Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1928 - Rparchives.org

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 11
James M. Coleman who lectured on our principles for two
months last year has accepted a call and is no longer in the
field. The chairman of this Committee lectured and preached
in our church for more than two years and this last year has
been employed in Geneva College. The opportunity for field
work outside our church seems to have been gradually closing,
even though we ask no money from those to whom we speak.
The proposal to argue soberly and logically for principles and
practices requiring intelligence, conscience and faith and to do
this for an unpopular cause and in their own house meets with
little or no response. Therefore we turn to the mail service
and to the printed page.
The Committee advertised more than usual this past winter,
spending five hundred dollars, calling the attention of the
public to the excellence of the Psalms. This advertising appeared
in twenty-eight papers and periodicals and a great
many inquiries came in for the literature. People are not
entirely without interest, or at least curiosity, with regard to
the matter of praise. But this advertising could not be continued
long enough to make much impression.
The correspondence, ordering supplies, securing names
and addresses, deciding concerning tracts to be used—the office
work generally—has been done at bare cost and most of it
contributed to the cause, that all the means provided might
go into the work. The balance on hand April 1, 1928, was
$1188.57. The receipts for the year were $4835.23. Total
$6023.80. The expenditures were $5863.86. Balance on hand
April 1, 1928, $159.94.
The term for which R. J. G. McKnight, J. C. Slater, D. C.
Mathews, J. B. Willson and T. H. Martin were elected has expired
and their successors are to be chosen by this Synod.
We offer the following recommendations:
1. That, as in past years, literature on our distinctive
principles be sent out to the people of our own church and to
the ministers and members of other churches, as far and as
widely as the means provided will permit.
2. That the committee be authorized to select and print
new tracts, setting forth our testimony in a persuasive spirit
and with a constructive aim.
3. That this year of unusual political interest, when feeling
is likely to run high, be the occasion of an unusual effort to
build up a constituency of loyal people.
4. That pastors be encouraged to preach on our political
position, that our people request such sermons, and that our
elders give a whole hearted support to the pastor in being a
faithful witness.
5. That we encourage our members to look on our principles
as a life giving message, which it is a privilege to know
from Christ and 7. a 6. this blessing as That Saviour government the to hold people and cause King and a represented national be tell urged of nations. to others. recognition to by circulate this of committee, petitions our Lord seeking which Jesus