." Of course it was all of the devil.Why study it? Then I went to China. I wanted toreach the Chinese for Christ. I wanted to help in thevast task of enlisting that wonderful people underthe Banner of the Crucified. And what did I find?Well, in the course of ministering in China I visitedboth universities and prisons. God blessed His Wordin both. But in both I met the Communists in theuniversities and in the prisons especially in theprisons. Prisons crowded with university studentsstrong, defiant, contemptuousso sure that theircause would win out in the end. And in the end wemissionaries were driven out, driven out by the wearers of the Red Star. Frankly, I was not able to copewith the situation. Communists talked a blue streak.I felt that in my talks with them I was always on thedefensive. In my ignorance I didn't know how to takethe offensive. A sense of futility and defeat overwhelmed me at times. I failed my Lord. But, therewere those Chinese Christians who knew what to doand who enjoyed the blessing of God. Their veryusefulness made me ashamed. Since then, I haveprayed that the Lord enable me to profit from myfailure that I might help my fellow missionaries dealwith this problem of Communism.Due to the delays of sickness and the opportunities for study at a teaching post at the ColumbiaBible College the Lord graciously helped me in seeking to evaluate this problem. I soon found that it wasvery complex. But it is not a hopeless problem. It canbe dealt with positively. The keys to the solution areknowledge and action.Mind you, I do not think that Communism, oreven the Social Revolution, is our basic missionaryproblem. Our task is to preach the Gospel of God'sGrace. The basic problem is the unregenerate humanheart in all of its rebellion against God. And thebasic opposing power is the spirit of disobedience,implanted by the devil, the god of this world, in theflesh of man and in organized society on earth. Andyet, if we are to reach men for Christ we shouldknow what men are thinking about. They are thinking about Communism. Hence we must know whatCommunism is. This brings us to the first key.The Need for Knowledge1. Missionary candidates need to become awareof the worldwide social revolution of the TwentiethCOVENANTER WITNESS

society,"Century, of the decline of the west and the shiftingof political and social power to the non-Caucasianraces.2. Communism must be viewed on the humanlevel in the light of this social revolution. Actually,militant Communism is a power-grabbing conspiracythat is capitalizing on the widespread leaderless hungeringsof the masses for social change.3. However, one should guard against taking ahypercritical attitude and summarily dismissing communism as "from the devil." A true critique of Communism is not limited to the by-products of thisatheistic system: the way in which it betrays andcorrupts all of its followers, the way in which it repudiates the dignity of human personality throughits calculated use of sinister methods to dehumanizethe spirit of its enemies.4. There are at least four different "religious"approaches men make toward evaluating the Communist movement. They may be defined and distinguished as followsThe approach of the Christian socialist:This man feels that both Capitalism and Communism are defective, being social systems that compound both truth and error. Their separate goodpoints should be recognized and accepted, their badpoints exposed and rejected. Any military show-downbetween these two ideological camps should be resisted. Communism, he regards as a "heresy" ofChristianity and hence undesirable to destroy intoto. The church should seek to steal Communism'sthunder and become the champion of social justice,having what is called a "prophetic voice ina voice crying out for righteousness and equity. Asto the future. The Christian Socialist is very uneasyabout being too hopeful but feels nevertheless thatif the Church does its task, world-wide catastrophewill be averted. This view is very popular among theleaders of the Ecumenical Movement, the neo-orthodox scholars of America and Europe, and those unabashed liberals who still allow themselves to beclassified as such. Bennett, Wood, Niebuhr, Tillich,and Brunner are among its leading exponents.The approach of the non-Protestant churchman:This man feels that the social system of Americahas a Christian heritage, but regards Communism asnot so much of Satanic origin as the result of sinsof the Capitalists and the Liberals. He feels that theroots of Communism can be traced to the Protestantrevolt (i.e.: The Reformation) and to the rise offree-thinking Liberals who rejected the authorityof the Papal Church. Because Christianity was secularized, Communism, the end-point in secular religion, has developed. This view is ably defended byBishop Sheen of the Roman Catholic Church and Dr.Lowry of the AngloJCatholic segment of the Episcopal Church. It optimistically looks forward to thespiritual triumph of America and the ultimate collapse of Communism a sort of neo-post-millennialview.The approach of the evangelical Christian capitalist:This man feels that the social system of America is essentially Christian, being based on the teach-December 7, 1955ings of the Scriptures. To him Communism is itscomplete antithesis, and by being opposed to Christianity reveals its Satanic origins. It must be resistedto the death. There is much strength to this position.We know that during this Capitalistic Era there havebeen sired more evangelical enterprises, missionarysocieties, mass-evangelistic campaigns,etc. thanduring any other period in the history of the Church.Were this capitalistic system destroyed, it wouldbring great distress to the work of the churchthroughout the world. This view is ably defendedby Blair, Kaub, Mclntire, and others. Their basicmessage : Capitalism must be saved and Communismdestroyed if Christianity as we know it, practice itand teach it is to exist on the earth.Alternate approach for the evangelical Christian:When one is confronted with the task of training missionary candidates who are going to labor inareas where Communism is a live issue and whereAmerican prestige is declining, the inadequacies ofthe "Christian Capitalist" viewpoint loom large. TheChristian Gospel and the Christian church withwhich these prospective missionaries are to be identified must be regarded in a context -ofhistory thatperforce must transcend the modern historical era ofAmerica's emergence as a world power.This evangelical Christian approach must beginwith God and His infallible Word. In the final analysis, we must think vertically and not horizontally.There is only one Cause, and that is God. And He isthe God of History. In the past He has raised up bitter and hasty nations to try His people and to bringthem back to Himself. The Assyrian and Babyloniannations are cases in point. After He uses them to accomplish His purposes He punishes them for theirsins.We must believe that God has allowed the Communist System to come into existence to refine HisChurch and bring it back to a place of active obedience to His will. Suffering and trial and upheavalhave ever been His agents in bringing His peopleto the place where they really desire to serve Himas true disciples, true followers of the Crucified. InHis time all the power and oppression of the Communists will be broken, and they too shall come before the judgment bar of God.(To Be Continued)CURRENT EVENTS . . . Cont'd from page 371SPEEDY FINGERSThe U. S. government is testing a new typewriter keyboard whose supporters claim that it will increase a typist's"Dvorak"output by as much as 35 per cent. The simplifiedkeyboard puts the most-used letters at the places which areeasiest to reach. All the vowels, for example, are on thesecond row of Keys, where the fingers ordinarily rest. Ourtraditional keyboard was arranged, with very little thought,in 1873 by one of the inventors of the typewriter. He neveranticipated the development of the touch system. The Dvorak system was developed in 1934 but has never gained general acceptance, for about the same reasons that keep usfrom adopting the metric system or phonetic spellinghabit and the cost of conversion. Our national governmentnow uses 800,000 typewriters,worth about $100 million. Aone-third increase in their output obviously would produceconsiderable savings.373

ways."First ImpressionsBy Gene W. SpearIt was with much joy in our hearts and withmuch gratitude that we sailed from Seattle on August 3. We have not forgotten the many people whohave made it possible for us to serve the Lord inJapan. To ourparents, to our teachers, and to ourmany friends who have worshiped with us, given usmany monetary gifts, many enjoyable times, andmuch wise counsel, we are continually thankful. Youhave served the Lord well and we have received theblessings. Now we have the opportunity to serveand we are thankful for it, but we will have to depend on your continued support in prayer, and inwhat you contribute to the budget. We would like tobe more independent, but this is the way the Lordhas provided for our support.Our voyage across with the Boyle family andEleanor Faris was for the most part quite enjoyable.There was some sickness, especially among the children, and some rough weather, but we survived thosewithout any scars. We are now livingwith the Hansen family in the large house which they rented witha view to our coming. It is a most pleasant place tolive. All of the adult mission personnel is now studying the Japanese language. Eleanor Faris, Mrs. Hansen, Mrs. Spear and I are studying full time. Theothers are studying as much as their heavy dutieswill allow them.Now perhaps you would like to know some of ourfirst impressions of this country and our work here.As we came to Japan I was impressed by the greatnumber of people who were hurrying and scurryinghere and there in a sort of disorganized manner. Itappears that Japan is still somewhat confused as aresult of the war. Much reorganization and reconstruction is going on, but Japan is far from beingback to normal.We have also been impressed with the extentof unbelief and spiritual blindness in this country.In the spiritual as well as in the physical realm thereis much confusion, but there is also reconstruction.The old pagan religions of Japan are being reconstructed as rapidly as possible. Buddhism and Shintoism are making a new effort to gain the hearts of thepeople. It appears that they are making much progress. Shortly after we came, there was some sort offestival for the gods. During these festivals the godsare given offerings of food and other gifts ; lanternsare strung up to light up the area ; and other decorations are put up. We found that there are manylittle shrines with their gods dotting the city and thecountry-side. We found also that some of the childrenstay away from our classes during the festival, andsome never come back.The mission group went for a little trip beyondOsaka to see a famous flower show. Along the waywe saw a number of portable shrines beingcarriedabout by young men while other men sat on themand beat drums. Some of these shrines weigh asmuch as two tons. The Japanese have prospects fora good rice crop this year, so these men were prayingfor a good harvest. Incidentally, the men who carrythese portable shrines take their pay in intoxicatingbeverages which they consume as rapidly as possible.Then they make trouble.While these religions are making a bid for the374hearts of the people there is a third which is alsoseeking to conquer that is Communism. A youngman who has been studying English Bible with Mr.Hansen has recently professed his faith in Christ.The other day he told me that he used to be muchattached to communism. Even now many of hisfriends are attached to communism. He says thatyoung boys who cannot afford to go to school getthe communist books and study them well. Then theygo out and work for farmers and among other laborers. While they work they talk communism and makemany converts. It seems to me that communism ismore of a threat than either Shinto or Buddhism because it stirs up the people against foreign "capitalists."Of course they all three work hand in hand toget rid of the foreigners.We are also impressed with the Lord's work inthe midst of His enemies. In spite of the oppositionfrom unbelief the Lord brings to us those who are tobe saved. They come searching for the truth; theyfind it and believe it. In spite of the oppositionand our failures, the Lord continues to add to thechurch such as should be saved. These people findsalvation, they are glad to have found it, and theyare usually ready to cling to it. This work of makingknown the gospel message is a wonderful work. Ican't think of anything more important or morethrilling. Thank you all for the privilege. Brethren,pray for us all.The Japanese Language :or Opportunity?By Eleanor FarisBarrierThe days move quickly along, but not withoutimpressions being made for time and eternity. Wedo need to ask the Lord to teach us to "count ourdays, and set our hearts on wisdom's None ofus can know how long doors will remain open on anyof our mission fields around the world, but as longas they are open they are our responsibility in givingthe Word, and in prayer.There has been cause for rejoicing here as theLord continues to work in hearts and lives. Last weekduring our Communion services, four adults andthree children were baptized. One of these adults,Mr. Takehara, by his coming into the congregationcompletes another entire family. Now there are fourhomes united in Christ, while many others standalone, often opposed by loved ones and friends whosehearts are yet blinded to the light of Jesus Christ.Another of the adults, a lady of seventy, is themother of the wife of a family already in thechurch. She has been very faithful in attendance,andhas enjoyed much better health since her acceptanceof Christ than she had known for some time. I wishyou could see her radiant smile, or see her joy inholding Billy Boyle after church each Sabbath.The other two were young men, Mr. Nishimuraand Mr. Tamada. Mr. Nishimura is a recent graduatefrom high school, working here in Kobe to helpsendhis younger brothers to school with the hope thatsome day he can afford to go on to Bible school toprepare for the Lord's work. He was raised in aChristian home but his knowledge of the Wordlagged behind his zeal when he first came to theCOVENANTER WITNESS

Book Room. He has since grown much in faith andknowledge, while his zeal for witnessing is apparentalmost every week by one or two, or even four, whomhe has contacted and brought to church.Mr. Tamada has also had Christian influence inhis home, though not of a strong nature. Just recently he was instrumental in making an opening for aBible class in his home village, which Mr. Boyle isteaching on Tuesday evenings.Two of the three children baptized were Mr.Takehara's, and the other was Bruce Spear, son ofRev. and Mrs. Gene Spear.With the passing of time, some of us even findthat the language we first thought was only variousstrangesounds,now gives forth with an occasionalword which we can understand. Being taught by thedirect method, our vocabularies consist of a few ofthe words commonly used in the everyday languageof the people. Each week there are a few more wordswe can recognize in the church services. The Spearsand Mrs. Hansen have just had their first languageexamination at the Y.M.C.A. where they are havingclasses. Mine comes tomorrow, as I am going to another language school.Every missionaryon the field is engaged ineither full time or part time language study, withthe hope that we can all do our work in the languageof the people directly. The ones establishing the workhere in Japan were so over-burdened with work thatthey could not give the needed time to the languagestudy, so have not been able to use the language inthe meetings. Now, with more workers on the field,they are studying with a private teacher part timewith the hope of teaching and preaching in Japanesein a few months. Please pray that this may be possible. We new ones have been limited to one Bibleclass a week this first year, that we might be freeto study and avoid the situation which the othersfound of time being filled with everything but language study.The Lord has provided sufficiently for my needsso that it is not necessary for me to take on outsidework. I would like to express my appreciation to anyand to those who havewho have had a part in this,been so faithful in prayer support. I know it has beendone unto the Lord and He will remain faithful inHis promised blessings to you.Do continue in prayer for these people to whomGod is still continuing to send His messengers. Thereare those who are actively witnessing for Him, thosewho are new-born babes, those who are standing justoutside the door, and others who have barely heardthe Gospel or never heard it. Pray with us and for usthat the Lord's work may go forward in word and inpower.American Academy, Larnaca, CyprusMEMORIAL HALL The first building of theschool, erected in 1911, now to be called MemorialHall, in memory of the late Mr. Peponiades of Nicosia, Cyprus, whose gift made possible the construction of the building ; and the home of the Rev. Walter McCarroll, D.D., the founder of the Academy.Suitable plaques are being placed on the wall atthe entrance of the building.The Academy was founded in 1908.The enrollment is 488 in the current year. Thestudents come from 92 cities and villages of Cyprus,December 7, 1955and from Ethiopia, Egypt, Lebanon, Arabia, Turkeyand the Sudan. The number of boarding students is141.Factions Which Tangle The Problemsof CyprusMay I comment on Prof. Saloutos' stimulatingarticles on the Cyprus issue ?During a recent visit to the island I was givenall the opportunity I could desire to analyze thiscritical situation on the spot.Archbishop Makarios granted me a long interview and helped with introductions. So did the MuftiDana, and so did the British authorities. I talked tohigh and low in many parts of the island, and couldat any rate form some tentative conclusions.The question to which I sought an answer waswhether there was really as strong a movement forenosis the union with Greece, as seemed generallyaccepted, and what if anything could possibly bedone by United States public opinion about the vociferously expressed demand for self-determination.My first conclusion, accepted by many Britons,was that indeed British policy in Cyprus has to accept some of the blame for the unrest which prevails :Great Britain has from the very beginning of her administration left public education very much in thehands of the Greek and Turkish communities, respectively.As a consequence there has been no education ofCypriots, but only education of Greek and Turkishpatriots often bitterly hostile to each other. Theonly exception to this was provided by the Britisharmy during the recent war, when many Cypriotsserved and, in many cases, received the only generaleducation they had ever enjoyed.These Cypriot veterans form an important pro-British element of the Greek-speaking population.Moreover, Great Britain has milked the island economically for long periods of her administration. Efforts are now being made to improve this condition.My second conclusion was that even that part ofthe Greek population which is most vociferous in itsdemands for enosis is not united. Many are piousmembers of the Greek Church, but many also areCommunists.Three of the larger and predominantly Greekcity administrations in the island are Communist led.At present it is considered good policy by theCommunists to embrace the Greek nationalist causeit offers more opportunity for mischief, and it is somuch more convenient to put the blame for strikesand acts of violence on "patriotic" elements.I think it is the realization that there is onlya violent minority and not a responsible majority infavor of enosis which has prevented Archbishop Makarios or any of the Bishops from taking a publicstand against the acts of violence which have beenso much in the news during recent months.As far as the Turkish population is concernedtheir interests and the policy of Ankara are identical.From the Turkish point of view the Soviet Union,Bulgaria and Syria represent the elements of Communist encirclement.The addition of an uncertain if not CommunistCyprus 40 miles from the Turkish shore would mean375

ut an additional military burden for a nation whichis already suffering from the excessive burdens ofher military budget.The Turks are afraid that Great Britain does notshow sufficient strength or understanding for thisdanger, and in that lies some of the explanation forthe violence of the anti-Greek riots at the time of theLondon conference.We in the United States are naturally inclinedto favor movements for self-determination in opposition to colonialism. But I do not think that the conditions for an expression of popular will exist at present. Since the Greek Church will not take a standagainst violence the Cyprus police have been forcedinto passivity.People who normally would vote one way wouldbe frightened into voting another way against theirbetter judgment. There must be a period when lawand order can be re-established before self-determination can become feasible.In the meantime the British efforts to createmore domestic self-administration surely deserve ourgoodwill.HENRY G. DITTMAR,Professor of History,University of Redlands,Redlands.The New School Building andNew OpportunitiesBy Blanche McCreaIt seems it has come my turn to let you knowsomething of what is going on in Cyprus. It wouldtake a longer letter than could be printed in the Witness to tell you of all the happenings amongst us!However, we can give a few highlights.We, in Nicosia, are very happy to be in our newbuilding. It is such a contrast to what we've beenusing that we have to pinch ourselves to believe it istrue. About that time a bill comes in for payment andwe see that side of the reality. We don't quite seehow we're going to make ends meet, at least thisyear, but we know there is a way in His plans. Wewish you who have prayed for and contributed moneyfor this building could see it, visit its classrooms andhelp us enjoy it. We still need your prayers and contributions. The auditorium has not yet been completed, so we work to the sound of hammer and floorsander. As there is a large rectangular space betweenthe two wings of the building, we hold our morningchapel exercises there, the girls standing. Fortunately for our exercises, but unfortunately for the watersituation, no rain has yet fallen. It is needed badly.We hope to have the dedication of the building on the3rd of December, as the whole building should befinished by that time.We are very crowded in our boarding house accommodations and poorly equipped in sanitary installations, at least for the number we have. Thereis quite an expense in getting back and forth to theschool by bus. We have practically decided, if we canfind houses nearer the school, to move at the end ofthe school year. In any case our rent, either here orat other premises, will be a great deal higher. Wedon't know whether we shall be able to continue the376boarding department and make it pay. We do wishwe could also have the second floor of the buildingfor boarding quarters.We have a large enrollment in the Preparatoryand Academic classes, but the Elementary sectionis down considerably. Distance to the building mayhave made some difference. We have built bicyclesheds for 170 bicycles, but there are 180 or morewho ride bicycles to school, about 65 who ride in thebuses which take the boarders, the rest of the 330or so walk, or are brought by parents or suburbanbuses.It is a little early to tell much about the caliberof the student body, but it looks like it would be moreor less normal. We are afraid we have a few undesirable characters, but sometimes they don't staylong. We are missing some of the better Christianwitnesses who are not in school this year, havinggraduated, though we are using one for some librarywork. We are all disappointed that Avge David, ofwhom I often spoke, is not being permitted to go toGeneva after all,even though her passport, visa,guarantee and reservation at Geneva had been made.Parents, and other relatives assisting, decided sheshould go to Ireland where her brothers are. She lefthere still thinking the way would open up for her toget to Geneva, but it hasn't not for this year anyway. She is not to be blamed, and our prayers shouldbe with her that she will be given strength to continue her witness as she did here. Christ is so much apart of her life, that there is not much doubt butthat she will, but she is discouraged.You are all anxious to know about the politicalconditions of the Island, and I'm afraid you have nothad much news from us about it. When questionedabout it before I left for Cyprus, I said the missionaries had not written me anything about it. Thereare so many other things to write about, but it is truethat conditions have become much worse since then,though from about last December matters were getting out of hand. Your newspapers and radios willhave given you much, I'm sure, but still you willwant to hear our view, and how it affects us and thework. The day I arrived in Cyprus, the 28th of August, was really the beginning of the worsening ofconditions. There were mass meetings that day, anda policeman killed on the main street of Nicosia;sentence has just been passed on the young man accused of his murder. That was at the time of theconference in London. Since then the British Institute has been burned in Nicosia, a military Governorreplaced the former one, Commandos were brought into strengthen the army and police, the police andsoldiers are in constant danger of stones and bottlesbeing hurled at them, all government buildings arecarefully guarded against attack sometimes by thethrowing of hand-made bombs. The latest report wasof one being thrown into the Post Office at Famagusta,probably through a private box, considerabledamage being done to the building. One deploringthing is that school boys and girls get mixed up inthings (these are students from the Greek Secondaryschools). Several times different ones have gone onstrike for one reason or another, police have intervened only to be greeted with stones and bottles,they retaliating with tear gas bombs. An Island widestrike was carried out one day. Most schools met, buta number of our girls could not get here as they cameby bus from their villages, or their parents could notCOVENANTER WITNESS

elbow."village."get out to bring them. There was some rioting on thestreets that day and we dismissed early some whosehomes took them through more dangerous parts. The28th ofOctober, the day Greece said "No" to Italy,thus entenng World War II, is always a big day forprocessions and church gatherings, speeches, etc.This year, the processions were banned and defiancebegan to be shown at once. Curfews were imposed onsome towns and villages, which only aggravated matters, it seemed. Larnaca and Nicosia were neither oneunder curfew. We have always had school on thatday, but due to dangers on the streets we thought itbetter to let the girls stay at home. We advised theirstaying off the streets. In our quarter all was quiet,though six hours of trouble making was reported inthe trouble centers. Some girls and I walked out tothe school to. do some work, and would not haveknown anything was going on. We do not know thefuture, but there is work to do now. It has not keptstudents away from either boarding house or school.We have more than usual from foreign places. Workin villages may be somewhat curtailed (I don'tknow), due to possible danger. We have canceled ourfall picnic, thinking it not wise to take a large groupof girls out, not knowing what one might run into.Naturally we are all praying for a peaceful settlement of the situation, and most of all that the workof the Master may be able to continue, no matterwhat happens or what is decided.Some of us from Nicosia went to Larnaca for anafternoon and evening conference last Saturday. Itwas planned by the Conference committee, of whichMemour is the President, to see what can be done tokeep the Conference spirit working all year. Biblestudy, stirring messages and discussions occupied thetime, and some tentative decisions were made forwork in the near future. We were surprised to findMrs. Weir with her arm in a sling. As she said, "Iturned my ankle and broke my It seems to behealing well, and should be useable in about threeweeks time. We people in Cyprus don't seem to beable to stay on our feet !I don't know that the deaths of Miss HelenEgyptiades and of Dr. Mouradian have been reported in the Witness. They are familiar names tomany of you. The Egyptiades sisters have been connected with the Mission and with the school, eitherdirectly or indirectly, ever since it started. Dr. Mouradian was a leading elder in the Armenian congregation and a member of the Commission. Someone willbe needed to step into the work which he has laidaside.We are all kept quite busy and the prayer needscan grow out of what I have written, as the Lordleads you to see them. We don't want to be so busyabout "other" things that the things of the Lordwill be neglected.GLIMPSES . . . Continued from page 370serial form in The Banner, Christian Reformed paper. IfCovenanters of our day would read this book and otherbooks which portray the persecuting times and the willingness of men, women and children to suffer losses, sacrifices,fearful suffering and even death for the honor of Christ andHis truth, theywould be greatly strengthened in theirfaith and imbibe at least some of the martyr spirit. We needto be better informed and more deeply convinced of thetruth of the principles of the Covenanters.December 7, 1955Seed Time and HarvestBy Elizabeth McElroyDear Friends of the Witness:I wish again to thank the people at home fortheir interest in our work and the Synodical for theirfarewell gift box of fruit and candywhich was enjoyed on our tranquil and comfortable voyage back tothe land we love and the people we call our own inChrist.The ringing of bells periodically, girls in whiteuniforms running here and there in the yard and thesinging of psalms, tell me as I write here in myroom on third floor that school is in full sway. MissMcClurkin and Mr. Hutchinson report 580 studentsin both schools. Many of the teachers are asking howbest they can present the truths of the Word in theirBible classes.Last Friday night Rev. Awad spoke to the teachers of both schools about twenty-five in all. He told ofthe dear Saviour's dying love for us all. We felt thetouch of the Holy Spirit as he talked to us about ourresponsibility in carrying the news of a Risen Lordto the students under our care. "HE WHO CON-VERTETH THE SINNER . . . SHALL SAVE ASOUL FROM DEATH." James 5:20. May thisthought be uppermost in the minds of every teacheras we begin another school year.Intermediates in English on Sabbath meet at11 :00 A.M. in the big hall on first floor of the Girls'School. As the leaders talk of knowing the livingGod and the power of the Holy Spirit one senses aninterest and reverence that did not exist severalyears ago. At the end of one of the meetings a youngman from Homs, whose parents are Christians, stoodup and gave his testimony. He pointed to the pictureof the Lost Sheep on the wall and said that this wasthe state he was in before Christ found him. He wentinto great detail telling about how evil companionsin school had led him from one sin to another. Finallyfinding no happiness in this environment he went toa Christian friend who led him to seek God with allhis heart and God made Himself real to him. Now heis a teacher in the government school witnessing forChrist on every hand.Outside of their regular school work Mrs. Hutcheson and Mrs. Sanderson are returningcalls with meand these are some of the things we talk about."Where are your children? Elias is in America. Wadiais teaching in Zisser. Rafeek passed the government examinations. George is in the army. His going to a Protestant church in Damascus, alsofour or five others from his We are alwayswelcome and in some places they complain becausewe do not come oftener. We find the people are interested and long for the riches of grace and mercyand love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour.Evangelists tell us about their work. Rev. Ibrahim Besna of Benias has two services on Sabbath,one in Turkish for the Armenians and the other inArabic. Some of the members are moving away asthe Oil Company is transferring some of the workersto another place but Rev. Besna is not discouragedfor he says, "There is still work to be done if you'rewilling to get out and look for it."In Guanamia, Evangelist Yusef Besna's village,377

mind,"a member spoke of their church's influence on thenon-Christians there. They do not swear or steal asin other places. This member's grand-daughter said,you.""You must not swear, God will hear"Where is God?""In heaven.""Where is heaven?"With both hands pointed upwards the little girlsaid, "Away up in heaven, away up there."It brought great joy to ourhearts, for it wasan answer to prayer when we learned that EvangelistDavid was giving Bible Study to a group of girls inInkzeek. The bell rang five days a week all last winter at 3:30 P.M. to study the Book of Genesis. Theattendance was ten or more from the girls who hadlearned to read through the Laubach system. In thisway they will not forget how to read and above allon the Bread of Life.they will be feeding daily"Where have you been?" said a dear, poor oldwoman, half blind and hardly able to move. Shethought I had been in Beirut or some place near, atleast not as far as America. She had been a cook inDr. Balph's hospital, had one son and an adopted one.It is the adopted son that stays with her. The otherone also helps by sending with his children every daycooked food from the home. After talking for awhile she asked some of the children in the street tocome and listen to a Bible Story. In her lonely hoursshe sings many psalms including the Twenty-thirdand repeats the Bible verses she has learned in theschool. Mrs. Sanderson plans to take her Bible classto her home.Labeeb, a former student and a young Covenanter, was sent by the Syrian Government to studyin Bristol, England. He went the first Sabbath day toa church and asked about a Christian home where hemight stay. They told him of one and the motherwrote a letter to Labeeb's mother praising his Christian character and telling her she should be proud ofsuch a son.Visits have been made to the village of Haffeand Guanamia with Miss McClurkin as driver andAmeen as caretaker of the car while we are at theservices. The pastor takes along some of the youngpeople or the women of the church so that they willhave a better understanding and interest in the workof the villages. The day we went to Haffe there wereeight women. The services were held in the homeof an old teacher, Elias Nasre, who was a precentorin our Latakia church in the days gone by. TheCovenanter from Estabago, a nearby village, seemsvery much interested in heavenly things for his facefairly beams when he says, "Jesus is mylife."After two months of illness Miss Footeen, a dearteacher who taught in our school about 30 years,went to her heavenly home on Saturday evening.Sabbath afternoon as they went to the cemetery thehearse was preceded by the girls of the schoolmarching double file carrying two large wreaths offlowers while the men walked behind. There wassome weeping but in it all, there was that great hopeof a haven beyond. Here the women pay their tributeby going to the tomb several days later. Many a Biblelesson she has given to the boys and girls of this city.Her spirit in times of trouble was always so good.There are so many faithful ones in this part of theworld and she surely was one of them.378Miss Clalia, the aunt of Helen and Florence Fattal,was sick but is much better.Miss Myrtle Wylie of Rev. Kermit Edgar'schurch, a former S. S. teacher of Miss McClurkin,paid a quick visit to the Mission in the course of hertrip around the world with the "Jackman Tours." Sheleft after a breakfast with our circle, just as thechildren were coming in. We wish she could haveseen the schools in action. We are always glad towelcome some one from home, especially from ourown Covenanter Church.Pray for the class of Bible study for the youngnight and the prayer meetnight which is held in Benias.men every Wednesdaying every ThursdayPray for a consecrated Bible woman for the city."Jehovah jireh"the Lord will provide. He has inthe past and I know He will now if we seek Him witha heart of faith.The need for teaching and preaching the gospelis very great.One's LeisureBy George Matthew AdamsIn my reading I came across this sentence: "Themanner in which people employ their leisure is themost revealing thing about them." We freely throwourselves into the work that we love most, but withour leisure we have a personal freedom which isunique. It may be a favorite room, with silent friends(books) all about one, or it may be some hobby forrecreation or relaxation. It is always there that ourarmour shines !There must be a thousand witnesses to everyvibration of my personality in the library where Ispend so much of my time alone and in a mood ofecstatic joy. There it is that I feast upon my leisure.I am sure that such an experience is known to many.The manner in which a person employs hisleisure classifies him. Anywhere you meet people ingroups you will find this to be true. It may be innight clubs, bar rooms, hotel lobbies, pool rooms, orsome selected spot that is full of familiarity. I readthis summer of a man who employed his leisure hoursin the making of bird houses. Many a one has turnedhis leisure into a fortune !Our leisure hours may well, in time, prove to bethe most significant hours of our lives. In them wemay discover ourselves in the most unsuspected manner. The great law of gravitation was discovered ina moment of leisure with a watchful eye ! My friendJohn Kieran is known to thousands as a walking encyclopedia, but his leisure hours are spent in thestudy of birds, about which he is an authority. Hewould not live far from birds.The obituary columns of our newspapers tellmany a story of those who had no time for a happyand profitable leisure. The late Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes used to translate the classics "just to exercise my in his own words. It is the leisurehours, happily used, which have often opened up anew world to many a one. Never should they be spentin idleness. Sunday Guardian.COVENANTER WITNESS

you?"sinned"manger"mighty"ground."man"Lesson Helps for the Week of December 25, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICforDecember 25, 1955EVERYWHERE CHRISTMAS TODAYPSALMSLuke 2:1-20117:1, 2, page 28324:1-5, page 56149:1, 2, page 358148:1, 3-5, page 357145:1-3, page 350REFERENCES: Isa. 7:10-14; 9:6,7;11:1-9; Micah 5:2; Luke 1:26-35; Matt.1:18-21; Phil. 2:6-11; Rev. 5:11-14.(Used by permission of the International Christian Endeavor Society)Comments by Remo I. Robb, D. D.What did you think about this morning when you got up? Did you remember that this is the date which tradition says was the time Jesus Christwas born?What did you talk about to yourfriends at church? The presents you gotlast night or expect to open tomorrowmorning? Did you ask "What did Santabring Or were your thoughtsSabbath thoughts about Him who cameto redeem you, and who was withoutdoubt God's greatest possible gift tothe world?Last week it was suggested thatChristmas is an opportunity to proclaimthe truth about the Lord Jesus Christat a time when people are thinkingabout Him. Today is "Christmas" allover the world, although there will always be some questions as to whether the traditional December 25 is reallyChrist's birthday. The Bible does nottell when Christ was born. For moreimportant than the date is the fact ofHis coming, and what He came to do.1. The Greatness of SalvationGod created man in perfect harmonywith Himself. But man sinned and lostthat fellowship. More than this, he fellunder the curse of God, who warnedhim that if he sinned he would die."So death passed upon all men, for thatall have(Rom. 5:12). But Godpromised a Saviour "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish buthave everlastinglife."(John 3:16).Salvation is the greatest gift of God.You can take it with you. By followingGod's plan you escape eternal death,and enter eternal life. Salvation is morenecessary than breath and more valuable than earth's largest diamond.2. The Greatness of the Saviour.Jesus Christ was the SaviourDecember 7, 1955Godsent to the world. The name "Jesus"means "Saviour" (Matt. 1:21). Hisbirth was not His beginning. He existedfrom eternity and "was in the beginning with God" (John 1:2). He had glorywith the Father "before the world was"John 17:5). He was "equal with God"(Phil. 2:6).His coming into the world was towork out as a man all the Father'srequirements for giving to mangreat salvation.3. The Humility of His Birth.Hisa. His Parent and Home. Luke tellsus plainly that His mother was a pureunmarried young woman, and that theHoly Spirit brought about His conception in her womb. She lived in a smallvillage and was engaged to the villagecarpenter. Everything about her speaksof a modest humble young woman.b. The Place of His Birth. Though Hewas King of Glory, He was not bornin the royal city of Jerusalem, nor theroyal palace there, but in a small village some five miles away. It was thechildhood home of David, Israel's greatking, and was known as "Bethlehem,David."the city ofHis first cradle was a manger, hismattress the straw, and his shelter wasa stable near an inn. On account of aroyal national census and a rule thatrequired all men to enroll in their ownhome towns, Bethlehem was full thatnight. More important and better paying guests were at the inn than suchpeople as Joseph and his wife. So'twas the stable for Mary and Josephwith its manger and straw. There theSaviour came as a babe from the matchless glory of heaven.c. The First Visitors. They werehumble shepherds, who stayed withtheir flocks all through the night. Butthey were visited by an angel, and aheavenly choir sang for them. Theywent to Bethlehem and saw the motherand Joseph "and the babe lying in a(v. 16). They had heard theangel song and wondered,but afterthey saw Jesus they "glorified andpraised God" (v. 20).Humble praise from humble men fora GREAT birth in a humble place froma humble parent. But that is God'sway. He uses "the weak things of theworld to confound the things that are(I Cor. 1:26)."From log cabin to White House"sounds great to an American. But frommanger to the Throne of God leaveseveryother advance in total darkness.True,the way led through the cross,but there He said "It is finished." Thatmeant He "tasted death for every(Heb. 2;9)."CHRIST, THE SAVIOUR IS BORN."For Thought and Discussion:1. Tell about your happiest Christmas.How was it affected by your knowledge of Christ's birth?2. What gift that you have providedfor others has brought you the mostjoy?3. List the following items concerningChrist in what you think is the orderof their importance to you:His birthHis deathHis teachingsHis miraclesHis resurrectionHis Great Commission4. Pray that the nations may welcomethe Prince of Peace into their councils, and that He will be our Peace,breaking down every wall of partition.JUNIOR TOPICDecember 25, 1955Mrs. John C. FinlayHopkinton, IowaGOD SPEAKSMemory verse:"And Samuel grewand the Lord was with him, and didlet none of his words fall to thePsalms:1 Samuel 3:19.Memory Psalm 91:1-2, page 224Psalm 86:1-4, page 208Psalm 18:1-3, page 30References:James 1:19, Eph. 4:15, Eph. 4:31, 1stCor. 13:11, 2 Peter 1:21, Proverbs 15:23,Proverbs 25:11.Comments:Let us read the entire third chapter of1st Samuel together for ourlesson this week.I believe you willunderstand it a lot better than if youread just a few verses here and there.I am sure you will all benefit a wholelot, too, if you will read together fromyour Bibles at each meeting. This wayyou mayeach other.all share God's message withAs you remember from our lessonlast week, Hannah left her little son,Samuel, to be brought up by Eli inthe temple. Eli was a very old man andit was Samuel's responsibility to helpEli perform his duties. One night Samuel went to bed as usual. He heard a379

me."again."men.". .Instead,men.'. . . This. .voice calling him. He thought it wasEli. He ran to Eli and said, "Heream I; for thou calledst Eli toldme."him to go back and lie down becausehe had not called. Samuel did as hewas told. Then Samuel heard the voiceagain, and again Samuel ran to Eliand said, "Here am I; for thou didstcall Eli me."answered, "I called not,my son, lie down This happenedthe third time. Eli knew now that theLord had called Samuel. He told himthat if he heard the voice again tosay, "Speak, Lord; for thy servantheareth."The voice came to Samuel again. Hedid as Eli had commanded. He said,heareth.""Speak, Lord, for thy servantGod told Samuel that he was going topunish Eli because he had allowed histwo sons to become wicked men.Samuel lay verystill until morning.He got up and performed his duties asusual but he was afraid to tell Eliwhat God had told him.Eli called Samuel to him and said,"What is the thing that the Lord hathsaid unto thee? I pray thee hide it notfromSamuel told him the wholemessage. Eli said, "It is the Lord;good."let him do what seemeth himGod appeared to Samuel and spoketo him often. All of Israel knew thatSamuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.This is the story of our topic, GodSpeaks. Now let us see what lessonswe can leam.First, Samuel was FAITHFUL. Hisduty was to serve Eli and he evidently did that very well. Even in thenight he waswilling to awake andanswer the call. We should all befaithful in whatever we have to do. Thatmeans in our every day life and inour spiritual life, too. My dictionarysays that faithful means trustworthy,truthful and honest. If we have tasksto perform and fulfill each of the requirements above, we will indeed befaithful.How can we be faithful in our spiritual life? What about prayer? Have wenot learned that we must look to Godoften for the direction we need? Letus remember that prayer is notonlyasking. It is also a means whereby wemay thank God for His many blessingsand also a time to confess our sins andask forgiveness for them.Will you read the parable ofthetalents in Matthew 25? What is saidto the faithful servant? You could alsoread Luke 16:10.Another lesson we may learn is thatof OBEDIENCE. Samuel obeyed Eli.Why was Eli punished by God? It wasbecause he had allowed his two sonsto become wicked men. What were their380names? If you go back to the first chapter of 1st Samuel, you will find thattheir names were Hophni and Phineas.It is important to learn the lesson ofobedience early in life. You shouldlearn to obey both your parents andyour heavenly Father. Read Ephesians6:1, 2, 3. Which one of the Ten Commandments tells you that you shouldhonor your parents? Can you repeatit from memory?A third lesson to learn is that ofREADINESS. Samuel was ready to hearthe call of Eli, even in the middle ofthe night, because it was his duty toserve Eli. It is our duty to serve God.We do not know the day nor the hourwhen He may call us. We have manyconsecrated ministers, missionaries andChristian workers in our church. Theywere not sleeping when God's call cameto them. They were ready to hear himand follow Him. How may we live tobe worthy to be called by God?The fourth lesson is BRAVERY. Doyou not believe that it took couragefor Samuel to tell Eli the message Godhad given him? It takes courage todayto be true Christians. It takes courageto withstand temptations that we meet.It is only by being FAITHFUL toGod every day, by being OBEDIENTto every command God has given us,by being READY to serve Him and bybeing BRAVE enough to stand forright that we may becomestrongerChristians and be ready to hear when"God Speaks."Note Book Work:I. Write these questions in your notebook:Am I faithful in prayer?Am I obedient to God's commands?Am I ready to hear God call me?Am I brave enough to dare to do right?Do not answer these questions bywriting "Yes" or "No" with your pencil. Answer them in your heart becauseonly YOU know the answers.II. Make a list of missionaries of ourchurch. Write the days of the week.Promise yourself that you will be faithful in prayer. Check the days of theweek as you pray for each by name.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONDecember 25, 1955Rev. W. J. McBurney(Lessons based on International Sunday SchoolLessons : the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyriehted by InternationalCouncil of Kelisrious Education.)SONGS OF THE SAVIOUR'S BHtTHLuke 1:32, 33, 46-50, 66-69; 2:29-32Memory: Luke 2:14. "Glory to God inthe highest,toand on earth peace, goodwillThree months ago, at the beginningof a six months studyin the Life ofChrist, we had as our lesson the historyof Christ's Birth. Now in the middle ofthe course, Sabbath falls on the day thatlexicographers define as "Christmas,December 25, the dayinChrist."or season observedcommemoration of the Birth ofOur forefathers did not approve ofthe profane name and institution ofChristmas. For that reason, they avoidedany public commemoration of the Birthof Christ other than what might appearin the regular preaching service. In thedevelopment of the Sabbath School,there has come the midwinter SabbathSchool Entertainment. In this somephase of the Beautiful story of The Nativity is featured in Scripture reading,Psalms, Carols, Recitations, Pageantsor Dialogues. The subject offers a widefield for a beautiful and reverent entertainment. Maywe never forget themarvelous and beautiful lessons presented at such exercises.Like all times of special blessing, thishas its special temptations and pitfalls.During this month, we have seen in almost every periodical, religious or secular, some plea for the reform of Christmas practices. This revolt against theprofane use of this sacred event, is increasing in recent years. A very interesting example, is the News Story thatwas featured by a four column headingin the Pittsburgh Press, December 8,1954. I wish there were space to quotethe whole article. Here it is in brief;In the city of Hastings, Michigan, the14 churches, the Chamber of Commerce,and the merchants united on a plan totake the commercial and profane out ofChristmas. Quoted :"This community of6,400 will turn off its gaudy Christmaslights Saturday night, put away its Paper Santa .Clauses, everyone will try to remember Bethlehem .an old. old message of 'Peace on earth,good-will towardis onenight when there will be no place in ourtown for Santa Clause." On Saturdayevening, all commercial houses were tobe closed, all Christmas display removedfrom the windows, and a religious display substituted. The 14 churches wereeach to have a float depicting somephase of the Christmas story. "As theparade passes along the transformedMain street ... a Baptist Minister willexplain the significance of each float."(The script for this explanation was prepared bya Presbyterian Minister.) Amass Choir was to sing Christmas (?)Carols(Carols of The Nativity). Mr.Schubert, Secretary of the Chamber ofCommerce, is quoted as follows: 'Wenever realized there were so many people who had such an overwhelming desire to do something like this. SantaCOVENANTER WITNESS

ecord."Clause? He'd better stay out of town.Three Songs of The Nativity are assigned for our study today; The Annunciation to Mary; The Magnificat ofMary, and The Nunc Dimitus of Simeon.A Fourth, Gloria in Excelsis, Luke 2:14,by the Angel Choir, is not included inthis lesson, but is closely associated withit. There is much in and around thestory of The Nativity that furnishes richmaterial for hours of reverent study.The Annunciation by GabrielTo Mary. Luke 1:32, 33Gabriel is one of the two Angels thatare named in the Bible. His name means,"Man of God." The name of the other,Michiel, means "Who is like God." Gabriel reveals four things about Christ :1. He should be given the Throne ofDavid. Not the Throne in Jerusalem.That had been vacant for half a millennium, but the everlasting Throne thatwas to be occupied by David's seed forever.2. His Deity. "He shall be great, andshall be called the Son of the MostHigh."It was foretold of John,"Heshall be great in the eyes of the Lord."Great, as compared with men. ButChrist's greatness takes Him out of thefield of comparison, into a place alone;He is the Son of God.3. He was to reign over the House ofJacob. Jacob,a Prince with God, represented Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, withwhom God had covenanted for the perpetual establishment of His Kingdom.4. His Kingdom shall have no end. Heis indeed of the Seed of David. If wecould follow a perfect genealogy, wemight find that He was the CrownPrince, legally, through each of twolines, Joseph and Mary. For many generations there was reason why revealingthe Royal line would put life in jeopardy.The really essential thing is that Mary,as the Mother of Christ, was the representative of Sainted Womanhood, andin a broader sense of Sainted Humanity.Yet since it is made so clear that Christwas to be born of the Seed Royal, of theline of David, would it notseem appropriate for him to bethe Seed Royalthe Crown Prince? Orperhaps it was otherwise, that we mightput emphasis on the spiritual, ratherthan on the temporal side of Christ'sKingdom.The Magnificat of MaryLuke 1:46-50These songs are named by the firstword in the Latin version. We are impressed by the humility of Mary whenshe knew the wondrous honor that wasplaced on her,December 7, 1955above all women.Realiz-ing the magnitude of her task, she sawnothing in herself to commend her forthis honor. She was but God's handmaid,in low estate. God had looked on her inher lowliness, and all generations wouldcall her blessed. This was not for hergeneration alone, but for all time, fromgeneration to generation, on them thatfear Him. The rest of Mary's song, notincluded in the lesson, shows the breadthof the vision that swept her soul. Itbreathes the fulfillment of Jewish hope,yea, the Hope of the World."Mary does not offer a wish in thelatter part of this verse. (48) She offersa prophecy. There is in this verse nowarrant for the blasphemous titleswhich Rome has given to Mary. Herblessedness was because of the greatmercy of God, just as it is of any otherperson whom God takes into His service."The Nunc Dimitis of Simeon.Luke 2:29-32.Nearing the end of a long life of faith,this aged servant, anxious to see Christ'sKingdom revealed to the world, had received the assurance that he would seethe Messiah on earth before he died. Itwas not for himself that he wanted tosee this, for he knew that in a shorttime he would be forever in the presenceof his Saviour.He wished to see itin the world, for the world; Before theface of all peoples; a light to lighten theGentiles (often translated 'Nations'), aglory to those who received it in faith.But why think of Simeon's Song as asubmission to death? The shepherds sawthe Holy Babe, and they were probablyyoung men. The wise men saw, and returned to their own lands rejoicing.Have we not seen? If not, we are notfully prepared for either death or life.We should be getting a new, deepervision of His Presence every day.We speak not of any calendar day orseason, for we do not know the day ofChrist's birth, but of any time in whichthe birth of Christ is commemorated,the event commemorated makes thetime sacred. It should be kept free fromanything that does not belong at sucha time. Of course children should beamused, entertained and given their fun.But surely such lawful things shouldnot be introduced among the worshipingshepherds and the Holy Family in theBethlehem stable. What about profanethings that are not lawful on any day?With the hope that the SabbathSchool hour through the year has been tous all an enjoyable and blessed one, wecome to the end of the Sabbath SchoolYear.Thank you, Mr. McBurney, for theyear of helpful, faithful instruction.PRAYER MEETING TOPICDecember 28, 1955THE AMENS OF JESUS (No. 12)LEFE OUT OF DEATHComments byPsalmsJohn 12:2463:1-3, 6, page 153126 :l-4, page 32172:9-12,23:1-5,page 175page 52Rev. John O. EdgarReferences: I Cor. 15:35-37; 15:42-44;15:51-55; Heb. 2:9, 10; Rev. 7:13; Matt.10:39; Heb. 11:35; Acts 21:13 John 12:32, 33.In the passage before us Jesus is stating a profound truth: Life comes out ofdeath. At first it seems contrary to factan impossibility, but upon closer examination we discover that this is afundamental law of life. It is to be seenin the chrysalis, in the seed scatteredupon the land, in the bulb planted in theground, and the body buried in theearth.Jesus was nearing the cross. He hadbeen called to Bethany because of thedeath of Lazarus. It is significant thatone of his last miracles was the raisingof Lazarus. Doubtless it was designedto prepare the minds of the people forHis own resurrection from, the dead.Immediately after this miracle came thetriumphal entry when the people shoutedtheir "hosannas." It was the raising ofLazarus that prompted this acclaim.John says, (12:17) "The people therefore that was with him when he calledLazarus out of his grave, and raised himfrom the dead,bareIn verses 20-22 of chapter 12 we havethe story of the Greeks who came to thefeast to worship, and said to Philip, "Sir,we would see Jesus." Philip told Andrewand Andrew told Jesus. In answer Jesus said, "The hour is come that theSon of Man should be glorified. Verily,verily, (Truly, truly) (I say unto youmost emphatically)except a corn ofwheat fall into the ground and die, itabideth alone; but if it die it bringethforth much fruit." There can be nodoubt that He was referringdeath and resurrection.to His/. The Declaration of Jesus Is Found toBe True in the Natural WorldEveryone who has planted seed infield or garden, and has seen it springforth and grow, knows that it is true.So long as the seed remains in the granary it is preserved without the powerof reproducing itself. It is necessarythat it be cast into the earth, that itscovering should be decomposed in order that it might live again and bringforth a multitude of seeds like itself.There are three uses to which seed381

abundantly."word."again?"may be put. It may be stored, it may beeaten, or it may be sown. That which isstored cannot bring forth new life. Neither can that which is eaten. Only thatwhich is buried in the ground can liveagain. In the process of dying it maybring forth a hundredfold. Farmers always choose their best seed to plant orsow. Scientists are continuallyat worktrying to improve the quality of seed.New varieties of seed are producing superior crops. But regardless of the variety it must be obedient to the lawsof nature; it must be placed in theground to die before the new life canissue forth.//. This Declaration of Jesus Is alsoTrue in the Spiritual Realm.Paul writes about putting off the oldman with the affections and lusts andputting on the new man Christ Jesus.When we talk of being born again weare referring to the death of the oldnature that is within us, and are takingnote of the new life which has comethrough the acceptance of Jesus Christ."If anyman be in Christ he is a newcreature (creation)" (II Cor. 5:17).As in the case of the seed which iseaten, a man mayconsume his life inpleasure, seeking only the gratificationof selfish tastes and cravings. Such aperson consumes his life as he goes, andout of it there comes no enlargement ofinfluence, deepeningof character or fullness of life. On the other hand there arethose whose lives have been invested inservice. When death comes their workwill be as a living seed which continuesto bring forth fruit.Jesus said, "I am come that ye mighthave life and that ye might have it moreTiiose who would have themore abundant life must first crucifythe old nature. It is a law of life that wecannot ignore.He that consumes hislife, spending upon himself is in truthlosing his life. It is an application of thewords of Jesus, "Whosoever shall seekto save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserveit"(Luke 17:33).Through the centuries men and women have given their lives for the truth ofthe gospel. Pioneer missionaries sacrificed their lives but their sacrifice wasas the seed which is sown. Other workers came to take their places and thegospel went forth as it had never gonebefore. Stephen was put to death because of his faith. At his death a youngman named Saul held the coats of thosewho threw the stones. Soon afterwardSaul was converted. He became thegreatest missionary the world has everknown. Stephen lived again in Paul andin the millions who have been influencedby his teaching.382III. This Declaration of Jesus is Truein Regard to Physical Death.The age-old question of mankind wasexpressed by Job, "If a man die shallhe liveJesus raised people fromthe dead to demonstrate that life ispossible after death. He himself rosefrom the dead after he had been crucified. From beginning to end the Word ofGod teaches that man must die but thatthrough death he will be given entranceinto a life which will far surpass anything that is known upon earth.The belief in immortality is inherentin the human race. Socrates in thepresence of death exclaimed:"Wouldthat we could more securely sail uponsome stronger vessel or somedivineAs David Purves says, "Thereis no more pathetic utterance of antiquity than this." The cry of Socrateswas the cry of humanity before Christcame into the world. Watkinson says,"The slippery raft of Socrates' conjecture has been changed for the Ark ofGod that cannot founder."We do not need to try to prove thatthere is immortality for the soul. God'sWord gives us that assurance and that isall the proof we need. We believe thatdeath is the gateway to life eternal.We cannot enter into the blessing ofheaven without the death of the physicalbody.Prayer suggestions:Since this is the last mid-week prayermeeting of 1955, let us thank God forHis manifold blessings of the past year.Pray that our nation may not spendNew Year's eve in reveling and drunkendebauchery, but in sober reflection uponthe things of the Spirit.Thank you, Mr. Edgar, for your goodmessages of 1955.Church NewsLOS ANGELESOn Friday evening, October 28th, aHalloween partywas held for the congregation at the home of the OliverWalkers, Van Nuys. Games were provided for everyone and children undertwelve, paraded in costume. A livelygame of volley ball whetted the appetites of the young and supple for thedelicious pumpkin pie, apple cider andcoffee which was served later in thespacious patio, where a roaring fire inthe fireplace helped make the occasiona very pleasant one.Recent visitors at our services were,Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Enlowe, Topeka,Miss Mary Lee Patterson, Syracuse,Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Calor, Beaver Falls,Miss Esther Faris, Phoenix, and Mr.and Mrs. Hollenbeck, Fresno.We were very happy to welcome theRev. Bruce C. Stewart, Greeley, as ourassistant for Communion. Rev. Stewartand his wife were in Santa Ana theprevious week. We have benefittedmuch from his ministry. We had a veryprofitable Communion season. Specialservices were held Friday and Saturdayevening preceding, with Rev. Stewartbringing very inspiring messages andour Pastor, Rev. R. Paul Robb, givinghelpful thoughts on the Terms of Communion. Our pastor administered thesacrament of baptism to the littledaughter of Mr. and Mrs. ClarenceWalker, Donna Lee, and we are happyto welcome her as a baptized member,and also to receive Mr. and Mrs. PhilGross, and Miss Jean McElroy, into ourmembership by presentation ofletters from other congregations.theirOn November 8th, Mrs. Ralph Shumandied in the Homestead Sanatariumin Glendale.The previous weekshe suffered a stroke while in her homeand never regained consciousness. Weextend our sympathy to the family andrelatives and especially to Mr. Shuman,who has been an invalid for some timeand is now living in the same sanatarium.Funeral services were held at theWee Kirk of the Heather, Forest LawnMemorial Park. Our pastor had chargeand was assisted by Dr. Samuel Edgar,Santa Ana.Friday evening, November 11th, anelection was held, resulting in Dr. R.E. Smith, Mr. James Honeyman, Mr.Donald Birdsall, being elected elders.Deacons elected were: Mr. ThomasGault, Mr. Kenneth Caskey, and Mr.Jerry Yogoda.Our Bible School attendance recordwas 108,recently. We asked for theprayers of the people over the churchfor our Bible School and for thoseworking in the immediate neighborhoodthat many may be reached for Christ.Mr. Arthur Newton suffered a suddenand severe illness Tuesday evening, andan emergency operation was performedthat night. His condition is not good.He is in the Glendale Sanatorium andwe ask for your prayers for him.COVENANTER WITNESS

aquainted."exposition."COLLEGE HILLOn August 18th Miss Anna PearlHamilton a member of the College Hillcongregation died in the Beaver ValleyGeneral Hospital in New Brighton, Pa.Miss Hamilton was buried in HamptonCemetery near the Old Pine CreekCovenanter Church. Funeral serviceswere held at Mars, in charge of herPastor, Dr. Frank H. Lathom, assisted by Dr. D. H. Elliott, Pastor of Union Congregation at Mars.Our Communion services were heldthe first week in October. Rev. RobertA. Henning was the assistant. Rev. Mr.Henning brought us inspiring messages.Mr. Henning was accompanied by hiswife and two sons whom we were gladto meet.Samuel Linton, son of Mr. and Mrs.Roy McDonald, was baptized on Communion Sabbath.On Oct. 15th Mr. Forbes Mclsaac andMiss Ann Thomas were united in marriage. The wedding took place in theFourth Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh and the ceremony was performed by the bride's father, Pastor of thechurch. A number of our people attended the ceremony and reception in thechurch parlors. Mr. and Mrs. Mclsaacwill live in Pittsburgh where both areemployed.Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Coon and Mrs.Stewart M. Lee recently made a tripto Boston and other points east, visiting friends.Miss Evadna Sterrett has enrolled inAlfred University as an art student.She will be missed from our choir andother church activities but we wish hermuch success in her work.Miss Ellen Lathom is attending ThePitt-Xenia Seminary in Pittsburghwhere she is working toward her Master's Degree in Christian Education. Ellen is missed from our choir and as anefficient teacher in the Sabbath School.Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. George havea new son, Michael McRay by name,born Sabbath, Nov. 20th, in the Providence Hospital. Congratulations. We areglad to have "Rick" out of the serviceand the family making their home inBeaver Falls.THE ACTSof The Apostlesby Frank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. Leander S. Keyser, D.D."For practical purposes it is thebest expositoryand applicatorytreatment of The Acts with whichI amThe Evangelical Christian"A book of real merit. If youwish an exposition of Acts get thiswork. Homiletical in form, spiritual in tone, evangelical in doctrine,attractive in style, and leaves nomatter in the Acts untouched. Forhelpfulness to the student andteacher it is unsurpassed. An idealMissouri Baptist"It is written in a waythat isespecially attractive. It is a realinterpretation of the Acts of theApostles without anyof the tiresome treatments of most commentaries and exegeses. It is true tothe Scriptures and is intenselymissionary. Of course, it couldnot be otherwise, it is true to thetext of the Acts."United Presbyterian"One of the most practical commentaries on the Book of Actsthat has been published. . . .Here is a gold mine of clear, precise illustrative material of greatvalue in expounding the Book ofActs.Price $1.00, pluspostage..20 centsOrder from Frank E. Allen,Hopkinton, Iowa.EUROPE-HOLY LANDSPRING 1956 PILGRIMAGEFrance Italy Greece Egypt Turkey SwitzerlandGreat Britain Lebanon Syria Jordan Israel (Holy Land)withDr. Claire E. Hawthorne, Spiritual LeaderPastor, Clarinda, Iowa, United Presbyterian ChurchFormer Pastor, Wallace Memorial Church, Washington, D.C.also withExperienced Tour Expert provided by agencySailing From New York April 4on RMS Queen ElizabethArrive home New York May 18, via RMS Queen MaryMiss the summer heat.Go with Christian friends.Thrill to foreign travel.Walk where Jesus walked.For detailed outline of trip and full information writeTravel-iNc.1001 Connecticut Avenue, N. W., Washington 6. D. C.Rev. C. E. Hawthorne, D. D.600 S. 16th St. Clarinda, Iowa.December 7, 1955 383

T,"'35.3FAVOR.IE IN100.000HOMESlik $W^*j>4>f.ft^fl^ /# 100,000 HOMCS "from Boston to Seattle's Beacon HillReprinted with permission from the Seattle Times. One ofa s?ries of articles depicting the role of rehgxon m Seattlefamily life.Religion(T'xs isWayanother articleer.esdepicting lhe role ol*> in Seattle /(, ,,,,""""-Mid' "HI -PI'ear soon.FarmBy WALTER MARTINbyCatherine F. Vos"The best summary of theBible in story formEasily read, unaided, by boysand girls of 7 to 12 years.732 Pages; 292 Stories in large typeBeautiful action-filled colored picturesIndex; Pronunciation and Scripture GuidesLong-lasting Binding; Attractive JacketThismagnificent book shouldtrulybe in every home where there arechildren and young people. $3.95"Clearly a great achievement in itsHeld . . . Tlie book thousands of parentsare looking for. Fresh, vital, colorful,with an inspiringappeal for boys andgirls."CHRISTIAN HEKAID"Because it is graded especially forchildren of 7to 12 years, this book isadmirably adapted to home, classroomor SundaySchool sessions.will find this book ideal."CHl'RCH SCHOOLThe teacherPROMOTERIt is a way of life.Pascoe, an advertisingSome just wear their religisuit on Sunday. I believeWcing religion al] week ismore practical way.thatWayr T,l'iei0"s Pllosophal. had through my life Idirection from Godway of paying Hj bmg the church."Sure. I maki mistakesênTer""' "S'C'linK ,0Mrs- V^"-,*','?"'""h'Mrcii Ricl,ar, 8:ol and a memnJ;tins ,fustees.ohurchs, boardMrs. Pascoe is tr,,cr of 'he Sunday Schoo?v\f ca s baches a^ '" sichoiT( hurcli Community AffaMeTnodfstT^ 7tteVdSBeae IU ConX.ioKchurch crunch.cmunityThey joined it whenwouldI no be built in the areaLJ6day been 'eaching Sunschool since he was 17Mrs. Pascoe said:"Spiritual beliefs are a persons most desirable and v.'Tu "?hn?SSl0n- " we

BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 1, 1956WitnessVOLUME LV, NO. 24TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1955Christian Schools and World MissionsBy George S. LauderdaleGreat revivals have taken place in Christiancolleges, resulting in the salvation of many soulsat home and in the sending out of young men as missionaries to the ends of the earth. A burning heartof love for Jesus Christ in a mere handful of students has brought about miracles.World history might be shaped if Christianschools just now would put away worldliness and laygreat stress on Bible study and secret prayer so thatyoung men might volunteer to preach Christ to thenations. Entire continents such as Africa and SouthAmerica, other important areas as western Europe,andkey countries like Japan and India are apparentlytottering and may fall to communism.ChallengeIn formerly backward societies, men are beingeducated, one million persons per month learning toread. These people must be reached now with thegospel of Christ, and this can be done, under God, byrevivals in independent and church-related Christian institutions of learning. The Saviour is callingmen on every campus to take up the cross of selfdenyingservice and follow Him in the spiritual conquest of the world !Losing our lives to save India, Japan, westernEurope, Africa, and South America for Jesus' sakecan only mean that we in the United States will saveourselves. For two generations ur youth have beensacrificed in foreign wars ; how much more reasonable and with what greater benefit it will be now todown their lives inencourage our students to layforeign missions!The Capable For ChristThe clearest minds and most able bodies are"Dummies"required for missionary labor.do notmaster difficult languages, nor do crybabies overcome threats and prejudice and scorn. David Livingstone was no sissy; Africa and the other areasnamed above need strongmen endued with powerfrom on high if they are to be won for Christ.Satan is active where Christian youth are studying. He is setting up false ideals, the gridiron becoming so glamerous for many that certain churchrelatedcolleges are graduating more coaches thanpreachers. Christian teachers are needed, but missions have the first claim on the cream of the cropof every senior class. World history hangs in thebalance !On Christian campuses, the eternal destiny ofimmortal souls is at stake; the outcome of the current world conflicts between atheistic communismand freedom-begetting Bible Christianity is beingdecided.But oh how spiritually dead are many nominally Christian schools! Even if the dying millionsin heathenism had no bearing on the case, the drinking, dancing, disregard of the Lord's Day, promiscuous necking, and profane swearing in collegesbelonging solely to the church of Jesus Christ, demand repentance and revival.Concerned? Pray!Prayer is needed for Christian schools. Parentsand educators as well as the young people will beheld accountable at the day of judgment for thefruitlessness of their efforts in winning the nations.Let shame seize the schedule-makers who permit entire afternoons and evenings of a student's time tobe given to social life and sports, whereas only anhour or two per week is set aside for prayer andBible study and a few minutes a day to devotions.Jesus said, "The harvest truly is great, but thelarorers are few : PRAY ye therefore the Lord of theharvest, that he would send forth laborers into hisharvest."Luke 10:2. His words have vital meaningto supporters and directors of Christian schools,and to students.

good."away"yield,"Glimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen. D. D.Church BuildingFigures from the Federal Government show that thepermits for religious building for the first half of 1955 werevalued at $198 million, which is an increase of 15 per centover the first half of 1954.Churches Sponsor Jazz ProgramBarnum was ready to hire for his show almost any person who had made a name for drawing a crowd. It seemslike the Broadcasting Film Commission of the NationalCouncil of Churches has, at times, the same low view of aprogram when it is planning a one-hour jazz program onNew Year's Eve over a national radio network,which is tobe built around Alvin B. Kershaw the minister who gainednational prominence by answering questions about jazz on"The $64,000 Question"" TV and radio show. Manyevangelicals have regarded the hour from 11 to 12 o'clockon December 31st as a sacred hour, but this is the hour thatit is planned to release the jazz program. Is this to be theAmerican religious goal for the coming year? Is not this thatof which the Scripture speaks? "Having a form of godliness,but denying the power thereof: from such turnTim. 3:5).The National SundayGod in EducationSchool Association has held conventions recently in both western and eastern cities. One ofthe speakers was Dr. Henrietta C. Mears, director of education of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood where6,230 children are enrolled in the Sabbath School. She saidthat the failure of the public schools to make room for Godputs a greater responsibility(2on the church. "We in thechurch face a tremendous task but not a hopeless one ....We're feeding the children nothing but huskssuperficialities instead of realities. We must put God into our educationto make itWord of God.She emphasized the need of teaching theNew Reserve DrafteesThe National Security Training Commission has demanded careful safeguards over the moral conditions thatwill surround U.S. Armycamps where 18-year-old youthsprogram. Thewill take the new six-months reserve trainingCommission urged that the Army should keep strict watchto see that no intoxicating beverages are available to theyoung trainees, and to make sure that prostitution is prohibited in the vicinity of the training camps. It made a number of suggestions concerning recreation facilites and lecture series, and asked that arrangements be made for families and friends to visit them during off-duty hours.The Church in ChinaMr. J. R. Spence, a missionary in Hong Kong,his church paper: "Just out from Shanghai have come twowrites inCIM (China Inland Mission) missionaries who decided tostay on when the Communists came in. He got a job with alarge English shipping firm. The good news is that theChurch in China is carrying on and is writing a wonderfulpage of Church History. Special meetings are being held,souls are being saved, and the Chinese Christians are beingdeepened in Christ."386"The World We Live In"It is reported that more than 500,000 orders have comein for the book, "The World We Live In," first published ininstallments in Life magazine. These were beautiful picturesand many of them were of splendid educational value, butabout half of them were purely imaginary, according to theevolutionary theory. The sad part is that the mass of peopleseem to take the pictures which depict the theoryof evolution through billions of years as authentic as those shownof the sea or the jungles of the present day, despite the plainteaching of the Scriptures to the contrary.The articles published in Life on "The World's GreatReligions"have been answered in some evangelical papersor magazines showing the conflict of these religions with theChristian religion. Although no decision has been reportedto issue these articles in Life in book form it seems likelythat they also will be so issued and thus used to deceive vastnumbers of undiscerning people.Damage by LocustsThe Bible tells us what a terrible plague locusts wereand at times used of God to punish the wicked. They haverecently appeared in devastating swarms in Egypt and Palestine. In recent years anti-locust squads have usually destroyed the locusts before they were able to reach the Niledelta. But it is reported that this year's invasion got out ofcontrol. A very recent picture in the public press showed thelocusts doing great damage in Israel and the residents making a desperate effort to save the trees from the invaders.God's power in plague, or flood, or storm, or war has notdiminished. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.""The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought:he maketh the devices of the people of none effect."Brain WashingA Communist magazine has admitted that "religious believers" offer a special problem to brainwashers. "Peoplecan break any idol, but this won't wash the divinity off thebrain of religious followers." An article in the Moody Monthly, entitled, "When the iron gates is a part of a bookby Geoffrey T. Bull, of life inside a Chinese Communistprison and the terrible measures used to accomplish what isknown as "brainwashing." The writer closes this chapterby saying : "The patience God gave me to go on day by dayin quietness before my accusers and tormentors is a marvelto me now. It was His work and His alone. Although I wasweak and faltering, yet prayer was winning. Satan was beingheld at bay. How could I see then the full accomplishmentof the truth which came to me in a simple verse one day asI sat in my cell a truth which made my eyes suddenly fillwith tears? He can break every fetter .... He can set youfree!"Freedom of the PressThe Evangelical Christian quotes the Canadian Newspaper Publishers Association as showing the danger of afettered press, and that the Nazi, Fascist and Communist regimes grew under rigid control of the press. Then the Editor comments: "With every word written there we agree.(Continued on page 390)COVENANTER WITNESS

Current EventsProf. William H. Russell, Ph.D.LABOR UNITYThe AFL and CIO have completed their formal merger,creating the largest labor organization in our history. TheAFL has 10 million members in 109 unions, and the CIO5.7 million workers in 32 unions. Twenty years ago the CIOsplit off from the AFL, when the CIO leaders insisted onan industrial rather than a craft-type union organization.Serious efforts at reunion began when George Meany andWalter Reuther became the presidents of the two groups,and they reached a basic merger agreement last February.At the beginning of December, national conventions of thetwo groups gathered in New York to approve the merger,and then held their first joint meeting.Neither union would surrender its name so both arecombined, making a cumbersome title. Meany, former AFLhead, is the new president. The AFL will have seventeenvice presidents, and the CIO ten. Jurisdictional disputes,which probably will be abundant, are to be settled by arbitration. Labor leaders hope that the new merger will helpthem to enroll more members. In recent years union membership has only held its own, at about one-fourth of thetotal working population. The new combine may also givelabor greater political influence, though the CIO's effortsin this field have not been very successful.HIGHWAY TOLLSafe Driving Day, now an annual event, has not yetproduced any notable safety records. On December 1, theday designated this year, 65 died in auto accidents. Lastyear's toll, on December 15, 1954, was 51 lives. Perhaps thereason is that the average motorist thinks he always drivessafely, and is not influenced by special publicity. Duringthe first ten months of this year, nearly 31,000 persons diedon our streets and highways, or an average of 111 a day.October's toll was the highest for any one month since therecord set in December, 1941. The onlytravel is increasing faster than the death rateconsolation is thatso far thisyear there have been six deaths per 100 million miles ofautomobile travel, a record low.FRANCE VOTESJanuary 2 has been set as the date for the election ofa new French National Assembly. After losing a vote ofconfidence on November 29, Premier Edgar Faure surprised many politicians by dissolving the Assembly. Thiswas within his constitutional powers, because two premiershad been defeated by absolute majorities on confidence voteswithin eighteen months. It was the first time that a FrenchAssembly had been dissolved, before the expiration of itsfull term, since 1877, and strong protests were made. Faurewas expelled from his Radical party (actually a conservative group), but this has little significance in France.Faure's immediate purpose was to hasten the electionsbefore former Premier Mendes-France could build up a leftcentercoalition. The early date also prevents any changein the electoral law.SCHOOL BILLSNearly two thousand schoolmen met in Washington forthe recent White House Conference on Education. TheirDecember 14, 1955final report favored increased financial aid to public education by the federal government. There was more sentimentfor aid in school construction than for subsidization ofteachers'salaries or other operational expenses. The administration undoubtedly will offer new recommendationsin this area when Congress convenes in January.Our schools now have a shortage of 141,000 teachersand 200,000 classrooms. In the next decade we will need1.6 million new teachers, but only half that number will beavailable unless the rate of training is increased. We willalso need about one million new classrooms, costing $30"billion. Money is the key problem, to attract people to theteaching profession and to pay for the new buildings, andfederal aid is the obvious answer to the inequalities inlocal resources. Though many communities claim that theytax themselves to the limit for schools, we spend only 1.5per cent of our national income on education.MAIL PROBLEMSThe new Congress undoubtedly will consider a bill forincreased postal rates. The deficit of the Post Office forthe last fiscal year was nearly $363 million, and this yearit is expected to reach $500 million; First class mail stillshows a profit, which is one argument against raising therate on letters. Powerful pressure groups, however, holddown the rates on parcel post and printed matter. The PostOffice is America's largest single business service, with anannual income of nearly $2.5 billion. It employs 511,000people and carries 55 billion pieces of mail a year, twice thevolume handled 15 years ago.RED VISITORSFriendship and economic aid have been promised toIndia by Soviet Premier Bulganin and Communist Partychief Khruschchev in their Asiatic goodwill tour. The Russians were welcomed by large crowds in India, though itis difficult to say whether the people were enthusiastic orjust curious. The speeches of the Russians were full ofattacks on the Western "colonial" powers, whom they denounced as warmakers. Premier Nehru and other Indianofficials reacted cautiously. From India the Russians wenton to Burma, and will stop in Afghanistan on theirwayhome.TROPICAL HEALTHInternational agencies are well on the way towardconquering yaws, a body-wastingskin disease of tropicalcountries. Most victims become infected as infants, butthe disease may drag on throughout life. A single shot ofpenicillin can cure yaws. Since the U.N. began a mass campaign in 1948, about 10 million persons in 32 countries havebeen cured. The U.N. Children's Fund pays for penicillinand other equipment and transportation. The governmentsof the countries involved match these grants, and theWorld Health Organization furnishes medical personnel andguidance. The program has yielded dramatic benefits. Halfthe rural population of Haiti was once infected with yaws,but the disease was eliminated in three years. Indonesiahas had one in eight persons infected, but expects to wipeout yaws by next year. The next major drive will be inAfrica, where half the world's remaining cases are located.387

sing.".people,"A Father's Prayer For His ChildrenPsalm 28Rev. Roy BlackwoodThere's a beautiful wartime painting entitled,"A Farewell To Father," depicting a scene that wasrepeated in hundreds of homes in communities allover the world. The young man and his wife hadwalked in silence to the little white picket gate. Hecarried his bags and she carried one baby in herarms while another little tike tugged anxiously athis father's khaki trouser leg. He kissed her goodbye, the baby whimpered a moment,and then he wasgone.He was gone in body but not in mind because hewas responsible for those two children and thatyoung mother and their new home. He was responsible but there was also a job to be done over onthe other side of the world and he had to leave hisfamily to do it !But whether it's a soldier-father going off towar, or a business-man father going off to anotherday of business, or an immigrant father going outto a strange country to build a new home, or a fatherlying on a deathbed awaiting the final parting, thescene and the feelings are much the same and there'sa lesson to be learned from it. The one who mustleave his loved ones behind him, with a God-givensense of responsibility, can look to God for theirsafetyand salvation.David, as the father or God annointed Kingover all Israel, was knowing this same sense of responsibility for the family of Israel when he wrotethis prayer. And God has returned this particularprayer to us, He has put it into the Bible, as a modelfor any parent forced to leave loved ones behind.He begins his prayer by asking God to save hislife:"To thee I call, O Lord my rock;O answer thou my cry;Lest by thysilence I becomeAs those in grave that lie."And he states his trust, his own firm relianceon God:"He is my strength and shieldOn Him my heart relied:I have been helped, my heart is glad ;My song of praise I'llBut all through all the first part of his prayer,David's mind seems almost preoccupied. He keepsthinking of his loved ones, the ones he is responsiblefor, the ones he has left behind. He seems to be wondering what he can do for them. Then suddenly,near the end of the prayer, the light dawns."Jehovah is their saving strength,Messiah is their king!"He suddenly realizes that the only thing hecan do is the best thing he can do thrust themwholly into God's own hands for safekeeping. Andin the final words of his prayer he does exactlythat:"0 Thine own people do thou save,And bless Thine heritage;Attend them with a shepherd's care ;age."Uphold from age to388He's saying to God, they're "Thine own people,"now care for them as such. Again and again Davidhad led the people of Israel to dedicate themselvesto God and because they had done that, he couldnow remind God that they were His own people.I have recently been reading the diary of a 19thcentury father who dedicated each one of his children on the day of their birth, dedicated them tothe service of the Lord. On their birthdays yearafter year as long as he lived, he rededicated them.Only after his death did the family discover hisrecord but God had known it all along. In his will,when he was ready to leave his family, he wrote;"My will is: first, that my wife and children shallcontinue to walk in the ways of truth and godliness,resting their hope of eternal salvation on the finished righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Son of Godand the alone Saviour of Sinners . .Following thathe went on to apportion his worldly goods.Almost everyone approves of making a will, buying insurance, establishing an endowment to provide for our dependents when we leave them buthow many parents, aside from baptism, have everdedicated or rededicated their children and lovedones to God's care and service?The whole point to David's prayer lay in thefact that he could refer these people to God as"Thine own asking that God care for whatwas His own. And if our loved ones and dependentsbelong to Him, then we too can say:"Jehovah is their saving strength,Messiah is their King.0 Thine own people do Thou save,And bless thine heritage;Attend them with a shepherd's care;age."Uphold from age toTHE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 120 West fith Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansasto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine. Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer,not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas, S3. 00 ; Single Copies,10 cents.British Isles.R- B- Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theEntered a3 second class matter at the Post Office in Newton. Kansas,under the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.COVENANTER WITNESS

away"reprobate"obedience."cup."righteousness."On Close Communion'The Reformed Presbyterian standard of admission to the sacraments is that comCommunion.' "monly referred to as "CloseSCRIPTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTAKINGOF THE LORD'S SUPPER (Continued)The last article set forth the first three requirements. We proceed to the fourth.4"But let a man examine himself" (1 Cor. 11:26).In what does this self-examination consist? TheGreek word means to test, prove, scrutinize whethergenuine or counterfeit. "Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Orknow ye not as to your own selves that Jesus Christis in you ? unless indeed ye be(2 Cor. 13 :5). As set forth in the Shorter Catechism they are"to examine themselves of their knowledge to discernthe Lord's body, of their faith to feed upon him, oftheir repentance, love, and newCan the Church do less than require an acknowledgement that self examination is necessary for onewho would worthily partake of the symbols of thebody, and blood of our Lord ? "And so let him eat ofthe bread and drink of the5 "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my wordsshall not pass (Matt. 24:35). One more requirement seems to be necessary. Did the Lord JesusChrist actually give these instructions for observingthe Memorial Supper? Or, were they added by overzealous disciples who sought to magnify the importance of Jesus of Nazareth? Are these authentic andtrustworthy records, or are they the product of imaginative writers a century or more later ? The answerof course is found in the doctrine of the inspirationof the Scriptures. The denial of the inspiration of theScriptures is the root cause for the denial of the Virgin Birth, the physical resurrection, and the deity ofour Lord. It is the root cause for the denial of thesubstitutionary atonement and of the Second Comingof Christ. This is the reason why "Modernists" canrecite the creeds of the Church while giving thewords a meaning quite different from that commonlyunderstood. So to them the Lord's supper meanssomething quite different from what it means tobelievers that the inspired Scriptures are the word ofGod. Can the Church do less than to require anacknowledgement that the Scriptures of the Old andNew Testaments are the Word of God, and the soleguide for the believer in matters of faith and conduct?These five requirements are bound up in the instructions our Lord Jesus Christ gave in institutingthe Memorial Supper. The Church cannot do less thanto set these requirements plainly and solemnly beforeintending communicants. On the other hand theChurch has no right to add to these requirements.The Church has no right to limit those who acceptthem to one denomination. These are universal termsfor all, of whatever denomination, who accept themin sincerity. It is the duty of the Church to warn intending communicants as does the apostle in 1 Cor.11:27, 'Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread ordrink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy mannerLord."shall be guilty of the body and blood of theDecember 14, 1955The Church has no right to go beyond that in keepingintending communicants from the Table of the Lord.This is Scriptural Close Communion.The observance of the Memorial Supper is not a"privilege"that any body of men, however solemnlyordained, has the right to withhold, when the termsas our Lord gave them are clearlystated. Thoughthere may be some present of whom the officiatingminister may have some doubts, yet he has no rightto go further than the apostle did in uttering thesolemn warning that those who do not discern theLord's body will eat and drink judgment unto themselves.Did our Lord intend that the Memorial Suppershould be the high water of mark of separation fromour brethren? Did He mean that we may have fellowship with brethren, not of our denomination, inprayer, in the reading and preaching of the Word,but the one place at which we cannot have fellowshipwith them is at the Lord's Table? We believe thatthe opposite of that was intended, that the Lord'sSupper is the one place where members of the bodyof Christ, no matter in what compartment they travel, who accept the requirements contained in Christ'sinstruction, can have fellowship in loving remembrance of our Saviour in His person, His atoningdeath and resurrection, and in the blessed hope ofHis coming again.But there is a sad perversity in human nature,though redeemed and regenerated, that seems tomake it impossible for members of the body ofChrist, not in the same denomination, to have fellowin the deepest things of our salvation. Thisshipought not so to be. Wherever the Scriptural requirements for the observance of the Lord's Supper areclearly stated then all fellow members of the Lord'sbody should receive a warm welcome at His Table.When we adopt the Scriptural Close Communioncontained in our Lord's instructions, in institutingthe Memorial Supper, we will have taken a practicalstep in implementing section 4 of the Covenant of1871. This section states in unmistakable terms ourduty to cultivate Christian fellowship with membersof other denominations. This has been a sadly neglected duty. We have declared it to be "a principalduty of our profession .... to maintain Christianfriendship with pious men of every name, and to feeland act as one with all in every land who pursue thisgrand end. And ....by cultivating and exercisingChristian charity, labor to remove stumbling-blocks,and to gather into one the scattered and dividedfriends of truth andIf we now proceed to disseminate and apply this principle of truth(Scriptural Close Communion) we will have shownthat section 4 of our Covenant of 1871 is not a mereempty profession.We have yet to evaluate "A Scriptural Argument for Close Communion" as found in the 1953Minutes of Synod but not in our Standards, and,"teaching them to observe all things whatsoever Iyou."command389

me."press."supply"BIBLE MASTERY MONTHJanuary, 1956Remo I. Robb, D.D.With Synod's approval, the Evangelistic Committee has once again named January, 1956, as BIBLEMASTERY MONTH. Those of you who have joinedin this project before understand its purpose and itsworking.The book for 1956 is Paul's Letter to Titus. Ithas but three brief chapters. The plan is to read theentire epistle through every day through the monthof January. By the end of the month, not only willyou have Titus, but Titus will have you.Titus was among the earliest of Paul's youngGentile converts. Apparently Paul met him on thefirst missionary journey and he became a regularfollower. He first appears in the Bible as Paul's companion to the great Jerusalem Council. This is mentioned in Galatians 2:1, where Paul writes "Thenfourteen years after, I went up again to Jerusalemwith Barnabas, and took Titus withFrom other verses of the same chapter, we learnthat Titus was a Greek, and that Paul had not required him to conform to the old Jewish customs inorder to be classed with the Christians.He seems to have gone with Paul on the secondmissionary journey, but was not with him at Troaswhen he received the call into Macedonia (2 Cor.2:13). Later, however, he was sent by Paul to Corinth with those who took the first Corinthian letter,and he comforted Paul by bringing their reply (2Cor. 7:6, 7, 13, 14). Then he was sent back to carrythe second letter and to lift the offering of the Macedonians for the Jerusalem poor.Sometime thereafter he went with Paul to theisland of Crete, where Paul left him in charge of aninfant church (Titus 1:5). Nothing more is mentioned until Paul's last letter, where he tells Timothythat Titus is gone to Dalmatia (2 Tim. 4 :10). We cannot think of Titus as among those who "forsook"Paul when he was brought to trial, but conclude thathis mission away from Rome was at Paul's bidding.Titus seems to have been an earnest and carefulman (2 Cor. 8:16, 17), whom Paul openly"partner"(2 Cor. 8:23). He was one of the earliestcalled histo join Paul's company, and continued with him, evenlonger than did Timothy,until near the time of hisdeath.This letter was written to Titus when he wasleft in Crete. This is a long irregular island in thenorthern Mediterranean waters, directly below themaze of islands between Greece and Asia. "Its peoplewere akin to the Philistines, thought to have beenidentical with the Cherethites (1 Sam. 30:14). Daring sailors and famous bowmen with a very badmoral reputation. In New Testament times a goodmany Jews were there" (Halley's Bible Handbook).Among the people in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost were Cretes (Acts 2:11), and from theseChristianity may have received its start in Crete.Paul, however, must have done much of the work instarting a church, for he did not build on the work ofothers. The authority which he assumes in appointing Titus to effect a church organization there in-390dicates that this was another of Paul's fruitful fieldsof labor.Among the rough and utterly dishonest citizens(Titus 1:10-12) and among the ever pressing Jewishinfluences that insisted on circumcision as a sign ofbelonging to God, what would you have written tothis young "stated ?After he had left Crete and returned to Macedonia, Paul wrote back to Titus telling him of thehigh standards of church membership and churchorganization to which he should hold.Briefly, Paul wrote as follows :CHARACTER STANDARDS FOR CHRISTIANCHURCH-MEMBERS1. Salutation, 1:1-4."Promised before the world began."2. Character Standards for Church Officers. Chap. 1.a. Nature of the Standards. 1 :5-9.b. Purpose of High Standards. 1:10-16.3. Character Standards for Church Members. Chap. 2.a. Range of the Standards.(1) The Aged. 2:1-5.(2) The Young. 2:6.(3) "Thyself." (2:7, 8)(4) Servants. 2:9 10.b. The Motive for the Standards. 2:13-15.4. Good Works and Church Members. Chapter 3.a. Subjection to Secular Authorities. 3:1-3.b. Good Works Not the Source of Salvation.3 :4-7.c. Good Works an Expression of Belief. 3:8-11.5. Conclusion. 3:12-15."Grace be with you all."Before the end of December four-page leafletswill be distributed to the congregations in numberssufficient for every member. It will be good to havea leaflet in your Bible for daily reference and record.Also for all who are anxious to do Bible Memorywork, I recommend that through the month of January you commit to memory the letter of Paul to Titus. Can you think of a better way to "master" theletter ?May God speak to the membership of the Covenanter Church through the letter to Titus.(GLIMPSES Continued from page 386)But we would like to ask whyno mention is made of theone totalitarian system that has done more to suppress freedom of the press, religion and the rights of man than allother systems put together? We refer of course to theRoman Catholic Church. It has stifled freedom in everyrealm through the centuries, not alone in the press, but inliterature in general and has sought to prevent in everyway any statement being published detrimental to her interests. She has sought to keep books from public librariesthat tell the truth aboutRomanism, she has placed on theIndex some of the world's classics, and even in this day bythe weapon of intimidation andboycott, dares any newspaper to point out her errors or expose her shams and sins.In Roman Catholic countries where the Church rules, theban works effectively, but even in Protestant countries sheseeks to impose her malicious rule. Colombia is a shiningpresent-day example of a Romanist country and stifledCOVENANTER WITNESS

slaveholders."pure."money,"BOOK REVIEWTHEY SEEK A COUNTRY: The AmericanPresbyterians. Edited by Dr. G. J. Slosser, professorof History, Western Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, Pa. The Macmillan Company, 60 Fifth Ave.,New York 11, N. Y. 1955, pp. 324. $4.75.Such is the attractive title of the volume containing the thirteen addresses delivered at a meeting of the Presbyterian Historical Society of the Upper Ohio Valley. All but three of the contributorshave been or are professors, usually of Church History, in Theological Seminaries. Two of the othersare presidents of such institutions: Frank H. Caldwell of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary atLouisville and John A. Mackay of Princeton. DavidM. Carson, when selected to represent the ReformedPresbyterians, was temporarily professor of Historyin our Seminary. All the addresses are devoted primarily to the history of the Presbyterian Church, except those of Mr. Carson and Dr. John H. Gastner ofPittsburgh-Xenia, who spoke for the United Presbyterians.All the addresses, some of them expanded forpublication, are informative, well-written, and interesting. While it is primarily devoted to the historyof the Presbyterians, Covenanter readers will haveno reason to feel that the book is outside the realmof their denominational interests. For instance, Alexander Craighead of the Octorara Covenant is mentioned again and again.The chapter on "Wrestling with Human Values :The Slavery Years" was for me one of the most interesting. I had noticed again and again over thedoor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church (NewSide) of Darlington, Pa., the inscription Free Presbyterian Church and wondered as to its origin. Dr.Edward B. Welsh describes how hotly the slaveryquestion was debated in the Presbyterian courts.When the decisions in the Old School PresbyterianAssembly were in favor of slavery, several congregations in Western Pennsylvania and Ohio withdrewand became independent. The New School Assemblyin 1846 adopted lengthy resolutions condemning slavery, but left it to the lower courts and especially thesessions to prescribe conditions of membership relative to this issue. This was not enough for the presbytery in Southern Ohio. It withdrew as a presbytery from the denomination and "invited all whoshared their repugnance to communion at the Lord'stable with defenders of slavery to join them." (Closecommunion is not a new issue.) It was then known asthe Free Presbytery of Ripley. Shortly two otherpresbyteries took the same action and the threeformed the Free Church Synod of the United States.The Free Church was orthodox and strongly evangelistic and some of the congregations had fruitfulrevivals. They were for total abstinence and againstoathbound secret societies, but their outstandingtenet was expressed by the slogan : "No Christian fellowship withTheir homes were oftenstations on the Underground Railroad. After theEmancipation Proclamation the Free Synod wasgradually broken up by the absorption of the congregations or their members into other denominations.The Congregation at Darlington went into the Reformed Presbyterian Church (New .Side) Today theFree Presbyterian Church is all but forgotten onDecember 14, 1955earth. Dr. Welsh closes with a fine appeal: "Thechurch is in danger of having its lips sealed and itshands tied by the same sinister forces that broughtour beloved church in the forties and fifties of thelast century near to the abyss of apostasy. The FreeChurch sounded a trumpet call that still needs to beheard and heeded : 'Be ye clean, that bear the vesselsof the Lord.' "Prof. Carson's story does not have a dated endthe Covenanter Church still lives. He begins with theheroic Richard Cameron and the dramatic SanquharDeclaration. How the early Covenanters came toAmerica is for the most part lost in obscurity. Somewere sold as slaves, particularly to the British WestIndies, and may have found their way to the Colonies ; some were banished directly to the Colonies ; andsome came of their own free will, as individuals, infamilies and in small groups. Here they found morefreedom than in either Scotland or Ireland. Alexander Craighead rallied the Covenanters in LancasterCounty, Pennsylvania, (no congregation there now)and they renewed the Solemn League and Covenant.Mr. Carson tells of the work of John Cuthbertson, ofthe first Reformed Presbytery that met at Paxtang,near Harrisburg, Pa.The Covenanter attitude toward slavery mayhave been one of the sources of inspiration for theestablishment of the Free Presbyterian Church. In1800 the Reformed Presbytery, then the highestcourt of the Church, established the rule "that nocommunion."slaveholder should be retained in theirA committee was sent to convey the information tothe Covenanter settlement in South Carolina. Fromthat time the Covenanters stood in the forefront ofthe Abolitionist movement. Their churches were centers of agitation, their ministers spoke with Phillipsand Garrison, and their homes were stations on theUnderground Railroad. Before the Civil War wasover efforts were made to establish schools in theSouth for the negroes, Geneva College was open tothem, and the Seminary.Mr. Carson gives a sketch of Covenanter missionary and national reform activity, the educational institutions of the church, its periodicals and some ofthe books written by its members, its practice ofcovenanting ; then the basic beliefs of the Covenanters and the battle for their universal adoption. Theaddress, or chapter, ends with a picture of a Covenanter Communion with the white-clothed tables,the people singing on the way forward, from theForty-fifth Psalm:"Thy royal throne, O God,The sceptre of thyandforever shall endurekingdom is a sceptre rightHALLELUJAHA young man once shouted "Hallelujah" in ameeting and was asked by the preacher what the"Hallelujah"cost him. His answer was fine. He saidhad an offerthat he had a garage and had recentlyfor Sunday business which would bring him in 500a year. He felt that he could not negotiate for anybusiness which would violate the sanctity of theLord's Day, and he refused. "I lost the he'Hallelujah.' "said 'but kept my391

universe?"earn?"worth?"physically?"worthless."us!"Lesson Helps for the Week of January, 1 1956C. Y. P. U. COMMENTSfor January 1, 1956A LOOK AT MYSELF WHAT ISMY LIFE WORTH?Used by permission of the InternationalChristian Endeavor SocietyComments by Eev. T. R. HntchesonScripture Matt. 6:25-34; 10:29-31PsalmsPsalm 1:1-6, page 1Psalm 8:3-7, page 12Psalm 51:1-4, page 132Psalm 139:1-3, page 341Psalm 116 :l-6, page 282This is, of course, an appropriate subject for the first day of the year. Business firms are taking inventory, whichsuggests that we should all look at ourselves. "What is my lifeYou do not want to conclude that youare worth more dead than alive, as hasbeen said of some people with large insurance policies; for then there wouldbe nothing to discuss January 8, whenthe proposed topic is, "For What WillI Spend My Life?" You do not expectthe answer to be, "My life isOnly rarely does a person think life isno longer worth living; and suicides areconsidered mentally ill.Value is a matter of comparison; soto get the answer you must consideryour life in relation to the value of other things. To his parents, of course, anew-born baby is priceless. But to let thematter rest there would let us out of themeeting too soon.Have the first speaker read Psalm8:3-4, and discuss, "How bigI have in thea place doThe second speaker may discuss,"What can I do,Have himcompare man's ability to run, lift, jump,pull, etc., with such animals as thegrasshopper, the horse, and the dog.Start by reading Psalm 147:10.A third item to consider is, "HowGet someone to figmuch can Iure out the average length of life; subtract the years when you ordinarily donot earn anything; multiply the difference by the average annual wage; subtract the cost of being born, going toschool, being buried, etc. The answerwill be a number of dollars. Explain whysome peopleearn more than others.Have these verses read Luke 12:15;Eccl. 5:10; Eph. 4:28; Acts 4:32-35;Matt. 6:25.Give out as a fourth topic, "How am Iworth more than otheranimals?"If possible, learn the price of slaves comparedwith mules and cows. This question is392provoked by Matt. 12 :10-12. What is thedifference between me and other animals? Note Psalm 8:4-8; Gen. 1:26-28;Matt. 10:31.The fifth speaker should discuss,What is my soul worth?"referring toMark 8:37; Luke 6:20, 24.As a climax, let the sixth speaker explain what it cost to redeem us frometernal death. Let him read and discusssuch verses as Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18,19; Rev. 5:9; Gal. 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24.If I am worth that much, I shouldgive prayerful thought to next week'stopic, "For What Will I Spend MyLife?"JUNIOR TOPICJanuary 1, 1956THE STOLEN ARKMrs. John C. FinlayHopkinton, IowaScripture Text: I Samuel 4Memory Verse: "The Lord preserveth allthem that love him; but all the wickedwill he destroy." Psalm 145:20.Psalms:Memory Psalm: 11, 5-7, page 20Psalm 80, 1-2, page 198Psalm 78, 40-44, page 190References:Proverbs 28:9; Proverbs 11:21; Psalm119:155; Isaiah 57:20, 21; Job 4:8, 9;II Peter 3:17; II Thessalonians 3:6; IICorinthians 6:14.Comments:In our lesson this week we are goingto study about how the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant. Let usread the entire chapter together. Thereare several important things we shouldlook for as we read. They are :1. What two peoples warred againsteach other?2. What happened to the Ark of theCovenant?3. What persons are named?4. What happened to each?We are told in the first verse that Israel went out (to war) against thePhilistines. We have learned about thepeople of Israel. What do we know aboutthe Philistines? When did you first hearthe word "Philistine"? I think the firsttime I heard it was when I heard thestoryof David and Goliath. The Philistines were a rich, energetic and war likepeople.When they first went out, Israel lostabout four thousand men. They askedthemselves this question: "Whereforehath the Lord smitten us this dayagainst the Philistines?" They did notwant to admit that their nation wasready to be judged by God.They said to each other, "Let us fetchthe Ark of the Covenant of the Lord ofhosts."They took it to the battlefieldwith them. The two sons of Eli, Hophniand Phineas, helped to carry it. The Arkof the Covenant was very sacred. It waskept in the Holy of Holies and no onebut the high priest ever entered there.You will remember that the Ark waskept covered during the journeys of theIsraelites. No one was allowed to see it.What did the Ark of the Covenantlook like? We will turn to Exodus 25:10-22. Read these verses carefully. Howbeautiful it must have been! How largewas it? The dimensions are given incubits. In Bible times a cubit was thedistance from the elbow to the tip ofthe middle finger. That would be abouteighteen to twenty-one inches. Let ususe the measurement of twenty inches.Then every one should have about thesame answer.When the ark was brought to the battlefield, the people of Israel set up sucha great shout that the earth echoed andre-echoed. The Philistines heard thenoise and said, "What meaneth the noiseof this great shout in the camp of theHebrews?"They learned about the arkbeing brought to the battlefield, andwere very frightened. The Philistinescried, "Woe untoThey expectedto be beaten in battle but they were awar-like nation and knew they must putup a good fight to the finish.The Philistines made a fierce assault.Thirty thousand Israelites were killed.The first part of verse 11 tells us, "Andthe Ark of God was taken." The twosons of Eli were killed, too.A terrifying calamity had befallenIsrael. The Ark of God had been captured by the enemy. This should be atestimony for all that the sins of God'sprofessed people will not go unpunished.Their sinful ways had separated themfrom God. Do we ever do things whichseparate us from God? How may WEbe forgiven?As you remember, Eli was a very oldman. We are told he was ninety-eightyears old and that he was blind. Canyou picture him as he sat outside thegates of Shiloh awaiting news of thebattle? We know he was very troubled.Verse 13 tells us, "for he trembled forthe Ark of God."At length a Benjamanite from thearmy, "with his clothes rent and withdirt upon his head," camehurrying toCOVENANTER WITNESS

us"see."stand."us."world."places."the city. He rushed into Shiloh and toldof the terrible defeat. The sound of wailingand lamentation reached Eli. Themessenger was brought to him. The mansaid unto Eli, "Israel is fled before thePhilistines and thy two sons, also,Hophniand Phineas, are dead." Eli couldendure all this, terrible as it was. Whenthe messenger added, "And the Ark ofGod is taken," it was more than he couldbear. His strength was gone, he fell "andhis neck brake and he died."The wife of Phineas, even though herhusband was wicked, feared the Lord.The death of her husband, of her fatherin-law,and the terrible word that theArk of the Lord was captured causedher death. She named her child "Ichabod""inglorious."which means, She repeated these words with her dyingbreath, "The glory is departed from Israel; for the Ark of God is taken."Wasn't this a sad story? Blessings andhappiness are NEVER an outgrowth ofsin. We do not need to use our ownwords to emphasize the importance ofright living. We should remember toread our Bibles every day because onlyin His Holy Word can we learn the wayHe would have us live. Let us keep everbefore us, "that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for (Romans 5:8).May our prayer every day be,merciful to me, a sinner"! Luke 18:13.Notebook work:"God"be1. Copy and answer the four questionsat the beginning of our lesson.2. What is sin? Find the answer inthe Shorter Catechism and copy it.3. Draw a picture of an open Bible.Write a Bible verse which you think applies to this lesson across the front of it.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONFor January 1, 1956.JESUS REBUKES INSINCERITYLuke 11:14-12:3,54-59.Printed text: Luke 11:29-44.Comments by Rev. John K. Gault, La Mirada, Calif.Theme of the Lesson:Insincerity.The Peril of(Lessons based on Internationa] Sunday SchoolLessons'Lessons ; the International Bible forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Keligious Education.)According to Archbishop Trench inhis interesting little book about"Words"the word "Sincere" has an interesting history. As he describes it,pottery makingwas quite a commonoccupation in some of the cities of southern Italy during mediaeval times. Andit was not uncommon for the beautiful vessels to become cracked in thebaking process. Dealers in this ware,December 14, 1955whose honesty was quite elastic, wouldfill these cracks with wax and thensell them for perfect specimens as thecracks would not be discernable. Honestdealers, however, would exhibit theirproducts and advertise them with thesetwo words, in Latin of course;"Sine"meaning without and "Cere" meaningwax. As time went on these two wordswere joined together and the wordsincere comes down to us as meaningan attitude or statement which is notfalse; without hypocrisy.Now insincerity is a most perilousstate for one to be in. For one thing,insincerity leads one to a disbelief inChrist's ability to cast out demons,which action of Christ precipitated thisconversation. If Christ is unable to castout a devil then He is also unable todo any other good deed. Jesus, in casting out the demons from the persondemonstrated His absolute power overall things in the world. Is not the devilthe author of sin and hence the originator of all suffering and maladjustment. In casting out the demons Jesuswent to the very source of all trouble.But there were those who accusedJesus of being in league with Beelzebubwhom theyDevils. What a sillycalled the Prince of theattitude for oneto take. If Jesus were in league withBeelzebub then why would He wantto cast him out? He would, rather, tryto keep the devil in a person. Jesus,however, went about doing good andone of His principle objectives was therelief of human suffering. In fulfillingHis mission in the world Jesus set himself directly opposed to all the works ofthe devil. He could not, therefore bein league with Beelzebub. As He said,"A house divided against itself shallnotInsincerity is also a great peril because in being in that state one is unable to discern the true signs. An insincere person is one who is lost in thedark.Jesus'accusers asked him for a sign.They as much as said, "If you are whatyou claim to be, then shew"Thereare none so blind as those who will notJesus refused to give them anyfurther signs becaue He had alreadygiven them plenty. He had been delivering people from their misery, particularly from being possessed with demons. What other sign was needed!Then they had the Old Testament andcould read about the repentance of thepeople of Nineveh and of the honestinquiryof the Queen of Sheba. Thatwhich they needed most of all was tolikewise make an honest inquiry andrepent of their sins. Instead they pretended to be goodnot.when they wereJonah was a sign to the people ofNineveh. Word had come to the king ofNineveh, presumably about Jonah's deliverance from the great fish. They looked on him, therefore, as one sent fromGod. When Jonah cried, "Yet forty days,and Nineveh shall beoverthrownthepeople of Nineveh "believed God, andproclaimed a fast, and put onsackcloth, from the greatest of them evento the least of them." These Jews whoaccused Jesus, because of their insincerity, failed to see in Him the Onewho came from God, yet He went inand out among them, castingmons and performingout deother wonderfulworks of healing.A sign is something to be seen. It isnot to be hidden. Manysigns in our modern age are lighted with neon lightswhich flash on and off in the darknessand thus are more noticeable. Jesuswas the sign of salvation to these Jewsyet they saw Him not because of theirspiritual myopia. Jesus said, "If, therefore, thine eye be single thy whole bodyshall be full of light. A "single" eye is onewhich can be focused upon all objectswithin range. There are diseases of theeyes which destroy this ability. Insincerity is a disease of the spiritual eye.It is indeed a great peril to be so afflicted. Because of such a malady oneis unable to focus his spiritual sightupon the Lamb of God which takethaway the sin of theAgain, sincerity is a peril because itit an appearance without reality. Thisphilosophy brought sin into the worldin the first place and it has provedthe undoing of people ever since. Sinceit looks and tastes good then it mustbe good. Millions have died becausethey reasoned thus and people have lostmuch money to fast talking swindlers.The Pharisees trusted in appearanceand not in reality.Jesus was invited to dine at the homeof a Pharisee. When the host saw thatHe did not wash before sitting down toeat he took offense.Now Jesus didnot deny that it was the proper thingto wash before eating, but undoubtedlyHe refrained from washing at this timein order that He might make an objectlesson of the Pharisees who washed sooften and so many things;but whowere, as Jesus said to His host thatday, "Your inward part is full of exwickedness."tortion andThe Pharisees also tithed everything;but they passed over "justice and thelove of God." As Jesus said to this manin whose house He dined, it was rightfor them to tithe but they disregardedthe reality of religion completely; justiceand the love of God. They also, "lovedthe chief seats in the synagogues andthe salutations in the market393

not."offense."They wanted to appear well in the eyesof other people. But instead of directing people heavenward they were asJesus said of them, "Tombs which appear not, and the men that walk overthem know it According to Jewishlaw anyone who touched a dead bodyor a grave became ceremonially unclean, so the Pharisees by their hycosrisy,became a hindrance to othersinstead of a help.Now this is a good lesson for Covenanters to consider on the first Sabbath of the new year. We have set ourstandards high and "acknowledged theScriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God; and theonly infallible rule of faith and life."The Apostle Paul says to us, "Onlylet your conversation (manner of life)be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ,"for, there is great peril in insincerity.W. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor,Prayer Hour. 1:00 P.M. MondaySynodicalSynodical Projects for this yearIndian Mission Station Wagon $225.00paid to date $132.50 need $92.50Seminary rug for hall, $300.00 to$375.00 paid to date $125.00 need$200.00 or over.Let us remember these needs and sendin gifts promptly.Synodical PresidentFarlandDear Mrs. Carson:SynodicalMrs. A. J. McNov. 13, 1955The stove from Mr. Ross Latimer arrived yesterday afternoon, and it is afine stove. I am sure it will be a greathelp to us.We appreciate the provision the Synodical has made to pay the freight onthis stove, $8.56.Again accept our thanks,Sincerely,S. Bruce WillsonAMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETYDecember Broadcasts 1955Worldwide Bible Reading1 and UniversalBible DayRADIONational Broadcasting CompanySabbath, December 11, 10:00-10:30 A.M.,EST394Dr. Ralph W. Sockman will observethe celebration of Universal BibleSunday on the National Radio Pulpit.Mutual Broadcasting' SystemWednesday, December 7, 10:15-10-30A.M., EST -Admiral Richard E. Byrd, just priorto departing for Little America, willrepresent the American Bible Societyon Mutual network's Faith in OurTime. He will tell about his own faithand the influence of the Scriptures onhis life.Sabbath, December 11, 9:00-9:15 P.M.,ESTAdmiral Byrd's Faith in Our Timeprogram will be rebroadcast over radio station WOR, New York City, 710Kc. This program may be heardthroughout the northeastern UnitedStates.Sabbath, December 11, 9:30-10:00 A.M.,ESTSecretary Laton E. Holmgren, ForeignSecretary of the American Bible Society, will speak on The Plight BeforeWOR,'Christmas on Radio Chapel,New York.Sabbath, December 18, 9:30-10:00 A.M.,ESTDr. Francis Carr Stifler will speak onWondrous Things Out of Thy Law,Radio Chapel, WOR, New York.Sabbath, December 25, 9:30-10:00 A.M.,ESTDr. Francis Carr Stifler will speak onThe Book that Came Alive,chapel, WOR, New York.Columbia Broadcasting SystemRadioSabbath, December 11, 10:30-11:00 A.M.,ESTDr. Wilson O. Weldon, pastor of theMain Street Methodist Gastonia,North Carolina, will callChurch,specialattention to Universal Bible Sunday onCBS Church of the Air.American Broadcasting CompanySabbath, December 11, 1:35-2:00 P.M.,ESTDr. John Sutherland Bonnell will include a special announcement on Universal Bible Sunday on Pilgrimage. Inaddition, the ABC network will callattention to Bible Sunday and Worldwide Bible Reading in station-breakannouncements on December 11.TELEVISIONColumbia Broadcasting SystemSabbath, December 11, 10:00-10:30 A.M.,ESTSecretary William F. Asbury will appear on the well-known programLamp Unto My Feet, coast to coast.National Broadcasting CompanyMonday through Friday, December 19-23, 11:00 A.M.-12:00 Noon, ESTHoward Whitman will do a specialseries on the Bible in cooperation withthe Societyon the popular ArleneFrancis Home Show, coast to coast.SPECIALWeekly, Beginning November 28, 1955,through January 2, 1956The Society's work will be featured onsix transcribed dramatic programs,Let There Be Light, broadcast by approximately 300 local stations. Consultyour newspaper and local radio stations for exact day and time.Daily Through ChristmasApproximately 200 stations will carryone minute films of Bible reading inthe family. Readings will follow theselected Worldwide Bible Reading passages.SELLING HONORIt was a remark overheard in a streetcar, but it reminded us that there arehonorable men in the world. A youngman said: "I am particular about paying my fare. I took a ticket home oncewhen I was a small boy and showed itto my father, saying that the conductorhad not taken it up and that I was thatmuch ahead. Myand said I had sold myfather looked at mehonor for anickel. That put a new face on it. I always think of what he said when I amtempted to repeat theIf allfathers were training their sons in thisway, there would be fewer dishonorabletransactions in high places.Presbyter.YOUR HEARTHerald andYour heart weighs a bit more thanhalf a pound, yet this miniature pumpthe size of your fist, ejects six ounces ofblood at each contraction. This adds upto 5,000 gallons every twenty-four hours.It performs this masterful job day andnight(while you eat, sleep, work orplay) for the 25,000 days of your natural existence.Every other organ of your body canslow down to a standstill. Fast for tendays, close your eyes for ten hours, orhold your breath ten minutes and thestomach, eyes, and lungs will pick upwhere they left off. But if the heartstops for ten seconds well, it's the longdash into eternity. Selected.A sign in a western town reads: "4,029people died of gas in this state last year.Two inhaled it; 27 put a lighted matchto it; and 4,000 stepped on it."Tips.COVENANTER WITNESS

call."Church NewsGENEROUS PREMIUMSFOR OBTAININGNEW SUBSCRIBERS.On the back page of this numberof the Covenanter Witness appearsan advertisement of the"CHILD'S STORY BIBLE"The writer of the story is Katherine F. Vos, who is the mother of Prof.Johanas G. Vos, now professor of Bible in Geneva College. So we maynow say that she is the grandmotherof students now taking Bible underProf. Vos.This is one of the most popularchild's story Bibles on the market,so popular that it has been translatedinto various foreign languages,Europe, Africa and Arabic languages.No home with small children orlarger ones should be without thisbook, a fine book to give to yourJunior Superintendent. Price of thebook is $3.95.PREMIUMS FOR GETTINGSUBSCRIBERS FOR THECOVENANTER WITNESSFor each new subscriber that yousend us for the Witness outside ofthe Covenanter Church we will allowyou $1.00 on the price of this book,so for one new subscriber the pricewill be $2.95. For the book, 2 newsubscribers, $1.95; 3 new subscribers,$.95; and 4 new subscribers the bookwill be given gratis. The subscriptionrate is $2.50. How about sending usnames of friends as gifts to them forChristmas, the Christmas that will bebrought back to mind every week.A fine chance to impart some spiritual gift.signed/The Covenanter Witness1209 BoswellTopeka, KansasTHREE CALLS MODERATEDDr. J. G. McElhinneymoderated a callfor the Phoenix congregation in whichThe Rev. Lester Kilpatrick was chosento be their pastor. It was unanimous."On Saturday, November 26, I moderated a call in the Bear Run-Mahoningcongregation. Licentiate Raymond Joseph was called unanimously on the firstballot, receiving every vote cast. Thecongregation is hoping and praying thathe will accept theR. C. Fullerton.On November 30 I moderated a callby the Parnassus congregation on Lie.Raymond Joseph to become their pastorupon completion of his course of studyat the Seminary.S. Bruce WillsonModeratorFIRST BEAVER FALLSThe Sabbath School held a Red andBlue Contest during the month of October. Dick Cunningham was captain ofthe Blue Team and Jim Pennington wasCaptain of the Red Team. The Blueteam won. They gained most of theirpoints by committing Bible verses. Onepoint was given for each verse memorized.We were glad to have Rev. HaroldHarrington assist at our Fall Communion. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Petersonwere received into membership by profession of faith.We were glad to have Rev. and Mrs.Elliott back with us again after a twoweekstrip to Kansas. Rev. Elliott assisted with Communion at Olathe and Kansas City. They were happy to visit withrelatives and friends while there.Donald Erath, son of Mr. and Mrs.Wm. Erath, has enlisted in the AirForce and is now stationed at SampsonAir Base, New York.Corporal Jack E. Hill has been in theNaval Hospital for three months. Anyone wishing to send him a word of cheermay send it to the following address.Corporal Jack E. Hill, 1408405 Ward 43,U.S. Naval Hospital, Saint Albans 25,New York.Four elders and four deacons wereelected at a congregational meetingconducted in the church by our pastorRev. D. H. Elliott. Named as elders wereCharles M. Cunningham, Ralph Rohm,Ralph R. Ramsey and Paul W. Wissner.As deacons, Elbert Houlette, WillardHarsh, Robert N.Cunningham.Fenchel and DickWe have been happy to have Mrs.Brown Sterrett and Mr. and Mrs. JohnAnderson and sons worshipingthis past month.with usCOLLEGE HDLLMrs. R. A. M. Steele has become amember of our Church Family. Wewelcome her but regret to report she isa patient in the Providence Hospital atpresent. We hope and pray forherspeedy recovery. She has come to makeher home with Dr. and Mrs. R. I. Robb.Their new address is 1217Beaver Falls, Pa.6th Avenue,Miss Lulu McKinney visited theSouthern Mission in October and gavea most interesting report to the Women's Missionary Society at the November meeting, which was a covereddishluncheon meeting in the home ofMrs. M. M. Pearce and Mrs. KennethSatxon.Mrs. W. Brown Sterrett has recentlymade a visit with her son Rev. CharlesSterrett and family in Newburgh, N.Y.Miss Aphrodite Trombattas who sofaithfully worshiped with us and taughtin our Sabbath School while a studentin Geneva has arrived at her home inSomalaland, and is with her parentsthere. Because of the unsettled conditions in Cyprus she has not been ableto take up her chosen work as a teacher in our Nicosia School. Her address isPost Office Box No. 178, Diibouti,French Somalaland.Our Thankoffering Service was heldNov. 20th. The program was under theauspices of the R. W.Redpath Missionary Society, Mrs. Stewart M. Lee,presiding. All three societies participated. The address was given by ourMissionary to Syria, Rev. Herbert A.Hays. It certainly elicited our interestand prayers for the work and workersin that field. We are glad to have Rev.and Mrs. Hays and family in our vicinity during their furlough.TOPEKA NEWS ITEMSOur Young People have taken overthe responsibility of editingour bulletins for our services and are doing avery nice job.Mr. and Mrs. Howard McMahan arethe proud parents of a 7 lb. 3 oz. babygirl, Deborah Lynn as of Nov. 10.The sacrament of Baptism was administered on Sabbath the 13th of Nov.byour pastor to infants Mark Emerson Nusbaum and Arthur WilliamJohnston.The annual D.M.S.T. ThankofferingService is being combined with theThanksgiving services on Thanksgivingmorning. Our Juniors will present a program followed bypastor.a message from ourA number of our members will bejourneying to Olathe for the PsalmFestival and are looking forward tothis time of fellowship and praise.December 14, 1955 395

Dr. and Mrs. D. R. Taggart left foreastern points on Monday, November21, and returned to Topeka December1. Mr. Taggart attended the meetingof The Advisory Counsel of the American Bible Society in New York City onNovember 29 and 30. Rev. Robert Henningand Dr. Paul D. McCracken wereother representatives from our denomination.QUINTER NEWSMrs. John Chestnut went to Denver,Colo., on November 4 to seek employment.Mrs. Bert McElroysuffered a strokeon November 7 and was taken to theQuinter Hospital that morning. She returned to her home on November 10,and her daughter Mrs. Scott Milroycame from Winchester, Kans., to carefor her.On November 10 our W.M.S. met atthe home of Mrs. Harry Graham. Theydid fancy work for Aged People's Home.They also planned to send greetings toforeign missionaries, members of theHome for the Aged, shut-ins, and outof-boundmembers.The neices and nephews of Mr. LouisBailey met at the home of James Mannon November 14. The occasion was Mr.Bailey's birthday; the eveningplaying games and visiting.was spentMr. and Mrs. Ernest Tweed of Denver, Colo., spent the weekend of November 20 in the home of Mr. and Mrs.Alfred Graham and worshiped with uson Sabbath Day.Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Graham left onNovember 23 for Topeka, Kans., wherethey plan on spending the Winter in thehome of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd McElroy.Thanksgiving Service this year washeld in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch at 10:00 A.M. on ThanksgivingDay. The offering went to the UnitedNations International Children's Emergency Fund. Rev. Glenn Fruth, pastor ofthe Brethren Church in Quinter, wasthe speaker.Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Milroy andson Jerry of Clay Center, Kansas., spentthe weekend of November 27, visitinghis sisters and other relatives in Quinter. They worshiped with us on SabbathDay.Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hurd of Superior, Nebr., spent Thanksgiving Dayin the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bert McElroy. Mrs. McElroywith them and is being cared for in theirhome in Superior.returned homeWe have spent several afternoons andevenings recently helping Mr. and Mrs.Faris re-decorate our parsonage.396The film Martin Luther was shown inthe Quinter Methodist Church on November 27 and 28. It is a film that everyone should see; the attendance wasgood.CENTRALPITTSBURGHA series of five sermons is beingbrought by our pastor on the HolySpirit. With so manyarea proclaiminggroups in ourvarious evidences assigns of the Holy Spirit in the life, itis imperative that the Church have aclear understanding. Faith Healings,speaking with tongues, and other current ideas were discussed in this series.On Wednesday, November 16, our annual Thank-offering program was held,preceded by a family covered-dish dinner. We were looking forward to hearing the Rev. Herbert Hays of Syria; butdue to an unpredictable circumstance,the plane arrived from New York without our guest speaker. Upon discovering this, our pastor dug up a good substitute for the evening, the movie "Martin Luther." We enjoyed the film but arelooking forward to the time when wecan hear the message Mr. Hayes giveson his missionaryassignment in Syria.Several have recently recovered fromillness for which we thank the Lord!It was wonderful to have Miss MaryThompson back with us at church lastweek! Although still using one crutch,she is making steady improvement. Andlittle Reynolds Bish is feelingwell againafter having had his tonsils removed.There are many confined to their homesbecause of age or poor health. Some ofthese are: Miss Aikin, Miss Anna McGaw, Miss Chesnut, Mrs. Mcllrath, Mrs.Acheson, Mrs. James McCune, and MissAnna Lampus.Under the direction of Mr. CharlesMcBurney, "The Lord's Prayer inPsalms" was enjoyed in a Union Service for the Pittsburgh Area, on Sabbathevening, Nov. 6, at our church. Everyone obviously enjoyed singing, and sangwith relish and gusto. The spiritualclimax to the service was an inspiringmessage by Rev. David M. Carson, "Ifthese Stones Could Speak,"recallingpast experiences in this church as achallenge to future efforts. "Memoriesof these stones shall not grow old aswe that are left grow old; age shallnot weary them, nor the years condemnthem."As our founding fathers on that firstThanksgiving Day praised God for theblessings of life and freedom to worship,so we joined in a union service withthe Allegheny Congregation, with Rev.K. S. Edgar bringing the message. Theofferings were designated: Allegheny'swent to the Overseas Relief Fund ofthe National Association of Evangelicals,Central's to the fund for the new addition of the Aged People's Home.Communion Season was a thrillingexperience for all of us who participated! The messages by Rev. WillardMcMillan were empowered by the HolySpirit. It was good to see the fourmembers who had united with thechurch last Springupon public confession of their faith in Jesus Christ, allpresent and showing a growing faithin Christ. There were: Robert Flickenger,Mrs. Luella R. Schieck, Mrs.Agnes H. Vogel, and her daughter, Agnes, and Miss Twila Blackwood alsobrought her letter of membership fromDenison,Kansas. There were no accessions to the church at this time buttwo church membershipclasses havebeen organized since, for those who arethinking of joining later."Out of the Mailbag" is an addedinsert feature in our bulletins. It ismade up of news briefs from out-ofbound and shut-in members and friends.Our recent news items were from: Mrs.R. E. Dill en route from Bellenfontaine,Ohio, to rejoin her husband in ElMonte, Calif.; Mrs. John McCrory whoreports from Pueblo, Colo., that shehas introduced some Psalms into theMennonite Church where they worship.She has found "Oh! how I love ThyLaw,"a favorite of the children; thenwe find Miss Euna and Mr. FinleyBoyd expressing their desire for prayer for safekeeping for Rachael Foster,a cousin, as she serves as a missionaryin Jerusalem, that area of trouble between the Jews and Arabs.As the title of a popular song goes,"You'll Never Walk Alone," so thecompanionship of our monthly AdultFellowship gatherings continues. We enjoyed a costume Halloween Party atthe home of Mr. and Mrs. James Youngin Glenshaw and a Thanksgiving Partyat Ziegler's on the North Side. We arenow looking forward to holding a Christmas Party at the home of Mr. and Mrs.Robert McConaughy on Mt. AlisterRoad.We neglected to report what recent graduates were doing. Lois Vogelis a key-punch operator at Alcoa Co.;Nancy Walsh, an accountant at Wm.G. Johnston Co.; Betty Layne Flickenger,a stenographer at Peoples FirstNational Bank; Paul Flickenger, a partsclerk for Collins Co.; David Patterson,a freshman at Geneva College, is looking forward to the ministry of theGospel; Mary McCloskey is a 2nd gradeteacher in Pittsburgh Shirley-Schools;ann Hoy has begun her work as theChurch Missionary; and June Rinkohas returned to Geneva as a Junior.Dr. and Mrs. Oliver have been muchin our thinking lately as their plansdeveloped for the sale of their home.COVENANTER WITNESS

saints."They are now located at 102 CambridgeHall, 4630 Fifth Avenue., Pittsburgh 13.Also at new addresses are Mrs. Mcllrath,now livingat 114 Ridgewood Avenue., Pittsburgh 29, and Mrs. Steele,1217 Sixth Avenue, Beaver Falls. Wewish them much happiness in their newhomes."Precious in the sight of the Lord isthe death of HisThis pastmonth Mrs. Campbell, who would havebeen 94 in a few more days, and DannyTatton, one of our teen-age boys, weretaken home to be with the Lord. Already God has used Danny's suddendeath to draw his brother Joe to Himself, and the whole family is now worshipping with us! Pray for this family.Welcome! to the new babies. CherylAnn was born on August 17 to Ronand Alberta Kosarich; and recently acablegram was received by the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walsh,telling of a new son, Robert Joseph, Jr.,born to Sgt. and Mrs. Robert Dumraufon October 16 in Paris, France.The Primary Department enjoyed anouting at Riverview Park on Saturday, October 29, which proved to befun for all in spite of intruding showers. With tummies full of hot dogs,apples, candy, ice cream, and bakedbeans, the kiddies packed into homeboundcars carrying their prizes andeager to tell of their experiences. As aThanksgiving project, they joined theCadets to prepare and deliver cookieand candy treats to the residents ofthe Aged People's Home on Friday,November 25.OUR HOMEThank you, church-at-large, for yourprayers in behalf of Dr. Susan Wiggins.He has answered your prayers and ours.Dr. Wiggins is so much improved thatshe no longer needs special nursing. ThePress Committee wanted you to knowthis that you might return thanks toHim who is the Giver of every good andperfect gift. What a wonderful God wehave! Will you please now thank Himfor the measure of improvement, andask Him Who is the hearer and answerer of prayer to continue His healing ofher body? But, oh, don't let us forget toreturn thanks!Maywe ask again for your continuedprayer for the members of the Board,and especially for the Building Committee and for the Fund Raising Committee.What a terrible responsibility is ours!And, how we need your prayers! Wecan do nothing without them. Our Godwill open up ways and means for us ifwe ask Him. He answered your prayersso wonderfully for Dr. WigginsHeDecember 14, 1955will do the same for us if you and weask in His Name. Let us pray, pray!DENISONNovember 30 a special service washeld for the ordination and installationof Merlin Wingand Warren Porter aselders and Harlan Phillips, StewartRobb and Harold McCroryas deacons.Mr. Henry Faris addressed the new officers and Robert Braum the congregation. A social hour followed.The congregation deeply appreciatesthe new public address system that hasbeen installed through the generosityof Mr. John L. Wright.The Young Adult Groupenjoyed theirNovember potluck supper in the churchbasement with Mr. and Mrs. HarlanPhillips as host and hostess. Mrs. JuniorBlackwood entertained with some Biblegames and Junior Blackwood led in theclosing devotional period. An offeringwas taken for Miss Eleanor Faris. Thisis to be done periodically as a specialproject of the class.ESKRIDGE, KANSASSpecial Temperance meeting sponsoredby the W.M.S.November 2 was the Diamond JubileeAnniversary of the year 1880, whenKansans, led by Gov. St. John, went tothe poles and voted prohibition intoKansas. With the help of the State office of W.C.T.U., Rev. Roy Hollomon,State Leader, of the Kansas United DryForces, and representatives from each ofthe Evangelical churches of Eskridge,a community meeting was held at theReformed Presbyterian Church Wednesday afternoon, November 2. Membersfrom each church had a part in the program. Then some time was devoted toan open forum when everyone was givena chance to speak. Plans were made tohelp in the work of the United DryForces, both locally and statewide. Afterthe meeting a social hour followed. Refreshments of tea and wafers wereserved by the hostesses, Mrs. Lottie McKnight, and Mrs. Marietta Junkin.The Eskridge Thanksgiving serviceswere held in the Reformed Presbyterianchurch as a union meeting. Thanksgiving Day Rev. CaskeyThanksgiving Sermon. A beautiful boupreached thequet of chrysanthemums brightened theauditorium. They were a gift of Mr. andMrs. Austin. The offering was for theAmerican Bible Society.The Special offering taken in November for the National Reform Associationwas $139.00.Eskridge wishes to express epprecia-tion and thanks to each one who hassent money to help in the repair work ofthe church and parsonage and has alsogiven their time to help with this worthyproject.Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Hill of Beaver Fallshave returned to their home. They verykindly took boxes of fruit and vegetableswith them for the Aged People's Home.It has been an inspiration to the Eskridge people to have the Hills with usfor a few days each year. We appreciatethe work Mr. Hill has given in helpingto repair the parsonage and the church.He also taught our Sabbath School adultclass one Sabbath.Miss Esther Latimer of Chicago worshiped with us two Sabbaths in Octoberand taught a class in Sabbath School oneSabbath. She was visiting her brotherRoss and wife of Emporia.The Eskridge congregation recordswith regret that the Second Sabbath ofDecember will be Mr. Caskey's last dayhere as our pastor. Mr. and Mrs. Caskeyhave been a big help to the church hereand also to the community during theirthree and one half years in Eskridge.The attendance of members has been,when possible, almost 100%. Some members living in other cities have drivenmany miles to be present at the Sabbath Day services and also at prayermeeting. Our best wishes go with Mr.and Mrs. Caskey and Alice as theytheir new home in Stafford.go toMrs. Myrtle McDowell was taken toVail Hospital in Topeka Friday, November 25. She had a heart attack but isable to have company.At the October meeting of the W.M.S.two boxes were packed for the SelmaMission and Hospital.Eskridge provides ideal suburban lifefor those who wish to avoid the congestion and rush of the city. Several newhomes have recently been built here andmore are planned. Property valuationsare rising. Several families have movedfrom the city and bought homes here.About fifty people drive to Topeka eachday to work.LOS ANGELESMr. Ralph Shuman passed awayThursday evening, November 17, surviving his wife only nine days. Memorialservices were held at the Church of theRecessional, Forest Lawn, on Monday,November 21, with our pastor Rev. R.Paul Robb officiating and Dr. J. D. Edgar of San Diego assisting. Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to the familyand relatives who have felt the impactof death so keenly in the last few weeks.On Thanksgiving Day, services wereheld in our church and our pastorbrought a stirringmessage. We were397

adults'. . . teachothers."blessed with perfect weather for the day,and a large attendance of members andfriends gathered to thank God for ourmany blessings.On Sabbath evening, November 27,owr pastor exchanged pulpits with Rev.Glenn McFarland of our Santa Ana congregation. We enjoyed his fellowship andthe splendid evening message verymuch, also his testimony for his Lordwhich he gave at the group atsix.Recently Miss Kathryn Marshall entertained the members of their choir ather home. Rev. R. Paul Robb with veryappropriate words presented Mrs. WillettaRoss and Dr. Francis Buck, ourprecentors, with beautiful blue leatherPsalters.BEAR RUN-MAHONINGWe want to bring you up to date withitems from the Bear Run-Mahoningcongregation, and you may expect tohear from us every month from now on.Our Thank Offering Service was heldon Sabbath morning, November 6, withthe Rev. Herbert A. Hays bringing usa message from our Mission in Syria. Healso showed his excellent color slidesduring the Sabbath School hour. TheThank Offering amounted to $35.60.Mrs. Clark C. Pollock is the presidentof our Women's Missionary Society, andMrs. Truman N. Marshall continues asthe Secretary-Treasurer. Four of themembers attended the meeting of thePittsburgh Presbyterial in Parnassuslast fall: Mrs. Clark C. Pollock, Mrs.Clarence Henderson, Mrs. Sarah Baird,and Mrs. J. P. Mitchell.The Mahoning W.C.T.U., the Union inthis County to which our Covenanterwomen belong, held their October meeting at the home of Mrs. J. P. Mitchell.The September all-day meeting had beenheld in the home of Mrs. Clark C. Pollock.Although still without a pastor, wehave preaching every Sabbath by theSeminary students and others. Followingthe able work of Mr. Armour McFarland among us for six weeks last summer, we have had the other senior students : Mr. Robert McCracken, Mr. Donald Felker, Mr. Raymond Joseph, andMr. Robert Fullerton. Also Dr. BruceWillson,and Dr. Remo I. Robb.We are earnestly praying that Mr.Raymond Joseph will be led to acceptour call to become our pastor after hisgraduation from the Seminary. Thoughour congregation is small at present,we want to go forward in work for theLord and the Covenanter Church in thisarea.398At 12:45 p.m. October 14, 1955, HarryHolt, an Oregon farmer, landed at themunicipal airport in Portland withtwelve Korean orphans, eight of whichare now legallyadopted members of hisown family. The other four are beingother families here in theadopted byUnited States.These orphans are but a few of themany hundreds of "Mixed-blood" children to be found in Korea today. Theyare unwanted children left behind bythe U.N. troops. They are commonly referred to as "GI Babies."Through the efforts of Dr. Bob Pierceand World Vision,Good SamaritansInc., thousands ofKorean orphans are being fed andclothed. This work is supported by Christian people. It was through World Visionthat Harry Holt secured his new family.Bringing the children to the UnitedStates climaxes a year of intensive activity for Mr. Holt. In addition to making the necessaryfarm to accommodate such a sudden inarrangements on hiscrease in his family, Harry Holt has hadto incorporate the aid of a great manypeople including the President of theUnited States.Last December the Holt family attended a meeting that literally changedtheir lives. They listened to Dr. BobPierce tell of the emergency needs of thechildren in Korea. The needs were dramatically illustrated bypictures of human heartbreak. Harry Holt was stunned by the story of the "mixed-blood"children. He was burdened by their need.In the weeks that followed he could notforget how the children roamed thestreets of Korea . . . unwanted . . . mistreated, all because of the color of theirhair or their skin. According to his ownreport, Mr. Holt left the meeting haunted by the pathetic picture of tiny armsoutstretched for parental love thatwould never be there.Several months went by before theHolts made their decision. Harry andhis wife, Bertha, already had a largefamily. They were the proud parents ofsix of their own children. They had fivegirls and a boy, ranging in ages fromnine to twenty-two. In addition, theywere contributing to the support for 33orphans that World Vision, Inc., hadhoused in their own orphanages inKorea. But somehow, all this was notenough. They wanted to do more. Mr.and Mrs. Holt along with the unaniBabies"mous backing of their six children, decided to legally adopt eight of these "GIBy David Wisnerand bringlive.them to America toUnfortunately, the laws of the UnitedStates did not permit the Holts to dowhat they wanted. The Refugee Actstated that only two such children couldbe brought into the country by any onefamily. It would take an act of congressfor such a ruling to be set aside.Manypeople would have accepted this development as defeat. Harry Holt accepted itBabies"as a challenge. Because "GIhad American fathers, Harry Holtthought it only fair for America to assume as much of the responsibility aspossible. He wrote to his senator. Senator Richard L. Neuberger, in turn, enlisted the aid of Senator Wayne Morse.A bill was introduced in the Senate.Mrs. Edith Green introduced the bill inthe House. In the closing moments of theEighty-fourth Congress, the bill authorizing Harry Holt to bring home the eightchildren was passed. A few days later,President Eisenhower signed the bill andit became law.Even before Harry Holt knew of theoutcome of the special legislation, heboarded a plane for Korea to see forhimself the deplorable conditions aboutwhich he had heard so much. Mr. Holtwas an eye-witness to children starvingto death. He saw the tremendous effortbeing made by World Vision, Inc., tofeed and clothe the thousands and thousands of little children made homelessby the war. But he also saw many morechildren for whom there was not roomnor money for their care. Harry Holtshared with Dr. Bob Pierce the heartbreaking experience of seeing the brokenbodies that are always part of the tragicaftermath of ideological conflict.It was on this trip that Harry Holtbegan to select his children. Accordingto Mr. Holt, this thing he was doing wassomething he was certain God approvedof. These children would someday behis own, even if it took an act of Congress. Now the Holt family numberssixteen.Harry, Bertha and their sixchildren have realized the moment forwhich they waited so long.In a recent interview Mrs. Holt hadthis to say, "Our family is happy thatwe can bring these children to our homethem of our Saviour's loveand share with them the Christian inheritance eternal life through the redeeming blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.There is no other inheritance which isincreased by sharing it withDr. Frank C. Phillips, Executive Sec-COVENANTER WITNESS

come."retary of World Vision, Inc., expressesthe hope that the example set by theHarry Holt family will be followed bymany others. For those who are unableto actually bring the children into theirown homes, there is a wonderful opportunity to provide for their care throughfacilities already set up throughout Korea by World Vision, Inc. According toDr. Phillips, ten dollars a month notonly feeds, cares for and clothes a Korean orphan, it also provides the youngster with Christian training and guidance.Individual families and organization;;who decide to sponsor an orphan areprovided with a picture and a life-history of the child who is assigned tothem. The offices of World Vision, Inc.are located in Portland, Oregon.In MemoriamS. V. MOURADIAN"Blessed are the dead who die inthe Lord from henceforth : yea, saith theSpirit, that they may rest from theirlabours; and their works do followthem."Rev. 14:13.The Cyprus Commission of the Synodof the Reformed Presbyterian Church ofNorth America record their sorrow andgreat loss in the death of Dr. S. V.Mouradian, an elder in the Nicosia Congregation of the Armenian EvangelicalR. P. Church, and a member of the Commission. He passed to his reward onOctober 12.Born at Marash, Turkey, February10, 1877, educated at Smyrna College,Dr. Mouradian came to Cyprus in 1900to establish his dental practice. He hasbeen a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church and closely associatedwith all the work of the Mission, thechurches and the schools ever since.Dr. Mouradian's home was alwaysopen to various activities of the church.Their five children grew up in thechurch and were graduated from theAmerican Academies. One daughter isnow in England with her family; oneson, Haig, and wife (nee Lois Huggins)and daughters live in Limon, Colorado;the other children and their families liveat Nicosia. After the death of his firstwife, Dr. Mouradian married again, andhis wife, Mrs. Efronia, also remains tomourn his loss, alongother friends and associates.with his manyDr. Mouradian was a respected member of the medical profession, being formany years dentist to His Excellencythe Governor of Cyprus. He was afaithful member of various missioncommittees where his counsel has always been most helpful. He was an ableand ready leader of prayer meeting andof Sabbath services when need be. Hisconcern for the spiritual growth of thechurch and of the youth in particularwas always evident.We are grateful to God for his graceas realized through this his servant, andwe pray that He would continue to raiseup men of faith and consecration to carry forward His will here.E. C. Copeland,Clerk of CommissionMRS. LAURA JANE FISHBAUGHMcMILLIANJan. 12, 1862 April 16, 1955The Bloomington Women's Missionary Society would pay a tribute of loveand respect to the memory of Mrs.Laura McMillan, a member of our congregation since 1914, when she and herfamily moved to Bloomington fromOhio. Although she was past 93 yearsof age at the time of her death, she wasalert and active until her final briefillness. Since the death of her husbandin 1934, she had made her home inMitchell, Ind., with her daughter Ethelwho taught school there. One of thememories that we cherish was the lookof radiant joy on Mrs. McMillan's facewhen she came "back home" to church.Mrs. McMillan was a "worker"idleness had no place in her scheme ofthings. Her home, her children, and herchurch were her chief interests in life.She leaves four children to profit bythe example of a godly mother Fosterof Detroit, Mich., Ethel of Mitchell,Ind., Ward of Bloomington and Elva(Mrs. Robert Curry), who is our WMSpresident this year also of Bloomington. We can say with them in the wordsof Proverbs 31:25"Strength and honor are her clothing and she shall rejoicein time toMRS. MAME McELHINNEYMrs. Mame Kennedy McElhinney,aged 82, died on November 9, 1955 atthe home of her daughter, Mrs. BertGregory of Morning Sun. She was married to William McElhinney on January 3, 1895 and they made their homeon the McElhinney homestead. Herhusband preceded her in death in 1937.Surviving are three sons: Merritt,Martin and Ernest and two daughters:Mrs. Olive Baird and Mrs. Lillian Gregory, all of Morning Sun. Also surviving are two sisters: Mrs. EmmaCaldwell, Washington, Iowa, and Mrs.Ruby Baird, Morning Sun; 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.She was an aunt of the Rev. HerbertHays.Mrs. McElhinney was a life-long member of the Sharon Church and a faithful member of the Women's Missionary Society. She took a genuine interest in all the activities of the church.She was a devoted mother. "Her children rise up to call her blessed."MRS. AMELIA F. CAMPBELLMrs. Amelia F. Campbell was bornNovember 8, 1861, and passed away October 31, 1955, in her ninety fourth year.She was a life-time member of the Central Allegheny and Central Pittsburghcongreg?tions. She was gifted with abeautiful alto voice and sang in thechurch choir from the age of 16 until shewas nearly eighty. She was active inchurch work, taught manyyears inFaith Chapel Mission where she organized and directed a Mother's Club, wasactive in the W.T.C.U. and for manyyears was a member of the Board of Directors of the Home for the Aged.Mrs.Campbell leaves one son, twodaughters, eleven grandchildren and 17great grandchildren. The funeral wasconducted by her pastor, Rev. KennethG. Smith and her former pastor, Dr. D.H. Elliott.ORREN SCOTT GROVEOrren Scott Grove, for many yearsan elder in the Rehoboth congregation,passed away suddenly on Thanksgivingnight at the home of his daughter, Mrs.Paul Blair, not far from Mars, Penna.He was 90 years of age. He and Mrs.Grove, who survives him at the age of88, have lived in recent years at theirdaughter's home.Mr. Grove was well known to the ministers and elders of the CovenanterChurch as he attended many meetings ofthe Synod and of the Pittsburgh Presbytery. The funeral services were heldat the Rehoboth church on November26 conducted by Dr. D. H. Elliott, minister of the church at Mars, with theburial in the Rehoboth cemetery.MRS. NANNHC McINTYRE FRENCHThe Winchester W.M.S. wishes to paya tribute of love to the memory of Mrs.Nannie Mclntyre French who departedfrom us July 14, 1955. Born near Sharon,Iowa, October 29, 1857. She came toKansas in 1867. She united with the R.P. Church when a young girl. She wasactive in the work of W.M.S., W.C.T.U.,and S.S. as long as her health permitted.She taught in the local schools for 28years and several years in the MissionSchool at Selma, Alabama. She was lefta widow by Samuel Hutchinson and later by W. G. French. She was an inspiration to her many friends, always cheerful, quoting the promises of her belovedLord and Saviour.December 14, 1955 399

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BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 8, 1956CovenanterwtnessVOLUME LV, NO. 2&TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1955From the King's ViewpointTwas the night before Christmas and now, atlong last, not a sound could be heard through the department store. The doors were finally closed for theholiday season, after the frenzy of those final hours,and the crowd of last-minute shoppers had left.The old janitor stood in the midst of the mainfloor viewing the scene with sadness. Signs of hurried shopping were everywhere boxes broken open,papers littering the floor. He moved about slowly,wondering where and how to begin cleaning up.Then he saw it! For a long moment he couldonly stare in hurt surprise, hardly believing. Hemoved closer. Yes, he had been right. As he bentover for a better view, a heavy burden of sorrow waslaid upon his heart, for it was a Bethlehem MangerScene, skilfully constructed of wood^bits, plastic andcolored paper ; extremely attractive and life-like. Onecould tell that care had gone into the making. Onceit had rested upon a counter, seeking to attract thepassers-by to the greater blessedness of Bethlehem.But now it lay pushed into the corner, crushed almostbeyond recognition and almost buried beneath a seaof torn boxes and scattered wrappings.The old janitor knelt slowly. Tears welled in hiseyes. His hands trembled as they touched the pathetic ruin. His voice was choked with emotion. "No roompast."for Jesus when Christmas isDo not say that the old janitor was too simple aman. His broken words should cut through for all ofus in this present jungle of vain commercialism andoutward religion. His words might well be an echoof the thoughts of the Lord Himself at this veryseason, which is only a passing holiday for far toomany. This is looking at Christmas from the King'sviewpoint !We often think of Christmas solely in relation toour loved ones, our friends, our associates and ourselves but shouldn't we pause and look at it fromHIS point of view? Have you ever pondered thethoughts of Jesus Christ, who came at this time tobe the Saviour from sin ?,That is something to seriously consider. Whatwill He receive from you at this season? There maybe outward gaiety, but the grief in His heart as Hesees you going through the outward motions withouttruly having entered by repentance and faith into theof Bethlehem! "Whatfull and complete meaningthink ye of Christ?" If the joy of new birth and newcreation is not yours at this season, if Christmas isbut a day on the calendar and not a mark of divinechange in your heart and life, ponder these words :"Unto you is born this day in the city ofDavid a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord"(Luke 2:11).It is time to make this occasion an inward holy-day,rather than an outward holiday, by accepting theChrist of Christmas as your personal Saviour andLord of your life."Verily, verily, I say unto you, He thatheareth my word, and believeth on him thatsent me, hath everlasting life, and shall notcome into condemnation; but is passed fromdeath unto life" (John 5:24-).American Tract SocietyEdwin Raymond Andersona non-profit organizationPublishers of Christian literature since 182521 West 46th Street, New York 36, N. Y.

worship.''IGlimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen, D. D.Floods in India and PakistanThe most fearful and destructive floods in years ravagedPakistan in October as described in Presbyterian Life. Atleast two million people lost their homes, clothing, cattleand food supply. Ten thousand square miles of the nation'sfinest agricultural land have been ruined. It is estimatedthat standing crops worth $700 million were lost,000 Christians have been isolated by flood waters.and 150,-In India there was the most devastating flood in thehistory of Punjab. Many families spent days and nights inthe trees, often fighting with poisonous snakes for space.When the water receded there was no food or shelter. Manywere drowned and some of the "outcasts" were sitting in thewater. The missionaries did all they could to clorinate waterso that people could drink it and help in other ways. Theydistributed milk, cheese, vitamins and blankets to the utmostof their means and ability. The church at home has askedfor surplus supplies of wheat, warm clothing as sweaters andcoats, and gifts of money. Recent reports in the daily paperstell of other floods.The greatest cause of India's poverty is its heathen religions and caste system. The greatest blessing is the Gospelof Christ which, of late, India has been seriously hindering.A Psalter-Hymn BookThe editor of the Associated Reformed Presbyteriancautions congregations of his church to study the Hymnbookof their church to see if it is what they want. He fears thatit will be difficult for congregations wishing to emphasizethe use of Psalms, along with the hymns, to do so. Manyof those which are called Psalm selections are paraphrases,hymns which adopt the idea of the Psalm indicated, butwhich are not a translation of a Psalm. The writer furtheraffirms: "A number of our congregations are largely disregarding the order of Synod that Psalms are to have an important place in the worship....am sure those congregations which largely give up the use of Psalms lost much ofthe richness of theirIt is but a few years since the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church authorized the use of hymns in worship, andthe above statements are evidence of what has come to pass.Other churches which have given up the exclusive use ofthe Psalms have had a similar experience. There have beencomplaints by ministers of the Christian Reformed Church(which a few years ago allowed the use of hymns) that somehymns which their congregations were using were not dignified, or taught Arminian doctrine.In the most recent broadcast from London of BillyGraham's 'Hour of Decision" Beverly Shea sang the 23rdPsalm and stated that he had found it one of the most favored in England. No other songs can equal the inspiredPsalms of the Bible.Free Mailing PrivilegesAccording to an item in The Watchman-Examiner (Baptist paper), "Bulletins published by rural churches will beable to go through the mails free of charge under terms of anew regulation issued in Washington, D. C. Extension of the'free incounty'mailing privilege, long accorded weeklynewspapers, to church bulletins or parish papers is an unexpected by-product of the legislation approved by Congress402July 26 this year (Public Law 170, 84th Congress) makingit easier for church bulletins to obtain second-classmailingprivileges. Rural churches that send out regular bulletins totheir members will be eligible for this second-classsubsidy,whether printed weekly, biweekly, monthly or even quarterly."That Sugar Bowl GameThe much-publicized opposition to the Georgia Tech-Pittsburgh Sugar Bowl football game because of a Pittsburgh colored player is a disgrace to our nation. No doubtRussian Communists will make much of it. We do not favorstudent riots, but in this instance the students of GeorgiaTech in their riots against Governor Griffin's efforts to prevent the game, showed their determination to allow thegame, and their opposition to such race segregation as theolder men desired. It is a splendid omen to see the youth ofGeorgia beginning to discard segregation. When they comeinto power perhaps even Georgia will show a Christian attitude toward our colored brethren.A more pleasant note comes from Tennessee where aNegro and a whitepastors'group merged at Nashville, andheads of the two organizations were elected copresidents ofthe new Nashville Ministers Association.Christian BenevolenceThe First National Conference on the "Churches andSocial Welfare" has reported that Protestant churches inthe United States spend more than $1,000,000,000 annuallyto provide health and welfare services for 11,000,000 persons.An Unusual MemorialIn one of Denver's new skyscrapers, there is a littlesanctuary set aside as a memorial to President Eisenhowerbecause the people of Denver believe that tribute should bepaid to a man who was not ashamed to express his trust inGod. This small place of worship is open all day to all whomay wish to worship. We regret to read of a good-luckhorseshoe which is being enshrined in memory of thePresident's recovery.Opposes Appointment of ChaplainsMr. Frank C. Hughes, a 73-year-old atheist of Minneapolis, has begun legal action to prevent the U. S. government from employing chaplains for the armed forces. Heclaims that the use of tax money for their salaries is illegal,that he is forced to support financially religious doctrineswhich he abhors. If he were under fire in a fox hole hewould probably be praying and hoping he could see a chaplain."How Sleep the Brave!"The Banner (Christian Reformed) is also publishingJames H. Hunter's book, "How Sleep the Brave!" in serialform. It is a thrilling book about the Covenanter persecutions which is still appearing in The Evangelical Christian,though it can be had in book form from The EvangelicalPublishers of Toronto, or from Zondervan of Grand Rapids.Mr. Hunter spent much of his life in Aryshire, Scotland, nearmany of the historic spots and monuments to the Covenanters.(Continued on page 405)COVENANTER WITNESS

Current EventsProf. William H. Russell, Ph.D.UNITED GIVINGNearly 1,900 American towns and cities conductedCommunity Chest or United Fund drives this autumn, withrecord-breaking success. In 277 cities to report their receipts by the beginning of December, a total of $193.6million was collected. This represented 99.7 per cent ofthe total goals set, and was 11 per cent better than thecollections for 1954.One-third of the contributions nowcome through labor unions, and employers also makelarge donations. Another factor in the increased total isthe tendency to combine different charities in one drive.This year the American Red Cross, for the first time, gaveits approval to local chapters which wished to join infederated drives, and almost 600 out of 3,713 chaptersdid so. In some communities the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society also joined in a UnitedFund, but their general policy is in favor of independentcampaigns. These groups feel that they can collect moreby separate appeals, and that participation in united driveslimits the future expansion of their programs. In any case,it is pleasing to find that America's unprecedented prosperity is matched byATTLEE STEPS DOWNnew records in giving.Clement Atlee has resigned as leader of the BritishLabor Party, which he headed for twentyElizabeth immediately made him an earl. Attlee,be 73 in January,years. Queenwho willretired in order to end speculation aboutthe party's future leadership. A quiet, unassuming man,he nevertheless has gained a good reputation for statesmanship. As prime minister after World War II, Attleepresided for six years over the enactment of Labor's socialist program and the loosening of the ties of the BritishEmpire. Of the three candidates for succession to Attlee'sposition, Hugh Gaitskell is favored by most Labor politicians. Gaitskell, now 49, was Chancellor of the Exchequerin Attlee's cabinet and has been party treasurer. HerbertMorrison, deputy leader and an experienced administrator,also has a great following, but at 67 he may be consideredtoo old. Aneurin Bevan, head of the Labor Party's leftwing and an outspoken critic of Attlee, also aspires toleadrship but has little chance of success. Whoever thenew leader is, he will have a difficult task in uniting theparty's battling factions.AUTO DEALERS COMPLAINA Senate committee headed by Joseph C. O'Mahoneyhas been investigating charges that General Motors, producer of half of America's automobiles, violates the antitrust laws. The hearings were dull until O'Mahoney broughtin fourteen G.M. dealers who testified that they were underfantastic pressuse to sell cars, and that their franchisescould be revoked at any time. G. M. executives not onlydenied these charges, but pointed out that their dealershad made record-breakingprofits in the past ten years.General Motors claims that it does not ship dealersany cars which they do not order, but the dealers apparently feel that they will lose their franchise unless they sellheavily. One result is "bootlegging," by which the authorized dealer sells new cars to a "used-car" outlet at a veryDecember 21, 1955small profit. The great question for 1956 is whether carsales can keep upwith the record-breaking productionwhich is planned. Some believe that the peak of the demand has passed, and that the price increases on mostnew models Will make it more difficult than ever fordealers to handle cars at a profit.INDONESIA VOTESAfter six years of independence the Republic of Indonesia, formerly the Dutch East Indies, recently completed its first national elections. The campaigning and theelections were orderly, despite the danger that the military,who are strongly anti-Communist, might try to take over.Unofficial returns show that two moderate parties, theMoslems and the Nationalists, have slightly more thanhalf the seats in parliament. Next come the Radical (extreme orthodox) Moslems, with the Communists fourth.A new coalition government will soon be formed, but thecombination is hard to predict. Indonesia has more thana hundred different political partiestions a Protestant group gained twelve seats,in the recent elecand a Catholic party five. Indonesia has 80 million people and is plaguedby serious political and economic problems, but is suspiciousof any outside help. Its orderly development is of theutmost importance for Southeast Asia.ALUMINUM BOOMAluminum, one of America's fastest-growing industries,is rapidly creating new products and displacing othermetals. Alcoa has announced an aluminum dry cell batterywhich may replace a large amount of the zinc. Aluminumalready has displaced copper and brass in many itemsof electrical equipment. America's primary capacity nowis about 1.5 million tons a year, double what it was fiveyears ago, but by 1958 it is expected to reach 2.2 milliontons. Experiments are being made in the casting(Continued on page 408)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAof alum-at 129 Wpst fith Strpet, Newton, Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansasto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer,not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing-EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll. D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Subscription rates: $2.50 per year ; Overseas, $3.0010 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A.,British Isles.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSingleCopies,Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theEntered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansas,under the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.403

personable."er."The Editor's PageA Foursome InterviewIt was the noonday before Thanksgiving whenmy wife and I entered the Pennsylvania Railwaydining car and were assigned seats opposite a muchyounger couple of strangers, and immediately theinterview began. It was silent at first as such interviews usually are, but an interview nevertheless. Forwhen strangers meet strangers, their minds are in aquestioning mood, though no words may pass between them, and the mental pencils are busy makingnotes on the mental tablets. Pardon our ill manners ifwe glance over their shoulders to see what they havealready written about us, for as it appeared later inconversation, they had immediately recognized us asthe people who had sat diagonally in front of them inthe coach. The identification cards? Our matchinglocks snow-capped, though many winter winds andsummer suns had either drifted mine or evaporatedthem, so that the plateau was noticeably bare, ormade the snow barely noticeable in spots.But to return to our own notes, what did welearn about them? Our five senses are our waitingnews-scouts quick to answer any summons. Our eyesare quickest to report, though superficially, and oftenmistaken in their judgments, but certainly fast informing them. Eyes, what did you learn?"Well, the man is a tall brunette, passably handsome, with a keen, lean and hungry look, in his latetwenties, well dressed and groomed, apparently prosperous. The lady? In her twenties (early), easy onthe eyes, cultured, well matched with him in attire,not gaudy, make-up if any not overdone,Ears, any report? "Not yet, not yet. We haveneither heard nor overheard anything on which toreport."base aMeanwhile the waiter is cleaning up the debrisleft by the previous occupants of our chairs, andoverlaying the soiled linen veneer. A drinkingglass, off-standard size and emptied to all but thelast drop, is on about the 35 yard stripe in our territory, and my nose being rather nosey, asked me tobe allowed to interview it, and reported that it wasnot a connoisseur of cocktails or unmixed drinks butthe test was positive; it was not aqua pura.About that time the man opposite me withdrewit across the fifty yard stripe, apologizing for the offside play, and all penalties were declined.Now the ice was broken, we introduced ourselvesKansas,"as the "Taggarts from Topeka, and theyrevealed themselves as P from Pittsburgh.The man suggested that we must feel far from homeand the prairies among the hills of Pennsylvania, butwe were able to assure them that we were neitherdizzy nor homesick, since years of my youth had beenspent in Beaver Falls and my wife was from Muskingum County, Ohio. In an aside to him his wife askeda question and getting a nod she put it to me, "Isn'tBeaver Falls the location of a Covenanter College?""Yes,"I replied, "and we are Covenanters." She wasof Covenanter stock with a name very familiar, aMc "Do the Covenanters still hold to the404old custom of cooking all the food on Saturday for thefollowing day, and many like things they do?" Andwe had to hang our heads and acknowledge that theseburdens had become too greivous to be born, but westill have at least a recollection of the Sabbath as aday set apart from other days of the week. She informed us that such an observance was commonamong all churches. I think she learned that frompersonal contact with a church, though it mighthave been taught in some of her courses in Pittsburgh College for Women of which she was a graduate. He being a graduate of Pitt in Civil Engineering,did not betray any deep interest in ecclesiastical matters.She smoked mildly and culturally while hetopped off his meal with dessert which she declined.Her meal was noticeably simpler than his, fewer calories and lower money bracket (like ours) ; was thather Scotch bringing up or her fear of avoirdupois, orlack of appetite ? It was not necessity for the waiterwas given a ten dollar bill, and some folding moneyfor his own use from the remnants that came back.Thus ended the first inter-view, or perhaps better to say hinter-view, the view behind the coastline.Too inquisitive? Well, you read it, didn't you? Ihave only tried to describe your unconscious mentalprocesses when you meet a stranger. But there is asecond chapter, a sequence.CHAPTER IIStanding at the head of a very steep anddangerous ski slide I looked down and saw the prostrate forms of some helpless victims who might never walk again. Here at the top was a young woman,evidently inexperienced, naively fastening on herskis. I could not restrain a word of friendly caution.From Modern Parables.* * *When Wife and I boarded the train at Pittsburgh the Red Cap put our luggage on the shelf inthe rear of the car just back of the diner where weshared separate seats with strangers. Later wemoved ahead of the diner and found seats together,leaving the luggage undisturbed. In the afternoon Ireturned to the luggage to get reading and work material and was disappointed to see our new acquaintances in the diner with their beer cans and smokingparaphernalia in front of them. As pleasantly as Icould I tapped her on the shoulder and said, "Don'tviolate your Covenanter traditions." Just as pleasantly and as triumphantly as Paul must have said, "ButI was free born" she replied, "I am not a CovenantBut isn't she? How often it has been said thatevery true Christian is a Covenanter. They havemade their Covenant with Christ and He has madethe Covenant of Grace with God the Father. We arein the Covenant of the Second Adam, our representative.But those that are not in the Covenant of Graceare still under the Covenant of Works "This do andthou shalt live." They have never been released fromall the obligations of that first Covenant. So theyCOVENANTER WITNESS

stayed."quickly"night"too are Covenanters though Abraham acknowledgedthem not. Now under which of these two Covenantsthis pleasant woman was living, it is not for me tosay.Multitudes who proudly decline the priviliges ofthe Covenant of Grace enter voluntarily into a Covenant of works, dictating their own terms. They mayhave a rigid code of morals or a liberal one, but theysay to Immorality, "Hitherto shalt thou come, but nofarther, and here shall thy proud waves beYes, they are Covenanters, but not the Close Communion variety, though they may even belong to achurch with that name, having a name to live.There is a third group of Covenanters of whomGod speaks through Isaiah (28:15, 18) : "Because yehave said, 'We have made a covenant withDeath, andwith Hell we are at agreement ; when the overflowingscourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us ;for we have made lies our refuge, and under falseourselves.' "hood have we hidCould any descriptionof the alcoholic, whether in the initial or advancedstage, be more fitting of the escape mechanism whichsome call a "disease"? The symbols of their sacraments are advertised on your TV.Many years ago at our Indian Mission a Comanche and his wife had strayed into the fellowship of apeoti campmeeting and partaken of their sacramental dainties. Come time for the observance of theLord's Supper they came to the camp with the otherIndians to observe the communion. But the sessionintervened and suspended them. I suppose they neverforgot as others of us have never forgotten Dr.Carithers'action sermon on the text, "I would notthat ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannotdrink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils ; yecannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and thetable of devils."Mr. Carithers remarked afterwards that he hadnever realized before the close relationship of 1 Corinthians, chapters 10 and 11, the latter containingthe Words of Institution, the former the call forseparation.The above was not written with the intention ofdiscussing "Close Communion." But to discuss thatother question whether any member of our race hasthe right to say, "I am not a Covenanter" as thoughsuch a declaration could burst God's eternal bonds.GLIMPSES from page 402Prayer in SchoolsThe ruling by the attorney general of California forbidding prayers in public schools has been openly challenged byIrving Breyer, the school board attorney of San Francisco.A Converted ConvictDonald A. Brandeis has recently completed a State prison term of nearly three years at Raiford, Fla. The man whowas the means of converting him is serving sentences totaling 199 years. In an audience to which Mr. Brandeis spoke,with tears in his eyes, was the judge who sentenced him, theattorney who prosecuted him, the man from whom he hadstolen an automobile which led to his imprisonment, andseveral law-enforcement officers who had dealings with him.All of these congratulated him after he had spoken. He saidthat his first downward steps were drinking and smoking,at the age of six. After his conversion he organized a Bibleclass in prison. He plans to devote his life to spreading thegospel.December 21, 1955Close or Open CommunionEdwin P. Davies, Winchester"The Reformed Presbyterian standard of admission to the sacrament is that commonly referredcommunion.' "to as 'closeConstitution of R. P.page 316.Church,It is the duty and privilege of all organizations,from the Church at the top to the worldly lodgeat the bottom, to specify or to determine the termsof membershipas well as to set forth the mannerof governing their respective members. And mostof them have in them some germ of closeness toeliminate the outsider, perhaps none of them moreso than the secret order lodge.In sacred history we find this idea set forthin the twelfth chapter of Exodus in the institutionof the Passover Supper, which was the forerunnerof the Lord's Supper. In verse three we find thelimitation set for "all the congregation of Israel."In verse 48 the stranger must be circumcised andbe as one born in the land, otherwise, "no uncircumcisedperson shall eat thereof." In verse 21 itwas placed in the hands of the elders for execution. In verse seven we have the blood of the sacrifice (thelife of the flesh is in the blood, Lev. 17:11). In v! 8 we have the body of the passover lamb.In the 26th chapter of Matthew we have theparallel: In verse 8 "This is my blood of the newtestament," body."and in verse 26 "This is my Thisclosing of the passover and institution of the Lord'sSupper was again limited to a select circle. As thePassover was a close communion so also was thisfirst Lord's Supper. Judas may have eaten with theothers or he may not have done so. Luke's accountwould seem to indicate that he did : "And when thehour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostleswith him." (Luke 22:14). The Lord knew that Judashad covenanted to betray Him for thirty pieces ofsilver (the price of a slave, Ex. 21:32). In factJudas was chosen for that very purpose, to be "theson of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled"(John 17:12). Judas ate and drank unworthily with damnation to himself (I Cor. 11 :29) withoutany sign of repentance from his heart of stone, noteven after the Lord had washed his feet. Then camethat denunciation like a bolt of lightning; "I knowwhom I have chosen : but that the Scripture may befulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath liftedup his heel against (John 13:18). "He it is,me"to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it,and when he dipped the sop, he gave it to JudasIscariot, the son of Simon" (John 13:26). Still therewas no repentance from Judas, rather "After thesop Satan entered into him" sealing his doom. Thenit was that our Lord put Judas out. "That thoudoest, do (John 13:27b). Then Judas wentout, "and it was (John 13:30b), eternalnight for Judas.After attending to this matter of discipline,Jesus then said, "Now is the Son of man glorified"and proceeded with that remarkable table address,a communion between the Lord and the eleven(John 13 :31 16 :33) and the closing prayer of John17. It was a very close communion between the Lordand the eleven with Judas cast out. The Lord veryjealously guarded the sacredness of that first communion by putting out the only unworthy(unrepentent)member.405

Detmold-A Significant Reformed CongressRev. J. T. Hoogstra"The International Congress of ReformedFaith and Action" met specifically to discuss thetheme of the Congress: "The Lordship of JesusChrist"as related to society, education, and theChristian's relationship to His changing world. Themeetings were held in "die wunderschoene Stadt"Detmold, Germany, July 30-August 7, 1955, underthe auspices of the "International Society of Reformed Faith and Action," an international societyof Reformed Christians seeking to promote the Reformed faith in the world.One hundred ninety signed participants fromabout nineteen nations, and many visitors, attended this Congress. From the point of view of numbers this was a very successful Congress. The delegates themelves added inspiration to the Congress:from Austria, East Germany, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa, England,Netherlands, Canada, and the United States. Sucha wide representation gives the lie to a popularnotion that Calvinism is restricted to a few nations.This Congress was composed of men and women ofall strata of society: the commercial, the profesthe clerical and the professorial.sional, industrial,This also gives the lie to another fallacious notionthat the Reformed (Presbyterian) faith is suitableonly to an intellectual aristocracy. This Congressmade it evident that our faith addresses itselfprimarily to the hearts of men and women, and thatit must be strong also at the grass roots if it isto be vital at all. Later on when the question ofliterature was discussed it was specifically mentioned that the man on the street should be reached.The tone of this Congress was the recognizedneed of a mission for the Reformed faith in a topsyturvy world. People from behind the iron or theecclesiastical curtain of Rome feel the Reformedfaith is masculine and supplies a real need to famished souls. Speeches at the Congress delineatingthe Protestant situation in various countries wereconsistently good and appreciated. This Congressdid more than hear speeches. It decided upon a definite plan of action.A Mirror of Current Reformed FaithDetmold was an innovation in the manner of conducting a Congress. Detmold is a sequel to theMontpelier Congress, held in that city of France.It was felt that Bible study had not come to itsown in that Congress, and consequently attemptswere made to rectify that lack at Detmold.To do justice to this phase of Reformed pietythis Congress devoted its morning sessions tothe study of selected passages from the "Epistle tothe Colossians." After a passage was introduced inplenary sessions the Congress resolved itself intonine groups, membership of which was determinedby language. Those who could use the English wellwere put into the English groups. There was, forexample, in one group: Anglicans, Presbyteriansfrom Scotland, Reformed from the Netherlands,South Africa, and the United States. After these406group discussions the Congress reconvened in plenary session, and a summary of the discussions wasgiven. It was amazing what agreement there wasin joint Bible study. There was also a very positiveattempt to make the Word of God relevant to ourday.This innovation showed definite weaknesses,such as the question of more forceful, or less forceful personalities, but with improvement it was feltthis approach could become a powerful means ofmaking Reformed congresses an all participatingcongress. Each person had a chance to speak, atleast in a group.The discussions based upon the various topicssoon revealed that there is also a Reformed varietyas well as unity. One thing becomes evident at aninternational Reformed congress differences inbackground and in historical development. There is aDutch slant of Calvinism, and also a German orScotch. To recognize this is to recognize the needof such a congress.The value of a congress is that it becomes acrossroad of all traditions, and a meeting place ofthose who have been traveling independent roadsfor decades. Such a congress also indicates that itsmembership may have been influenced by its ownisolation from other movements in the Reformedworld. New contacts serve as a corrective and asan inspiration to learn from each other.Proposed ActionThis Congress has adopted the reading of aconstitution that stipulates that membership in theInternational Society of Reformed Faith and Actionrequires agreement with the second clause: "In accordance with the historic Reformed Confessions offaith the Association submits unconditionally tothe authority of Holy Scripture as the Word of God,thereby recognizing it as the sole standard of reformation in this and Church."every age of theThe association accepts the three symbols of theancient church: Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed,and the Athanasian Creed.There are already a few regional societies constituent members of the International society: "TheCalvinistic Society of France," that shines with alustre in its accomplishments, and the "CalvinisticAction Committee" of America. The former has already done a tremendous amount of successful work,among which is the present publication of a newedition in modern French of the Institutes of theChristian Religion, by John Calvin. This is a greatproject and unquestionably urgent. The CalvinisticAction Committee in America is also seeking aidto help this important project which our Frenchco-religionists cannot do unaided financially. TheFrench Society also publishes a magazine that hasbecome known internationally.There are already several translation societiesin various countries organized to translate Reformed writings into several languages. There can be(Concluded on next page)COVENANTER WITNESS

written"vain"not""MyLord Has Not Told Me To DoIt"Dear Reader : If you have been born again thrufaith in our Lord Jesus Christ and have a real heartfelt appreciation of Himself and His salvation youwill welcome this little message; but if not bornagain or not in sweet communion with Him it willfind no place in your heart.We have nothing to say in this message to theworld, nor to anyone who has no heart for the LordJesus Himself. Our appeal is to those who love Himand desire to please Him in all things, but havenever been impressed with the truth that the Word ofGod is our all-sufficient Guide Book for every stepof the journey down here. Read 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.If I cannot say concerning my religious activities as the Lord Jesus did to Satan, "It isthen they are mine, not God's. Nadab and Abihu usedfire on their incense that God had not commandedthem to use and died for their sin (Lev. 10:1, 2).Uzza died before the Lord not because he was doingthe wrong thing but because he was doing the rightthing in the wrong way (2 Sam. 6:3-7).The fact that God has not commanded the celebration of the birth of His Son is sufficient reasonfor any devoted child of God not to have any part inother reasons thatsuch practice. There are manymay be stated why the one who loves the Lord Jesuswill shrink from any participation in such unfruitfulworks of darkness, but this is enough "My Lord hasnot told me to do it."The word "Christ-mass," we prefer not even totake it on our lips. Think of associating the title ofour blessed Lord with the abominable Romanizedheathen mass. The modification of the name to Xmasis preferable as it leaves out the name of the LordJesus, and substitutes only the Greek initial.But some of our readers will ask how this practice came into existence and if it is not generallypracticed by Christians. To the last question wewould say, "It is more generally practiced by the'professors'world and by than by the real Christians ;altho some whose salvation we cannot doubt are stillDetmold from page 406no 'better way of creating a truly Reformed ecumenicity than through the medium of distributionof Reformed literature.A part time secretary will give more directionto this movement. Until the present moment thismovement is a volunteer movement of those whosetime is limited. Through him such ideals as a centerof Reformed literature, exchange of books, newsreleases, writing for all classes of people, perhapsan international Reformed Journal, or helping thecurrent Reformed journals to become more internationally Reformed, will be realizable.This Congress revealed that the Reformed faithhas something to say, and must say it to our age.Consequently it adopted a threefold purpose: (1)to promote fellowship between Reformed Christiansin every land; (2) to facilitate the interchange ofReformed thought and experience; (3) to strengthen and advance the Reformed cause throughoutthe world.December 21, 1955blind to the question of guidance wholly from theWord of God in all spiritual matters.No one who acknowledges the supreme authorityof the Holy Scriptures to direct in all questions ofDoctrine and practice will have any fellowship inXmas celebrations after his attention has been calledto the matter, unless he does it deliberately in selfwill.As to the question of Origin, Xmas was originally a Roman heathen celebration of the birthday ofthe Sun-god. It was taken over by Catholics withsuch changes as suited their abominable idolatry.And then her Protestant Children followed the mother of harlots and modified it a little more till theythink (at least a few of them do) that they are honoring the Lord by such observance. The use of theXmas Tree, the Mistletoe, the Holly Wreaths, theCandles, and the tradition of Santa Claus are all ofheathen origin ; not one word in the Bible about anyof them. "Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way ofthe heathen . . . for the customs of the people arevain; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, thework of the hands of the workman, with the axe.They deck it with silver and with gold; they fastenit with nails and with hammers, that it move(Jer. 10:2-4).God has not told us to observe any special days,but has rather shown us the danger of it. Paul saidto the Galatians who had been led off after the traditions of Judaism. "Ye observe days, and months,and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I havebestowed upon you labour in (Gal. 4:10, 11).To the Christian there are no special holy days. Every day should be alike holy unto the Lord. It is theChristian's blessed privilege to cease from otheroccupations and spend one day in seven in morestrictly spiritual things, and best of all, as the earlydisciples did, to meet together on the first day ofthe week to break bread. This privilege is secured tous in this and many other lands by the laws, whichwe are commanded to obey. The fact that the worldjoins in the celebration of Xmas is proof that it is notaccording to the will of God. "For the carnal mindis enmity against God ; for it is not subject to the lawof God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7).If they would not link the name of our blessedLord with their heathen ceremonies then would wehold our peace. If it were like a 4th of July celebration we would have nothing to say. We are not hereto argue the question. No possible argument wouldhave the least weight since, "My Lord has not toldme to do it."Not only so but He has not allowed us to knowthe time of his Son's birth. The time of His death,His resurrection and His ascension are all markedbut His "birth' is hidden.What may be said of Xmas may also be said ofEaster, just another religious heathen celebration.Then think of a Child of God stealing one of theLord's days and calling it Children's Day or Mother'sDay, Father's Day, etc. But do you say, "I don't seeany harm in it." If you are not a child of God youmay say so, but if you are, you are in a miserably lowspiritual state to make such a statement. Is a nega-407

now?"me,"tive life all you are living? Many things that have nodirect harm in them have no good in them either, because, "My Lord has not told me to do it."The only place in the Word of God where peoplemade merry and sent gifts was when they had slainthe Lord's two witnesses in Rev. 11:10. The worldhas slain the Lord's Faithful and True Witness ofRev. 3:14. Will you, dear reader, have part in theircelebrations? The only Birthday celebrations in theBible are Pharaoh's andHerod's, both accompaniedby murder."In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of (Matt. men"15:9)."Thus have ye made the commandment of Godof none effect by your tradition" (Matt. 15:6)."Full well ye reject the commandment of Godthat ye may keep your own tradition" (Mark 7:9)."Making the Word of God of non-effect throughyour tradition" (Mark 7:13).To all who, after reading this message, go on intheir idolatry we will give the solemn warning of ourLord Jesus Christ:"Ye are they which justify yourselves beforemen, but God knoweth your hearts ; for that which ishighly esteemed among men is abomination in thesight of God" (Luke 16:15).As a publishing institution we positively refuseto print anything that countenances the celebrationof any of these so-called holy days. We will haveplenty to do carrying out that which the Lord "has"commanded without adding some of the traditions ofmen. "Add thou not unto His Words, lest He reprovethee, and thou be found a liar" (Prov. 30:6).CHRISTIAN SERVICE, Phila. 15, U.S.A.CURRENT EVENTS from page 403inum automobile engine blocks, and in the substitutionof aluminum for tin in tin cans. In the past year the useof aluminum foil has increased over one-third. The onlydrawback to this boom is that much of our aluminum oremust be imported.SPADE WORKBritish archeologists and classical historians are deciphering ancient texts from Crete and Greece which throwlight on the origin of the Homeric legends. Archeologistshave long known of the Cretan ruins, the remains of acivilization which flourished around 1300 B.C. It was onlyabout two years ago, however, that a London architectdiscovered how to read the Cretan inscriptions, whichare found on clay tablets. The inscriptions indicate thatmen bearing the names of Achilles, Hector, and otherHomeric heroes held land on Crete. There also are references to the legendary Queen Ariadne, who was supposedto have helped Teseus slay the fabulous Minotaur in alabyrinth.R. F. D. ANNIVERSARYA West Virginia community recently celebrated thesixtieth anniversary of the first rural free deliveryof mailin this country. In the early days, farmers had to pickup their mail at the nearest postoffice. The establishmentof rural free delivery came as the result of a long campaign by farmers' orgnizations. The first routes were established onlyafter a sufficient number of farmers petitioned for the service. Rural routes began to be motorizedin 1915, and since then the service has reached a high pointof efficiency.408"Unmoved ?>"None of these things move cried Paul ofTarsus when, tarrying for a brief time at Miletus,that he might fortify his faith bycommunion withthe Ephesian elders, he confronted the events whichwere to befall him at Jerusalem, all the more formidable because unknown for a large part of theterror of the future lies in its shadowy indistinctness, its vagueness of outline. Definite dangers maybe boldly met, but it is these haunting dreads, suffused with a dismal feeling-tone, that unnerve theordinary man. In Paul's case the only light thrownupon his future was that in every city "bondsand imprisonment" awaited him. Paul, however,was no ordinary man, and truly reported his experience and attitude in the brave pronouncement:me!""None of these things moveBut this was no mere stoic stolidity,or unimpressed passivity. Paul was a sensitive man, keenlyalive to the humiliation and embarrassments of thesuccessive social situations in which he was placed,freeborn as a Roman, yet fettered as a Christianpreacher, beaten, bruised, and often, as though aman of Succoth, "taught with thorns." He sufferedmost in spirit, and yet was brave amid it all bravest of all because very sensible of danger.So when Paul said he was unmoved, he meantnot that he did not feel things, but that he would notallow circumstances to overmaster him he was unmoved from his higher spiritual purpose, his ministry for Christ and men. What swayed him was animperative, inexorable heavenly motive. He mustfinish his course with faithfulness, and thereforewith joy. There could be no flinching nowhad been staked on the rigorous realitytoo muchof the newdoctrine of Christ, too much had already been sacrificed for Christ^the full measure of consecrationmust be filled up.So Polycarp, led to execution, yet pressed torecant, could say, "Forty years have I served Him,and He has done me no harm and shall I deny HimPersecution can be overcome only by perseverance ; there is no promise in going back after thatwhich will never come again, but only in going on.So Paul was unmoved, that is undeterred, butnot unmotived. His overmastering passion for Jesus, nay more, the far greater love of Christ for himwhich "constrained" the man of Tarsus, pushed himinevitably on toward heaven by way of Jerusalemand Rome. It was a splendid motive, but it costmuch. Moved Paul was in feeling, yet that was notallowed to affect his will, for the whole current of hislife, motivated by the urge of the Cross, was settingGodward, and not even Caesar on his imperial thronecould tempt him from Christ.Perhaps to one or another of ustoday is Gethsemane, or the place of our tarrying is some waystationMiletus. If so, our prayer must urgently,evenpassionately, be for grace to go on, for strengthto endure, for wisdom to unfold, during so much oflife as remains, the fuller implications of the motiveof the Cross. Zion's Herald, U.S.A.COVENANTER WITNESS

sun."sun,"worth?"me!"good?"sun,"sun."Lesson Helps for the Week of January, 8 1956C. Y. P. IT. TOPICFor January 8, 1956by Rev. T. R. HutchesonA LOOK AT MYSELF "FOR WHATWELL I SPEND MY LIFE?"(Used by permission of the InternationalChristian Endeavor Society)Scripture Matt. 16:24-26; 1 Cor. 3:11-15Psalms:Psalm 90:13-17, page 221Psalm 103:11-15, page 244Psalm 67:1-3, page 161Psalm 51:5-7, page 133Before we decide what to buy, wemust know how much we have to spend.So to start the discussion, have someonereview the conclusion from January 1topic, "What is my life Realizing its worth, I shall have a better ideaabout how to invest it. The speaker mayrefer to Matt. 16:26.Have other references read, to emphasize the great value of our lives1 John3:1; Rev. 1:5; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.The Book of Ecclesiastes is a classicdiscussion of this subject, "For what willI spend my life?" But the bulk of thetext there considers the question "underthe Leaving out the work of redemption by Christ, life is not worth living. Better than hell, of course. But notice the vanity of wisdom, Eccl. 1:12-18;of pleasure, Eccl. 2:1-11; of wealth, Eccl.5:9-16; of formal religion, Eccl. 5:1-7."Under the all is vanity and vexation of spirit.Assign those respective passages, andthe topics:1. Why is it vain to spend life for wisdom? To know the world as it is,and toknow that it cannot be improved, without divine help is a vexation of the spirit. Conclude by reading 1 Cor. 3:19.2. Why is it vain to spend life forpleasure? There was a certain party outto see the town who said, "I'm going tohave a good time if it killsIs thesum of the ten commandments, "Thoushalt not be happy?" How about cultured pleasures, such as music, art, andflower gardens?1 Tim. 5:6.Conclude by reading3. Why is it vain to spend life forwealth? Show that a man may bewealthy, and still be miserable. Conclude by reading Matt. 6:19-21.4. Why is it vain to spend life for formal religion? Condemn the Pharisees.Expose the error of making a journey toMecca once a lifetime, as the Moslemsaim to do. Apply the error to people whoDecember 21, 1955attend church faithfully, and supportthe church financially, but are not reallyredeemed. Conclude by reading Matt.23:23.And there is this important matter tothink about, which may be assigned as atopic "Should I spend my life doingLook at Luke 10:17-20 and Matthew 7:22-23.If these goals are vain, and vex thespirit, for what shall I spend my life?Ecclesiastes, looking at things "underthe says that all is vanity and vexation of spirit. But there is more than"under theAt this point, ask thefirst question of the Shorter Catechism.After the group has recited the answer,read in unison 1 Cor. 10:31.Then have someone prepared to speakon "The Rewards of Glorifying God."There are some good ideas in the answers to Catechism questions 32-38. Ifthese can be verified by personal testimony, your lives are being well spent.The time is limited. But there is theimportant question, "What commissiondid Jesus leave His disciples that willhelp me decide how I will spend mylife?"JUNIOR TOPICJanuary 8, 1956THE ARK AND THE PHLLISTLNESMrs. John C. FinlayHopkinton, IowaScripture Text; I Samuel 5, 6, 7:1Memory Verse: "The fear of the Lordis clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteousPsalmsaltogether."Psalm 19:9Psalm 9: page 15, verses 1-4Psalm 66 : page 157, verses 1-4Psalm 76 : page 184, verses 1, 3, 5Psalm 11: page 20, verse 5, 6, 7References: Isaiah 13:11; Psalm 1:6;9:16; Isaiah 30:18; Romans 11:33;James 4:7CommentsLet us go back to last week's lessonand review the highlights of it before webegin our lesson for this week. Can youremember five important things youlearned?Now, let us look at our topic for thisweek. I think there is one big lesson init for us. It is : The wicked may triumphfor awhile, but the time will surely comewhen they must meet the swift judgment of a sin-hating God."And the Philistines took the ark ofAshdod.'God, and brought it from Ebenezer untoAshdod was one of their fiveprincipal cities. They placed it in thehouse of their god Dagon. This idol wasrepresented with human hands and faceand the body of a fish. How proud andconceited the Philistines must havebeen! They thought that the powerwhich had always attended the arkwould be theirs. This, united with thepower of their god Dagon,them so strong they could never be defeated by any nation.would makeYou may well imagine their consternation the next day! They found theirgod Dagon had fallen upon his face before the ark of God. They put the idolcarefully back into its place. The nextmorning they found that Dagon hadfallen upon his face again. His head andhands were broken. The Philistines werefilled with terror. They looked upon thisas an evil omen. They were so afraidthat they put the ark in a building byitself.The people of Ashdod were strickenwith a painful disease. They attributedthis trouble to the presence of the ark intheir land. It was taken from one placeto another but the plague followed everywhere it went. They were afraid to leavethe ark in towns so they took it to anopen field. A plague of mice followed.Complete destruction threatened theirnation.The ark remained in Philistia for seven months. The Philistines were as anxious to free themselves from it as theyhad been to capture it. They had thoughtit would be a source of strength to them.Instead it had proved to be a curse.Wherever the ark went, the judgmentsof God followed it.At that time it was a heathen custom to make images of gold and silverof that which caused plagues. If somepart of the body was affected theywould make images of that. The imagewould then be set up in some conspicuous place. It was supposed to be a protection from evil.The Philistine lords directed the people to make these images because theydid not have the wisdom to cope withthe mysterious power accompanying theark. Although they did not recognize theGod of Israel they were forced by Hismany judgments to submit to His authority. When people refuse to listen tothe voice of God, His warnings, counselsand admonitions, He is forced to speakto them through judgments.The Philistines were afraid to keepthe ark any longer. Their priests andmagicians decided to send the ark with409

soul."cubit?"sitting"us"me."a golden trespass offering back to theland of Israel. It was to be carried in anew cart and drawn by two cows whoseyoung calves had been taken away fromthem. When the cows were turned loose,they did not turn back to their calves,but took the direct road to Beth-shemesh.No human hand guided them.This shows that a divine presence accompanied the ark.When it arrived at Beth-shemesh thepeople rejoiced to see it. The lords of thePhilistines who had followed it returnedto Ekron. The plague had ceased. Theywere convinced that their calamities hadbeen a punishment from the God ofIsrael.Word quickly spread throughout Israel that the ark had been returned.People flocked to see it. They did notprepare a suitable place for it. They allowed it to remain in an open harvestfield. These people had no true sense ofthe sacredness of God's ark. They did notfaithfully obey His law, nor did they repent of their sins. Finally, they wereovercome with curiosity. They removedthe coverings and opened the ark.All Israel had been taught to regardthe ark of the Lord with awe and reverence. The high priest had been allowedto see it only once a year. Even theheathen Philistines had not dared to remove the coverings. Manywere smittenwith instant death because of their sin.Read I Samuel 6:19 to learn how manydied.The people of Beth-shemesh wereeager to be free from the presence of theark. They sent a message to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jea-rim and asked themto take it away. I Samuel 7:1 tells us,"The men of Kirjath-jea-rim came andfetched up the ark of the Lord, andbrought it into the house of Abinadab inthe hill, and sanctified his son Eleazerto keep the ark of the Lord."Notebook Work:I. List the number of times in thesetwo chapters that people were punishedfor their sins.II. What happened each time?in. Turn to the Concordance in yourBible.A. Copy a verse which is a warningfrom God to each of us.B. Copyfrom God if we obey His Word.a verse which is a promiseThere is such a thing as putting ourselves in the way of God's overflowinglove, and letting it break upon us till theresponse of love to Him comes, not bystruggle, not even by deliberation, but bynecessity, as the echo comes when thesound strikes the rock.410Phillip Brooks.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONfor January 8, 1956JESUS TEACHES CONFIDENCEIN GODLuke 12:4-53Printed text Luke 12:22-34.(Lessons baaed on International Sunday SchoolLessons ; the International Bible Lessons foxChristian Teaching, copyrighted by InternationalCouncil of Religious Education.)Comments by John K. Gault,La Mirada, Cal.Confidence in God is essential in livinga well-balanced Christian life. It is surprisinghow few people there are whoshow any confidence in God; yet thislack has caused more misery for mankind, both individually and nationally,than anything else.One fact which stands out predominantly in our study of this lesson is thatconfidence in self alone is always misplaced. It is certainly like putting ourvaluables in a "bag with holes." Evidently people did not have pockets intheir clothing as they do today. A personwho had money or other valuables carried such articles in a bag. Judas heldthe bag at the supper. A bagin timewould have holes in it. Then a personwould lose his money.Now apart from God nothing in theworld is trustworthy, not even ourselves. This rich "fool" whom Jesusspeaks about seems to have had muchconfidence in self. He repeats the capitalI so much in this soliloquy, "I have noroom, This will I do, I will pull down,I will build greater, I will say to myHe was very self-confident,he placed his possessions in "bags withholes."soHis barns could not contain hissoul, for God said to him, "This nightthee."thy soul shall be required ofJesus says in this lesson, "Which ofyou with taking thought can add to hisThere are definitestature onelimits to all human effort; and anyonewho decides to direct the course of hislife without God is laboring under a delusion.Second, We should have confidence inGod because He is our Father. Jesussays, "Your Father knoweth that yehave need of these things." God is afather to those who have confidence inHim. The mere fact that God made usdoes not implythat He is a father tous. God is our father in that He redeemsus through Christ, and only in that waydo we become His children.Grandmother did "babytheother night with our youngest grandchild, while his parents went out for theevening. After they had slipped out hemissed them and wanted down on thefloor. He then crawled rapidly allaround in the house but not finding hisand refused toparents he began to crybe comforted for some time. Grandfathertried to comfort him but he "settled"for Grandmother. I suppose he concludedthat she was the lesser of the two evils.When his parents returned his facelighted up with a bigsmile of perfectconfidence. Our confidence in God isalways important for He fills a place inour lives which can be filled by no otherperson. Being our father God has a perfect knowledge of our situation and ourneeds. This thought the psalmist expresses beautifullyin Ps. 139 "Thouknowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thoughtafar off. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attainunto it. If I take the wings of themorning, and dwell in the uttermostparts of the sea, even there shall thyhand lead me, and thy right hand shallholdAgain, in this lesson about Confidencein God, Jesus impresses upon us the follyand sinfulness of being over-anxiousabout the things of this world. Now, undoubtedly, one reason that people become over-anxious about worldly thingsis that they are unable or unwilling todistinguish between what they need andwhat they want. Jesus says in this connection, "Your Father knoweth that yehave need of these things," and not,"that ye want these things." We want agreat many things in the world. But theimportant question is, Do we really needthem?We may feel that we need health butGod may think otherwise. We think weneed to live, or that others need to live,but God does not consider is so needful.As Jesus hung on the cross between thetwo malefactors He did not save thepenitent thief from intense physical suffering. He did not save Himself, "andas the impenitent thief suggested.But He did give to the one who askedfor it something he really needed whenHe said, "Today thou shalt be with mein Paradise."Jesus advises us to learn from naturewhich God has also made. The ravenshave"neither storehouse nor barns."They are the solitary scavengers of thewilderness finding their food wheneverand wherever they can. Now the pointis that these birds, the ravens and thesparrows lay nothing up. What they cannot eat at the moment they go away andleave. We are inclined to think so muchabout worldly things that what we cannot use at the moment we lay up andhoard, and if we have nothing laid upfor the future we worry about it. Someof the children of Israel thought somuch about the manna which God sentto them that they sought to hoard it.When they did so it stank and bredCOVENANTER WITNESS

share"prayer,"not."groups."saries."eyes"not,"worms. They were taught to trust inGod from day to day. Moses, in his blessing upon Asher said, "As thy day, soshall thy strength be.""Seek ye first the Kingdom of God."First things should be placed first in allour endeavor. Every person in his rightmind makes use of some kind of orderlyprocedure as he goes about his work.Important duties are placed first in ourdaily work. The Kingdom of God is themost important objective of life and Jesus says to seek it and not to be overanxious about the things of this world,which the rich fool had for a short timeand then he was taken away from them.We should have confidence in God because he will eventually set things right.The first coming of Christ has causeddivisions as is taught in this passage.Right must always be opposed to wrong.Jesus came first to establish His kingdom and in doing so He held up thehighest standards before people.Theolder brother may have the "lion'sof the estate. But Jesus did notcome into this world to divide up estatesso that each one will get a just share.The world is full of injustice.Jesuscame not to be an earthly judge or anumpire. To insist that Jesus act in sucha capacity is indication that our heartsare set upon the things of this worldwhich Jesus is here warning us against.But when Jesus comesthe secondtime, whether at death or at the time ofHis last final coming He will come asa rewarder and as a punisher. In otherwords He will come to set things right.Heaven is a place where all things willbe right and not wrong.In view of this it should be our ambition to be ready to meet Christ whenHe comes. He says, "Be ye thereforeready also: for the Son of Man comethat an hour when ye thinkOurconfidence in God should be such thatwe will be in a constant state of preparation for the great comingLord.of ourWEEK-OF-PRAYER ANNOUNCEDPITTSBURGH It is not too earlyto begin preparation for the appropriateand fruitful observance of the UniversalWeek of Prayer, January 1 to 8, 1956,suggests the Board of Administration'sGeneral Committee on Evangelism.Whether the local congregation conductsits own series of prayer services at thebeginningof the new calendar andchurch year, or joins other church bodiesin the community in such a "season ofcongregational leaders,especially those entrusted with the spirituallife of the members, will be pleased tohave this announcement of the themeDecember 21, 1955for the week, the Scripture portions tobe read and studied, and the directivesfor prayer that are offered.The theme for this approaching Universal Week of Prayer observance willbe "A Pilgrimage of Prayer." The dayby-daythemes are: Sabbath, January 1,"Commitment for the Journey"Psalm42:43 and Luke 18:1-8; Monday, "Preparation for the Journey" Psalm 40:1-11and Luke 14:15-24; Tuesday, "Beginningand Destination: Knowing God"Isaiah6:1-11 and John 14:6-11; Wednesday,"Failure and Recovery" Numbers 11:4-6, 13:32-14:4; Thursday, "The Uses ofthe Way" Psalm 90 and Phil. 4:4-13;Friday, "Taking Others with Us"Mark 2:1-12 and Psalm 122; Saturday,"The Company of Pilgrims" Psalms 42and 43 and Rev. 4:1-11; Sabbath, Jan. 8,"We Desire a Better Country" Heb. 11:1-12:2 and Mark 4:1-9.For more than one hundred years thisprayer movement, timed fittingly as theNew Year's beginning, has given millionsof God's people the opportunity to praytogether in local churches, interdenominational meetings, and smaller prayergroups or cells during a particular week.In the United States a growing numberof cities and towns and rural communities will participate in this worldfellowship of prayer. Only God can measure the accomplishment of such unitedintercession. And what time has thereever been in our world when prayer onthe part of God's people was more needed?The Joint Department of Evangelismof the National Council of the Churchesof Christ again has prepared helps forthe observance of this week of prayer.It has made available a booklet writtenthis year by Dr. John Casteel of theColgate-Rochester Divinity school. Inthe foreword the writer says: "This little booklet is written for the purpose ofproviding some guidance in the elementsof prayer, particularly for those whohave not had opportunity for a largerexperience and any advanced instructionin its practice. While its suggestions areintended for the individual, it takes account of the fact that many persons areembarking... on the life of prayer asmembers of small praying groups; hencesuggestions are given also for meetingsof theseDr. Casteel suggestshymns and psalms to be sung and provides a deeplyspiritual meditation foreach day with definite directives to individuals and groups engaging in prayer.The Joint department also is offeringa multigraphed manual on "How toMake Universal Week of Prayer Meaningful in Your Community." This manualis a very practical down-to-earth studyof ways and means. It not only outlinesits good suggestions but tells the story ofthe fruitful observance of the weeks ofprayer in various communities.Both the prayer booklet and the manual of suggestions may be ordered directly from the Joint Department ofEvangelism, 297 Fourth Avenue, NewYork 10, N. Y. The use of them is strongly recommended by the General Committee on Evangelism of the Board ofAdministration.United PresbyterianW. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Larimer. Editor.Praver Hour. 1 :00 P.M. MondavTopic for JanuaryDOORS AND WINDOWS(Temperance)"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth;Keep the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3By Mrs. Alvin SmithThis is only one of many prayers weshould be offering up to the Throneof Grace each day. "Lord, open thouminethat we may see the deceptivenessand evil intent in the liquortraffic's strategy; that we may lookon those things that are good."Take heed what ye hear," Mark4:24. Lord, give us hearing ears thatwe may turn from those things thatare false and would lead us astray."Ponder the path of thy feet,Proverbs 4:26. Lord, keep our feet onthe straight and narrow path whenmany around us are on the broad waygoing to destruction."Touch not, taste not, handleColossians 3:21. Lord, use our handsin thy service that we may not playwith sin nor go in the way of temptation. "O Lord, open thou my lips."Psalm 51:15,that I may warn others, that I may tell them the truth."At the last it biteth like a serpentand stingeth like an adder."Proverbs23:32, and that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God, I Cor. 6:9,10.We need to pray, too, that the Lordwould help us to "strengthen the weakhands and confirm the feeble knees"for there are many today who haveno mind of their own, just followingthe crowd.Again in I Cor. 16:9 we are told thata "great door and effectual is openedunto me, and there are many adverChristians,How true this is today! Aswe have a great responsibility to tell the facts, but how manyadversaries there are, even amongprofessing Christians.411

These verses give us plenty of warning to shut out evil and also encourage us to enter the open doors of opportunity to sow seed for TOTALABSTINENCE. There are facts whichwe need to be able to tell. Many A-merican citizens are ignorant and aredeluded by false claims. Our duty asChristians is to give them the truth.For example:Since 1934, liquor sales increased 14times faster than the population; viz.population increased only 25.3%.Again, the National Safety Councilestimates that for the year 1952 40%of the motor vehicle accidents weredue to alcohol. This means that of the2,127,600 casualties of dead and injured, 851,040 were due to alcohol. THISFAR EXCEEDS THE 556,126 TOTALCASUALTIES OF DEAD ANDWOUNDED IN THE 5 YEARSOFWORLD WAR II. For the year 1953the figures are still higher.Another fact, there are $60 millionspent for advertising of alcoholic beverages in a single year "increasinglyfocused on the American Home byRadio and Television to make drinkersof the mothers and youth of our country."A fallacy we must contest is the claimthat beer and liquor BELONG to thelife in the U.S. Many will not listenwhen the moral side of the issue ispresented; but who can contradict thetestimony of such persons as EugeniaPrice, Senator Richard L. Newbergerof Oregon (June 1955, Christian Herald) and numerous members of Alcoholics Anonymous together with otherswhen they all agree that no problemis ever solved by the use of alcoholand most problems are aggravated byit?As Christians, we, of course, beginwith the moral issue,the right andwrong of the question. But those whoare insensible to the moral phase, willfrequently listen to such statementsas those presented inthe new bookby Ralph A. Habas entitled "What YouShould Know About Drinking.""In the United States alone there are65 million persons who use alcoholicbeverages. Of this total, 8 million arehabitual drinkers and at least 4 million,or one out of every 16 an alcohol userwhose drinking has become a seriousproblem to themselves and others.Moreover, the number of problemdrinkers in this country is increasingyear."at the alarming rate of 250,000 aOther sources show that from 750,000to 1 million are chronic alcoholics withdrinking beyond their control. Alarming? That is expressing it mildly. THEU.S.A. IS ALREADY ON THE SKIDS.Unless the Christian Church people a-412waken to our peril, we face national collapse.The picture is a dark one, but bylooking at the seemy side we can betterappreciate the freedom offered throughJesus Christ, who can take away thesin (of the making and use of beveragealcohol with its effects) from the world.How wonderful it is to hear the testimonyof the sinner who tells of thesaving power of Christ who forgiveshim of his sin and gives him the joy ofsalvation; then also to hear of thekeeping power of Christ to deliver himin the hour and path of temptation!For such redeemed the world becomesa beautiful place in which to live and enjoy the innumerable blessings of God.Let us rejoice and give thanks, butat the same time let us pray as wework to enlighten those around us regarding the snares of Satan laid for unwary feet by the Liquor Traffic.IMPORTANT NOTICE TO LOCALW.M.S. We have received requestsfrom several Women's Missionary Societies, asking for information about yourmission work in our new field in SanDiego for use in your January meeting. With the thought that others willbe writing to ask for information, too,we prepared a letter which has beensent to each local society. It has beenaddressed to the officer whose nameappears in the last Minutes of Synod.If you are the one scheduled to bringthis information to your W.M.S., pleasecontact the person from your societywhose name appears in the Minutesof Synod and get this letter from her.It will give you the information you'dlike to have for your missionary Society. J. D. and Lucile D. Edgar.LIQUOR ADVERTISING INPUBLIC PRESSIt is a well known fact that READERS DIGEST until very recently contained no advertisements of any kind.With the April, 1955 issue its advertising policy changed. It now accepts advertisements. In announcing the change,the editors specificallystated that noadvertisements of liquor, tobacco or patent medicines would be accepted.In taking this stand READERS DIGEST is to be congratulated. It is setting up a standard and saying no productthat does not measure up to that standard will be admitted to its columns. Itthus places a stigma upon the productsexcluded. In effect it is saying of theseproducts, in our judgment, "They areevil, not good. We will have no part inpromoting their sale and consumption."The influence of this stand will be farreaching.READERS DIGEST has apaid circulation in the United States ofover 10,000,000circulation of anymore than twice theother magazine published in the United States. In addition,it is the best read of any of our magazines. Its thirty to forty millions ofAmerican readers will note the absenceof advertisements of liquor, tobacco andpatent medicines and ask themselves,"Why"?The DIGEST'S stand against liquoradvertisements in particular is a greatvictory for the temperance forces of thiscountry. They should recognize it, rejoice in it and make the most of it. Especially should they write a congratulatory letter to the editors, Dewitt Wallace and Lila Acheson Wallace, Pleasantville,New York.Of course, there are other Americanmagazines that refuse all alcoholic beverage advertisements. We could name asmany as a dozen, each of which has a circulation of anywhere from one to fivemillion, and a combined circulation ofover thirty million; but READERS DIGEST tops them all. These also shouldbe commended. We suggest our readerstake time out to write a number ofthem.But over against these "dry" magazines we should face the fact that thereare more magazines, each of which havea circulation running into the millions,that do accept liquor advertisements,thus placing the stamp of their approvalupon drinking and the drink traffic.They aid and abet the sale and consumption of these poisonous beverages andshare with the liquor dealers in the trainof evils that result therefrom.We should bring the full weight of ourcondemnation to bear upon them. Especially at this pre-Christmas season ofthe year when they collaborate withthe liquor industry in increasing, andin some instances doubling the volume ofliquor advertising and making it themost attractive and persuasive of theentire year with a view to inducing thepeople to lay up an abundant supply forthe proper celebration of Christmas.This year they are stressing, not only thesuperb quality of the liquors, but thecontainers in which they are to be presented to friendsnot an ordinary bottle, but an exquisitely beautiful decanter,designed and manufactured for this special use. This is the Christmas gift, thatwill be most appreciated and prized byyour friends. Thus they join hands withthe distillers and brewers in profaningthis sacred day on which Christ, the Sonof God and the Saviour of the World,was born.Surely, everyone who appreciates thetrue meaning and purpose of Christmaswill take time off to let a few advertisers of liquor know whatthey think ofCOVENANTER WITNESS

out."this pre-Christmas advertising of alcoholic beverages.But in addition to this: Why not joinup with the National Temperance andProhibition Council, which is carryingforward a continuous Crusade againstall liquor advertising. This Council consists of 22national temperance andchurch organizations, representing some25,000,000 people. If you are not alreadya participant, we will be glad to sendyou, free, a large four-page "CrusadeCircular" with full information regarding the Crusade and how to participatein it.Respectfully submitted,Dr. R. H. Martin, ChairmanCommittee Against Liquor Advertising of the N. T. P. C.1301 Clark Bldg., Pittsburgh 22, Pa.Dear Mr. Taggart,Editor-of-you-knowwhat:609 Cherry LanePueblo, ColoradoNovember 28, 1955Enclosed is a copy of the letter I ammailing to Parents Magazine. My husband said the other one was too indignant to do any good.I am also sending this and a requestto the National Reform office. Maybethey have a list of "mother" advertisers(such as Talon) who practice a Christian attitude. Those are the ones I wouldlike to write to. However the stand ondrinking taken in the same issue mightmake some difficulties in all-out protest.I'd like to hear their ideas.If any of our people know in any sortof way Christian people in the list ofAdvisory Editors shown on page 6 ofParents can be influenced maybe an honest word there could let PARENTSknow they have made a very big mistake about the mentalityhomes.of AmericanI am sorry to ask you to look up yourown magazine to see what I am talkingabout. But I'm sending the offendingpage in PARENTS and also John McMillan's Christmas statement in theWITNESS, page 342, to our PTA.Sincerely,Mary McCroryPARENTS52 Vanderbilt Ave.,New York 17, N. Y.609 Cherry LanePueblo, ColoradoNovember 28, 1955Mrs. Clara Savage Littledale, EditorDear Madam:I went to bed after my tiredest Saturday to read "What to do if you're alltired I read it. Then, as my threechildren did not develop croup as theyhad threatened to do, I turned to page35 of the December issue and tossedChurch NewsA call was made by the Union congregation at Mars, Penna. upon LicentiateArmour J. McFarland on Saturday, December 10, 1955. The call was madeunanimous.D. H. Elliott, ModeratorSEATTLE NEWSOn October 26 the Seattle Congregation was privileged to hear, as ourThanksgiving speaker, Miss Rose Huston. She gave us a most enjoyable evening; following her speech, pie and coffeewere served by the social committee,Mrs. S. M. Dodds and Mrs. M. W. Martin.The Seattle Congregation deeply regrets the passingof Mrs. AnabelleBoyle, who passed to her heavenly reward on October 24. She had been illfrom a stroke for some time and herlast months were spent entirely in bed.the whole night through.If the editors of PARENTS cannotdistinguish between the birth of Christ,of Confucius, of Buddha, and of my ownchild, how can I trust them to recommend the best medical practices, bestdisciplinary methods, best food, toys andclothes.I have never written askingyou toput Christ, or even Buddha, into Christmas. It was ever a holiday and hardlya holy day. But I am startled to haveyou bring the essence of unbelief andfalse tolerance into my home.To be tired as I am and so annoyed!Phooey on PARENTS !Now I must compose and write this letter. I must takethe time to select and write certain ofyour advertisers to let them know I nolonger trust your editorial judgmentalthough I suppose I will be seeing theirads in your paper for 41 more issues. Iwill be obliged to read future copies ofCHILDREN'SDIGEST with a morecritical eye instead of entrusting themblithely to mynine-year-old to read toall who will listen. Hardest of all, I willhave to express my gripe at PTA. Maybesome of those mothers believe in PARENTS .. . same as I did.It is awkward because I want to COMMEND you for the sturdyyoutake against alcoholic beverages servedto youth expressed on page 49.This worries me. This makes me verytired. I wish you had made funny faceson your December feature page.Sincerely,Mrs. J. D. McCroryShe was eagerly looking forward to hernew home in Heaven.On November 1 a semi-annual congregational meetingwas heldat thechurch at which time it was decidedto sell the two lots adjacent to theparsonage. Plansare now under waybut are yet to be completed.November 15found the elders andtheir wives being entertained at a dinner given by Rev. and Mrs. M. W. Martin in the parsonage. A most enjoyableevening was spent following the dinner.Our sympathies to Lee and RuthBarclay who have been suffering withthe mumps.SYRACUSE, N. Y.We are very glad that Mr. RobertMcCracken has accepted the call toour church.We are looking forwardto having him and his wife as soonas the Seminary closes.Rev. Herbert Hays conducted ourCommunion, November 13, and gave inspiring messages. He stayed over andwas the speaker at our ThankofferingMeeting, following a congregational dinner. We are always helped and takea greater interest in missionsafterhearing our missionaries.We had a minister from the RescueMission, preach for us, on Thanksgiving.Mr. and Mrs. Earl Dunn of BeaverFalls, came to spend a few days withtheir daughter, Mrs. Raymond Park,and her family. They brought with themtheir grandson, David Park, Lois Ramsay and two other young folks fromFayetteville all of whom are attending Geneva college.Dr. D. C. Park and son, Mr. Raymond Park, are attending a convention at Miami.SAN DffiGOOne of the things noticed and remarked about byvisitors to our congregation is the number of men andyoung men teachers in our Bible School.Of our ten older classes (from 3rdGrade up), all but one are taught bymen, which probably is some sort ofrecord. We thank God for these willingand faithful teachers.A few weeks ago, we held an election for elders which resulted in thechoice of Mr. Marshall Smith. The Lordled him to accept this important officeand he has been ordained and installed.We were happy to welcome into ourchurch fellowshipat our fall commun-Deeember 21, 1955 413

ion the followingMrs. Howard Nott, Sr. and their sonmembers: Mr. andHoward; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bleyleand son Paul;and Tera Ann and CarolJilio. Mrs. Nott and Howard receivedthe sacrament of baptism as did Mrs.Bleyle and five Bleyle children Paul,Gary, Karin, David, and Dale, also TeraAnn and Carol Jilio; and Danny Sass,infant son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sass.We wish to thank all thoseindividuals, W.M.S. groups, Sabbath Schools,and Junior Groups who have contributed to our Church Building Fund inrecent months. We appreciate everysingle gift and feel that it will finduseful service in the Lord's work. OurBuilding Fund continues to grow slowly, but we have the confidence thatthe Lord will provide until there isenough.Our Building Committee is workingon plans, and we hope to start building as soon as we have sufficient fundsto buy necessary materials. We hopeto secure largely volunteer labor as wedid when we built the first section ofthe church three years ago. We hopeto be able to add nine additional S. S.classrooms, a storeroom, a combinedOfficers'libary and S. S. room, an assembly room,and perhaps additionalrestrooms to accommodate those whowill be using these new rooms.Praywith and for us that the Lordwill bless and direct in all of this!We were happy to have Miss EtheleneJones of Selma with us at ourrecent communion service. Another visitor from faraway places is Mr. YoungSon of Seoul, Korea, a student at SanDiego State College. Young was nothappy in his Christian fellowship inthis country until he located what hecalls "our Reformed PresbyterianChurch."Now he worships with us regularly morning and evening each Sabbath and at the mid-week service. Itdid not take him long to search out achurch that he felt conformed to the"Reformed Faith" as he knew itKorea. The first church he attendeddid not satisfy. Though a stranger ina strange land (he knew only his"sponsor" whom he had met in servicein Korea), he searched entirelyinon hisown to find a church that held to the"Reformed Doctrine," and was worshiping in our church the second Sabbath after his arrival in this country.Joann Shuman and JackPetersenwere united in marriage by the bride'sgrandfather, Dr. J. D. Edgar, in a wedding in the church, November 4. Joannwas graduated from high school lastspring, and is employed in one of theaircraft factories here. Jack is in theNavy. They have established their homein San Diego.414SANTA ANAElin Gae, ten month old daughter ofMr. and Mrs. Thomas Davis, was baptized by our pastor on Sabbath, November 6. Prayer was offered by Dr. Samuel Edgar.Mrs. Alice Nelson Blackburn passedaway on November 16 following a longillness. Rev. McFarland, assisted by Dr.Edgar, conducted the funeral service onNovember 18.A dinner meeting of the ChristianCitizens'Association was held in LosAngeles on November 18. Two cars fromSanta Ana took loads.On Thanksgiving morning we assembled for our own Thanksgiving service.Rev. McFarland's timely message causedus to give thanks anew for unnumberedblessings.Rev. Paul Robb of Los Angeles andour pastor exchanged pulpits on Sabbathevening, November 27. We rejoice withLos Angeles in the pastoral leadershipwhich both our congregations have.Miss Rose Huston brought our Thankofferingmessage on November 30. Afamily night supper preceded Miss Huston's talk. Attendance was good, andliberal offerings were received by theW.M.S.and the King's Daughters inthis joint meeting.Mrs. Nannie Robertson of Montana isa welcome visitor in our circle as shewinters with her sister, Mrs. MyraSmith.Contributions to the Budget ofThese visitors have recently worshipedwith us : Mrs. Mary McBurney of SierraMadre, Mrs. Betty Pritchard Dunbar,Anne and Donald of New Jersey, Mr.and Mrs. Bill Copeland and Miss LoisJean Copeland of Fresno, Misses Marjorie and Louisa McClurkin of LongBeach, Mr. W. H. Wylie of Kansas, andMrs. Philip Gross of Los Angeles.As the year 1955 draws to a close, theSanta Ana congregation rejoices in progress both material and spiritual. Thiscalendar year has seen us provided withour newly-ordained and installed pastor.There is a growing concern for spreading the Gospel message in our community. Appreciation and understanding ofthe Bible truths held by our denomination are being cultivated. We givethanks for these signs of progress.On the material side this calendaryear has brought many improvements toour church plant. Refinished floors, aisleand rostrum carpeting, exterior paintjob, roof repair, and newly-upholsteredpulpit chairs are the major improvements. Generous gifts of money and labor have aided materially in accomplishing all these improvements.Our semi-centennial celebration lastAugust marks the year 1955 as a red-The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America.April 1, 1955 December 1, 1955Amount of Budget $120,000.00Raised to December 1, 1955, $50,485.22 or 41%Received toDepartments to receive Dec. 1, 1955Foreign Mission Board $32,400.00 $11,988.00Home Mission Board 9,000.00 3,330.00Southern Mission 0 2,032.08Indian Mission 2,400.00 888.00Kentucky Mission 4,000.00 3,733.34Home Mission Sec't 4,000.00 1,480.00Young People's Sec't 350.00 129.50Woman's Association 6,000.00 2,220.00Theological Seminary 9,000.00 3,330.00Students Aid 1,550.00 573.50__5,000.00-4,995.00Ministerial Relief 12,000.00 4,440.00Widows & Orphans 2,000.00740.00Geneva College 15,000.005,550.00Covenanter Witness 7,800.00Witness Committee 13,500.00Christian Education 500.00185.00Miscellaneous Acct. 400.00148.00National Association of Evang. 100.0037.00$120,000.004 Months left in the Church Year to raise$70,000.00. We can do it if we all pull together.Chester R. Fox, TREAS.$50,799.42COVENANTER WITNESS

letter one. We pray that with God'shelp the Santa.;-An?, congregation: maymove forward to greater blessings.PHOENIX; ARIZONAMr. and Mrs. Donald Crawford movedto Greensburg, Pa., near the schoolwhere Don had a position awaiting himthe first of September. A farewell dinner was given in their honor when theyreturned to Phoenix to load their furniture and sell their home. John Steele,Mrs.Crawford's brother, accompaniedthem on their trip. Our best wishes gowith them.The CYPU enjoyed a Halloween partyat the home of their sponsors, Mr. andMrs. Elmer Graham.Our fall communion was observed onNovember 20 with Mr. Lester Kilpatrickfrom Sterling assisting our pastor. Mrs.Mackey and her son Freddy joined thechurch at this time on profession offaith.The Phoenix WMS celebrated theirfifth anniversarythe 1st of November.The December meeting was held in thenew home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cox,located at 2530 E. Minnezona.The Elmer Searle family enjoyed avisit with Mrs. Searle's parents, Mr. andMrs. Kennedy from Greeley over theThanksgiving holiday.We are happy to have the Harry McElwain family from Rose Point in ourgroup. Mrs. McElwain, David and Lindaflew from Springfield, Mo., to Phoenixbecause of Linda's illness. Linda spentabout a week in the hospital but we areglad to report she is better and startedto school December 5.Mr. McElwaincame on by car and began his new jobthe same morning his daughter startedback to school.The first Sabbath eveningof themonth Dr. McElhinney is conductingservices in the Phoenix Lighthouse Rescue Mission. Several members of the congregation accompany him to help withthe singing of the Psalms.The WMS gave the Thanksgiving dinner in honor of Miss Eleanor Faris inJapan. Following the dinner the Thanksgiving Service was conducted by Dr.McElhinney. Later in the afternoon themembers of the congregation met andmade out a call to the Rev. Lester Kilpatrick. We are praying for Mr. Kilpatrick and his family as they consider thiscall.UNITED PHILADELPHIAOn Friday, November 4, the Juniorswere entertained at the parsonage. Thegames were livelyeats enjoyed by all.Our Thanksgivingand varied and theservice was heldin the parsonage with an overflow attendance. We were glad to have so many ofDecember 21, 1955our young people and their friends withus. On Thanksgiving afternoon a groupof the young people gathered at theJackson home and helped Mrs. MaryWillson celebrate her birthday by singingPsalms.a number of favorite and appropriateWe have many things to be thankfulfor. The contract for building our newchurch has been signed and work isstarting soon.Rev. Herbert Hays from Syria was thespeaker at the Women's Missionary Society Thankoffering Service on November 27. The Juniors with Mrs. McCracken also took part in this service. In theevening Mr. Hays illustrated his message with slides of the work and workers in Syria. In the afternoon a groupwent to the Hahn Nursing Home for ashort service and Psalm singing. Thisseemed to be appreciated and we are invited back.The parsonage was a busyplace thismonth. About fourteen young peoplegathered there for a party on November25 and enjoyed the fun and eats.Mr. Robert Wilson was admitted tothe hospital for possible surgery. Ourprayers go with him.We extend congratulations to CharlesJilek and Joanne McKechney on theirengagement. Charles is the son of Mrs.James Hartin.STERLING NEWSNot Only Reliefbut the gospel as wellto meet the needsof a suffering worldThat is why the National Associationof Evangelicals through its World Relief Commission provides for the distribution of relief food andclothingivith the Gospel in the language of therecipient, bringingboth physical andspiritual comfort to the needy.This is one of the ways many the N. A. E.provides for cooperative service withoutcompromise for the Bible believers inAmerica.Fill out this coupon ifyou want to know moreabout NAE's programof reliefThe Rev. Waldo Mitchel assisted atthe fall communion November 6, atwhich time Mrs. Karl Cunningham, for-and evangelization.National Association ofEvangelicals108 North Main Street,Wheaton, IllinoisPlease send me more informationon NAE's program of relief andevangelization.NameAddress , .:City & State -....i I in i I im---J415

saints."mer member of the U. P. Church, wasreceived into membership. Mr. and Mrs.Howard Mann were received by letterfrom the Hebron congregation, also theirdaughter Pamela as a baptized member.Elsie Joan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.Stephen Wilkey; Debra Mae, daughterof Mr. and Mrs. Dean Fountain; andLinda Jo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.Karl Cunningham, were baptized.Among fall visitors have been: Mr.and Mrs. Hugh McCrum of Santa Ana,Calif.; the Joe McKinley family of College Springs, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. FredMcKissick and Mr. and Mrs. Reid Hindman of Minneola; Mr. and Mrs. MilfordHayes of Morning Sun, Iowa; Mrs.Frank Haynes and Marguerite of Tulsa,Okla.; Mrs. Mary Tippin of Olathe, andRalph Snair of Wichita, Kansas.Sterling congregation was honored inhaving the Rev. Herbert Hays, one ofher own sons, speak on the work of hischosen field, the Syrian Mission. A covered dish dinner was served in his honor.Those making extensive trips duringthe late summer and fall have been Mr.and Mrs. Warnock Patton to Coloradoand Nebraska; Mr. and Mrs. Alan Marshall to New Mexico; Mr. and Mrs.James Humphreys to Ohio; Mr. andMrs. R. M. Edgar to Tennessee;and Mr.and Mrs. Ervin Young to YellowstonePark.The Young Adult Class meets for asocial meeting each month.The thank offering meeting was heldDecember 14, with the Rev. RobertStrubar, District Superintendent of theMissionary Church, as the speaker.The new officers of the Intermediatesare: Bob Reed, president; John Wilkey,vice president; John Kilpatrick, treasurer; Harry Wilkey, secretary. Theirlast quarter's offering was sent to theKentucky Mission.Miss Mary Adams has returned to thehome of her sister, Mrs. Warnock Patton, followingwork in Winnipeg, Canada.the termination of herMrs. Willis Edgar who underwent surgery in November is happy to be backin her school room in Burdett.Mr. Robert McCroryworshiped withus December 4, after an enforced absence of several months due to hospitalization because of a leg injury receivedwhile silo filling. His legcast several weeks yet.will be in aLocal civic clubs continue to enjoy thevocal solos of Miss Melody McFarland,daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eldo McFarland; and the women's quartet: Mmes.Reed, G. Wilkey, Oline and Kilpatrick.Sam Wilkey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Wilkey, has been named on the All-State football team. Sam, a 6 ft. Seniorin Nickerson High, is a rugged 180pounder, who has carried the ball 126416times this year for 1,397 yards, an average of 11 yards per carry.When the Rev. L. E. Kilpatrick assisted Communion at Phoenix, Arizona,November 20, Mr. R. J. Dill led prayermeeting in behalf of missions.Mrs. Albert Young and Mrs. BlancheCunningham have sponsored severaltemperance speaking contests recently.MRS. WILL C. FINLEYAnna Jane Finley, was born nearSparta, Illinois, on December 31, 1879,and passed away at her home in Sparta,October 14, 1955, at the age of 75 years.On December 3, 1930, she was unitedin marriage to William Cargill Finley,who survives. At the age of sixteen, sheprofessed her faith in Christ, unitingwith the Old Bethel Covenanter Church,where she was a faithful member at thetime of her death. For a number ofyears she was a member of the Covenanter Church in Sparta. She was very active in the work of both congregations.She is survived, in addition to herhusband, by four brothers: Clarence,David, and John Reid, of Sparta; andHarold Reid of Oak Park, Illinois; andby many other relatives and friends."God is the strength of my heart, andmy portion forever." (Psalm 73:26)ELWOOD STEWARTElwood Stewart died Nov. 16, 1955, atDeming, New Mexico.He was born December 29, 1895, inClay County, Kansas. He was a lifelong member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.On February 9, 1927, he was marriedto Fern Tippin at Clarinda, la. She preceded him in death in April, 1934. Twodaughters, Mrs. Myrtle Beem of Topeka,Kansas, and Mrs. Mildred Murdock ofGirard, Kansas, survive this marriage.On June 17, 1936, Mr. Stewart wasmarried to Florence Wells who surviveshim. Other survivors include one daughter, Mary, and one son, Clyde of thehome. Also five grandchildren, one sister,Mrs. Hannah Weeks of Lawrence, Kansas, four brothers, Mac Stewart of Parsons, Kansas, Bob Stewart of Towanda,Kansas, Arthur Stewart of Paradise,California, and Leland Stewart of Topeka, Kansas.Funeral services were held at theWheeler Chapel in Deming, Saturday,November 19. Burial was in the Demingcemetery.HERBERT F. MARTINThe Denver Congregation has suffereda great loss in the death of elder Herbert Martin. He passed away suddenlySabbath evening October 2 of coronaryocclusion. He was 69 years of age, butstill strong and active.He is survived by his wife, Mary BlackClarinda,Martin; one brother Robert J. Martin ofIowa, three sisters, Mrs. Bertha Young of Denison, Kans., Mrs. Myrtle Tippin of Clarinda, Iowa, and Mrs.Grace Miller of Topeka, Kans.From his youth he had been a faithfulmember of the Covenanter Church andserved as elder about 30 years in theDenver congregation, where he was avalued worker in other capacities aswell.Words fail to tell of his sterling qualities of character. He was clean andwholesome, of a bouyant personality, aprince amongmen. He was large andstrong physically, yet humble and gentle.He will be remembered for his love ofchildren and how theyclustered abouthim. He was faithful in the House ofGod, and a witness before men.ALBERT RIDDERING.That was an impressive Farewell service conducted in the La Junta ColoradoFuneral Parlor for Albert Riddering.Service was in charge of the U. S. Chaplain of the Veteran Hospital at FortLyon. Here Albert was in residence fora number of years because of physicallimitations. He was a veteran of WorldWar I. He was a devoted Christian anda member of the La Junta CovenanterChurch, and even after it closed his loyaltycontinued to the Denomination asshown in liberal gifts for our ForeignMission and general work of thechurch. During those years in the Hospital there was never a word of complaint or murmuring. His was a strongfaith in what Christ had done for him.He enjoyed the Chaplain's visits andtimes for prayer when he was able. Hissister Mrs. James Dodds visited himwith untiring love and devotion till theend came. The favorite Psalms weresung by a Quartet from the MennoniteChurch. Albert was a member of thatesteemed Henry Riddering family thatcame to La Junta from the ChristianReformed Church. Mr. Riddering waselected an Elder which office he heldwith distinction. The whole family lovedto share their means with the work ofthe church. They made many investments in our China work. When wethink of Albert's passing, 'tis the close ofa life rich in faith and love for the Master's work.Mrs. Dodds is the last of the family,all having preceded her to the HeavenHome. As we think of Henry and hisdevoted life we say, "Precious in thesight of the Lord is the death of HisCOVENANTER WITNESS

period."solution"me."ECHOES NUMBERBIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 15, 1956WitnessVOLUME LV, NO. 26 TOPEKA, KANSAS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1955Steppinginto a New YearBy Edwin Raymond AndersonA Brand new bundle marked "A New Year" hasbeen placed before us,which contains an assortmentof days. For some of us, there will be more thanothers, but we can only extract one at a time. Wecannot count them all at once, for as the Word of Godreminds us : "What is your life? It is even a vapour,that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishethaway."lA brand new year! We face it, each with ourown thoughts. We think of tomorrow in the lightand shadows of yesterday, sincerely desiring evento the point of earnestly promising ourselves, thatthis year shall tell a better story. For many this willrevolve about the business of RESOLUTIONSthose solemn promises compiled in a long list of do'sand don'ts.A prominent psychology professor has expressed concern over this, because it has become a jokewith most people. After careful study, he has comeup with a 7-stepprogram for success in the endeavor, as follows:1. Do not try to put the resolutions into effect all at onceon the very first day. It would be better to arrange a"preparation2. It would be better to start by drawing up a list of thethings you like to do; the enterprise will become easierin that manner.3. Do not draw up a long list of some 10-30 resolutions;you will be defeated before you begin. Pick up only 1 or2 resolutions at the commencement.4. Do not seek to locate the most troublesome problemnot at the beginning. It will be better to pick out therelativelyminor sore-spots.5. Make your intended resolutions as specific as possible.Do not be too vague, too general; do not try to covertoo much territory.6. When you have decided upon the resolutions,prepare toput them into definite effect. Tell your husband, yourwife, what you plan. Think often of those resolutions.Get them deeply planted in your mind; in that way youwill steel yourself for the job of actually keeping them.7. The job itself, will officially begin on "R-day," the actualdate when you feel ready to start. Then work real hardat it!And if "7" be the number of perfection, thenit is all but bitter irony, for most people sense a"catch"in the program. It reads well, it means well,but where will the actual power come from to gainvictory? Are you not conscious of a deep divisionbetween the desire and the actual doing?You will get small comfort from the Bible, forit is silent on this matter of resolutions. But it criesaloud for the desperate need of a genuine spiritualREVOLUTION in the heart: "Ye MUST be bornagain,"2 "We MUST be saved."3 There is no powerin yourself as you are for the Bible declares thatyou are "dead in trespasses and sins."4 "withoutstrength."5What, therefore, will give the power,grant the enabling to real living on a higher level?Not a 7-step program of human outreach, but asimple, single step of repentence and faith,6 in theLord Jesus Christ.7 This is a long proven reality:"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature."8He who said, "Behold, I make all things new,"9 willthus possess the life in such a gracious way that allthe days will be lived in the wonder of "For to meto live is Chrisf'iO ; and "the life which I now live inthe flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, wholoved me, and gave himself for 11When you are His, this may well be your "refor the days ahead: "This one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I presstoward the mark for the prize of the high callingof God in Christ Jesus."l2Bible Referencesl-James 4:14; 2-John 3:7; 3-Acts 4:12; 4-Ephesians 2:1;5-Romans 5:6; 6-Acts 20:21; 7-Romans 10:9, 10; 8-2 Corinthians 5:17; 9-Revelation 21:5; 10-Philippians 1:21; 11-Galatians2:20; 12-Philippians 3:13, 14.American Tract Society

cent."mind."washing'?"values"else."Glimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen, D. D.Jews Oppose Religion in SchoolsTwo of the larger Jewish organizations have expressedtheir opposition to religious instruction in the public schools,and they included teaching "moral and spiritualin any or all religions. These two groups represent about43 Jewish organizations. As is usually the case with thosewho oppose religious education they affirm that they fear itmay affect the principle of religious liberty. The real factis that religious and civil liberty are endangered where thecitizens are not trulyreligious and where the youth arenot taught pure morals. In such efforts the Jews are turningback on their historic principles and practices of religioustraining in church and state. The priests were to be religious teachers and the rulers were to know and promote theknowledge of the law of God.World Day of PrayerThe National Association of Evangelicals is providingan outline of worship for the World Day of Prayer on February 17, 1956, for churches or groups which desire it. Thetheme is, "The Spirit of Power," based on 2 Tim. 1 :7, "Godhath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,love, and of a sound1. Peril of Fear.2. Prelude to power.The suggested outline is :3. The Spirit of power for an impotent world.4. The Spirit of love for a forlorn world.and of5. The Spirit of a sound mind for a confused world.Material may be had from the NAE headquarters office,108 North Main Street, Wheaton, 111. There is no chargemade for the material, but the Association requests that afreewill offering be received at the service to assist withthe cost.Oppose Merger of ChurchesThe second effort that is being made to unite theCongregational Church with the Evangelical and ReformedChurch is being opposed by a group ofCongregationalchurches which has formed a permanent national organization. This group represents about 200 congregations from 20states. They declared that the merger "will result in division and not result in the unitysought."Many in eitherdenomination do not know what the other stands for, asindicated in a conversation which I had last summer withsome from the Evangelical and Reformed Church did notknow the doctrinal position of the majorityof Congregational Churches which is near Unitarianism. A few yearsago, in conversation with a well-informed Congregationalistminister who was widelyacquainted in the Chicago areaand in Texas, I asked him; "From your acquaintance withCongregational ministers, what proportion are so modernistic that they are virtually Unitarian?" He replied, "About95 pergain from such a union?What advantage can an Evangelical churchThe Answering to BrainwashingJohn H. Noble, who was for ten years a prisoner ofthe Soviet Union was asked, "What is the best way toresist Communist 'brainHe replied, "Faith inGod is the best answer; my faith saved me nothingMr. Noble, who is an American citizen, believes that the418armed forces should emphasize religious training if theywashing"want men to resist Communist "brain tactics. Heaffirmed: "A strong trust in God is the most effective wayto beat torture." He saw many men subjected to interrogation by the Reds and those who weakened first were"strangers to the Bible." Mr. Noble is writing a book andspeaking to church groups about his experiences as a prisoner, including the secret worshipwere held in the Vokuta slave labor camp.services which he saidTo Allow Hearings on Liquor AdvertisingIn January both houses of Congress will conduct hearings on bills to outlaw radio and TV advertising of alcoholic beverages. Miss E. A. Smart of the W.C.T.U. hasstated that, "Representatives of the alcoholic beverageindustry have admitted frankly that consumption of liquor,wine and beer would drop by one-half if its advertisingwere discontinued." Memorizing Bible VersesA college student from Dallas, Texas, Miss ElaineThomas, recently recited 1,050 Bible verses from memorywithout a mistake. It took three hours and twenty minutesfor her to recite all of these verses, but when she hadfinished she was given the highest award offered by theBible Memory Association of St. Louis, Mo., which offersprizes each year to young people who commit certain Biblepassages to memory.New Mission Territory in BrazilThe Unevangelized Fields Mission in Brazil has prayedthat God would guide in making it possible for evangelicalmissionary work in three previously closed Indian territories,and the prayers have been answered. The Brazilian Government's Indian Protection Service has reversed a policyof fifteen years and given permission to enter three regions in north Brazil. Thse regions are accessible to Missionary Aviation Fellowship planes and have a largerIndian population than many other parts of north Brazil.Ford's Enormous GiftsThe gifts of the Ford Foundation, amounting to half abillion dollars to colleges and hospitals, have astonishedeveryone, especially college presidents and hospitals managers. It was the largest single appropriation in the historyof philanthropy. The huge sum averages roughly $3 for everyman, woman and child in the United States. We think wecan see a host of college professors, who are usually portrayed as very sedate, smiling from ear to ear. Perhapsthe Geneva professors can better afford to entertain theirrelatives and friends next spring at Synod time than heretofore. Incidentally, they have done this very graciouslyin the past. Our paper, today, does not announce the amountthat Geneva College is to get, but no doubt it will be a verygenerous sum for which we thank the Ford Foundation andcongratulate our alma mater. There is a phase of this greatgift which is not so pleasant to contemplate, namely, thatRoman Catholic colleges will receive a proportion as well asProtestant schools and thus help them to propogate thefalse worship and religious errors whichthey profess.COVENANTER WITNESS

Current EventsProf. William H. Russell, Ph.D.FORD BENEFACTIONIn the largest gift ever made by aprivate philanthropic agency, the Ford Foundation recently announced atotal of over $500 million in grants to privately-supportedcolleges, hospitals, and medical schools. $210 million will bedistributed among 615 private colleges and universities, asten-year endowments for the improvement ofteachers'salaries. This will help to overcome one of the greatest problems of the institutions which receive no public aid, forfaculty salaries in such colleges now average about 20 percent below 1939 levels in terms of purchasing power. Afterten years the colleges may use the money in any way theywish. Geneva College will receive $131,400 under this grant.The amount for each institution was made equal to lastyear's faculty payroll. This raises the objection that theschools which are already paying the highest salaries willreceive the most aid; but it is doubtful whether any othergenerally acceptable standard could have been found. Thehospital grants may be used for any purpose except to reduceoperating deficits, while the medical schools are to use theirgifts for the improvement of instruction.HOPEFUL DEMOCRATSSenator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee has formally announced his candidacy for the 1956 Democratic Presidentialnomination. He will enter the California Presidential primaryin June, and perhaps two or three other primaries. His leading rival, Adlai Stevenson, will enter at least five primaries.Kefauver has a considerable grass-roots following, but hasnever been very popular with the big-city bosses since hisfamous crime hearings. Governor Frank J. Lausche of Ohiohas confirmed that he will enter his own state's Presidentialprimary, but probably not those of any other states. Lauscheis now serving his fifth term as governor and is one of themost popular Democrats in Ohio history, but he lacks national support. Meanwhile the Republicans still are in uncertainty. President Eisenhower's doctors have given good reportson his health, but he is not likely to announce his politicalintentions before February. Some Republicans may announcetheir candidacy before then in order to enter the New Hampshire primary.U. N. EXPANDSAfter prolonged controversy, sixteen more countrieshave been admitted to the United Nations. The original"package deal" for admitting eighteen nations was haltedwhen Nationalist China vetoed Outer Mongolia, and Russiablocked the entry of Japan. Russia receded from her original position, however, and accepted all the sixteen remainingstates. Twelve of the new states are either neutral or inclined toward the West: Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Italy,Austria, Finland, Libya, Jordan, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, andCeylon. The other four Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, andRumania are Soviet satellites. Probably the greatest increase is in the neutralist Arab-Asian bloc. Some feel thatthe moral position of the U.S. in refusing to admit RedChina is weakened by our agreement on the entry of European Communist states. In general, however, the new memberswill strengthen the U. N. by making it more truly a worldorganization.December 28, 1955FOOD GIVEAWAYSecretary of Agriculture Benson will soon release substantial quantities of surplus food, now held by the government, for shipment abroad by private religious and charitable agencies. Butter, rice, and dried beans are alreadybeing distributed in' this way, and wheat and corn are nowbeing added to the list. Eighteen agencies will be givenas much as they can distribute effectively in needy countries.This certainly is preferable to destroying surplus food, aswas sometimes done during the 1930's. It will not onlyhelp the hungry nations, but reduce our $7 billion worth ofsurpluses which are a constant threat to farm prices. Effortswill be made to send the food only to countries which couldnot afford to buy it, so as not to disrupt world markets.BALLOT BOXESElections for a new parliament in the Saar gave nearlya two-thirds majority to pro-German parties. This meansthat the new premier and cabinet will be men who will workfor the reunion of this strategic industrial basin with WestGermany. The Saar could then throw off French economiccontrols and become the tenth state of the Bonn Republic.France certainly will protest, however, if this is done.Parliamentary elections in Australia resulted in a strongvictory for the present government, a coalition of the Liberaland "Country" parties headed by Prime Minister RobertMenzies. The majority for Menzies in the House of Representatives was nearly doubled. Herbert Evatt, outspoken leaderof the Australian Labor Party, has now lost three electionsin a row, and his political future is in doubt.PARENTS VS. COMICSParents in Austria have drawn up a mammoth petition,with more than a million signatures, asking that their national government outlaw comic books. The petition wassigned by nearly 70 per cent of the parents of school-agechildren, and is also endorsed by the Austrian Teachers Association. Almost no comic books are now published in Aus-(Continued on page 426)THE COVENANTER WITNESSIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street, Newton, Kansas orthrough ita editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansasto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writer,not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D,Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Subscription rates10 cents.The Rev.British Isles.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross Latimer$2.50 per year ; Overseas, $3.00 ; Single Copies,R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theEntered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansas,under the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.419

perspective."me."needs."WhyShould We Distribute the Scriptures?By Eric M. North, D.D.An address before the Advisory Council of American Bible Society, November 29, 1955.In a meeting of this nature, where we face thesituation and the program of an important agencyof the Churches, it is always well to be clearly conscious of the basic motives that underlie all that isdone. Why do we, why should we distribute theScriptures ?The teacher of English literature would say:"There are thousands of allusions in English literature which cannot be understood without knowledgeof the Bible. Indeed the Bible itself is a literary workof large importance. No cultured person should missthe Bible." The historian would say: "For suchground as it covers, it is an important historicalrecord and gives the common man some sense ofhistoricalThe moralist would say:"It holds up valuable standards of conduct and idealsthat the social order greatly The bigot wouldsay: "Distribute the Bible because it proves everybody is wrong butBut the question is not asked of these distinguished citizens, it is asked of us. I think our answer must be like so many points in sermons!three-fold.First we distribute the Bible because of itsministry to the lives of individual men and women. Adebauched young man in Milan reads it and becomesSt. Augustine. A medieval monk finds in it theteaching that can overcome the corruption of hisChurch, and with it creates a new epoch in history.A precise little scholar, struggling with his unsatisfied soul, hears a passage sung, a commentary uponit read, feels his heart strangely warmed, and pourshis life into the labors that reform a nation andalter the character of millions. A Chinese general,injured in a coup d'etat and deeply discouraged,asks for a Bible, and his wife reads him the Psalmsto bring him peace. A Belgian parachutist, caughtand flung into prison, finds himself alone, disheartened, and facing death. The secret tapping on thepipes brings him a message ; a Bible is secretly passed to him; he reads and learns; and before the celldoor opens to the guards who take him to the firingsquad, he signals to his unseen friend, "I am goingto life !"An American business men, held a political prisoner in silent, solitary confinement in CommunistHungary, finds in the Bible inexpressible solace andstrength. Another, a jailed missionary, on the otherside of the world in China, devotes his long hoursto study of the Bible.These instances of the ministry of the Bible toindividual men and women are dramatic flashes outof the growing influence of the Bible upon millionsand millions of people. Not always so dramatic, butas constant as the sun, their daily contact with theBible warms, illuminates, purifies, and guides vastnumbers of people. It is our faith that it can dothis for every man. That is why we distribute theBible.420II.The second reason why we distribute the Bibleis because it is indispensible to the Christian Church.The first duty of the Christian Church is evangelismby which men and women are brought into theChristian community. Though some modern methodsof evangelism overlook the great value of the Bibleas an instrument of evangelism, Dr. Chirgwin'sbook, "The Bible in World Evangelism," gives usindisputable evidence of the essential relationshipof the Bible to the Church's first duty. The successful evangelist, the successful missionary, musthave the Book near his hand or in it. In Formosa in1941 there were but two baptized persons and someBibles among the aborigines. In 1946 when the missionaries returned after the war, there were fourthousand persons in the Christian community, andChurches were being built.The Bible not only brings men into the Christian community; it is the central element in theirinstruction in the Christian faith and the Christianlife. It holds this place in the education of children and youth; it holds it in the training of newmembers ; it is the central element in the training ofnew ministers for the Churches. The Bible not onlybrings men and women into the Church and is thecentral element in the instruction of the Church; itconstantly strengthens and upbuilds the Church. Canone imagine the worship of the Church, and indeedthe worship of the family, and the devotions of theindividual without the contribution of the Bible?The Bible is also both the inspiration and thestabilizer of Christian thought. Great intellectualmovements in the Church's life owe their origin toa deeper insight into truth caught from the pages ofthe Bible. How far, indeed how wildly, might thependulum of Christian thought have swung underthe pressures of ultra-radical and ultra-conservativewere it not that the Bible is always pulling themback to the central truths that it sets forth ! Thus,the Bible constantly makes for the inspiration andthe reform of the Church, as is apparent to readersof current theological literature.Finally, the Bible not only brings men into theChurch and nurtures and inspires them there; itbinds them together there. This company is a witness to that! It is the constant experience of theBible Societies that Christian groups which can bedrawn together by no other cause can be drawn together about the Bible Societies and their work Naymore, in the words of a Christian theologian, "Byuniversal consent of all Protestant bodies, the Scriptures are the one ultimate standard of faith andpractice. Here we are on bedrock. The Bible is thevery core of the Christian life forChristians."all ProtestantFor this reason also, then, we must distributethe Scriptures. Every Church must have adequatesupplies of the Bible and make effective use of them.No economic barrier must stand in the wayyoung-COVENANTER WITNESS

storehouse."offerings"steal."reward."me."work."giver."erChurches in the African bush or the Indian village, older Churches in city and town and tenement and countryside must have the Bible.III.The third reason why we must distribute theBible lies in the desperate need of the world. Menare shaken today by the extent of the world's upheaval. A score of new nations are "crowding to beborn.""Up from the shadowed land the murmur swellsOf broken hearts, of discontent, of strife,Of faith perverted, quickened hope it tellsThe multitudes have felt the surge oflife."And as if this were not enough, there hangs overus the bitter division between the free world and thetotalitarian world and the appearance at man's handof destructive forces able to ruin a nation in a night !No program anyone could conceive can prevent profound disaster to the human race except as each manpossesses in himself the powers ofself-discipline,the spirit ofcompassion, and ideals of human service which the Bible makes it possible for him tohave. The Bible must be everyman's Book that allmen may be free.These, then, are the reasons why we must distribute the Scriptures because they minister tomen's needs; because they enlarge, strengthen, instruct, enrich, reform, and unite the Church; because in them lies mankind's hope of righteousness,peace, and freedom.But all this was said in just 26 words nineteenhundred years ago"These are written that ye might believethat Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,and that believing ye might have lifename."through HisThis is why we distribute the Bible.The Principle of TithingMrs. Lester E. KilpatrickIt is said there are three kinds of givers: theflint, the sponge, and the honeycomb. The flint givesoff particles when it is struck with a force. Thesponge gives up when squeezed tightly. The honeycomb just drips with sweetness.Now I think we would all prefer to be of thehoneycomb variety rather than flint or sponge. Weare taking the Bible as a guide and it teaches us whatwe are to believe concerning God and what duty Godrequires of man. We are told in the 19th Psalm thatthis duty or law of God is more to be desired thangold, yea than much fine gold. Sweeter also thanhoney and the honeycomb and in keeping of themthere is great reward.So first of all, it is a law of God. When the children of Israel moved into the promised land theywere to give 1/10 of their increase to God. We aretold that Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek thetype of Christ. Jacob promised to give the Lord atenth of all the Lord gave him as he went to astrange land. In Haggai's day the prophet told thepeople that they made money only to put it in abag with holes unless they laid aside for the workof the Lord.December 28, 1955This is just the way He has told us in His Wordwe are to do. He is able to give us abundantly and Heis able to take away everything we have. "All thingscome of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have wegiven thee" (I Chronicles 29:9-16).Leviticus 27:30 tells us "And all the tithe ofthe land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord'sit is holy unto the Lord." If they at all redeemed (orbought back) any of the seed or whatever they hadset aside for tithes they had to add 1/5 part to it.This might be said to be included in the eighth commandment "Thou shalt not "Will a man robGod ? But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee ? Intithes and(Malachi 3:8). This passagegoes on to say, "Bring ye all the tithes into theSo far, I have quoted from the Old Testamentand some will say, "But that is part of the Leviticallaw and is not binding on us now,"But what does Jesus say? Read Matthew 23:23, "Ye pay tithes andhave omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith : these ought ye to have done,undone."and not to leave the otherAny way you look at it, Jesus is saying we oughtto pay the tithe.Is this then just a burden that because Godmade us He is able to impose on us ? How did Davidfeel about it ? I Chronicles 29 :9-17.My second point is that this command is alsoto be desired above gold, yea, than much fine gold.Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Andin keeping of it there is greatMai. 3:10: Prove me and see if I will not open youthe windows of heaven.Prov. 3:9: Honor the Lord with thy substance andwith the firstfruits of all thine increase. Soshall thy barns be filled with plenty and thypresses burst out with new wine.Luke 6 :32 : Give, and it shall be given unto you ; goodmeasure, pressed down, shaken together, andrunning over.II Chron. 3:10: Since the people began to bring thewe haveofferings into the house of the Lord,had enough and eat and have left plenty: forthe Lord hath blessed his people, and thatwhich is left is this great store.II Cor. 9:6: He which soweth bountifully shall reapbountifully.The third point, and to me the most marvelous,is that this tithe is a medium of exchange of love. Weshow our love to our fellow men in giving to thoseabout us and those across the sea. In giving, we showour love to God, "Inasmuch as ye do it to one of theleast of these, ye do it unto But look at II Corinthians 9:7, "God loveth a cheerful Here isone basis on which we can claim the love of God. Weare sinners, saved by grace and there is nothing in usto merit anything from Almighty God. But, if we arefaithful in giving cheerfully, we can go to Him andon the basis of this promise, we can claim His lovefor us. Notice how He expresses His love. In the nextverse we are shown the wonderful return from theOne who loves us, for our cheerful giving: (II Cor.9:8) "And God is able to make all grace abound;that ye, always having all sufficiency of all things,may abound to every good Isn't that wonderful?421

wheel"rodders."rod"What Teen-Agers Are Doing for Traffic SafetybyM. R. Darlington, Jr., Managing Director, Inter-Industry Highway Safety CommitteeThe strength of youth, quick reflexes, and agreat capacity for developing skills make teen-agerspotentially America's best drivers. But, because ofthe irresponsible antics of a minority of their generation, young drivers as a group are described insuch incriminating phrases as "kid killers at theand "wild hotThroughout the nation, responsible groups ofteen-agers, tired of being tagged with such generalizations, are taking positive action to improvetheir reputations and, at the same time to demonsafe drivers.strate that they are, for the most part,Dramatic evidence of the teen-agers' intent isfound in the more than 100 traffic safety conferences which the youngsters have sponsored in 23states and the District of Columbia. Planned andrun by the teen-agers themselves with a minimumof guidance or direction from adults, the conferenceshave produced many worthwhile and level-headedrecommendations. These include suggestions for highschool driver education for all potential young drivers, stricter law enforcement for all drivers, morerigid licensing laws, and equal treatment for teenagers and adults.A recent study of driver education shows approximately half of the nation's public schools nowoffer either classroom instruction, practice driving,or both. While only about 29 per cent of the eligiblestudents received a complete course last year, moreand more schools are expanding their programs toinclude both classroom and practice driving instruction.Results show driver education to be one of themost effective traffic safety tools. In many states,reviews of the records of graduates of accrediteddriver education courses have disclosed that trainedyoung drivers have had approximately 50 per centfewer accidents and traffic violations than untraineddrivers in the same age group. In Minnesota, a fiveyearstudy by the State Department of Educationrevealed that 34.3 per cent of the untrained driversstudied were involved in reported accidents asagainst only 18.7 per cent of the drivers who had received a complete course including both classroomand practice driving instruction.The teen-age conferences, many of which arenow held annually, have done much more than simplypass recommendations. In several states permanentorganizations have been set up to put conferenceideas into action, and, in many places, teen-age traffic safety clubs have been formed to carry out localprograms. For example:Cleveland's Youth Traffic Council conducts vehicle safety-checks to be sure the cars students driveto school are in safe operating condition.In Palo Alto, California, the Paly Stompers Clubis making plans for its second safety-economy runan event placing emphasis on safe, courteous, econo422to, "Stomp Out Bad Driving," require members tomaintain violation free driving records.In Beaverton, Oregon, Judge Frances Cook hasgiven her support to young drivers by helping themorganize "Safe-Teen" Clubs. Members display a redmical driving. The boys, who have adopted the mot-and black bumper strip which identifies the vehicleas being driven by a "Safe-Teen."Furthermore,safety-teen-agers must have the car they drivechecked and must drive without violations.In Norfolk, Virginia, a high school group produced its own movie to point out some of the city'smore dangerous intersections and pedestrian crossings.In Iowa, a "hot club is helping remove thestigma many persons attach to those words by helping motorists who have tire or mechanical difficulty.The boys give persons they help a card which asserts : "Dedicated to safety. You have received assistance through the courtesy of the Knights of theRoad Hot Rod Club."In Ferndale, Michigan, the Teen-Age MechanicsClub teaches members to repair and improve theircars and, importantly, to keep them safe. Guided byan automobile salesman and a car dealer, membersof the Teen-Age Mechanics Club meet weekly towork on their cars. Club members also make a practice of extending aid to motorists in distress. Theirfree help is explained by a card which reads, "Weenjoy extending this courtesy to you as membersof the Teen-Age Mechanics Club." Enthusiastic supporters of the Club are the boys' mothers, one ofwhom is reported to have said: "I would rathersee my boy come home covered with grease thanwith blood."National traffic safety organizations are encouraging and helping the teen-age safety movement.For example, the Inter-Industry Highway SafetyCommittee has worked with teen-agers in many oftheir traffic safety conferences. Recently the Committee began publishing a bulletin devoted directly tothe traffic safety activities of the nation's youngdrivers. For several years the Committee has encouraged complete courses in driver education inhigh schoolsThe National Safety Council has developed akit of suggestions and materials which studentcouncils and other groups can use in planning trafficsafety projects. Insurance groups maintain an activeinterest in young drivers and several companies havereduced insurance rates to those who have had acomplete course in driver education.The realistic attitude of America's teen-agerstoward traffic safety is of vital importance to everyone. It is an attitude which should be aided and encouraged. Each year in the United States, two millionyoungsters reach driving age, and the vast majoritysooner or later will take their places behind thewheel. But less than 30 per cent have completedhigh school driver education courses available to(Continued on page 423)COVENANTER WITNESS

ighteous"sins"eyes"TribulationIn the world ye shall have tribulation" (John16 :33)."Many are the afflictions of the(Psalm 34:19). "Man is born unto trouble, as theupward"sparks fly (Job 5:7).Young and old, rich and poor, good and bad, allsuffer tribulation. It is God's will. It is good forus. "Joint-heirs with Christ ; if so be that we sufferwith Him" (Romans 8:17).What is tribulation? It is interesting to notethe derivation of the term. The word comes fromthe Latin, in which language a tribulum meant aheavy wooden sledge that was used in threshinggrain. The grain was spread upon the hard floor.Oxen dragged the heavy tribulum back and forthover the straw. This forced the precious grain fromits hiding place in the husk. If the stalk could feel,how hard must have been the process !But only socould the best in the stalk be brought forth.What does the word mean as applied to ourlives? It stands for the toil, the pain, the temptations, the disappointments that come to every earnest soul in the discipline of life. The more consecrated, the more cultured, the greater the tribulation. Jesus the Christ suffered more exquisitely bothphysically andmentally than any man can possiblysuffer. Why? Because of His higher nature.The beast in his stall, with plenty of food, hasno tribulation. The spiritual being called Christianman, with physical and mental endowments passingandcomprehension, suffers intensely in meetingsolving his problems.Why does tribulation come? Because it isneeded to bring out the best that is in us. True itcomes because of sin, but since we are sinners it isso arranged that our tribulations shall be overruled for our good. What man might have beenand how he could have enjoyed Heaven had he notfallen, we can only speculate. But we know that theman who is patient under tribulation reveals beauties of faith and service that are most glorious inthe realm of mind and spirit. As man is now constituted, tribulation is a blessing.What are the uses of tribulation?It makesman humble. It sends him to the source of all power.Many a foolish scoffer cries, "God help me !" in timeof sudden distress.It makes man useful. Having suffered and toiled, man knows how to sympathize with and howto help his fellow man.It makes man Christlike. "It doth not yet appearwhat we shall be : but we know that, when He shallappear, we shall be like Him" (I John 3:2).The tribulations of the sinner are to lead himto repentance. The tribulations of the righteous areto develop within him the Christian graces and tofit him to enjoy Heaven.WHAT TEEN-AGERS Continued from page 422them. Think what an increasingly good effect therewould be for the motoring public if there could beachieved the teen-agers' goal of driving instructionfor all potential young motorists. Ultimately, trafficover the nation's roads and streets would be almostwholly under the control of trained drivers with aresultant rise in safety for all.The above copy is supplied by the EvangelicalPress Association.December 28, 1955"Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down,and the feeble knees" (Hebrews 12:12)."I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which noman could number, of all nations, and kindreds, andpeople, andtongues,stood before the throne, andbefore the Lamb, clothed with white robes, andpalms in their hands .... These are they which cameout of great tribulation . . . the Lamb which is in theand shall leadmidst of the throne shall feed them,them unto living fountains of waters : and God shallwipe away all tears from their (Revelation 7 :.9-17) Lutheran Observer.God's Cure for Waste and WantBy Rev. George S. LauderdaleThe man is happywho strives to waste nothing. Idleness takes the time of many persons, andfoolish things their money; there are others whoare busy always and quite thrifty but are greatwasters nevertheless, their time being spent in unessential things.What is important? The Bible answers thatthe souls of men are important: "Let him know,that he which converteth the sinner from the errorof his ways shall save a soul from death, and shallhide a multitude of(James 5:20). Souls appeared so valuable to the Lord Jesus Christ thatHe left heaven, became man, suffered, and died toredeem them from sin and hell.Your life is free from waste in proportion toyour efforts to glorify Jesus Christ by winningsouls to Him. Certain church workers report thatthey feel like they are getting nothing done thoughthey attend meetings nearly every night in theweek. If they are doing little or no concerted praying,giving, studying, sending and going on behalf ofworld missions, they should feel that way!Where Wasting StartsGod would have no one suffer from want, andHe decrees that those who have,share their blessings. All who disobey Him are wasters. Fellow Christian, there is a fixed amount of money requiredto feed and clothe us, and of course, our heavenlyFather knows exactly that amount, and has it for us.He would be a poor father, if He did not! If wespend more on ourselves than we need, we grieveGod and deprive others of the gospel.Every minute of time and every small piece ofmoney which we selfishly clutch or misappropriatereally does us no good, nor anybody else. Does yourautomobile (s), flashy jewelry, and extravagantautomobile (s), flashy jewelry, and extravagantclothing? Advertising your selfishness does not pay!Infinite good comes from investing your time andtreasure in Christ's work of evangelizing the nations.How to RepentIf you have been a waster and want to do (better, pray, asking God to show you where the dividing line is in your affairs between necessities andluxuries. Ask Him to show you how much time each.task in your daily round really requires and for thegrace of concentration that you will finish in that(Continued on page 426)423

allREMO I. ROBB, D.D.ECUFor Covenaif?December, 1955TO ILLUSTRATE THE1956, TOPICSJanuary 1, What is My Life Worth?The Value of SoulsA certain man, moving westward inthe early days of American history,determined that .despite his limitedmeans, he would own some good land.Among the crowded farms and thelarger cities of the East, real estatewas priced to him so high that he wasdiscouraged. Crossing the Mississippi toward the western states, he found someexcellent land he could buy in sectionsat five dollars an acre. The thing thatamazed him at another point fartherwest, was a challenge that, if he wouldagree to live on it, they would give itto him."homestead."It was what they called aA careful study of thislater convinced him that land, like everything else in the world, got itsvalue from people. People have theirvalue because they have souls, and property has its value because there arepeople present to occupy it. The moralis that we can afford to lose everything if we follow Jesus and win salvation for our souls.January 8Life?For what Will I Spend MyInterest On An InvestmentBen Adam had a golden coin one day,Which he put out at interest with aJew,Year after year, awaiting him it lay,Until the double coin two pieces grew,And these two, four, so on, tillpeople said,"How rich Ben Adam is!" and bowedthe servile head.Ben Selim had a golden coin that day,Which to a stranger askinggave,Who went rejoicingway.But Selim died,grave;alms heon his unknowntoo poor to own aBut when his soul reached heaven,angels with prideShowed him the wealth to which his424coin had multiplied.January 15Be a Leader.Our Available SaviourA poor old woman tried in vain, timeafter time, to gain audience with Philipof Macedon, to lay her just complaintbefore him. The kingat last told herabruptly that he was not at leisure tohear her story. Irritated, she replied,"Then you are too busy to be king."Pondering the retort, Philip heard thewoman and ever after that made himselfavailable to the common people.John the Baptist made himself available, and it was a remarkable fact thatJesus, beginning with His baptism, identified Himself with people in general.That symbolic event was the signal,that thereafter He was not too busyto be the Saviour, and He will not betoo busy to be our King.January 22Be a Follower.Crossing the RubiconFor many centuries, the political andmilitary world have been ringing thechanges on "Crossing the Rubicon." Itgrew out of some circumstances in thehistory of Rome,when there was astrained relation between Caesar andthe ruler Pompey. It was understood that the army that dared to crossthe Rubicon river had committed itself to fight the war to the finish. Itis interesting to note how the first converts to Christ on the day of Pentecost and in the days following, knowing that they would have to change theprogram of their lives forever and gothrough on the faith line, committedthemselves with a surrender never tobe revoked. This resolution should markthe life of everyJesus Christ.January 29Christ.soul that receivesOur Citizenship underChaplain of the SenateThe late Dr. Peter Marshall, whileChaplain of the Senate of the UnitedStates,preached a sermon on the needof Christ in our government. He said:"It is strange, and I believe tragic,that the Constitution makes no reference to God . . .Many efforts have beenmade at different times to introducesuch an amendment but there has beenopposition and indifference, so to thisgood day the Constitution of our countryignores the principles upon whichour countrystates have alreadywas founded. Forty-threewritten into theirconstitutions various religious acknowledgments . . . but not one state honorsJesus Christ ...pious vague affirmations about God as the Supreme Beingare vain unless supreme honor isspecificallyTOgiven to JesusChrist.""WHAT TO DO"by Mrs. A. A. WylieTHE RECORDING SECRETARYWhat a good-looking Secretary's Bookyou have! The records of a live, working society deserve a regular Secretary's Book well bound and made ofgood paper. Some have loose leavesand can be used with the typewriterfor copying the record. We have seensome secretaries using the variety youcan buy at Mr.Woolworth's, but italways seemed rather careless and indifferent to the finesse of a good secretary's job. It is always an inspirationto a Secretary to make careful andaccurate records in her very best penmanship, if the book is a good one.How beautifullyyou have kept yourbook! In years to come, other secretaries will get inspiration to do theirwork better than perhaps they wouldotherwise have done, just because yourwork was so neatly done. You musthave made careful notes duringthemeeting and written them up verypromptly afterwards, for there are nocorrections or erasures. Your method ofleaving a wide margin at the left issplendid. Corrections may be made neat"mussy-looking"ly withouterasures.Some Secretaries list in this margin,in just a word or two, the contentsof the paragraph so that anyone desiring to find the record of a particularitem can do so without going throughthe entire record.You have recorded the time and placeof the meeting; the name of the presiding officer;the names of all theofficers and committees; all committeereports and items of business transacted; all motions made and carried;and important decisions made by aCOVENANTER WITNESS

wonderful,"people"soul."YOUNG PEOPLE'SSECRETARYlung Peoplenegative vote; and adjournment. Minutes are signed by the president as wellas by yourself. That is right.And here is the society's roll revised,right up to date. Your system here isunique but most interesting, having theroll for different years in parallel columns, making it possible to see at aglance the changes in the personnelof the membership as the years go by.Both names and addresses,members groupedand the"active," "associate,"and "honorary." What a help that willbe in sending out notices or circular letters.You are wise to remember that yourduty is simply to make a record of whatis said and done, not to comment onit. If you say that So-and-so did "beautifully,"or such and such was "justyour supplyof adjectiveswill soon become monotonous, and, ifyou comment superlatively on one person's work, someone else may be disappointed if his effort has not pleasedyou equally well.Of course, your President knows theOrder of Business for theBusinessmeeting, but it might save someoneembarrassment, if he should beunexpectedly called to the chair, if youhad it copied in the back of the bookfor reference.Order of Business1. Call the meeting to order. Devotionalservice.2. Reading of the Minutes.3. Corresponding Secretary's report.4. Treasurer's report.5. Report of Standing Committees.6. Unfinished business.7. New business.8. Adjournment.Then you wil have readyfor thePresident a list of special committeesthat should report and all items ofold business to be considered. These, youwill get from the minutes of the lastmeeting. If you do all these thingsfaithfully and well, it may be said ofyou as it was said of Jonathan, David'suncle, that he was "a counsellor, a wiseman (or woman) and a27:32.scribe."I Chron.The Grinnell Convention set "100%A NEW FEATUREeditor of the Goal Post." pit.There are a few societies of Juniorsubscription support of the Goal PostHi Students in the Church and the by the young as an item ofC.Y.P.U. Staff wishes to help and encourage them as much as it can. Onepresbytery, the Midwest, has appointedits Plan of Work. Start the new yearright by sending your society's subscription list to the Goal Post, 1217a Junior Hi Secretary. At our last na Sixth Avenue, Beaver Falls, Penna.tional convention there was a JuniorSubscription cost is $1.50 per year.Hi program.Several requests have come for aTHE C.YJP.U. YEARBOOK FOR 1956list of suggested topics for the Junior The C.P.Y.U. Yearbook for 1956 is inHi Societies, so a list of Suggested the hands of the printers and will beTopics has been prepared for 1956. Itwill appear in the C.Y.P.U. Yearbookready for distribution by the time thisis printed. As before it contains.for 1956, and month by month it willbe published on Echoes Page.At the suggestion of some Junior Hileaders no further helps are to be provided at present, since these leadersbelieve it will be better for the membersto work out their own programs forthe meetings.The January Topics appear below.SUGGESTED JUNIOR HI TOPICSFOR JANUARY, 1956.a Directory of the Y. P. Secretaries.a Directory of the Conference presidents.a blank page for your society officers.The C.Y.P.U. Topics for 1956.suggestions for special meetings.THE JUNIOR HI TOPICS FOR1956.other interesting facts about theJanuary 1. When the World Started.Genesis 1:1-8.Church and its program.8. When Man Started. Gen.The Yearbook is the right size to1:26,27; 2:7,8,21-25.carry in your Bible, and it has the in15. When Sin Started. Gen. 3:1-7.formation you want to help every member be a real part of the C.Y.P.U.22. How Sin Got Worse. Gen. 4:1-13.Cost is 15c per copy. Order now29. How Sin was Punished. Gen. 6:1-3,13; 7:6-12.from Remo I. Robb, D.D., 1217 SixthAve., Beaver Falls, Pa.WHAT THEY SAYAbout the "Goal Post."LIVING WITH A HANDICAPA young person on the Mission FieldThe story of one of the great presi"I have greatly enjoyed receiving thedents of Harvard College, Charles WilGoal Post while I have been in Cyprus,liam Eliot, is worth recalling. Born withand I am looking forward to meetinga serious facial disfigurement, he dismany of the people I have read aboutcovered as a youngin the Goal Post nothingnext summer when myStates."could be done about it, and he must gofamily returns to the Carlenethrough life with this mark. It is relatedHutcheson.that when his mother brought to himA University Student The Goal Post that tragic truth, it was indeed "theis an important link for me with the dark hour of his His mother toldwork of the C.Y.P.U., and provides information and a feeling of unity withChristian young people in His workthroughout the country. Keep 'em rolling."Robert H. Marshall.him, "My son, it is not possible for youto get rid of this handicap. We have consulted the best surgeons, and they saythat nothing can be done. But it is possible for you, with God's help, to growA pastor "Our best wishes to a mind and soul so big that people willMarion McFarland in his new job as forget to look at your face."The PulDecember 28, 1955 425

servants"ready."only"GOD'S CURE . . . Cont'd from page 423CURRENT EVENTS . . . Cont'dfrom page 419sufficient time. Then ask Him where all your moneyand energies over and above essentials can be channeled so as to save the greatest number of souls.The answers to these prayers will surprise you,and demand radical changes in your life, but thismuch is certain: the thousand million souls livingtoday, who have never heard the name of JesusChrist, will get a major share of your attentionif you obey the Lord. You can have part in introducing them to Christ!And get this: you will be profited greatly byyour new life of service. Jesus said, "For whosoever shall save his life shall lose it: and whosoeverwill lose his life for my sake shall find it . . . Forthe Son of man shall come in the glory of his Fatherwith His angels ; and then he shall reward every manworks."according to his Matthew 16:25, 27.Christ will call the wasters "wicked and slothful and cast them into hell, but He willpromote the faithful ones in the Day of Judgment.You cannot choose your battlefield,The Lord does that for you,But you can plant a standardWhere a standard never flew. Nathalia Cranetria, but over 30 million a year are imported from WestGermany. The movement is directed against all comicbooks,not merely the crime or "horror" type which have arousedopposition in this country. The leader of the Austrian crusade maintains that comics destroy the taste for ordinarywritten material, producing adults who look at nothing butnewspaper headlines and picture magazines.GROWING PROBLEMSThe federal government faces increasing welfare responsibilities, according to a study by the Population Reference Bureau, a private research group. In the past five years,our population of working age (15 to 64) increased only 3.8per cent. In the same period, the number of children under14 rose by 19.7 per cent, and those 65 or older increased by14.3 per cent. Education of the young and care of the agedwill become increasingly serious problems as long as thistrend continues.Our birth rate has leveled off at 25 babies per 1,000persons, after reaching a peak of 26.6 in 1947. This is higherthan the rate in most European countries, but lower thanAsia or Latin America. Another interesting fact is that thepercentage of non-white people in our population slowlybut steadily declines. The percentage of non-whites is now10.8, whereas they made up 12.1 per cent of the Americanpopulation in 1900.Lesson Helps for the Week of January 15, 1956C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor January 15, 1956by Rev. T. R. Hutcheson"BE A LEADER"(Used by permission of the InternationalChristian Endeavor Society)Scripture Matt. 20:20-28.PsalmsPsalm 119:1-3, page 287Psalm 1:1-6, page 1Psalm 131 :l-3, page 327Psalm 8:3-7, page 12Psalm 51 :7-12, page 131Here are three topics on "ChristianService that Counts," for the last threeSabbaths of January. Tonight, "Be ALeader"; next week, "Be A Follower";and the last Sabbath, "Our Citizenshipunder Christ." Be a leader this week,and a follower the next; and if thesemeetings influence our lives forever, beboth a leader and a follower from nowon. How can this be?We are all both leaders and followers.A teacher leads the class into new ideasand attitudes; but he in turn follows thepolicies of the school. The leading scorermay make the most points, but he mustabide by the referee's decision. Thereare people you follow, and people whowill follow you.Every Christian is a follower. Thatside of life will be emphasized in nextweek's meeting, which has in the Scripture reading, "Immediately they left the426ship and their father, and followed him(Jesus)."ingBut tonight we emphasize bea leader. Have these verses read,which show the need for leaders :Ex.18:17-23; Joshua 1:2; Judges 17:6; Ezek.22:30; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 15:22; ICor. 6:1-5; I Tim. 2:2; 3:1-6.Leaders are needed in so many places.Playmates need someone to decide whatthey shall play. Communities need leaders to get new playgrounds. Someonehas to start the dishes. Classes needsecretaries. The cub scouts need denchiefs. Little is done without leadership.At this point, have the group make alist of the leaders in your congregation;not by name but by the service theyare doing. Don't forget the leader ofthe Junior meeting, of course, and thetreasurer of the missionary society. Howmany do you have?After each of the followingverses isread, ask the group, "Who said that?"Ex. 3:11; Judges 6:15; I Kings 3:7; Is.6:5; Jer. 1:6; I Tim. 1:15. Question: ifthey felt that way, how were they everleaders?Assigned topics for discussion:1. Who is more important, the mayoror the garbage collector?2. Discuss the fact that some peopleseek leadership with wicked motives,such as personal ambition. What doesJesus think of selfish motives?3. There is a saying, "Some men areborn great; others achieve greatness;others have greatness thrust uponthem."Discuss this as explaining whysome people are leaders, while othersare not.4. Remark on the need of the "Gang"for Christian leaders.5. A great man said, "I will study andprepare myself, and when the timecomes I shall bemay prepare for service,Jesus'Discuss how wewhich wasword for leadership. Notice howyou can do a better job of leading thegames at a partyprepared.when you are wellConcluding verses: I Cor. 11:1; and,in unison, I Cor. 12:28-13;13.JUNIOR TOPICFor January 15, 1956Mrs. David CummingsMorning Sun, IowaSAMUEL, AS JUDGEScripture: I Samuel 8:1-23Memory Verses: "Prepare your heartsunto the Lord, and serve Him(I Samuel 7:3).PsalmsPsalm 1:1-3, page 2 MemoryPsalm for JanuaryPsalm 2:1-4, page 3Psalm 7:1,2,3,5, page 7Psalm 97: 1-4, page 233When Samuel had grown to be aCOVENANTER WITNESS

you."ance."perish."man, he was called a judge; but hewas not a king. He would tell the Israelites what God wished them to do;and He would punish bad people.Moses had once been the judge ofIsrael and Joshua had been a judge.He did not sit on a throne or wear acrown, as kings do;and he always asked God to tell him what the peopleought to do, and then he told the peoplewhat God had said. The Israelites shouldhave been very glad that God was theirKing. No other kingso great as God.was so good andSamuel was a very wise and fairjudge, but he was the last of thejudges. When he was old and unableto travel about, he had his two sons,Joel and Abiah, to help him by servingas judges also. Joel and Abiah werenot good judges as their father hadbeen so the older men of Israel cameto Samuel and said, "You are growing old and your sons are not goodlike you. They do not rule as wiselyas you have done."You will be sorry to hear that atlast they were tired of having God astheir King. They wanted to have a kingthey could see. So they said to Samuel, "Give us a king."Samuel was very sorry to hear thisand he went and prayed to the Lord.Do you think that God would allowthe Israelites to have a king? God wasdispleased with them for wishing fora king, but as they wanted one, Godsaid they might have one.So Samuel called the Israelites together to speak to them, and then hesaid, "God will let you have a king,but this is the way the king will treatyou. He will make your sons work forhim, also your daughters; he will takeaway many of your fields, and gardens,corn, and sheep, then you will be sorrythat you wished for a king; you willcry to God and He will not hearDid the Israelites still wish for aking? Yes, they would not mind whatSamuel said but they cried out, "Wewill have a king!"In the next lesson you will learnabout the man whom God chose to bethe first king of Israel. God let theIsraelites see the right way and thewrong way and then He let them choosein order to teach them a lesson. Godlets us see the right way and the wrongway, then He lets us choose.If we eat too many cookies beforedinner, it will tend to take away ourappetites, and we will not be hungryat dinner time, and Mother will bedisappointed. God directs us in otherways. If we know to tell the truth always, and we tell untruths, God willnot strike us dumb, but after awhilewe will find that we have lost manyof our friends because we can no longer be trusted.We won't do things we know arewrong but we will follow God as ourking. You must ask God to help youto do right in everything and serveHim only.For your Notebooks:True or False.swer)(Circle the right an1. Samuel was a good judge. TrueFalse2. Samuel learned of God as a child.True/False.3. Samuel had two sons. True/False.4. Samuel had a son named Joel.True/False.5. Samuel had a son named Peter.True/False.6. Samuel's sons were well liked by theIsraelites. True/False.7. The Israelites told Samuel they wanted a king. True/False.8. God permitted the Israelites to havea king. True/False.9. God is waiting to become king overour lives. True/False.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONfor January 15, 1956JESUS CALLS FOR REPENTANCELUKE 13(Lessons based on International Sunday SchoolLessons ; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by the International Council of Religious Education.)Comments by Rev. John K. GaultLa Mirada, Calif.No better definition of Repentance canbe found than that which is given to usin the Shorter Catechism in answer tothe question, "What is repentance untolife?"All teachers and students of thislesson should be able to repeat the answer to that question from memory.Now the first fact which is broughtto our attention in this interesting lesson is that special suffering is no indication of unusual sinfulness on the part ofpeople. The book of Job deals with thatproblem, and the Jews to whom Christaddressed Himself in this lesson shouldhave been familiar with that portion ofthe Old Testament. Evidently there wereself-righteous persons in Jesus' audiencewho believed that if one suffered greatlyit must mean that that person was, orhad been, an unusually great sinner.Jesus says, "I tell you It nay."probablywas true that the Galileans whom Pilate's soldiers skewered with theirswords and spears had nothing to dowith the rebellion or riot. But this wanton slayingwould fulfill two purposeswhich the Governor had in mind. Itwould tend to cow the rest of them andthus keep them in subservience, but also,he could in this wayshow his utterscorn for the Jewish religion. He notonlykilled them but the killing tookplace while they offered their sacrificestheir religious rites. So the bloodduringof people was mixed with the blood ofthe animals which were being sacrificed.And the tower of Siloam fell over andkilled some people. That was a plainaccident. Manygood people have beenkilled by accident. No, we are not tojudge people who meet with tragedy.They probablywere no better or noworse than thousands of others.Another important thought in thislesson is that special calamities, such asbefell the Galileans and the Judeans,should lead all people to repent of theirsins and prepare to meet God. Jesussays, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise He probably did not meanthat they would all meet with tragicdeaths as these others did; but he didmean that they would all perish eternally if they did not repent of their sins.Now all people need to repent of sin.Sin is inherent in the race and we areguilty of sins of omission as well as commission. So when a tragic occurencetakes place in some part of the country,such as the destruction of a town inKansas by a tornado, the loss of life andproperty in New England by a greatflood, or, the explosion of the airplane inColorado, people all over the countryshould profit by these tragic occurencesand repent of sins. Undoubtedly it is thepurpose of God who governs all things inHis infinite wisdom, to teach us by thesecalamities, that our lives and times arein His hands; and as David states it,"there is but a step between me anddeath."tears."This world is called "a vale ofIt is full of tragedy. The greatneed, therefore, of this and every hour, isboth national and individual repentance.The next principle thought is that thislife is a period of probation during whichwe are to repent and bring forth fruitunto eternal life. While it is true thatthe particular application which Jesuswished to make of the parable of thebarren fig tree was to Israel, it is alsotrue that it applies to all of us. We areon probation here. The Lord expects usto bring forth "fruit meet for repentThe public ministry of Jesus lasted approximately three years. Yet therehad been no national repentance. Comparatively few of the people had becomefollowers of the Saviour. Jesus comesseeking fruit on this tree which He hasplanted and on which He has lavishedsuch tender care. Only by reason of Hispatience has this tree been spared aslong as it has. But it was spared untilHis earthly ministry and also that of Hisapostles was completed and then withinthe century Jerusalem was destroyedDecember 28, 1955 427

people."not."and Israel ceased from being a nation.Now the thing that concerns us mostis, How are we using our period of probation? Are we bringing forth fruit untoeternal life or not? If we are not thenundoubtedly we are "cumbering" theground. In other words we are just inthe way and we are drawing strengthwhich might otherwise go into productive plants. Jesus desires fruitbearingvines in His vineyard and the way for usto be such is to repent of sin.Another outstanding thought in thislesson is that no ruler or faction in theworld is strong enough to thwart the infinite purpose of God in the establishment of His Kingdom. The Phariseesconnived with King Herod to have Jesuseliminated. No doubt Herod consideredJesus to be a harmless fanatic. He wasnot armed with sword or spear, andneither did He have an armed following.But He was stirring things up. So Heroddecided to kill Him, but to give Him timeto get out of the country if He wished toescape. Jesus was not in the least perturbed by this message which the Pharisees brought to Him. He even regardedHerod and his plans with contempt. "Goye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast outdevils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected."Jesus, as much as said, "I willleave this place when My work is completed and not before." God's plans inthe world may seem to be thwarted nowand then, and the Kingdom work setback, but, "now we see through a glassdarkly."We so often feel as did the twodisciples on the way to Emmaus whenJesus met them and walked with them,"We trusted that it had been he whichshould have redeemed Israel." Neithershould we be unduly disturbed by theconnivance of sinful men who seeminglyare able to set back the clock. Jesusremains in a place until His work isperfected, "for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem." And, when apunyruler decides to kill Jesus in oneway or another then, "He that sitteth inthe heavens shall laugh: the Lord shallhave them in derision."Finally: we would not leave thiswonderful Sabbath school lesson withoutspeakingof the infinite love and compassion which Jesus shows toward Hiswayward people. Read into these wordsHis agony when He, looking over thecity, said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,which killest the prophets, and stonestthem that are sent unto thee; how oftenwould I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her broodunder her wings, and ye wouldWehave a loving Saviour, One of the "Second Mile" who says, "All day long I havestretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying428Church NewsMiss Ora Hayes has recently beenelected to Delta Kappa Gamma, National Honor Society of Women Teachers.Mrs. A. J. McFarland is also a member.WHITE LAKEOur Fall Communion was held on October 23, with the Rev. George W. Priceassisting. Mr. Price brought to us veryhelpful messages.The W. M. S. held its annual ThankOffering service on the eveningof November 30. The program consisted of theshowing of the "Martin Luther" film.A new C. Y. P. U. was organized onthe evening of November 25 at the homeof our pastor. The officers are :Mr.Albert Dill, president; Miss Joyce Lynn,vice-president; Miss Beatrice Dill, secretary; and Miss Diana Brucher, treasurer. There are thirteen charter members in our society. A Junior Societyhas also been formed under the leadership of Miss Dorothea Miller.Our church was host at the community Thanksgiving service on November 23. Our pastor presided and theRev. Charles Stewart, minister of theMethodist Church, brought the message.On December 4, the Renwick Taceyfamily met with an accident on theirway to church. A fire truck returningfrom a fire, skidded across the road andcollided with their car. The only oneseriously injured was Mrs. Tacey whosustained a fractured patella. She willbe hospitalized for two months. Theprayers of the congregation are thatshe will have a complete recovery.Another of our members who has beenhospitalized recently is Miss Mae Laird.We hope that she too will be up andaround real soon.OUR HOMEOn Sabbath November 20, Mr. RobertMcCracken of the Seminary preached.Thank you, Bob, you were as usual,good.On Sabbath, November 13, the Reverend David Carson preached at theHome. Mr. Carson is head of the Political Science Division on Geneva College.and is also an excellent preacher.On Tuesday, November 22, the GirlScout troop from the nearby Methodistchurch had a nice little program andserved cookies and candy in basketswhich they had made.Our regular Thanksgiving dinnerwas had at the Home. Many of themembers came down to the Central-Pittsburgh, which is alwaysa unionservice on Thanksgiving, alternatingwith Allegheny, for the Thanksgivingservice. The Reverend Kermit Edgarpreached the sermon this year, and anexcellent sermon it was! The druggistwhom we patronize generally near theHome, sent in ice cream for the dessertfor our members.The Allegheny Young Adult Groupsent in individual baskets of mints foreach member for a treat. How nice,Young Adults, "Inasmuch as ye havedone it unto one of the least ofthese,ye have done it unto Me." Thank you,and DO COME AGAIN, not only forthe joy you bring, but also for theblessingyou receive from so doing!On Friday, the 25th the Primary Department under Miss Mary McCloskeyand Mrs. Robert McConaughy and MissShirley Hoy (our church visitor) madeand brought in individual basketscookies and candy for each one. Thechildren had made the cookies at thechurch earlier in the day. Thank youvery much.You will be glad to know Dr. Wiggins is continuing to improve. Again,thank you for your prayers. Do continueto pray, and give tlvanks for the improvement.REMEMBER: 1955 is almost over.You can DEDUCT from your incometax your contributions to the HOMEBUILDING FUND. PRAY, PRAY,PRAY THAT THE LORD WILLLEAD US AND TOUCH THE HEARTSOF THE CHURCH TO GIVE TO THISDESPERATELY NEEDED HOME FORTHE AGED AND MISSIONARIESAND MINISTERS. ARE THERE NOTSOME OF YOU WHO COULD GIVEUS $10,000, SOME $5,000, SOME $2,000,SOME $1,000? LET US PRAY, PRAY,PRAY BELIEVING.Press CommitteeOAKDALEOur sympathy goes to Mr. and Mrs.Charles Palek and Mary Beth in theloss of their father and grandfather,Mr. Joseph Palek.Our oldest member, Mr. James Piper celebrated his 96th birthday November. 14. His many friends wish himmany more such celebrations. Mr. Piper lives with his niece, Mrs. Ann Lyonsof Nashville. He enjoys fair health andcomes to church often.Mr. and Mrs. Earl Auld, Morning,Sun, Iowa, visited for two weeks inCOVENANTER WITNESS

the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Auld.Mr. and Mrs. Dale Musselman, KansasCity, visited with their parents, Mr.and Mrs. Harold Auld over the Thanksgiving holiday.Mrs. Bartlett, State President of theW.C.T.U., was present at our worshipservice, November 20.Dr. Smith preached our Thankoffering sermon December 11. The Juniors,as well as representatives from bothmissionary societies, also had a part inthe service.The following Sabbath School officershave been elected for the coming year:Superintendent, Preston Carson; Assistant Superintendent, Glenn Thompson;Secretary-Treasurer, Gertrude Torrens;Assistant, William Richards; Precentors, Eileen Auld, Lucille Coulter; JuniorDepartment, Margaret Patton, EleanoraCarson; Cradle Roll, Pearl Auld.Kenneth Hood was home recently tospend a few days with his family before going on to Fort Sill. His new address is: Pvt. Kenneth Hood U. S.55510599; C. Btry. 617 Sec. 1; Fort Sill,Oklahoma.The annual church dinner will be heldThursday, December 29.THERD PHILADELPHIA, PA.Miss Jane McCleary,Women's Missionary Society, was hospresident of thetess for the November meeting whichwas featured by beautifully coloredslides of our Mission in Selma and oursister congregation in Florida. Thesepictures were taken and shown by Mr.Robert J. Crawford, Sr. who recentlyvisited in the deep South.Mrs. R. J. Crawford Sr. is the busiest of W. M. S. Sunshine Chairwomenwriting to the sick ones and shut-ins;making jams and jellies to take alongwhen she visits them; sending flowerscandy and other gifts to various outof-boundsmembers.Mrs. Arthur Danenhour collected W.C.T.U. membership dues during November and the Blue Banner Classmembers are takingorders for greeting cards. The profits will be used fordefraying the expenses of our S. S.boys and girls to White Lake Campnext summer.Miss Elizabeth McHatton gave a veryinteresting talk about the AmericanBible Society on the Sabbath precedingthe one when the entire Sabbath Schooloffering would be given to this organization.Miss Isabel Crawford,superintendentof the S. S., gave news of the GeneSpear family, telling of their long rideeach day to language school and oftheir requests for our prayers for ourLord's work and workers in Japan.Mrs. Carl Keefauver is still amongDecember 28, 1955those who are on our special prayerlist. Deacon Walter McClaywas hospitalized for two weeks, being seriouslyill with pleural pneumonia, but we arethankful that he is improving and expects to return home soon.Members of our congregation werehappy to participate with many othergroups in honoring Dr. Renwick Martin at his retirement.Rev. and Mrs. George W. Price entertained Mr. Price's mother, Mrs.George W. Price, Sr. and brother, Mr.Reynolds Price, of Central Pittsburghcongregation.We had a refreshing profitable message given byour pastor on Thanksgiving Day, and our hearts were warmedby the presence of several of the youngpeople's groups. The offering was designated for the American Bible Society.It isn't given to every person thesignal honor of having an entire organization celebrate their years of servicein such a unique way as happened inthe case of one of Third Church'smembers. Lovely Miss Helen Schaal,niece of Mrs. Thomas McClay withwhom she resides, was the recipient of abeautiful Bible, a set of luggage, anorchid corsage and the first and only35 year service pin to be presentedto an employee of the company. Therewas a breakfast in her honor, and theSears company dedicated November 3,4 and 5, as "Helen Schaal Days." Helenis one of our favorite people, ever faithful in attendance at worship serviceson Sabbath Day; an active member ofthe W.M.S., and generously interestedin our youth groups, often providingthe refreshments for their parties.OUR THANKS TO OAKDALEThere are various ways of extending awelcome to a new pastor and his wifeand we have seen these demonstratedsince arriving here on the 21st of October. The nicely planned and concertedcongregational reception was held in thechurch on Friday evening, November 11.Mr. Robert Piper, chairman, announced a psalm and Dr. W. O. Ferguson offered the invocation. The juniorssang by solos and by groups and they inaddition to older ones played selectionson the piano. Mrs. Smith was presentedwith a beautiful flowering begonia, bythe juniors. Mr. Oscar McClay expressedgreetings from the congregation.Mr. Henry Zacheis spoke on behalf ofthe United Presbyterian Church of Oakdale. Rev. John McMillan and his fatherDr. M. S. McMillan brought personalgreetings and greetings on behalf of theSparta and Old Bethel congregations afew miles away.In response to all of this, we did ourbest to show our appreciation. After thiswe were invited to enjoythe refreshments of the ice cream and cake at thebeautifully decorated tables in the basement rooms. A surprise announcementtold us of the array of packages containing gifts of food covering a long table inthe Sabbath School room. These werevaried and abundant and will help infurnishingour table for many a meal.For these and later expressionsyour good will, we sincerely express ourdeep gratitude.ofSigned: Alvin and Sarah SmithW. M. S. DepartmentMrs. Ross Latimer. Editor.Prayer Hour. 1:00 P.M. MondaySynodicalCOULD IT HAPPEN HERE!Review we readFrom the Saturday"Last night the watchman of the GrandEagle Department Store found the bodyof a man lyingunder a counter. He wasthin, apparentlyand was shabbilyin his early thirties,dressed. His pocketswere empty and there were no marks ofidentification on him. It is believed thathe was trampled in the grand Christmasrush and he crawled under the counterfor shelter. None are able to account forthe apparent NAIL PRINTS IN HISHANDS. The police are investigating."OUR HOMEThe Board of Directors wish to thankthe friends of the church for the manygifts received on donation day. Thesegifts include: 349 quarts fruit andvegetables; 60 quarts juices, 58 quartsjellies, 23 pairs pillow cases, 1 sheet, 21lunch cloths, 19 towels, 39 wash cloths,3 dish cloths, 1 side bacon, 2 quartsmilk, 25 pounds flour.Donation com.Dear Iva:It has been fun trying to find waysto ARISE AND BUILD. Sometimes itseems I am making progress. But thereare days I slip back and feel so discouraged. I used to fear I was ill butmaybe the truth isWhat do you think?Dear Ineeda:Sincerely,Ineeda FriendI am just bored.You gave me a new idea. Boredom!Why that is America's most popularmalady. Americawith all her comfortsand wealth and gadgets is said to havethe highest per capita boredom of anyplace on earth. We have come to thepoint that nobody wants to hear aboutYOUR troubles they want to tell youabout THEIRS. Many sickly women are429

are."parents."closed."us."unknown!"They are just bored!It was true in Paul's day too. Henot sick.says, "Steer clear of the activities ofdarkness; let your lives show by contrast how drearyLet us awaken to the fact thatand futile these thingsmany of our ills can be cured by Spiritual conversion (repent and turn fromsin), Belief on Christ to help us, andService (use those God-given talents forman's good and God's glory).Let us try to cure BOREDOM withtrue repentance, belief and service.Yours till we write again,Iva HeartSynodicalNormal Christians are easy to livewith. If they are hard to live with theyare abnormal and misrepresent Christ,even though they may be His children.If you are not very kind, you are notvery holy. Lovingkindness is a mark ofholiness.If you can look at a half-built wallAnd see a cathedral shining tall,Or look at tangle brier and thornAnd see a rose as red as the morn,Why should we doubt that AlmightyGodCan look at a creature fashioned of sod,Transient dust of the earth and seeThe golden flame of Divinity!CORRECTIONMr. Charles S. Sterrett:Watkins.American School,Latakia, Syria.December 9, 1955There is a sentence in the "VineyardGleanings"5, 1955 on page 211,lows:in the "Witness" of Octoberwhich reads as fol"In Syria we are forbidden to teachthe Bible in our mission schools exceptto children of ProtestantI wonder if any of the Board membersof Foreign Missions has challenged thisstatement or written in to the paper tocorrect it. Or did they notice it, and ifthey did would they know whether itwas true or not? As a matter of fact itis not true. We are allowed to teachBible to all Christians in our school,no matter what sect they belong to; andalways have had that freedom. We areforbiddento teach to non-Christians,only. Quite a difference from the statement in the Witness.I wonder who wrote it. I first thoughtthat Dr. Allen did, then I understandhe did not, so suppose it was the editor.Think I'll send him a copy of this letter, too. (It was the editor's misinformation.) D.R.T.Then one of the Foreign MissionBoard's resolutions or recommendations430last summer was that we be made orforced to teach the Bible to all Christians in our schools. Why that? We havebeen doing it for about 100 years, andnever digressed from this. Does notthe Board know this?Then one of the weekly bulletinsat Sterling, Kansas, that I read thisfall, said something to this effect, "Itseems that our Latakia schools will soonbe Also some people are saying why give any money to the Latakiamission, since our schools are soon tobe closed. Even asking officers of theLadies synodical such questions.Yours Sincerely,C. T. Hutcheson"I would rather see a sermon than hearone any day.I'd rather one should walk with me thanmerely tell the way.The eye's a ready pupil and more willing than the ear.Fine counsel's oft confusing, but example's always clear.And the best of all the preachers are theones who live their creeds,For to see the good in action is whateverybody needs.I can soon learn how to do it, if you'lllet me see it done.I can watch your hands in action, butyour tongue too swift may run.The sermons you deliver may be verywise and true,But I'd rather get my lessons in observingFor I may misunderstand you in thewhat you do.high advice you give,But there's no misunderstanding howyou act and how you live."Author unknownExcerpt from lecture by Wilbur C.WesterdahlSomeone wrote: "It is one thing to bewilling to take the Lord, to intend totake the Lord, to be trying to take theLord for the blessing you need; but itis quite another thing to take the Lord!"How true !We often hear young church members say; "I am trying to serve theLord, I have resolved to try harder tobe a Christian, I have made up mymind to do better, I want to pray more,I want to live closer to God."But what we must say and mean to beovercomers is ; "I am serving the Lord, Iwill be a true Christian, I will do mybest,, I will pray more, I will live closeto Jesus, God helping me!The we will be victorious Christians!Christians who will look the world inthe face with purpose and joy,the world will recognize.dothatAs long as we only want to do and notWe are still in Satan's clutches.A. T.And I said to the man who stood at thegate of the year:"Give me a light that I may treadsafely into theAnd he replied:"Go out into the darkness and put yourhand into the Hand of God.That shall be to you better than lightway."and safer than a knownM. Louise HaskinsWHAT IF THIS WERE YOU?"This letter comes to you from theSanitarium of Soteria, in Athens,Greece, where I am a patient. How Ipraise God for the salvation I havefound in Christ. I could not live without Him."For nine years now I have beenstruggling against tuberculosis, and I;cannot regain my health. My poorchildren are beginning to show signsof the disease and I am afraid it isbecause they do not have anything toeat or a mother's loving care. Theirfather has suffered from pleurisy andis unable to work. You cannot imagine the suffering in which our littlefamily is found. I just cannot describeit to you. How is it possible for me toget well, knowing that my childrenlack even their daily bread? I amafraid they will die and I shall neversee them again. My despair is beyonddescription. Sometimes I feel it wouldbe better for me to die first so that Iwould not have to endure the sorrowof burying my children. Please putyourself in my place for just a littlewhile and you will feel something ofthe untold tragedy that exists in myheart. My clothing is all worn out andmy children are almost naked. Theyare two boys, ages 13 and 15. Pleasehave mercy on them and don't worryabout me. You cannot imagine how amother feels when she cannot takecare of her own children. Oh, how Iwish I could send them something tobring just a little joy into their lives!My only comfort is prayer and thereading of God's Word. I have faithto believe that the day of miracles isnot past and that the Lord JesusChrist is able to restore me to healthso that I may return to my familyand give them what they have lackedfor so many years."With much respect and much hope,"Mrs. Polyxeni TerzopoulouNOTE: What a despairing cry fromthe heart of this dear mother! Whatif this were you? What would youhave liked others to do for you? Dareyou do less for this dear Christiantubercular mother and her belovedchildren? The medicine she needs willcost $25, and with $6 a 22 lb. packageof warm clothing can be sent, andwith $10 they can purchase locally80 lbs. of nourishing food. There aremany like her who constitute a modern Macedonian call, "Come over andhelp You can do it through theAmerican Mission to Greeks, Inc.,Dept. CW, P. O. Box 423, New York36, N. Y., Rev. Spiros Zodhiates, General Secretary. In Canada write to 90Duplex Ave., Toronto 7, Ontario AdvCOVENANTER WITNESS

GROUPS OF THE 1955 COVAMLKI CAMP (OHIO AND ILLINOIS PRESBYTERIES)UPPER LEFT THE WHOLE GROUPUPPER RIGHT 15 CHICAGO JUNIORS,WITH REV. NORMAN CARSON AND WIFE AND SON MARKMIDDLE ROW LEFT A WATERMELON FEEDCENTERKENNETH SANDERSON, BOB TEMPLETON, MARJORIE SANDERSONRIGHTCOVAMICI JUNIORSLOWER LEFT THE 1954-55 CAMP STAFFCENTERTHE 1955-56 CAMP STAFFRIGHTYOUNG PEOPLE AND JUNIORSDecember 28, 1955 431

"They shall still bring forth fruit in oldage"Psalm 92:14In FellowshipIn Christian surroundingswith a Covenanter backgroundThrough our HOME FOR THE HOED,the Covenanter Church makes provision for its olderones in their sunset years.Our HOME FOU THE AOEi looks to the Church for support.This year the Home asks $6,000 from Synod's Budget.TOTAL AMOUNT ASKED FOR SYNOD'S BUDGET THIS YEAR:$120,000(Congregational Treasurers, please send contributions to Synod's Budget to Mr. Fox regularly)Stewardship Committee432 COVENANTER WITNESS

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