Covenanter Witness Vol. 54 - Rparchives.org

fear and trembling. But we came be
cause, so far as we could determine, it
was God's call. The problems have been
many, and still are, but under the Spir
it's guidance it seems that they are be
ing solved one by one.
We arrived late in the evening in this
big
strange place, and after considerable
manuevering finally found our way to
36 W. Hillcrest, in Havertown, a west
ern suburb of the city. Here was the
splendid new home (our home) recently
purchased as a parsonage by the con
gregation. It looked all bright and
cheery,
and one of the faithfuls greeted
us in the doorway. It was soon alive
with people. Our furniture had already
arrived and was being distributed
through the house. Beds were set up.
Shelves were well stocked with food.
The welcome was most gracious and
genuine. Our Installation and Reception
which came later, was most heart-warm
ing, and long to be remembered.
The problems of getting acquainted,
and trying to serve two congregations,
recently united but widely scattered
across the city and worshiping in two
churches, have not been easy to solve.
But, in general, the patient and coop
erative spirit on the part of the people
has been very evident, and is deeply ap
preciated.
In answer to prayer and under God's
guidance, according
to the agreement
on uniting, both churches have now been
sold, and at favorable figures. The First
Church went to a colored Baptist con
gregation who had lost their property in
a new bridge development. The Second
Church is being taken over the first of
February by an Apostolic Church group,
and will be quite centrally located for
them.
At a recent congregational meeting, a
temporary place of worship was decided
on. Our church home for the next six
months or more will be a little church
located at 7-9 Beverly in East Lans
downe, just off Baltimore Pike.
We are continually in prayer and ef
fort to find God's choice for us for a
permanent location. Already two votes
have been taken on possible locations,
but have resulted negatively. The big
decision is yet to be made, and then
there is much beyond that to challenge
us.
But, although there have been disap
pointments, and some losses and revers
es, yet, in general, we have found here a
group of loyal, devoted, and generous
people who love the Lord, and the
Church to which He has entrusted such
high standards of truth and conduct.
The average attendance at morning
services is around 65, and at the evening
services around 30. We have three group
meetings every Sabbath evening, and a
110
regular Wednesday evening Prayer
Service. We are happy
come in from time to time.
when visitors
The generosity of our people has been
referred to. It is much in evidence. Our
local budget is in good condition, and
Synod's budget is receiving a much
needed portion. Special offerings have
met a ready response. To us, on various
occasions such as Open House, Christ
mas, etc., have come many generous and
gracious gifts. At the aforementioned
recent congregational meeting, a gener
ous check for car-operating expenses
was voted.
For all these things for the loyalty
and faithfulness to Christ and the
Church on the part of so many; for their
long-suffering and much patience in our
short-comings; and especially for what
we believe to be some evidence of a de
veloping love for the Lord, and growth
in spiritual things, we give in this public
way
our sincere note of gratitude.
The McCrackens.
Too long in storage, Editor.
THANK YOIT, SYRACUSE
As we leave the work in Syracuse we
want to express our appreciation to a
generous and willing
people for their
many kindnesses and for their spirit of
co-operation during the nearly seven
and a half years we were among them.
We also want to say "Thank You" for
the gift of money
at the farewell gath
ering; and for the many acts of thought
fulness during those last days when we
were in process of packing and depart
ing.
Our earnest prayer is that the Syra
cuse congregation may continue to flour
ish and increase as it holds forth the
Word of Life in the community it has
served so well for more than a century.
G. M. and Ruth R. Robb
A new typewriter has been added to
the study in the SEATTLE parsonage;
another and the latest in a succession of
kindnesses to pastor and family by the
congregation. In our three years here,
we can point to numerous conveniences
and improvements that have made us
aware of,
and truly
grateful for the
thoughtfulness of these friends. Not only
are we thankful to them but also for
them, because they are shedding abroad
the love of God.
Thank you Seattle.
Melville and Marian Martin,
BARR-McWHINNEY
& daughters
Miss Jean Barr and Mr. Wilbur Mc
Whinney
took place at the parsonage of the Alle
gheny
announce their marriage which
Reformed Presbyterian Church
on Thursday evening, February 3, at
8:30 o'clock. The Reverend Mr. Kermit
Edgar, pastor of the church where both
attend, performed the ceremony.
The bride is a graduate of Carnegie
Institute of Technology, and of the Syra
cuse School of nursing. She was a mis
sionary to China under the Reformed
Presbyterian Board for some years, and
for the past three years has been Ma
tron of the Reformed Presbyterian
Home on Perrysville Avenue. Mr. Mc
Whinney is an engineer.
The bride looked very lovely in a navy
blue suit with pink accessories and had
a very beautiful corsage of orchids. Af
ter the wedding the Reverend and Mrs.
Edgar had a very beautifully decorated
cake for the bride and groom to cut,
and served ice cream, candies and coffee
with it. The groom's daughter and her
family were present, and Mr. and Mrs.
R. Howard George and Mr. and Mrs.
Wyman S. Robb. Mrs. George and Mrs.
Robb are the two past presidents of the
Board of Managers of the Home under
whom Mrs. McWhinney has served. The
bride and groom left for a short trip to
Washington, D. C. They
will be "at
home"
at 2344 Perrysville Avenue after
February 15.
Press Committee.
ALMONTE, CANADA
Traverse Coates passed to his Eternal
Home on January 12, 1955, after having
suffered for some time with a heart
condition. He became a member of the
Almonte Congregation eleven years ago
and took an active part in the activities
of the church. The sympathy and
prayers of the congregation are for his
wife Eva, and the family, Geraldine,
Donald, Sandra, Margaret and Linda.
Mr. Norman Bowes underwent an
emergency operation on
January 28. We
are thankful that he is now recovering
satisfactorily.
The monthly meeting of the W.M.S.
was held January 27 with Mrs. Jane
Waddell as hostess.
QUINTER
Rev. Sam Boyle spent a week in
Quinter. He preached at four services.
On Wednesday evening, January 26, he
showed slides of Japan. Friday evening
we had a covered dish dinner, after
which he showed motion pictures. He
also preached at both services Sabbath
day. This should awaken our interest in
the Lord's work in Japan.
Miss Ruth McBurney left Saturday,
January 29, to resume her nurses train
ing at K. U. Medical center in Kansas
City, Kansas.
I moderated a call for the Hetherton
congregation on
Wednesday, February
2, 1955, which resulted in the unani
mous choice of Rev. E. Raymond Hemp
hill to become pastor. Remo I. Robb
THE COVENANTER WITNESS