Covenanter Witness Vol. 54 - Rparchives.org

quest,"
now,"
about the last words of showman P. T. Barnum,
"What were the receipts today " The Synod was told
to consider our receipts, but to think of better things
than silver and gold.
The order of the day was an offering to defray
Synod's expenses.
Then David M. Carson, chairman of the Witness
Committee, presented a report telling of the special
emphasis given, as for several years, to the support
of the Christian Amendment Movement. Synod re
joiced in the introduction of the Christian Amend
ment Bill by three different members of the House
of Representatives, none of them saying "by re
but each of his own will.
Dr. A. J. McFarland, field secretary of CAM, in
his remarks following the report, testified, "We are
in different times and indicated a changed
attitude in Washington from the years the bill was
first being presented. Rev. S. E. Boyle led Synod in
prayer for the success of the Christian Amendment.
According to the report of Dr. John Peoples,
Philadelphia, the property of the Jewish Mission has
been sold, after a long time of failure to secure a
buyer. It is purchased by a mission congregation,
and continues to be used for worship, which is grati
fying to the Jewish Mission Board who feared it
might be turned into a tavern.
Synod expressed its appreciation to Dr. Peoples
for his sacrificial work at the Jewish Mission, and
later voted him a small monetary token of appreci
ation.
In the report of the House Mission Board, Ker
mit Edgar, recording secretary, noted the change
in objective in the work in Kentucky, and the work
of all the fields was reviewed. Each year several
congregations are granted salary supplements, and
the recommendations of the Board were adopted,
which are on the basis of paying pastors $2,700 a
year plus parsonage or an additional $600.
Remo Robb then spoke on behalf of Home Mis
sions, and appealed for a worker in Kentucky, a wo
man qualified to teach Bible in the schools, and able
to drive a car. Supplements will be published later.
Monday 8:45 A. M.
The Home Missions Report
Synod voted its appreciation to Rev. Kermit
Edgar for his diligence as secretary of the Home
Mission Board. Field workers were presented: Dr.
Claude C. Brown of the Southern Mission, Rev. D. C.
Ward of the Indian Mission, and Rev. E. Ray Hemp
hill of the Kentucky Mission, each spoke briefly of
the situation in his field. Dr. Brown said the South
is going through another transition period as severe
as the years following the Civil War. Rev. D. C.
Ward explained that the Indian's worst problems
came from his association with white men, especially
the habit of beer-drinking. Mr. Hemphill expressed
his appreciation of support and help given in Ken
tucky and especially mentioned Dr. Remo Robb and
Milton Harrington.
Kentucky Not Abandoned
Mr. Edgar emphasized that Kentucky has not
been abandoned, but the objective modified. Synod
voted appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd White for
splendid work in New Mexico, and to the Hemphills
who soon end nine years labor in Kentucky.
392
Then Dr. Remo T. Robb reported on his work as
Home Mission Secretary and Secretary of Young
People's Work. Approval was given the series of Bi
ble Studies prepared this year and a committee was
appointed to continue that work and extend it. Sev
eral testimonies were given of the value of these
studies, and how they are meeting a great need.
The morning session closed with prayer by Dr.
Robert Clarke.
Monday Afternoon
The attention of the church is anually called to
conditions in the world which effect the church,
through the work of the committee on the Signs of
the Times. This was read by Dr. R. C. Fullerton,
New Alexandria.
The rest of Monday
afternoon was given to dis
cussion of the proper use of various translations of
the Bible, in connection with Rev. S. E. Boyle's re
port for such a committee, appointed last year. The
report warned against considering anything as in
spired except the original scriptures in Hebrew and
Greek, but called upon the church to be alert to mat
ters of accuracy
and dignity.
Dr. R. J. McKnight said of the Revised Stan
dard Version, "It is a New Bible." He deplored the
monetary aspect of the promotion of the RSV, and
objected to the change from "Thou" to "You" in
addressing God.
It was pointed out that perhaps not officially,
but in practice, we have adopted the King James
Version as the authorized Bible, and we should dis
courage the use of other versions, as confusing and
misleading.
Dr. F. E. Allen felt the committee had missed
the object of its assignment, and pointed out evi
dence of the bias of the RSV committee toward a
liberal theology.
Others maintained we need a Bible in the lan
guage of the people, which is not satisfied by the
King James Version.
The discussion was interrupted by* the after
noon recess.
Monday Night
The night session was opened by prayer by
R. H. McKelvey, pastor of the Lochiel congregation.
The report of the Board of Corporators of
Geneva College was read by Rev. Robert Tweed, the
secretary of the Board.
Merril Robb, president of the college Board of
Trustees, presented the proposed changes in the char
ter and by-laws, including an increase in the size of
the trustee board from 21 to 31. He also reviewed the
work of the past year, noting six professions of faith
by students, meetings of groups for prayer and de
votions. The report had been prepared by Ethel M.
Lytle, secretary of the board.
Saddened by announcement of the death of Dr.
Paul Coleman, Dr. R. A. Blair led Synod in prayer.
Comments were made on the retirement of Dr.
Robert Park, professor in the College since 1922.
Dr. Park was asked to speak. "It is a great school.
It could be the greatest in America," he said, in ex
pressing
appreciation of Synod's
remarks. As a
former student of Dr. Park, Dr. Bruce Willson paid
tribute to influence of the retiring professor.
In connection with the report, Dr. Lee, president
COVENANTER WITNESS