Covenanter Witness Vol. 54 - Rparchives.org

steps."
church"
mount."
required."
W. M. S. Department
Mrs. Ross Latimer, Editor,
Prayer Hour, 1:00 P.M. Monday
W. M. S. Topic for June
THEME: SELECTING THE PLAN
Titus 2:7-8
Mrs. M. K. Carson
It was our "dream house" ! High above
the water, its windows commanded a
wide view of the city, of the bay with
its busy coming and going
of craft of
all sizes and errands, of the tree-covered
hills beyond the harbor, and in the dis
tance, the peaks of the snow-capped
Olympics. Time and time again we turn
ed from our way to pass the house, so
beautiful in its construction, so perfect
in its landscaped setting, so utterly de
sirable.
We had the fond hope that
some day by some strange turn of cir
cumstance we might enter its door and
walk through its lovely rooms. That
day never came, but the house still
lives in memory, beautiful beyond all
dreams of possession.
Yet an even more satisfying dream
house can be your own possession and
mine as we build our life structure for
the Lord and by His grace. But first we
must choose well the pattern of our
building. Paul, who finished his course
with joy, set down for us his pattern
in Philippians 3:12-14, the eager follow
ing of the Lord for Whom he had suf
fered the loss of all things and counted
them but refuse for the love of the One
he had found. This same Jesus, who is
our guarantee of the covenant of grace
and of our acceptance in the Lord (Heb.
7:22), may be just as truly
our perfect
pattern. Peter knew Him as his pattern,
for he wrote (I Peter 2:21), "leaving
us an example, that we should follow
His John, the Beloved disciple,
followed that pattern and at the end
of his life he could say, "It doth not
yet appear what we shall be, but we
know . . . that
we shall be like Him."
Centuries before, David had set himself
the same pattern when he wrote, "I
shall be satisfied with Thy likeness." To
Peter and John on the lake shore, He
offered Himself when He said, "Follow
Me."
To us each one He makes the
same offer, to be not only our true and
perfect pattern, but much more to be
our very life, to make of us new crea
tures. "Who would not follow when He
called"
To choose a true pattern, one that
will never need alteration to suit time
or circumstance, that is of utmost im
portance. Yet even that most excellent
pattern can be of little avail unless it be
closely followed. "And look," said the
May 18, 1955
Lord to Moses, "that thou make them
after their pattern which was showed
thee in the
Moses had seen the vision of the com
pleted tabernacle in all its perfect beau
ty. With Moses worked Bezaleel and
Aholiab and all who were wise-hearted,
whom God had filled with the spirit of
wisdom, following in every detail the
pattern set before them. When the
"tent was complete, "the glory
of the Lord filled the tabernacle." For
all who had helped, what a day it was
to remember, when the Lord accepted
th,eir work,
the perfect plan!
the perfect execution of
As Moses had his perfect unalterable
plan to follow, so also have we. "Look
ing unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher
of
our
faith."
The skilled
workman
checks his work constantly by the speci
fications of his blue-print. So must we
constantly, humbly, earnestly look to
Jesus, being good stewards of the grace
He has given us, and so build our house
that at its completion it may, by His
grace, be filled with the glory of God.
The choice is ours. If our work is
willful, heedless, setting aside God's per
fect pattern to work out our own; if we
have neglected the good material He
has provided and built instead with hay
or stubble, then our work is only loss,
and to those who look to us for guidance
and inspiration, we become only a hind
rance,
a stumbling-block, a millstone
about their neck. But if we have chosen
the true pattern, have followed its every
direction and command, comparing our
work with the perfect model set before
us, then by the grace of God and the
working of His mighty power in us, our
building grows into the very likeness of
the Pattern and the beauty of the
Lord shines upon it. And others seeing
in us the pattern of good works are
themselves led to glorify God and choose
His way.
Our dream house! What could it not
be with such a Pattern, such grace in
every line, such beauty in its reflected
Glory, such permanence, as it endures
forever! Your dream house and mine,
by the exceeding riches of the grace of
God!
NOTICE TO ALL WOMEN from our
year book chairman, Mrs. Harold Hanna :
Harold Hutcheson is no longer teach
ing in Syria, but is in Germany in the
Armed Forces.
On the back of the program the name
of Mrs. R. H. George should replace that
of Mrs. Agness Steele as treasurer of the
Home for the Aged. Her address is Box
358 A.D.R. 7, Pittsburgh 29, Penna.
The Mission of the Covenant (Jew
ish Mission) has been closed and the
property sold.
Some effort has been
made toward the possibility of starting
work in New York City.
Hot Springs is an organized congre
gation, no longer a mission.
See Calendar for Giving, page 26. This
is a recommendation from the Plan of
Work Committee. Some find it advisable
to interchange the months especially
concerning the Special Project which is
new each year. Our Special Project of
this current year will be decided in the
Official Board Meeting June 11, 1955.
The Special Project last year was pay
ing transportation of a new missionary
to a foreign field, but no one sailed.
OUR WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT
OUR VICE-PRESIDENT WRITES:
To the Members of the Women's
Synodical Missionary Society
Dear Co-Workers :
How nice it would be if we could all
know one another personally! Since that
is not possible the best substitute is to
become acquainted through our Wom
en's Department Column in the "Cove
nanter Witness."
In a few short weeks it will be just
one year since many of us were gathered
at Grinnell. What wonderful memories
each of us has of the days spent there
with the Convention reaching its climax
Covenant!"
in "the Signing of The
Not only should this linger on in mem
ory but it should produce tangible re
sults. First, this Grinnell vision and rededication
should give new impetus to
our Christian life. It would be tragic to
revert to our former state. Second, this
should produce a desire to impart to
others some of that inspiration. This can
be done through our W.M.S. fellowship
and work.
Some of our Presbyterials will be over
before this appears in print. Neverthe
less, we are approaching the summer
time of relaxation when possibly we will
need most this zeal and extra effort.
Therefore, we need to remember the
words of Paul, "ever abounding in the
work of the Lord," or The Master's
words, "Unto whomsoever much is given
of him shall much be
Now is
the time when those who have had the
privilege of "Grinnell" and "The Signing
of the Covenant" can use it for the
honor and glory of the Lord.
The Plan of Work in the Uniform Pro
gram is given for this purpose. There
you will find an outline of suggestions,
some of which will be helpful in your
particular situation.
May we all "be steadfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord." I Cor.
15:58
Affectionately yours,
Mrs. Kermit S. Edgar
317