Covenanter Witness Vol. 54 - Rparchives.org

see,"
stitution."
will."
of the College, was asked to speak, and told several
interesting items. There are students of several
races, religions, and 20 or 30 denominations. En
dowment is now $924,542.01, goal is a one million
dollar endowment. Rev. Willard McMillan, Parnassus
pastor, has been elected to teach Bible in the College.
Dr. J. G. Vos will be acting head of the Bible depart
ment. The healthy financial condition was noted,
past deficits being eliminated.
Dr. Vos was also heard by Synod,
with special
attention to the Bible department. He reported en
joyment of the work, and the busiest year of his life.
Bible study is required, and classes are large. He was
gratified by opportunities for personal counseling.
Elder's Conference
Elders who are delegates to Synod have a meet
ing for consideration of the church's work from the
viewpoint of the elders. A call was issued for 30
theological students iii the next 5 years. A request
was made for reconsideration of actions in the elec
tion of seminary professors. The matter was post
poned to come up Tuesday morning.
Tuesday Morning
Dr. D. R. Taggart constituted the court in
prayer. The final devotional program of Synod was
led by Dr. D. R. Wilcox, with Merrill Robb reading
the Scripture and elders Dr. E. J. M. Dickson and
Chester Fox leading in prayer. The topic of this last
address was "How to Increase our Vision," 2 Kings
6:15-17. Since Robert McMillan, whose name was
on the program, could not attend, Dr. R. I. Robb had
been asked to speak. He applied the verse, "Lord,
open his eyes that he may to the Covenanter
Church.
It is sometimes asked, "What shall we do"
essential"
"What is
Mr. Robb asked. "Is hair
essential Ten fingers An appendix"
He maintained that more is essential than mere
life. We should grow. We should increase our vision.
It was pointed out that we stand before the church
as Elisha before his servant, who prayed for an en
larged vision. This was a challenge to pray for our
selves, and open our eyes to see.
From back in the docket, the moderator called
upon the Board of Pensions, which now had mimeo
graphed outlines of theij suggestions. The board
believed ministers should enroll under social security.
But present pension contracts will continue: those
with the Presbyterian Ministers Fund. A point of
discussion was the discontinuance of the collection of
1% of the salary of ministers now paying that
amount into the pension fund, to allow the easier
payment of social security tax of 3%, which will be
increased to 6% eventually.
Elder J. L. Wright led in prayer, closing this
session.
Tuesday 8:45 A. M.
In the report of the Elders Conference it was
suggested that Synod reconsider the election of Sem
inary professors. This was done in executive session,
and resulted in confirming the action of a previous
session.
Tuesday, 1:30 P. M.
The roll call was omitted, to save the time of
Synod. The last day, time was at a premium.
June 22, 1955
Dr. Paul D. McCracken read the memoir he had
prepared of the life of Paul Coleman. Dr. H. G. Pat
terson led Synod in prayer, which was followed by
the singing of the 23rd Psalm.
Resuming the consideration of the report of the
Board of Corporation of Geneva College, comments
were made about the proposed loyalty oath to be re
quired of corporators and Covenators members of
and faculty. This
the trustees, and administrations,
was in the form of a promise to live and teach the
position of the Covenanter Church. The item was
referred back to the Corporators, and the remainder
of the report approved.
Dr. J. R. Patterson, executive secretary of the
National Reform Association, presented the report
of the Covenanter members of the Board of Direc
tors. This covered the areas of printing, liquor facts
folders, the Christian Statesman, public addresses,
10,000 letters mailed, a program of cooperation with
Allegheny County, Pa., ministers, to promote Sab
bath observance. Bible reading in schools was given
considerable attention.
One enterprise that got a fine response was the
showing of the film "One in 20,000," which drama
tizes the injurious effect of tobacco. This film was
shown in the chapel last Friday
night. It had been
shown to over 7,000 high school students. Nine
recommendations were offered, and adopted.
Following the report, Dr. R. H. Martin, presi
dent of the Association, related his experiences in
Chicago, where he addressed the meeting of the Na
tional Association of Evangelicals on the critical
reflected in the inquiries
situation in public schools,
and pronouncements of various churches and coun
cils.
COMMITTEE ON THE OATH
The committee on the Oath, read by Dr. S. Bruce
Willson,
gave particular attention to a paper re
ferred to them by Synod on the distinctions between
the Oath to the Constitution, and the Oath required
of enlisted men in the Army. This presented a ques
tion of conscience to one member of the church es
pecially. In reply, the committee emphasized the dis
tinction between "Country, or Nation," and "Con
One recommendation extended the use of
the "Explanatory Declaration" to the enlisted man's
oath in case of conscientious scruples. A year's study
is to be made of the limitations upon a Christian's
obedience to governmental authority.
Dr. A. J. McFarland of the Judicial Committee
reported their action on the question sent from Cy
prus about relations with the Armenian congrega
tions there which are not Covenanter congregations.
The question was about the meaning of "ecclesiasti
cal fellowship and good The reply sent to the
Armenians was approved.
The committee on Church Union, reported by
Dr. D. Ray Wilcox, stated they had correspondance
with seven denominations, some of whom have ap
pointed committees to consider our Constitution. The
committee is continued, to negotiate with the same
seven denominations.
Dr. C. T. Carson presented the report of the
committee on finance. Synod's Trustees are to out
line proceedure in sale and disposal of church prop
erty. Dr. Peoples was awarded $100 in recognition of
his work in caring for the Jewish Mission property.
Next each presbytery reported its situation as
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