Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

OLUME LXXXVI NO. 1 JANUARY 6, 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 31, 1971FOR THE NEW YEARI look not back; God knows the fruitless efforts,The wasted hours, the sinning, the regrets.I leave them all with Him who blots the record,And graciously forgets.I look not forward; God sees all the future,The road that, short or long, will lead me home,And He will face with me its every trial,And bear for me the burdens that may come.I look not round me; then would fears assail me,So wild the tumult of earth's restless seas,So dark the world, so filled with woe and evil,So vain the hope of comfort and of ease.I look not inward; that would make me wretched;For I have naught on which to stay my trust.Nothing I see save failures and short-comings,And weak endeavors, crumbling into dust.But I look up — into the face of Jesus.For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled;And there is joy and love, and light for darkness,And perfect peace, and every hope fulfilled.— SelectedI-4MISSIONARYNUMBER

REV. J. PAUL WILSONNicosia, CyprusWRITES:December 2, 1970Dear Friends in Christ:Last Thursday our Mission group, plus Mr.Christou and his daughter Niki, gathered in ourhome for Thanksgiving dinner. In addition we hadMr. Harold Hutcheson with us. He is the oldest sonof Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Hutcheson who were formerlymissionaries here and in Syria. It was the Nicosiagroup's turn to serve as hosts and hostesses of thisannual event. In a united service of Thanksgivingled by Don Piper in the Girl's Academy auditoriumin which nationals were invited to share, we rejoicedtogether in prayer and praise of God's goodness to usthrough another year. Only among Christians cantrue thanksgiving be expressed, and it was a joy tothe heart of all of us to recount God's varied blessings.Thanksgiving came in the midst of our Communionseason this fall, and it too proved a blessedevent. We had good reason for thanksgiving in theaddition to our fellowship of two of our young people.One was Leonides Pantelides, whose name hasappeared in our news letters before. The other, Ibelieve, has not broken into our news until now.This is Miss Christalla Mercuri, a senior in the Girls'Academy. This is a real step of faith, calling forgenuine conviction and courage. It has alreadybrought suffering to one of these two. We commendthem to the prayers of all the church, that they maygo on in the Spirit from strength to strength. Theprayers and labors of various CCC workers are representedin this step of these two leaders of our Cyprusyouth. Will you also pray that their step may be anencouragement to many others to follow by a faithfulconfession of Christ. Already there are at leastseven fellows and girls who have requested training,looking forward to church membership. Pray withus that we all may be kept usable in leading theseand others in their early steps of faith.We are all sorry that Gretchen Edgar was preventedfrom being with us in this first communionsince her arrival last July. She had to be in a privateclinic from Fridaytill Monday to have calcium depositsremoved from the sides of her feet. It waspainful for Gretchen, but she used part of her timeas an opportunity to witness to the doctor and nursesabout the Christian faith.We are now looking forward to the end of theyear activities. This includes much visiting fyihomes of students to meet parents. Then of coursethere is the endless stream of young people whocome for counsel and prayer. How we rejoice in theSee page 9Pacific Coast Presbytery ExtensionWorkThe Rev. D. Raymond McCracken has respondedto the Call of Pacific Coast Presbytery, and hascome to survey possible locations in the Los Angeles-Orange County area for church extension, and todo preliminary work in opening a new field.He and his family arrived in September, andsince the specific location of a future work has notbeen decided upon, the Ad Interim Commission feltled to seek to rent a house (not an easy thing to findin this area) which would be a temporary home forthe family as well as a base of operations for surveyand preliminary work.We believe that God led us to a house at 20563Barnard, Walnut, CA 91789. The house is both comfortablefor the family, and attractive and spaciousfor informal group meetings. Walnut is a newrapidly-growing community about four miles southof Covina.As the McCrackens have been getting settled,they have been getting acquainted with people incthe community. A number of families have childrenthe ages of their children. A series of Bible studies onTuesday evenings have been initiated in the home.Several couples are attending as well as severalcollege students from nearby Mount San AntonioCollege. Volleyball and other activities are plannedas means of getting acquainted. Mr. McCrackenhas been well received in many homes where hehas called, and there is real interest in a Biblecenteredfellowship.Synod's Board of Home Missions and ChurchExtension is underwriting the salary and housingallowance this first year. The Presbytery is alsocommitting itself to help with housing and promotionalexpense. To this end they have asked eachcongregation in the Presbytery to encourage eachmember to give $5 for Presbytery's Extension workthis year. Contributions are to be sent to the Treasurerof Presbytery, Lewis Keys, 12892 Rosalind, SantaAna, CA 92701.We ask the prayers of the church for this work.COVENANTER WITNESS

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial orgran of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.: zvtmtucu. mm* AMMUIMNEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, DJ>.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Phone 316 — Br. 8 • 3472Printed each week under the supervision of theBoard of Education and Publication by the PattersonPress, Winchester, Kansas.Contributing Editors: Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of theindividual writer, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witnessshould be typewritten, double-spaced, and should be inSterling, Kansas two weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty,one cent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, BritishIsles 40/- (L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, BritishIsles 72/- (L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100% of congregationsubscribe; $4.00 if 75% of congregation subscribe; BritishIsles 32/- (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9 month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. HughWright, B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, NorthernIreland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Sendboth the new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster: Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conductThe Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy SpiritThe fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believeln Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church GovernmentThe Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or eoma*union are essential to the2welfare of the Church.GEORGE WASHINGTON"It is impossible to rightly govern the worldwithout God and the Bible."THOMAS JEFFERSON"The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty .. .1 havealways said, I always will say, that the studiousperusal of the Sacred volume will make bettercitizens better fathers, and better husbands."DAVID J. BREWER"Any individual or institution that could takethe Bible to every home in this country would domore for the country than all the armies from thebeginning of our history to the present time."This Week's WitnessNow Concerning the Collection 3Glimpses of the Religious World 4In Motion in Japan 5Rev. J. Paul Wilson Writes . 6Pacific Coast Presbytery Extension Work 6The Message That Saves 7Bible Quiz 8Homespun Verse 9Prayer Brings a Lost Boy Home 10Lesson Helps 11Church News 14Some This and That in W. M. S 16The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. TweedCOVENANTER WITNESS

Now Concerning The Collectionby Samuel M.In all the Greek manuscripts of Paul's first letterto the Corinthians there is not even a semicolon todivide the glorious 15th chapter on the Resurrectionfrom the statement at the beginning of the 16thchapter: "Now concerning the collection." For aChristian to believe in the living Redeemer and toabound in the work of the Lord implies regular offerings,gifts, and self-denial to support this work.Paul was an example and an inspiration to allmissionaries and to all Christians — he was notashamed of the "collection plate." He wrote elsewherevery plainly "concerning giving and receiving."He raised money for missions and for the poorof the Church. He himself was generously supportedby the church at Philippi.It is not surprising, therefore, that the modernmissionary must give of his time and strength whenon furlough to secure from the Church at homemoney for the enterprise. All try it. Some succeed,and some fail. But the experiences one has in beingGod's beggar on the doorsteps of Dives and Companyare priceless, whether one meets with liberal giftsor niggardly refusals.The same plea meets with varied response. Myexperience is like that of the American soldier inthe first World War who was successively billetedin an Irish, an English, and a Scotch home. In eachplace he asked for more sugar in his tea. The Irishwoman said, "Here's the bowl, help yourself"; theEnglish lady said, "Pass your cup and I'll give youa second lump"; while the Scotch housewife lookeddour and asked, "Mon, have ye stirred it?"The acid test of our love to Christ and His Kingdomis stewardship. The Master still sits before thetreasury and weighs our contributions as He didthose of the rich Pharisees and the poor widow.It is not an easy task to raise money for missions,but I have often comforted myself by the words ofArthur T. Pierson: "We know that the rich manopened his eyes on a different scene, but the beggarlanded in Abraham's bosom." I have met with rebuffon several occasions during the years, but the recollectionsof those who gave hilariously (II Corinthians9:17) and liberally stand out in my memory.There was a Sioux County farmer in Iowa whoheard of Arabia when I was ordained as a missionary.His own pioneer experience responded to suchan appeal, and I recall how he supported our firstZwemernative evangelist. His letters in Dutch, and thosefrom the native evangelist in Arabic, crossed theseas — and after translation joined hearts in prayer.Another wealthy farmer was the greatest hograiser in his state. His hogs took the blue ribbonprizes, but his heart was that of the Gadarenes.One day, as he himself told me, he received an impudentand threatening letter from gangsters inthe county seat. It was signed with skull and crossbonesand spoke of murder unless "you skinflint,you put $2,000 in a cigar box under a stone at thecrossroads." In great fear he spread the letter beforethe Lord as did Hezekiah of old. He prayed thatGod would deliver him from the gang, who apparentlymeant business, and vowed to make restitutionto God. He paid his vow over and over again to thecause of Christian education and missions; nor washe ever molested.At the close of a service in Philadelphia at whichI had spoken of missions in Arabia, two ladiesdressed in fine sealskin coats tarried to meet thepreacher. They said: "We really could not go withoutgiving you some token of our interest in your greatwork. . . ." And, believe it or not, when I had thankedthem warmly and opened my closed hand in thevestry, the image and superscription was that of anAmerican 25-cent piece.The following week I was in Rochester, NewYork. It was a very cold day; I called on an oldfriend who sold automobile accessories. He remarkedthat my light overcoat was unsuited except forArabia, took down an expensive fur-lined overcoat,and insisted that I pay for it and wear it. He lookedat the sales tag and said, "The price of this to youis 25 cents. No, I am not joking; pay me the sum,and then we'll go to lunch together." I told him thePhiladelphia story and paid the quarter. Later thecoat was bequeathed to a Dakota missionary.This Rochester friend kept a tithing account inhis bankbook (as I learned after his death). His sonshowed the account to me. At the top of each pageof benevolences were the words: "W. R., in accountwith his Redeemer."It is a spiritual tonic to meet such businessmen.He was like the lawyer to whose office a friend andI went to solicit a gift for a certain project. "Gentlemen,"he said, "you need not waste your time orSee page 9JANUARY 6, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014DR. MARTYN LLOYD-J ONES ON ROMANSDr. Lloyd-Jones,till his recent "retirement," wasminister at Westminster Chapel, London. He lectured— preached, he says — through the book ofRomans, to his congregation, commencing at chapter1, in October 1955 and ending with Romans 14:17in March 1968, more than 12 years. These wereFriday night meetings, during the winter monthsonly, October through May, but — and note thatthis was on Friday nights — they were attendedregularly by 1000 to 1200 persons, in a land whichBilly Graham and others have said, is at a lowerChristian and moral ebb than the U.S.A.Banner of Truth Trust is beginning the publicationof this series, starting with the messages onRomans 3:20, since they wish to get to the heart ofthe epistle and of the gospel immediately. (Romans1:1-3:20 is certainly important, showing the universaldepravity and need of the human race, butwe live in a generation that makes extended argumenton this score less needed. It is being preachedand demonstrated in song, in picture, in revolution.)Donald Grey Barnhouse, for many years the veryengaging preacher of Tenth Presbyterian Church ofPhiladelphia, also had a ten-volume series onRomans, but his work is marred by his dispensationaltheories.Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, in Banner of Truthmagazine, "People have often complained that thecommentaries 'are dry as dust.' There is surely somethingwrong if that is the case. Any kind of expositionof 'the glorious gospel of the blessed God' shouldnever produce such an impression. It is my opinionthat we have had far too many brief commentarieson and studies in the Scriptures. The greatest needtoday is a return to expository preaching. This iswhat happened in the time of the Reformation andthe Puritan Revival and the Evangelical Awakeningof the 18th Century. It is only as we return to thisthat we shall be able to show people the grandeurglory, and majesty of the Scriptures and theirmessage.""HIS LAND"4This film in magnificent color produced by theBilly Graham film agency, and with Cliff Barrowsproviding the theological narration, has the approvalof the Israeli government. Golda Meir said, after aprivate showing, "It makes our country even morebeautiful than it is." It is presented from an evangelicalChristian point of view, as the narrator calls attentionto the Old Testament prophecies which werefulfilled in Christ, and others which are presented asfinding fulfillment in the present independence andprosperity of modern Israel. (Some of those cited arein my judgment obviously not applicable, such asZeph. 3:9, where the "pure language" is supposedlythe modern speaking of the old "pure Hebrew" languagein Jerusalem today. L.K.)A somewhat unexpected joint sponsorship of theEvangelical Ministers Association and the NationalConference of Christians and Jews, presented thefilm in Phoenix, in a Southern Baptist Church, tomore than 1500. A local missionary to the Jewsand a Jewish rabbi shared the platform afterwardto answer questions. With such sponsorship therewere many Jews present. The philosophy of modernJudaism came through loud and clear, in my judgment,while the Christian message seemed not upto the technical excellence of the film, either in thequestions and answers or in the film sound track.The theological approach of the film is, of course,that of premillenialism.THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE FOR THE CAMPUSThe two leading campus Christian organizations,Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and CampusCrusade, are holding and planning their inspirationaland training conferences, the I-V with "Urbana70" meeting at the University of Illinois campuswhere upwards of 7000 college students are expectedduring the Christmas holidays, and CampusCrusade with a great congress called "Explo 72",at which the leaders expect to train 100,000 youngpeople, at some 50 locations in the city of Dallas,at the close of the academic year in 1972 Theemphasis of the former is primarily missionary,while the latter is geared more to the popular "FourSpiritual Laws" type of personal encounter withSee page 9COVENANTER WITNESS

In Motion In JapanRev. Gene W. Spear, Kobe, JapanThe little chapel was filled with people of allages from infancy to near eighty. There were morefamilies, more children, more baptisms (seven), andmore communicants (59) than I can ever remember.And at least one member said that at this last communionservice in the Kasumigaoka chapel she receivedmore spiritual blessings than ever before.For all this we give thanks.They came by plane, train, bus, and car fromAustralia, Indonesia, Guam, Ceylon, Pakistan,Formosa, Korea and other lands. They were of allsizes and shapes but had the common purpose tostudy and share the Reformed faith. This was the ReformedEcumenical Synod's regional conference heldin Gotemba, Japan from November 16-20. Every daywas full of the study of such things as Paul Schrotenboer'spaper, "A Christian View of Faith and Life,"and Klass Runia's paper, "Christian Faith andScience." The fifty or so delegates had lively discussionsand enjoyed the delicious meals. As well asbeing encouraged by the fellowship and stimulatedto study more we were made aware of the needsof and successes of our brethren in other lands.Though we thought the shortage of workers in Japanwas hard to bear we found that it is many, manytimes worse in Indonesia. We found that, even so,the local pastors don't want to be the missionaries'helper boys, but want to run it themselves. We wereencouraged by the phenomenal growth in thechurches of some countries. For instance, one of theReformed denominations of South Korea is reportedto have added forty new churches last year. We areencouraged to see the great work the Spirit of Godis doing around the world. Mr. Masunaga, Mr.Pennington, and I counted it a privilege to be delegates.For years the land bought for Keiyaku Churchat Rokko New Town has been growing up to weedsand brush. Though it was useful in providing thelocal dogs a place of seclusion and some localpeople a place to stash their trash it seemed ratherunsightly. So nine brave and dedicated memberswent at it on the afternoon of December 5 with allshapes of tools and all kinds of determination. Inthe end it might have served well for a volleyballgame and the ditch to one side was full of trash.Maybe we were a little weary as we returned home,but everybody felt they had done something.Looking forward, there is a lot on the agenda.Parties, parties — On December 12, an engagementparty for young folks not yet members of the church;on December 18, a party for the English Bibleclasses and young people; on December 23, a partyfor the Sabbath School children; on January 4, aNew Year's party for the young people of all threechurches; and a gathering for all the women onJanuary 15 are on the schedule. In all of these wepray that the Spirit of Christ wil draw us closer toGod and to one another.Now I wish we could tackle the spiritual problemswith as much good will and determinationas we attacked that old weedy, trashy piece of land.And I wish we could clean them up as fast. A fewdays ago I visited a man who has been tormentedfor nine or ten years with an alcohol problem, andhe isn't any better even though he reads the Bibleand prays a whole lot more than most Christians.His wife and daughter are almost physically ill nowbecause of his problems. We have had some finefolks here in Keiyaku Church and out at KasumigaokaChurch "almost saved" for quite a long time.It might be pretty easy to use a shovel or scytheon the thing which keeps holding them back, butspiritual battles aren't won that way. In spite of allour pride and laziness, I guess we will just have toget down on our knees and work at those problemsa little harder. Surely you'll join us.Some church plans for the future are to haveone of the church members tell how God is blessingand using him. We plan to ask a different memberto do this about once a month or so in the morningworship service. We are also planning to distributeJohn's Gospel to folks who will read it and promisethem the New Testament when they finish. We haveabout two thousand tracts and offers to give freegospels all ready to be handed out when the supplyof gospels arrives. We are hoping that some willstart studying for baptism at the first of the year,and we have started a Bible study group on Sabbathevenings hoping to deepen our faith and develop ourleadership qualities.Yes, it is a true rumor that we heard. It seemsharder to evangelize in Japan now than when weleft on furlough. But nothing is really hard for Godto do, and when we pray we should realize thatHe is eager to have His church go forward in Japantoday. Surely we will not be disappointed if we arefaithful in prayer.JANUARY 6, 1971 5

REV. J. PAUL WILSON WRITES:Nicosia, CyprusDecember 2, 1970Dear Friends in Christ:Last Thursday our Mission group, plus Mr.Christou and his daughter Niki, gathered in ourhome for Thanksgiving dinner. In addition we hadMr. Harold Hutcheson with us. He is the oldest sonof Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Hutcheson who were formerlymissionaries here and in Syria. It was the Nicosiagroup's turn to serve as hosts and hostesses of thisannual event. In a united service of Thanksgivingled by Don Piper in the Girl's Academy auditoriumin which nationals were invited to share, we rejoicedtogether in prayer and praise of God's goodness to usthrough another year. Only among Christians cantrue thanksgiving be expressed, and it was a joy tothe heart of all of us to recount God's varied blessings.Thanksgiving came in the midst of our Communionseason this fall, and it too proved a blessedevent. We had good reason for thanksgiving in theaddition to our fellowship of two of our young people.One was Leonides Pantelides, whose name hasappeared in our news letters before. The other, Ibelieve, has not broken into our news until now.This is Miss Christalla Mercuri, a senior in the Girls'Academy. This is a real step of faith, calling.forgenuine conviction and courage. It has aire ybrought suffering to one of these two. We commendthem to the prayers of all the church, that they maygo on in the Spirit from strength to strength. Iheprayers and labors of various CCC workers are representedin this step of these two leaders of our Cyprusyouth. Will you also pray that their step may be anencouragement to many others to follow by a faithfulconfession of Christ. Already there are at leastseven fellows and girls who have requested traininglooking forward to church membership. Pray withus that we all may be kept usable in leading theseand others in their early steps of faith.We are all sorry that Gretchen Edgar was preventedfrom being with us in this first communionsince her arrival last July. She had to be in a privateclinic from Friday till Monday to have calcium depositsremoved from the sides of her feet. It waspainful for Gretchen, but she used part of her timeas an opportunity to witness to the doctor and nursesabout the Christian faith.We are now looking forward to the end of theyear activities. This includes much visiting itnhomes of students to meet parents. Then of coursethere is the endless stream of young people whocome for counsel and prayer. How we rejoice in theSee page 9Pacific Coast Presbytery Extension WorkThe Rev. D. Raymond McCracken has respondedto the Call of Pacific Coast Presbytery, and hascome to survey possible locations in the Los Angeles-Orange County area for church extension, and todo preliminary work in opening a new field.He and his family arrived in September, andsince the specific location of a future work has notbeen decided upon, the Ad Interim Commission feltled to seek to rent a house (not an easy thing to findin this area) which would be a temporary home forthe family as well as a base of operations for surveyand prehminary work.We believe that God led us to a house at 20563Barnard, Walnut, CA 91789. The house is both comfortablefor the family, and attractive and spaciousfor informal group meetings. Walnut is a newrapidly-growing community about four miles southof Covina.As the McCrackens have been getting settled,they have been getting acquainted with people inthe community. A number of families have childrenthe ages of their children. A series of Bible studies onTuesday evenings have been initiated in the home.Several couples are attending as well as severalcollege students from nearby Mount San AntonioCollege. Volleyball and other activities are plannedas means of getting acquainted. Mr. McCrackenhas been well received in many homes where hehas called, and there is real interest in a Biblecenteredfellowship.Synod's Board of Home Missions and ChurchExtension is underwriting the salary and housingallowance this first year. The Presbytery is alsocommitting itself to help with housing and promotionalexpense. To this end they have asked eachcongregation in the Presbytery to encourage eachmember to give $5 for Presbytery's Extension workthis year. Contributions are to be sent to the Treasurerof Presbytery, Lewis Keys, 12892 Rosalind, SantaAna, CA 92701.We ask the prayers of the church for this work.0 COVENANTER WITNESS

For the Board of EvangelismThe Message That SavesRev. J. Paul McCrackenMinister in the Denver areaReading the title above may result in somepeople asking whether this article really needs to bewritten. Assuming that a substantial majority ofthose who will read the article are Christians, thequestion may arise, "Don't they know the messagealready? Why waste type and space telling Christianswhat they already know? Isn't the need formore information about methods of evangelism, andperhaps the manner of evangelism rather than themessage?"Without questioning the fact that there is a greatdeal for us to learn about Biblical methods of makingthe gospel known, and the manners that oughtto accompany them, it is my conviction that of farmore critical importance to the Church today is anunderstanding of the message of salvation. Why?Because it is the message of the gospel, not themethods or manners of evangelism, by which Godsaves people! Paul said, "For Christ sent me. . . topreach the gospel. . for the preaching of the crossis to them that perish foolishness; but unto us whichare saved it is the power of God" (I Cor. 1:17, 18).Again in Romans 1:16, Paul states, "For I am notashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the powerof God unto salvation to every one that believeth,to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." The it inthese verses is in each case the message, "the preachingof the cross," and the "gospel of Christ." And it isthe content of this gospel (good news) that Godhas promised He will use to save people who understandit and put their trust in Him who is the heartand subject of it.The gospel, therefore, must be taught to people.Dr. John Gerstner said it well when he said, "Thegospel may be taught without being caught, butit cannot be caught without being taught." Paulrecognized that in being a preacher for Christ, hemust teach the gospel (II Tim. 1:11). God does notpromise to save people by good methods of evangelism,important as they are. He does not promiseto save people by evangelists whose manners areChrist-like and appropriate, though this, too, is aproper concern in evangelism. What He does do is topromise to save sinners who hear, understand, andbelieve the message of the gospel. This makes it imperativethat we put our greatest effort into knowingand understanding the Bible's message, while notneglecting good methods and manners. It is possiblefor a church, or for a movement outside the church,to put such an emphasis on a particular method ofevangelism, to the neglect of concern for its purity,that it actually corrupts or loses entirely the savingmessage! Such movements may then produce converts,but as one writer suggests, a corrupt messagewill merely convert publicans into Pharisees!What does the saving message include? There isa sense in which the whole counsel of God is thesaving message, for there is nothing that God hasrevealed to us in the Bible that is not related to thismessage. All that is commonly called the centralteaching of the gospel has to be understood andtaught in the light of all that is in the Scripture. Itis safe to say that there are certain central redemptivetruths that a person must understand tobe saved, but those truths are not isolated Bibleteachings, but reflect the message of the wholeBible.Let us look, for example, at the statement thatyou or I might make to a person we beheve to be lost."God has sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to bethe only Savior for sinners, and you must repentand beheve on Him." Now such a declaration, ifblessed by God's Holy Spirit, has power. But its poweris not magical or mystical. Rather God's Spiritblesses such a statement to the understanding of theperson listening. And the statement, simple enoughto say, has many truths wrapped up in it, manyideas that may require patient explanation as wetell the gospel.The word God involves the question of who Godis, what He is like, His relation to men, His claimupon men, His attributes, etc. The expression "HisSon. . . Jesus Christ" requires understanding interms of Christ's deity, His incarnation, crucifixion,resurrection, and present exaltation. Lord and OnlySavior involve Christ as the one Mediator and Reconciler,the Atoning Substitute, the Eternal Life-Giver, and His kingly lordship over all. The wordJANUARY 6, 1971 7

sinners may require clarification in terms of whatman is, where he came from, what is wrong withhim, and the urgency of his being saved. "Repentand believe" in their Biblical sense involve rejectingof all false hopes, sorrow and turning from sin,turning to Christ and resting in Him alone, and theyielded life.An outline of these truths involved in the gospelmessage would look like this(altering the order a bit):GodSinnersHis BeingCreaturesCreatorFallen Into SinClaimsGod's Law BrokenLoveHopeless ConditionJusticePunishmentEtc.His Son. . . Jesus ChristDeityIncarnationCrucifixionResurrectionExaltationRepent and BelieveRejecting False HopesSorrow For SinTurning to ChristResting in ChristYielded LifeLord Only SaviorOnly MediatorAtoning SubstituteEternal Life-GiverKingly ReignA quick review of each point above will convincethe reader, I think, that there are no non-BIBLE QUIZAaron held his peace we read, what was the occasion?Balaam's ass spoke to him, was there a conversation?Casiphia can you connect with the Nethinims?Do you know who were described "tall as the Anakims"?Enoch walked with God, we're told, can you nameanother?Find out from Scriptures who was Rebecca's brother?Gold was used for many things, was it used forshields?Hills we read were made to sing, what are we toldof fields?In Jericho's destruction who did the ram's hornblow?King Josiah was how old when he began to reign?8essentials. A sinner in coming to Christ must havesome understanding of the whole gospel's truth.This is not to say that there must be a sophisticatedunderstanding. This is not to say that the gospelis for intellectuals alone. On the contrary, the verysimplest human mind, taught of God, will graspthese truths. Again, this is not to say that each factwill require the same amount of time in patientexplanation, for the experience and learning of eachperson will bear heavily on what is actually explained.Philip's dealing with the eunuch (Acts 8)would take into account the Scriptural knowledge hehad previously. When Paul told the Philippian jailer,"Beheve on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shaltbe saved and thy house," he then went ahead and"spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to allhis house," undoubtedly explaining carefully to thispagan Gentile these truths.But this is God's gospel. This is the message thatsaves, as God applies it to the hearts of sinners.Certainly it must be presented in words that sinnersof all ages and backgrounds and cultures can understand.The "quickie, instant" gospel that is beingurged upon Christians from so many quarters todaymay meet the needs and be used of God to bringmany to Christ whose background has preparedthem for it. But in our God-rejecting and Bibleignorantculture, surely the great need is for Christiansto equip themselves with a thorough understandingand grasp of the whole message, and beready to expose sinners near them to it. "So faithcomes from hearing, and hearing by the word ofChrist."Jordan's waters were divided how oft do you know?Look and see what John did say the world could notcontain.Mary of whom Paul did write, where would you sayshe stayed?Now "blessed is he that readeth" where is thispromise made?On his head were many crowns, who only knowshis name?Prove from the Truth that Jacob was given asurname.Quote what was written o'er the cross according toLuke.Recall how some at meal times of vinegar partook.State how it was when ten thousand words werecompared to five.Tell how Ahab's sons were killed and none was keptalive.Upon Mount Gerizim please say what event tookCOVENANTER WITNESS

place.Verify who stayed at home when kings did fleeapace.Where could be found those in distress, discontentand debt?eXactly what did Abraham from King Bera get.You've heard of many prophets, was Enoch sodefined?Zedekiah lost his sight, how came that he wasblind?Bible Quiz AnswersA. Leviticus 10:3; B. Numbers 22:22-35; C.Ezra 8:17; D. Deuteronomy 2:10; E. Genesis 6:9;F. Genesis 24:29; G. I Chronicles 18:7; H. Isaiah55:12; I. Joshua 6:4; J. Joshua 3:14-17, II Kings 2:8, 14; K. II Kings 22:1; L. John 21:25; M. Romans16:6; N. Revelation 1:3; O. Revelation 19:12; P.Isaiah 45:4; Q. Luke 23:38; R. Ruth 2:14; S. ICorinthians 14:19; T. II Kings 10:1-7; U. Deuteronomy11:29; P. Psalm 68:12; W. I Samuel 22:1-2;X. Genesis 14:24; Y. Jude 14; Z. II Kings 25:1-7.GLIMPSES OF THE RELIGIOUS WORLDFrom page 4young people.QUOTE"The process of removing all modulation, complexity,and sense of fact from a body of ideas iscalled, I believe, 'telling it like it is'." — CharlesFrankel, Columbia U. philosophy professorREV. J. PAUL WILSON WRITES:From page 6privilege of sharing the faith with young peoplewho, under God, may become faithful witnesses ofChrist, as members of a witnessing church.The great Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians,"Brethren, pray for us" (I Thess. 5:25). Howmuch more we need your prayers. So, brethren inAmerica, pray for us, that we may be wise, andthat we may be made adequate to do God's servicein this place "while it is day."Yours in Christ,J. Paul WilsonNOW CONCERNING THE COLLECTIONFrom page 3mine by long speeches. I know your cause and behevein it. If my funds allow, I shall give you acheck." Then he rang for his secretary."Can the tithing account stand another hundred?""No, it is overdrawn.""The special account?""No.""Well, then draw a check on the special, specialaccount."He explained that this account consisted ofreceipts from debts unexpectedly repaid after longstanding! "I owe my Lord more than these debtorsowe me," he said with a smile.The secret of the willing mind and the liberalhand is to realize the Lordship of Christ over ourlives and His constant presence with us.At one time we were soliciting gifts for missionsfrom among the farmers of Sioux County, Iowa. Anearnest deacon drove me from farm to farm. Nearlyeverywhere in that prosperous year the farmers gaveliberally. We came one day at the breakfast hour tothe home of one of the wealthiest farmers, but myguide said there was no use going in to ask this man."He is very close-fisted, although his wife is aliberal soul," he said.I decided we had better try, since he could not domore than say no. As my guide had expected, thefarmer refused bluntly. His wife entered a plea,but he would not yield an inch. As they were disputingwhether to give or not to give, I asked playfully,"Who is the head of this house, you or yourwife?" Each deferred to the other. Then to my delightI saw a motto hanging over the dining room table:Jesus Christ is the Head of this house; the unseenGuest at every meal; the silent Listener to everyconversation. I pointed to it as the answer to myquestion. Without another word the farmer took acheckbook from his pocket and wrote a larger sumthan any of us had expected. The deacon was mostsurprised of all.Time would fail to tell of other experiencesand of the joy that comes to those at the gospelbattlefront when reinforcements of men and moneyare forthcoming. The Philippian church was Paul'sjoy and crown. How often they cheered him by theirfreewill offerings, so that even in prison he was"their own missionary" and they became an exampleto all the churches of Asia Minor, even to theCorinthians (Philippians 4:15, 16)."Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victorythrough our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my belovedbrethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, alwaysabounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as yeknow that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.Now concerning the collection. . ." (I Corinthians 15:58 to 16:1).JANUARY 6, 1971 9

SomeThis and That inAs the New Year of 1971 begins may our women'smissionary societies seek to glorify Jesus Christthrough whom all things are made new. Pray thatour activities will be Christ-centered."And He shall be as the light of the morning,when the sun riseth,even a morning without clouds;as the tender grass springing out of the earth byclear shining after rain" (II Samuel 23:4)."It is of the Lord's mercies that we are notconsumed, because His compassions fail not. Theyare new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore willI hope in Him" (Lamentations 3:22-24).BEGIN THE DAY WITH GODBegin the day with God!Kneel down to Him in prayer;Lift up thy heart to His abode,And seek His love to share.Open the Book of God,And read a portion there;FULLNESS OF CHRISTI have found it an interesting thing to standon the edge of a noble roiling river, and to think,that although it has been flowing on for six thousandyears, watering fields, and slaking the thirst of ahundred generations, it shows no sign of waste orwant. And when I have watched the riseof the sunas he shot above the crest of the mountain, or,in a sky draped with golden curtains, sprang upfrom his ocean bed, I have wondered to think thathe has melted the snows of so many winters, andrenewed the verdure of so many springs, and paintedthe flowers of so many summers, and ripened theharvests of so many autumns, and yet shines asbrilliant as ever, his eye not dim, nor his naturalstrength abated, nor his floods of light less full, forcenturies of boundless profusion.Yet what are these but images of the fullnessthat is in Christ? Let that feed your hopes, and cheeryour hearts, and brighten your faith, and send youaway this day, happy and rejoicing! For whenjudgment flames have licked up that flowing stream,and the light of that glorious sun shall be quenchedin darkness, or veiled in the smoke of a burningworld, the fullness of Christ shall flow on throughout eternity, in the bliss of the redeemed. BlessedSavior, Image of God, Divine Redeemer! In ThyWWCSThat it may hallow all thy thoughts,And sweeten all thy care.Go through the day with God,Whate'er thy work may be;Where'er thou are — at home, abroad,He still is near to thee.Converse in mind with GodThe spirit heavenward raise.Acknowledge every good bestowed,And offer grateful praise.Conclude the day with God,Thy sins to Him confess.Trust in the Lord's atoning blood,And plead His righteousness.Lie down at night with God,Who gives His servants sleep.And when thou treadst the vale of death,He will thee guard and keep.Anonymouspresence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand thereare pleasures forevermore. What Thou hast goneto heaven to prepare, may we be called up at deathto enjoy.— Dr. Guthrie.U. S. GRANT"Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor ofyour liberties; write its precepts in your hearts, andpractice them in your lives. To the influence of thisBook we are indebted for all the progress made intrue civilization, and to this we must look as ourguide in the future. "Righteousness exalteth a nation:but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs14:34).AN INVITATIONThe Seminary Board and Faculty request yourpresence on January 23, 1971 (Saturday) atthe Dedication Service of the Seminary LibraryAddition at 2:30 P.M. Mr. Arthur W. Kuschke,Jr., Librarian at Westminster Seminary, willdeliver the Dedicatory Address.Open House will begin at 1:00 P.M.A Reception will follow the service.16 COVENANTER WITNESS

OLUME LXXXVI NO. 2 JANUARY 13, 1971 STERLING. KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 7, 1971Covfamikoi Family Conference August 7-13,1971Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, TennesseeSpeaker: Dr. Jay Adams, Westminster Theological Seminary

THECOVENANTEROfficial organ of thePresbyterian ChurchWITNESSReformedof N. A.CVAN3EUCAL PRK8S ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors:Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GaultMrs. D.Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling,Kansas two weeks beforeit is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles40/- (L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles72/- (L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles 32/- (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer— $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. HughWright, B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern IrelandBT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas (i7579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.WORLDMY OF PRAYERMARCH 5, 1971Join evangelicals everywhere as they unite in prayerfor the many desperate needs of this world andfor spiritual revival in their own lives. The motto forthe special day of prayer is, "Jesus Christ—Lord of All.For you and your church to share meaningfullyin the 1971 World Day of Prayer,the National Association of Evangelicalsprepared a Bible-centered worship service.These worship booklets are now available.There is no charge for the worshipmaterial, but an offering for the workof NAE is encouraged. Use the handycoupon to order your material.Now Available Without ChargeNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALSBOX 28 • WHEATON, ILLINOIS 60187Please send the following (indicate number)' Samples only ~Booklets PostersYOUR NAMEYOUR CHURCH'S NAMEYOUR ADDRESS_ CITY STATEThis Week's WitnessExcept Ye RepentGlimpses of the Religious WorldA Polluted AtmosphereGeneva Students in "Who's Who"Jesus Christ — Lord of AllWorld Day of Prayer ThemeGeorge Gillespie's Views onMediatorial Kingship of ChristPrayer Brings a Lost Boy Home 10WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.2The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and v/orship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords...an citizens are under obligation to obey lawful au­That Cfthority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of GodThat the Covenants of the past are still binding.From"The Communicant's Class" by J. B. TweedCOVENANTER WITNESS

Except Ye RepentMr. Thorpe was one of Whitefield's most insultingopposers, and possessing an unusual talent for mimicry,he not only interrupted his sermons in public, but ridiculedthem in private in convivial theatrical circles. On oneoccasion, at such a gathering for pleasure, revelry, andwit, he and three of his companions laid a wager for themost effective imitation and ridicule of Whitefield'spreaching. Each was to open the Bible at random andpreach an extempore harangue from the first verse thatpresented itself, and the audience were to adjudge theprize after hearing all.Thorpe's three competitors each went through thegame with impious buffoonery, and then it came his turn.They had the table for their rostrum, and as Thorpestepped upon it, confident of his superior ability, he exclaimed,"I shall beat you all." They handed him theBible, and when he opened it, the providence of Goddirected his eye at the first glance to the verse in thethirteenth chapter of Luke's Gospel, "Except ye repent,ye shall all likewise perish."Mr. Thorpe read the words; but the moment he haduttered them he began to see and to feel their full import.The sword of the Spirit in that passage went through hissoul like a flash of lightning, revealing and consuming.An instantaneous conviction of his own guilt as a sinneragainst God seized hold upon him.His conscience was aroused, as ours sometimes is,suddenly and unexpectedly, and always will be when Godsets our sins before us in the light of His countenance. Theretribution in that passage he felt was for himself. Itsterrors glared upon him in array against his own soul,and out of that rapid and overwhelming conviction hepreached.The truths of guilt, death, eternity, and the judgment tocome, were never proclaimed in gloomier aspect, forthere was no mixture of grace with them Yet Thorpefrequently afterwards declared that if ever in his life hepreached by the assistance of the Spirit of God it was atthat time. The whole subject was revealed before him —the necessity of repentance, the threatened perdition ofthe soul, the terrors of the second death — and himself, asreprobate and dying, he preached to his companions,guilty, reprobate and dying.The fervor and fire multiplied as he went on, and thesympathetic gloom of his own soul increased. The sentencesfell from his lips with such intense and burningimagery, and with such point, pungency, and power oflanguage, that, as he afterwards related, it seemed to himas if his own hair would stand erect with terror at theirawfulness. It was as a blast from the lake burning withfire and brimstone.No man interrupted him, for all felt and saw from thesolemnity of his manner what an overwhelming impressioncame upon him. Though their astonishmentdeepened into angry and awful gloom beneath the luridglare of his address, yet they sat spellbound, listening tohim and gazing at him. When he descended from the table,a profound silence reigned over the whole circle; not oneword concerning the wager was utteredThorpe instantly withdrew from the company withoututtering a word, and,it is needless to say, never returnedto that society. After a season of the deepest distress andconflict, he passed into the full light of the Gospel, and atlength became a most successful preacher of its grace.—Episcopal Recorder"WHERE ARE YOU PASTOR?"Quite often you will hear someone say, "Our preacher just never calls in ourhome." If this is true, you probably have much for which to be thankful. It usuallymeans that death has not struck: that no serious illnesses have laid low the membersof your family; you are not a shut-in; the surgeon's knife has not threatened you;you have no serious marital or mental problems, and you are not a spiritualdelinquent.As a rule pastor's would love to 'drop' in for prayer or a personal chat with you,but time will not permit. There are far too many who are sick, hospitalized,bereaved and backslidden who demand this time and energy. This is in no way aneffort on your pastor's part to alibi, but there are simply not enough hours in hisday to visit just for the sake of visiting. But be sure of this, if you need yourpastor, just telephone him and he will come, and it matters not whether it is day ornight.So the pastor does not visit in your home! Pause and thank God that you havenot needed his presence in one of the above mentioned ways. Some day you willneed him and you can be sure that he will be there.The United BrethrenJANUARY 13, 1971

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014A CHRISTIAN AFRICAOne of the truly hopeful movements on the worldscene is the growth of the Christian faith in black Africa.According to U.S. News and World Report, if presentprojections are borne out, nearly half the Africanpopulation will be professing Christians by the year 2000.World wide, we are told, the numerical growth of theChristian church is not keeping pace with the populationincrease. Not so in Africa. This fast growth is led by thearea south of the Sahara. "The big rush started after thedrive for independence, and is still gaining momentum."In this connection,it is interesting that the Church ofChrist in the Sudan among the Tiv (N.K.S.T.) (a churchthat is the result of missionary work of the ChristianReformed Church) has decided at its Synod meeting inApril 1970, to open its own seminary. It has petitioned theparent body in the U.S.A. (the CRC) for such a seminary,but that Church, on advice of its Foreign Missions Board,has declined to support such a seminary, saying that theyoung Tiv Christians should go to the cooperativeseminary there in Nigeria. The Tiv church leaders feltthat their young men could not get sound Reformedteaching there, and so the Church has sacrificiallyproceeded to make plans for opening its own indigenousseminary in February 1971 with an enrollment of 25students.This phenomenon in Africa should do more to enablethe world to cope with racial conflict than efforts merelyto thwart or oppose the "black power" movement.UNITY IN THE REFORMED ECUMENICAL SYNOD(RES)The Moderamen of the RES (a sort of executivecommittee, consisting of the moderator, vice-moderator,and three clerks) have addressed a letter to the memberchurches urging them to "embrace one another in mutualtrust." They say that "The 1968 RES was marked bytension (over such questions as membership in the WCC,the ordination of women to the eldership, and the questionof 'apartheid' as practised in South Africa), and if presenttrends continue, the RES of 1972 may well be marked bycrisis."An editorial comment in the Presbyterian Guardiansays: "Member churches are urged to 'embrace oneanother in mutual trust.' But the 'crisis' that may come toa head in 1972 is due to actions by certain churches of theRES that have raised doubts about their commitmenttothe Reformed Faith. If the unity of the RES is beingundermined,it is due to such acts as these (namely, thelargest of the member churches, Gereformeerde, joiningthe WCC and ordaining women elders); 'mutual trust' canbe extended only to trustworthy objects!"THE "QUIET TIME"His magazine asked five students, "What fresh ideashave stimulated your quiet time?" Here are excerptsfrom their answers."Reading the Bible aloud helps me keep my mindfrom jumping to other thoughts.""To get an overview of the whole Bible, I decidedtostart from the beginning and read it in four months. Myplans when I finish include a chapter by chapter study ofthe New Testament.""Havingit regularly .... The thrill ofit comes notfrom mechanical variety, but from the fact thatit isregularly spent quietly waiting upon the Lord.""Having a list of people I pray for daily has increasedmy love for them . . . When I prayed for people whenever Ifelt led to, I hardly ever prayed for anyone . . Prayerlistsare especially good for lazy people."YOUTH ON THE MARCHPre-registration for the missionary conferenceofcollege youth, Urbana '70, is up 30 percent over the figuresfor the 1967 conference at the same time. There arealready well over 7000 registrations.BRIEFS FROM CHRISTMAS GREETINGSWalnut, California, with the Ray McCrackensleading, is having encouraging Bible studies in the Mc­Cracken home.Seattle, Washington, R. P Church is planning to havethe dedication of its new building in February, at themeeting of Presbytery.The Japan R. P. Mission hopes for the early returnofMiss Eleanor Faris, who has been engaged in deputationwork the p»~t several weeks. Mr. Pennington is to returnto the U.S.A. in the spring while Dr. and Mrs. S. E. Boyleare to go out to Japan in the fall, thence, on to Taiwan,depending on whether plans work out for the openingofthe Chinese work.4 COVENANTER WITNESS

A Polluted AtmosphereAs this article is being written, Western Pennsylvaniahas been enveloped in a clammy, foggy blanketfor several days. It is not cold enough to deaden the nerveendings in our noses, so we are more aware of thispollution in the air around us that just won't go up like it'ssupposed to. It just hangs there — fumes from oil furnaces,soot from coal fires, truck and automobileexhausts, odors from barnyards and malfunctioningseptic tanks all mingle into a noxious blanket that wrapsthe whole countryside in a gray prison. Some day, wehope, the clouds will lift, the wind will start to blow, andmove this mess somewhere else, for other people to endure.Because we can see and smell this type of pollution,we are aware of it and are beginning to do somethingabout it.But not all types of pollution are that easily detectable.Miners used to carry live canaries with them incages, if they were in doubt about the air they werebreathing. If the air was bad, the canary would be the firstto drop dead, and the miners might have time to get backto good air. It was tough on canaries, but it did sometimessave miners' lives.Then in a moral and spiritual sense, we refer to oursurroundings as the "atmosphere" we are in. I stopped totalk with a man who was in his barn, feeding his pigs.After I'd been there a few minutes, he suddenly said, "Ifyou're planning to go on up to the house, better not stayaround here too long; this atmosphere sort of lingers on afellow!" Today we are living in a moral atmosphere thatis dangerously polluted. That means it is badly in need of athorough cleaning up.Several years ago, a little boy in a Christian familywas looking forward to starting school. Up until that time,his family had not owned a television set, but they got one,and were assured by neighbors that the little boy wouldfindit both educational and entertaining. He did. Beforelong, his parents noticed a change in the boy's behavior;he became quarrelsome, disobedient, mean, anddestructive. One evening his father watched some of the"wholesome children's cartoons," and found that his sonwas behaving exactly the way the characters in thecartoons were behaving. From that time on, the T.V. setwas allowed on only for certain selected programs, andthe whole atmosphere in that home gradually improved asthe effects of that pollution were countered with morewholesome activities. I use this example, not to condemnIANUARY 13, 1971Rev. Joseph M. CaskeyPastor of Rose Point R. P . Church, PennsylvaniaT.V. altogether, but to show how the careless and indiscriminateuse of an electronic baby sitter makes it soeasy for this moral pollution to get into our homes andundermine much of the godly influence we promised theLord we would use with our children.The fact that a Presidential Commission givesalmost a clean bill of health to pornography, that courtsrefuse to enforce laws which protect lives and property,and our lawmakers refuse to enact laws to control crimeeffectively, should wake us up to the moral decadencearound us. What, then, can we do to help clean up thispolluted atmosphere?Behind our church a little stream runs through adeep gorge lined with trees and moss-covered rocks,plunging over falls into deep pools as it rushes toward thelarger stream beyond the cemetery. "A beautiful scene!"you say? No, not quite. At the foot of each little waterfalllies a foamy, scummy mass; few people dare wade in it,because the bottom is covered with broken bottles, tincans, and all sorts of rubbish. It serves as a convenientdumping ground and drain for many improperly installedseptic tanks. That stream could be cleaned up and madebeautiful again, if each landowner along its banks wouldclean up his property, and quit using the stream as asewer.Any fight against pollution, to be effective, muststrike at the source, and the source of our moral pollutionis man's sinful human nature. Man has rebelled againstGod, and his whole nature has been corrupted. Sin andwrongdoing have become the normal way of life for fallenman. The job of cleaning up this moral pollution lookspretty hopeless, doesn't it? It would be, if God hadn't donesomething about it. He loves us, and is concerned about us,so He mercifully gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be thesacrifice to reconcile us to Himself. When God calls us toHimself and gives us the faith to trust Jesus Christ absolutelyas our Savior, He forgives our sins and gives us anew heart that is willing to obey Him. Therefore, a personwho is reconciled to God is said to be a new creature inChrist Jesus. He no longer lives selfishly according to theflesh, as the Bible puts it, but he lives after the Spirit, asGod originally created him to do. Moral pollution is thedirect result of sinful people sinning against God and theirfellow-men, and God's answer to moral pollution is tochange men's lives and souls. He uses these changed livesSee page 9

Students ElectedTo "Who's Who..."Twenty Geneva College seniors have been elected to"Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges andUniversities." Their names will appear along with thecountry's outstanding campus leaders, in the 1970-71directory.The directory is made available to United States andCanadian business concerns seeking employees.These four young people are members of theCovenanter Church:Sharon Duguid, an English major, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Charles Duguid, Nortonville, Kansas is agraduate of Winchester, Kansas High School. She is a fouryearmember of the WSA and CSF, a three-year memberof CSF choir, WAA, English Club of which she is currentlyvice-president, a three-year resident assistant in herdormitory and was Pep Club secretary in her sophomoreyear. During her junior year she was chairman of MayDay programs, a member of CSF Gospel team, yearbookcopy editor, and a member of the "Chimes" editorialstaff. This year she is a senior class representative to theStudent Senate, chairman of the "Computer Party," andis second-year member of the Great Books DiscussionGroup. She was among those who received a certificate atHonors Convocation for outstanding academicachievement during the 1969-70 term.VkaSAe.Christine Boyle, an English major, is the daughterofRev. and Mrs. Samuel E. Boyle, Pittsburgh, and agraduate of Wilkinsburg High School. She was born inHong Kong, China, at which time her parents were servingas missionaries in that area. They later moved to Kobe,Japan where Miss Boyle spent her early childhood attendingschool in the Canadian Academy. The familyreturned to the United States in 1962. At Geneva sheis athree-year member of the Women's Student Association(WSA) serving one year as secretary; a four-yearmember and one year was secretary of the English Club.She was a freshman member of Christian StudentFellowship (CSF) and the French Club and duringherjunior year a member of the yearbook staff and a Maypoledancer. This year she is senior class secretary, presidentof McKee Hall Dormitory, and a feature writer forthe"Cabinet," the college newspaper.COVENANTER WITNESS

Thomas M. Robb, a chemistry major, is the son ofMr. and Mrs. Wilfred Robb, Morning Sun, Iowa, and agraduate of Mediapolis High School. He is a four-yearmember of the Chemistry Club, Pre-med Club, CSF, thechoir and Gospel Team, and Varsity Track and VarsityCross-country teams. He was a sophomore representativeto Student Senate, served one year on the Student FacultyPersonnel Committee and one year as Varsity Clubsecretary. He is a second-year member of Inter-collegeForensics and operator on WGEV, the college educationalradio station, a past member of the Economics Club and amember of the Great Books Discussion Group. His namehas appeared on the Honors List.Theodore R. Wilcox, an English major, son of Mr.and Mrs. David R. Wilcox, Beaver Falls, is a graduate ofHampdon DuBose Academy, Zellwood, Florida. He wasvice-president of his freshman class and served two yearson the "Trivia" coffee-house staff. He is a two-yearmember of the Frill and Dagger Drama Society, a fouryearmember of CSF, and in his sophomore year waspresident of Covenanter Young People's Union of thePittsburgh Presbytery. Last year he was a columnist forthe Cabinet, the college newspaper, and this year is editorand a member of the Student Senate and the StudentFaculty Personnel Committee. His name has appearedfive times on the Honors List and he was among thoseawarded certificates for superior academic achievementduring the 1969-70 term at an Honors Convocation held inOctober.World Day Of Prayer ObservanceWHEATON, ILL. — "Jesus Christ — Lord of All" is thetheme for the 1971 World Day of Prayer observance set forMarch 5, 1971,it was announced here by Dr. Billy A.Melvin, executive director of the National Association ofEvangelicals. Churches in hundreds of communitiesJ across America and around the world observe this specialday on the Protestant church calendar each year.The theme comes from the Scripture penned by Johnthe Apostle who quoted Jesus: "Ye call me Master andLord, and you do well to say it, forit is true" (John 13:13)Authors of the worship service booklet are Jim OwenJones and Agatha Partride, editor and assistant editor,respectively, of United Evangelical Action magazine.Bible-centered worship materials for the World Dayof Prayer are available free of charge from the NationalAssociation of Evangelicals. A sample copy may besecured by writing the National Association ofEvangelicals, P 0. Box 28, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.JANUARY 13, 1971

George Gillespie's View ofThe Mediatorial Kingship Of ChristRev. Samuel E. Boyle, D.D., Executive Secretary ofChristian Government MovementAfter the writer had finished a devotional talk on theKingship of Christ at Synod in 1969, the Rev. S. Ray Blairof our Washington, Iowa congregation suggested to methat I examine some of the writings of George Gillespie(1613-1648) to understand better the AssociatePresbyterian view of Christ's Mediatorial reign. Thissuggestion has been followed.In Gillespie's debates with the Erastian party duringthe Westminster Assembly he strongly denied that Christas God-Man and Mediator has any direct authority overcivil magistracy. "As Mediator he is only the church'sking, head, and governor, and hath no other kingdom . . .Christ is properly king of his church only ..." What didGillespie mean by this?The Erastian HeresyIf we are to understand Gillespie's position in 1643 wemust know something of the "Erastian Toleration" errorwhich he so ably opposed.Thomas Erastus (1524-1583) was a Swiss medicaldoctor whose real name was Luber or Liebler. He hadcontroversies with Calvinists who came to Heidelberg toestablish Presbyterianism in 1570 but the followers ofOlevianus managed to win over his objections. One of thefirst acts of the new Presbyterian church system was toexcommunicate Erastus on a charge of Socinianism. Outof this experience he wrote a book on church governmentand censures called Explicatio in 1568 which was notpublished until after Erastus died, by the man who latermarried his widow, in 1589. A portion of this book wastranslated into English in 1659 under the title of TheNullity of Church Censures. It was quite influential inEngland.In essence, Erastus taught that no church had theright to excommunicate its own members on charges ofsins committed. Only the civil magistrate has this powerfrom Christ, for the church is under the rule of the civilmagistrate.The English clergymen who sought to maintain thisErastian error that the church could have no independentgovernment of its own, separate from the state, werenoted scholars in England. There were Selden andLightfoot in the Westminster Assembly and Coleman andPrynne and Hussey outside the Assembly. Gillespie in adramatic encounter with "the learned Selden" on Matthew18:15-17, as bearing on the question of the church'sright to excommunicate members who sinned, so completelydemolished the massive arguments of his opponentthat the Anglican is reported to have complained bitterlyafterwards, "That young man, by this single speech, hasswept away the learning and labour of ten years of mylife." (Hetherington, Memoir of Gillespie, p. xxiii.)The Mediatorial Rule of ChristMost of Gillespie's debates on church governmentare found in tracts which he wrote against the Erastianerror in the Church of England. Mr. Coleman, anErastian, preached before the House of Commons on July30, 1645. On the 27th of August of the same year Gillespiepreached before the House of Lords and answeredColeman in a sermon entitled "A Brotherly Examinationof some passages of Mr. Coleman's late printed sermon."Parliament printed all sermons preached before them, sothis soon became a tract war. Coleman retaliated by apamphlet, "A Brotherly Examination Re-Examined."Gillespie came back with, "Nihil Respondes," andColeman in irritation replied with, "Male DicisMaledicis." This aroused Gillespie to publish a final answer,"Male Audis." (It was easier to scold each otherinLatin.)Gillespie was not satisfied with these short tracts, sohe finally published a long book, Aaron's Rod Blossoming;or, The Divine Ordinance of Church Government Vindicated"(1646). This is the main work from which we maylearn of Gillespie's view of the Mediatorial Kingdom ofChrist.Over and over and over again in Gillespie's writingshe denies that Christ as Mediator is king of the civilgovernment. Only the Church is under the MediatorialKingdom of Jesus Christ."I know that Christ, as He is the eternal Son of God,and 'thought it not robbery to be equal with God,' doth,with the Father and the Holy Ghost, reign and rule overallthe kingdoms of the sons of men. He that is Mediator,being God, hath, as God, all power in heaven and earth,(and this power was given to Him, Matthew 28:18, both byeternal generation, and by the declaration of Him to be theSon of God with power, when He was raised from the dead,8 COVENANTER WITNESS

Romans 1:4, even as He is said to be begotten, when Hewas raised again, Acts 13:13; He had relinquished and laidaside His divine dominion and power when He had madeHimself in the form of a servant, but after His resurrectionit is gloriously manifested), and so He that asMediator, being God, hath power to subdue His and thechurch's enemies, and to make His foes His footstool. BUTAS MEDIATOR HE IS ONLY THE CHURCH'S KING,HEAD, AND GOVERNOR, AND HATH NO OTHERKINGDOM . . . CHRIST IS PROPERLY KING OF HISCHURCH ONLY ...." (Works, Vol. I, BrotherlyExamination . . . page 11).The Victory WonThe Presbyterian majority in the WestminsterAssembly won the victory after Gillespie's eloquentpolemics had silenced opposition from the ErastianChurch of England minority. The Westminster Confessionof Faith contains this proof of Gillespie's triumph inChapter XXX, Of Church Censures, Section I: "The LordJesus, as king and head of His church, hath therein appointeda government in the hand of church-officers,distinct from the civil magistrate."ConclusionIn Gillespie's "Brotherly Examination of SomePassages in Mr. Coleman's Sermon on Job 11:20," heclosed with this summary:"I conclude with these three distinct assertions1. As Mediator, He is exalted and dignified above allcreatures, and His glory is above all the earth; 2. AsMediator, He exerciseth acts of divine power and omnipotenceover all creatures, in the behalf of, and for thegood of His church, and restraineth, or diverteth, ordestroyeth all His church's enemies; 3. As Mediator, He isking, head, and governor to none but His church: neitherwas all government put in His hand, but that of the churchonly."I could enlarge myself further against that mostdangerous principle, 'That all government, even thatwhich is civil, is given to Christ, and to him as Mediator;'but let these things suffice for the present. The reverendbrother's (Coleman) opinion will find better entertainmentamong the Jews, who expect a temporalmonarch of the Messiah; and among Papists, who desireto uphold the Pope's temporal authority over kings, asChrist's vicegerent upon earth." (Page 13)of Rev. George Gillespie's interpretation of the same textsto prove that Christ as Mediator is king only of the Church.Two qualifications need to be made of the argumentby Gillespie that Christ as Mediator is king of the Churchonly and not king of civil governments.First, he was fighting the Erastian distortion of theMediatorial Kingship of Christ which tried to link thisScriptural truth to the false idea of the Divine right ofkings to rule the visible church.Second, Gillespie in driving a sharp wedge betweenthe Kingship of Christ as Eternal Son, second person of theblessed Trinity — under whom all civil government isordained and controlled — and Jesus Christ the God-Manas Mediator — whose kingship extends only to the Church,did not arrive at the modern secular view of civil governmentas wholly outside the authority and law of God. Hewas thoroughly committed to Christian government.Gillespie was among the commissioners whoprepared the Solemn League and Covenant in 1643 and hewent to Scotland from London to explainit to the GeneralAssembly of Scotland, which adopted it. He believed thatthe magistrate in a Christian realm was obligated by Godto rule in accord with the Word of God and to support thetrue Christian religion with the sword. In the Preface toAaron's Rod Blossoming Gillespie quotes from a FrenchConfession these pertinent articles:"We teach 'that not only they are appointed for civilpolicy, but also for maintenance of the true religion, andfor suppressing of idolatry and superstition whatsoever' .We believe that God hath 'delivered the sword into thehands of magistrates, to wit, that offences may berepressed, not only those which are committed against thesecond table, but also the first.' "In light of the above qualifications,it would beerroneous to use Gillespie's dualistic Chnstology or hisTwo Kingdoms concept as a justification of the modernsecular, neutral view that civil government has nothingwhatever to do with the Kingship of Jesus Christ —whether Christ be King as God or man.A POLLUTED ATMOSPHEREFrom Page 5of people like you and me to be living, walking, and talkingexamples of His gracious love toward human beings.Do you really want to do something about cleaningup the moral atmosphere around you? Start out withyourself then, give yourself 100 per cent to the Lord JesusChrist; if you're doing any less than that, you're notfighting moral pollution — you're contributing to it. LetIn the next article we shall try to examine some texts God have His way in your life, and He will show you howoften used by Covenanters to prove their view of the you can be most effective in countering this moralMediatorial Kingship of Christ over the nations in the light pollution that surrounds us.JANUARY 13, 1971

The Children'sPrayer Brings A Lost Boy Homeby Laura TrachselFounded on fact(Continued from last week)The darkness had settled down by the time thetroubled boy had plodded three miles. Just as hewas wondering what to do, a big mat shed loomedup by the road. Hundreds of poor people wereeating porridge in this kitchen provided by thegovernment. Here was warmth from steamingbowls of millet, food for an empty stomach, anda bed of straw for an aching body. At length, thethrifty manager sighted the newcomer and wasquick to make a bargain with him."I will give you food if you will wash dishes. Youmust promise never to leave this place."The youthful traveler was so glad for shelterthat he quickly promised, without thinking of theanxiety it would cause in his old grandmother'shome.After a day, the uncle's anger cooled and hebecame a bit concerned about his nephew's safety.So he mounted his favorite donkey and hurried overto Older Brother's house. After talking about wheatand millet crops, the weather, and work in thespinning factories, the uncle casually asked, "Whereis the useless little one?" The father looked surprised,"Isn't he at your house? No? Then he is lost.Oh, my son, my son!"Grandma Ho was sitting on the brick bed makingcloth-soled shoes and heard the conversation. Hereyes filled with tears as she put her head down toher lap and began to pray. Two weeks dragged byand still Elegant Splendor did not appear. In desperationGrandma Ho locked her latticed door andstarted her two-mile journey to the mission wheremany would join her in prayer for the return of hergrandson. Kind, sympathizing hearts were open toher story in the prayer meeting, and all united inone volume of prayer that the boy might come home.The day after the prayer meeting, the fatherremarked to his old mother, "Perhaps the foolishlad has returned to Younger Brother. I shall go andsee, as I cannot have peace of heart until heisfound."As Mr. Ho approached the porridge kitchen,for such large sheds were not common in the country.As he passed the building he glanced at the opendoor where stood a hesitant little figure."Is that you, Son?" was the glad cry of the fatheras he recognized the figure of Elegant Splendor.The happy boy laughed. "Why, how could thisbe? I have never stepped to the door before, butjust now I had a funny feeling inside me that I mustcome to the door and look out to the road. And Isee you the very first thing!""Son, your grandmother would say that Godhas heard prayer in bringing you to us again. Letus hurry home, and she will explain this miracleto you."When Grandma Ho saw her little boy she couldonly weep and say over and over again, "Tsan meichu" ("Praise the Lord").The next (Sabbath) Elegant Splendor and hisgrandmother went together to the meeting at themission. The same ones who had prayed so earnestlyfor the boy's return were now filled with praiseto a prayer-answering God. Best of all, ElegantSplendor said, "I must find Christ as my Savior."So the boy who was lost from his father's house becamea found boy because God heard and answeredprayer.The Sunday School Times10 COVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of February 7, 1971jSabbath SchoolLessonfor February 7, 1971PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER:Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8.Comments by John K. GaultQuestion 98 of the Shorter Catechismasks, "What is prayer?" and theanswer is "Prayer is an offering up ofour desires unto God, for things agreeableto His will, in the name of Christ,with confession of our sins, and thankfulacknowledgment of His mercies."1: All Persons Need to Pray.When Jesus had finished "prayingin a certain place" the disciples said toHim, "Lord, teach us to pray, as Johnalso taught his disciples." Jesus, then,proceeded to give to them the sameprayer, in an abbreviated form, whichHe had given to them before, in Hisaddress from the mountain. He beganby saying, "When ye pray, say, OurFather, who are in heaven." Ail peopleshould, therefore, pray to God, for toall believers He is a Father. As childrendepend on their father to supplytheir needs, so God's children dependupon Him to supply their needs. Earthlyfathers' ability to supply the needsof their children may be very limited,and at times impossible, but ourFather in heaven is always able, forHe is possessed with unlimited resources.In Luke 18:1 Jesus "spake aparable unto them to this end, thatmen ought always to pray and not tofaint. "The implication of this statementis that it is a supreme duty ofpeople to pray to God. He is the supplierof every blessing, even life itself,andit is within His power to withholdevery blessing, even life itself. People,therefore, should persist in prayerbecause God is always able and becausetheir needs are many.2: With God There Is No InconvenientTime to Help People in Distress.In Luke 11:5-7 Jesus said, "Whichof you shall have a friend, and shallgo to him at midnight, and say untohim, Friend, lend me three loaves;...And he from within shall answer andsay, Trouble me not: the door is nowshut, and my children are with me inbed; I cannot rise and give thee."Midnight would be a very inconvenienthour in which to get up to respond toanother's needs. That is the time whenpeople desire undisturbed repose. ButJesus cited this possible situation tomake a contrast with the ever readyavailability of the Father in heaven.God is the God of the night as wellas of the day. In Psalm 121:3-6 thesinger said, ".. .he that keepeth theewill not slumber. Behold he that keepethIsrael shall neither slumber norsleep. ...The sun shall not smite thee byday, nor the moon by night." The nightis never so dark nor the weather so coldbut that God is available in the distressesof His people. With Him thereis no inconvenient time.3: People Should Pray to God Continually.Paul said to the Thessalonians inI Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray withoutceasing." Prayer is communication withthe Father in heaven. In this worldwhere people know nothing of what thefuture holds in store for them andwhere the forces are so vast over whichman has no control, it is very essentialthat people keep in communicationwith the very One who does controlthe future and "who holds the watersof the earth in the hollow of Hishands." Jesus said of the "friend"who decided to get up at midnight toloan his friend the bread, "yet becauseof his importunity he will rise and givehim as many as he needeth." God isnot reluctant to help His people as thisfriend was, but He does desire to knowhow badly people want what they areasking for. The unjust judge decidedto avenge the widow of her adversary,"lest by her continual coming sheweary me." In contrast God does notcome to the help of His people fromthat motive, but He does desire thatpeople keep themselves in continuouscontact with Him who is able to helpin every time of need.4: People Should Pray to God withEver Increasing Intensity.Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall begiven you; seek and ye shall find;knock and it shall be opened unto you.For every one that asketh, receiveth;and to him that knocketh it shall beopened." Not much effort is requiredto ask for something but Jesus said,"It shall be given you." The answerfrom heaven does not always comeimmediately; consequently, a littlemore effort on man's part is required.So Jesus continued the test by saying,"Seek and ye shall find." The shepherdwho lost his sheep and the woman wholost her coin searched for what theyhad lost until they found it. Still moreeffort may be necessary when the believerprays to God and this extraeffort is expressed in Jesus' words,"Knock, and it shall be opened untoyou." Persistence is implied in theword knock. In answering the believers'prayers God does not alwaysopen the door immediately, and so theone who desires something from Godshould put forth that extra effort whichwould indicate that he really wantswhat he is praying for. W r hen Abrahaminterceded with God for the doomedcity of Sodom he began with the easiertest that if fifty righteous persons werefound in the wicked city, would Godsave the city if that were true? Yes,God would save the cityif fifty righteouswere found in it. Abraham madehis test of the Almighty's grace stillharder by coming down to ten. Wasthe wicked city of Sodom worth savingfor the sake of ten righteous persons?God promised Abraham that He wouldsave the city for ten's sake. Peopleshould, therefore, pray to God withincreasing intensity. If they do notget what they want the first time theyshould try harder the next time or thethird time.5: When God Gives the Holy SpiritHe Grants the Requests for All OtherThings.Jesus used an analogy of an earthlyfather's gifts to illustrate the givingof the Heavenly Father, if a sonshall ask bread of any of you that isJANUARY 13, 1971 11

a father, will he give him a stone?or if he ask a fish, will he for a fishgive him a serpent? Or if he ask anegg will he offer him a scorpion? Ifye then being evil, know how to givegood gifts unto your children: howmuch more shall your heavenly Fathergive the Holy Spirit to them that askhim?" A wise earthly father certainlywould not answer his son's requestfor something good and needful byoffering to him something uselessor even injurious. People have originalsin but even so they know how to giveaccording to a son's need. People prayto God for things and if God gave themwhat they asked for, it might be thesame as a man giving his son a serpentwhen he asked for a fish. Instead ofGod doing such a thing He grants theHoly Spirit to His people who "askHim." When people receive the HolySpirit in answer to their requests allof their other needs are supplied also.The gift of the Holy Spirit is veryinclusive and all other beneficial giftsare comprised in that one great gift.The apostle James says in 4:3, "Yeask, and receive not because ye askamiss." If God would grant what manypeople ask for He would give a stoneinstead of bread. All believers should,therefore, pray that through the giftof the Holy Spirit all their needs mightbe supplied."Lesson based on International SundaySchool Lessons: the International Bible Lessonsfor Christian Teaching, copyrighted 1966by the Division of Christian Education, NationalCouncil of Churches of Christ in theU.S. A."with authority, as the oracle of God.II Kings 2:6, 17; A man of spiritualvision. II Kings 13:14-19; Died a victoriousdeath. After reading these versesI am sure we would like to have aleader of just some of these qualitiesto direct our nation in all her affairs.Elijah and ElishaThere is a striking resemblancebetween the life of Elijah and that ofElisha. Their names sound very muchalike. The main events of their livesrun in much the same channels. Theyare twin figures in Hebrew history.Elijah was a man who lived awayfrom people at times. We have norecord that Elisha ever complained ofhis lot, or that he fled from his enemies,or lost his courage.Elisha received a double portionof the Spirit. That is the reason helived such a victorious life as he mingledwith his fellow men. He alsoperformed a greater numiber of miraclesthan any other prophet exceptMoses.Both Elijah and Elisha performedmiracles that had points of resemblance.Some of them were these: Theysmote the water of the river Jordanand passed over on the dry ground;they brought waters of refreshmentin times of drought; they increaseda widow's store of food; they raisedonly sons to life; they performed miraclesfor persons outside the boundariesof Israel; they pronouncedsentences upon kings; they calleddown vengeance upon unbelievers.In the following stories you willlearn why Elisha was given the name,"The Gentle Prophet."Elisha lived in the days whenJoram was the king over Israel, andJehoram was the king of Judah. Joramwas not a good man, but he was notas bad as his father, Ahab. Jehoramworshiped idols as Ahab had done,because he had married Ahab's daughter.God had punished him with sicknessand war.terrible, doesn't it? But this was thecustom in that time: when one hadno money to pay his debts, his childrenwere taken as slaves.The poor woman went to Elisha intime of her trouble. Elisha thoughtof a plan, but the woman had to workvery hard to carry out his plan. Sheput her two sons to work, too. Elishatold her that she should go and borrowfrom her neighbors all the jars shecould find. Then he said, "Shut thedoor, so that no one can come in. Pouroil from your pot into all these jars."As the boys brought the jars thewoman poured olive oil into the jars.The sons would not have any problemfinding jars, because people store theiroil and foods even today, in clay jars.When she had filled every one, theoil in her own jar stopped running.Then she went to Elisha. He said, "Goand sell the oil and pay your debt." Shedid so. She and her sons lived on themoney that was left over after she hadpaid her debt. Gentle? Yes, Elisha wasvery kind and gentle.Elisha often visited a rich womanand her husband who lived in Shunem.The woman and her husband had alittle room upstairs in their home forElisha. In this room was a bed, a table,a chair, and a light, so that he couldstay all night, whenever he pleassd.Because the woman had been sogood to Elisha, he wanted to do somethingnice for her. She said, "No thankyou. I do not want anything."StillElisha was not satisfied; he did wantto make her happy. Finally, Gehazi,Elisha's servant, knew that Elishacould do wonderful things, by thepower of God. So he said to Elisha,Junior Topic"She has no child, and her husbandisan old man." Elisha called the womanfor February 7, 1971and said to her, "Next year you shallELISHA, THE GENTLE PROPHEThave a baby boy." How happy theUnit: Later Old Testament DaysMrs. Herbert A. HaysScripture verses. This is the timefor us to stop and review the Scriptureverses we have learned over the past Elisha worked among the people,woman was. She had so much joy sewingthe clothes for the little baby. Thenext year the baby came. How happythe woman and her husband weretohave a little boy in their home. Howfive lessons.helping and teaching them. A certain much they loved him and played withPsalms: Choose some of your woman came to him for help. Her him.favorite Psalms for this meeting.Scripture for the lesson. Elisha isalso called a "model spiritual leader."Some of the following verses will helpyou to understand just why he was suchhusband had been one of the sons ofthe prophets. He was dead, and hiswife was very poor. She could hardlyget enough to eat.One day a man came to the widow'sWhen he was five or six years oldhe went out to his father's farm onehot summer day. The sun poured downon the harvest field. In the heat, thelittle boy got a sunstroke.a leader. I Kings 19:19; A man of great house to take away her two sons just The servant carried the little boyenergy. II Kings 2:9; Sought a spiritual because she could not pay a debt she back to his mother. She did all sheequipment. II Kings 3:16, 17; Spoke owed fne man. The man wanted to could do for him to make him well12make the two sons slaves. This sounds again. He got worse and worse. AboutCOVENANTER WITNESS

noon, he died.His mother carried him upstairs toElisha's room and laid him on the bed.She then had the servant bring her anass. She saddled it. She drove as fastas she could go to Elisha.When she reached Elisha's houseshe threw herself on the ground infront of him and burst into tears. Shetold Elisha about her son, and thathe was dead.Elisha told Gehazi to run ahead ofhim and the woman. He said to Gehazi,"Lay my staff on the face of the child."Gehazi did what Elisha told him, butthe child did not awake.When Elisha reached the house,he went up into his own little room,where the child lay upon the bed.Elisha lay down upon the bed over thechild. He put his mouth on the littleboy's mouth, his eyes over the boy'seyes, and his hands upon the child'shands. The dead body of the littleboy became warm. Elisha got up andwalked around and did the same thingthe second time. The boy sneezedseven times and opened his eyes.Elisha called his servant and told himto bring the mother.How happy the mother was. Shei had her rosy^cheeked little boy aliveagain. Elisha was gentle and kindagain.Boys and girls, you have kind andgentle people around you all the time.Think of the thoughtfulness and kindnessof your Junior leaders. They comeout every Sabbath evening to be withyou and to help you with your topics.Think of all the other people who arekind and gentle. We all need to thinkabout the people around us. Are wejkind and gentle to others? How about,our WORDS, THOUGHTS, and AC­TIONS? Are they CHRIST-LIKE?Prayer MeetingTopicfor February 10, 1971PRAYER FOR YOUR OWNCONGREGATIONby Elder Lloyd J. CopelandDenison, KansasScripture: I Corinthians 12:12-31The basic needs for prayer of anycongregation are essentially the same.Some may have an outreach in the.'ommunity that others do not, and.JANUARY 13, 1971their prayer needs will be greater.Consider these basic needs:I The PastorHe needs our prayers more thananyone else. He has a real job to preparetwo sermons each week, to visitsick and shut-in members and otherpersons in the community, to serve onboards and committees to which hehas been appointed. All of this is inaddition to his being a husband andfather. The apostle Paul asks forprayer in Ephesians 6:19, 20 and Colossians4:3, 4 that he may speak boldlyand truly the mystery of the gospel.II. The SessionThese men have been elected andordained to the spiritual oversight ofthe congregation. They are commonmen and need a lot of prayer that theymay live according to the standardset in I Timothy 3. Pray that theymight be living witnesses in the congregationand community for Christ.III. The Deacon BoardThese are the men to whom wehave entrusted the business and financialneeds of the congregation. Praythat they may be given wisdom to useGod's money, entrusted to their care,wisely. Pray that they may live uipto the qualifications set for them inI Timothy 3.IV. The Sabbath School and FellowshipGroupsPray for the superintendent andteachers, those who choose the curriculumand follow through withteaching God's Word. They have atremendous responsibility. They caneither tell stories or teach Jesus Christas He is revealed in God's Word. Afriend once told me that the purposeof the Sabbath School is to teachBible truth including the way of salvationand the fellowship groups are toput these into practice.Pray for youth groups and theirsponsors that they may meet thechallenge.The W.M.S. needs prayer. Maybethere are some members who are waywardor rebellious. Pray for them.V. Committees and PrecentorLet us not forget the ChristianEducation Committee, the EvangelismCommittee, and others.Pray for the precentor. A formerpastor told me that the precentor hasas important a job as a person wholeads in prayer.UNDERGROUND EVANGELISMSCHEDULES PREMIERE SHOWINGOF NEW FILMLos Angeles — "To Russia WithLove," a film produced by UndergroundEvangelism to point up itswork of Bible distribution in IronCurtain countries, is slated for premiereshowing across the nation thisfall. A moving documentary dealingwith a large body of evangelicalsdriven underground for their uncompromisingstand in matters of Christianconscience, the film graphicallyportrays their plight.Fear, pathos, and joy are inextricablywoven into both picture andnarrative as one family's escape tothe West is reenacted. Pastor StephanBankov who pastored 56 churchesclosed by Bulgaria's hard line communistgovernment, and who narratesthe story, knows what it means to betortured for one's faith.The shots are authentic and weresecretly filmed for Underground Evangelismby a professional camera manostensibly on a tour of Russia andcarrying amateur equipment.The story of the Bankov family'sflight from danger of course had tobe staged. But it is beautifully andfactually done by the Bankovs themselves.The film depicts a Bible courier'sdramatic crossing into communistterritory (filmed from a distance bylong-range telescopic lens) his journeyinto Russia subsequent Bible"drops" at secret places. It reveals thejoy with which members of one undergroundcongregation received theirBible gifts. .. the emotion-packedmoment when each held in his handa copy of the Word of God for perhapsthe very first time.And just in case some viewer betempted to think that the wholepicture, "To Russia With Love," wasfaked because one of the scenes showsa bus with the familiar "Greyhound"insignia on its side, it is necessary tounderscore the fact that the bus inthe film is authentic. Yes theRussians are using the familiar Americantransport sign on their own commercialvehicles!Cast me not off in the time of oldage; forsake me not when my strengthfaileth. Psalm 71:913

NOTICE OF CALLOn November 22, 1970, I moderateda call by the College Hill Congregationupon the Rev. James D. Carsonto be their pastor. The congregationprays that the Lord's will be madeclear to Mr. Carson and both congregationsinvolved.Norman M. CarsonORLANDO, FLORIDA(Rev. James Wright is the Pastor.)Dr. R. C. Fullerton retired fromteaching in our Seminary and moved toOrlando the latter part of June. Wewere very fortunate in having himhere to preach for us while we arewaiting for our minister elect, Lie.James Wright, to come on November 1.Dr. Fullerton served us faithfully andhas won a place in our hearts.Our Sabbath School picnic was heldat Camp Ethiel on Saturday, July 11.An afternoon of swimming, games andfun was enjoyed by all.Several of our members were privilegedto attend Carleton conference.They all brought back interesting reportsof fine meetings which they enjoyed.David Lynn Shull, Jr., was born,August 3, 1970. The parents are Davidand Judy Shull and the proud grandparentsare Bob and Dorothy Meierstein.We are glad to have Mrs. GreetaMitchell home again after spending thesummer with her son-in-law and daughter,Dr. and Mrs. D. Howard Elliott, ofTopeka, Kansas.We miss Miss Doris Ann Terry whohas returned to the University ofFlorida, where she is a junior and Mr.September and he preached on September20. We were glad to see them andwere pleased that they located a housewhile here. We were happy to havethem return to Orlando on October 30to become our pastor and to live andwork with us. On Wednesday, November4, we had a dinner and programwelcoming them to Orlando. We arelooking forward to Lie. James Wright'sordination on December 20 and 21.Our fall communion was held onNovember 15. Dr. R. C. Fullerton conductedthe service with Lie. JamesWright assisting.We are happy to announce the engagementof Grace Griffin, daughterof Mr. and Mrs. George Griffin, toJames Tacey, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. F.Tacey. Our congratulations to thesefine young people.The fall Thank Offering meeting,sponsored by the W.M.S. was held onFriday evening, November 20. Thespeaker was Dr. Bruce Cumming,former missionary to Korea, who gavean illustrated lecture.Our congregation was organized onDecember 3, 1920 and, we had a 50thAnniversary banquet and celebrationat the church on Saturday, December19, at 6:30 p.m.GENEVA PROFESSOR HASBOOK CONCERNINGASIAN POLITICS PUBLISHEDDR. YOJI AKASHIDr. Yoji Akashi, has had a bookpublished by the Center for East AsianStudies at the University of Kansas. Hehas taught Russian and Asian historyat Geneva College since 1963.Dr. Yoji AkashiJapan, who has for several years doneextensive study of Asian politics, hasa wide knowledge on the subject. Anumber of his articles writteninJapanese and in English have beenpublished.While on a first semester leave ofabsence during the 1968-69 college termhe presented two papers before theInternational Congress of Asian Historywhich met in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. One was titled "OverseasChinese Nationalism from 1908 to1928," and the other "Japanese MilitaryAdministration in Malaysia: 1941-1945."He then went to Tokyo where hedid further research at the Army andNavy Archives of the Defense Agencyon the Japanese Peace MovementtowardChiang Kai-shek's governmentduring World War II. There he interviewedformer military and civilofficials who were directly involvedin the peace maneuverings andJapanese Administration of Malaysia.Dr. Akashi received his bachelorofarts degree in history from EasternThe book, titled "The NanyangJoe Worsham, who has moved to Chinese National Salvation Movement, Nazarene College, Wollaston, Massachusetts,and his masters and doctoralPennsylvania and is teaching in the 1937-1941," is a study of anti-Japanesehigh school at Rochester.boycott movement during that period degrees in government from GeorgetownUniversity, Washington, D. C.Byron Vogt, who is in the Navy, in response to Japan's aggressions inwas here for a short visit in September. China under Chiang Kai-shek. It He is a member of the AssociationWe were all happy to see him, especiallyhis parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ora filtrate the Chinese and is concerned Science Association, Institute of South­delves into communist strategies to in­for Asian Studies, American PoliticalVogt. Byron is now stationed in with whether or not Chinese who supportedChiang Kai-shek did it whole­Foreign Affairs, Japan Instituteeast Asian History, Japan InstituteofSeattle, Washington.Our minister elect, Lie. James heartedly and if so-why?of International Relations and theWright and Mrs. Wright were here in Dr. Akashi, a native of Tokyo, Political National Honor Society.14 COVENANTER WITNESS

He came to Geneva after servingthree years as a correspondent for theWashington, D. C, Bureau of theJapan Broadcasting Corporation.NATIONALLY - KNOWNTHEOLOGIAN, EDUCATOR ANDAUTHOR TO ADDRESS GENEVAHONOR STUDENTSDr. Carl F. H. HenryDr. Carl F. H. Henry, Philadelphia,theologian, educator, and author, gavethe address at Geneva College'sHonors Convocation at 10 a.m., Friday(Oct. 30) in Metheny Field House.Eighty-four students whose namesappeared on the dean's list each semesterduring the 1969-70 term wereawarded certificates commending theirsuperior academic achievement.Dr. Henry, who began his writingcareer editing Long Island papers andas correspondent for New York andChicago newspapers was ordained tothe Baptist ministry in 1941.He received his bachelor of arts andmaster of arts degrees from Wheaton(111.) College; his bachelor of divinityand doctor of theology degrees fromNorthern Baptist Theological Seminary,Chicago, and his doctor of philosophydegree from Boston University.He continued graduate study at LoyolaUniversity, Chicago, Indiana University,New College, Edinburgh, Scotland,and did research at Cambridge University,England., Seattle (Wash.) Pacific College a-warded him an honorary doctor ofliterature degree in 1963 and in 1968he received an honorary doctor ofletters degree from Wheaton (111.)College.He has authored eighteen books,the most recent, "Evangelicals at theBrink of Crisis," published in 1967,has edited and co-edited several booksand contributed an annual essay from1957 to 1962 on "Religion" to theAmerican Peoples Encyclopedia Yearbook.In 1968 Syracuse (N.Y.) UniversityLibrary established a Carl F. H.Henry manuscript collection in his; ion or.$ Dr. Henry, founding editor of-'Christianity Today" served as editorrom 1956 to 1968 and currently isditor-at-large. He received the FreedomsFoundation award medal in 1954'or a magazine article "Christianity»nd the American Heritage"; in 1966;or an editorial "a World Short ofjilreath"; and in 1968 for an editorialANUARY 13, 1971son the war in Vietnam. He was invitedto participate in the UnitedStates Army War College Seminarin 1963 and the United States NavalWar College Global Strategy Seminarin 1967.He continues to serve after manyyears on the Board of Administrationof the National Association of Evangelicals,has served on various committeesand from 1945 to 1952 was literaryeditor of the associations officialpublication.His lectures have taken him tocolleges, seminaries, Bible conferencesand churches throughout the UnitedStates and Canada and have includedradio and television panel discussionsentitled "God and Man in the TwentiethCentury" which was broadcast asa public service throughout the UnitedStates. His radio and television ministryincluded a daily program hemoderated during 1966 over radiostation KPOL, Los Angeles, California.During the summer of 1959 hetraveled with World Vision addressingthe Christian Task Forces in Burma,Thailand, Malaya, and the Philippines,and in Colombia, South America, inthe spring of 1960. Later that year hetraveled with Evangelist Billy Grahamto Germany and Switzerland and in1963 toured Africa, the Middle East,and Europe.He is a member of numerous nationaltheological, educational, andscientific organizations and his nameis listed in The Dictionary of InternationalBiography, Who's Who in America,Dictionary of American Scholars,and as an outstanding editor in Who'sWho in American Education.DRUG WARNING LEFTPercy Patrick Pilon, 18 of Joliet,Illinois, the youngest of seven children,was an industrious student, cleancutand popular with his classmates."He was never a problem child," saidMrs. Pilon.But one night, while his parentswere out to dinner, "Pat" wrote anaccount of his seven-month involvementwith drugs. Then he killed himselfwith a shotgun.Why?Rambling: LetterPart of the answer was in the ramblingletter neatly folded beside him."If someone offers you drugs bemore of a man than I was and say no,"he wrote. "Learn from my mistakes.I don't want anyone to go through thehell I went through and am still goin^through."These friends of yours will offerstuff free, then start making you payfor it. Then they sell you harder stuffat discount prices, then boost theprices up when they got you hooked.Remember, the same person or friendwho has grass will also be able to pushheroin to you and for what? To makemoney for himself while he destroysyou. People who push are the ones whowant to destroy you and if you givethem the chance they will," he warned.The boy's 50-year-old father, acontractor, still was puzzled after thefuneral.'So Normal'"When you think about drugs, youthink about irresponsible long-hairedhippies," said the father. "The hardthing about this is that Pat was sonormal .. .he was not rebellious oropposed to the draft and it made himmad to read about those who riotedand burned."His parents first learned of Pat'sdrug habit last April. Police found theboy parked in the middle of a roadin the family car. Doctors said he wasunder the influence of LSD.Pat promised his parents he wouldget off drugs and they placed him undera physician's care. But in Septem*ber, after one week in his first year ofcollege, Pat was asked to leave becauseof drug experimentation.In his letter, Pat wrote with sadauthority when he pleaded with otherteen-agers not to experiment withdrugs.Used All Types"I have used all types of drugs fromhash, pot, acid to hard stuff," he wrote."It's all a bad scene. The people whopush it don't use it because they knowit's bad stuff. They can see what itdoes to you. All you are doing isruining your life and letting peoplemake money through you. They areonly using you. . "In a section addressed to his parents,Pat told them that drugs "cloudedmy thoughts of love, destroyed myambitions and ruined my family lifewhich meant so much to me beforethey arrived. I only wish I could havefulfilled some type of purpose while onearth. Drugs have their small momentsof happiness, but for each moment liesa century of sadness never to be removed."(AP) Topeka Daily Capital15

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENTTHE WHITE HOUSESeveral weeks ago, the National Commission on Obscenity and Pornography—appointedin a previous administration—presented its findings.I have evaluated that report and categorically reject its morally bankrupt conclusions andmajor recommendations.So long as I am in the White House, there will be no relaxation of the nationaleffort to control and eliminate smut from our national life.when you prepareyour will . . .. . . considerGeneva CollegeGeneva's view of education restsupon the historic Christian faith containedin Scripture. The WestminsterConfession of Faith of mid 17thcentury has served as the basis ofeducation for over a century. Student sexplore the implications of the sovereighntyof Jesus Christ over all Hiscreation.Geneva is our College and is worthyof our consideration. Would you liketo know more about how you cansupport Geneva? Send the coupon to:Mr. Charles O'DataVice President for DevelopmentGENEVA COLLEGEBeaver Falls, Pa 15010YES. tell me about Geneva College. I wouldlike a copy of Geneva's Foundational Conceptsof Christian Education."NAMEAlso send me literature about _annuties(up to 9% returns) _how to prepareawi" W-100ADDRESSCITY STATE ZIPThe Commission contends that the proliferation of filthy books and plays has nolasting harmful effect on a man's character. If that were true, it must also be truethat great books, great paintings and great plays have no ennobling effect on aman's conduct. Centuries of civilization and ten minutes of common sense tell usotherwise.The Commission calls for the repeal of laws controlling smut for adults-whilerecommending continued restrictions on smut for children. In an open society, thisproposal is untenable. If the level of filth rises in the adult community, the youngpeople in our society cannot help but also be inundated by the flood.Pornography can corrupt a society and a civilization. The people's electedrepresentatives have the right and obligation to prevent that corruption.The warped and brutal portrayal of sex in books, plays, magazines and movies, ifnot halted and reversed, could poison the wellsprings of American and Westerncultuie and civilization.The pollution of our culture, the pollution of our civilization with smut and filth isas serious a situation for the American people as the pollution of our once-pureairand water.Smut should not be simply contained at its present level; it should be outlawed ineveiy State in the Union. And the legislatures and courts at every level of Americangovernment should act in unison to achieve that goal.I am well aware of the importance of protecting freedom of expression. Butpornography is to freedom of expression what anarchy is to liberty; as free menwillingly restrain a measure of their freedom to prevent anarchy, so must we drawthe line against pornography to protect freedom of expression.The Supreme Court has long held, and recently reaffirmed, that obscenity is notwithin the area of protected speech or press. Those who attempt to break down thebarriers against obscenity and pornography deal a severe blow to the very freedomof expression they profess to espouse.Moreover, if an attitude of permissiveness were to be adopted regardingpornography, this would contribute to an atmosphere condoning anarchy in everyfield—and would increase the threat to our social order as well as to our moralprinciples.Alexis De Tocqueville, observing America more than a century ago, wrote:"America is great because she is good-and if America ceases to be good,America will cease to be great."We all hold the responsibility for keeping America a great country-by keepingAmerica a good country.American morality is not to be trifled with. The Commission on Pornography andObscenity has performed a disservice, and I totally reject its report.16 COVENANTER WITNESS

f-« rOLUME LXXXVI NO. 3 JANUARY 20, 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14,1971VffV'^Mirror Lake and The Snowy Range, Wyoming"Oh Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hastthou made them all" (Psalm 104:24).(Union Pacific Railroad Photoi

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.EVANGELICAL PMM ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors:Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. John K. GaultMrs. D.Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling,Kansas two weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATES40/-72/-Individual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles 32/- (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. HughWright, B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern IrelandBT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.IMPORTANTNOTICEThe Reformed Presbyterian Woman's Association,having the care of the Reformed Presbyterian Home, iscalled for its regular Annual meeting on the fourthWednesday of February, which is February 24, 1971 at10:30 A.M. This meeting will be held at the CommunityHouse, Union Avenue, North Side, Pittsburgh. Lunch canbe bought in the Community House Dining Room.This meeting will be led in a devotional period byMrs. M.K. Carson, a former Board Member: thenwill follow the Annual Reports by the Superintendent,Rev. Melville W. Martin, by the officers andchairmen of committees, and by a representative of theAuxiliary; also the election of seven members to theBoard of Directors for a period of three years to take theplace of those whose terms have expired; and to transactsuch other business as may come before the meeting.All members of the Reformed PresbyterianWoman's Association, from far and near, are cordiallyinvited and urged to attend.JThis Week's WitnessBeaver County Christian School 3Board of Trustees Report 3Glimpses of the Religious World 4Is Repentance Necessary To Salvation? 5Religion In Review6Oppose Plan of Union8Open Letter on Giving to Budget8Trudy's Secret10Lesson HelpsUChurch News13WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the SacramentsThe divine right of the institution of Marriage and that itis notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent fromallgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

Beaver Valley-Christian SchoolNEWSLETTER December 1970The School Year: Grades 1 through 6 are in fullprogress this current school year with 34 pupils enrolled.We have two full-time teachers and three part-timeJeachers. This has been a big undertaking for Miss Louise^Marshall and Miss Joyce Lynn, our full-time teachers.I,They are doing an excellent job with their classes.us: Open House: November 10 was the day we openedrour school to visitors and friends. We had about one hun-I dred and twenty-five interested adults who came to seesuwhat we are doing in the field of Christian education. TheWiopen house was a success and we feel the Lord used the"'evening to encourage parents to send their children to ourschool.Literature Sales: The Beaver Valley Mall has asked.he non-profit organizations in our area to set up booths inhe Mall during the week of January 17. We will have ax>oth with good literature on Christian education. Ourriain goal is to use this as an opportunity to bring the" lame of the school before the people who might be inerestedin sending their children to the school.Board Changes: Rev. David Armstrong has beenippointed Director of Christian Education for theieformed Presbyterian Church of North America efective,July, 1971. Prior to that he will take training at"rinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago.Becauseofhis he has resigned from the Board and as our treasurer.)avid was one of the original organizers of the Schooltoard and an excellent treasurer. We express our thankso him for his work and dedication. Mr. Bruce Millerreplaces him as treasurer and Rev. Richard Rowe, pastorf the Christ Presbyterian Church, Chippewa, replacesim on the School Board. Rev. William Brooks is the newresident of the Board and Rev. John White is theecretary.A Special Visit: The entire school visited a home for2nior citizens in Pittsburgh during the Christmas season.hese good people have been giving faithfully to our:hool and they and the children had a great time togethernging and getting to know each other.The School Bus: Our VW bus with Mrs. Brown at the; heel has been faithfully bringing our children to and, om school each day. This is a real labor of love and avery necessary part of our school life.From Our Pupils: All the pupils of our school want tothank you for your interest and prayers in our school. Youhave made this school possible and our children want tosay "thank you" for giving them a fine Christianeducation. May this New Year be rich in the service of theKing.Synod's Boardof Trustees MeetsThe Trustees of the Synod of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of North America met in a regularmeeting at Geneva College on December 12, 1970.John M. Mitchell, C.P.A. was retained as an accountingconsultant on the basis of one full day eachmonth. The objective is to review, revise and up-datewhere necessary the accounting and financial reportingsystems of the Church.Mr. McKee and Mr. Cretors, investment adviser andbroker met with the Board as agreed to by contract. Thesecurities portfolio was reviewed in light of past action,where we stand now, and future goals. In the past year wehave sold and bought approximately one million dollars ofsecurities. The mass handling of securities has been accomplishedand the coming year will be used to furtherbalance the portfolio distribution as per previouslyadopted policies. McKee-Harrison, Inc. was elected theinvestment advisor for the coming year 1971.Special committees reported. Since most were fairlynew, ideas were submitted and discussed but little action.The only action taken was in regard to interest charged todepartments of the Church that had an overdrawn account."Since the Budget Organizations Control Accounthas a substantial balance for 1970, that no overdraft interestbe charged for 1970. This policy exception is grantedfor 1970 only."The Committee to recommend policies whendisorganizing a congregation led to quite a discussion. Itwill be difficult to set policies for this but in view of the factthat we now have nine properties under control of theTrustees, we feelit is important that guidelines be set.Any recommendations or knowledge of previous handlingwould be gladly received by Joe Lamont, Seattle,Washington.The office budget for 1971 was presented andadopted.In Christ.Louis D. HutmireSecretaryANUARY 20, 1971

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014THE STATE AND RELIGIONThe current EP News sheet has at least four itemsthat come under this category.First, Zondervan Publishing House in Grand Rapidshas released a biology text book that presents "a scientificallyaccurate alternate to currently available biologytexts which contain heavy emphasis on biochemical andphysical science principles of abstract explanation ofmatter and energy." For "the first time in nearly half acentury" there is presented evidences for creation as wellas for evolution as an explanation of origins.Then, in Wisconsin a group of ministers has askedthe Department of Natural Resources to edit itspromotional films to eliminate references to the age of theearth, which, the ministers say, are "offensive to thebeliefs of thousands of Wisconsin citizens." One of theministers is the Rev. Karl L. Barth, president of the SouthWisconsin district of the Lutheran Church, MissouriSynod.At Pittsburgh, a Baptist minister in suburban AllisonPark has challenged a book used in Deer Lakes HighSchool senior English classes, charging that Catcher inthe Rye contains "hundreds of phrases where God's nameis used in vain." School Principal Ralph Mastandrea saidhe "might have to do something about the book in the lightof the complaint. . ."Finally, Mrs. Madalyn Murray O'Hair, after havingbeen denied by the Supreme Court a review of the originalsuit that she brought against the Bible reading and prayerby the astronauts in space, which suit had been dismissedby a lower federal court, is now claiming that the"religious ceremonies" were part of the original flightplans of the Apollo 8 flight, and were planned by thegovernment rather than having been a spontaneous expressionof the men themselves. She is renewing herrequest for Supreme Court review of the original suit.Actually, I see that there are four more such itemsthis week, one dealing v/ith a suit to prevent Dayton, Ohiofrom furnishing parochial schools with books usingfederal money, another with a threat of legal action inWallington, New Jersey to eliminate "religious holidays(such as Christmas and Easter)" from the schoolcalendars, another in which county clerks in New Mexicohave been told by the State attorney general to acceptpractically any claim of an "ordained minister" forperforming "valid and binding marriages," even thoughthe "ordination" was a mail order house affair, andstillanother reporting that the Internal Revenue Service isexempting churches "from close scrutiny of accounts."Have we really kept Church and State separate?"GRAHAM URGES REVIVAL TO STEM TIDE OFEVIL"I trust that this is merely a news service headlinewriter's statement, and not Billy Graham's. Revival ishardly something to which we can be urged, and thenproceed to have. Revival is the work of the Spirit of God.THE POPE AND IAN PAISLEY TO AUSTRALIAEvangelical Action's editor, the Rev. W. R. McEwenof McKinnon, Victoria suggests that the visit of the PopetoAustralia achieved at least one good. "Matters offaithhave become an issue of public interest to an extent rarelyseen in this country." But he goes on to say that themilitant Protestant, Mr. Paisley, who has been muchinthe news that relates to Northern Ireland recently, woulddo well to "decline the invitation that has been senttohim" to come to Australia at the same time as the Pope."We believe that his presence would only increase theconfusion and obscure the real issues. . . . (He) hasbecome associated in the public mind with issues andattitudes that do more to enflame than inform. This is notaltogether his fault. The press has done much to project aPaisley image which is a distorted caricature of the realPaisley. ... let us seize on the occasion of the Pope'svisitto confess the faith of the Gospel over against the apostateGospel of Rome. As we do so, we may well turn evilintounparalleled good."None other doctrine does establish faith or make menhumble and thankful unto God. And finally, that noneother doctrine makes man careful to obey God accordingto His commandments, but that doctrine only whichsospoils man of all power and virtue, that no portion ofhissalvation consists within himself; to the end that the wholepraise of redemption may be referred to Christ Jes 118alone.—John Knox4 COVENANTER WITNESS

Special Topic on EvangelismIs RepentanceNecessary To Salvation?Rev. R. W. NickersonPastor of Lisbon, New York R. P. ChurchJ_ hree different views prevail on the subject ofrepentance. Roman Catholicism treats repentance interms of the individual performing acts of penance, toearn the favor of God. Arminianism, on the other hand,denies the value of such a legalistic form of repentanceand labels it as part and parcel of a "works" salvation.Instead, Arminianism speaks of "evangelical repentance"which it considers a self-generated act of manpreceding regeneration. According to the Arminian view,the unregenerate man has the ability to see the folly of hissin and then turn to God seeking salvation from it.The Biblical doctrine of repentance, however, makesit plain that both Roman Catholicism and Arminianismare wrong in that they (1) make repentancechronologically prior to regeneration and (2) credit thesinner with the natural ability to repent.Instead, the Scripture insists that man in his fallencondition is unable to properly evaluate his sinful conditionas an act of unwarranted rebellion against God.(See Ro. 3:11, 18; I Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1) Regeneration,which precedes repentance, enables man to truly see hissin and leads him to godly sorrow. Says Charles Hodge:"That repentance which is unto life is a turning; not abeing driven away from sin by fear and stress of conscience,but a forsaking it as evil and hateful, with sinceresorrow, humility and confession; and a returning to God,because he is good and willing to forgive, with a determinationto live in obedience to his commandments."(Way of Life)Like faith itself, repentance is considered to be anecessary aspect of salvation. Without genuine repentance,a man has no claim to the saving work of Christ.(See Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30). As John Murrayputs it: "Faith that is unto salvation is penitent faith andthe repentance that is unto life is believing repentance."(Redemption, Accomplished and Applied)Again, like faith, repentance is presented in Scriptureas a gift of grace. The Shorter Catechism lucidlystates: "Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby asinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension ofthe mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred ofhis sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, andendeavor after, new obedience." (Q. 87)In Acts 5:31 we are told "Him (Christ) hath Godexalted with His hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for togive repentance to Israel." And in Acts 11:38, "God hathalso to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." Bothverses make it clear that God grants to men (who werepreviously dead in sin) the ability and desire to repent, notmerely the opportunity. Because God sovereignly gives toHis children the grace of repentance in no way contradictsthe fact that those who receive His graces are responsibleto exercise them.Repentance in the regenerated life produces achange of heart, mind and will concerning the justice andgrace of God, the true character of self, the heinous natureof sin, and the character of true righteousness. The Wordof God faithfully preached and then applied by the HolySpirit produces the hatred of sin and turning from itspractice that characterize repentance unto life. (See IICor. 7:11) Shallow evangelistic efforts of our day often failto rightly present the relationship between Law andGrace, thus frequently offering false assurance ofsalvation without sufficient instruction concerning theneed for or evidence of true repentance.Repentance then is to be viewed as a state or conditionof the heart, rather than a mere action indicatingsome form of sorrow. Even Judas is reported in Matthew27:13 to have repented but the word here signifies selfconsciousconcern over his own reputation. Only thebeliever is capable of that repentance which means "tohave another mind" or a "changed heart." And thisalways and only comes because of the grace of God inapplying the merits of Christ to His people. (Ezekiel 26:25-27, 31)The love of God is, like Himself, equal, constant, notcapable of augmentation or diminution; our love is likeourselves, unequal, increasing, waning, growing,declining. His, like the sun, is always the same in its light,though a cloud may sometimes interpose; ours as themoon, hath its enlargements and straightenings. The loveof God in itself is the eternal purpose and act of His will,and is no more changeable than God Himself.— John OwenJANUARY 20, 1971 5

1970 — Many voices, many bannersReligion In ReviewWith the unrolling of God's prophetic scroll, the year1970 has run its course and passed into history. A net gainof 72.6 million people were added to the global communityon the watery planet this year — a greater increase thanduring any other year in history.More than half the people born since Adam werealive in 1970. Each purchased the opportunities of thisyear for his Creator or squandered them in selfish, futilecrusades.TrendsFor every religious movement to the right this yearone could be charted heading to the left in the direction ofsecularism. Worship was characterized increasingly bynoninstitutional or anti-institutional movements. Butdespite the restless urge for change the church by andlarge played it safe.This was the year in which more G.Is. lost their livesin Vietnam while ministers and physicians at homeroutinely approved the destruction of life by abortion.The government's Commission on Pornographyrecommended the repeal of all adult censorship.Homosexuals and lesbians enjoyed increasing recognitionby church and society. Citizens in several states foundthemselves without any laws whatever to ban X-ratedmovies. A staggering increase of drug abuse was recorded,forcing churches to search harder for a challengingalternative to the "religion of drugs" in reachingyoung advocates of the psychedelic culture.A black Episcopal clergyman called for thelegalization of marijuana. Members of the LutheranChurch in America adopted a liberalized sex ethic as abasic policy. So did the United Presbyterians.Satanism reared its ugly head higher in 1970 amid anexplosion of interest in "mystery trips" through fortunetelling, yoga, astrology, black masses, demonology, anddrugs. People searched desperately for all kinds of person-changingexperiences.A New York psychiatrist summed up: "Nobody feelssignificant or that it's worth it anymore." He said theindividual is losing his sense of value and significance and,to compensate for his ego depravation, may turn toviolence "by getting a gun and shooting somebody."The old Protestant-ethic industriousness, technology,economic planning and social structure was attacked in1970 as being inadequate to make U.S. citizens "whole."Norman Rohrer, DirectorEP News ServiceDespite the erosion of respect for authority and anincreasing denial of moral absolutes, a HarvardUniversity professor hailed the year as marking the dawnof a "social revolution" which has brought, he said, "anincrease in principled morality."Chaplains invaded industry in 1970 to help peoplewith spiritual problems right on the job; clergymen rodealong in police cars; Christian houses flourished amongthe young; "Moral Advance" was founded by ChristianFreedom Foundation; Intercristo harnessed the computerto match people with missionary opportunities; theSatellite Christian Institute opened, marking a whole newidea in Christian leadership training; Food for the Hungrywas launched against the outrageous spectre of starvationin the midst of plenty; and President Nixon declared thatthe United States is able to give the world "spiritualleadership and idealism" that some other nations cannot.The year closed with thousands of young people on theirknees in prayer at the 9th triennial Inter-Varsity ChristianFellowship missionary convention in Urbana, Illinois.Church and StateWhile citizens burned the flag, marched in protest, orregistered in other ways their grievances with the currentregime, Christianity still remained a strong influence onthe men who govern the United States.The Supreme Court refused to hear Atheist MadalynMurray O'Hair's bid to ban religious practice amongastronauts in space; the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appealsturned down a challenge to rule against the constitutionalityof the national motto, "In God We Trust";the Post Office Department announced new regulationscracking down on obscene materials; three U.S. Senatorsproposed legislation for an "unprecedented, massive,across-the-board federal attack on the problem ofalcoholism"; the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 7-1 decision,upheld the principle of tax exemption on property usedexclusively for religious purposes; and the governmentkept many religious periodicals in business by holding theline against a move for increased postal revenue.The President continued his church-in-the-homeworship habit and in late spring attended the Knoxville,Kentucky Billy Graham Crusade. He told 70,000 cheeringlisteners that today's troubled young people will becometomorrow's "great generation."6 COVENANTER WITNESS

DenominationsMembership in churches and synagogues of the U.S.totalled 128,469,636 — up slightly in the downward trendfrom peak church attendance in 1958Blame for the decline among churches seeking to be"relevant" was laid to many reasons. Officials of theLutheran Church in America said a "materialistic ethos"is the greatest cultural factor causing a decline in itsmembership growth. Blamed also were religious indifference,affluence, urbanization, and populationmobility. The American Lutheran Church said mergers ofcongregations and dissolution of local churches in ruralareas with declining populations accounted for mostlosses in that denomination.The United Church of Canada reported losses inmembership, total number of persons under pastoral careand income. The denominational paper, United ChurchObserver, reported that the church's (Sabbath) schoolswere "dying" and that, at the present rate of decline, fewwould be able to stay open more than five years. Attendance,the Observer said, has plummetted to its lowestpoint in the history of the church.The United Presbyterian Church opened its 182ndGeneral Assembly with reports of declines in totalmembership and in number of churches. And for the firsttime in a century, a drop in the ranks of Roman Catholics,amid a general rise in population figures, was discovered.Merger talk remained strong in 1970. Committeeswere formed by members of The Wesleyan Church andthe Free Methodist Church to discuss a merger."Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)" is the tentative name fora proposed merger of the nation's two largestPresbyterian denominations — the United PresbyterianChurch in the U.S.A. and the Presbyterian Church in theU.S. (Southern). Disciples announced plans to develop acommon 200-acre campus with Roman Catholics for jointfacilities to accommodate their theological facilities.Overseas, a major step in the ecumenical movementwas made with the announcement of merger by the WorldAlliance of Reformed Churches and the InternationalCongregational Council. The new organization will resultin the 59 million-member World Alliance of ReformedChurches.The Inter-faith Committee for Religious Careersopened a drive to solicit recruits for ministerial positionsbut poor pay, uncertainty about their roles in a changingsociety, conflicts with church authorities, and lack ofencouragement from people in the pew were driving moreand more pastors from the pulpit. The salary of ministersin 20 major Protestant churches was still far below thatoffered by most other professions.Unless a wave of evangelical renewal sweeps overProtestant Christianity, present-day churches maybecome spiritual ghost towns, Dr. Carl F.H. Henry told theAmerican Baptist Convention in Cincinnati. "It is nocredit to churches to keep up venerable traditions thatnow accommodate the indifference of multitudes to theGospel when there are more vital ways of enlistingthem," he said.EducationThe two dominant issues on the educational scene,from a religious viewpoint, were prayers in public schoolsand federal aid to parochial education.While a former president of the Baptist WorldAlliance called the seven-year debate in Congress overlegislation to permit prayer in public schools a "waste oftime," a Massachusetts woman was sentenced to jail for60 days for crusading to put prayer back into Brocktonschools. In Netcong, New Jersey, voluntary presessionprayers were even outlawed despite the approvalof the local school board.Delegates to the 22nd national Conference on Churchand State were advised in Detroit that the U.S. SupremeCourt never said that a student may not pray, but only thatthe school may not make the student pray. In Leyden,Massachusetts, a court ruled that public school childrenmay continue reciting classroom prayers if their teachersdo not take part.Despite the Administration's lean toward widening offederal aid to parochial schools, the "parochiaid" drivelost its steam in 1970.For the first time in its century-long history, theUniversity of California at Berkeley introduced religion asan academic discipline. The move illustrated thatalthough prayers in public schools are few, there is moretalk than ever about religion.Other highlights in education during 1970: All-whitecongregations in Mississippi opened their own schoolsrather than integrate. A North Carolina father went to jailfor five days rather than allow his daughter to be busedout of his neighborhood to achieve integration in anotherschool. Christian higher education was involved generallyin a fight for survival.PressThe religious press in 1970 was in trouble. A survey of10 major denominational periodicals indicated that all butone of the magazines suffered circulation losses. Churchmemberships were down, circulation had dropped, advertisingwas scarce, printing costs were sky-rocketingand postal rates increasing. Meanwhile, those raunchy,dirty, misspelled little underground sheets wereflourishing!Continued next weekJANUARY 20, 1971 7

OPPOSE PLAN OF UNIONOpposition to the Plan of Union formerging nine protestant denominationsinto one 25-million member "Churchof Christ Uniting" has been registeredby the Presbytarian Lay Committee,a group of United Presbyterian laymen."The Lay Committee is opposedto the COCU Plan of Union," statedRoger Hull, Chairman of the Committee'sBoard of Directors, "becauseit would abolish the United PresbyterianChurch and all of its individualmember churches as such and as aresult, the local congregation wouldlose the right to vote on matters whichare traditionally >and historically theresponsibility of the congregation underour presbyterian form of government— such as the selection of itsminister, its place of meeting, itsbudget, its property, its programs, theelection of its elders, trustees, andother church officers.""In opposing this Plan" continuedMr. Hull "the Lay Committee has takena positive stand in favor of preservingPresbyterianism. We are committedto being Presbyterian. If there aremembers who wish to leave the PresbyterianChurch for this new Church,we extend them our good will, ourrespect and our best wishes. We, whoare Presbyterian, intend to remainPresbyterian."This action of the Lay Committeewas taken by the Board of Directorswho approved unanimously a Resolutionopposing the Plan of Union whichhad been drafted by Consultation onChurch Union (COCU) and presentedto each of the nine denominations forstudy and later action. The Board consideredthe following provisions of thePlan to be unacceptable:— provisions which deprive membersof a congregation of their presentright to select a minister for thatcongregation and which substitutetherefor the nomination of ministersby bishops and district and parishcommittees and their election by theparish — not by the congregation.— provisions which deprive membersof a congregation of their presentright to elect their own officers andwhich eliminate the offices of eldersand trustees of individual congregations.— provisions which deprive membersof a congregation of their presentright to determine the general programsof their congregation and theuse to which funds contributed by themOpen Letter from President of Synod's Board of TrusteesDear Editor:From information available in the statistical reports of the 1970 MINUTES OFSYNOD for the year ended December 31,1969, three columns were used to develop permember contributions to Synod's Budget as shown in the accompanying tabulation:congregations, communicant members (domestic) and reported contributions toSynod's Budget. The average per member contribution to Synod's Budget in 1969 was$32.69 but it would have taken $53.58 per member to raise Synod's Budget for 1970.Itwill be approximately the same for 1971.It is very difficult to draw conclusions from this tabulation concerning where aparticular congregation is on the list. For the 72 listed congregations there probablywould be 72 different sets of circumstances, reasons, and motivations as to whyitiswhere it is. However, the most important question for all to ask is "Are we givingallwe can to support the work of the denomination? "While this information is too late to be useful for 1970, it is in time to take actionfor 1971 if we are going to be successful in raising the funds which are so badly neededfor the work of the church.Sincerely,John M. Mitchell1.2.3.k.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.13.ll+.15.16.IT.18.19.20.21.22.23.2k.25.26.27-28.29-30.31.32.33.3k.35.36.CONGREGATIONS ' CONTRIBUTIONS TO SYNOD'S BUDGETRanked by Per Member ContributionFor the Year Ended Dec ember 31, 1969Contribut ions toCommunicantSynod's BudgetCongregationMembers*Total* Per MemberBethelBroomallNew YorkGenevaSouthfieldKansas CityBelle CenterRose PointWaltonLos AngelesCollege HillGreeleyTopekaSan DiegoOakdaleSterlingSanta AnaOrlandoWinchesterNewburghWilkinsburgBloomingtonFirst Beaver FallsWhite LakeOld BethelCambridgeFour MileMarionMorning SunSharonAlleghenyPhoenixPark CityMinneolaNew AlexandriaNorth Hills20696k15751733767861231121021333772985896IOU^05998169182k5026kk29150753619kk7910*+$ 3,673.kk11,300.855,500.0012,118.713,660.005,0^0.002,300.003,705.00k,k29-195,682.855,ll+2.U2i+,683.235,985.001,589.693,052.00l+,0l+5.002,327.003,730.19k, 000.001,517-992,196.653,525.006,000.00600.00800.001,6i+8.25825.001,327.60850.00k, 292.732,056.1+2985.25513.251,112.501,935.^82,535.00$183.6?163.7885.9^77.1871.7669. oi*62.1655.3051.511+6.20•+5.911(5.911+5.001+2.961+2.391+1.281+0.1238.8638.W37.9537.2335.9?35.5033.3333.3332.9?31.7330.1729.3128.6227.1(227-3727.0125-282U.502U.388 COVENANTER WITNESS

37.38.39-1+0.1+1.1+2.1+3.kk.1+5.1+6.>+7.1+8.k9.50.51.52.53.5k.55.56.57.58.59.60.61.62.63.61+.65.66.67.68.69.70.71.72.1.2.3.1*.5.6.7.AlmonteSeattleHethertonWashingtonHebronLochielSuperior-BeulahHot SpringsOlatheDenisonEastvaleThird PhiladelphiaRehobothClarindaBarnetQuinterMontclairYoungstownLisbonColdenhamCache CreekLake RenoChicagoIndianapolisManchesterFresnoUnionDenverNew CastleSyracuseBear-Run MahoningRimersburgSelmaWest LafayetteEskridgeLawrence* As reported in1+25551^756177721k2911016087717833111+237633381+6^71+858521+0361+,0106on59lUi2111—1+,313**the 1970 Minutes1 ,006.181 ,200.001 ,073.37920.001 ,038.50285.001 ,285.00350.00681.00$ 1 ,1+25.001 ,535-00760.36100.00935.00175.00825.00300.00126.00205.69600.00175.00200.00231+.00150.00150.00150.00130.00100.0070.00,871.39lUolUlof Synod.RECAP BY PRESBYTERIES:Members——----—130.00,001.3923-9621.8121.0519-5718.5516.7616.6916.6716.21$ 15-6615.2012.6712.5012. lU10.299-9U9.689-006.9k7-895-305.265.093.193.132.592.502.501.9!+35-13__—————32.69** Excludes minis terial and other members on Presbytery roles.New YorkPittsburghPacific CoastOhio-IllinoisMidwestSt. LawrenceIowaJANUARY 20, 19711+081,177367T0U1,101+21+5308U.313Contributions$22,227-1+538,625.6811,93 1 *. 7922,198.0032,323-kQ6,101.667,59:.33$11+1,001.39Averagecer Member5U.I+832.8232.5231.5329.2821+.902»*. 6U32.69shall be devoted and which substitutetherefor the determination of suchmatters by parishes.— provisions which require allchurch property—including houses ofworship, manses, endowment fundsand other congregational assets — tobe transferred from congregationalownership to parish ownership.—provisions which permit parishesto determine whether the Word of Godshall continue to be preached in anygiven church edifice and whether thatedifice shall be disposed of or usedfor wholly different purposes.— provisions which eliminate congregationsas basic units and whichsubstitute therefor parishes as basicunits.— many other provisions which discardour present form of democraticgovernment and substitute thereforthe episcopal form headed by bishopsand councils with local congregationshaving no existence except as thesebishops and councils, separated andisolated from members of congregations,may determine from time totime.The resolution also urged like mindedPresbyterians to study the Plan andregister their opposition with theirpastors, sessions, presbyteries and withstudy groups being conducted to discussthe Plan.The Resolution was printed in theNovember issue of the Layman, amonthly journal published by the LayCommittee and mailed to 240,000United Presbyterians. It also will bediscussed on the November 29 andDecember 6 programs of "The Layman'sHour," a (Sabbath) radio broadcastseries featuring Dr. D. ReginaldThomas.The Presbyterian Lay Committee isan organization of Presbyterian laymenwho believe that the Churchshould give primary emphasis to providingspiritual guidance, inspiration,nourishment, help and leadership andshould put greater emphasis on thepreaching and teaching of the Bible.The Committee is concerned over thedrift of the Church away from thisprimary mission toward greater emphasison efforts to improve mankind'smaterial welfare.The nine denominations includedin the Plan of Union are the AfricanMethodist Episcopal Church, the AfricanMethodist Episcopal Zion Church,the Christian Church (Disciples ofSee page 169

The Children'sCorner^ffTRUDY'S SECRETby Bernice Callaway, Three Hills, AlbertaTrudy plumped up the four pillows behind her andtucked the woolly blanket around her feet. "Daddy will bewondering why I haven't written to him," she said pickingup her pencil and paper. "I'd better doit right now."Dear Daddy: she began. I'm sorry to be so longwriting to you but I've had a bad cough. Grandma ismaking me stay in bed today. I have something to tell you.It's really a secret. But I'm afraid I have to tell yousomething else first that isn't very nice.I'll tell that partfirst and getit over with. ThenI'll tell you the secret. OK?Last Saturday I went over to Murphy's to play withAnna. She was showing me her room and all her prettythings. Then I saw her red necklace. It was just the colorof the new dress you bought me and oh! I wishedit wasmine. I'm sorry to have to tell you that when Anna randownstairs for a minute I scoopedit up and putit deep intomy pocket.That night when Grandpa and Grandma and I kneltdown to pray, I just choked up. I pretended my cold wastoo bad to pray and went to bed early. Grandma cameupstairs with some nice-tasting cough syrup and was sokind I felt very, very mean. But I still wanted to keep thatnecklace. Isn'tit awful how wicked you can be inside andnobody know it — 'cept God, of course.I didn't sleep very well that night and woke up withwhat felt like a big lump in my tummy. At first I wonderedwhat was wrong. Then I remembered. Oh Daddy, then Iwished that red necklace was back on Anna's dresser. Ithought of slippingit into her coat pocket at school whenshe wasn't looking. Then I remembered what you told meabout having to sin more to cover up the first sin and thatmade me feel even worse. I wanted to get rid of thenecklace now but I didn't want anybody to know what awicked girl I was.When I should have been doing math I kept hearingthe verse, "Be sure your sin will find you out." It was ahorrid day and when I trudged home from school that lootfelt heavy in my pocket. I was beginning to hate the sightofit by now.Right after supper I excused myself and went to bed.Soon I heard Gramps coming up the stairs. You can tellit's him by the way he hum-de-dums to himself. Ipretended to be asleep and he sat there quietly for awhile.Then he said, "Come on, Puss, tell Grandpa all about it."I thought he would just think I was lonesome for youand feel sorry for me. Daddy, does God tell GrandpaDaddys when their children have been naughty?Right then, for the first time in my whole life I wasvery sorry for my sin. I wanted to get rid of all my sins, notjust the necklace. Then before I knew it I was spillingthe whole nasty story to Gramps. Isn'tit a good thing Ihave a Grandpa who loves Jesus and could help me?You know how I've always been so stubborn. I'venever wanted to let the Lord Jesus have every bit of me,but that night I did. I still do. I cried hard, but Grandpasaid to just tell the Lord the truth about myself. I did, butwasn't very nice to hear — 'course God wasn't surprised'cuz He knewit all the time. I asked Him to forgive meallmy sin and help me to want always to obey Him and myparents and grandparents. Grandpa took my Bible andunderlined a verse that is mine 'specially now: "If weconfess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us oursins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John1:9).The next part was very hard. I didn't see how I coulddoit but Grandpa helped me. He took me over to Murphy'sthat night and I told Anna what I had done. I felt like areally truly criminal standing there confessing that I wasa thief. But whenit was all over I was so happy.So now this is my secret. At last, I'm not only yourchild, but God's child, too. Gramps saysit really isn't asecret because he can tell I'm God's child by the way Ihelp Grandma now without grumbling. Are you glad?Love, Trudy.P.S. — I nearly forgot. Coming home from Anna's Isaid to Grandpa, "You'll have to punish me now, won'tyou?"Gramps walked on a while looking up at the twinklingstars, then said, "Has God forgiven you?"Well, I knew He had."Well then, so has Anna and so have I. We are goingto forget all about it."I felt so good inside I could have jumped for joy. Butthen I thought out loud, "God won't forget, will He?""He has forgotten aboutit already," he said, givingmy hand an extra squeeze.That puzzled me. A God so great as our God couldforgive but how could He ever forget? Then Grandpa saidthis.I'll never forget it: "God makes Himself forget."I'm so glad now, Daddy, that God has forgiven meforall my sins and makes Himself forget them, too. Aren'tyou?The Shantyman10 COVENANTER WITNESS

t-Lesson Helps for the Week of February 14, 1971Sabbath SchoolLessonfor February 14,1971HUMILITY BEFORE GOD:Luke 14:7-11; 18:9-14.Comments by John K. GaultThis lesson contains two parables ofJesus, each of which is designed todemonstrate the truth of the axiom that"whosoever exalteth himself shall beabased; and he that humbleth himselfshall be exalted." In the providence of Godthis axiom is always a self-evident truth,even though it is not always evident topeople, who work in time, but God worksin eternity.1: Christians Should Not SeekWorldly Honor as an End in Itself.This thought presented is the parableof the lesson which concerns those whoseated themselves in the best seats, whenthey were invited to a social affair, such asa wedding. Jesus saw how the Phariseesdid this very thing and so He said, "Whenthou art bidden of any man to a wedding,sit not down in the highest rooms; lest amore honorable man than thou be biddenof him; and he that bade thee and himcome and say to thee, Give this manplace; and thou begin with shame to takethe lowest room." Evidently the personswho chose the best seats desired to make ashow of themselves before all the otherguests. This was an indication of a proudand haughty spirit and of such a spiritProverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goeth beforedestruction, and an haughty spirit before afall." In Romans 12:3 Paul said, "For Isay through the grace given unto me, toevery man that is among you, not to thinkof himself more highly than he ought tothink; but to think soberly, according asGod hath dealt to everv man the measureof faith."-: Christians Should Humbly AcceptDeserved Honor.Continuing in what Jesus said in thisparable, we read, "But when thou artbidden, go and sit down in the lowestroom: that when he that bade theecometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, goup higher: then shalt thou have worship inthe presence of them that sit at meat withthee."When this would happen the humbleone would receive the praise of the otherguests. In Proverbs 27:2 it is said, "Letanother man praise thee and not thine ownmouth; a stranger and not thine own lips."Those who chose the reserved seats atfirst were praising themselves, and suchan attitude usually incurs the dislike ofothers.3: In Seeking God's Favor OneShould Not Compare Himself with Others.In the second parable of the lessonJesus told about the Pharisee and thepublican, who went into the temple topray. Each of these two persons wentthrough the motions of making contactwith God, who is the only deity to beprayed to. The Pharisee started in bythanking God that he was so much betterthan other people. Perhaps he was betterthan some others and perhaps he wasn't.If one could read his thoughts he might nothave been any better than some whom hementioned. So, one thing was certain andthat was that the Pharisee was a sinnerwho needed to repent. He had committedone of the greatest of sins and that was tothink that he was righteous in the sight ofGod. He seemed to be forgetful that thewhole sacrificial system was based uponthe fact of man's sin. The Pharisee,therefore, presumed to worship God,trusting in his own self-righteousness andnot in the undeserved mercy of God.4: In Coming Before God One CannotEarn His Favor by Doing Things.This was another presumptuous actof the Pharisee. He proceeded to informGod of the good deeds which he had done.He said, "I fast twice in the week, I givetithes of all that I possess." The law ofGod didn't require him to fast twice aweek; so. he must have had some othermotive for so doing than to please God. Heseemed to think that he could win thefavor of God by the good deeds which hehad done. The Reformation sparked byMartin Luther was based upon this veryissue that one cannot lay up a fund ofmerit before God by doing good deeds orpaying a large amount of money to thechurch. Salvation is gained solely throughthe unmerited grace of God which was aresult of His great mercy.5: Humility Before God Is the ProperAttitude to Take in Prayer.The other man who went into theTemple to pray was a publican, or taxcollector. He, no doubt, was a Jew who hadbought the franchise of collecting taxesfrom the Roman government. ThePharisees hated these tax collectors. Butthe publican "stood afar off." It wouldseem that he considered himself to beunworthy even to enter the sacred place.He was acutely conscious of his sins for"he would not lift up so much as his eyesunto heaven, but he smote upon hisbreast," which indicated self-abasement.All he seemed to be able to say to God was"God be merciful to me a sinner." TheRevised Version says that the translationshould be "the sinner." instead of "asinner." This showed that the publicanwas thinking of his own unworthinessbefore God and was not about to comparehimself favorably with others. Herecognized in his prayer that it was onlyby the mercy of God that he could beaccepted for he prayed, "God be mercifulto me." This has brought the salvation ofall whom God has chosen for He said, "Iwill have mercy on whom I will havemercy, and I will have compassion onwhom I will have compassion. So thenit isnot of him that willeth. nor of him thatrunneth, but of God that showeth mercy"(Rom. 9:15,16).f>: Praying to God in the Right WayLeads to Justification.After recounting this parable concerningthe Pharisee and the publican,Jesus said of the latter, "This man wentdown to his house, justified rather than theother." This did not mean that thepublican was no longer a sinner for hewas. But it did mean that God haddeclared him just He was just because hehad cast himself upon the mercy of Godand not upon what he had done or not doneIn the answer to question 33 of the ShorterJANUARY 20, 1971 11

Catechism it is said, "Justification is anact of God's free grace, wherein Hepardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us asrighteous in His sight, only for therighteousness of Christ imputed to us, andreceived by faith alone." God declared thepublican to be just because he was humbleand confessed his sin. He cast himselfupon God's mercy and thus he was acceptedin the sight of God. Justification isan act of God's free grace and it is not theresult of anything that man can do to earnit.Jesus closed this second parable ofthis lesson by repeating the axiom withwhich He closed the first parable: "Forevery one that exalteth himself shall beabased; and he that humbleth himselfshall be exalted.""Lesson based on International SundaySchool Lessons: the International Bible Lessonsfor Christian Teaching, copyrighted 1966by the Division of Christian Education, NationalCouncil of Churches of Christ in theU.S.A."Junior Topicfor February 14, 1971UNIT:LATER OLD TESTAMENT DAYSMrs. H.A.HaysJonah, the Unwilling ProphetPsalms: We begin the memoryPsalm for the next period. Psalm46:1.2,5,6, p. 118.It is good to lay up these words in ourhearts. There was a time in Syria when wehad to go through days of rioting. The girlsand boys chose Psalm 46 to sing duringtroublous times. We never know when ourcountry will be brought to her knees to callupon God for mercy. It will be a blessing ifwe can sing and say these words at such atime.Psalm 40:1-4, p. 102; Psalm 86, pages210-211. Choose verses as needed.Scripture: Examples of people whowere disobedient. Genesis 3:11; 19:26;Leviticus 10:1; Numbers 20:11,12; ISamuel 13:13.Memory verse: Blessing promisedfor obedience. "For as by one man'sdisobedience many were made sinners, soby the obedience of one shall many bemade righteous."Aim: To point out to the children thatobedience is necessary in the Christianlife. We are obeying God when we do the12little jobs for our friends and for our lovedones.BackgroundWe are going to leave Israel andJudah for tonight and travel to far awayNineveh. Nineveh is only 500 miles fromJudah. That seems but a short distance tous, but in the days of Jonah, 500 mileswould be quite a journey. Nineveh was avery big city of three million people. TheJuniors in Los Angeles would know howlarge a city that is because that is thepopulation of their city. It was a very richand splendid city. Now, doesn't thatdescription fit one of our big cities?Beauty and splendor! Ah, yes! A wonderfulplace for Satan to have fun.Nineveh was a heathen city; it was a verywicked one. These people needed apreacher, didn't they? God knew just theman for this job, Jonah, a prophet of theLord, who lived in Israel. So this is whathappened. If a map is handy, use it.The Lord spoke to Jonah, and toldhim to go to the great city of Nineveh. TheLord wanted Jonah to tell the people ofthat great city that unless they turnedaway from their wickedness, God woulddestroy their city. We, today have men ofGod telling us that we had better turnaway from our sins or God will make thisnation suffer. We can be glad that we arebeing warned about our sins. Jonah did notwant to go to that great city of Nineveh. Hehad to go across the sandy desert to reachNineveh. He didn't like the idea oftraveling through the sand storms. Jonahwalked off in exactly the opposite direction.He was being disobedient. He was aprophet of the Lord, but he wasn't ready toobey the Lord. Did he get away with hisdisobedience? No, no. He thought that hecould run away from God.He went down to Joppa or Jaffa, as itis called today, and there he found a shipthat was going to Tarshish in Spain. Hepaid his fare and went into the ship. Didn'tJonah know that he could not run awayfrom God? God is everywhere. But he isgoing to learn the hard way that it doesn'tpay to be disobedient.At this point the leader could havesome one tell the story of Jonah and thewhale. This story is so well known to mostchildren; I am sure some one of the olderjuniors could tell it.After Jonah had been cast into thesea and swallowed by the whale the Lordcame to Jonah the second time telling himto go to Nineveh. Did Jonah obey thistime'' Yes, he did. It must have takenJonah many days to make the journey.When he arrived in Nineveh he told thepeople that in forty days Nineveh would beoverthrown because of their wickedness.The people were afraid. Theybelieved God.Boys and girls, sometimes it takes avery difficult and hard lesson for us toobey the Lord. Jonah became a willingprophet after his experience. Let us learnfrom the experience of Jonah to be readyto say, "Here am I, Lord; use me for Thywork."Prayer: Our God and Father, take usand use us to serve Thee in Thy kingdom.We want to be used in Thy work. We thankThee for Thy love and for Thy Son, JesusChrist, in whose name we pray, Amen.Prayer MeetingTopicfor February 17, 1971PRAYER FOR CYPRUSMASONRY ESSENTIALLY PAGANMackey in his "Symbolism of Freemasonry,"on pages 28 and 34 says:"Many, indeed nearly all, of theMasonic symbols of the present daycan only be thoroughly comprehendedand properly appreciated by this referenceto sun-worship... the religioussystem of Masonry comes from theEast, and has reference to the primitivereligion, whose first occupationwas the worship of the sun. Webb saysin "The Freemason's Monitor" page284: "The meeting of a Masonic Lodgeis strictly a religious ceremony. Thereligious tenets of Masonry are few,simple, but fundamental." We havealready shown those tenets to be thefatherhood of God, the brotherhoodof Man, salvation by character, etc.This is also the teaching of theModernist churches! By such falsedoctrines, multitudes of unsuspectingsouls are being seduced and lured totheir eternal doom. Real Christians inthe lodges will hardly want to beparty to such strategy of the Devilwhen they know the facts. Of thesedeceptions it is certain our God-givenduty to warn men both lovingly andplainly.Wm. E. AshbrookChristian CynosureCOVENANTERWITNESS

DIANNE MARGARET WAGNERThe Fresno congregation, family,and friends of Dianne Wagner weresaddened at her sudden passing onDecember 28, 1970, at the age of 28. Shewas born, July 14, 1942, to George andEileen Wagner, and was a lifelongresident of Fresno, California. She wasbaptized in and was a lifelong member ofthe Fresno Reformed PresbyterianChurch. Her other survivors are heryounger sisters: Mrs. Linda Glaros, Mrs.Judi Baines, Norma and Debra Wagner;her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H.Wagner, and Mrs. Matt Chestnut.Services in her memory were conductedby our pastor, Rev. Bruce Hemphill,on December 31, at the Lisle FuneralHome, and interment was at BelmontMemorial Park, Fresno.Dianne had a special place in ourhearts and she will be missed; but weknow she has gone to be with her Saviorwhom she loved.MISS ETHEL McMILLANMiss Ethel McMillan, longtimemember of the Bloomington,Indiana, R. P. Church, diedon July 13, 1970. She was born in Ft.Recovery, Ohio, on August 20, 1885, thedaughter of Moore and Laura (Fishbaugh)McMillan. She joined the ReformedPresbyterian Church at Macedon,Ohio, and later became a member of theCedarville, Ohio congregation under thepastorate of the Reverend W. J. Sanderson.Moving to Monroe County, Indianain 1914, she joined the Bloomingtoncongregation.A 1910 graduate of CedarvilleCollege, she later attended IndianaUniversity and Columbia University. For45 years she taught high school Bible,Latin and English, first in Ohio, later inPrinceton, Indiana and Mitchell, Indiana.She had also worked in Washington, D.C.Her parents and two brothers, Fosterand Ward, preceded her in death. Survivorsinclude her sister, Mrs. Robert W.(Elva) Curry of Bloomington and 13nieces and nephews. Dr. Donald Felkerconducted final services in Bloomington.CLARENCE L. LATIMERClarence L. Latimer, a life-timemember of the Bloomington, Indiana, R.P Church, died July 28, 1970, at the age of85. He was the son of David and AgnesMcCaughan Latimer, born September 14,1884. The farm where he was bornremained his home throughout his life andhis life-time work was farming. SurvivingMr. Latimer are his wife, Lizzie SmithLatimer; his daughters, Mrs. MaryConrad and Mrs. John (Frieda) Robertsonof Bloomington, and Mrs. Charles(Margaret) Prugh of Hammond, Indiana;his son, F Hubert Latimer of Dallas,Texas; three grandchildren and threegreat-grandchildren. Reverend RobertMilliken conducted funeral services andMr. Latimer was buried in the CovenanterCemetery in Bloomington.BLOOMINGTON, INDIANAThe appearance of our sanctuary hasbeen much improved by the installation ofnew lighting and new carpeting. Also theprayer meeting room and the mothers'room have been painted and carpeted ashave the entrance halls. These improvementswere made possible by agenerous gift to the congregation by thelate Dr. Etna Moore.How thankful we are for the return ofElder Robert Stone to our worship servicesand fellowship. Mr. Stone suffered aserious heart attack last January whichkept him hospitalized and recuperatingfor some weeks.Death touched five families of ourcongregation this year. Max Arthur'smother and Mrs. Russell Comingore'sfather passed away in March. Mrs.Thomas Moore and her family mournedthe passing of a brother-in-law. Mrs.Robert Curry and family lost their sisterand aunt, Miss Ethel McMillan. In July,death took Clarence Latimer, husband ofMrs. Lizzie Smith Latimer and father ofMrs. John (Frieda) Robertson. One of ourformer members, Mrs. John Peoples,died; in recent years Mrs. Peopleslived in Indianapolis and was amember of the Indianapolis congregation.Our congregation was privileged toentertain members of the Ohio-IllinoisPresbytery during their spring meetingheld in Bloomington. Before the Fridayevening meeting, they joined us at acarry-in dinner.Leonard Dixson is now stationed atan Army base in Stuttgart, Germany. Hiswife and daughter have recently joinedhim there.Our spring thank offering featuredthe Reverend Gene Spear as our speaker.We enjoyed hearing him and enjoyedvisiting with him at the carry-in dinnerpreceding the meeting. For our fall thankoffering, Miss Eleanor Faris came tospeak to us. She also talked briefly withthe Sabbath School children during theirclosing exercises.Reverend G. M. Robb was with us forour spring communion services in Apriland our fall communion in Octoberbrought Reverend Kermit Edgar to us. Wewere greatly blessed by theirministrations to us.A graduation dinner honoring thisyear's high school graduates was held inMay. Jim Curry and Tana McElhinneywere graduated from Bloomington HighSchool and Carolyn Comingore fromUniversity High School. Jim and Tanahave enrolled at Indiana University andCarolyn is in nurses' training inBloomington.Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Stone and Mr.and Mrs. Foster McClintock havereturned to Florida to spend the winterand we miss them. We are happy, though,that Mr. and Mrs. Rex McClintock havereturned to the Bloomington area and canworship with us again.We record with sorrow the leaving ofour pastor, the Reverend Robert Milliken,but we rejoice with the Newburghcongregation as he serves them. Thecongregation honored him and his familyat a farewell dinner in June.Dr. Donald Felker preached for us onJuly 5 and at this time declared the pulpitof the Bloomington congregation vacant.We were pleased to welcome his family toAN INVITATIONThe Denison, Kansas congregationplans to celebrate their 100thanniversary on August 17 and 18, 1971,the week end prior to Forest ParkConference.All friends and former membersand their families are encouraged toplan now to attend our celebration.JANUARY 20, 1971 13

our services. Dr. Felker has been appointedby the presbytery to moderate thesession while we are without a pastor.In recent weeks we have welcomed toour pulpit, Lie. Dean Smith, Lie. WilliamTaylor, the Reverend Ronald Nickerson,Dr. Roy Blackwood, the Reverend RayMcCracken (a former pastor who broughthis family along so we might visit withthem again), Dr. R. B. Tweed, theReverend Kenneth Smith (who alsovisited with our C.Y. members), theReverend Marion McFarland, and Dr.Clark Copeland.At a special meeting on September30, the Bloomington congregation made aunanimous call upon Dr. Robert B. Tweedto be our pastor. It has been a greatdisappointment to us that he has not feltled to accept our call.Our Vacation Bible School was heldeach evening of the week of July 20, underthe direction of Mrs. Wendell McBurney.Thirty-eight children were enrolled; ofthese, 24 had perfect attendance. Twentyof our young people and adults werepresent each evening to help with theprogram. Featured at the end of eachevening was a Moody science film.We are happy that the Lord hasspared the life of Tana McElhinney,daughter of the Wishart McElhinneys.Tana was injured in October when a carhit her motorcycle. She is home aftersome weeks of hospitalization but faces along period of recuperation.Mr. Tommy Faris and Mrs. RussellComingore, two of our members who haverecently been hospitalized, are able to bein our midst again.Two families in our congregation arequite excited about baby girls, both bornin October. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Moorehave named their daughter Kelli Jo.Kelli's grandmother is Mrs. ThomasMoore of our congregation. KristanMichelle is the name given to theirdaughter by Mr. and Mrs. Gary LaChey.Kristan's grandparents are Mr. and Mrs.Bob Shook and her greatgrandparents arethe Virgil Stones.We entertained each other this yearat our Christmas party; each family hadbeen asked to participate in some way andwe had a most enjoyable evening together.BELLE CENTER, OHIOThis past year we have enjoyedhaving these guest ministers: Rev. RayJoseph for our spring communion; Rev.Gene Spear for one Sabbath while ourpastor, Rev. Robert Morrow, was onvacation; Rev. David Patterson for ourfall communion.Mrs. Robert McElroy invited thewomen to her home in Columbus for abridal shower, June 11, for Miss JoceleKeys.A beautiful wedding took place in theBelle Center Church the evening of June 20when Mary Jocele Keys, youngestdaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Keys,and Paul Raymond McDonald, son of Mrs.Bonnie McDonald and the late WilburMcDonald of Southfield, Michigan, wereunited in marriage. The ceremony wasperformed by Rev. Robert Henning ofBeaver Falls, Pennsylvania, uncle of thebride, assisted by Rev. Robert Morrow,pastor of the bride.Mrs. McDonald was graduated fromGeneva College in 1970 and is teaching thesecond grade at New Galilee. Mr Mc­Donald, recently discharged from the U.S. Navy, is attending Geneva College.They live in Beaver Falls.Mr. and Mrs. Samuel W. Morrison,nee Margarita McElwain, daughter ofRev. T. A. McElwain of Rose Point,Pennsylvania, celebrated their 40thwedding anniversary, July 2. Membersand friends of the congregation gatheredat the parsonage after prayer meeting theevening of July 1 for a reception.The Sabbath School again enjoyed apicnic and social time on the Fourth ofJuly at the spacious home of Mr. and Mrs.H. H. Hughes in Lima.Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Massecar fromnear Syracuse and Mr. and Mrs. LloydDodds visited the Max Leveck family andattended one of our services in July. Mr.Messecar was the Levecks' former pastorand Mr. Dodds is Mrs. Leveck's brother.Recognition was made of the RobertMorrows' fifteenth wedding anniversaryon July 29 and the Melville Rutherfords'twenty-second on September 3.Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mathews andBeth, of our Old Bethel congregation,visited Mrs. Mathews' mother, Mrs. J. M.Keys, and other relatives on their way totake Beth to Geneva College. TheMathews, on their return trip, helped Mrs.Keys celebrate her 81st birthday onSeptember 12.Our sympathy was extended to theRobert McElroy family because of thedeath of Mr. McElroy's father, Mr. LloydMcElroy, of Topeka, Kansas. The familyattended the funeral.The pastor, a few adults and youngpeople gave Mrs. Elizabeth Wroten aparty, October 8, in honor of her 93rdbirthday. After a time of praise, Mr.Morrow led in an impressive worshipservice, which Mrs. Wroten appreciated.Miss Eleanor Faris was the veryinteresting speaker at our thank offeringservice, November 11.At our fall communion, which washeld, November 6-8, Mrs. Jay George andson Richard were received into themembership of the congregation from theYoungstown congregation. Joe McElroy,youngest son of the Robert McElroys, wasreceived on profession of faith. Mrs.George and Richard, Mr. James Georgeand Miss Marjorie George of Zanesville,Ohio and Misses Clara and Grace Wagnerof Cincinnati attended the communionservices.The W.M.S. met with Mrs. R. H.(Rose) Reed, November 17, at the home ofher daughter in Piqua, Ohio. Theycelebrated Mrs. Reed's birthday, whichwas November 8. She has recovered froma broken hip enough to be able to walkwith a walker.Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Tannehill spentThanksgiving Day at the Howard Keys'home. Miss Melba Rutherford, GenevaCollege student, was home with herparents for Thanksgiving and Christmasvacations. Mrs. Bonnie McDonald and Mr.and Mrs. Paul McDonald visited Mr. andMrs. Wilbur Keys on Thanksgiving.Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Keys drove toSelma, Alabama and took with them alarge amount of articles, donated for themission work there. They were entertainedin the home of Mr. and Mrs.Claude Brown. From Selma they went onto Orlando, Florida where they attendedthe 50th anniversary celebration of thatcongregation. Mr. Keys was a member ofPresbytery's Commission to ordain andinstall Rev. James Wright, new pastor ofthe Orlando congregation.Mrs. Roy Templeton, temperancesuperintendent, has done well this year.She has spoken to the Sabbath Schoolherself, had Dr. W. W. Weir show a film ondrugs in July, and now in cooperation withMrs. Robert McElroy, superintendent ofour Sabbath School, showed three veryinstructive films on drug abuse obtainedfrom our Christian Education Office.Mrs. Lloyd McElroy and Mr. andMrs. Lloyd Tice were Christmas visitorsof the Robert McElroy family and worshipedwith us on Sabbath.Mr. and Mrs. Robert Templeton anddaughter April Lyn, of Indianapolis, wereguests of Robert's parents, Mr. and Mrs.14 COVENANTER WITNESS

Roy Templeton, on Christmas Day.The holiday dinner was held at thechurch, December 29. A program waspresented in the afternoon and awards anda treat were given to the Sabbath Schoolchildren.Sabbath School officers for 1971 areSuperintendent, Mrs. Robert Morrow;Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. MaxLeveck; Recording and CorrespondingSecretary, Mrs. Robert McElroy;Treasurer, Rose Rutherford; Librarian,Mrs. Wilbur Keys; Precentor, MissRoberta Rambo; Assistant Precentor,Janet Keys.NEWBURGH, NEW YORKAlthough Rev. Robert Millikenpreached for us several times during thesummer, he and his family moved into theparsonage in late August and he was installedas our regular pastor, on September18, during the meeting of the NewYork Presbytery. A reception followed inthe church basement with the members ofthe W.M.S. in charge. We were happy tohave friends from our New York, NewJersey, Philadelphia, Walton, andColdenham churches join us at this time.We congratulate Rev. John White onhis appointment as Dean of ReligiousServices and Assistant Professor of Bibleat Geneva College and we wish him, anative son of ours, much success in hisfuture work.The W.M.S. held their thank offeringmeeting in November. The thank offeringsuperintendent, Mrs. Rosanna Mcllwee,planned a special devotional service.During a social time that followedmembers presented a gift to DonnaMcllwee, bride of Dewey Mcllwee.Our fall communion services wereheld on Friday, October 23 and on Sabbath,October 25. Mr. William Taylor ofPhiladelphia was our assistant. At thistime, we were pleased to welcome into fullmembership, George A. Bosch, son of Mr.and Mrs. Daniel Bosch, by profession ofhis faith in Christ and also Mrs. DonnaMcllwee by letter of transfer from theWalton, New York congregation.Several members from Newburghjoined with the young people fromColdenham, New York, Montclaircongregations for a special Sabbathevening service, on November 1, whichwas held at the Coldenham church.Rev. Robert Milliken assisted incommunion services at Almonte, Canadafrom Thursday, November 19 throughJANUARY 20, 1971November 22. A prayer meeting servicewas held in Newburgh on Sabbath.Our annual Thanksgiving servicewas held at the Coldenham Church onWednesday evening, November 25. Rev.Mr. Milliken brought us the message.We rejoice at Thanksgiving andChristmas vacations that our GenevaCollege student, Mr. Thomas Price, ishome and worshiping with us.We are also happy to have Mr. andMrs. J. L. Klomp back in Newburgh afterabout a year and a half in Jamacia, WestIndies, where Mr. Klomp was employed inconstruction work. Also we are thankful tohave their daughter Nancy Glynn andhusband and granddaughter Peggy backfrom Florida, worshiping with us. We hopethey all are back permanently.We have lost another member bydeath. Mrs. Anna Newsome passed to herheavenly home on November 7. Herfuneral was conducted by our pastor. Sheis survived by one son, Wilbur J.Newsome, and one nephew, Samuel Ogle.Mrs. Elizabeth Simmons underwentsurgery on her hand at the CornellMedical Center in New York City recently,and after a stay of a month in the hospital,she is at home. Although she has attendedchurch after returning home, she still hasmuch pain, but we pray that the Lord willheal this physical weakness, so that shemay again take up her daily work.At the W.M.S. meeting in December,the following officers were elected for thecoming two years: President, Mrs. T.Andrew Price; Vice-President, Mrs.J.L. Klomp; Secretary, Mrs. EverettMcllwee, and re-elected as Treasurer,Mrs. Hugh Hunsinger.The annual Christmas dinner andparty for the Sabbath School was held onMonday evening, December 28, with themen preparing and serving a deliciousroast beef dinner. The boys and girls helda tree trimming party on Saturday afternoon,December 19, in preparation forthe annual dinner party. The highlight ofthe evening was the honoring of ElderSamuel J. Robinson on his 93rd birthday.A beautifully decorated birthday cake waspresented to him, of which we all had ashare. Elder Robert A. Meneely broughtgreetings to Mr. Robinson representingthe Session, Mrs. Rosanna Mcllwee andRev. Robert Milliken represented thecongregation and each presented him witha gift. After this, there were a fewrecitations, the gift exchange, and thensome pictures were shown by Mr. DanielBosch of some of their travels the pastyear, and by Mr. Robert A. Meneely of therecent wedding of Mr. and Mrs. DeweyMcllwee and the installation of our pastorin September. All the evening activitieswere most ably planned by our faithfulsuperintendent, Elder Mr. John White.About 53 were in attendance.AN INVITATIONCome to Hot Springs, T. or C, NewMexico — Land of Sunshine and of HealingHot Mineral Springs, with a comfortableall-year climate tempered by a 4200 footaltitude.The Indians, native Whites andSpanish knew the blessings of the hotsprings and traveled for miles to enjoytheir benefits.Through the years Covenanters havecome to this health area, and have beenblessed. With the coming of the James W.Lucas family in 1944, followed by Boyd A.and Dr. Edna W. White, Rev. and Mrs.Owen F Thompson, and Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Cunningham in 1948, worship serviceswere conducted in the Lucas home, wherethe group was organized as a missionstation in 1949, by the ColoradoPresbytery, and the first CovenanterCommunion in the State of New Mexicowas observed. In 1950 a one-room chapelwas built, and dedicated, October 15, ofthat year. Sabbath school work wasbegun, and a Vacation Bible School wasconducted in July of 1951, assisted by ateam of two "Crusaders." This gave a reallift to the mission station. In 1953 the groupwas organized as a congregation by theMidwest Presbytery. Other Covenanterscame and helped in the work. Among themwere Dolly Everett, sister of OretaEverett, now a missionary in Kobe,Japan; also, Elder and Mrs. John DaleRussell, engaged in national educationalwork in Santa Fe. These became chartermembers of the congregation. In 1955 thechapel Addition was built. The PhilipMartin family, at home from our closedMission in Manchuria came to HotSprings, and assisted greatly in the workof the young congregation. Miss ElizabethMcElroy, driven out of our SyrianMission, by anti-Americanism, laboredwith us in the general work of the church,and conducted Bible study classes in thecommunity.Dr Ida Scott, retired frommissionary labors in China, was here atthe time of the chapel dedication. Shedelighted in the many healthful benefits,and said, "There should be a Covenanter

Home for the Aged in Hot Springs." Thissuggestion is now nearing realization.The Rev. W. J. McBurney, a pioneerchurch organizer in different places, washere for most of a year and expressed theconviction that there should be aCovenanter Church in this health area,and he proposed steps for proceduretoward this end.A comfortable parsonage was built in1961, under the pastorate of Rev. RobertMorrow, who served as pastor for threeyears. The Rev. V. V. Dunn has sinceserved for 5>2 years, and is now going toAlbuquerque to engage in the church outreachprogram. We rejoice in theprospects of a near-neighbor congregation,with fellowship associations.With the passing away of Elder andMrs. Lucas, and others who moved away,the Hot Springs pioneering group is now inneed of "laborers," in order that theMaster's work may "go forward." We arecalling for Covenanters, and others of theReformed faith, not satisfied by modernLiberalism to come to this health community,with arthritic and respiratoryailments, and to enjoy the health blessingscommon to so many in our community;and, while being blessed physically toshare in the spiritual blessings ofChristian fellowship by helping topromulgate the "sound doctrine" of God'sWord.This invitation is extended to anyhaving health problems: ministers, eldersand deacons, Sabbath school and dayschool teachers, and workers in everydayoccupations. Several families are nowplanning to come, soon.For further information: Write toBoyd A. White, Box 567, at the Dr. EdnaW. White Clinic; or to Rev. and Mrs. R. H.McKelvy, 725 Wyona Street, Hot Springs,T. or C, New Mexico. 87901CZECH GIRLS SEIZED FOLLOWINGABORTIVE BID FOR FREEDOMLos Angeles — An Old Testamentprophet wrote down these words asthe mouth of the Lord: "Is not thisthe fast that I have chosen? to loosethe bands of wickedness, to undo theheavy burdens, and to let the oppressedgo free, and that ye break every yoke?"How far the western powers haveturned from the divine ideal is sharplypointed up by the following tragicnews.The British embassy turned thumbsdown on the pleas of six hostesses andsecretaries staffing the Czechoslovakianpavilion at Expo '70 in Tokyo lastsummer. An embarrassed official "conveniently"referred them to Japaneseimmigration authorities who callouslybetrayed them to the communists.Within a few days the girls wereaboard a Vladivostok-bound ship,destination Siberia, where no doubtthey will be required to serve extensiveprison terms at hard labor. Ham-strungdiplomats are reliably reported to bedeeply concerned over the currentMoscow - appeasement program i nwhich the anti-asylum policy plays alarge part.A Cuban sailor's plea to escapeCastro's communism was turned downby the American embassy in Tokyo.He almost didn't make it! But afterfrantically scouring other embassies forthe rest of the day he was fortunateenough to stumble upon a Europeancountry sympathetic to his cause.Another communist defector, a 33-year-old electrical engineer from theSoviet Union visiting Tokyo with agroup of Russian sightseers, also hadhis appeal rejected by the Americanembassy. Happily, he was able to findsanctuary in a Scandinavian country.Almost simultaneously with thesereports came news that the governmentof Australia had granted politicalasylum to an official of the Czechconsulate in Sydney, together withmembers of his family. LadislawBartos, his wife Olga, and their twosons, will remain on permanentlyunder freedom's flag.But six young women didn't makeit....OPPOSE UNIONFrom Page 9by His mercy, He saved us, by theChrist), the Christian Methodist Episcopalwashing of regeneration, and the renewingChurch, the Episcopal Church,the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. of the Holy Ghost." Again inEphesians 2:8, 9 we read, "For by grace(Southern), the United Church of are ye saved through faith; and thatChrist, the United Methodist Church not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:and the United Presbyterian Church. NOT OF WORKS, lest any man shouldSHARON WILL CELEBRATEThe Sharon congregation willbe celebrating their 125th anniversaryon July 17 and 18, 1971.All friends, former members andfamilies plan now to attend ourcelebration.THE LODGE ABOVEJust where does the Mason locatethe Lodge above? It cannot be inheaven, for in heaven there will beno secrets; all will be revealed thatis hidden here now. Jesus will be thereand if they are ashamed of Him here,He says, "Whosoever therefore shallbe ashamed of me and of my wordsin this adulterous and sinful generation;of him also shall the Son ofMan be ashamed, when He cometh inthe glory of His Father with the holyangels." If the name of the Lord JesusChrist cannot be mentioned in thelodge for fear of offending the Mohammedan,the Jew, the Hindu, or otherunbelievers, what will they do inheaven where He will be the centralfigure. Even God the Father is onlyincidental in the lodge.There being only one approach toGod, and the lodge refuses to come toGod that way, its members must havesome other god in whom they put theirtrust. Jesus said, "I am the Way, theTruth and the Life, no man cometh tothe Father but by me." Luke remindsus in Acts 4:12, "Neither is theresalvation in any other; for there isnone other name under heaven givenamong men, whereby we must besaved." Those who reject Christ, rejectGod the Father. "Whosoever denieththe Son, the same hath not the Father,(but) he that acknowledgeth the Sonhath the Father also" (I John 2:23).The lodge is a religion of works,but no one can be saved by works.Titus 3:5 tells us, "Not by works ofrighteousness that we have done, butboast." The lodge boasts of its goodworks, but not of the Lord JesusChrist.There are only two destinies mentionedin the Bible: heaven above andhell beneath. Just where is the lodgeabove?Lester McCauleyChristian Cynosure16 COVENANTER WITNESS

VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 4 JANUARY 27, 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 21,1971W$yX$%NEW YORK (L—R) Mrs. Kermit S. Edgar of New Alexandria, Pa., President of theWomen's Synodical Missionary Society of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of NorthAmerica, the Rev., Dr. Bruce K. Stewart of Los Angeles, Calif., Clerk of the Synod ofthe Reformed Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. Roy M. Adams of Darlington, Pa..Historian and Librarian of the Women's Synodical Missionary Society

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.^ >IVANUEUCAl. P«IM ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Contributing Editors: Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling,Kansas two weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles40/- (L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles72/- (L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles 32A (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. HughWright, B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern IrelandBT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.BIBLE SOCIETY DELEGATESHEAR OF GOD'S 'SURPRISE'Our representatives pictured on the front wereamong the more than 200 delegates who attended theAmerican Bible Society's 52nd annual Advisory Councilmeeting in New York, Nov. 30-Dec. 2. The Rev. Dr. LatonE. Holmgren, ABS General Secretary, in keynote addressfocused on the distribution implications of the communicationsrevolution. Of experts' prediction of coming"electronic literacy," he asked: "Could this be the 'surprisefactor' by which God intends to confront the wholeworld with the message of His redemptive love and poweras revealed in Jesus Christ?" Last year the more than 70denominations, communions and agencies contributed$1,361,700.81 toward the Society's $8,543,874 budget fortranslating, publishing and distributing Scriptures,without note or comment, to people everywhere.This Week's WitnessBoard of Home Missions and Church Extension 3Glimpses of the Religious World 4Religion in Review 5National Reform Association Activities7Fourth Commandment (Revised)6How Safe Are You? 8Your Church Needs a Library 9Gopal Finds the Thieves 10Lesson Helps 11Basic Home Library 13Church News 14The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

Board of Home Missions and Church ExtensionSeptember MeetingThe Home Mission Board met on September 14, 1970,at the Community House on the North Side, Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania.New members appointed to the Board include Mrs.Norman Carson, Rev. Wayne Duffield, Rev. Paul Martin,and Rev. John H. White.The following officers were elected for the comingyear: President, Mr. John Montini; Vice President, Rev.Renwick Wright; Recording Secretary, Rev. M. W.Martin; Corresponding Secretary, Rev. Edward Robson;Treasurer, Mr. Louis Hutmire; and Publicity, Mrs.Charles McKissock.The Executive Committee then appointed membersto the following committees: New Work, SouthernMission, Indian Mission, Aid to Congregations, andSummer Work. These committees study matters broughtto their attention in detail and bring recommendations forthe entire Board to act on, thus expediting the work of theBoard.By motion approval was made of the hiring ofanother teacher in the kindergarten at Selma, Alabama.A motion was passed to support the new work inOrange County, California to the extent of makingavailable the minimum salary to the worker there fromSeptember 1970 to August 31, 1971. Rev. Raymond Mc­Cracken has agreed to undertake this work under thePacific Coast Presbytery.Discussion was held concerning the sale of theproperty at the Indian Mission. A motion was passed thatwe secure the service of a local realtor and secure anauthorized appraisal of the land and buildings.A letter from Robert Henninger was read regardinghis work with the Lisbon congregation during the summer.He was partially supported during this time under theSummer Work Program of the Home Mission Board. Averbal report was given concerning the work of Rev. PaulMartin at West Mayfield, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvaniaunder the care of the College Hill congregation.A request was received from the Marion, Iowacongregation to use the carry-all used in the Arkansaswork. A motion was passed to grant this request.The meeting was adjourned by prayer.Mrs. Charles McKissock, PublicityNovember MeetingThe November meeting of the Home Mission Boardwas held at the Student Center in the Clan Room, GenevaCollege, Beaver Falls.After opening the meeting with prayer, thecorrespondence was briefly reviewed and distributed tothe appropriate committees to be studied and reported onlater in the meeting.We were encouraged by letters from the men in theareas of new work. Rev. Raymond McCracken reportedthat a suitable home had been found at 20563 BarnardAvenue, Walnut, California, 91789. A visitation brochureand list of prospects have been prepared by Rev. Mr.McCracken. The first Bible study was to be held onNovember 17, 1970.Word of the work in Lawrence, Kansas was encouraging.A men's fellowship has been established.Sabbath evening Bible studies have been held at thehome of the Rev. Paul McCrackens in Westminster,Colorado. The group is large enough that there is a need tofind a place more suited for worship.An encouraging report was read from Rev. VerdDunn regarding work in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Thiswork is under the care of the Midwest Presbytery.A report was heard concerning the Indian Missionand recommendations were made and approved relatingto some of the details of the closing of the mission.A letter from Dr. R. C. Fullerton was read telling ofhis visit to the Selma, Alabama. A recommendation wasmade and approved that we suggest to the Selma Sessionthat Dr. R. C. Fullerton, now in Orlando, Florida, might becalled upon from time to time to do some substitutepreaching for Dr. Claude Brown and that the congregationbe encouraged to pay the expenses involved.The Summer Work Committee was directed to studyin detail the work in Arkansas and to review in general theSummer Work Program. A plan is to be presented at theJanuary meeting.The meeting was adjourned with prayer.Mrs. Charles McKissock, PublicityWILLIAM PENN"If we will not be governed by God, then we willbe ruled by tyrants."'JANUARY 27, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014WOMEN'S LIB IN THE KINGDOM OF GODThe editor of Christianity Today wisely protectedhimself with a mild disclaimer, but author — a professorof Spanish at the State University of New York — Ruth A.Schmidt feels that "women's groups have in every sensebeen auxiliary ... to the activities of the men who make alldecisions in the Church and hold most or all of the importantoffices." She has one point if factual — and itdoubtless is — that the "few women officers of the church(in a certain denominational missionary office) were notpaid commensurate with their training or on the samesalary scale as the men on the staff." (Miss?) Schmidtmight have done well to stop with that point, for when sheturns to interpreting Scripture to establish her point, shealmost invariably loses it, by making what Paul says onthe subject an expression of "his personal wish," "hispreference," and as "revealing a personal bias in hisinstructions." Thank God we do have devoted women who"pray and prophesy" without being impatient for ordinationas ministers and elders.RELIGIOUS RADIO'S 50th BIRTHDAYIt was in 1921 that the first religious broadcast tookplace over KDKA, Pittsburgh. Most religious radio that ispaid for is evangelical, as the "free time" in the earlierdays was allotted to liberal preachers for the most part,and that audience apparently withered away. TheNational Religious Broadcasters organization representsabout 75 per cent of religious broadcasts. Probably thelargest network in the U.S. is "The Lutheran Hour" of theLutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Others are the RadioBible Class and Back to the Bible broadcasts, both whichare not denominational, both are dispensational in theirapproach to the Bible. Then there is "The Joyful Sound"(formerly the Old Fashioned Revival Hour) and thedenominationally sponsored (Christian ReformedChurch) Back to God Hour, and numerous broadcastssuch as the 20th Century Reformation Hour with a heavyemphasis of opposition to the influence of Communism inthe country. Some of these claim as many as 600 stations.RELIGIOUS TVThe churches were perhaps not quite so ready inusing TV as they were radio, but it is now getting wellstarted. Christianity Today tells us that "cassettes, whichare revolutionizing home entertainment, will soon beproviding not only sound but also pictures. Called EVR(for Electronic Video Recording), these cartridges will beplayed through a piece of hardware, already available,that is easily attached to a TV set. . . . TV viewing willbecome more selective in the next few years, and ifChristians are on the job, Biblical options will becomemuch more visible."In Arizona ultra high frequency channel 21, is in theprocess of being purchased by a local "undenominational"church. This station formerly catered tothe "adult" type movie watcher, and "went broke." Lastevening, this station, on the church's program"Christianity in Action" featured a family singing group,two or three choirs, including a Child Evangelism choir, aformer "rock" singer (who for the past five years hasbeen witnessing very effectively to Jesus Christ as hisSavior), and these interspersed with four-minute interviewsof local pastors — of whom one was the ReformedPresbyterian pastor.URBANA '70, NOW HISTORYThe Inter-Varsity sponsored missionary conferenceat Urbana drew some 4000 more students than were expected,and, according to EP News Service, heralded "theold refrain of hope in Christ for a dying, if changing,world," but, though "the lyrics were the same," theconference marched "to a different air." EP mentions"three major issues (that) surfaced" at this 9th triennialgathering: "(1) The gospel must no longer be dividedbetween social concern and 'pure evangelism'; (2) Thegospel must be completely unamericanized; and (3)There should be no longer a dichotomy among Christians— some 'full time' workers, others laymen.""The Christian Reformed Outlook"What has been published for 20 years (not underdenominational sponsorship) as the Torch and Trumpetnow has this new name. The editor tells us why the namewas changed and in substance it seems to boil down to anattempt to appeal more broadly to members of theChristian Reformed Church and more incisively, and todeal more specifically and directly with the problems ofour day as they face their own church. The new editor, theRev. John Vander Ploeg, recently retired as editor of theBanner.4COVENANTER WITNESS

1970 — Many voices, many bannersPressReligion In ReviewNorman Rohrer, DirectorEP News ServiceThe Associated Church Press reported that itsmembership suffered circulation declines for the secondstraight year. . . . One editor saw the press as occupyingan "island position" in the contemporary church —"rejected by radicals because it is not revolutionaryenough, and by conservatives because it is toorevolutionary." Dr. Sherwood E. Wirt, president ofEvangelical Press Association (EPA) called for"reformation journalists" to seize the opportunities of themedia.Most member periodicals in EPA were not complainingof such worrisome drops in circulation. Of the 122periodicals reporting circulations, 77 showed an increasesince 1967, 13 remained the same, and 32 had recorded asmall drop.Ceasing publication during 1970 were, This Day, slickjournal of Missouri-Synod Lutherans; The CanadianMennonite; The Watchman-Examiner, 151-year-oldBaptist publication, and the Sunday School World (bothpurchased by Eternity); and the Reformed andPresbyterian World. Changing times, high costs, anddifferent reading habits were blamed.This year saw the completion of The New EnglishBible, issued after 25 years of study by Oxford andCambridge University Presses. Introduced too in 1970were The New Christian Digest, Waco, Texas, publicationto serve black churches; and Inteen, Bible study guidepublished in Chicago for urban teens. A preacher'smagazine titled MSS (for "Master Sermon Series") madeits appearance in Detroit. Decision, publication of theBilly Graham Evangelistic Association, stood at the top ofthe pile with 4,000,000 circulation. Ken Taylor finished hisfinal volume in the Living Bible paraphrases — the LivingHistory of Israel.The government's retaining of the long-standingpractice of offering special postal rates to non-profitpublications was considered a major victory for religiousperiodicals in 1970.JANUARY 1971(Continued from last week)MissionsThe year began with 33,289 Protestantmissionaries from North America serving abroad, accordingto the Missions Advanced Research and CommunicationCenter (MARC) of World Vision International.Though workers were fewer, giving increased — up81 per cent from 1959 and up nine per cent from 1967 to anestimated $345 million. The trend toward indigenousministry may suggest the beginning of a radical change inhow North American Protestants overseas carry out theirwork, according to MARC.Many nations initiated squeeze plays againstmissionaries in 1970. Nigeria chided Western Christiansfor taking sides with the rebel Biafrans. The Japanesecould not guarantee to permit the Far East BroadcastingCompany to broadcast from Okinawa when the island isreturned in 1972 (forcing FEBC to arrange transfer toKorea). During the year some 20 missionaries wereejected from Algeria. Militant extremists in the NorthIndia state of Orissa succeeded in marshalling sentimentagainst Christianity and in passing anti-conversion laws.Greece prosecuted evangelicals and Czechoslovakiacracked down hard on the church.A statement by a West German missions leader thatthe role of the white missionary is finished was challengedby TEAM associate director as he introduced 72 newmissionary candidates.1970 recorded Asia's biggest "Bible boom." Biblesales worldwide were up. Correspondence courses andradiobroadcasts flourished in countries otherwise inaccessible.Key evangelical literature leaders worked outmethods of cooperation during the All-Asia LiteratureStrategy Conference in Singapore. Expo '70 opened thedoor of witness to some seven million Japanese andworld's fair visitors.Europe, where Billy Graham's closed-circuit TV"Euro 70" at Dortmund, Germany introduced a new wayto reach additional millions of people with the Gospel, wasviewed by German leaders as "once again a missionfield."Typical of many nations, the Congo announced thatmore white technical assistants would be welcomed butthat white missionaries could no longer dominate thescene. Christian business men quietly went aboutinitiating business enterprise in underdeveloped areas as

an aid to missions. In country after country, missionarypersonnel turned over complete administrative responsibilityto national staff members.RaceAlthough progress was made in race relations during1970, the weapons and voices of black militants were by nomeans silent. Herman Holmes, acting national chairmanof the National Black Development Conference,demanded of United Presbyterians in Chicago $25 millionin reparations to the black community to atone for "exploitation."Clenched fists were raised by Afro-Americanstudents as their leader Jeff Thomas led in prayer at theSouthern Baptist Convention in Denver. MuhammedKenyatta, leading blacks seeking "reparations" atSwarthmore Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania, threwCommunion bread and wine on the floor. Black EvangelistWilliam E. Pannell told a gathering of evangelicalhistorians in Washington, "We have got to dehonkifyhistory." Mormons admitted that church doctrine did notteach Negroes were under a curse, that the ban againstNegroes in the priesthood was mere tradition.On the positive side: Bi-racial greeting cards wereselling big as blacks relaxed and began laughing atthemselves. Black evangelists convened a congress inKansas City sponsored by the National Negro EvangelicalAssociation. Urban Ministries, Inc., the firstpredominantly black-owned publishing company, wasorganized in Chicago primarily to produce interdenominational(Sabbath) school literature.The events of 1970 will be interpreted according to theprejudices of all who read them. But it will surely be theyear remembered by all as the year of the worst disasterin living memory when tidal waves in East Pakistan tookthe lives of perhaps 150,000 people and when earthquakeskilled some 30,000 people in Peru.1970 — the year a scientist created a living andreproducing cell ... the first man-made gene ... andfound the "center of creation" among the Milky Way.This was the year of Women's Lib, the formal searchfor Noah's Ark, the public's determined outcry againstpollution of natural resources, the "Jesus Freaks," thehistoric "Frankfurt Declaration" refuting the identificationof messianic salvation with progress,development, and social change, the blessed campusrevivals originating at Asbury Theological Seminary.This year women entered pulpits of majordenominations, were allowed to be divorced in Italy, andcampaigned for ZPG (Zero Population Growth).DeathsNotables who passed from the scene this year wereFrank Laubach, famed "apostle to the illiterates" ... theRev. Dr. Ralph W. Sockman, pastor emeritus of ChristChurch, Methodist in New York City . . . BritishEvangelist Tom Rees . . . Gladys Aylward — "The SmallWoman" of the Inn of the Sixth Happiness . . . PioneerEducator Mark Fakkema .«. . and Evangelist A.A. Allen.1970 — a year that could happen only once. If thereare any tears in heaven it will be for lost opportunities, forthe time spent in neglect of God.But the measured cadence of the calendar moves onto a new year with its promise of hope.The Fourth Commandment (Revised)Remember the worship hour to keep it holy. Onehundred and sixty-seven hours shalt thou labor, and do allthy work; but the one hundred and sixty-eighth hour is theSabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do anywork, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant,nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thystranger that is within thy gates; for in six days the Lordmade heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is,and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessedthe worship hour* and hallowed it.I must admit I have some misgivings about thisrevision, for it has certain difficulties. There is norelationship between God's making all things in six daysand resting one day, and our keeping one hour holy to Him.The most alarming thing about the whole revision is thatwhen we took the 23 hours away from God we left ourselvesunprotected from the floods of ungodliness, and theeroding winds of secularism which are destroyingeverything good in our world.Having completed our revision, it is disconcerting tofind those who insist on revising the other nine commandments.Why can't people understand they are goingtoo far? Man has nothing to gain from tampering with therest of the commandments of God; it will only get him intotrouble.* RWClIf it is not convenient to keep the hour on what used to beknown as the "Lord's Day" it may be observed on aWednesday or Thursday night, and thus thou shalt trulypreserve thy week ends to thyself alone.6 COVENANTER WITNESS

Excerpts from the report of the Administrative SecretaryNational Reform Association ActivitiesDr. W. W. WeirWe reported last year that the Pitcairn-CrabbeFoundation of Pittsburgh had promised financial help topurchase films. We received from the Foundation $1200 tobe used to purchase films dealing only with narcotics. Wehave purchased these films: Narcotics Pit of Despair,Marijuana, and a second copy of Narcotics the Decision,at a cost of $891. Eighty-five feet of new film was requiredto repair the film LSD Insight or Insanity? bringing thetotal spent to date to $920.75, leaving a balance of $279.25for yet another film. This has been reported to theFoundation.Last year we reported having shown a film on narcoticsat 28 meetings with discussion following theshowing of the film. That number has now reached 74, andthe requests keep coming. This service is most rewardingas one sees the deep concern of parents and as one is ableto discuss the problem with young people. In addition tooffering facts and theories regarding drugs, we treat thedrug problem as a human problem, and offer the Christiansolution. We have a friend who was once an alcoholic, butthe Lord saved him; and another friend who was a drugaddict but now has a happy Christian home. Both of thesemen have gone with us on trips when films have beenshown and they have given their testimonies which havebeen much appreciated. Tracts dealing not only withdrugs but also with liquor and cigarettes are given free atthese meetings. Often the book Black and Free, by TomSkinner is shown and referred to as a message to reachteenagers showing that the Gospel is relevant to today'steenage problems. Over two hundred copies of the bookhave been sold at these meetings, many of them bought byteenagers.Only one tract has been printed this past year — areprint of "The Name Supreme" If the funds can besecured, we hope to print in tract form a manuscriptwritten by Mrs. G. E. Kilpatrick, M.D. on drugs. It iswritten not only from the medical but from the Christianpoint of view. Another possible tract is an article writtenby the Rev. Renwick Wright, D.D. on Christian Education,that appeared in the Christian Statesman of November-December, 1970. It is hoped that funds can be raised forthis and possibly other worthy messages to be printed intract form for wide distribution. This is an importantservice in our times.Lay Evangelism, using marked copies of the NewTestament and marked copies of the Gospel according toJohn, has continued, but the results are not encouraging.A few laymen reported, but the majority hesitate to reportwhat they feel is an all too feeble effort on their part. Thisphase of our work must be stressed more in the future. Wehave continued to send funds to THE ALL INDIAPRAYER FELLOWSHIP making it possible for them topurchase from the Bible House in India 1000 copies of theGospels per month, and encouraging reports have beenreceived by Mr. Kurian, President of the Fellowship.Sixty of the articles that have appeared in theChristian Statesman since 1956 under the title From theStudy Window are about to be published in book form.Readers of the magazine have expressed appreciation sofrequently we were led to feel that a wider circulation, inbook form, would also be appreciated.Arnold Toynbee, the noted British historian, wrote,"Out of 21 civilizations preceding this one, 19 have beendestroyed by a mixture of atheism, materialism,socialism, and alcoholism."When recently asked if he had changed his mindabout Western civilization, Toynbee replied: "Only this,thatit lookes now as if the number one enemy of theAmerican way of life is drunkenness. If your peoplecontinue the present increase of drunkenness, nothing cansave you from destruction. History is altogether againstyou."As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so theconsolations of Christ abound. Here is a blessed proportion.God always keeps a pair of scales — in this side Heputs His people's trials and in that He puts their consolations.When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you willalways find the scale of consolation in nearly the samecondition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will findthe scale of consolation just as heavy, for as the sufferingsof Christ abound in us, even so shall consolation abound byChrist. This is a matter of pure experience.— CH. SPURGEONJANUARY 27, 1971 7

How Safe Are You:Rev. D. Howard Elliott, D.D.Pastor of the Topeka R.P. ChurchThe two men were good friends. They had workedside by side for a number of years. They liked to talk overthings — they pretty well saw things alike. And they hadtime to talk as they rode to and from work together and atlunch time.One morning Art seemed a little preoccupied andMatt asked if anything was the matter."I guess I was just thinking about the burglary in ourneighborhood last night. The Hughes home was brokeninto and a lot of things were taken. I was just thinkingabout how secure my place was against a break-in," wasArt's reply."So I suppose you're thinking of putting some newlocks on the doors and windows.I'll bet you already lookedover your insurance policy to see what it covered.""Yea, I thought of all that. But it bothers me whensome say that nothing is really safe these days. If someonereally wants to get in or to hurt you, they have ways ofdoing it in spite of all the devices you might have forprotection.""I know what you mean. A guy could worry a lotabout how safe he is, or his family or his things. I guess Ijust figure what's gonna be is gonna be. I set up certainsafety precautions, like they're always drilling into us atthe plant, and just hope they'll work.""But you know, Matt, it takes more than wishfulthinking to satisfy me. And I'm thinking about more thanjust my family and property. We watched a scary movieon TV last night and maybe that's what made me dream.Anyhow it's got me stirred up because I dreamed that Idied and went to hell. My wife says I was moaning andgroaning in my sleep.""Well," Matt said, "you're a Christian, aren't you?What's got you worried about that?""Sure, I'm a Christian, but what if I've missed theboat somewhere and I pull some crazy thing that closesthe gate of Heaven against me. Is anyone really secure inthe matter of Heaven? Do you think you're safe foreternity?"Matt pondered it a while and finally said, "I guessI'm about as safe as anybody. Oh, I'm certainly not perfect,but I try to be a good father and husband.-1 get tochurch when I can. We pray before we eat our meals, andif any of my friends or neighbors need help, I'm only gladto pitch in.""And you think that's what it takes?" Art wanted toknow."Well, I'm doing what I can, and you've just got tobelieve it's ok and don't worry about anything else.""That's where you and I are different, Matt. I can'tbe satisfied that easily. You know, I think I'm going tohave a talk with old Jess over in the next department. Heseems to know about these things. Want to sit in on it if Ican get a hold of him?"At noon the two men cornered Jess and Art askedhim a question."The guys say that you're pretty sure of yourself,that you think you know for certain what's going to happento you when you die.""I wouldn't say that I'm sure of myself. But I amsure that I will have eternal life in Heaven when I die,"was Jess's answer."How can you say that when nothing seems surethese days?" Matt wanted to know. "How can anyone tellwhat's ahead of him?"Jess was thoughtful, then —, "To start with, I am aChristian. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior.""We do too.""But you must not believe what He said was true.The only place we get what Jesus said is in the Bible. Ibelieve that the whole Bible is God's Word and so I believethat it's true. The Bible says that if you are sorry for yoursins, if you believe in and accept Jesus Christ as the onewho takes away your sin, then you are saved. Your soul is'born again' and you are one of the family of God who willhave Heaven as their final place. Here, I've got aTestament in my lunch box. I'll try to show you what itsays. Yes, here... '...whosoever believeth in him should notperish but have everlasting life.' See it here in John 3:16.Here's another, John 1:12, 'But as many as received him,to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even tothem that believe on his name.' Art, are you trusting inJesus Christ for your eternal salvation, or do you think thisis something you have to do for yourself?"Art was hesitant, then said, "I think I'm trustingJesus for it."8COVENANTER WITNESS

"But then you don't seem to be so sure. Here's yourfirst problem. Until you know what you believe concerningJesus, until you are sure that you have received Him, orthat He has laid hold of you, you can't be sure of anythingelse, especially Heaven. If you think that you're going toHeaven without getting it settled in your mind about JesusChrist, or that you'll get there because you're a prettygood guy, you're only kidding yourself."Matt winced a little and wasn't sure he liked thisconversation. This hadn't bothered him before, whyshould he let it now?But Jess wasn't through yet. "I tell you I'm going toHeaven because I'm putting all my trust in Jesus Christand in the Bible.""You think you're perfect, huh?" Matt growled."By no means! Man, I wish I were. That isn't whatmakes the difference. It is the perfectness of Jesus thatcounts, not mine. I'm counting on Him to hold me safe forHeaven. I don't earn a ticket to Heaven. It doesn't dependon my holding on to Him. If it did, I'm a gonner, becauseI just can't hold that well. It depends on Hisholding on to me and His grip is secure. Here He says,John 10:28, 'I give unto them eternal life; and they shallnever perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of myhand.' Eternal life is God's gift to one who believes onJesus. And that belief is also a gift of God. God does it all,and I have accepted that — that's why I am secure.''Seepage 10Your Church Needs A Libraryby Ruth Culbertson Bush"Library" —what is it? Do churches need a library?Most everybody knows that a library is a collection ofbooks on various subjects but not everyone sees why hischurch should have one. Today, we are living in an agewhere education has become a necessity if one expects tosucceed in life. So, if the members of the (Sabbath) schoolare to become more involved in Christianity, provide theschool with the basis to do so — education.A church and (Sabbath) school library will do thefollowing for its members: (1) provide necessary studyhelps for both teachers and students. These helps willenable the teacher to be more effective in meeting hisstudent's needs and thus make his students want tobecome more involved in their lesson. (2) Help theaverage person to know what he believes and becomebetter grounded in the Word. (3) Become a motivatingsource for the lay person, i.e. — by reading Paul Little'sbook, How To Give Away Your Faith, he can become areal soul winner and as a result the church will grow. (4)Provide Christian literature for the whole family bothfiction and non-fiction. In this day and age, whenliterature is so prevalent, it is very important to get theright kind of reading material into the home.What books should go into the library? Books for allages from the nursery child through the adults. Nonfictionbooks may fall into the following categories: Biblestudy aids (atlas, commentaries, concordances, dictionaries,translations); Bible study books; Biographies;Christian education; Christianity and other religions ofthe world; Christian living; Doctrine, Devotional;JANUARY 27, 1971History; Missions, Personal Evangelism; and Theology.In closing, remember a church library should not bea place to discard old books. In fact, quality is much moreimportant than quantity. It is important that each book isread before it is placed in the library. Doctrinally unsound,or theories which are not acceptable to the church(e.g. evolution) should not be included in the books in thelibrary. Last of all remember, a library is not builtovernight.One's goal should be to build an effective librarywhich will strengthen the local church.Something AddedPrimary steps for the establishing of a library —1. An expression of a desire or a need for the same.2. The space — accessible to both the members of the(Sabbath) school and church. If possible enough space toallow for growth.3. Selection of a librarian — one who is interested inbooks, knowledge of what work is involved, a pleasingpersonality — one that sees the worthwhileness of readingand can share her enthusiasm.4. The operation of the Library, care of the books, increasingthe number, cataloging, etc. etc.5. What about a library of visual aids included?6. Underwriting the cost of supplies, etc. Will the(Sabbath) school do this?7. Committee for publicising the books — monthlyspecials, displays, bulletin boards, etc.8. Books given as memorials to be encouraged.Episcopal Recorder9

The Children's CornerFounded on factGOPAL FINDS THE THIEVESBy Amelia O. StottGopal Singh looked up from his games on the riverbank and saw that the sun had set. The twinkling lights ofthe ferryboats were dancing up and down on the waters.He waved good-by to his companions, wriggled his toes inthe shallow water to clean off some of the mud, and ran offtoward the town.Supper would be over by now, and he had reallymeant to be on time, for it didn't help his family to believein the "Jesus doctrine"if he kept on being late for theevening meal. His mother had warned him only thatevening and said that he must stop going to the mission(Sabbath) school, if he were not back early.As Gopal ran alongit seemed as if he and the nightwere having a race together. There had been a faint, pinkglow in the west when he stopped his game, but now tinyoil lamps were flickering in the bazaar streets. As he ranhe happened to cut his toe against a sharp stone. In a darkarchway hidden from all passers-by he looked at his foot,and then he heard voices as two men walked past, so nearthat Gopal heard his father's name mentioned."Yes, I know the money is there in the house. Did notI see Matthma Ram at the goldsmith's shop changing allhis family jewels into money?"Then the men turned a corner and Gopal heard nomore. Still wondering what it meant, he reached his owncourtyard to find the door shut. He thumped hard on theoutside panels, for he could hear his mother scouring thebrass supper trays, and his sister Loti in the kitchen. Aftera time the door was opened and his mother looked veryvexed at her small, mud-stained son."Go wash," she said sternly, "the supper is all eatenand cleared away." Gopal hurried over to where a big potof water stood at one side of the house, and when he wasclean he called out in Indian fashion, "Bring food!" Hiseldest sister brought him some chapatti (flour and waterpancakes) and a heaped dish of rice."It is a pity you are so often late," said Loti; then shewhispered, "Great news, Brother, our father starts off ona long journey to Madras tomorrow. I heard him tell ourmother he is going to buy a shop there, and if all goes wellwe shall soon leave this poor little mud-walled place for afine stone house in the city.""Oh! Loti, when shall we go there? Won't it take a lotof rupees for us to travel all that way? ""Yes," said his sister, "almost as many rupees asthere are rice grains in your bowl. But our father can getnothing to do here, and some relative in Madras told himof this good bargain, so he must go quickly to secure it."Then, with a swift glance around, she whispered, "Whenour father locked the inner room door this morning Ipeeped through the little hole in the wall, and I saw himscoop up the mud floor and take out the treasure box thatguards our jewels. He put them all into a leather bag andwent out. Oh, dear, what will happen when I become abride, — not a gold anklet, not even a nose-ring? No onewill want a beggar-girl like me" and Loti sighed."Don't worry, Loti by the time your wedding dayarrives our father will have made piles of rupees inMadras." Just then their mother called, "Time to sleep!"and soon the house was still, for every one was tired outafter a hot, sultry day.(To be continued)HOW SAFE ARE YOU? . . . From Page 9"So, if you've got it made," Matt had to add, "thethere's nothing for you to do, you can just coast intoHeaven, huh?""That's not the way I look at it, Matt. Heaven awaitsme, but I don't feel that I want to bite the hand that feedsme the bread of eternal life. God has truths that He wantsme to know and laws that He wants me to obey. I coulddisplease Him considerably by ignoring His commandsand can get estranged from Him so that life would bemiserable and He would have good reason to punish me. IfI truly believe in Christ and love Him, I won't want to dowhat hurts Him or discredits Him, would I? It certainlydoes matter how a Christian lives."Art and Matt had to get back to work. They were kindof quiet and every once in a while Matt would look over atArt and find him nodding his head as if he were agreeingwith something. At least Art learned something about hisquestion of eternal security.10 COVENANTER WITNESS

t-Lesson Helps for the Week of February 21,1971Sabbath SchoolLessonfor February 21,1971KNOWING AND DOING GOD'S WILL:Matt. 7:21-27; 21:28-32.Comments by John K. GaultThere is always a very closerelationship between knowing and doing inthe accomplishment of any of life's objectives.One demonstration of this isfound in the kitchen of every home. Inpreparing the food a woman has theknowledge of the food combination for acertain delectable dish but it is necessarythat she mix the various food elementsand cook it on the stove or in the ovenbefore it can be placed on the table forpeople to eat. A builder of any sort of aconstruction job may have the knowledgeof dimensions and materials of the workbut before it is ready for man's use hemust, with his hands and equipment, putthe various elements together. These aretwo common examples of the relationshipbetween knowing and doing. Concerningspiritual objectives Jesus also emphasizeda close relationship between knowing anddoing. He asked the disciples upon acertain occasion, "But whom say ye that Iam?" and in the lesson before us He saidto them, "Wherefore by their fruits yeshall know them."1: Knowledge, Alone, Will Not SecureOne's Salvation.This, Jesus taught, in verses 21-23 ofthis lesson. Jesus said, "Not every onethat saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enterinto the kingdom of heaven; but he thatdoeth the will of my Father which is inheaven. Many will say to me in that day,Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thyname? and in thy name have cast outdevils? and in thy name done manywonderful works? And then will I professunto them, I never knew you; depart fromme, ye that work iniquity." The merepossessing and declaring knowledge is aphysical exercise, and no one is savedfrom sin through his physical sensesalone. People must love God if they wish tobe saved, for Jesus said to the lawyer."Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with allthy heart, and with all thy soul, and withall thy mind. This is the first and greatcommandment. And the second is likeunto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor asthyself." If one is to be saved Jesus musthold the supreme place in his affections.Paul said in Romans 10:9, "That if thoushalt confess with thy mouth the LordJesus, and shalt believe in thine heart thatGod hath raised him from the dead, thoushalt be saved. For with the heart manbelieveth unto righteousness; and with themouth confession is made unto salvation."There have been people who have had aknowledge of the Bible; who have engagedin formal religious work; but who havelacked the heart belief; consequently, inthe time of testing they have departedfrom the fold.2: The Wisdom of Hearing Jesus'Sayings and Doing Them."Hearing" and "doing" are complementaryactivities. They must beworked together if one is to achieve thedesired result. The student in school mayhear the teacher explain how to dosomething, but if he will not do it, then howcan he pass the examination? Jesus said,"Therefore whosoever heareth thesesayings of mine, and doeth them, I willliken him unto a wise man, which built hishouse upon a rock: and the rainsdescended, and the floods came, and thewinds blew, and beat upon that house; andit fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."Jesus' blueprint of character called for thesolid rock foundation of doing what He hadsaid to His hearers. In every building it isalways wise to build upon the solid rockfor in doing so the structure can withstandthe force of the elements. Doing the will ofGod is the solid foundation for the buildingof life's character.3: The Folly of Not Doing as JesusHas Said After Having Heard Him.He said, "And every one that heareththese sayings of mine and doeth them not,shall be likened unto a foolish man, thatbuilt his house upon the sand; and the raindescended, and the floods came, and thewinds blew, and beat upon that house; andit fell: and great was the fall of it." In theworld the winds of adversity and the floodsof opposition and all the forces of disintegrationare brought to bear upon one'sstructure of character. Not building accordingto the blueprint of Jesus which Hehas made available to people, will result inthe demolition of one's house. A house isthe structure mentioned in our lesson. It isdifferent from a tent which is but temporary.A house is one's place of dwellingand is supposed to last many years. Inpresuming to erect such a structure itwould be height of folly to build it upon theshifting sand. A foundation of money islike the foundation of sand. Any worldlyobjective is like the foundation of sand if itdoes not conform to the sayings of Jesus.Jesus talked to people about spiritualvalues, and not to do as He has said, whenone has heard Him, is as foolish asbuilding a house upon a foundation ofshifting sand.4: Doing God's Will Is Based UponRepentance.Jesus, in this lesson, compared Hisapproach to people with that of a certainman who had two sons. One of these sonsrepresented sinners who knew that theywere sinners. The other son representedthe scribes and Pharisees who were proudand had no sense of sin. The father said toone of the sons, "Go work today in myvineyard." That son answered his fatherby saying, "I will not: but afterward herepented and went." He regretted theimpudent way in which he had answeredhis loving father and he thought of the highprivilege it was for him to work in hisfather's vineyard. So, he repented.The father next "came to the secondand said likewise. And he answered andsaid, I go sir, and went not. Whether of thetwain did the will of his father 9 They sayunto him, The first." "Jesus said untothem, Verily I say unto you, that thepublicans and the harlots go into thekingdom of God before you. For Johncame unto you in the way ofrighteousness, and ye believed him not:but the publicans and the harlots believedhim; and ye. when ye had seen it, repentednot afterward, that ye might believe him"i Matt. 21:28-32). Many of the publicansand the harlots realized that they wereJANUARY 27, 1971 11

great sinners and so they repented andwent into the kingdom of God before therulers of the Jews, the scribes and thePharisees, who felt that they did not sinand so they did not go to work in thefather's vineyard.5: To Say and Then Not Do God's WillMakes One More Blameworthy.This was what the Pharisees did.They claimed to do God's will. They werein the habit of praying in a public placethat they might be observed by otherpeople. Their object was to make a show oftheir religion. They were like the son whosaid to his father, "I go, sir, but he wentnot." They refused to accept of Jesus asthe Christ and they felt that they had noneed of repentance. Because of their falsepromise the scribes and the Phariseeswere more blameworthy than if, throughignorance, they had flatly refused to gointo the father's vineyard to work."Lesson based on International SundaySchool Lessons: the International Bible Lessonsfor Christian Teaching, copyrighted 1966by the Division of Christian Education, NationalCouncil of Churches of Christ in theU.S. A."Junior Topicfor February 21,1971HERE AM I... SEND MEUnit: Later Old Testament DaysMrs. Herbert A. HaysMemory Psalm: 46:1,2,5,6, p. 118.Psalm 22, pages 46-49 may be used foradditional singing. This Psalm tells us ofthe birth and manhood of Jesus Christ.Aim: To point out to the children theimportance of the Old Testament.Memory verse: Isaiah 6:8; "Also Iheard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whomshall I send, and who will go for us? Thensaid I, Here am I, send me."Something About IsaiahIsaiah or Esaias, the son of Amoz,prophesied during the reigns of four kings.He is generally regarded as the greatest ofthe Old Testament prophets, because he ispre-eminently the prophet of Redemption.Many of the passages in the book ofIsaiah, are among the finest in literature.Isaiah was born in the last part ofUzziah's reign. Uzziah was the first of thefour kings that reigned during Isaiah'sdays. Isaiah prophesied after Uzziah'sdeath. His prophecies were gatheredtogether into a book, the Book of theProphet Isaiah.12Isaiah's VisionIn the year of King Uzziah's death,Isaiah had a wonderful vision. He saw GodAlmighty sitting upon a throne, high andlifted up, and surrounded by seraphim.Each seraph had six wings. With twowings he covered his face, and with two hecovered his feet, and with two he flew.When the seraphim cried aloud,"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! Thewhole earth is full of His glory!" thefoundations of the Temple shook, as itbecame filled with smoke.Isaiah was very much afraid as heheard the voice of the mighty seraphim,and felt the Temple shake. He feared hewould die, because he, a sinner, had seenthe Lord God.One of the seraphim took a live coalfrom the altar, and flew with it to Isaiah.He placedit upon Isaiah's mouth, saying,"This has touched your lips, and your sinis taken away."Isaiah heard the voice of the Lordsay, "Whom shall I send, and who will gofor us?"Isaiah answered, "Here am I; sendme."The Lord gave Isaiah manymessages to the children of Israel. Thebook of Isaiah is full of these wonderfulprophecies.The most wonderful of theseprophecies are those which tell of thecoming of Christ, which Isaiah wroteseven hundred years before Jesus wasborn.Following are some verses about thecoming of Christ. Use these for theScripture verses. The birth of Christ:Isaiah 7:14; 9:6. Jesus Christ suffered forour sins: Isaiah 53:3,5.Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, wethank Thee for the wonderful words ofIsaiah. Help us we pray to be alwaysready to hear Thee when Thou dost call usto serve Thee. Bless the missionaries inCyprus, Japan, and the Christians inSyria, Hong Kong, and China. Keep usclose to Thee throughout the week. InJesus name, we pray, Amen.Prayer MeetingTopicfor February 24, 1971PRAYER FOR THE ORDAINEDCHURCH OFFICERSby Rev. Ronald W. NickersonThe pattern of governing the churchby ruling and teaching elders, aided by thedeacons, is neither accidental nor arbitrary.God's Word has set down infallibleguidelines which call for theselection and ordination of these officers.The very fact that they are to be ordainedis an indication that they are set apart byGod for unique service in leading Hispeople. The admonition of I Timothy 2:1, 2applies here: "I exhort...that...prayers,intercessions, and giving of thanks bemade...for all that are in authority." Thisis especially important because we are theones who are responsible for choosingthese spiritual rulers to minister to theneeds of our congregations. The task wehave placed upon them is beyond humanability to carry out. Only as we entreatGod to grant them grace and wisdom willthey be able to rule well.In behalf of both elders and deaconswe should offer concentrated prayer for:1. Their spiritual maturity to fulfillthe qualifications of their offices as theyare set down in I Timothy 3:1-13. (It wouldbe profitable to use this passage as aScripture reading in the course of themeeting.)2. The team-relationship amongpastor, session, and board of deacons.(Our officers need to: (a) share theirdefinite goals for the congregation(b) frankly discuss problems (c) openthemselves to constructive criticism fromone another (d) intercede together for thereal needs of Christ's Church.)The consideration of session'sspecific duties provides us with additionalmaterial for prayer. Seek God in prayerfor your pastor and ruling elders concerning:1. Their ability to understand andcommunicate Biblical truth2. Their sensitivity to the spiritualneeds and problems of the congregation3. Their burden to administer thediscipline of the church according to theBiblical pattern.4. Their boldness in personal witnessingand planning programs ofevangelism in the congregation.5. Their oversight of the educationalprogram of the congregation.6. Their wholehearted participationin the total denominational program.The deacons likewise need ourprayers in the exercise of their specialministry. Pray for:1. Their vision of the diaconate ashaving spiritual as well as businessdimensions.2. Their ability to wisely assess howCOVENANTER WITNESS

to care for and improve church propertyand facilities.3. Their spiritual wisdom as theyadminister church finances and instructthe congregation in stewardship.4. Their attention to the problems ofthe sick and needy in the congregation andcommunity.Some Further Suggestions1. Use such Psalms as 84 and 122during the meeting.2. Pray for each ordained officer ofyour congregation by name.3. Thank God for what has beenaccomplished through the able leaders ofyour congregation.4. Pray specifically about problemsfacing session and/or the board ofdeacons.5. Pray that the Spirit will preparethe hearts of our Covenant youth toassume positions of leadership in thechurch.6. Pray that your congregation willrespond faithfully and enthusiastically tothe leadership provided by their eldersand deacons.COLLEGE STUDENTS JOIN INVOLUNTARY CHAPELThe administration of HuntingtonCollege, Huntington, Indiana cancelled aregular chapel program planned forNovember 12 when Rev. James Massee,chaplain at Anderson College, could not bepresent as previously arranged because ofa funeral. When the students learned ofthe change in plans, they petitioned theadministration for the privilege of goingahead with a voluntary chapel service.Their petition was granted and 200students, faculty and administratorsassembled at the chapel hour expectingsomething unusual to take place — andthey were not disappointed.Students shared spiritual problemsor needs, victories over personalproblems, requests for prayer and deepconcerns. At the close of the hour many ofthe group joined in a prayer service in thechancel area of the College Park Churchwhere the chapel services are held.The Huntington College communityis conscious of a spiritual movement in thestudent body. There is an awareness of theHoly Spirit's presence and influence. Thewinds of the Spirit are being felt.God is not in the salvaging business,He is in the resurrection business.— Paul O. KroonJANUARY 27, 1971A Basic Christian Home LibraryWhat books are "musts" in the home library of a Christian family? The FirstReformed Presbyterian Church of Huntsville, Alabama, suggests the following titlesunder seven different headings. In each case, the first book listed is the firstpreference. The list takes for granted that the family already has a good Bible and acomprehensive Bible concordance.I. DIRECT BIBLE STUDY AIDSA. Commentaries1. Wyeliffe Bible Commentary2. Matthew Henry's Commentary3. Matthew Poole's "A Commentary on the Holy Bible"B. Dictionaries1. John D. Davis, "Dictionary of the Bible"2. Halley's "Bible Handbook"3. Inter-Varsity Press, "The New Bible Handbook"4. "An Introduction to the Old Testament," E.J. Young5. "New Testament Survey," Merrill C. TenneyII. SYSTEMATIC BIBLE STUDY AIDSA. Catechisms1. "Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and ShorterCatechisms," bound in one volume2. "Heidelburg Catechism"3. "Spurgeon's Catechism"B. Systematic Theology1. "A Systematic Theology of the Christian Religion," J. Oliver Buswell Jr.2. "Summary of Christian Doctrine," Louis Berkhof3. "Redemption Accomplished and Applied," John Murray4. "Fundamentalism and the Word of God," J. I. PackerIII. THE OUTWORKING OF GOD'S PLAN IN THE WORLD2.A.Church History1. "The Story of the Church," A. M. Renwick3.4.5."Christianity Through the Centuries," Earle E. CairnsAny works of Merle d'Aubigne, church historian"A Short History of Puritanism," James HeronMissionary books such as "Two Empires in Japan," by John M. L. Young,or "Missionary Opportunity Today," by Leslie LyallIV. BIOGRAPHY AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY1. Foxe's "Book of Martyrs"2. "Men of the Covenant," Alexander Smellie3. "The Life and Diary of David Brainerd"4. "Augustine's Confessions"5. "Grace Abounding," John Bunyan6. Biography of James Hudson Taylor7. "The Life of John and Betty Stam"V. DEVOTIONAL - PRACTICAL1. "Pilgrim's Progress," John Bunyan2. "Alarm to the Unconverted," Joseph Aleine3. "God's Way of Holiness," Horatius Bonar4. ' 'Studies in the Sermon on the Mount,'' Martyn Lloyd-Jones5. "Holiness," J. C. RyleSee pa^c H.13

NOTICE OF CALLOn the evening of January 18, 1971,1moderated a call for the Cambridge,Massachusetts, congregation, whichresulted in the election of Licentiate DeanSmith. The call was made unanimous.John M. McMillanNOTICEOn January 1,1971, Richard N. Olsonof St. Albans, Vermont, declared himselfan independent minister and renouncedthe jurisdiction of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of North America.Subsequently, the Ad InterimCommission of the St. LawrencePresbytery has officially removed hisname from the roll of our ministers anddesires to notify the church of this action.R. W. Nickerson, ClerkSt. Lawrence PresbyteryThe candidate was examined inTheology by Rev. R. C. Fullerton, inDistinctive Principles of the ReformedPresbyterian Church by Rev. A. W. Smith,Sr. and in Personal Piety by Rev. RoyBlackwood. Rev. Roy Fullerton gave avery favorable report of the committee toread the textual sermon of Mr. JamesWright on Revelation 22:14.The vote was unanimous to sustainthe work of Mr. James Wright.Rev. Don Felker spoke on "TakingAdvantage of Your Opportunity,"challenging the congregation and pastorin working together.The ordination sermon, entitled "ThePastoral Blessing," was given by Rev. E.A. Robson.Rev. Claude Brown and Rev. R. C.Fullerton gave the ordination and in­JANUARY SUBSCRIPTIONHONOR ROLLSubscriptions have come from thesecongregations or groups by January 1:Blanchard, Broomall, Cambridge, stallation prayer. The charge to the newlyGeneva, Hetherton, Lochiel, Manchester, ordained minister was given by Rev. DonMinneola, Old Bethel, Sparta, Union,White Lake.THOMAS EDGAREN ROUTE TO U. S.Mr. Thomas Edgar, on furlough fromthe American Academy, Larnaca,Cyprus, sailed from Port Elizabeth, SouthAfrica, January 15. He will stay in theDolphin Hotel, Southampton, England andthen fly to the United States in time for theForeign Mission Board meeting in NewYork City, February 9.He and his wife have been visitingtheir daughter Mary and family in PortElizabeth. A third son was born to Mary inlate December.ORDINATION AND INSTALLATIONOF REV. JAMES. M. WRIGHTRev. James M. Wright was ordainedand installed as pastor of the OrlandoReformed Presbyterian Church onDecember 20 and 21, 1970.Rev. Ralph E. Joseph was thepresiding minister and Moderator of theOhio-Illinois Presbytery Commission. ThePsalm meditation and morning prayerwas led by Rev. Roy Blackwood. Mr.Wright's sermon was based on I John 5and titled "That We May Know."Felker and the charge to the congregationby Elder Wilbur Keys.A reception was held following theservice for many friends to greet the newpastor and his wife.William E. DillClerk Of CommissionMRS. ROBERT W. PIPERHazel Evens Piper, daughter of thelate George and Ruth Hazlett Evens, wasborn in the Old Allegheny section of Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania and died, December28, 1970, in the Beaver CountyHospital, Beaver Falls, after an extendedillness.Her husband, the Rev. Robert W.Piper, a Reformed Presbyterian minister,preceded her in death, March 1954.Surviving are two daughters, Mrs.Joseph A. (Ruth) Rieser, Beaver, andMrs. Robert A. (Lois) Adams, Swarthmore;a brother, George W. Evens,Hammond, Indiana; five grandchildren,and one great-grandson.She was a member of the North HillsR. P. Church, Pittsburgh.Rev. David M. Carson conducted thefuneral service on December 30 and burialwas in a Beaver, Pennsylvania cemetery.GENEVA COLLEGEACCREDITATIONGeneva College has received reaffirmationof its accreditation by theMiddle States Association of Colleges andSecondary Schools. The College receivedthis notification in a recent letter to Dr.Edwin C. Clarke, President of the College,from the chairman of the Commission onHigher Education, Dr. Frank P. Piskor.This favorable report climaxes twoyears of preparation by a faculty steeringcommittee, and the review by theEvaluation Team representing MiddleStates Association. Geneva's committeewas headed by Dr. Stewart Lee, chairman,and the 120-page Self-EvaluationReport was edited by Dr. David Carson.Other committee members were Dr.William Russell, Dr. Harold Bruce, Dr.Arthur Fleser, Dr. Charles Fuget, Dr.Leotta Hawthorne, Mr. John Mitchell, Dr.Ann Paton, Dr. Richard South, Dr. RobertTweed, and Dr. George Van Home. Theself-evaluation dealt with objectives,students, the academic program, faculty,teaching, instructional resources,organization and administration, financeand facilities, and outcomes.The Middle States Evaluation Teamvisited the Geneva campus, March 16-19,observing and exploring all areas ofcollege life. The chairman, Dr. ReamerKline, President of Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson,N.Y., headed the 12-member team, which included SisterMary Byles, Dean of College of the SacredHeart, Puerto Rico; Miss Mildred Covey,Registrar, Goucher College, Towson,Maryland; Dr. Demetrios Dertouzos,Dean, School of Business Administration,Rider College, Trenton, N.J.; Dr. JamesForcina, Professor of Education, TrentonState College, Trenton, N.J.; Dr. GeorgeHoffman, Director, Bureau of StateColleges and Universities, PennsylvaniaDepartment of Education; Dr. WalterZauzman, Professor of Chemistry,Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.,representing the American ChemicalSociety; Dr. Stephen Paine, President,Houghton College, Houghton, N.Y.; Dr.James Palmer, Dean for Center of Scienceand Engineering, Union College,Schenectady, N.Y.; Dr. Donald Ross,President, Wilmington College, New14 COVENANTER WITNESS

Castle, Del.; Mr. John Sweitzer, Managerof Plant and Purchases, Earlham College,Richmond, Ind.; Mr. David Watkins,Dean and Director of Libraries, FordhamUniversity, Bronx, N.Y.Each institution receives a reportfrom the Evaluation Team several monthsafter its visit, giving a critique of eachphase of its program and recommendationsfor improvement. Theevaluation process has proven verybeneficial as member institutions undergothis thorough review every ten years.CHRISTIAN SCHOOL GROUPEXPERIENCES15 PER CENT GROWTHIncreases of fifteen per cent in bothnumber of schools and pupil enrollmenthave been recorded for the third consecutiveyear by the National Associationof Christian Schools. Sixty-two thousandpupils are enrolled in 345 elementary andsecondary schools located in 40 states and35 countries.Illinois recorded the greatest percent of increase in member schools. Thelargest number of schools is listed inCalifornia. Twenty-two other statesreported increases in member schools.Indiana, Ohio and Michigan join Illinois inmaking the Mid-west first in regionalgrowth statistics. New Jersey, New York,Pennsylvania and Maryland combine tomake the Mid-Atlantic region the secondmost active in Christian school growth.Forty states are now represented on themembership roster.The expanding interest of overseasschools for missionary children in NACSfellowship is indicated by the 46 schools in35 overseas locations. In recent monthsmembers of the NACS Board havetravelled to the Caribbean, South Americaand the Orient to strengthen the educationof missionary children overseas.When asked for an explanation of thisunusually vital private schoolorganization, Dr. John Blanchard,Executive Director, observed, "As theonly national non-sectarian association ofits kind, the NACS attracts schools thatare strongly committed to Biblical valuesand continuing educational improvement.Our schools emphasize spiritual impactand academic content and our efforts todeal with social, racial, political anddenominational problems are developedwith Biblical discernment. Many parentsdesire this balance of education for thebenefit of both heart and mind."A New Conservative Church AssociationPHILADELPHIA — A committeemade up of ministers and elders fromseveral Presbyterian and Reformeddenominations has agreed on a statementof purpose and a constitution for a newconservative association of churchmen.Meeting here was the steeringcommittee of the National Presbyterianand Reformed Fellowship, a body formedin Des Plaines, 111., last fall in a gatheringof some fifty conservative leaders fromten churches in the Presbyterian andReformed tradition.According to the statement hammeredout by the committee, the NPRFwill "join for encouragement and mutualassistance those who seek in our time theunity of a pure witness to the Word of Godand the testimony of Jesus Christ."The statement, together with theproposed constitution, will be presentedfor adoption to the parent fellowship at itsnext full meeting in Atlanta, in April.The new organization developed outof a 1969 rally of Presbyterian ChurchmenUnited, a conservative ministers'organization in the Presbyterian ChurchUS. Visitors who attended the rally fromother churches decided to meet again inthe interest of a larger association. TheNPRF is the fruit of that decision and thesteering committee meeting here consistedof the officers and one membernamed from each denominationalgrouping.Although just organized, NPRF hasalready come to the official attention ofthree denominations and from these, theOrthodox Presbyterian Church, theReformed Presbyterian ChurchEvangelical Synod and the ReformedPresbyterian Church of North America,representatives participate with the officialsanction of their churches.The ministers and elders involvedparticipate as individuals from each offour additional denominations, theThe NACS office in Wheaton, Illinoisserves as a clearing house and source ofinformation in all phases of theeducational process and school operation.By its promotion, placement and newschool services the NACS strengthens thisrapidly growing private schoolmovement.Christian Reformed Church, thePresbyterian Church US, the ReformedChurch in America, and the UnitedPresbyterian Church USA.From three additionaldenominations, members have attendedpreliminary meetings of the newfellowship, but without yet making thedecision to join: the Associate ReformedPresbyterian Church, the ConservativeCongregational Christian Conference andthe Reformed Episcopal Church.According to the statement approvedhere, "the present crisis of identity andcontinuity in the Presbyterian andReformed Churches in the United Statescalls for immediate, urgent and activeobedience on the part of all those whoacknnowledge the sovereign authority ofJesus Christ, the only King and Head ofHis Church, as He rules it through theScriptures of the Old and NewTestaments, the Word of God written, andby His Holy Spirit.The statement continues: "Reformeddoctrine and presbyterial churchgovernment furnish the basis for and thethrust toward a Scriptural ecumenismthat is both contemporaneous anddynamic."Officers of the NPRF are, the Rev.Russell E. Horton (RCA) of Lansing, 111.,the Rev. August J. Kling (UPUSA) ofMiami, Dr. Donald J. MacNair (RPCES)of St. Louis, and Dr. G. Aiken Taylor(PCUS) of Asheville, N.C.It is anticipated that headquarters ofthe fellowship will be established inWashington, D.C.According to a spokesman, membershipin the fellowship is open toministers and elders (or their equivalent)from any Presbyterian or ReformedChurch who share in the objectives of theorganization. Address: First PresbyterianChurch, 609 Brickell Ave., Miami, Fla.33132.BUILDING TODAY FOR TOMORROWLife is a Book in volumes threeThe Past, the Present and the Yet to BeThe Past is finished and laid away,The Present we're living every day.The third and last of volume three—Is hid from sight-God holds the keyJANUARY 27, 197115

IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING!Paul Speicher, writing in SouthlandLife, tells what happens to men who refuseto be stopped.Cripple him and you have a WalterScott.Put him in prison and you have aJohn Bunyan.Bury him in the snows of ValleyForge and you have a George Washington.Have him born in abject poverty andyou have a Lincoln.Load him with bitter racial prejudiceand you have a Disraeli.Afflict him with asthma until as a boyhe lies choking in his father's arms andyou have a Theodore Roosevelt.Stab him with rheumatic pains untilfor years he cannot sleep without an opiateand you have a Steinmetz.Put him in the grease pit of alocomotive roundhouse and you have aWalter P. Chrysler.Make him second fiddle in an obscureSouth American orchestra and you have aToscanini.The list could be continued indefinitely.History rests on the shouldersof those who accepted the challenge ofdifficulties and drove through to victory"in spite of everything."when you prepareyour will . . .. . . considerGeneva CollegeGeneva's view of education restsupon the historic Christian faith containedin Scripture. The WestminsterConfession of Faith of mid 17thcentury has served as the basis ofeducation for over a century. Studentsexplore the implications of the sovereighntyof Jesus Christ over all Hiscreation.Geneva is our College and is worthyof our consideration. Would you liketo know more about how you cansupport Geneva? Send the coupon to:Mr. Charles O'DataVice President for DevelopmentGENEVA COLLEGEBeaver Falls, Pa 15010YES,tell me about Geneva College. I wouldlike a copy of Geneva's Foundational Conceptsof Christian Education."Also send me literature about annuties(up to 9% returns) how to prepareaw'"- W-100NAMEADDRESScrrv STATE ZIPBASIC. LIBRARY... From Page 13VI. FACING MODERN PROBLEMS1. "The Chaos of Cults," J. K. VanBaalen2. "Man's Origin, Man's Destiny," A. E. Wilder Smith3. "Set Forth Your Case," Clark Pinnock4. "The God Who Is There," Francis Schaeffer5. "Evangelism and The Sovereignty of God," J. I. PackerVII. BOOKS TO BE USED WITH CHILDREN1. Catechism for Young Children2. "Bible in Pictures For Little Eyes," Kenneth N. Taylor3. "Marian's Big Book of Bible Stories," Marian Schoolland4. "The Child's Story Bible," Catherine Vos5. "Stories of Faith and Fame," Lutterworth Press"Jungle Doctor Series," Paternoster Press"Historical Tales," Protestant Truth SocietyThe MandateIs your minister's salaryfor real?No businessman would consider his employees'expense account, insurance, and other "fringes" aspart of income. Personal income is one thing; fringebenefits and business expenses are in anothercategory.But it is surprising how many respected businessmenon Church Boards overlook this basic accountingpractice when calculating their minister's salary.In order to create an illusion of paying a ministerwell, it is easy to say, "We pay our ministerabout $14,000 a year." Not a bad salary. TheBoard has done its job well. Or has it?This is the common, though unrealistic way tofigure income:SalaryUtilities allowanceCar allowanceConference allotmentContinuing EducationPensionGroup InsuranceParsonageTOTAL$8,5003601,8003501001,0203001,700$14,130MINISTERS LIFE and casualty unionThis is the business-like way:Income:SalaryParsonageUtilities AllowanceBusiness Expenses:Car AllowanceConference ExpensesContinuing EducationFringe Benefits:Group InsurancePension$8,5001,700360$10,5601,800350100$2,2503001,020$1,320So it's not $14,130—but $10,560 for actual income.In these days of rising prices, a minister's modestincome is being stretched especially tight. He can'tlive on an illusion.Have you—or your Board members—taken abusinesslike look at your minister's salary lately?Separate the illusion clearly from reality. Yourminister will be happier because of it. We thinkyou will be, too.Reprints of this public service message for distribution to yourlocal church officials are available on request.Ministers Life Building • Minneapolis. Minnesota .554/6'16 COVENANTER WITNESS

fOR..rooW^JSVOLUME LXXXVI NO. 5 FEBRUARY 3, 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 28,1971URBANA '70 MISSIONARY CONVENTIONMore than 12,300 packed general sessions at Urbana '70in the Assembly Hall, University of Illinois.Missionary Number

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.^£r— CVANOEUCAI. PM»» ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Contributing Editors: Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Marion L McFarlandRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev^John K. GauJMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling,Kansas two weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles40/- (L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles72/- (L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles 32/- (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. HughWright, B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern IrelandBT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.IMPORTANTNOTICEThe Reformed Presbyterian Woman's Association,having the care of the Reformed Presbyterian Home, iscalled for its regular Annual meeting on the fourthWednesday of February, which is February 24, 1971 at10:30 A.M. This meeting will be held at the CommunityHouse, Union Avenue, North Side, Pittsburgh. Lunch canbe bought in the Community House Dining Room.This meeting will be led in a devotional period byMrs. M.K. Carson, a former Board Member: thenwill follow the Annual Reports by the Superintendent,Rev. Melville W. Martin, by the officers andchairmen of committees, and by a representative of theAuxiliary; also the election of seven members to theBoard of Directors for a period of three years to take theplace of those whose terms have expired; and to transactsuch other business as may come before the meeting.All members of the Reformed PresbyterianWoman's Association, from far and near, are cordiallyinvited and urged to attend.This Week's WitnessA Tribute to Dr. W. W. Weir .Glimpses of the Religious World.Cyprus Mission.Mrs. Donald Piper Writes.Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson Writes. ..Urbana '70 Missionary Convention.God Wants Men.Gopal Finds the Thieves.Lesson Helps.Church News.On Doing My Thing.34. 5.5.67.8.10.11.14.16The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed12 COVENANTER WITNESS

A Tribute To Dr. W. W. WeirI am happy to be present tonight at this joyful familygathering of the American Academy in honor of Dr. andMrs. Weir and to be given the opportunity of paying atribute to a man of profound intellect and constructive action.And also to his wife Elizabeth who provided the inspirationand the encouragement in his noble work.My country owes to William Weir a debt of gratitudefor his dedicated work in promoting true education andimparting to the youth of Cyprus the spirit of disinterestedservice as the real meaning of life. He devoted his time andenergy to teaching a system of creative living and to extend itinto the cultural and spiritual areas. With moral vision, socharacteristic of his teachings, he strove to instill in theminds of the Cypriot youth, of whatever origin ordenomination, spiritual truths that would help them achievea satisfying and meaningful life.This is the vital task in education, acquiring informationand knowledge useful and necessary; but only inso far as it serves a higher purpose in life can it be reallybeneficial. And this is what Dr. Weir set himself to do.T. S. Eliot in one of his poems wrote: "In living wehave lost our lives; in knowledge we have lost our wisdomand in information we have lost our knowledge."In imparting knowledge to the youth of Cyprus Dr.Weir aimed at creating a spirit of service and of love, whichis the essence of wisdom. He laid emphasis on the joy ofgiving rather than receiving, on the fulness and satisfactionin doing more than is expected of you. Thus he strove tomould the characters of free men and of enlighted citizens sothat they could one day bring a true contribution to themoral progress and material advancement of their homelandin freedom and in peace. At the time he was in Cyprus theisland was under foreign colonial rule. That was, no doubt,felt as an encumbrance; and it was one of Dr. Weir's sayingsthat "there can be no true education without freedom." Itwas, however, also one of his sayings that "beyond theimmediate ends, the more distant aims should be keptconstantly and clearly in sight." Beyond, therefore, theobjective of liberation from foreign rule, there is the aim of astill greater liberation: the liberation from self. For, as Dr.Weir said, "No man can be really free if he is a slave to hispassions and to his selfish pursuits." Thus the real worth ofman depends upon the degree of his liberation from self.To be an educator is one of the greatest and highestmissions in life. The task is so important to the future ofmankind that it cannot be measured in words. Yet Dr. Weirwas even more than that. He was an apostle of virtue. Virtueas the true way of fulfilment and human happiness. He thusHis Excellency Zenon RossidesAmbassador of Cyprusto the United NationsFebruary 24, 1968followed the philosophy of a great Cypriot, the Stoic Zeno ofKitium, who gave to the world the best system of organisedthought, next to Christianity. The practice of virtue conceivednot as a burdensome duty, but as the supreme joy inlife. The blissful serenity of mind that comes from being inharmony with nature and the moral flow of the cosmos.It may perhaps have been more than coincidence thatDr. Weir came to Cyprus. He was destined to develop in theland of Zeno his moral teachings, which approached thatphilosopher's thinking.At the same time he brought to our island the truespirit of America conceived in the moral background of thefounding fathers of this great country.Indeed the Cypriot youth is deeply indebted to Dr.Weir. They have drawn so much on his vast store ofknowledge and wisdom. We have reached now a time in ourcivilization when through the instrumentality of the UnitedNations the national independence of the nearly all peoples,at least in form if not in substance is slowly becoming areality. The resulting expansion of freedom offers new andwider scope for true education. At the same time theastounding rapidity in scientific and technologicalachievement has created crucial problems for mankind inwhich its verv survival may be at stake. Man possessesillimitable power of global destruction. Commensurate withhis rise in material power should be spiritual rise and a globalsense of responsibility stemming from higher moral standards.This is whv true education of character in enlightenedpatriotism and with paramount allegiance to humanity isnow more than ever a compelling necessity for the continuanceof life on this globe. Such education is needed thatwould steer away from engrossed self-interests and antagonisticpursuits of power and domination and would leadto international cooperation in peace and progress. Moreintensive education, therefore, is needed on the pattern andquality that William Weir followed in his academic life. I canonly wish that there were more Weirs in Cyprus and in theworld so that the gospel of true education could be spread tothe four corners of the globe.On behalf of my country I do wholeheartedly paytribute to William Weir for the remarkable work he hasperformed in Cvprus with outstanding dedication and integrity.Those who were privileged to know Dr. and MrsWeir will never cease to remember them with deep affectionand admiration. And mav I wish them many happy andproductive years in good health and in vigor as they are now.Larnaca Academy HeraldFEBRUARY 3, 1971 :i

Glimpses of the Religious WorldTHE IMMORALITY OF THE WARWhich war? Some folks seem to feel that this is thefirst generation in the United States of America when wehave had such revolt against the immorality of the war inwhich we as a country have engaged — unless, possibly, itwas the Mexican War, 1846-48. Possibly we would do wellto reread Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Addressduring the Civil War. It read in part:Both (combatants) read the same Bible andpray to the same God, and each invokes His aidagainst the other. It may seem strange that any menshould dare to ask a just God's assistance inwringing their bread from the sweat of other men'sfaces. But let us judge not that we be not judged.The prayer of both could not be answered; that ofneither has been answered fully. The Almighty hasHis own purposes. 'Woe unto the world because ofoffences; for it must needs be that offences come,but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh.'If we should suppose that American slavery is one ofthose offences, which, in the providence of God,must needs come, but which, having continuedthrough His appointed time, He now wills toremove, and that He gives to both North and Souththis terrible war as the woe due to those by whomthe offence came, shall we discern therein anydeparture from those divine attributes which thebelievers in a loving God always ascribe to Him?Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that thismighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yetif God wills that it continue until all the wealth piledby the bondman's two hundred and fifty years ofunrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every dropof blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by anotherdrawn with the sword, as was said three thousandyears ago, so still it must be said: 'The judgmentsof the Lord are true and righteous altogether.'Actually, there are enmities of long standing amongthe Vietnamese, the Laotians, and Cambodians in the FarEast, and between Jews and Arabs in the Near East, that, sofar as humans can see, can be settled neither by war or(peace) treaty. "From whence come wars and fightingsamong you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts thatwar in your members?"THE TIMOTHY SCHOOL CASE AGAINThe Chicago North Classis of the Christian ReformedChurch met in special assembly in November to considerSynod's direction to see to it that children of black parentswere not excluded from the Timothy Christian School (SeeGlimpses, 30 Dec. 1970, Cov. Wit.). The Lawndale CRCcongregation, members of which are largely responsible forRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014the Timothy School, was not represented at the specialmeeting, apparently because they chose not to participate inthe discussion of this matter.According to the Banner report, Classis acknowledgedits guilt and sorrow at not acting in accord with the directiveof Synod, "but did not declare that the practice of excludingblack covenant children from the Timothy Christian Schoolout of fear is disobedient to Christ." Classis decided to send apastoral letter to the School Board, urging it to end theexclusion, and called for public and private prayerthroughout the Classis area "to the end that the Holy Spiritwill enable us to manifest a true spirit of love and understanding."'' . Classis also decided to appoint a committee forthe purpose of negotiation. This committee is to call togetherrepresentatives of the Lawndale Church and Garfield Chapel,and representatives of the Timothy Christian School Boardto discuss the problems confronting each in regards to theeducation of black children."TWO BOOKS IN 1970 BY TOM SKINNERRalph Fasold, assistant professor of linguistics,Georgetown University, reviews these two books, Words ofRevolution and How Black Is the Gospel? in ChristianityToday. He describes Skinner's style of writing as "vivid,free-wheeling." An illustration he gives from one of thebooks indicates that it is all of that. "Barabbas is pictured asa violent insurrectionist hurling Molotov cocktails into thehomes of the honky Romans and Uncle Tom Jews. Christ isa revolutionary who agrees with Barabbas about the evil andoppressiveness of the Roman occupation and, by extension,with the Black Panthers, the Yippies, and the SDS about theoppressiveness of our own system. Where Christ disagreedwith Barabbas, and would disagree with today's radicals, isin the solution. The solution does not lie in the violentoverthrow of the corrupt system — this would all too likelylead to the establishment of another system equallycorrupt."Doubtless many readers of the Covenanter Witnesshave read Skinner's Black and Free, or possibly have heardhim in person or his associate, Wm. Pannell (Did you knowthat he has been named to the Board of Trustees of FullerTheological Seminary?). Black and Free is excellent inconvicting whites of continuing injustice toward blacks, butto suggest any kind of "agreement" between Jesus andBarabbas seems not the way to bring conviction to Barabbas -like individuals. Jesus no doubt "agreed" with some thingsheld by the scribes and Pharisees, ' 'these things ought ye tohave done,'' but I don't recall reading that He stressed themin order to win Pharisees.4 COVENANTER WITNESS

News from the Cyprus MissionRev. T M. Hutcheson Writes:Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Edgar have been spending severalmonths with their daughter, Mrs. Mary Economou, at PortElizabeth, South Africa. Mary had her baby, born onDecember 19, 1970. This is their third son, whom they havenamed "Thomas." Mr. Edgar will be leaving South Africa,January 15, for England, and will fly to New York, arrivingabout February 6. After attending the Foreign MissionBoard meeting he will be doing deputation work, andvisiting relatives, while on furlough.Twenty-eight persons joined in our communionservice, in Nicosia, on November 29. Two new memberswere received into our church at that time. They areLeonidis Pantelides and Miss Chrystalla Mercouri, both ofNicosia. Harold Hutcheson, who has been working inGreece, was also able to attend the communion services,while spending his Thanksgiving vacation in Cyprus.The three couples of the Christian Corps for Cyprus,Mr. and Mrs. Don Piper, Mr. and Mrs. William Edgar, andMr. and Mrs. Ron Stegall, spent one week of their Christmasvacation in Israel as tourists. They report an interesting trip.The Mission group were entertained on ChristmasDay, in Larnaca, this year. Dinner and a gift exchange washeld at the Hutchesons' home, and tea in the evening washeld at the Sandersons' home. Mrs. Wm. Edgar, Mrs.Sanderson, and Mrs. Hutcheson were in charge of the meals.At Thanksgiving time we had dinner at the Wilsons' home,in Nicosia, and tea at the Stegalls' home. The women ofDear Friends:We have learned a lot since arriving in Cyprus this pastJuly. The Lord is really working here in a mighty way andwe are thankful to be a part of His work on this island.As many of you know we had difficulty getting visaswhen we were leaving for Cyprus. As a result we had tocome as teachers only, rather than half-time teachers andmissionaries. Don teaches full time, science, biology, andBible, while I am only teaching two Bible classes a day.According to the government, we are not permitted to doany other work, since our visas are only for teaching.However Don preaches, I spend many hours in counseling,and we are both helping in instructing for church membership.With our teaching load this has kept us quite busy.In Nicosia, the Academy girls are divided into sixdifferent Bible study groups, all led in Greek by six of themore mature Christian girls. There is also a group at theEnglish school, led by a young man, Leon, who recentlyjoined the Reformed Presbyterian Church here. We meetwith these leaders each week and help in planning theirNicosia all shared in furnishing the food for the day. Wewere glad to have Rev. and Mrs. Gene Ammon, (RuthMitchell), of Alexandria, Egypt, join us in our ChristmasDav fellowship.The Christian Youth Fellowships have been veryactive, this fall and winter. They have their regular meetingson Sabbath morning, in Nicosia, and in the afternoon, inLarnaca. They have had two parties, one in September andone in November, which were well attended. The LarnacaSabbath School have had two social evenings of fellowship.The first was a covered dish supper, in October, which waswell attended and enjoyed by all. The second was an informalsocial time, the first week of January, at which over 60persons attended, including four from Nicosia.Both American Academies have had a goodenrollment, this year, under the Principalship of Miss RuthReade, in Nicosia, and Mr. Kenneth Sanderson, in Larnaca.Neither school has a boarding house this year. Our ChristianFellowship groups are quite active, under the sponsorship ofour missionaries.Mr. and Mrs. Kyriakos Kattou Louca, now students inCharles University, in Prague, write that they are workinghard. They write: "We are quite well and we can't complainfor the Lord is always answering our prayers." Theyreceive the Covenanter Witness and enjoy reading it.Sincerely yours,T . M . HutchesonA Letter from Mrs. Donald Pipermeetings. These young people need our prayers, for theyhave a great responsibility and so far they have been verymature in accepting this responsibility.I have been so impressed with the young Christiansthat we have been working with. Their enthusiasm forChrist is greater than I have ever seen at their age. Theyboldly witness in many difficult situations. They show a reallove for Christ and stand up for Him, even when it meansgetting beaten by parents or persecuted by friends. Theyhave taught me a lot in the few months that we have beenhere.We saw much of Cyprus when we first arrived thissummer. The old villages, winding streets, and ancient ruinshave been fascinating to us. But Nicosia is a fairly moderncity, so we have not had any great cultural shock.It is good to be serving Christ in Cyprus, since we arecertain God wants us here at this time. We appreciate yourprayers and your continued concern for us.In Christ,Boni PiperFEBRUARY 3, 1971 5

Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson:American AcademyLarnaca, CyprusDecember 29, 1970Dear Friends,Best wishes for a most happy and blessed 1971 — onewhich is honoring to our Lord in all things.We've enjoyed hearing from many of you alreadyduring the holidays and expect to hear from more yet.Christmas cards from the U.S. begin to arrive early inDecember and last year they continued to come throughFebruary. I think this was partly due to the shipping strikewhich delayed mail.You may have noticed in the heading that this letter iscoming from Larnaca, which is our home now. This is atown of about 20,000, on the south coast of Cyprus, abouttwenty-six miles from Nicosia, our former home.I suppose if I were asked to summarize in two words1970, I would say, "responsibility and change." In early1970 the principal of the Nicosia Academy, Miss RuthReade, left for furlough in the States, so Kenneth took overthe management of the school there We've been in thatschool since we came to Cyprus in 1959, so were wellacquainted with the whole system. Therefore whileit meantmore responsibility added on to his regular classes,it didn'tentail great change.In late 1969, our Board asked Kenneth to act asprincipal of the Larnaca Academy while Mr. Thomas Edgarwent on furlough, but we weren't at all eager to move herefor various reasons. For one thing, we go home next July forour furlough and we weren't anxious to move our furniturefor one year only. We liked our work in Nicosia and didn'twant to leaveit and our friends there. Most of all Ken wasn'tanxious to take over the management of a new and strangeschool without even having been on the staff to knowsomething about its inner workings. Also we didn't want togive up our part-time Greek study, which we've had to dohere for lack of time. So in spite of all our seemingly good andlogical reasons as to why we shouldn't be here, or otherswho could do the work better, here we are.In mid-July our mission staff was enlarged by thecoming of the Don Pipers and Bill Edgars, the former forNicosia and the latter for Larnaca. Pipers were our guests fora week or so. while they hunted an apartment in Nicosia.After they moved to their apartment, we got busy househuntingin Larnaca. After three rather discouraging trips,the fourth one proved the "charm" and we found a housewhich was satisfactory. It is about five minutes walk from theschool and has a garden, so I am again having the joy ofraising flowers.On August 7, we were up early, ready for the moverswhom we'd asked to come at 7:30, hoping to move before itgot too hot. Well, we waited and w-a-i-t-e-d and after several6phone calls and a trip down to the office to see why theydidn't come, they finally arrived about 11:15 and we wereon our way about 1:30. Each time they assured us theywould be there in fifteen minutes, or were just ready tocome, but such is the East. We merely had our stuff set inthe house that day and left for Troodos, seventy-five milesaway and 5000 feet higher. Our Academy Camp had openedand conferences would soon be starting, so there was workthere to be done as well. Anyway, Larnaca is too hot andhumid in August for anyone to enjoy setting uphousekeeping if it can be avoided. Tom Edgar didn't leaveuntil mid-September, so he could carry on in Larnaca.Following three good conferences on Troodos, wereturned to Larnaca on the first of September and slowly gotsettled in.Nicosia school has around 400 girls enrolled and thisone just over 500 boys and girls, from 6th grade throughhigh school, but the discipline problems seem many foldmore, sometimes almost infinite, Ken thinks. We are thankfulfor the invaluable help of Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Hutchesonwho are old pros here and who give unstintingly oftheir time and energy in solving the many problems thatarise.We would ask your prayers as Ken feels the weight ofresponsibility and we see so many needing and asking forspiritual help. We plan to leave for furlough sometime inJuly, so hope to be seeing many of you in the fall. Again,best wishes for a happy New Year.Your sincere friends,Marjorie and Kenneth SandersonGOOD MEMORY RULESForget each kindness you do as soon as you do it;Forget the praise that falls to you the moment youhave won it;Forget the slander that you hear before you repeatit;Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer, whereveryou may meet it.Remember every kindness done to you what'er itsmeasure;Remember praise by others won and pass it on withpleasure;Remember every promise made and keep it to theletter;Remember those who lend you aid and be a gratefuldebtor;Remember all the happiness that comes your way inliving;Forget each worry and distress, be hopeful andforgiving;Remember good, remember truth, rememberheaven's above you,And you will find, through age and youth that manyhearts will love you. _ Cappers WeeklyCOVENANTER WITNESS

Urbana'70 Missionary Conventionby John Purvis and fanDunnWhile most students vacationed over Christmas,12,000 college students from all over the world merged onthe campus of the University of Illinois for the 9th UrbanaMissionary Convention. Sponsored by the Inter-VarsityChristian Fellowship of the United States and Canada, thisintensive four days of dialogue on missions brings togetherstudents and missionaries in order to reach a greater understandingof the role of missions in our modern world.Under a strenuous schedule of lectures, classes andsmall group discussions, students and missionaries grappledwith the issues of racism, internationalism, and modernmissions. Each morning, students met in groups of ten forBible Study, searching out what God was saying to thempersonally. Then they gathered in the largest assembly hallon any campus in the U. S. to listen to world leaders inChristian missions expound on the Scriptures and on internationalwork.Samuel Escobar challenged students to ' 'recognize ourLord and Savior before whose name every knee should bowand be obedient. Let us not try to save our status in thisrotten, affluent society....! Let us leave it behind us if we arecalled to do so." Again and again throughout the conference,stress was placed on separating Christianity andAmericanism. Missions is the proclamation of the gospel,not the spreading of western culture.Speakers such as Tom Skinner dealt harshly with thefailure of the church to assume the leadership in solving therace problem in America. In a very lucid talk on blackhistory in America, Skinner pointed out some grave areas ofinequality and challenged Christian students to becomepersonally involved in their own communities in rightingthese situations. Groups of black students met late into thenight with Skinner, discussing the role of a black student intoday's militant black population.One of the best received lectures given at the conferencewas Paul Little's talk on "How to Know the Will ofGod for your Life." Exploding the old idea of God, the"cosmic kill-joy," Mr. Little integrated Scripture withpersonal illustrations to show how God's will was a joyfulexperience for an individual. He said that the phrase —"surrender to the will of God" has such negative connotations,as if a person has fought, and wrestled, and run,and now is finally caught, and gives in to the will of God.Mr. Little used instead the phrase "affirm the will of God,which he defined as agreeing with, choosing, confirming,John Purvis and Jan Dunn attend the Indianapolis R. PChurch. Patricia Braum arranged for this report at theeditor's request.asserting positively. He described the will of God as a scrollthat unrolls daily, and not a blue print that God lays beforeus all at one time. Students came away from his talk resolvedto affirm God's will for their lives on a daily basis.Rev. John R. W. Stott's exposition of John 13-17 wasan insight into Christ's thinking as He revealed to Hisdisciples His innermost thoughts. In John 13, which hetitled "The Foot-washing Lord and Savior," he stressedthat the foot-washing demonstrated the mission of Christ onearth (serving), the salvation He offers and the mutual loveHe expects. "Love is not sentiment as much as service." InJohn 14 and 16, which he titled "The Two Comings ofChrist," he described Christ's Ultimate Coming (14:25-26, 16:8-15). In John 15 which he titled "The Three-foldChristian Duty" he discussed the Christian's duty to Christfruitfulness,to one another-love, to the world and ambassadors."Discipleship means allegiance to the sufferingChrist." In John 17, which he titled "The Son CommunicatingDirectly with the Father,"Hediscussed Himselfglorified, the apostles sanctified, and the whole churchunified. "The goal is the unity that consummated ineternity."In an evening message, Leighton Ford brought backinto clear focus the fact that man is perishing, and themotivation this fact should have on missions. He said thatour society has begun to believe "all men are doomed to besaved." Tracing various passages of Scripture, Ford built hiscase on the very fact of sin and its consequences. ' 'If we getstraightened out on this sinfulness and final judgment ofman, we will straighten out this false diocotomy we havemade between social concern and saving souls."Each afternoon during the conference, students couldspend individual time with representatives of over 170mission boards. The various boards each had a booth set upin the Armory and had representatives available to talk withstudents about job opportunities overseas. A computerservice had processed 5,000 applications to the conference,and matched up the interests of these five thousand studentswith 125,000 job opportunities they had collected fromthese mission boards. As the students registered, they weregiven a computer printout sheet listing five job openingsthey qualified for. This kind of information helped studentsmake definite progress toward yoing overseas.Probably the most impressive experience of theconference occurred on New Year's Eve. All 12,000delegates gathered from 10:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. torcommunion. As 1971. with all of its problems andchallenges, rolled in at midnight, each individual at theSec Page 9FEBRUARY 3, 1971 /

Sabbath evening message at the Carleton ConferenceGod has a great program for the evangelizationof the world. This program stretches out through allages, reaches to all nations, and involves all classesof people. It is an extremely costly program, for itcost God the life of His own Son. It is a great programof love — unfathomable love for defiled,defiant, depraved sinners. This great enterprise isa tremendous task, requiring many workers, muchtime, and tremendous energy. Jesus calls this agreat HARVEST.In this great mission of mercy our Lord haschosen to use men. He could have spoken daily fromthe mountain as He spoke to Moses, warning mento take heed with His great thunder and lightningand the shaking of the earth. He could have writtenHis message in the sky or on the walls of our homesas in Daniel's day. He could have sent an angel toevery man as He sent the angels to Lot. He couldhave even used beasts to speak, for He spoke in thisway to Baalim. But He didn't. God chose mainly toreveal His great program of mercy through men.He chose to use men to manifest His great love toa sinful and dying world. He chose to redeem menand through them to make known the salvationpurchased by Christ. He has made us ambassadorsof Christ, stewards of the Gospel, messengers of theKing. What a great privilege! We serve the greatestEmployer. We are in the greatest of all organizations.We are involved in the most tremendousprogram conceivable. We are entrusted with thetask of bringing mercy, peace, hope, and joy to aworld full of despair and dread.Three times Jesus speaks of this great enterprise,but each time with a little different emphasis. Thefirst that we will consider is Luke 10:1-2. Jesusappointed seventy men and sent them into everytown where He expected to go. Then He said, "Theharvest truly is great, but the laborers are few:pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that hewould send forth laborers into his harvest." As westudy the context of this passage we see that —I. God Wants Men who will Deny Themselves andEndure Hardship for Christ.In Luke 9:51-56 we read that Jesus steadfastlyset His face to go to Jerusalem. He was going toGod Wants MenRev. Gene W. Spear, Kobe, JapanScripture: Luke 9:57—20:24.face the blasphemy, the malice, the cunning hypocrisyof the Jews. Even along the way He wasrejected by the Samaritans. James and John wantedto call down fire from heaven. But Jesus bore it allvery meekly. It is difficult to be rejected, reproached,rebuffed, and yet remain messengers of mercy.In Luke 10:57-58 we read of a man who cameand said, "Lord, I will follow thee whithersoeverthou goest." But Jesus explained, "Foxes have holes,and birds of the air have nests: but the Son of manhath not where to lay his head." It is hot so easyto follow Christ as this man thought.When Jesus commanded another man to followHim, the man said, "Lord suffer me first to go andbury my father." But Jesus replied, "Let the deadbury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdomof God." Serving Christ sometimes involves forsakingfather or mother or family or friends.Another man said, "Lord I will follow thee, butlet me first go bid them farewell, which are at homeat my house." But Jesus replied, "No man, havingput his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fitfor the kingdom of God." The task is so importantthat there can be no looking back or turning backeven temporarily.When Jesus sent the seventy out to preach Hetold them in only a few words what to expect. "Goyour ways," He said, "behold, I send you forth aslambs among wolves." And what do wolves do tolambs?But Christ did not send these men out helplessand alone. Daily He was with them providing fortheir physical and spiritual needs. He even gavethem authority to kick off the dust of their feetagainst any city that did not receive Him. He alsotold them, "He that heareth you, heareth Me, andhe that despiseth you, despiseth Me." What a tremendousauthority! What a terrific responsibility!And Christ's provision and power were sufficient.These men came back rejoicing greatly and saying,"Lord, even the devils are subject unto us throughthy name."Yes, the task is very great. It is too great for us.But when we die to ourselves and live with Christ,when we trust His promise, "Lo I am with you al-COVENANTERWITNESS

ways, even unto the end of the world," then Hisgrace is sufficient for us.II. God Wants All Christian Men to Serve Him.In a second passage in which Jesus speaks aboutthe great harvest the emphasis seems to be on theneed for a great many workers. In Matthew 9:35-38we read that Jesus went about to all the cities andvillages teaching, preaching, and healing the sick.There seems to be special emphasis on the fact thatthere were multitudes and on the fact that thesepeople were in dire need. "They fainted and werescattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."Today, around the world the need for the gospelis tremendous. Of the approximately three billionpeople in the world the majority are yet in darkness.In Japan alone two million die each year withoutChrist. With the population explosion this multitudeis growing greater each year.In the United States in the last nine years thepopulation has increased approximately 12.6 percent.But church attendance has declined from 49per cent in 1968 to 43 per cent in 1969. In 1968, asurvey of the influence of religion on American lifeindicated that 67 per cent of the people feel thatreligion is losing its influence in America. TheBible is not taught in the public schools and nottaught much in the homes. Young people don't knowwhere to turn. Despair creeps as a dark shadow overthe nation. "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley ofdecision, for the day of the Lord is near in the valleyof decision" (Joel 3:14).How many are there to minister to thesemultitudes? Missionary statistics are somewhatencouraging. The number of American and Canadianmissionaries increased from 27,219 in 1960 to33,270 in 1968, an increase of 22 per cent. In thesame period evangelical missionaries increased 28per cent, and a rapidly increasing proportion of allNorth American missionaries are evangelicals. Butstill, in a country like Japan there is only one missionaryto every 20,000 at best and in some areas,one missionary to every 200,000 people.What about theological students and ministers?Not long ago the principal of a theological schoolin Africa said, "We have a church of 50,000 baptizedbelievers, doubling every twelve years, and yet forthe last five years we have been graduating anaverage of only nine and a half ordained pastorsper year." In South America it is the same. Of 16,000Brazilian pastors less than a third have receivedany form of Bible school or seminary training. Inall of South America there are about 75,000 churchFEBRUARY 3, 1971leaders, but only one in five has had theologicaltraining.In America there was almost no increase in thenumber of students enrolling in seminaries lastyear. Many who did enroll attended liberal seminarieswhere they will not learn the truth.What about our own church's leadership? Dr.Willson kindly gave me some information aboutthe seminary. We have had 26 Covenanter studentsenrolled in the seminary in the last ten years. Ofthose fifteen have graduated. Two have gone toother denominations, two are in work other thanthe pastorate, and one graduate plans to do graduatestudy. This boils down to about ten ministers sentinto the pastorate in ten years. That is not enough!A rough count through the Minutes of Synod showsthat about fifteen congregations are without apastor. Cyprus and Japan are both calling for aminister. In Japan the staff is only a fraction ofwhat it used to be. Why don't we have enoughChristian leaders? We don't have enough elders,deacons, Sabbath school teachers, and just plainhard workers. Pastors are over-worked, Sabbathschool teachers would like to trade off and study awhile, all church officers feel the need for morehelp.The cause of this lack of leadership is that wehave not been earnest enough in our desire to havegood leadership. We have been too negligent aboutpraying for leaders who now lead and for morelaborers in the harvest. "Ye have not because yeask not." Communism comes like a great tidalwave, secularism engulfs the school, heathen religions,superstition, and spiritism begin to fill ourcountry but we haven't enough leaders to maintainthe present church as we should. What do we needin this country now? More money, more armament,more cars, more luxury, more industry? No! Theneed now is for more dedicated servants of Christwho will humbly and willingly deny themselves toglorify Christ. The harvest is great, but the laborersare few. I beseech you to love and teach and trainleaders of all kinds in the church. I beseech youevery one to develop your leadership abilities sothat you can serve Christ with all the talents Hehas given you.(To be continued)URBANA CONVENTION. From Page 7conference committed himself personally to Jesus Christ asLord and to the job of reaching the world with the Word olGod and the proclamation of the gospel. The conferenceended immediately after the communion service and one byone. the various chartered buses, trains and planes begancarrying students back to the real battle.9

The Children's CFounded on factGOPAL FINDS THE THIEVESBy Amelia O. StottFrom last weekGopal slept in a little room with Loti which was nearthe courtyard door and opened on to the street. As a rulenothing ever awakened him till their mother loudly announcedthe coming of the day and flung cold water on hisface. Tonight, however, Gopal fell asleep only to wake andfind the moonlight streaming through the small square holewhich served as a window. Through it he could see thecourtyard and everything as plainly as if it were daylight. Helay half awake, half dreaming of the wonderful new life in thecity to which they might all be going so soon. Then in a flashhe found himself wide awake listening, for he heard a strangescraping, cutting noise not far from the window. Getting upfrom his charpoy ("string bed") without disturbing hissister he crept over to the window. Then came the sound ofsoft whispers, "Who sleeps there? Look quick, and see!"He flattened himself low against the wall as a head filled thewindow space. Happily Loti was snoring loudly. Then theman vanished, and Gopal shivered with fear.He knew the voice belonged to one of the men he hadseen in the dark archway, and now they had come to steal hisfather's money. They were dacoits (armed robbers), andwould possibly kill or wound him if he gave the alarm. Nowthey had begun to cut through the wall into his father'sroom. Gopal opened the door softly and peered out, his heartbeating wildly. "O Jesus, give me strength-of-heart," heprayed. "My father says Christians are weak-of-spirit. Helpme to show him you can make me brave."There was no time to lose, for the dacoits were alreadyentering the room. Across the courtyard were rooms occupiedby some relatives, but, how could Gopal get overwithout being seen, as one thief was standing by his father'swindow? Waiting till the man turned slightly, Gopal dashedover, flinging himself against the opposite door as he calledout, "Dacoits! Dacoits!" A big lame crow, a family pet, ina tree above added to his frantic cries. Oh! would they neveropen the door? thought Gopal as he saw the thieves tumblingout and making toward him. Just as they reached him,the house door was swung open and his uncle and cousinscame rushing out. The dacoits just managed to get away,without stealing anything."Truly, my son, you have saved your father tonight.The money means almost our last hope, for had it beenstolen I could never have got enough together to buy theshop in Madras. You showed a brave spirit, and I am proudof my son," said his father, and Gopal looked very happy."I, too, rejoice, my father, but it was God who helpedme to throw off my fears, for my heart trembled like a leaf.""Yet thou didst not obey them, my son; truly, the'Jesus religion' must be better than I thought, if it can makeeven a small, weak boy act like a lion. I shall read your bookon my long journey which, but for you, my son, I should nothave been able to take."Gopal joyfully lent his New Testament, and while heprayed at home his father carefully read it on his way. Soonafter Gopal's father was baptized and became a faithfulChristian.The Sunday School TimesTHE PRODIGAL SONJames Porter*In a beautiful home high on a hillLived a prodigal son; slaves do his will.He said to himself, "Why am I here?Should I live in this world so mere?"He asked of his father his inheritance claim,And set out to make his fortune and fame.But after a while of riotous runHis money was gone; so was his fun.A hog pen is where he then made his home.He ate of their corn, their meal, and their loam.Till then he thought, "It seems not right,My father's slaves are all full tonight.""And here I am in pens of hogs,I eat with the cattle, the sheep, and the dogs.I must go home and be a servant,To be a son I'm not deservant."He did so and his father said,"My son's alive, who once was dead.Bring a calf that we may kill,My son must now his stomach fill."His other son was standing nearAnd said, "But Father, I've stayed here."Tenderly his father did sound;"My son was lost, but now is found."* James Porter, Denison, Kansas is a junior in HoltonHigh School.10 COVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of February 28, 1971—*Sabbath SchoolLessonfor February 28,1971RICH TOWARD GOD:Luke 12:13-21; Matt. 6:19-21Comments by John K. GaultThe words of Jesus, "rich towardGod," which are found in this lesson,imply, as our catechism tells us in answerto the first question, "Man's chief end is toglorify God and enjoy him forever." In ICorinthians 6:19,20 Paul says, "Whatknow ye not that your body is the temple ofthe Holy Ghost which is in you, which yehave of God, and ye are not your own? Forye are bought with a price; therefore,glorify God in your body, and in your spiritwhich are God's." People become richthrough inheritance, resourcefulness, orwork. When they become children of Godthey fall in line to inherit the heavenlyriches and they should be resourceful inworking for the building of the kingdom ofGod. Jesus would have people invest theirtime and their talents in such a way thatthe will of God may be done. He said, "Butseek ye first the kingdom of God and hisrighteousness and all these things shall beadded unto you."1: People Should Be Most ConcernedAbout their Spiritual Inheritance.Jesus was teaching this truth whenone of the bystanders rudely broke intoHis spiritual conversation with the requestwhich was personal and concerned hisworldly desires. The Master had beenconversing with His friends around Himconcerning the necessity of not being"afraid of them that kill the body and afterthat have no more that they can do."Rather should they "fear him, which afterhe hath killed hath power to cast intohell." He counseled them to put their trustin God who takes note of even fivesparrows which are sold for two farthings.Jesus also warned His hearers of theheinousness of the sin of "blasphemingagainst the Holy Ghost," which sin wouldnot be forgiven. Then one of the companyinterrupted Jesus' remarks with hisselfish request. It was quite probable thatthis man was the younger son of the familyand the older son had inherited a doubleportion of the family estate, as the lawallowed. But Jesus replied to the man'srequest, "Man, who made me a judge or adivider over you?" Jesus could havesettled civil disputes but that was not whatHe came into the world to do. He was not ajudge nor a lawyer in matters dealing withmaterial things. If the man had askedJesus, honestly and sincerely, how toenter the kingdom of heaven Jesus wouldhave gladly informed him; but instead Hegave him a stern warning. The man hadbrought his case before the wrong judge.2: It Is Folly to Make the Gaining ofPossessions the Passion of One's Life.Jesus said, "Take heed, and bewareof covetousness; for a man's life consisted!not in the abundance of the thingswhich he possesseth." The younger sonwho requested Jesus to divide theinheritance was covetous because helonged for something which belonged toanother. This avaricious spirit wasillustrated by the parable of the rich fool.Jesus said of him, "Thou fool."It is folly to have things just for thesake of having them. This rich man addressedhis soul by saying, "Soul, thouhast much goods laid up for many years."The value of anything lies in the use whichis made of it. As long as possessions are"laid up" they are of no use to anybody.Boards piled in a lumber yard are laid up.As long as they are not used in the buildingof a house they are without value. Thelumber dealer desires, very much, to sellhis "laid up" boards to a builder who willplace them on end or on edge in thebuilding process.This big farmer of Jesus' parablefailed to realize that his bountiful cropwhich was stored away, was perishable aswas also his own life. He labored under thedelusion that he was going to live for manyyears. If this man had been a real studentof Scripture he would have learned fromPsalm 103 what God said about humanlife, "As for man his days are as grass: asa flower of the field, so he flourisheth. Forthe wind passeth over it, and it is gone;and the place thereof shall know it nomore." All material substance isperishable. The rich man of this parablethought of himself as a "big shot" whowould live for many years, as is indicatedby his repeated use of the personalpronoun. Any person is foolish who thinksmostly of himself.Material possessions cannot changeGod's set time for human life. ThePsalmist said in Psalm 31:15, "My timesare in thine hand." This rich man wasvery foolish because he lived under thedelusion that he was going to live a longtime, but instead the end of his life wasnear at hand. "God said unto him, Thoufool, this night thy soul shall be required ofthee: then whose shall those things be,which thou hast provided?" Every personwho leaves God out of account in makingplans for his life is a very foolish person. Itis God who determines the times and theseasons. He is in full control of everycircumstance of the universe. "He countsthe number of the stars and names themevery one." Even the very hairs of ourheads are all numbered" and a sparrowdoes not fall to the ground without ourFather. How foolishit is for anyone topresume to live his life without taking Godinto account. Every purpose of life should,therefore, be conditioned upon the will ofGod. To do otherwise is folly.3: One Should Keep His ValuablePossessions in a Safe Place.In Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus speaks ofthese valuable possessions as a treasure.There are forces of disintegration in theworld. A moth is a small insect but it hasthe power to ruin a wool coat hung up inthe closet. When Jesus was in the worldthose who made things out of iron didn'tknow about stainless steel and so all metalobjects were subject to corrosion. Thenthere are the human vandals. The"thieves break through and steal." Inevery issue of the local paper there is thereport of homes and garages having beenburglarized and valuable articles such asappliances and tools stolen. Where is asafe place for our valuables? It is evidentthatit is not in the world for there forces ofdisintegration are every place. If nature,insects, or thieves do not lower the valueof our possessions there is the everpresentgrinding effect of taxes whichcontinue to rise and many people areforced to sell their homes.FEBRUARY 3, 1971 11

Real treasures, therefore, are notmaterial possessions but they arespiritual. In his list of beatitudes, whichare treasures, Jesus did not name onematerial form of riches. All were of aspiritual nature. In I Peter 1:5-8 thatapostle presents a list of spiritualtreasures which are to be added to one'sfaith and not one of them is of a materialwealth.4: One Will Love that which HeConsiders to Be the most Valuable.Jesus said, "For where your treasureis there will your heart be also." One'saffections will, therefore, reside in thatwhich he values the most. The heart wasconsidered the seat of one's affections.When people place more value on materialpossessions than they do on spiritualpossessions, of which the will of God iscomposed, they then indicate that theylove the world more than they love God.Jesus described His second coming inMatthew 25:31-40. "And he shall set thesheep on his right hand, but the goats onthe left. Then the King shall say unto themon his right hand, Come ye blessed of myFather inherit the kingdom prepared foryou from the foundation of the world." Theones on His right hand inherited akingdom because they had been "richtoward God." The "unsearchable riches ofChrist" can belong to every one who seeksto do the will of God and those are theriches which one should seek to lay up."Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior Topicfor February 28,1971HEZEKIAH, THE GOODUnit: Later Old Testament DaysMrs. Herbert A. HaysPsalms: 46:1,2,5,6; p. 118 — MemoryPsalm; 56:3,8,9; Walk before God; 26:1-3,6, p. 61; Walking in truth; 5:1,2,3, p. 8;Prayerfulness.Memory verse: Romans 8:31b — "IfGod be for us who can be against us?"General references: II Kings 16:20;18:9; 19:3; 20:1; 10:21.Hezekiah's father, King Ahaz, was awicked king. There were only a few peopleleft in the land of Judah. Almost fromevery family someone had been killed inbattle, or had been taken to a far away12country. The few people who were left inJudah were very sad and unhappy.Hezekiah's father had led the peopleinto sin. Although Hezekiah's father waswicked, his mother had been a goodwoman, the daughter of a prophet. Shehad brought up Hezekiah to know theLord. King Ahaz died and Hezekiah wasking.When Hezekiah began his reign, hesought the Lord. God was with him, and heprospered in whatever he did.The Temple had become dirty andfilthy because it had been closed. Therewere no sacrifices there during the reignof Ahaz. Hezekiah gathered together allthe priests and all the Levites and toldthem to clean the Temple. Yes, the peoplehad forgotten God, so God forgot them andforsook them. But Hezekiah did his verybest to bring the people back again to thetrue worship.King Hezekiah revived the feast ofthe Passover. The people were so happy tohave the Passover kept again, that whenthe first seven days were up they decidedto continue the happy time for anotherweek. There was great joy in Jerusalem,for since the time of King Solomon therehad not been such a feast. Another thingKing Hezekiah did was to cause the peopleto bring to the Temple a tenth of all theircorn and wine and oil, and whatever elsethey raised. How happy the people musthave been to find the Lord again. We arehappy to be able to attend our churchesevery Sabbath. I am sure you would notwant to have the privilege of attendingSabbath School and Church taken awayfrom you, would you?Cleaning the Temple, reviving theFeast of the Passover, and helping thepeople return to the Lord were only a fewof the good things King Hezekiah did forthe people.After Hezekiah had been king forfourteen years, the king of Assyria, KingSennacherib, threatened the people ofJudah. The people were afraid. KingHezekiah did not give up. It took greatfaith, to trust in the Lord to save thepeople. He knew that if God was with themno enemy could overtake them no matterhow great the enemy was in strength andpower.Hezekiah built up all the wall aroundJerusalem, where it had been brokendown. He made it much higher, and heplaced a second wall outside the first one.He spoke encouragingly to the leaders andsaid, "Do not be afraid of the king ofAssyria, nor of all his soldiers. He mayhave more help, but we have the Lord ourGod to help us and to fight our battles."One of Sennacherib's generals saidthat the people's God would not help them.He continued to say that the people shouldnot be deceived in allowing King Hezekiahto persuade them that their God will savethem.King Hezekiah prayed to God afterhe had received a letter from the king ofSennacherib that said that no God hadever been able to save his people fromKing Sennacherib, nor ever would be ableto save them.God did hear Hezekiah's prayer.That night, the angel of the Lord went outand struck down one hundred eighty-fivethousand soldiers in the camp of theAssyrians. Yes, Hezekiah and the peoplerejoiced, but they knew who was on theirside. God and God alone can put down theenemy.We hope and pray that our Presidentwill ask God for wisdom and direction inruling this nation. May he know that allpower comes from above. There is nonegreater than God, no not one.We must do our part to help thisnation, too. Our prayers to God on behalfof our country will not go unanswered. Letus do our part.Prayer MeetingTopicfor March 3,1971The Prayer of David — Psalm 51by Rev. Jerrold S. MilroyThe title to this Psalm informs usthat David wrote it after Nathan had cometo him and rebuked him for his sin withBathsheba. It is most likely that thisPsalm was written during the yearfollowing his sin of adultery. The recordwould indicate that David was for thatperiod of time like one condemned, enduringmisery and suffering. Psalm 32 onthe other hand was written concerning thesame event, but describes the blessednessof forgiven sin. It was probably writtenafter David experienced the assurance ofGod's deliverance from sin.It would be well to read both IISamuel 11, 12 and Psalm 32 in connectionwith your study of Psalm 51 tonight.Notice in Psalm 51 the way in which Davidclearly is convicted of his sin and thenconfesses his sin to God without trying tolay the blame on others. In his prayer forforgiveness he also earnestly asks to beCOVENANTERWITNESS

estored in a right way before thepresence of God. In the second half of thePsalm (vv. 13-19) David then declareswhat he intends to do if and when Godforgives him. He also gives a remarkablyclear definition of what true worship is asdescribed by Jesus in John 4.Suggestions for the leader: In yourmeeting tonight try to make use ofeveryone who is present. For your Psalmsyou might ask some of the children tochoose a favorite. The following questionsfor discussion might be assigned as topics,but be sure to save plenty of time forprayer.1. Why do you suppose that Davidwould make such a public confession ofsin? Discuss what God said was one of themost serious consequences of this sin (IISam. 12:14a).2. What is David's view about Godand man (himself) as illustrated in thisPsalm (see especially vv. 1,3,4,6)?3. Consider the verbs that Daviduses to describe the forgiveness of sin invv. 1,2,7,9,10. What pictures might havebeen in his mind as he used thesedescriptions? What pictures do they bringto your mind? See also Lev. 14:1-9; Heb.10:17; II Cor. 5:17; Is. 1:18; Ez. 11:19,20.4. David knew the result of unconfessedsin (see Psalm 66:18). Considerhow he uses physical descriptions of theagony of unconfessed sin in Psalm 32:3,4.5. David also knew the joy offorgiven sin (see I John 1:9). Notice therelationship of the Holy Spirit to ourforgiveness and restoration in vv. 9-12.David seems to think of his cleansing asinvolving two things; forgiveness (v. 9)and then being made holy (vv. 10-12).What are the results of forgiveness in aperson's life? (vv. 12-15) Compare thiswith Peter's experience at Pentecost.6. Discuss David's concept of 'heartattitude' and 'true worship', (vv. 10,16,17)What is the application to our worshiptoday?Suggestions for Prayer: Rememberthat our purpose for meeting is not simplyto discuss, but also to PRAY. You mightwant to assign some of these items todifferent persons for prayer, but be sure togive all who wish an opportunity to pray.1. Pray for the new work that isbeing carried on in various presbyteries.2. Remember the needs of thosecongregations who have no pastor at thepresent time. The session and otherleaders have additional responsibilities atthis time.3. Pray for the students andprofessors at the seminary. Pray thatmore men might be led to hear andrespond to the call of God.4. Give opportunity for confessionof sin and personal requests for prayer.5. Spend some time listing somerequests for your congregation andcommunity. If a blackboard is availableyou might list some of these requests forall to see. For your congregationremember — a) the S.S. officers,teachers, students, and prospects;b) your plans for V.B.S.; c) your pastor,session, deacons, and other officers;d) any special plans of the congregation.For your community remember — a) tobe aware of the needs of those around youand ways you can meet them; b) youroutreach to the lost; c) your fellowshipwith other Christians. For yourpresbytery remember — a) your contactand relationship with othercongregations; b) your summer conference;c) any mission work and/or newwork. For the Church at large remember— a) the various boards and committeesof Synod; b) the mission work; c) thatGod will provide out of His riches meansfor raising Synod's Contributed Budget.W.M.S. TOPICfor March 1971Studies in the Sermon on the MountDr. Martyn Lloyd-JonesChapter 5Mrs. Dwight McElhinneyof Union Congregation, Mars, Pa.Psalm 51.Read Psalm 32."Blessed are they that mourn:for they shall be comforted."To the unbeliever this is a ridiculousstatement; to the Christian it is adistinguishing characteristic. The worldpursues pleasure and tries to avoidmourning. Yet the gospel declares,"Happy are they that mourn." In fact theyare the only really happy ones. Our Lordmade an even more striking statement:"Blessed are ye that weep now: for yeshall laugh." "Woe unto you that laughnow — for ye shall mourn and weep."Obviously, the meaning of this isspiritual and does not refer to any worldlyloss or tragedy. Nor does it call for anassumed piety or give the impression thatto be Christian is to be miserable. Some goto the opposite extreme of putting on anappearance of brightness and jovialitythat does not come from within.Since Christians are to be like Christ,let us look for this spirit of mourning inHim. We have no record that He everlaughed. Isaiah prophesied that "He was aman of sorrows and acquainted withgrief" and that His visage would be somarred that none would desire Him. In thegospels we find that these prophecies werefulfilled in detail. In John 11:35 we are toldthat He wept at the grave of Lazarus, andin Luke 19:41-44 that he wept overJerusalem. What a contrast this is to themodern-day image of a Christian.To explore further the interpretationof this Beatitude let us consider theapostle Paul, whom we are also toemulate. Romans 7:14-25 and II Corinthians5:1-13 give us some insight as to hischaracter in respect to mourning.Furthermore, Paul emphasizes thisin his letters to Timothy and Titus. Hewrites that "the aged men" are to be"sober, grave, and temperate." Even theyoung men are to be "sober-minded." Wefind no surface joviality in these words.What does all this mean? To mourn,we see, necessarily follows being "poor inspirit." As we contemplate the holiness ofGod and our inability to meet His perfectstandard, we mourn if we follow theapostle Paul and the teaching of the LordJesus Christ. This is not being morbid. Thetrue Christian goes even beyond this; healso mourns over the unhappiness, suffering,and sins of mankind. He realizesthat it is all because of sin, and he mourns.The unbeliever, on the other hand, has forhis motto, "Let us eat, drink, and bemerry."Now let us consider the other half ofthis Beatitude, "Blessed are they thatmourn, for they shall be comforted." Theperson who feels his guilt andhopelessness and repents through thework of the Holy Spirit will be led to theSavior. His sorrow for sin leads to joy andpeace. The Christian experiences thisthroughout his whole life. He also has "theblessed hope" which Paul describes inRomans 8:16-24, as he looks forward to the"new heavens and a new earth, whereindwelleth righteousness."What sort of person then is the onewho mourns 9 In the words of Dr. Martvn-Lloyd-Jones, "He is a sorrowful man, buthe is not a miserable man. He is a seriousman. but he is not a solemn man. He is asober-minded man. but he is not a sullenman. He is a grave man, but he is nevercold and prohibitive. There is with hisgravity a warmth and attraction. TheSee page 15FEBRUARY 3, 1971 13

NOTICEPacific Coast Presbytery is called tomeet at the Seattle ReformedPresbyterian Church, Wednesday,February 17, 1971, at 7:30 P.M.Seattle expects to dedicate their newbuilding on this occasion.ALLEGHENY CONGREGATIONThe months of 1970 have brought bothblessings and trials to people of Alleghenycongregation. One of the highlights of theyear was the coming of our new pastor,Paul M. Martin, to lead us. He and hisbride, the former Esther Elliott of Topeka,Kansas, arrived the first of October andare at home in the manse. They havequickly won a place in the hearts of thecongregation and we are thankful for theirconsecrated leadership.The Social Calendar during the fallmonths was unusually crowded, withPittsburgh Presbytery holding its fallmeeting in our church on October 24; aHalloween party sponsored by the SabbathSchool; the Ordination and Installationof our pastor on November 6with a lovely reception following; our fallthank offering service on Sabbathevening, November 8, with Mr. GeorgeMcEwen of Ireland as speaker; communionservices the second week ofNovember with the Rev. John H. White ofGeneva College assisting; the annualThanksgiving Day service, held this yearat the North Hills Church with our pastorbringing the message; Presbytery'sannual Psalm Sing at our church onNovember 27, under the leadership of MissCarol Spear and Miss Lynne Turk, withrefreshments following the program; andAN INVITATIONThe Denison, Kansas congregationplans to celebrate their 100thanniversary on August 7 and 8, 1971,the week end prior to Forest ParkConference.All friends and former membersand their families are encouraged toplan now to attend our celebration.our holiday party on December 30 — apotluck supper with games and moviesafterward.Last spring, Mrs. John M. Allen fellat her home, fracturing a hip. Many slowand discouraging months have followed inthe hospital, a nursing home, and later inthe home of their daughter; and at thiswriting she has returned to the hospital forfurther surgery. Our prayer is that Godwill sustain those close to her in theiranxiety, and that we may submit to Hiswill in all things.On December 16, we lost a valuedfriend and member when the Lord tookMr. Wilbur R. McWhinney. Although hewas unable to attend services at thechurch in the last months, he was faithfulat the services at the Home, where he andhis wife resided. To his loved ones we cantruly say we are glad he could be one of useven for a short time.At our fall communion, we welcomedinto our membership the Misses Rae andOsee Forsyth, residents of the R. P Home,from the Third Philadelphia congregation.Mr. Paul George is again at theUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, andMiss Barbara George has returned toGeneva College. We are glad to have ourown and other college and seminarystudents fellowship with us from time totime.Rev. and Mrs. Philip W. Martin havebeen visitors at the manse, along with Mr.Bruce Martin, who is a seminary student.We also welcomed Mrs. D. Howard Elliottto our morning worship service onDecember 27. The Rev. Mr. Philip Martinpreached at the evening service.LAWRENCE, KANSAS FELLOWSHIPNovember 14, 1970 was the scene of alovely wedding in which Mr. Pete Porterand Miss Myrna Little were married. Thiswas the first wedding performed in ourchurch building and we enjoyed being apart of the lovely evening.During the fall months we have beenprivileged to have several guest speakersfor our evening study hour. Rev. M. L.McFarland has been leading us in a Biblestudy of Romans in the worship hour onSabbath evenings followed by an hourSEATTLE R. P CHURCHTO DEDICATE NEW BUILDINGThe Seattle ReformedPresbyterian Church announces thededication of a new house of worship,on Thursday, February 18, 1971.Dedication sermon will be deliveredby Rev. Lester E. Kilpatrick, D.D.,minister of the First ReformedPresbyterian Church, Phoenix,Arizona. The address of the newchurch is as follows:6554 20th Avenue, NortheastSeattle, Washington 98115Pastor: Rev. Robert McMillan.shared with guest speakers. Mr. DarrellParnell from the Washburn University ofTopeka was with us four evenings. Thistime was most interesting to all the adultgroup of our Fellowship. One evening thechildren joined with us when Mr. Parnellshared some slides of God's wonderfulcreation.Mr. Joe McFarland also of Topekacame for two weeks and shared with us onthe subject "Education — For What?"These meetings proved to be most helpfulto us.We continue to be encouraged in thework here. We know that the Lord is atwork in many ways and it is exciting to seethe results of prayer and faithful work ofthe Fellowship. We continue to have manyvisitors. Some only for a time or two butmany remain faithful and join with us toworship regularly. We pray that the Lordwill use us of the Fellowship how ever Hewants and that we will be ready to followHis leading what ever it may be.Our WMS group and the men of theFellowship meet on the second Wednesdayof each month for an evening of study.After separate study groups we meettogether for coffee and cookies and a timeof sharing. We are finding this an enjoyabletime for all that can come.We were happy to have the Dr. RalphJohnson family worship with us on twooccasions during the Thanksgiving andChristmas season. We miss having themwith us very much but are happy that theyare making new friends and contacts intheir new home in Dallas, Texas.A group of young people attended andenjoyed the Winter Conferette in Hutchinson.Also some attended Urbanawhich is sponsered by Intervarsity.Mr. and Mrs. David Huston havewelcomed into their home a new baby girl.Little Heidi Leann has two brothers,14COVENANTERWITNESS

David and Christopher. Our Fellowship isreally enjoying having a tiny baby in ourgroup once again.We ask each of you to rememberplease our work here in Lawrence in yourprayer time during this new year.WILBUR R. McWHINNEYWilbur Raymond McWhinney wasborn in a sod house on a farm in Nuckoll'sCounty, Nebraska, on September 24, 1891,son of Samuel and Sarah Glasgow Mc­Whinney. He grew up in the old Beulahcongregation and became a communicantmember there in his teens.During his 79 years he lived in manydifferent parts of the country, butwherever it was, it was within the boundsof a Covenanter congregation, with onlyone or two exceptions.Two daughters were born to a firstmarriage. They, with three grandchildren,survive him.In 1955, he married Miss Jean Barr, aformer missionary to China. In 1967 theycame to take up residence at the ReformedPresbyterian Home in Pittsburgh,Pa. He was stricken only a few weeksbefore he went to be with the Lord onDecember 16, 1970. Services were held atthe Home with his pastor, Rev. Paul M.Martin, and the Superintendent, Rev.Melville W. Martin in charge, and burialwas in Pittsburgh.He is especially missed at the Home,where he had endeared himself to many,and where he had given cheerful servicemany times in the years when he was able.Since coming to the Home, he and his wifebrought their membership from the FirstPhoenix congregation to Alleghenycongregation. His wife is a shiningtestimony to God's grace and faithfulnessin these days of adjustment, and we praythat Mr. McWhinney's memory will beblessed to each of us who have known himand loved him.GENEVA PROFESSORSPREPARE PAPERS FORRACE RELATIONS CONFERENCEThree Geneva College professorshave written position papers for the NorthAmerican Conference on Race Relationsto be held March 2 to 5 in Chicago.Dr. David M. Carson, professor ofpolitical science, Rev. Joseph A. Hill,assistant professor of Bible, and Rev.John H. White, dean of religious servicesand assistant professor of Bible, eachhave written a paper setting forth theBiblical theological basis for a Christianview of race relations. Rev. Mr. White alsorepresented the Reformed PresbyterianChurch on the nine-member conferenceplanning committee.The conference is sponsored by theReformed Ecumenical Synod combiningseveral denominations from the Reformedand Presbyterian tradition in a venture inBiblical ecumenism. The 1971 conferenceis an implementation of a recommendationof the plenary session of theReformed Ecumenical Synod held in 1968in Lunteren, the Netherlands.The papers, a part of homework to beprepared by each of the several hundreddelegates expected to attend, will be thebasis for much of the discussion anddecisions to be made at the conference.QUINTER, KANSASMrs. Lee Craig passed away at theQuinter Hospital on October 1. She hadbeen in failing health for several months.Our sympathy is extended to her husbandwho resides in Quinter and to her sons,David and Byard Grimm, both of Wichita.Dr. Max Mann and Rev. RobertMcFarland attended the meeting ofMidwest Presbytery in Greeley, Colorado,on October 13 and 14.Our fall communion services wereheld October 23, 24, and 25. Rev. G. I.Williamson of Wichita was the assistant.Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Bender and Mr.Erroll Roberts were received into churchmembership as communicant members atthis time.Rev. David Patterson preached forus on November first while our pastorassisted with communion services inTopeka.Mr. and Mrs. R. W. McBurneyvisited the Robert Mann family inColorado Springs, the Scott Boyles in SanDiego, and Rhea Formans in Los Angelesin November.Joe Copeland, Max Mann, and ourpastor attended the meeting of ourNational Board of Evangelism inLafayette, Indiana, on November 19 and20.Our Thanksgiving Day service washeld in the church basement at 8:00 A.M.Coffee and doughnuts were served and asharing hour followed.Quinter was well represented at thePsalm Sing in Kansas City on November27.Miss Eleanor Faris was our ThankOffering speaker on December 2. Shebrought an inspiring message on ourmission work in Japan.Paul Copeland has been given atransfer of church membership to theSyracuse, New York, congregation.Rev. Paul White preached for us onDecember 27 while our pastor and hisfamily were on vacation.The annual New Year's dinner washeld on Tuesday evening, December 29.Many holiday visitors were in attendance.An interesting and entertaining programwas presented under the leadership ofMrs. Royce Chestnut.Mr. Walter Ikenberry is again apatient in Quinter Hospital.A bridal shower honoring SharonGraham was held in the church basementon Saturday, January second.The Sylvia Society held their annualChristmas dinner and party at the SamChestnut home on December 18.Sharon Graham and Jim Feltis weremarried in the Messiah Lutheran Churchin Hays on January 9 at 7:30 P.M. Both arestudents at Fort Hays State College.Mrs. Ruth Mann is spending thewinter with her daughter and family inFair Oaks, California She is missed in ourmeetings here.W.M.S. Topic. ...from p. 13Christian is not superficial in any sensebut is fundamentally happy. He is likethe apostle Paul "groaning within himself,and yet happy because of his experience ofChrist and the glory that is to come."To quote Dr. Lloyd-Jones again,"The way to experience that, obviously, isto read the Scriptures, to study andmeditate upon them, to pray to God for HisSpirit to reveal sin in us to ourselves, andthen to reveal to us the Lord Jesus Christin all His fullness. "Blessed are they thatmourn: for they shall be comforted."The prayer of the Christian is,"Create in me a clean heart, 0 God, andrenew a right spirit within meRestore unto me the joy of thy salvation."He can say with the Psalmist, "My soulshall be satisfied as with marrow andfatness; and my mouth shall praise theewith joyful lips: when I remember theeupon my bed, and meditate on thee in thenight watches."FEBRUARY 3, 1971 15

Some This and That in W. M. S."ON DOING MY THING"Synodical Magazine EditorWhen I became Synodical MagazinefEditor in 1968, my vision of thework was limited. The comments onthe monthly W.M.S. devotional topicwould come to me, I was told, to beforwarded to The CovenanterWitness for a middle-of-the-monthissue. More than that, I would beresponsible for supplying material forthe W.M.S. Column in eachMissionary Number of the paper,under the by-line, "Some THIS andTHAT in W.M.S." Since the formerwould be contributed by writers solicited by the UniformProgram Committee, that part didn't seem so formidable;but the latter, for which I must solicit material or compose itmyself, hung over me heavily. It was gratefully that I wenthome with the promise of a copy of the Synodical President'smessage at the Convention, and a resume of the proceedingsof Synodical from the Secretary.One overwhelming impression was that the W.M.S.column in The Covenanter Witness had been conceived bythose in the Synodical and in the work of the church paper. Ithad been acted upon by the Synodical and Mrs. Willis M.Edgar, conferring closely with the Editor and his wife, hadbrought it into being during the two years before. Carefulplanning and thought had achieved a column for which thechurch women watched, and then read each month. Iwantedthe project to go forward, and prayed that, with Christstrengthening me, it would do that.In doing this editing and writing, one of the privilegeshas been the opportunity to sit down with some of ourwomen missionaries, and talk to them quietly and at somelength about their experiences on the mission field, and theirthoughts on missionary society work done at home to helpthem. Listening to the answers to my questions in a relaxedatmosphere, just two of us together, and also seeing Christin these dedicated persons has been a blessed experience.It surely must be that readers' reactions are a thermometerto every "editor," even when one is editing awomen's column, appearing only monthly, in a smalldenominational periodical. The reaction thermometer neverrises very high, but I have made some deductions from thewarmth I've felt. The mission field closest to the heart of ourW.M.S. members is the home, and the winning of their ownchildren to Christ is of great importance to them. Personalexperiences of human interest are welcomed as the mostinteresting reading. Our missionaries are loved and honored,intercession is made for them in personal quiet times, andpublic meetings; and it is the desire of the women of thechurch at home to fulfill their known needs.As many of you know, the Topeka W.M.S., of which Iam a member, has undertaken the distribution of a weeklyprayer letter from Cyprus giving specific requests for whichthose receiving the letter have indicated that they will praydaily. Many notes have come in as people wrote requestingthat they receive the letter. These have shown a great desireto have a part, and a realization that prayer is an importantpart. These expressions have been an inspiration:" This is one way many of us can serve."Cyprus is in our daily prayers, and we would like toreceive prayer requests so that we can pray morespecifically.""Our C.Y. have decided to take on a project of prayerfor our missionaries, and to learn a little more about ourmission fields. We decided to start with Cyprus, since weheard of this request.""Please include me on the prayer list for Cyprus.Enclosed is some postage money.""I haven't missed a day praying for the work inCyprus since the request was made."In the following months it is my hope that ourSynodical Superintendents will let us know about the functionof their departments in The Covenanter Witness.As another feature we will think about the "workparty." Did you know that is what our British counterpartcall a work meeting? Perhaps we can look in on them.Another interview with one of our missionaries isanticipated.Two years after becoming Synodical Magazine Editor,I see my limitations for carrying out the far reach of thevision.— Winifred C. ElliottSpeaking about the Twenty-Third Psalm, HenryWard Beecher, says: "It has charmed more griefs to restthan all the philosophy of the world. It has remanded to theirdungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, morethieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea shore. Ithas comforted the noble host of the poor. It has sung courageto the army of the disappointed. It has poured balm into theheart of the sick, of captives in dungeons, of widows in theirpinching griefs, of orphans in their loneliness. Dying soldiershave died easier as it was read to them. Ghastly hospitalshave been illuminated by it. It has visited the prisoner andbroken his chains, and like Peter's angel, led him forth in hisimagination and sung him back to his home again. It hasmade the Christian slave freer than his master, and consoledthose whom dying he left behind, mourning not so muchthat he was gone, as because they were left behind and couldnot go too.16COVENANTER WITNESS

VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 6 FEBRUARY 10, 1971 STERLING. KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 7, 1971£*a&URBANA '70 MISSIONARY CONVENTIONAssembly Hall. University of Illinois

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER * EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Contributing Editors: Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Marion L McFarlandRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev^John K. GaulMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling,Kansas two weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles40/- (L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles72/- (L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles 32/- (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer—$1.50, 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. HughWright, B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern IrelandBT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.WORLDDAY OF PRAYERMARCH 5, 1971Join evangelicals everywhere as they unite in prayerfor the many desperate needs ol this world andtor spiritual revival in their own lives. The motto torIhe special day ot prayer is, "Jesus Christ-Lord ot AllFor you and your church to share meaninglullyin the 1971 World Day ol Prayer,the National Association ol Evangelicalsprepared a Bible-centered worship service.These worship booklets are now available.There is no charge lor the worshipmaterial, but an ottering tor the workot NAE is encouraged. Use the handycoupon to order your material.Now Available Without ChargeNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALSBOX 28 • WHEATON, ILLINOIS 60187Please send Ihe following (indicate number) Samples onlyBooklets . PostersYOUR NAMEYOUR CHURCH'S NAMEYOUR ADDRESSCITY STATE . ZIP.This Week's WitnessThe Law of God.Glimpses of the Religious World.More Urbana '70 News.God Needs Men.The Duty of Gratitude.Lex Rex: Law Over Prince.Not Lighter Burdens, But Greater StrengthLesson Helps.Church News..3..4..5.6..7.8.10.11.14WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed2

The Law of GodSometimes we say that we are no longer living underthe law but under grace, and this is true. But Paul in writingto the Romans declares that the law has its purpose and thatit is holy and just and good. We are not saved by the lawbecause we do not keep it perfectly. We are saved by grace,through Jesus Christ, who did keep the law perfectly in ourstead. But the law is of God, and is still useful for us asChristians. Jesus did not come to destroy the law, but tofulfill it. For the purposes of God the law still stands, eventhough some wish to disregard it. Those who do simply wishto do as they please, disregarding God as well as His law.There are several kinds of laws in the Old Testament.There were ceremonial laws, laws concerning eating anddrinking, which were changed by Christ or fulfilled in Him,no longer in force. There were judicial laws, related to thetheocracy and to the civil government of Israel. There werethe moral laws, briefly stated in the Ten Commandments,and summarized by Jesus in the two great commandments oflove. In this article, we are concerned chiefly about themoral law.God gave these laws. The fact that in the Sermon onthe Mount Jesus corrected the interpretation of these laws,finding the interpretation of the scribes wrong or insufficient,indicates that they are still in force. They areunchangeable and unchanged. The summary of Jesus,"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, andwith all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thystrength; this is the first commandment. And the second islike, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,"cover the first and second tables of the law. They do notchange them in the least. God expects us to continueobedience to these laws.The interpretation of several of these laws by Jesusshows that they apply to the thoughts and intents of theheart. The Psalmist declared, "The law of the Lord isperfect." The weakness is in the fact that man does not keepit. God had a right to make these laws for man whom He hadcreated, and He made them for all.Because we fail daily to keep perfectly the law, we cannever merit salvation. As long as we are in rebellion againstGod by seeking to do our own will, or the will of anotherrather than God's will, any work that we may do is notacceptable to God, and the work is without merit in Hissight. So we can only be saved by grace, through faith inJesus Christ. So we are saved by grace and not by the law.Yet the law is good for both unbelievers and forChristians. The law makes clear what is sinful in God'ssight. The Spirit uses the law in the Word of God to convictof sin, to bring a person to realize that he is a sinner in God'ssight, and to lead him to turn from it to God in repentance.The law of God makes clear to the one who does not acceptChrist what he may expect after this life, and in some cases,what he may expect as punishment in this life. Civil laws arein many cases based upon the moral law. The Scriptures gavethe punishment to be meted out for violations, in some casescapital punishment.Christians have been saved by grace. Of what use is thelaw for them? The law was given by God, and expressed thedivine will. That divine will has not changed. From the lawwe can learn what is pleasing to God and what is displeasingto Him. We try to please one whom we love. If we love Godwe will try to do that which will please Him. Jesus said, "Ifye love me ye will keep my commandments." His commandmentsare to love Him and our neighbor. If we trulylove God, we will not have any other gods before Him. Wewill worship Him directly. We will not profane His name.We will observe His day of worship.Likewise, if we love our neighbor as ourselves, we willhonor those to whom honor is due. We will not only notmurder, but we will not have the least desire to murder, andwill not even hate. We will not commit adultery, nor will wedesire to do so. We will not steal that which belongs toanother, nor will we desire to do so. We will not desire tohurt the reputation of another by false statements. The law,as Jesus interpreted it, makes clear the will of God to us. Thelaw is a rule to live by, but not to obtain life. We obtain lifeby faith in Jesus Christ. He is our example. But He kept thelaw, and we learned from the law what His example is. ThePsalmist says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a lightunto my path."Under the Old Testament a curse was pronouncedupon those who did not keep the law. God did not changethat, but the curse pronounced was carried out on JesusChrist, who went to the cross and bore the curse pronouncedagainst sinful man. We often say that Jesus was crucified,though He was innocent of any sin. That is not quite thefact. It is true that He had committed no sin of His own. Butwe need to realize that He took our sins upon Himself, andbecame the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of theworld. He who knew no sin became sin for us. Having takenour sins upon Himself, He deserved to die in punishment forthose sins, and to receive the curse for those who are guilty.We have to use these expressions with understanding andcare, lest we be misunderstood. It was as our substitute thatJesus did this. By what He did, He has redeemed us from thecurse of the law, and from its guilt.Paul therefore says that the law is holy, and thecommandments holy, and just, and good. We thank God forthem, for through them we come to know the will of God, aswell as what is pleasing to Him; what we should do, andwhat we should avoid doing. Because of our love for God,itisa joy to do His will, not a burden.•••3Associate Reformed Presbyterian

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014LABELS!Craig Brown, 18, clean-shaven, neatly dressed,walked into a jewelry store in Sacramento and asked aboutpurchase of a ring, was treated courteously and assuredcredit could be arranged. The next day, bearded, bleachedoutpants, beads and all, he entered the same store, and wasfirst ignored, then lectured. He was refused service in tworestaurants, and was told in a bank, where he applied for abusiness loan, to get his shop going first, then apply and hisrequest would be considered. The following day he went intothe bank "straight" and made the same application, listingthe same assets and plans and he was assured that the loancould be arranged. He walked out into the street and tried tobuy'an "underground newspaper" for 25 cents, as he sawone sold for that just ahead of him, but he had to pay 50cents. He said his overall reaction was one of disappointmentin his fellow humans.Maybe we'd like to have our world all in order, neatlylabeled, Scout's honor bona fide. There was once a sect ofNazarenes, later called Christians, which name hasremained, in spite of many interlopers and counterfeits, aname of honor. Labels are not only handy but necessary, inspite of some difficulties with people who infiltrate anddebase what is good — and some who applaud and glamorizewhat is bad.A HUMANIST FUNERAL SERVICEThe National Funeral Directors Association, meetingin Scottsdale, Arizona, was told that "the funeral is for themourners,'' and in a nation where half the population has nomeaningful relation to any religious organization, some kindof appropriate service should be provided; so said the Rev.Paul Irion, professor of pastoral theology of the UnitedChurch of Christ seminary in Lancaster. Perhaps he has apoint, at least to the extent that a Christian service shouldnot be borrowed and used for 20 minutes by unbelievers.ACLU OFFERS McINTIRE HELP AT SANCLEMENTEThe city council denied the request of Carl Mclntirefor permission to hold a public rally in Plaza Park, January30, according to EP. Councilman Thomas O'Keefe voted togrant the request, emphasizing that he didn't agree with the"right-wing, super-patriotic views" of Mclntire, but thathe had a right to be heard. The South Orange Coastrepresentative of the American Civil Liberties Union warnedthat public use of the park has been established, and that ifthe request were denied he would offer Mclntire the servicesof the ACLU, though he too, would be among dissenterstoward Carl Mclntire's views. There is no word as of thiswriting as to Dr. Mclntire's response to ACLU's offer.MISSIONARY COUPLE, DAUGHTER ARE KILLEDThe Rev. and Mrs. Robert M. Lytton, missionaries ofthe Presbyterian Church (U.S.) since 1961 in SouthAmerica, were killed, along with their 18-year olddaughter, Amy, when their plane, piloted by Mr. Lytton,crashed on a flight from Santiago, Chile, to Western Brazil.A 14-year old son, Major, is in "fair condition" in aSantiago hospital.THE EXPERTS AND AMERICAN MORALSPerhaps by being selective of which expert to trust,one might find comfort in U.S. News and World Report'sreport on "American Morals," whatever his own views onthe subject. Sheldon and Eleanor Glueck, a husband and wiferesearch team at Harvard Law School, while quite critical ofthe report of the President's Commission on pornography,yet say, "We find one aspect of the commission's majorityfindings to be good: the recommendation for a massiveprogram of sex education." Ernest van den Haag, lecturer insociology and psychology at the New School for SocialResearch in New York City, a practicing psychoanalyst,says, ' T think sex education is one of the most stupid racketsI can imagine. . .There is no such thing as many sexeducators believe, as 'sound, healthy sex' vs 'unsound,unhealthy sex'; there are emotionally healthy and unhealthypersons." Two other "experts" are cited in U.S. News &World Report's article on "American Morals," one amember of the Commission, the other the executive directorof the Commission. Both appear to defend the commissionmajority's recommendation for a loosening of laws againstpornography.HIS PURPOSEDid you think that life would be all credit and no loss?Did you think you would escape the bearing of a cross?Did you hope for easy paths and roses all the way?Did you dream that every dawn would bring a perfect day?Life is not like that at all. We are not meant to beSafe and happy all the time, just living peacefully—Never being made to think, to suffer or to fight.If the darkness never came, we'd never see the light.Life's a blend of joy and sorrow. Thank God this is so.If we never had a care, the soul would never grow.We're not put into this world mere pleasure to pursue-But to do the work that He intended us to do.— Patience Strong

More Urbana '70 NewsUrbana, III. — Probably the number one question in theminds of many as they converged on the University ofIllinois campus for Urbana '70 was whether or not thestudent revolt and campus radicalism would have anynoticeable effect on the convention.Would there be demonstrations by dissident students?At convention's endit was clear that student unrestraised scarcely a ripple at Urbana '70. Startling, consideringthat nearly every segment of the student population acrossthe country was represented among the more than 12,300participants.Then again, perhaps not so surprising. It appeared thatstudents got what they came for.The following factors madeit possible for students toreceive personal attention, experience effective communicationand meet individual needs and goals:* Whether their hair was long or short, collegians atUrbana '70 had a special reason for coming to this convention:Most were interested in the relationship of JesusChrist to their own lives and the world.* Students had been intimately involved in all stagesof planning the convention. The result: the convention wasuniquely designed to meet student needs and interests.* Speakers spoke with relevance on gut issues concerningthese students: the relationship of Christianity toglobal social and political problems.GRATITUDE. from page 7In a day when a student gathering of thousands usuallymeans protest and tear gas,it was awesome to see more than12,300 gathered in the University of Illinois Assembly Hallbecause of a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. But mostof them didn't appear to worship an institutional Jesus, asevinced by their enthusiastic response to speakers (see quotesheet also) such as Dr. Leighton Ford, who said: "Maybeonce upon a time we could think of a missionary as a superiorsoul from Canada the good or America the beautiful going toset the poor heathen right. But no more. We've seen theburned out ghettos. We've seen the rural slums. We've seenthe bodies at Kent State. We've seen the stupidity and greedthat has killed Lake Erie. No longer can we labor under theillusion that God is our great white father and that JesusChrist wears red, white and blue."Students served on the convention's planning andexecutive committees. Great numbers of students also hadthe opportunity to help shape Urbana '70 through severalreact sessions held by the staff of Inter-Varsity ChristianFellowship, convention sponsor, around the country morethan a year before the event was held and because of anextensive survey soliciting response from participants atUrbana '67.The result: A complete reorganization of the conventionformat.Half of the time was left free for students to make uptheir own schedules.Inter-Cristo, a computer matching service, enabledstudents and missionaries with like interests to locate eachother, solving a major logistical problem in making theconvention of practical assistance to both.* Every afternoon convention speakers andmissionaries were stationed in numerous small meetingrooms to interact informally with students, providing thebest possible situation for meaningful communication.The more than 10,000 students were divided ingroups of ten with a group leader. They met mornings andevenings for Bible study, prayer and fellowship. Groupleader's sole responsibility at the convention was to get toknow his ten students and assist them. With such personalattention students had a hard time "getting lost in thecrowd."Frustration from lack of communication appears to bea major cause of student disturbances. Apparently Urbana'70 succeeded in overcoming the communications problem.Students got what they came for: information, guidance andmeaningful inter-action and insight on matters of mostimportance to them.•••always insisted on leaving squash out until they had beenfrosted a bit. One of his favorite sayings was, "Ye never getanv sweetness in a squash until after there has been a frost toripen it; andif ye want a real sweet squash, waittill therehave been two or three frosts." After telling the story of theold gardener, Beecher would add, "So I have foundit withindividuals. Only those who have experienced the frosts ofadversitv and real trial are possessors of very much sweetnessof character."Do we as Christians pass this test of gratitude foradversities too as well as pleasant experiences and gifts? Suchgratitude is our dutv.PRAYER OF GRATITUDEOf all the many, many giftsWe long so to possess.The one that is the best is this.The gift of gratefulness.Of all the blessings we receive.Which happiness impart.The one that brings real joy is this—Gratitude in the heart.•••

Sabbath evening message at the Carleton ConferenceGod Wants MenRev. Gene W. Spear, Kobe, JapanScripture: Luke 9:57—10:24.(Continued from last week)III. God Wants Men to Serve Him Without Delay.In John 4:1-38 we read about Jesus talking withthe woman at the well and about her going to thecity and telling the men, "Come, see a man, whichtold me all things that ever I did: is not this theChrist?" It was probably as He watched the mencoming out to talk with Him that Jesus said, "Saynot ye, there are yet four months, and then comethharvest? Behold I say unto you, Lift up your eyes,and look on the fields; for they are white already toharvest."We must not say that after four months or afterfour years we will become Christian workers. Thereis a note of urgency here. The fields are already ripe.The longer they stand there unharvested the greaterthe loss. Men are dying every day — maybe threemillion a year in our country. How many of thesedie without Christ? How long will the mission fieldsbe open for continued preaching and teaching?We hope for a long time, but we do not know. Wemust serve Christ with all our hearts now whilethe doors are open.The essential thing we need first is a willingheart. When we are asked to become Christian leaderswe may say, "I can't do it." But this may mean,"I don't want to do it." The other response may be,"I can do little perhaps, but I will do the best I can."The differnce between Christian workers and thosewho are not workers is right here. If we are willing,we can prepare ourselves to serve Christ effectively.I know a young man who seemed quite limitedwhen he joined the church. He couldn't pray publiclyor even speak more than a few words in prayermeeting. But he was willing, and now he is teachinga Sabbath school class every week and may becomean elder.While he was still a young man St. Augustineattended a meeting in a distant city and listenedto an old man named Valerius preach. Old Valeriusneeded help in the church and so he began to makean earnest appeal to the young men to dedicatethemselves to the service of Christ. "Some of you,"he pleaded, "have the dew of youth, strong, bright,gifted, qualified. And what are you doing? You aresaying to Christ, I pray thee, have me excused. Youare saying, I have bought a yoke of oxen and I goto prove them."Tell me! Tell me one thing, I pray. Do youthink your excuses will be endorsed by our Judgein that day when He shall bring to light the hiddenthings of darkness."I appeal to you in Christ's stead, my dearyoung men, come out and come forth and give yourselvesas servants to the Most High God. I imploreyou, nay, I charge you in the name of Christ to doso. Be sure you are not disobedient to the heavenlycall."Augustine came out that day to serve Christand later became the successor of Valerius and oneof the greatest theologians of all time. In the wordsof Romans 12:1, "I beseech you therefore brethren,by the mercies of God to present your bodies aliving sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which isyour reasonable service." It is our Christian dutyand privilege to give ourselves in the service ofChrist. Jesus said, "My meat is to do the will ofHim that sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34). May the Lord give us all this same spirit.But if we and others, around us are to have thisspirit we must pray. "Pray ye therefore the Lord ofthe harvest that He will thrust forth laborers intoHis harvest." Jesus lays great emphasis on this.Only God can call us and equip us for service. OnlyGod can make us humble and willing. Only God canmake us bold and courageous to stand for the truth.Only God can give us faith to believe that He canuse us for the salvation of souls and the building ofthe church. We must pray to the Lord of the harvest,for He is able to hear. We must pray in prayer meeting,in our family worship, in our closet, when weare too busy, and when we have time to rest. Wemust pray often for more laborers in this greatharvest of souls.•••6

The Duty of GratitudeBy Rev. Glenn McFarlandPastor of Santa Ana, California R. P. ChurchGratitude is always in fashion, so it is logical for us tothink of the subject of gratitude. And yet our subject is aparadox, a seeming inconsistency, because we usuallyassociate gratitude with voluntary heart response. How thencan we say that gratitude is a duty or owed? Nor do we findany help to our dilemma in Webster's dictionary definitionol gratitude which is: "The state of being grateful: appreciationof favors received; thankfulness."I believe we can only understand gratitude as a duty ifwe understand the ' 'old nature'' of man. In our home we arecontinually teaching our primary and younger children thetwo magic words, "please" and "thank you." We find wemust constantly remind them that it is courteous to respondwith a "thank you" when a gift is received. Thus commonexperience shows us that it is against man's old nature to benaturally grateful.Also the history of even God's chosen people in theOld Testament shows us the tendency for man to beungrateful. Many of the Old Testament feasts were commandedby God to remind His people that He gave themdeliverance and their harvests so that they would be grateful.Exodus 13:8 is a demonstration of this. "And thou shaltshow thy son in that day, saying, This is done (the Passover)because of that which the Lord did unto me when I cameforth out of Egypt.'' The Psalmist in Psalm 81 makes a pointof Israel's lack of gratitude for God's deliverance of themfrom slavery and tells them that their ungratefulness closedthe door of more blessings to them. Isaiah follows this in5:1-7 by scoring Israel for not producing the fruit ofgratitude after God had planted Israel in Canaan and madeabundant room for them to grow in righteousness.Jesus Himself in the parable of the ungratefulhusbandman emphasizes the Jews' rejection of God's Sonwho should have been received with gratitude. Jesus alsomade the point of man's ungratefulness in the account of theSamaritan leper who returned to give thanks, though he hadalso healed nine other Jewish lepers as recorded in Luke17:15-17The situation had not changed in man's nature in theNew Testament or later times according to Paul in his letterto Timothy. (II Timothy 3:1-5) In fact in the "last days"(which we are further in today than Paul was in his day) weseem to have more ungratefulness than ever. Most everynewspaper shows young people fitting Paul's description to atee. (vv. 2-4) We of the next generation deplore the riotingon tax supported university campuses where students aredestroying public property showing no gratitude for thealmost free education that they are receiving. I think the"law and order" theme that both major parties adopted inthis last election shows the conscience of America is beingawakened by God to an awareness of our lack of gratitude asa society. This is a gratitude that all generations should havefor the abundant and high standard of living God has permittedus to have in America which should be used to freemen for more concern for spiritual values. But instead, ourungrateful hearts have prostituted this wealth to our ownselfish and lustful pleasure. The rate of alcoholism andentertainment of an immoral nature even to advancebusiness success illustrate this. We have also forgotten to begrateful for the freedoms of democracy which most nationsknow nothing about. Our ungratefulness is shown by ourcourts, even our highest, misusing them to our own selfdangeras a society with criminals being permitted freedomfrom laws that protect the innocent so that organized crimeand drug abuse abound. We have wasted and polluted ournatural resources and beauty through exploitation so thatthey are ugly and poisoned as further evidence ofungratefulness to God as a society. What we see in manyyoung people today is the whirlwind of the wind which oldergenerations have sown. Our ungratefulness for God'sblessings, evidenced by our misuse of those blessings, hasbrought God's judgment upon the whole nation in the formof lawlessness and riots which we see today.It isn't too hard for us as Christians to see this lack inour godless society in America and to point the finger at theungratefulness of our society in general. But as Christiansare we sure we have always been grateful to God? Rememberthat when we point our finger at them, our other threefingers are pointing back at us. The same Paul, who byinspiration described godless society today, also wrote of thespecial kind of gratitude that Christians owe to God.In Ephesians 5:20 and I Thessalonians 5:18 we arecommanded to give thanks or be grateful for all things. Thismeans we are to be grateful also for things that don't seem tobe "good" for us now — things that may hurt us now, butwith the eye of faith God will use for good later for His glory.That is, the Romans 8:28 variety of blessing. "For we knowthat all things work together for good to them that love God,to them who are the called according to his purpose." If webelieve these verses then we should be grateful for these giftsor experiences too. This is our special task or duty realizingthat like bitter medicine they are for our good.Henrv Ward Beecher told of an old gardener whoSec page 5

For Christ's Crown and CovenantLex Rex:Law Over PrinceMr. fames Robb*Lex Rex or The Law And The Prince was a bookwritten in a time of turmoil and an age of religious controversy.The author of this treatise on civil government andits relationship to God was Samuel Rutherford, who at thetime of publication in 1644, was a member of the WestminsterAssembly.Rutherford was born in the parish of Nisbet, inRoxburgshire, Scotland, entering the University at Edinburgh,at the age of nineteen. After completing his studies,Rutherford was licensed to preach the Gospel. Scotland wasthen under the control of Episcopal bishops. Rutherford'sopposition to their liturgies and dogmas resulted in hisbanishment to Aberdeen, until the upheaval which accompaniedthe National Covenant of 1638. Shortlythereafter, Rutherford was appointed professor of divinity atthe University of St. Andrews; and subsequently was sentwith Baillie, Gillespie, and Henderson to the WestminsterAssembly.Lex Rex was written specifically to refute the work ofJohn Maxwell, an excommunicated Episcopalian bishop.Maxwell in his work entitled Sacro-Sancta Regum Majestashad claimed that the authority of the king was derived fromGod alone; thus absolute and passive obedience was requiredfrom the subjects of the king. Rutherford's position as expressedin Lex Rex disclaimed the divine right of kings andwas considered by the government as "inveighing againstmonarchic and laying ground for rebellion." The governmentlater ordered the book to be burned by the hand of thecommon hangman in Edinburgh. Similiar treatmentfollowed in St. Andrews and London. (1)The radical nature of Rutherford's position was not inhis political opposition to the tyranny of absolute monarchy,but in his foundation in Scripture. Rutherford was not thefirst to challenge the rights of the crown in Scotland. Thephilosophical predecessor to Lex Rex was the politicaldialogue De Jure Regni Apud Scotos authored by GeorgeBuchanan, and condemned by Parliament in 1584. Whileboth works renounce absolute and passive obedience to themonarch, Buchanan's work is much shorter and lacks theScriptural exegesis oiLex Rex, Bishop Guthrie, in describingthe reaction of the Westminster Assembly to Lex Rex statesthat "Buchanan's treatise was looked upon as an oracle, itwas slighted as not anti-monarchial enough, and Rutherford'sLex Rex only thought authentic." (2)Francis Schaefer is one modern day theologian who hasrecognised the relevance of Lex Rex. In his recent article in8Christianity Today, "The Irrationality of ModernThought" Schaefer acknowledges the basic tenet expressedin Lex Rex that God is the foundation of government, andcomments on its contribution to American culture.God has spoken; there was a base upon which tobuild law . . . The American Constitution restedupon Rex Lex. toned down through Locke, throughsuch men as Jefferson. . {Christianity Today,December 4, 1970, p. 13)Schaefer has captured the essentials of Rutherford, butthere is the danger that Lex Rex will be interpreted as aChristian defense of democracy. While many elements of LexRex appear to be democratic, Rutherford was indifferent topolitical structure. Aristocracy was nothing more thanenlarged monarchy; and monarchy was little more thancontracted aristocracy. (3) There was no more reason fordemocracy than for monarchy. (4)Rutherford was attempting to show from Scripture thecorrect relationship between those in authority and thosesubject to authority. In doing so, he had to refute severalerrors concerning the theory that kings ruled by divine right.Rutherford agreed that the kingly office was from God; but itcame to the king from the people. Judges 9:6:' 'The men ofShechem made Abimelech king" ; I Samuel 11:15: "Andall the people went to Gilgal and there they made Saul kingbefore the Lord." Further proof of this argument is found inthe actions of David. After David was anointed by Samuel,David remained a private man, until the people made himking at Hebron. If Samuel's actions had made David formallya king, then there would have been two kings for onekingdom, Saul and David. Yet David acknowledged Saul asthe Lord's anointed, after his own anointing by Samuel.While God was acting as the principal agent through Samuelin choosing David, it was the people who conferred thekingly office on him. (5)Because the power of electing a king resided in thepeople, it was impossible to make a king absolute in powerover the people. Both king and subject were subordinate toJesus Christ. Modern democracy has distorted this truth byasserting that the source of civil power is solely from thepeople. The idea that one man exercising one vote wouldeventually bring political Utopia was foreign to Rutherford.Totalitarian regimes find their source of civil authority in thedictatorship of the elite. Both views are man-centered andcan only result in endless power struggles.

Rutherford saw the ruler as being limited in power andfreedom. This was in complete contrast to the character of anall powerful reigning monarch. Yet the laws of Scotland didlimit the king in many ways. The holder of the royal officeopposition to the King, rested upon the philosophical andScriptural foundation of Lex Rex.The modern day relevance of Lex Rex needs to beclearly enunciated. God is the supreme and ultimate sourcewas not permitted to 1) marry by choice 2) expose of civil government. All those who fail to recognize this basichimself to warfare 3) leave the country 4) dilapidate the fact build their foundation on the temporary existence ofrents of the Crown 5) disinherit his eldest son 6) attend man; not on the everlasting Word of God.•••mass 7) correspond with the Pope 8) pardon "seducing End Notes:priests and Jesuits" 9) befriend a traitor 10) dwell where (1) Samuel Rutherford, Lex Rex, Edinburgh, Robert Oglehe pleased 11) confer honors without consent of his And Oliver & Boyd, 1843, pp. xvi-xx passim.council 12) be buried where he pleased, but among the (2) Idem.kings. (6)What made the content of Lex Rex especially seditiouswas Rutherford's discussion of resistance. Comparing theroyalist monarchy of Scotland to an "unchained lion,"Rutherford contended that under certain conditions the civilruler could be lawfully resisted. The distinction was madebetween the king in concreto as a man, and the king inabstracto, as the royal office holder. The king in abstractocould not be resisted in any lawful order. The king as a man,(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)Ibid. p. 5Ibid. p. 209Ibid, p. 7-11 passimIbid. p. 113Ibid. p. 145Ibid. p. 165* The writer of this article on the Scottish classic byif acting the part of a tyrant, could be legally resisted. Theking's superiority in power was the formal participation inGod ordained government. (7)Samuel Rutherford, Lex Rex is Mr. James Robb, a specialstudent this year at the Reformed Presbyterian TheologicalSeminary. Mr. Robb was born in Cleveland Ohio, and wasOnce again Rutherford was emphasizing subordination graduated from Geneva College in 1970, Cum Laude. Histo the sovereignty of God, as opposed to the absolute powerof the state. Furthermore, all resistance was to be defensive;major field of interest is history. During his college years heattended the College Hill Reformed Presbyterian Church ofand not intending to "re-offend." By Rutherford's which he is now a member. His special interest in historydefinition, resistance began with flight and if executed as a resulted in his becoming History Club President andpreventive measure, could finally lead to killing the offender Managing Editor of the Geneva College History Journal.first for self-preservation. (8) In the chronology of events,the publication of Lex Rex preceded the era of persecution forthe Covenanters. In analyzing the actions of the martyrs, itcan be concluded that their forms of resistance, and theirMr. Robb has a particular interest in Scottish Covenanterhistory and has been helping some with research for TheChristian Government Movement as he has time to do so. —Samuel E. BoyleNOT LIGHTER BURDENS. from page 10As a result of his efforts two elementary schools werestarted. Later on when there was need for a high school Dr.Gorde donated his own piece of land for the building. Nowthey have one of the largest and best high schools in thewhole district.After Dr. Gorde had been in Ashta two years he wasmarried. His wife proved every bit a 'better half to him. Notto be outdone in service to the people, she started a publiclibrary. She encouraged girls to go to school and she createda love for reading among the men and women of Ashta.Today Ashta has a fine library.Dr. and Mrs. Gorde educated their two sons and threedaughters well. They are all married and engaged in theLord's work in various walks of life.Dr. Gorde was often called as a guest speaker by theKolhapur Church Council at its conferences for he was notonly a good physician, but also a wonderful teacher andpreacher.In 1947, Dr. Gorde retired from mission service, butnot from the service of the people, for they still flocked tohim for advice, treatment, and guidance.Dr. Gorde, the beloved 'dada' of all, died of a heartattack in 1949. The whole town mourned his passing away.All the shops and schools were closed and people of all castesand creeds, many weeping bitterly, came to his funeral topay their last homage.The people's 'dada' who asked "not for lighterburdens but for greater strength and wisdom" believed thathe could do all things through Christ who strengthened him.He did do great things and he remains in the heart of thepeople as a loving memory.John Ruskin, the famous author, painter and lecturerof the past century was taught early in life to memorizeScripture and he tells us: "It is strange that of all the piecesof the Bible which my mother taught me, that which cost memost to learn, and which was to my child's mind mostrepulsive — the 119th Psalm — has now become ot all themost precious to me in its overflowing and glorious passionof love for the law of God."9

The Children'sA life sketch of Dr. Shahurao B. GordeWE ASK NOT FOR LIGHTER BURDENS, BUT FORGreater StrengthFifty years ago a young unmarried doctor, Shahurao B.Gorde, one of the first graduates of Miraj Medical School,was sent by the American Presbyterian Hospital in Miraj,India, to a village named Ashta. Here he was to open adispensary. The young doctor went to Ashata with greatenthusiasm, but all his hopes and dreams were shattered.The villagers did not want a man whose religion was differentfrom theirs. They did not want his foreign medicineand they did not approve of his Western dress. They treatedhim as an outcast. They would not give him a house inwhich to stay. The poor young doctor did not know what todo; he was discouraged and disappointed. His first thoughtwas to go back to Miraj to see the head of the hospital, hisfavorite teacher, guide, and friend, Dr. William Wanless,but where would he get a bullock cart or a horse, the onlymeans of travel in those days? Moreover, he was not a manwho easily gave up. He knew that his Lord would open a wayfor him. He prayed. He went from door to door asking for aroom, but everywhere he was rejected. Late in the evening ayoung, high-caste Hindu had pity for him and gave him aroom and food. His prayers were answered; he was encouragedagain.Dr. Gorde was a man of prayer. He had great Christianfaith and conviction. He was a good speaker and had a goodvoice. After dinner he started his evening prayers withsinging. The people in India are deeply religious and veryfond of singing. This attracted the people in the house. Thechildren and men came to his room and the women listenedto him from an inner room. A few of the neighbors also camein.For a few months he had a hard time, but slowly hewon their love and confidence. He began to make friends. Hegave talks on health and education. He opened his dispensaryin a small room, and gradually patients began to come tohim. He was made a member of the Municipal Council andafter two years he was elected president.At this time plague broke out in the village and thesurrounding area. The people had never heard ofinoculation, so it took a lot of teaching and persuading.People began to come to Dr. Gorde when they saw the goodeffects of his 'pricking' as they called it. He went fromvillage to village and from house to house encouraging andpersuading thousands of people to take the inoculations, toburn the dead rats, kill the living ones, vacate the infectedhomes, and live in the open fields. They built temporaryhuts and lived there until the plague had passed. He askedthe Municipal Council to clean the village, burn all rubbish,and disinfect the houses. He worked day and night, restingbut little. He worked alone with none to help him.Because the work was heavy and daily increasing, theWanless Hospital gave him a young Christian to help him.The two of them threw themselves into the work withrenewed strength and enthusiasm. He started each day'swork with prayer and Bible reading. People began to come ineven greater numbers, for he had won a place in the hearts ofthe people of Ashta. Later he employed an evangelist.The dispensary became too small for the growingwork, so he built a 125-bed hospital and a small house forhimself with money received from the Wanless Hospital inMiraj. The new hospital was named Austin Dispensary andit was opened by the District Collector. He paid high tributeto the work of Dr. Gorde and to the American missionarieswho made it possible to build a well-equipped hospital there."I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHOSTRENGTHENETH ME" was written on the hospitalwall. Dr. Gorde received great inspiration from this verse.Sabbath days he would go preaching. Many peopleasked to be baptized. The number of Christians grew eachyear. The hospital hall became too small to hold all thecongregation for the Sabbath worship services. It was timethat the people of Ashta had a church building of their own.Land was purchased on a corner of the main road and abeautiful church was built. The village that had refused togive shelter to a young Christian doctor now had a churchbuilding and a congregation of 600 Christians.Each day Dr. Gorde's work began with this prayer:' 'We ask not for lighter burdens but for greater strength andwisdom." The patients loved that prayer. Within a few yearshe became well known, not only as a devoted skillful doctor,but also as a wise counselor and loving friend. People beganto call him 'dada' — a term of affection — meaning 'olderbrother.' People from far and near began to come to him fortreatment and advice.Once a month the missionary doctors from Miraj cameto Ashta to give specialized treatments and to operate.In 1935 plague and cholera broke out again in andaround Ashta. Dr. Gorde inoculated thousands and treatedthe many suffering patients, working day and night. TheGovernment of India, in appreciation of his work for themillions of suffering people, bestowed upon him the greatesthonor by awarding him the KAISER-I-Hind gold medal.See page 9

Lesson Helps for the Week of March 7Sabbath SchoolLessonfor March 7,1971LIVING BY THE LAW OF LOVE:Luke 10:25-37; Mark 12:28-34Comments by John K. GaultThis lesson presents to us two interviewswhich Jesus had withquestioners. The first, as recorded in Mark12:28-34, tells us about the scribe, whosebusiness it was to copy and interpret thelaw. He asked of Jesus, "Which is the firstcommandment of all?" Jesus replied bytelling him that the first of all the commandmentswas to love God with one'swhole personality. And the second, Hesaid, was "thou shalt love thy neighbor asthyself." The scribe then admitted thatJesus had spoken the truth and to love Godand man in the way that Jesus had said,was, "more than all whole burnt offeringsand sacrifices." Jesus then said to him,"Thou art not far from the kingdom ofGod."In the second interview presented inthis lesson a lawyer, whose duties weremuch the same as those of the scribe,asked of Jesus, "Master, what shall I do toinherit eternal life?"Jesus then led the lawyer into answeringhis own question, as He askedhim, "What is written in the law? howreadest thou?" When the lawyer repeatedthe statements of the law dealing with lovefor God and man, Jesus told him, "Thouhast answered right; this do, and thoushalt live."1: One Must Come to Christ FromRight Motives.This the lawyer did not do. It is said inLuke 10:25, "A certain lawyer stood up,and tempted him." The meaning is thatthe lawyer sought to test Jesus. Heevidently thought highly of himself and ofhis knowledge of the law. To show thatJesus was unlearned in some of the finepoints of the law, was evidently thelawyer's objective in asking this question.The manner in which the lawyer asked thisquestion showed that he had no conceptionof Jesus' divine omniscience and that toask from such a motive would inevitablyresult in his being ensnared in his owntrap. Jesus knows all the answers and noone can entrap Him in what He hasrevealed in His Word. The lawyer knew thelaw as is shown by his repeatingDeuteronomy 6:5, which speaks of one'srelationship to God, and he repeated, also,Leviticus 19:18, which is a summary ofone's relationship to his neighbors. Jesussaid to the lawyer, "This do and thou shaltlive," implying that it is not what oneknows that wins the Lord's commendationbut one's practice of what he knows.2: No One Can Justify Himself.The lawyer, "willing to justifyhimself, said unto Jesus, and who is myneighbor?" Instead of admitting hisfailings he continued to seek some way inwhich he could be made to appear good.So, he resorted to a subject about whichthere had been some speculation, that is"who is one's neighbor?" for the lawdistinctly said to "love thy neighbor asthyself." Perhaps, he thought, he couldrely upon the uncertainty of this questionand thus receive favorable commendationfrom Jesus. The lawyer purposelyoverlooked the fact that "all have sinnedand come short of the glory of God." Theonly way out of one's moral predicament isto confess one's failures and to ask forforgiveness. Justification is an act of Godand one's moral situation is much worsenedby an effort to make oneself to appearbetter than he really is. Eternal lifecan be gained only through repentance andthe lawyer, therefore, should have admittedpast offenses and should haveprayed to Jesus for forgiveness.3: Jesus Answered the Lawyer byTelling of a Probable Actual Occurrence.This account is not called a parable.Jesus just said, "A certain man went downfrom Jerusalem to Jericho and fell amongthieves which stripped him of his raimentand wounded him, and departed leavinghim half dead." The road going down fromJerusalem to Jericho was a real "goingdown" for the altitude dropped perhaps3000 feet in the course of twenty-five miles.It passed through rocky crags and banditinfestedhiding places along the way and itwas not uncommon for a single traveler onthis road, to be assaulted by a band ofhoodlums. Because of the danger of thisroad, the travelers usually went in groupsto better protect themselves. There was atime when the Romans maintained agarrison of soldiers on this road to protecthelpless travelers.1: Misfortune Can Happen to AnyOne.There are plenty of opportunities tobe a neighbor and Jesus said, "As ye wouldthat men should do to you do ye so tothem." Jesus implied to this lawyer thathe need not ask, "Who is my neighbor," forthere were unfortunate people on everyhand. Neighbors, then and now, are nothard to find. In I John 3:17 that apostlesays, "But whoso hath this world's good,and seeth his brother have need, andshutteth up his bowels of compassion fromhim, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"Jesus taught the self-justifying lawyer, bythis story, that his neighbor was any onewhom he was in a position to help. Thegreatest act of neighborliness is to offer tounbelievers the opportunity of salvationthrough Christ. This was what Peter andJohn did for the paralyzed man at thebeautiful gate of the Temple. Peter said tothe unfortunate man, "Silver and goldhave I none butsuch as I have, give I thee;in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazarethrise up and walk." They were real neighbors.5: It Is Expected of Religious Peoplethat They Be Neighbors.The thieves stole everything theywanted from the unfortunate traveler andthen they beat him so badly that he was"half-dead." Then Jesus continued to say,"And by chance there came down a certainpriest that way and when he saw him,he passed by on the other side. Andlikewise a Levite, when he was at theplace, came and looked on him, and passedby on the other side." The priests,descendants of Aaron, were those whowere consecrated to the task of mediatingbetween the people and God. They hadcharge of the sacrifices andit was expectedof them that they know and practicethe will of God as outlined in the lawThev were of the tribe of Levi. The others

of that tribe were called Levites. They alsohad religious duties connected with theTabernacle and Temple. Levi was the onetribe which received no division of the landwhen it was taken over by the Israelitesunder the leadership of Joshua. Each ofthese groups had close contact with allsorts of people and they had theirsustenance given to them. Their religion,however, must have been a mere formalityfor they failed to practice their dutyto their fellowmen. The man who had beeninjured was a Jew and they were also Jewsbut they even ignored the ties ofnationality. They probably were in a hurryand they did not want to be inconveniencedwith the sufferings of others. This storyshows that a religion which has no placefor the exercise of love for one's neighbor,is nothing but a sham.6: The Real Neighbor Was aSamaritan.The significance of this was that theJews hated the Samaritans. Thisanimosity began during the return of theexiles under the leadership of Zerubbabeland Nehemiah. The Samaritans offered tohelp rebuild the Temple but their offer wasspurned by the Jewish leaders on accountof their intermarriage with foreigners whohad been sent in by the Babylonishconquerers. The lawyer with whom Jesustalked was a proud Jew and he was onewho had no dealings with the Samaritans.This one who practiced the second commandmentof the law, to love his neighboras himself, belonged to a despised race.This law, therefore, which Jesus had thelawyer repeat is a testimony against allforms of race hatred. The people ofAmerica would have saved themselvesmuch trouble if they had observed this lawfrom the beginning of our nation."Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior Topicfor March 7,1971THE CAPTIVITYUnit: Later Old Testament HistoryMrs. Herbert A. HaysPsalms: 46:1,2,5,6, p. 118 (MemoryPsalm); choose your favorite Psalms.Memory verse: Instead of a versetonight, put the names of some of the goodkings on the blackboard or flannelgraph.12The CaptivityThe people followed the example oftheir rulers. A large majority of monarchsdid not live on the plane of righteousnessbut descended into gross sins and idolatrywhich brought upon them divinejudgments and ended in the captivity inBabylon.Such kings as David, Asa,Jehoshaphat, Joash, Jotham, Hezekiah,and Josiah were spiritual mountaineers inspite of their defects. These rulers savedthe nation from destruction for a longperiod.At last the great Nebuchadnezzar,king of Babylon, came with his mightyarmy against Judah. He put KingJehoiakim in chains. Jehoiakim died andhis body was thrown out to the heat of thedaytime and the frost of night. The peopledid not care enough about the wicked kingto bury him. All around the people, thingswere happening. What time had they tothink about a king whom they did not love.The son of Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin,was made king by King Nebuchadnezzar.No doubt Jehoiachin was used as a puppetand had no power over the great king ofBabylon.King Nebuchadnezzar saw thesplendid golden Temple that King Solomonhad built so many years before. He carriedaway a great many pure gold dishes to thetemple of his idol at Babylon.The king left Jerusalem, but not forlong. In three months he was back again.He took the young King Jehoiachin, hismother, his wives, and his servants, andcarried them all to Babylon. He took all theskilled laborers with him, too. Tenthousand captives were carried away toBabylon.Jeremiah, the prophet, had told thepeople what would happen to them. At lastJeremiah's prophecies had come true. Ilike the way Mrs. Catherine Vos describestheir being taken captive and the hardshipsthe people had to endure. "Mothersand fathers, old men and babies werecruelly torn from their homes and sent onthe long, long journey over the burningsands. They were harshly treated by roughsoldiers. Many of them were killed on theway. The cruelties of these fierceBabylonian soldiers are too dreadful torelate."The journey was long, seven hundredmiles to the country of Babylon. You knowthat if you travel two to three hundredmiles a day in an automobile you are tired.We do not realize how much these peoplesuffered.There were some people left in theirown land. They were poor and unimportant.Zedekiah, the third son of Josiah,was made king over these people. Josiahwas a good man, but his son was wicked.He would not listen to the words ofJeremiah. King Zedekiah rebelled againstKing Nebuchadnezzer. This made the kingof Babylon angry and he beseigedJerusalem for two years. This was a hardtime for the people of Judah who were left.They could get nothing to eat.The prophet, Jeremiah, told thepeople not to fight against Nebuchadnezzar.When the princes heard whatJeremiah had said they wanted him to beput to death. Zedekiah was a weak kingand he said that the people could dowhatever they liked to co with Jeremiah.The princes treated Jeremiah shamefully.They cast him into a dungeon. After a timethey took him to the prison yard, where hehad light and sunshine, at least.The people suffered for a long time.However, God did not forget His people.God still loved them. He had said, "Theyshall be My people, and I will be theirGod." He loved Israel with an everlastinglove, and He promised, "I will gather youout of all countries where I have drivenyou in My anger."It was comforting to the poor captivesin Babylon, to know that after seventyyears, God would bring their children backto their own land.For the reading of Scripture it will bewell to read the sad lamentations about thefall of Jerusalem, the words of Jeremiah,who chose to stay in his own land.Lamentations 1:1,2.Prayer MeetingTopicfor March 10,1971PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN ORGAN­IZATIONS OUTSIDE OUR CHURCHby Rev. John H.WhiteDean of Religious Services,Geneva CollegeCommentThe basic task of the Church shouldbe to teach the truth of God's Word in sucha way that the people of God will live forChrist in all the realms of life. This meansthat the Kingdom of God is much widerthan the Sabbath services or the Wednesdayprayer meeting. It implies thatChristians must act communally in everyactivity of life. Our Covenanter forefathers

saw that Jesus Christ is King and that Hispeople must live as a covenant communityunder His Lordship not only as a churchbut in politics, etc. Much of our thinkingand activity has rested on a fundamentaldualism which perceives of the worlddivided into Nature and Grace. In thisdualism the saving and creating work ofGod effects a response in man which isgenerally limited to a spiritual aspect oflife. The rest of- life — political, social,economic is temporal or secular andtherefore neutral.However, the norms of God's Wordgive us a vision and perspective for all oflife. These norms must control not only ouractivities but also our thinking andorganization in the economic, political,and educational tasks of life. Many peoplein the Christian community believe thatthe Word of God necessitates theorganization of educational societies,labor movements, and social protestorganizations that are founded upon anddirected by the Word of God. This enablesthe Church to be the propaganda arm ofthe Kingdom, evangelizing and instructingbelievers. But that instruction will obligatebelievers to organize covenantally in otherareas so that they may be relevant witnessesfor Christ in all the areas of life.FormatBegin the meeting this evening by thesinging of Psalm 48:1,8-10, p. 122 and areading and discussion of John 17 andEphesians 4:11-16.Ask such questions as:What principles are set forth in thesepassages concerning Christian unity?How can we express visibly our unityin Christ with other brethren?How can we bear relevant witness forthe Kingship of Christ in areas of politics,economics, education, race relations, etc.?What is your personal reaction toBible-believing Christians formingseparate organizations, apart fromhumanistic organizations?If you are opposed to this, whatalternate form of witness do you suggest?Should Christians ever unite withnon-Christians to accomplish just ends?Close the discussion time by singingPsalm 62:1-4, p. 152.Prayer Time:It is important that at least half of thetime be spent in prayer. It might be helpfulto divide the group into smaller prayercells with individual leaders. It issuggested that you have two areas of attentionfor prayer — first of all the individualand congregational needs. Allowpeople to share personal prayer needs, andask the Sabbath School Superintendent,Clerk of Session, W.M.S. President toshare congregational needs. Have asecretary for each prayer group keep a listof these requests. Secondly, compile a listof Christian organizations outside ourchurch and supply a list of these to eachprayer group. It should include suchorganizations as: The National ReformAssociation, Christian GovernmentMovement, National Union of ChristianSchools, The Christian Labor Association,and The Christian Action Foundation.During this second time of prayer weshould pray for the grace and wisdom tobear witness for Christ beyond the usualchurchly functions.CORRECTION!Editor of the Covenanter WitnessDear Dr. Dougherty,Today the January 13th CovenanterWitness arrived with my article on GeorgeGillespie on pages 8 and 9. Alas, my letterof correction of an error in the articlecould not have reached you in time, as Isent it only a day or so ago.On page 9 I state that Gillespie wasamong the commissioners of the Church ofScotland who prepared the Solemn Leagueand Covenant, "and he went to Scotlandfrom London to explain it to the GeneralAssembly of Scotland, which adopted it."This is absurd.How I entertained this mistaken ideawhen writing the article I cannotremember, but I soon discovered in myreading it later that poor Gillespie — whodid commute between London andEdinburgh on church business quite often— had been unjustly involved in my trafficblunder.Dr. J. G. Vos states in his history ofThe Scottish Covenanters that AlexanderHenderson prepared the Solemn Leagueand Covenant for the General Assembly ofthe Church of Scotland, which adopted iton August 17, 1643, and then sentit to theEnglish authorities. After some changes,the Solemn League and Covenant waspublicly sworn and subscribed by theHouse of Commons of Parliament and theWestminster Assembly. George Gillespieas one of the Scottish Commission no doubthad a part in explaining the Covenant tothe government of England.Sincerely.Sam BoyleTHIS CANADIAN HOMEIS A FOREIGNMISSION STATIONWhat foreign mission stations reachseveral foreign fields in one week? Yetnever have to pay travel expense oroverseas passage for their workers.Need no support for residentmissionaries, but give support to indigenousgroups instead.Send no missionaries to languageschool but teach their own language instead.Never slack during furlough timebecause the missionaries never leave theirfield and plan no furloughs for the rest oftheir lives.If these statements sound like animpossible dream to church leaders whohave spent thousands of dollars on foreignmissions, they should visit one of themission stations. Hundreds of Christianfamilies in North America now serve asforeign missionaries at home. By reachingsome of the multiplied thousands offoreign nationals who visit among us, theyhave turned their homes into foreignmission stations. Roy and Delia Shawof Toronto are a typical example. Threeforeign students from Hong Kong stayed inthe Shaws' home all summer. Roy andDelia helped them with their English bystudying the Word of God with them. Andsoon these Chinese came to know JesusChrist in a new and living way.A brilliant Japanese scholar who isdoing research in Boston visited Torontowith his wife. Ron Marr arranged for themto stay at the home of the Shaws. Therethey had a face to face encounter withJesus Christ.The Shaws do not stop with justwinning foreign visitors to the Lord. Theylead them on to maturity in faith andexperience, preparing for the day whenthese nationals will be going back to startindigenous groups overseas. The localassembly of Christians attended by theShaws on (Sabbath) have had visitorsfrom all the world join them in thebreaking of bread including born againbelievers from such closed lands asAfghanistan, Nepal and Tibet.Canadian Conquest for ChristSHARON WILL CELEBRATEThe Sh aron congregation willbe celc bra ting their 125th anniversaryon July 17 and IS, 1971.

IN HOSPITALMiss Mildred Blair of the Clarinda,Iowa congregation has had surgery againin an Omaha, hospital. Friends may addressher there.Miss Mildred BlairOmaha, Nebraska 68100c o Immanuel HospitalMRS. MARTIN McELHINNEYRuth Lane McElhinney passed away,January 9, 1971, in Memorial Hospital,Burlington, where she had been admittedthe night before.She and Martin spent their marriedlife in Des Moines County. Mrs.McElhinney was a member of Sharon R.PChurch.Surviving are her husband Martin;four sons: Dale, Harold, Bill and Hubert;six daughters; Mrs. Alvin (Ola) Lambert,Mrs. Richard (Pauline) Metzger, Mrs.Dan (Verla) Blair, Mrs. Merle (Dorothy)Kerr, Mrs. Dean (Gladys) Parish, andMrs. Richard (Celia) Murphy; 26 grandchildren; one great-grandson; two sisters;Mrs. Avery Adolphson and Mrs. AlmaStout; several nieces and nephews."Surely goodness and mercy shallfollow me all the days of my life; and I willdwell in the house of the Lord forever."NEW YORK CITY(Rev. George W. Price is the pastor)Sincere apologies to members of ourcongregation from the correspondent forfailing to send in news items the past twoyears. Since the death of our formerpastor, we have had supply preachingevery Sabbath. The attendance at SabbathSchool and morning worship have kept upvery well.Rev. George W. Price preached for usfor several months last winter. A call wasmade to him and we were very happywhen he made his decision to accept it. Theproperty committee had the interior of theparsonage completely redecorated andmade ready for its new occupants: Rev.and Mrs. Price, Candice (8) and George(6).New York Presbytery convened inour church on the afternoon of April 14; a14congregational dinner planned by thesocial committee, (Miss Isabelle Heaney,Mrs. Bert Whitehead and Mrs. SherylPendell), was given at 6 o'clock, followedby the installation service. Presbytery wasin session all day Wednesday.Sgt. Robert W. Metcalfe, son of Dr.and Mrs. William K. Metcalfe, is uppermostin our thoughts and prayers, as heserves in Vietnam. He entered the Army inSeptember of 1969 after graduation fromSouthampton University. Bob was incamps in three states and then sent toVietnam in March for helicopter duty inthe medics with the Green Berets. He hasreceived several awards for bravery andmeritorious service. His parents flew toHonolulu in November to spend six dayswith him when he was on leave.Communions in the past two yearshave been conducted by Rev. KennethSmith, Dr. Claude Brown, Rev. JamesCarson and Rev. George Price. Rev.William Smith assisted our pastor with thefall communion services. At least 12 newmembers have been received intomembership and about the same numberhave been baptized. At the last communion,it was impressive to see fiveteenagers and one adult baptized andreceived into membership on profession offaith. Three mothers: Mrs. Heard, Mrs.Johnson and Mrs. Hedgebeth, recent newmembers, have been helpful in VBS,Sabbath School, and other work. All havehad their children baptized.Sorrow has come into ourcongregation many times. We extendedsympathy to Mr. and Mrs. John Crawfordin the sudden death of their son, James,who suffered a heart attack; and Dr. ClydeMcCarroll, whose son died of leukemia,upon returning to the States after completinghis doctorate in the British Isles.Six of our members have passedaway in the past year: Mr. Otto Rochow,trustee, who was in the process of retiringand moving that week to their newlycompleted home; after almost six monthsin the hospital, Bert Whitehead, faithfulelder and trustee; Adele Newell, in herearly fifties, after many months of suffering;Mrs. Jennie Serine, past 90,although out-of-bounds, faithful in interestand giving and attendance when possible;Mrs. Anna Wray, a beloved saint in her80's, who drove her own car to New YorkCity every Sabbath until she was 80; Mr.Joseph Dickey, 89, a faithful elder andchurch worker all his life, who went to theReformed Presbyterian Home three yearsago.During the months of July andAugust, an evangelism team composed ofMike Tabon, Sandra Heard, and DavidWalker, sponsored by New YorkPresbytery and under the direct supervisionof our pastor, worked in the area ofour church. Before beginning work, theteam was trained and instructed by fourother ministers of the Presbytery.Vacation Bible School was conductedfor two weeks in July by the pastor, theevangelism team and members of thecongregation. After that, the team heldweekly classes for teenagers and juniorsand carried on a visitation program on theshut-ins and new contacts in the neighborhood.The congregation had a dinner andfarewell on June 19 for Miss Lola Weir,who entered the Home the latter part ofJune. Miss Weir has been a very activechurch worker in many areas of service.For many years she has worked daily forthe American Board of Mission to theJews. We wish her a happy retirement atthe Home.Miss Sara Torrens spent the summerin Ireland taking care of a sister who wasill. Miss Margaret Hawthorne spent thesummer in Maine with her sister andfamily, and then took a long trip to variouscountries overseas. Mrs. AngelosTrombettas and two young sons spent thesummer with her parents in Greece. Rev.George Price, Dr. William Metcalfe, MissWeir, and Mrs. Patterson attended theCarleton Conference. White Lake Campwas shorter this summer for the youngpeople, because of Carleton, but JuniorCamp was of the regular length.Mike Tabon, a junior at Geneva, isone of the soloists for the Genevans. BillWeir is in his sophomore year. MarilynPatterson attended last year and thenspent the summer here with her mother,Mrs. J. R. Patterson, who moved from theparsonage on July 4, 1969 to the followingaddress: 291 Garibaldi Avenue, Apartment3, Lodi, New Jersey 07644.We were sorry to see Brad and Sheryl(Patterson) Pendell leave us this summer.They moved to the former Patterson homeat 109 Monitor Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,on September 15. Marilyn moved

there on October 1 and is renting anapartment from them. All have new jobs inPittsburgh. We miss them in our church,but pray God's blessing on them in theirnew location.Mr. Herman Cummings suffered aheart attack this winter and spent aboutthree weeks in the hospital. We are glad tohave both Mr. and Mrs. Cummings back atour services again.HEBRON CHURCH, NEARIDANA, KANSAS(Rev. Luther McFarland is the pastor)The year 1970 has been one of sorrowas well as joy for the Hebron congregation.We were saddened this year with thepassing in April of Miss Myrtle Tippin andin November of Mrs. Irl McMahan.We are glad that our young people arean active, enthusiastic group. Four ofthem were able to attend the conference inAugust. They also attended thepresbyterial C.Y. conferette. They haveheld afternoon meetings for the elderlyand retired in the two Clay Center manors.Christmas eve they called on the shut-insin Clay Center and came to Idana, singingcarols and Psalms at the parsonage andseveral other homes.We were glad to welcome manyvisitors during the year. In March the IrlMcMahans were happy to have all of theirchildren here to help them celebrate their60th wedding anniversary.Mr. and Mrs. John Greenlee andLynn were glad to have his sister andbrothers here for a family reunion in June.A church family night picnic was held intheir honor.Dr. Howard Elliott was our assistantfor communion, April 12. The followingSabbath our pastor assisted with communionat Topeka.The Rev. and Mrs. Luther McFarlandand Mr. and Mrs. Russell James attendedthe Carleton Conference. The followingSabbath morning, Rev. Jerrold Milroy, ason of the congregation, brought themessage. His wife and family were withhim. That week visitors in the parsonagewere Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Wylie, Orange,California. Mrs. Wylie is Mr. McFarland'ssister. The Rev. and Mrs. James E. Mc­Farland and two children, of Allenwood,New Jersey, were here the first of Septemberas welcome visitors in the parsonage.James preached two Sabbathmornings for his father.The World Day of Prayer meetingwas held in the Hebron Church with fourcommunity churches participating. Asuccessful V.B.S. was held this summerwith the parents of the communitychildren attending the closing program.Many of these same children attend themonthly L.T.L. meetings sponsored by theW.M.S.Mrs. James Hatfield, state W.C.T.U.president, attended the national convention,in California, this summer.In August, Mrs. Stan Copeland flew toHawaii for a few days with her husband onleave from Vietnam.Steven McMahan is a college juniorat Kansas State University, Manhattan.Sonda Fowles is a freshman there thisyear. We are glad they are frequently ableto attend Sabbath services here. Last yearMerlin Fowles attended vocational schoolat Beloit, and expects soon to be inductedinto the army.The Rev. Melvin Vos assisted in ourfall communion. Mrs. Vos and childrenwere here also. The first of November ourpastor and wife were at Olathe for theircommunion services.Miss Eleanor Faris was the speakerfor our thank offering service, December6. We were glad to have her here for a fewdays.SHARON R.P. CHURCH,NEAR MORNING SUN, IOWA(Rev. G. M. Robb, D.D. is the pastor)In early December, the women of thecongregation gave a shower for MissPamela Jean Singer, fiancee of RonaldLambert.On January 3, 1971, Pamela Singerbecame the bride of Ronald Lambert, sonof Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Lambert. Theceremony was held at the First BaptistChurch, Waterloo, Iowa. The couple is athome in Sacramento, California whereRon is stationed in the U.S. Air Force. Ronrecently received his B.S. degree inaerospace engineering and was commissioneda second lieutenant.Our annual basket supper andChristmas program was held onDecember 22. The congregational socialcommittee was in charge of the supper andMaurice Hutcheson, Sabbath Schoolsuperintendent, was in charge of theprogram. Each class participated in theprogram and everyone joined in singingChristmas carols. Christmas candy waspassed out to all the children. The eveningwas a very enjoyable one for all.The Young Adult Class presented theChristmas story by means of puppets atLincoln School for Retarded Children, inBurlington, on Wednesday afternoon,December 16. Dialogue had previouslybeen recorded on tape; and the characterswere portrayed with hand puppets, withappropriate backgrounds for the inn, fieldswith the shepherds, the stable, etc.Dialogue of the Christmas story was taperecorded by Mrs. Alvin Lambert, Mrs.Fred Johnson, Dr. R. E. Dill, Ron Lambert,Phillip Lotz, Paul McElhinney,Charles Newcomb, John Smith, and Rev.G. M. Robb.Those operating the puppets wereMrs. Charles Newcomb and Mrs. JohnSmith with Mrs. Bill Baird in reserve.Our congregational meeting was heldon January 14. Committee reports weregiven at this time. Also Wylie Kilpatrickwas voted congregational chairman andMrs. Robert Baird secretary.GENEVA PROFESSORRECEIVES DOCTORAL DEGREEDR. HARRY E. FARRAHarry E. Farra, director ofdramatics at Geneva College, received hisDoctor of Philosophy degree in Speechfrom Pennsylvania State University, StateCollege, during December graduationceremonies.Dr. Farra, who came to Geneva atthe beginning of the 1962-63 college term,received the bachelor of arts degree fromNorthwestern College, Minneapolis,Minnesota, the bachelor of divinity degreefrom Bethel Theological Seminary, St.Paul, Minnesota and his masters degreefrom the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.His doctoral dissertation was entitled"The Rhetoric of Dr. Clarence EdwardMacartney: A Man Under Authority." It isa study of the preaching of the late Dr.Macartney in whose memory the GenevaCollege Library was built and dedicated.Dr. Farra, who has made an intensivestudy of the library's collection ofsome 2,200 works by Dr. Macartney, alsoedited a volume of his previously unpublishedsermons titled "Along Life'sHighway" published in 1969 by Baker BookHouse. A second volume is due forpublication this spring.He has a special interest inhomiletics, the science of preaching, andhas authored several articles on religiousdrama several of which have beenpublished in Christian periodicals.Dr. and Mrs. Farra, their daughterHeidi and son Kirk reside at 3524 CollegeAvenue, Beaver Falls

CLARKES TO HOSTGENEVA TRUSTEES,FACULTY AND WIVESThe Geneva College trustees, thecollege faculty, and their husbands andwives were guests of President Dr. andMrs. Edwin C. Clarke at dinner, Friday,January 22, in the Brigadoon in the StudentCenter.D. Roger Robb, instructordemonstratorin Geneva's physicsdepartment, will present the after dinnerprogram in the Skye Lounge. Hisdemonstration-lecture, "This AtomicWorld," is an educational program beingconducted by Geneva College incooperation with Oak Ridge AssociatedUniversities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, whichoperates the Atomic Energy Commission'snationwide program. In lay terms, usingspecially designed electronic equipment,the structure of atoms and the operation ofnuclear reactors as well as such conceptsas radiation, fission, and fusion aredemonstrated and explained.The program is designed to bring thepublic a greater understanding of atomicenergy and its uses. Dr. Charles R. Fuget,chairman of the department of physics iscoordinator.A 1968 Geneva College graduate, Mr.Robb has completed one year graduatestudy toward a master of science degree atthe University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee,and has had extensive training at OakRidge Associated Universities. He has,since 1969, presented an extensivetraveling exhibit program throughoutWestern Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohiomade possible by a grant to Geneva fromDuquesne Light, Pennsylvania Power andOhio Edison Company.WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP WORKON "PROJECT OF THE YEAR"For their "Project of the Year" theWomen's Fellowship of NAE has adoptedthe Hoa Khanh Children's Hospital inVietnam.AN INVITATIONThe Denison, Kansas congregationplans to celebrate their 100thanniversary on August 7 and 8, 1971,the week end prior to Forest ParkConference.All friends and former membersand their families are encouraged toplan now to attend our celebration.Another Business Bears WitnessFrom time to time the Lord's DayAlliance learns of some segment of thenation's business life which is quietly, butpositively, bearing its witness for theLord's Day. When we do we are eager togive them the recognition which they donot seek, but truly deserve. Such a one isthe Dutton—Lainson Company ofHastings, Nebraska. A company foundedin 1886, two years before the organizationof L.D.A., and engaged in manufacturingand distributing tools and automotivesupplies.Last summer, our National Chairmanfor 1970, Charles R. Sligh, Jr.,received a letter from Hal Lainson,President of the Dutton—Lainson Company,in which he said, "We have for along time had a company policy on(Sabbath) observance and I am enclosinga copy of our statement which may be ofinterest to you."Mr. Lainson has kindly given uspermission to print his company's"(Sabbath) work" policy which wasoriginally issued March 15, 1960.The modern 120-bed hospital,operated under the auspices of the WorldRelief Commission, is almost continuouslyat full capacity, and sometimes thepatients are even two to a bed. Some of thepatients are war victims, but most of thechildren are in the hospital with suchcommon ailments as skin infections,tuberculosis, pneumonia, plague, fracturesand cleft lips.The Women's Fellowship has starteda cash assistance fund for hospital supplies,medical equipment, medicine, food,etc., by a contribution of $250.The women are also sewing pajamasfor the hospital patients. The Los Angeleschapter has already shipped 25 pairs.Women desiring to sew pajamas forthe hospital can make them in allchildren's sizes. They should be two-piece,either long or short sleeves. This type ofgarment is used on the street as well as forsleeping; therefore, thousands of themcan be used. Ship pajamas to World ReliefCommission, 33-10 36th Ave., Long IslandCity, N.Y. 11106. Indicate contents ofpackage on the label.Send money for the hospital cashassistance fund to the treasurer of theWomen's Fellowship, Mrs. S. D.Shanebeck, 918 Maxine Drive, FortWayne, Ind. 46807.N.A.E. Profile"1. (Sabbath) work of any kind,including attendance at conventions,meetings, etc. is discouraged by theDutton—Lainson Company.2. The gradual breakdown of(Sabbath), and the disregarding of thecommandment — 'Remember the SabbathDay to keep it Holy' — should be amatter of concern to responsible businessestablishments such as ours.3. Department men should exerttheir influence in discouragingorganizations which propose havingconventions, open houses, and meetingson (Sabbaths).Only in cases of extreme emergencyshould our people disregard this companypolicy."Hal LainsonPresidentWe trust that this policy of Dutton—Lainson may encourage others torecognize the importance of (Sabbath) asa day for renewal and worship for theindividual, for the church, and for society.Sunday MagazineTHE MIRACLE OF A MANJames C. HefleyThe original "you" was a tiny cellholding the amazing DNA (deoxribonucleicacid). One two-trillionth (twothousand billionth) of an ounce ofDNA determines what kind of personyou will be. The amount of DNA neededto produce the present earth'spopulation of more than three billionwould make a pill about the size ofan aspirin tablet.The DNA in the start of "you" heldthe equivalent of one thousand volumesof coded blueprints for your futurebody — the color of your hair andeyes, the shape of your nose, the sizeof your feet, and so on.Your cells complete their life cycleevery few years, so that every fewyears your body renews itself. Atseven you had a whole new body —made up of all new cells except foryour brain cells.The brain cells multiply into millionsyet stay alive all your life. Thatenables you to keep remembering.Yet the original blueprint, DNA, remainsin your cells throughout yourlifetime.God's greatest earthly creation isman. It is no wonder that David sang,"I am fearfully and wonderfully made"(Ps. 139:14).—Selected

VOLUME LXXXVI No. 7 FEBRUARY 17, 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 14, 1971RFY. S. RAY BLAIR. PASTORReformed Presbyterian ChurchWashington, Io>va

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER » EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. L.E. KilpatrickDepartment Editors:Rev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling,Kansas two weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles I (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. HughWright, B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern IrelandBT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.2WORLDDAY OF PRAYERMARCH 5, 1971Join evangelicals everywhere as they unite In prayerlor the many desperate needs of this world andlor spiritual revival in their own lives. The motto forthe special day of prayer is, "Jesus Christ-Lord of AllFor you and your church to share meaningfullyIn the 1971 World Day of Prayer,the National Association of Evangelicalsprepared a Bible-centered worship service.These worship booklets are now available.There is no charge for the worshipmaterial, but an offering for the workof NAE is encouraged. Use the handycoupon to order your material.Now Available Without ChargeNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALSBOX 28 • WHEATON, ILLINOIS 60187Please send the following (indicate number):YOUR NAME _ —.YOUR CHURCH'S NAME .YOUR ADDRESSSamples onlyBooklets .CITY STATE . ZIP.PostersThis Week's WitnessGood Resolutions 3Glimpses of the Religious World. 4The Problem of the Geologic Ages 5Computer-Conversion .6Evaluation of Urbana '70. .... .7Why Psalms? 8Dr. Peoples Prepares to Be a Missionary Doctor 10Lesson Helps 11Church News.. 14The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed

£6 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014THE "FORGIVING" PUBLICIt is reported that the man who acknowledged blamefor the rigged TV quiz shows of the '50s, when one favored"contestant" was given the right answer to the quizquestion beforehand, after an uphill struggle is back top levelagain with his own TV network production, his name, JackBarry. He says that some members of the press were a littlevindictive when he reappeared on TV, but that there wereno bad letters from the public. His explanation: The publichad forgotten the scandal.I don't recall ever having watched one of his farces ofthe '50s, and don't intend to look up his new bit — but theman has at least demonstrated what forgiveness is not.Forgiveness is not mere acknowledgment of blame, thenquietly plodding back up the ladder in the "straight andnarrow'' till people forget. God says, "I will remember theirsin no more (Jer. 31:34)," but I doubt if this means thatGod ceases to be aware that our sins existed. When we areforgiven we do not cease to remember that they existed.Forgiveness means full awareness that our sins were oncewritten against us, but that full satisfaction has been madefor them in the death of Jesus Christ. We are forgiven. So wecan look anyone full in the face who knows of our sins in thepast, and we can stand clean and free and unashamed.INDECISION OF THE REFORMED CHURCHES OFTHE NETHERLANDSThe RES News Exchange reports some of thediscussion surrounding the teaching of Professor Kuitert inthe Free University of Amsterdam, that the early chapters ofGenesis should not be understood as historical. ProfessorRidderbos is quoted as agreeing that the most recent Synod,while declaring "the views of Prof. Kuitert not to be inagreement with the previous Synod,'' yet did not rescind theacts of the previous Synod in regard to the Genesis question.Ridderbos denies that Synod is approving "a latitude ofteaching at this point,'' but insists that it is merely not readyat this point to proceed with discipline. (It seems obviousfrom quotations from the remarks of others, that manyregard the contradictory actions of Synod to be vacillating,and feel that a definite answer by Synod is overdue. L.K.)AMISH PERSECUTION IN WISCONSIN TO ENDThe Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled six to onethat Amish teenagers may not be forced to attend highschool. Inasmuch as these Amish refuse to go to law theRev. William C. Lindholm of Livonia, Michigan was upsetover their repeated arrests, and formed a committee to aidthem. After four years and numerous cases being taken tocourt, the Supreme Court ruled that compulsory education4laws, as applied to the Amish, are unconstitutional. AttorneyWilliam B. Ball of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was theattorney pleading for the Amish, and witnesses of ability,including a Temple University professor, testified.POLLUTIONTwo articles in the most recent Covenanter Witnessrelate this problem definitely to man's mind and spirit, onean article by the Rev. Joseph Caskey and the other an itemon the back page giving the "statement of the President'' (ofthe United States) regarding his rejection of the recendypublished report of the National Commission on Obscenityand Pornography. He speaks of the "pollution of ourculture, . . of our civilization" by smut and filth as a matteras serious for American people "as the pollution of ouronce-pure air and water,'' and we know this is serious.We look to scientists as able to hold out some hope ofprogress in control of pollution, and a chemical engineer,William Yonkman, writing in the Banner, speaks of' 'wordpollution"as being contributor toward our problems in thesocial and nature fields. "For instance, there have beensubtle changes in the meaning of some common words —Liberalism, with its original concept of tolerance andgenerosity, now often means a tolerance of almost anythingwithout restriction and allows for extreme permissiveness. Inpolitics, the generosity concept often stretches toprodigality, and the original concept of dissent, the right todisagree, has now been expanded to include demonstrationsand interferences which curb the right of others to carry ontheir lawful pursuits. . . ."As a final example, another deceiver might bementioned — a widely publicized science which is in reality apseudo-science, a hybrid of true science that is leavened witha generous measure of unprovable philosophicalspeculations. Modern man presents this false science as a socalled'second system of truth' and attempts to use it as ayardstick in evaluating the truth of God's Word. Thedistorting and denying of the Word is often called 'reinterpretationin the light of the findings of modern science.' "IN HIS PRESENCETo serve rightly, I must spend time in the sanctuary ofHis presence, and I must be there because He attracts methere — because His presence is better even than His service.And I must know that He delights in Mary when shesat at His feet and in John when he reclined on His breast atsupper. I must know that I am in His favor; and then will Iserve with a glowing heart and keep myself for Him.—Selected i

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compressed mud. Visualize if you will, a huge inland sea,areas proposed by the geologists. There would probably beseveral rivers flowing into it, each draining a different area.We would suppose that there might be a difference in thesediments carried in by various rivers. One river might bringin a great deal of sand; another both sand and decomposedgranite. If some rivers flowed through limestone formations,they would probably carry some into the sea. When therivers flooded they would all bring some top soil with them,which, when deposited and compressed will form shale. Allof these rivers would be carrying and depositing this varietyof sediments, according to the geologists, for hundreds ofmillions of years.Do we find this mixture of sediments throughout thislarge area? No, we do not. We find layers of sand, mixedwith fossils, compressed into sandstone and coveringthousands of square miles, in depths up to 850 feet. We findlayers of limestone, again containing untold numbers offossils, in thicknesses up to 350 feet, also covering hugeareas. The same applies to shale. How could rivers carry innothing but sand for millions of years, then carry nothingbut lime and then nothing but mud for other millions ofyears? The science of hydrology says this is highly improbable.Even more to the point, the logic that you and Iuse every day tells us the same.Then how were they deposited? If we want to learnabout the events of the past, we turn to history. The mostreliable and dependable history is in the Bible, so let's look atsome passages in Job, the Psalms, and Genesis. Job 38:8,". . .who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, asif it had issued out of the womb?" Psalm 104:9, "Thouhast set a bound that they (the waters) may not pass over;that they turn not again to cover the earth". Genesis 7:11,". . .the same day were all the fountains of the great deepbroken up.. ." Here is the source of the massive volumes ofwater necessary to lay down great beds of sediment such asare found in various places all over the world. The historicalevidence of the Bible and the scientific evidence of hydrologyindicate that the continents actually sank temporarily,causing the bottom of the oceans to rise and pour vastquantities of water across the continents. The breaking up ofthe earth's crust permitted fantastic lava flows andtremendous volcanic activity. This supplied the alkalineconditions and the heated water necessary for the deposit oflimestone strata.How are we to interpret these facts? First, it wouldseem that geology, when it formed its basic assumptionsback in the early eighteen hundreds, did not carefully studythe effects of moving water. Hydrology was forced to do thisto solve such practical problems as keeping river channelsopen. When the facts assembled by the relatively new scienceof hydrology are applied to the study of great beds ofsediment, a whole new picture emerges. Most important tous as Christians is that this picture agrees well with thehistory of the Flood. The second part of this study will givesome facts from two other new sciences which support thisview of world history; also the amazing discovery of ahuman sandal-print in rock which contains trilobite fossilsright in the footprint.(To be continued)A Christian scientist not long ago converted a computer!In effect that is what the widely publicized storypretended to say. It concerned a named scientist with theUnited States' Space Programme. The story was that as hecalculated the moon's position in preparation for the firstmanned landmg, he discovered one day was missing. Thenhe recalled that the moon stood still in Joshua's time Insearching out Joshua 10:13 he discovered the silence had aduration only oi" about a whole day." Only the better partof a day was found. Then the record of Isaiah 38:8 came tomind - about the sun going back ten degrees. This wouldgive approx.mately forty minutes to recede, and fortvminutes to come back. Thus the computer was fed theabout a whole day" of Joshua and approximately eightyTalleluiah" T^ "* *> * bMnked ^ ^hallelujah and gave its transistor-heart to the Bible Th IUSthe computer was converted!Computer - Conversion!Rev. Robert More, fr.,Almonte, Ontario, CanadaMany publications, Christian especially, heralded thisaccount. But as with any striking proof of Scripture, scepticsabounded. Some reported the space agency didn't have thescientist listed. Others located the man and after pointedquestioning concluded that his answers were evasive orequivocal. Thus a cloak of suspicion palled the report.John Schaefer, a professor of physics at GenevaCollege in Beaver Falls, contributed an additional scientificconsideration to the controversy. This man is a staunchChristian who convictingly defends the infallibility ofScripture where it touches scientific data and yet is bytraining and profession one of the scientific community.Thus his observation is surely pertinent.Professor Schaefer states that with King Hezekiah, tocompute back from now to where the moon would have beenin his day, his life must be datable to within one hour andtwenty minutes. Presently archeology cannot come closerthan a day in a rare instance or to a year for most events.

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Why7777 77 777????????????? 111111111Psal saimsDid you ever worship in aChurch that sings only the psalmsin worship? Today many peoplewould probably say 'no.' But thiswasn't always so. In fact, duringmost of the time since theReformation, Churches have beensinging the psalms. It is only incomparatively recent times thatPresbyterian, Reformed, Baptist,and Congregational Churcheshave forsaken the psalms of theBible in favor of modern hymns.(Next time you have a hymn-bookin hand notice how many were noteven written until after 1850!)The practice of the ReformedPresbyterian Church did not seemstrange in times when manyProtestant Churches sang psalms.But it does seem strange today tothose who are only familiar with modern hymns. Thus weare often asked, 'Why do you sing psalms?'In answer to this question we would first say simplythis: we sing psalms because God has commanded us to doso. "Is any among you afflicted?" asks James, "let himpray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms" (James 5:13). Wepray because God commands us to pray. We also sing psalmsbecause-God commands us to sing psalms.But of course someone will ask, 'Why do you singonly the psalms?' The answer again is simple to state: wesing only psalms because God has not commanded us to singanything else. Or, in other words, we sing psalms becausewe are commanded to sing psalms, and we do not sing themodern hymns because we are not commanded to sing them.Here it is necessary to remind ourselves of the greatReformation principle of the sole authority of Scripture. TheBible is the only rule of our faith and practice. Thus we cansay to the Roman Catholic Church (for example) 'No, wecannot accept your seven sacraments, because five are notcommanded in Scripture. We accept only two sacramentsbecause only two are commanded by God.' We do not havethe right to add what we want to that which God has given.This we call the regulative principle of worship. If God hasnot commanded a particular thing in divine worship, it istherefore no legitimate part of true worship. It was on thebasis of this teaching of the Bible (Deut. 12:32; Lev.10:1.2; Isa. 1:12; Mk. 7:7; etc.) that the worship of God8was purified at the time of the Reformation.But again, someone may ask, 'Didn't the ApostlePaul command us to sing psalms, and hymns, and spiritualsongs?' (Col. 3:16,17; Eph. 5:19) The answer is obvious:of course he did. But what did he mean when he wrote thesewords? That is the real question. And it is our convictionthat the older Protestant view is correct. When Paul wrotethese words he obviously referred to existing compositions.He did not command the Ephesians and Colossians tocompose psalms, hymns and songs that they did not yethave. No, he told them to sing compositions already in theirpossession. And where were these psalms, hymns and songsthat Paul commanded them to sing? Well, strange as it mayseem to us today, they were right there in the Greek Bibleused by these early Christians. Yes, in the Septuagint(Greek) version of the Old Testament we find psalms,hymns and songs in the book of Psalms. Just as we find"commandments, statutes, and judgments" as variouskinds of laws, so we find "psalms, hymns, and songs" asvarious kinds of praise compositions in the Old TestamentScriptures.Once this is understood, it will be easy to see why Paulcommanded the Colossian Christians to "let the word ofChrist dwell in" them "richly" by singing these compositions.The word of Christ can only be Scripture. Itcannot be the uninspired poetry of men. We can also understandwhy Paul would command them to be "teachingand admonishing one another" as they sang. Protestantshave always refused to be admonished or taught by anyauthority other than Scripture. Only the Bible may be usedfor teaching and admonishing. And it is, if we sing only thepsalms. Again we note that the psalms, hymns, and songsmentioned by the Apostle are to be "spiritual." Theoriginal ought to be translated "spiritual psalms, hymns,and songs." This is precisely what we have in the book ofPsalms. We have spiritual (that is, divinely inspired)compositions, some of which are entitled psalms, and somehymns, and some songs. (Note the titles to Psalms 120—134 in the English Bible, for example).Perhaps it will help if we state the matter briefly, as wefind it in Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:18,19. To expressit in a positive way: 1) we are commanded to becomefilled with Christ's Word and Spirit; 2) we are to effect thisthrough mutual instruction and admonition in singing; and3) the manual for this is the psalter because it alone containsinspired psalms, hymns, and songs. To express itnegatively: 1) we are not commanded to compose our ownpraises, nor to be filled with the spirit and words of men;2) we are not commanded to engage in self-expression, norto be instructed and admonished by the thoughts and feelingsof men; and 3) therefore we are not commanded to submitto any manual of instruction or admonition other than theinspired psalter.But someone may yet ask, 'Doesn't this make you feela great sense of loss, not to be free to sing the many wellloved hymns of our day in worship?' In answer, let us say,emphatically, 'no!' The writer of these lines was brought up

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, *< is.!')"V -J >-T „,The Children's CornerDR. PEOPLES PREPARES TO BE A MISSIONARYMrs. Kenneth Sanderson, Larnaca, CyprusDr. John Peoples was so discouraged he sometimeswondered if God really meant for him to be a medicalmissionary or not. Hundreds of people were needing hismedical help, many of them dying, in the city where he'dbeen called to be a missionary, and here he was miles awaysitting studying French in Constantinople. Maybe he shouldhave stayed at home in America. Life just seemed to be onediscouraging thing after another.On April 17, 1909, he wrote to his family, "No oneknows what a week will bring forth. Meagre reports aresickening. They say a thousand or more are dead in Adanawith the town burning and two American missionaries arekilled. — My but I wish I was there. I'm anxiouslyawaiting news. I don't know whether to go or not. Thewhole country is just like an active volcano."Before we go on maybe we'd better see how Dr.Peoples had gotten into his dilemma.John's father had died when he was just ten years old.A year later an uncle and aunt in Liverpool, England sentmoney for John and his younger sister to come to visit them.Although his sister returned in the fall John stayed on andwent to school in England for a year. During that year hememorized all of the 119th Psalm as well as many others.Missionaries were welcome guests in his UncleDaniel's home and perhaps that was the place that the firstseeds of his desire to be a missionary were sown. They camefrom far distant places like Egypt, India, and Turkey. Onetime thirteen missionaries all met there at one time beforethey left for their different countries of service.The following year when John had returned toPhiladelphia and was again in school at home he was invitedto come to a friend's home for dinner. He felt quite importantwhen he arrived for no one else from his family hadbeen invited.Among the guests present was the hostess' nephewwho was the cashier of the largest bank in Pennsylvania. Heasked John many questions and also wanted to play somegames with him. Two or three weeks later John wasdelighted to receive a second invitation to dinner at the samehome. A few days later his mother received a letter from thebank cashier asking if John would like to come and work inhis bank. Mrs. Peoples felt this was an answer to prayer Shewas finding it quite difficult to support three young childrenShe gladly welcomed the opportunity for John at twelve tobecome the youngest "bank clerk" in PhiladelphiaAt that time state laws did not require compulsorvschool attendance; therefore, John was able to quit school10but he did not want to stop his education, so he started goingto night school. Within three years he had completed abusiness course and began taking Latin lessons and othercourses which would prepare him to study medicine.During these years many Covenanter young peoplefrom other states were coming to Philadelphia to studymedicine. Most of them planned to become foreignmissionaries. Their enthusiasm was catching for soonseveral from the Philadelphia congregations that they attendedalso decided God was calling them to the missionfield. One of these was John Peoples.For thirteen years John continued to work in the bankwith regular advances both in salary and responsibility. Butbanking and night classes were not the only things to occupyJohn's mind. One of the medical students who came toPhiladelphia was Miss Maude George. She was planning togo to China as a missionary. John and Maude became verygood friends and before long she was showing her friends alovely engagement ring which, of course, came from John.John decided that he must stop his work in the bankand give his full time to medical studies, so he resigned andentered the Medico Chirurgical College of Philadelphia.Meanwhile Maude George finished her internship and left in1901 for China. John intended to follow as soon as he hadcompleted his studies.Before long she was busy learning the language andtreating the sick at the same time. One September day in1904 while John was in his third year in college, he receiveda telegram. It contained the shocking news that his fianceewas dead. She had contracted a contagious disease from someof her Chinese patients and lived only a short time. PoorJohn was heart broken. His will to be a missionary was asstrong as ever, but he wrote the Foreign Mission Board,"—any place but China."The busy years of medical school and internship finallycame to an end and on October 5, 1907 he sailed for thehome of that great early church leader, Paul, for he wasappointed to be a missionary in Tarsus, Turkey.Naturally after all these years of preparation Dr.Peoples was anxious to begin his medical work at once.Imagine his disappointment when he was told that topractice medicine in Turkey he must pass a governmentmedical examination either in Turkish or French, never inEnglish. The missionaries on the field advised him that itwould be easier for him to learn French than Turkish, sincehe had had a little French already in school, so he immediatelybegan French lessons with a private tutor. In orderto have better opportunities for study he soon went toLebanon, and then, in March 1909, he learned that a BerlitzLanguage School had been opened in Constantinople, so heleft to study there. (To be contj n ued)

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the fellow-servant probably could havepaid it back had he been given more time.Instead, however, of being patient with hisfellow-servant, the one who owed such agreat debt, "laid hands on him, and tookhim by the throat, saying, Pay me thatthou owest. And his fellow-servant felldown at his feet, and besought him saying,Have patience with me and I will pay theeall And he would not; but went and casthim into prison till he should pay thedebt."7: God's Forgiveness Hinges UponMan's Forgiveness of His Fellow-servant.When it was told the king what hadhappened he called the servant to him andsaid."0 thou wicked servant, I forgavethee all that debt, because thou desirestme: should not thou also have had compassionon thy fellow-servant, even as Ihad pity on thee?" The king then deliveredhim to the "tormentors until he shouldpay all that was due unto him. So likewiseshall my heavenly Father do also unto you,if ye from your hearts; forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses." In theLord's prayer Jesus taught us to pray thepetition, "Forgive us our debts as weforgive our debtors.""Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior Topicfor March 14,1971DanielUnit: Later Old Testament DaysMrs. Herbert A. HaysPsalms: 46:1,2,5,6, p. 118; chooseyour favorite Psalms.Memory verse: Philippians 1:20b:"So now also Christ shall be magnified inmy body, whether it be by life, or bydeath."Scripture verses will be read alongwith the lesson.DanielWe are thinking about Daniel tonight.He is known as the boy who refused theking's food, and no doubt the best known ofall is the story about Daniel in the lions'den.Leader: If you wish to review one ofthese stories, or have someone do it foryou, it is alright. We are not, however,going to give space to these stories at thistime.12Something about DanielNothing is known of Daniel's family,but he is thought to have been of nobledescent. Read Daniel 1:3 at this timeHe was carried captive to Babylonduring the reign of Jehoiakim. He, andthree companions, because of their specialqualifications were selected to be trainedfor the king's service. We find this inchapters 1,3,4, of Daniel.Let us look at the resemblance betweenDaniel's career and that of Joseph.1. Both were carried captive inyouth, were model young men, and foundemployment in a king's court.2. Both were unjustly persecuted,their hardships becoming stepping stonesto honor, and through the interpretation ofdreams were exalted to rulership.3. Both lived pure lives in the midstof corrupt courts and died in foreign lands.Daniel like Moses was both astatesman and a prophet.Characteristics of DanielThe following verses may be used forthe Scripture verses: self control: Dan.1:8; 10:3; courage: Dan. 5:22,23; integrity:Dan. 6:4; prayerfulness: Dan.2:17,18; 6:10; humility: Dan. 10:17;spiritual vision: Dan. 7:9-12; 10:5,6.Let us pray that our statesmen mayhave some of these characteristics. Mayour President come to know that he is onlya piece of clay in the hands of God, andmay he ask God for wisdom in directingthe affairs of this nation. In asking God forthis wisdom may he make his petitionsthrough the Lord Jesus Christ.Magnifying ChristObjects: A large cardboard heart,with a small picture in the centerrepresenting Christ, and a magnifyingglass. (If a small picture is not available, aprofile sketch will serve the purpose.)Lesson: What is a magnifying glass,such as this one, used for? "To makethings larger, so that you can see thembetter."That is a very good answer. Here is alarge heart with a small picture in thecenter. It is difficult to see what this picturerepresents without the aid of GrandmaJones's magnifying glass. As I focusthe glass over the center of this heart, thepicture is enlarged until I can see itclearly. It is a picture representing Christ.This magnifying glass reminds me ofwhat Daniel did. He magnified the Lord.Did you notice that the heart did notgrow in size — only the picture? If Danielhad been like some people, he would havepraised himself. Instead he praised andmagnified the Lord.How may we magnify Christ? HereJuniors may give their ideas on how theycan magnify Christ.Prayer MeetingTopicfor March 17,1971PRAYER FOR THE BOARDOF HOME MISSIONSAND CHURCH EXTENSIONRev. Melville W. MartinScripture to consider: Acts 10; Acts 15:13-21; Acts 11:27-30The work of the Board of HomeMissions and Church Extension is that ofsupporting the smaller congregations andthe mission stations of the denominationwith counsel and funds as this help issought through the respectivepresbyteries. It also assists in the churchextension work by encouragingpresbyteries in their efforts to begin newventures. And here again it is by counseland money, as requests are received andas funds are available for this work.PRAY for the Aid-ReceivingCongregations.There are seven congregations andmission stations receiving aid through theBoard of Home Missions. This does notinclude the four very new ventures that wewill speak of later. This aid has beenrequested by presbyteries and the Boardhas evaluated each situation and approvedeach expenditure. There have been timeswhen requests were not granted afterprayerful consideration of all the needsand of our responsibility to be wisestewards of the funds which were at ourdisposal.The number of congregations andmission stations receiving aid has beendecreasing, but the total amount of the aidgranted has been rising sharply. This hasbeen due mainly to higher costs ofoperation (i.e., higher salaries). Most ofthe congregations now receiving aid aretrying to decrease the amount requestedfrom year to year. Those receiving aid,and for whom we should show a concern inprayer in 1971 are Marion, Iowa;Lawrence, Kansas; Park City, Kansas;Selma, Alabama; Fresno, California;Four-Mile at Beaver, Pa.; and Union atMars, Pa. Some of these congregationshave been organized only a short time. Weneed to pray that they will not lose heart,

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CHANGE OF ADDRESSSynod's Board of TrusteesLouis D. Hutmire, Treasurer7418 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, Pa. 15208Office Phone - 412-731-1177CHANGE OF ADDRESSBeginning March 1, 1971 use this address:Rev. James C. Penningtonc/o Mrs. Verna Pennington800 Darlington RoadPatterson Arms, Apt. B-25Beaver Falls, Pa. 15010JAMES L. GAULTJames Lincoln Gault, 45, son of Rev.Mr. and Mrs. John K. Gault, died inSocorro, New Mexico, January 25, 1971,following years of declining health. He wasa veteran of World War II. Burial was inSocorro, New Mexico.JAMES HARTINElder James Hartin was receivedinto Glory on Sabbath, January 17, 1971after a brief illness. He was born inBallymoney, Northern Ireland to Jamesand Mary Ann Hartin on September 14,1886.He left Ireland to come to America toseek employment and worked for AcmeMarkets as a supervisor and senior storeauditor for close to 50 years.Elder Hartin was ordained as amember of Session in the First Church ofthe Covenanters (now Broomallcongregation) in 1927 and had been anactive member for 43 years. He was vitallyinterested in serving his Lord faithfully,especially in the courts of the church. HeTHE KANSAS AND COLORADOWOMEN'S PRESBYTERIALwill meet at the Quinter R.P. Church onApril 6 and 7, 1971.Convention Theme: Jehovah, OurCovenant God.Convention Psalm: Psalm 25:7-12Roll Call: A Bible verse on Covenants.Mrs. Waldo Stevenson,Presbyterial President14served on the Foreign Mission Board for anumber of years.Surviving are his wife Martha; adaughter, Mrs. Marshall Smith; a son,Charles Jilek; six grandchildren; and twobrothers: Joseph in Australia and Williamin Northern Ireland."Precious in the sight of the Lord isthe death of His saints."Prepared on orderof Broomall SessionTED WILCOXGENEVA SENIOR NAMEDREPORTER FOR NEWSWEEKTed Wilcox, a 20-year-old senior atGeneva College, was recently hired as acampus correspondent for Newsweekmagazine. He is one of several dozensimilar correspondents in the UnitedStates who report trends and events thatoccur on college campuses.His main jobs are to answer queriesthat ask for specific data for use inbroadly-scoped stories, and to makesuggestions for possible new story ideas.Mr. Wilcox, who is the son of Mr. andMrs. D. Ray Wilcox, Beaver Falls, is anEnglish major. He was among 20 GenevaCollege seniors elected this year to Who'sWho Among Students in AmericanColleges and Universities, and in additionto his various activities is editor of theCabinet, Geneva's student newspaper.After his graduation, June 8,1971, he plansto follow a career in the field of journalism.OLD BETHELRev. Ralph Joseph has beenpreaching from the Gospel According toMark during the morning worship services,with a study in-depth of the samechapter for the evening meeting. It hasbeen very profitable.The presence of Lt. and Mrs. WilliamWilson at our morning service a fewmonths ago was appreciated. They arenow stationed at the Naval Air Base in KeyWest, Florida where Bill is in Communications.Miss Beth Mathews returned toGeneva College last fall as a sophomore.Mr. Carl Mathews is now a student at SIUin Data Processing. Last summer hesafely returned home after 14 months inVietnam and brought back many coloredslides of Vietnam, Hong Kong, andAustralia. These were shown one eveningfollowing a congregational supper.A number of our members have beenhospitalized in the last several months.Mrs. Mildred Halliday and Mr. JamesFulton have made remarkable recoveries.Mrs. L. S. Finley is recovering nicely froma broken hip and wrist. Miss EleanorWilson spent a few days in the hospital fortests and is back teaching school in EastAlton, Illinois.Following a carry-in meal at thechurch we appreciated hearing MissEleanor Faris tell of the mission work inJapan. At the close of the meeting thethank offering was lifted.Capt. and Mrs. Jim Mathews andfive-month-old son Jimmy spent threeweeks in our midst. Jim graduated at thetop of his class as a pilot on December 19.After a 3V 2 months' crew training period atCastle A F B in California, he will beassigned as co-pilot of a B-52 at Wright-Patterson A F B near Dayton, Ohio. Hisfamily will accompany him.We rejoice that Miss Flora Mathewsfrom Glenwood, Minnesota has movedback in bounds of our congregation. She isstaying with her sister and husband, Mr.and Mrs. Forrest Finley, until a suitableapartment has been located.Rev. and Mrs. Ralph Joseph, Pauland Tim enjoyed a trip to Florida, whereMr. Joseph moderated the commissionthat ordained and installed Rev. JamesWright as pastor of the Orlandocongregation. From Florida they drovenorth to Pittsburgh and spent the holidayswith Mrs. Joseph's parents, Mr. and Mrs.Edward German.Among other visitors attending theSabbath services have been Mr. and Mrs.

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$ tie de Vivrefryof'givingi/eneva College was named for the "French" city of Geneva, Switzerland, where the Swiss Reformers discoveredjoie de vivre through hearing and obeying the Word of God. Joie de vivre! Une petite formule qui exprime le dele plus profond de I'homme. On a essaye de nombreuses philosophies de vie pour atteindre la joie de vivre. Aucund'elles n'a produit une satisfaction qui dure. Joie de vivre! A small phrase which expresses the deep desire ofMan has sought it in different ways, but without God he has failed. Geneva College believes God has provided forjoie de vivre through Jesus Christ.It seeks to aid youngpeople in finding this inner reality and developingChristian principles for living. Through a strong liberalarts program integrated with the Word of God, eachstudent is not only prepared for a meaningful vocationbut becomes aware of the world and his response to it.Would you like to share Geneva's joie de vivre?Qeneva CollegeYes, tell me more about joie de vivre at Geneva College.Please send me a catalogue application form.nameaddresscity state/province zip/zoneyear of high school graduation BOX A 100Return to:ADMISSIONS, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 15010

VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 8 FEBRUARY 24, 1971 STERLING. KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 21, 1971ALL SAINTS NEW. C.M.D.PSALM 110Henry S. Cutler^PfP^l.Je ho vah to my Lord hath said, Sit Thou at My right hand•^—*fW§n ? mi^=£W^i;ij j-i44=i^arfUn - til I make Thy foes a stool Where-on Thy feet may stand.g t ?•-^ ^1 Tm^mJe ho-vah shall from Zi on send The rod of Thy great power;fH^f^if ti jijuiiwIn midst of all Thine en e - mies Be Thou the gov- er nor.mmTHE BOOK OF PSALMS WITH MUSIC. Available fromthe Board of Publication and Education ot the ReformedPresbyterian Church ot N.A., "38 Rebecca Avenue. Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania 15221

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER * EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATION.Editor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas. , i¥-.j- t _o.Contributing Editors:Department Ed'tors.Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Marion L. McFarlandRev L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K.GauUMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling,Kansas two weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. HughWright, B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern IrelandBT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.2PSALM 1102. A willing people in Thy dayOf power shall come to Thee;Thy youth arrayed Ln holinessLike morning dew shall be.Jehovah sware, and from His oathHe never will depart:Of th' order of MelchizedekA priest Thou ever art.3. The Lord at Thy right hand shall smiteEarth's rulers in His wrath;Among the nations He shall judge;The slain shall fill His path.In many lands He'll overthrowTheir kings with ruin dread;And in His march He'll quaff the brook,And so lift up His head.THE KANSAS AND COLORADOWOMEN'S PRESBYTERIALwill meet at the Quinter R.P. Church onApril 6 and 7, 1971.Convention Theme: Jehovah, OurCovenant God.Convention Psalm: Psalm 25:7-12Roll Call: A Bible verse on Covenants.Mrs. Waldo Stevenson,Presbyterial PresidentThis Week's WitnessWhy The First Day?Glimpses of the Religious World.The Covenanter Vision. ...Cash God's Check.The Problem of the Geologic Ages.Dr. Peoples Prepares to Be a Missionary DoctorLesson Helps. .Church News..3..4.5..7.8.10.11.13The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. TweedCOVENANTER WITNESS

The Rev. MelvinWhyTheIn the Old Testament, man's attitude toward God wasclearly determined by his attitude toward the law. If he keptthe law, he pleased God; if he was disobedient to the law, hetransgressed the divine command. In the Ten CommandmentsGod gave as the fourth: "Remember theSabbath Day, to keep it holy."By establishing one day in seven God gave man aconstant reminder that He was God and that He wasCreator. As we stated before, man's attitude toward Godwas determined by his attitude toward the law. Now we cango a step further.God's greatest revelation to the world was the expressionof His love and grace through Jesus Christ. He alsorevealed God's power when He arose from the dead. Afterthis manifestation of God's love and grace to mankind,man's attitude toward God would be determined by hisattitude toward the Son of God. God knew that thistremendous fact of history, which offered to mankind Hissalvation, would have to be protected the same as His act ofcreation.The Christian observance of the Lord's Day combinesthe power of God as Creator with His power as Recreatorthrough His love which fulfilled the law, overcame sin, andconquered death. This tremendous truth must be continuallysafe guarded so that it will never be lost to man.Thus, the Holy Spirit led the Apostolic Church togather for worship on the first day in remembrance of therisen Lord. Today a man's relationship toward his God isdetermined by his attitude toward the Lord Jesus Christ and,in many cases, his attitude toward the Lord is revealed by theway he spends the Lord's Day.The proponents of the seventh-day Sabbath suggestthat we observe the Lord's Day because it was established bythe Roman Catholic Church, or was the result of a RomanEmperor's conversion. The fact is, three hundred yearsbefore these events the Apostolic Church was meeting toworship on the first day of the week.It is true, as the Sabbatarians claim, that the Lordobserved the seventh-day Sabbath, thus fulfilling Jewishtradition.Yet in His life on earth He clearly assumed ther 'ght to dispose of the Sabbath law as might please Him(Matthew 12:8). Some persons suggest that there is nospecific place in the New Testament where the seventh dayis no longer observed. Neither is there any New Testamentpassage which specifically declares the Passover is to be nolonger observed.* Dr. Forney is minister of the Roxborough Baptist Church,Philadelphia, Pa. and General Secretary of the Lord's DayAlliance of Pennsylvania.First Day?\. Forney, D.D. *Christians are to be guided by New Testament practiceas final authority in such matters. It is an established factthat the early apostles observed the first day of the week asthe distinctive Christian Sabbath.Jesus and His first disciples observed the seventh day.So did Jesus and His disciples attend the feasts — thePassover, and Pentecost, and Tabernacles and Dedication —the great feasts of the Jews. Jesus attended the synagogue.Why then do we not follow Him in all these matters?Important Happenings on the Lord's Day: (1) Jesusarose from the dead on the first day of the week (John20:1); (2) Jesus appeared to ten of His disciples on thatfirst day of the week (John 20:19); (3) On the next firstday of the week He appeared to the eleven disciples (John20:26); (4) The promised coming of the Holy Spirit wasfulfilled on the first day of the week; (5) On that same firstday of the week, the first gospel sermon was preached. (Acts2:14); (6) On that same first day of the week threethousand converts were united into the first New TestamentChurch (Acts 2:41); (7) On that same first day of theweek, the rite of Christian baptism was administered. (Acts2:41); (8) At Troas Christians assembled for worship onthe first day. (Acts 20:7); (9) At Corinth, Paul instructedChristians to make contributions on the first day. (ICor. 16:2).From the New Testament we can understand why theChristian Sabbath is the first day of the week. Man, in observingthe Lord's Day, does not weaken God's command;he strengthens it, as he is called upon to recognize hisCreator and also to know and acknowledge his Savior. • • •Sunday MagazineWhy?From a young, new Covenanter:I have seen Christians talk about all kinds of problems ofsystems of theology.I have read discussions about the explanation of this passageor the other.I have read a lot of devotional messages aboutbeing more devoted, prayerful,joyful, pleasant in manner,about how to give to church with pleasure,about staying away from sin.about being aware of cults.I have read many books on apologetics.and the dating of the Gospels.There is just one thing that puzzles me,Whv isn't anybody talking about the lost?.-'.''Leonidas PantelidesP. O. Box 2367Nicosia. CyprusFEBRUARY 24, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014A GLIMPSE OF RUSSIAIt comes via West Germany through a bi-monthlypublication of a Mission-Group dedicated to bringing thegospel to the people under Communist domination, andtranslated in the current Presbyterian Guardian. Krassnow-Levitin is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, and wasin prison seven years for active membership in the"Initiative Group (Initiativniki) for the Defense of CivilRights," and is now again in jail. He wrote a letter to PopePaul VI, to tell something of the state of religion in Russia.He says that we now are in the third generationfollowing the Revolution in Russia. The first generation, the"grandfathers" of today, the "most progressive andenergetic of their representatives despised the Greek OrthodoxChurch passionately, because the Church was, intheir eyes, the main support of the Czarist regime. Thispassionate hatred of the Church at times grew into a wild,antireligious fanaticism."The next generation does not remember when theChurch was "an official institution and support ofCzarism." It does not remember the clerics who servedwithout inner calling, out of laziness and indifference toanything but their own gain and comfort. This generationwas taught that religion was a child of darkness andignorance, but they did not respond to the efforts of Krushchevto call forth an antireligious fanaticism. That effort metwith a "complete lack of success."Today's youth in Russia share the restlessness ofyouth around the world. They are not any better satisfiedwith what the Revolution has provided them, than westernyouth is with the materialism, the emptiness, the hypocrisy,of secular society. Krassnow-Levitin says that "abreakthrough to religion is characteristic for a considerablenumber of boys and girls. . . The cases are growing innumber here in Moscow where sons of Communists, yes,even of Chekists, are baptized. Frequently even people ofJewish race are baptized. When we look at these youngpeople, whose turn to religion usually means sharp dissentwithin the family, and violent quarrels with parents (at timeseven unto a full break), then one involuntarily remembersthe words of the Gospels: 'The Spirit moves where Hewills.'He goes on to say that it is through "the lay people"that these conversions take place, and often ministers are notparticipants, even in the catechetical instruction inpreparation for baptism. Also he says that there is a newspirit of sympathy and respect between members of theGreek Orthodox Church and the Sects (and this term includesall groups of believers that are not Orthodox).A GLIMPSE OF FINLANDA country that is at least in the Communist spheregeographically, is reported — same source as above — by H.I. Puukko, Th. M., a former Westminster TheologicalSeminary student, and now in his native Finland, to beexperiencing a "Fifth Revival.'' There have been four fairlydistinct revival movements in this century, protests againstthe "dead clericalism, the church rituals of their times."These revival movements are still in evidence in theirresulting groups, which ' 'are characteristically 'low church'movements, and laymen have always had a considerablethough not exclusive place in their activity. Personal faithand true Christian life are important. Plain, puritan mannersof living are held in high honor. The role of the home is verysignificant," where meetings were mainly held.The "Fifth Revival" is not a coordinated movement,yet is in evidence in similar form in various places. It hasbeen called "Neopietist,'' there is resistance to ' 'Modernisttheological and church ideas," and the "so-called'historico-critical' Bible study, 'social-gospel' Christianity,the secular methods used in ecclesiastical work among theyouth, and the ecumenical movement represented by theWCC." The followers claim "that a boundary line must bedrawn between the converted and unconverted."Says Mr. Puukko, "Good seed is being sown and itstill finds soil to grow in, in men and women of all ages."A GLIMPSE OF URBANA '70Glimpses of such a cosmopolitan gathering as that ofthe 11,000 students and 1000 or so organizers and committeemenand women, may be misleading and may not dojustice to the whole. One observer was impressed with theprofessionalism of the various mission boards and theirposters and slogans, another with the brashness of a smallgroup who seemed to think that they have the answers andwho were intent on "taking over" the show planned byothers, another with the simple godliness displayed underthe pressures of crowding 12,000 people in where 8 or9,000 had been expected, another with the similaritybetween the assembly and those generated by the "CambridgeSeven," The Student Volunteer Movement forForeign Missions, and by the Wesleys, Moody, and suchlike. Most reporters seem to agree that Inter-VarsityChristian Fellowship did a masterful job of focusing attentionon an active Christian witness on our college and universitycampuses.4COVENANTER WITNESS

Habakkuk 2:2,3The Covenanter VisionRev. Alvin W. Smith, Sr, D.D.Pastor of the R.P. Church, Mars, PennsylvaniaThe word VISION is a familiar one. In the Bible, Godused visions as means of revelation, of communicationbetween Himself and His servants: servants such as Joseph,Samuel, Isaiah, Daniel, Stephen, Paul and John on Patmos.In the visions conveyed to these various servants, Godportrayed a picture as it were, a situation. The vision becamea guiding, impelling force. Paul said of his experience on theDamascus road and what followed: "Wherefore, I was notdisobedient unto the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19,20).The Covenanter Vision, therefore, is a compositepicture revealed by the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures. It is theportrayal of a situation in which the promises of God arefulfilled, or remain to be fulfilled. The better these promisesare known, the clearer the vision.There are various elements in this vision; but at thevery center is the doctrine of the Sovereignty of Jesus Christ.The Bible pictures Him as the Head over all things in Hiskingdom. In this kingdom we commonly think of threedivinely appointed institutions: the home, the church andthe nation.A. The home was set up by the Lord at the verybeginning of the race and God has never surrendered Hisheadship over it. Today, when the home is under bitterattack, we can be sure that Christ who has preserved itthrough centuries of pagan and heathen living in the past,will preserve the home today and in the future, until itspurpose is completely fulfilled.B. The church, composed of all those truly redeemed,was founded long ago. Christ is its Savior and Head. He haspurchased it with His own blood. The Church is His brideand in the end He will present it to Himself a gloriouschurch, not having spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing.The Scriptures give us the vision or picture of theChurch purified, united, and healed of its divisions by theeffect of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:4). Devout servants ofChrist in the various denominations shall have come to seeeye to eye and will march forward in unity, the ChurchMilitant, under the royal banner of the Captain of herSalvation. The Church Militant will become the ChurchTriumphant.C. Jesus Christ is Sovereign over the nations, notmerely as peoples, but as powers, sovereignties (Romans13:1). The rulership exercised by them has been delegatedto them by the Lord. The time will come when these shallhave acknowledged the Lordship of Christ and shall havebrought themselves under His dominion. The name JESUS,^which is now despised by the governments of the world in^rebellion, will be honored as supreme. (Phil. 2:9-11).This vision revealed in the Scriptures shows what theangel proclaimed in the vision accorded to John on Patmos:"The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms ofour Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever andever" (Rev. 11:15). The promise in Psalm 2:8 will havebeen fulfilled.Unless the promises of God in His Word are worthlessand empty, this result is bound to come. "The counsel ofthe Lord standeth sure." Taking the two latter elements inthis vision, giving prominence to the church and the nation,it is clear that the lordship of Christ embraces both institutions,as the two arms of the body, separate, yetworking together to carry out the will of the head.The Holy Spirit gave such a vision to the prophetIsaiah in such chapters of his prophecy as chapter 2 andchapter 60 and also in Micah 4:1-4. In each case, thechurch, God's house, represented by Jerusalem, and alsocalled Zion, is pictured as exalted in the earth. She is thesource or channel of light and of law for the nations. Thenations in turn support God's house and contribute theirresources for the glorification and beautification of thechurch.The effect of the influence of God through the churchis a BLESSING TO THE NATIONS: His law will bringabout justice and peace in the earth. War will come to an endand fear shall be taken away. When, you ask. "In the lastdays, .the latter days. " New Testament Dispensation. Inother words, the Covenanter Vision is spiritual because it isScriptural; yet it is tangible; it deals in realities.And it is called COVENANTER for two reasons: firstit originated on the field of history in historic covenants,notably: The National Covenant of 1580, The Covenant of1638, The Solemn League and Covenant of 1643. Second,among denominations the Covenanter Church more thanany other has preached this vision.It was bequeathed to us by the reformers who foresawits ultimate realization, even though they were called homebefore they saw its realization.The following is taken from The Covenanter Vision byDr. R. J. George, pages 338,339: "The historical line ofour Church is thus summarized by Dr. R. M. Sommerville:"The Reformed Presbyterian Church of NorthAmerica is the lineal representative of the Church ofScotland, holding forth the same principles that wereexhibited during the Second Reformation (1638-49)the purest period in its history.""The Reformed Presbyterian Church is not anoffshoot from any other ecclesiastical organization, but|EBRUARY 24, 1971 5

part of the stem of the original Church of Scotland. Itsdistinctive testimony turns on the supreme headship ofJesus Christ. It holds that He is the exclusive Head ofthe Church, deciding as to the manner of worship, sothat its congregations use only Bible Psalms, and noinstrumental music, in the service of song, on theprinciple that what He has not required is forbidden;and also as to form of government, which in all itsleading principles is Presbyterian — not leaving tohuman device matters so essential to the efficiency ofthe gospel ministry and the edification of His people."It also holds that He is the Head of the State,and that every nation, not only in its individualcitizenship, but in its corporate capacity, owes worshipto God and this worship can only be rendered throughHis mediation, so that its members refuse to swearallegiance to any civil constitution that fails to honorHim as Head of the Church and Prince of the kings ofthe earth; and believe it is the duty of all Christians tohave no dealings with the political body that might beinterpreted as an approval of national disloyalty to theMediator."(The New Schaff-Herzog Religious Encyc. Vol. Ill, p.233.)Going back much farther than the history of Scotland,the early martyrs, God's witnesses in the first century A.D.saw this vision very clearly and gave their lives in loyalty toLord Christ and not to lord Caesar. The later martyrs duringthe Inquisition and during the Reformation, saw this vision,both on the Continent and in the British Isles and faithfullycontended for the authority of Scripture as opposed to thepresumptuous claims of the Church of Rome.Still later, they contended for the Headship of Christover the Church as opposed to the authority of prelates(bishops) appointed by the kings and queens of Britain.(There lay the springs of liberty in the WesternHemisphere.) The vision crossed the Atlantic in the mindsand hearts of the writers of the various colonial charters, upuntil the Constitutional Convention. Those writers werebold in proclaiming the authority of Jesus Christ, whilesetting up the instruments of civil government in thecolonies. What a tragedy it was that the delegates to theConstitutional Convention did not incorporate in our presentUnited States Constitution this same acknowledgment.On a recent morning in October 1970, others besidesthe writer listened to the confessed and blatant atheist, Mrs.Madeline O'Hare on Channel II, KDKA as she was interviewedby Marie Torre. Mrs. O'Hare, notorious for herhaving started the movement which resulted in court rulingswhich banned devotional exercises such as Bible reading andprayer from the public schools, said some things that weretrue and they really hurt.In one statement she said that the writers of theDeclaration of Independence and of the Constitution later,deliberately left out the name of Jesus Christ from bothdocuments because those men were deists, that is, the mainleaders were deists. Webster defines deism: "Belief in theexistence of a personal God with disbelief in Christianrevelation. The doctrine that God exists as a being whollydistinct from the physical universe, of which man is a part,God's operation upon the universe being purelymechanical." Deism is thus, NOT Biblical Christianity.Mrs. O'Hare went on to say that unless and until there is aconstitutional amendment there can be no place for Biblereading and prayer in our public schools.May I remind the reader that this is the very thingwhich the Covenanter Church has been testifying on behalfof the Christian Amendment? The American Associationfor the Advancement of Atheism has contended that theUnited States Government is in no sense founded on theChristian religion, because there is no mention of God or ofthe Bible in the U.S. Constitution. So, the United Statescould be classed as atheistic or pagan. Although we havechanged the name of the Christian Amendment Movementto Christian Government the purpose and goal of both arethe same.The Covenanter Vision sees the United States,hopefully, let us say, pictured as the familiar figure of UncleSam, on his knees before Christ. He expresses thatacknowledged fealty to Christ's sovereignty by filling in theomission which is so glaring in our fundamental governmentallaw, namely, the recognition of Jesus Christ as thesource of all authority and law. This is a larger and betterway of saying, as we do, in the salute to the stars and stripes,"ONE NATION UNDER GOD."Such a confession would serve as a foundation for allphases of Christian legislation which would promote law andorder in the land and would assist the church in fulfilling hermission. This would give sanction to devotional exercises intax-supported schools. It would also provide protection foremployees (page Constantine), securing to them the right torest from labor on the Lord's Day and be free to engage inpublic and private worship of God.Once our nation as a government, a sovereignty,should acknowledge the authority that is higher than itself,namely the authority of God in Jesus Christ, she would be ina better position to command respect and obedience from hercitizens.But there is a disturbing question: Do the leaders andmembers of the Covenanter Church still carry this vision, orhas it faded out? Has the pressure of modern living crowdedout a devout study of God's Word to find therein what Godhas purposed for the world?Has the neglect of this unpopular doctrine of theSovereignty of Christ caused our church to shift emphasisalmost exclusively to the conversion of individuals and sopush aside the preaching of the Lordship of our Savior andRedeemer? Dr. W. J. Coleman was right when he said:"THE NATURE OF THE GOVERNMENT,WHETHER IT IS SECULAR OR SPIRITUAL, SETS THECLIMATE IN WHICH THE CHURCH FUNCTIONS.THAT CLIMATE IS EITHER FRIENDLY ORHOSTILE."There is increasing evidence to show that thegovernment of the United States is becoming hostile to the6 COVENANTER WITNESS

church of Christ. Thankfully, there are some signs of revivalwithin the church. That is the place where new life muststart, but its effects must be felt throughout the nation.There is a call for the church to re-assert its faith in theinspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. There is acall for the church to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit inHis Word in the all important matter of God's worship. AsDr. Sommerville stated: "That which God has appointed isrequired. What He has not appointed is forbidden." Thiswas the position of the reformers andit gave strength to thechurch.This principle is directly opposed to the principleenunciated and followed by the Church of Rome: ' 'What isnot forbidden is permitted.'" Sadly enough, this erroneousand unscriptural principle came to be adopted and followedby most of the Protestant bodies, so that today, there are, itseems, endless innovations in God's worship, within thechurch both in the matter of the songs sung and the instrumentsplayed. The Psalms of the Bible indited by theHoly Spirit and commanded for use in God's praise havebeen pushed aside for the use of human imitations.(Counterfeit money may appear to be a very likely copy butitisstill forbidden by the United States Government andpenalties for its manufacture or use are stiff.) And whenitcomes to instruments played in accompaniment to singing oras solo instruments, try naming a few that are not beingused. Who accepts the worship offered, man or God? Whois to determine its acceptability?Furthermore, the Covenanter Vision inspired byGod's Word calls for obedience to the command of the HolySpirit to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works ofdarkness but rather reprove them. Christ said: "I spakeopenly in the temple and in secret have I said nothing.'' Thechurch must separate itself from all oath-boundorganizations of secrecy and commit itself to the open life.Christianity has nothing to hide. There have been mysteries(Ephesians 3), kept secret from the foundation of the world,until God revealed them in the gospel, specifically that theGentiles are to be fellow-members of the covenant and of thesame household. This gospel is to be carried openly to theuttermost part of the earth.This brings us to the climax of the Covenanter Vision,THE EVANGELIZATION OF THE NATIONS, (andeven here there is danger of the vision's becoming cloudedthrough mis-interpretation of the Scriptures). Before Hisascension to glory, Christ announced the Great Commission:"All power (authority) hath been given unto Mein heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciplesofall nations baptizing them into the name of the Father andof the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observeall things which I have commanded you. And lo, I amwith you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matt.28:18-20).That imperial command embraces the centuries andembraces the nations. Obedience on the part of the church("There will be a willing people in the day of Thy power")will bring about the fulfillment of the task and the fulfillmentof the age-old promise: "All the ends of the earth shallremember and turn to the Lord, and all the kindreds of thenations shall worship before Thee" (Ps. 22:27, Ps. 67:7).This vision is a pre-view of reality.What you and I need is the patience accorded to theprophet Habakkuk. God spoke to him: "Write the visionand makeit plain upon tables, that he may run that readethit. For the vision is yet for an appointed time but at the endishall speak and not lie: thoughit tarry wait for it, becauseitwill come and not tarry" (Hab. 2:2,3). As the Lord said alsoto Isaiah: "I the Lord will hasten it in his time." AlsoHosea 1:10 and Malachi 1:11.•••Cash God's CheckBy Charles SpurgeonA promise from God may very instructively becompared to a check payable to order.It is given to thebeliever with the view of bestowing upon him some goodthing.It is not meant that he should read it over comforand then have done with it. No, he is to treat the proma reality, as a man treats a check.He is to take the promise, and endorseit with his ownname by personally receivingit as true. He is by faith toacceptit as his own. He sets to his seal that God is true, antrue as to His particular word of promise.He goes further, and believes that he has the blessingin having the sure promise of it, and therefore puts his nametoit to testify to the receipt of the blessing.This done, he must believingly present the promise tothe Lord, as a man presents a check at the counter of thebank. He must plead it by prayer, expecting to haveitfulfilled. If he has come to heaven's bank at the right date, hewill receive the promised amount at once.If the date should happen to be further on, he mustpatiently waittill its arrival; but meanwhile he may count onthe promise as money, for the bank is sure to pay when thedue time arrives.Some fail to place the endorsement of faith upon thecheck, and so they get nothing, and others are slack inpresenting it, and these also receive nothing. This is not thefault of the promise but of those who do not act withit in acommon sense, business-like manner.Here is practicality. God has given no pledge which Hewill not redeem. He has encouraged no hope which He willnot fulfill.• • •On the matter of using time well, Benjamin Franklin,one of the tightest men ever with a minute, said this: "Dostthou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is thestuff life is made of."FEBRUARY 24, 1971 7

Address at Carleton Conference by one of a panel onChristianity vs. EvolutionThe Problem of the Geologic Ages(continued)Mr. James Honeyman *2610 Upper Terrace, La Crescenta, Calif. 91214OCEANOGRAPHYOceanography is another relatively new science and itpresents powerful evidence that the ocean sediments wereseriously disturbed in rather recent times. Ericson andWollin are scientists working with the Lamont Laboratoriesof Columbia University, a leading oceanography institute. Intheir book, The Deep and the Past, they repeatedly refer tothe disturbance of the ocean sediments which they weretrying to date by standard geologic methods. This is exactlywhat one would expect if, as explained in the first part of thisstudy, the ocean bottoms were elevated at the same time thecontinents were depressed. Such a disturbance of theequilibrium between oceans and continents would cause wildand terrible movements of water over both.Another fact found by oceanographers concerns thedepth of sediments in the Pacific Ocean. They have beenproved to average only about 1,800 feet deep. Sediments inthe Atlantic are somewhat deeper, but many of these arefound to be washed off the continents, according toTwenhofel, a leading authority on sedimentation. Theshallow sediments in the Pacific pose a serious problem toscientists who believe the oceans are billions of years old.The known amount of sediments could easily be deposited inseveral thousand years, so some scientists have beenworking very hard to explain the "missing sediments."PALLYNOLOGYSome of the severest blows to the theory of longgeologic ages are delivered by the science of pallynology.This is the study of fossil pollen, which is being found inmany, many sediments, (too many, actually, to suit thegeologists). Again a little background is necessary.Historical geologists, on the basis of evolutionarytheory, assume that life commenced about two billion yearsago, but that it would take three fourths of that time toproduce forms which would leave fossils, shells, skeletons,etc. So the oldest sediments they date about 500 to 600million years ago if they contain fossils. These are calledCambrian formations. If the sediments contain no fossils oronly simple forms like algae, they are called Pre-cambrianand are considered even older.In studying plants, scientists decided that if thesimplest forms of plant life were to be found in the Cambrian,then it would probably take about 300 million yearsfor the highly complex flowering plants to "evolve." Inother words, the flowering plants which produce pollen,they claim, did not exist before about 200 million years ago,and of course no pollen could be found in sediments olderthan that. You can check with any of the geological tablesand you will find this clearly shown.Now this is what many scientists believed, but thefacts are somewhat different. Twenty or thirty years ago,scientists began to study pollen to identify the types of plantlife in peat bogs. Pollen, although microscopic, has severalidentifying characteristics and the study of it, pallynology,became a branch of science. Strangely enough, it wasRussian scientists who found ways to separate pollen fromrocky sediments. In examining older and older sediments,they found pollen right on down to the Cambrian.Scientists in the United States, for several years, justrejected this information as false. Flowering plants, theysaid, did not exist at that time, so there could not be anypollen in the oldest sediments. Imagine their shock anddismay when continued research discovered pollen frommany kinds of plants in the Cambrian. Recently, Leclerc ofBelgium, a world renowned scientist, stated that pollengrains from at least sixty groups of species (called genera)have been discovered in Cambrian formations. Rememberthat the geological tables say that no flowering plants existeduntil 200 million years ago, but here is pollen in rocksconfidently dated by geologists at 500 million years of age.Actually the evidence seems to indicate that a tremendousamount of pollen, fossils and sediments were laid down inone rather brief period.NEW GEOLOGIC FACTSOne of the most interesting geologic finds of all timewas made by Mr. William J. Meister, on June 1, 1968, nearDelta, Utah. To understand its significance, one mustunderstand that geologists use certain 'index' fossils to datethe layers of sediments. The most famous of these aretrilobites, a marine organism considered by evolutionists tobe one of the earliest forms of life that are found as fossils.Geologists say they existed from about 500 to about 200million years ago and then became extinct. Mr. Meistercollects trilobite fossils as a hobby, and on the day mentionedhe found a slab of shale which had nothing of interest on theoutside so he set it on edge and hit it with his rock hammer.It opened like the leaves of a book, showing the imprint of asandal with one trilobite embedded in the heel and two or8 COVENANTER WITNESS

three smaller ones in the instep and toe. The heel of thesandal was Vs to VA inch high, and worn along the side, justlike the heels on your shoes and mine always wear. Furthersearch by Creation Scientists and other interested partiesturned up three more adult sandal prints and two barefootchildren's prints in the same rock formations. An independentconsulting geologist stated that these formationswere Cambrian, which would date them at about 500million years of age. Since even evolutionists claim that manhas existed on earth less than a million years, these tracksindicate a discrepancy in the geologic ages of about 499million years.Geologists have reported what appeared to be mantracks in rocky sediments many times, but have alwaysclaimed that they might be Indian carvings or accidentalsimilarities. Several years ago, dinosaur tracks from thePaluxy River in Texas were dug up and taken to the NewYork Museum of Natural History. At the time, localresidents pointed out man tracks in the same area. These.were somewhat eroded by water, so the paleontologist,Roland Bird, laughingly rejected the possibility. He believedthe dinosaur tracks were made about 135 million years ago.In the summer of 1969, however, Stanley Taylor, of"Films for Christ," made a photographic study of tracks inthat area. Finding remnants of trails made by both men anddinosaurs in the riverbed, he hired a rubber-tired front-endloader to follow these tracks into the riverbank by liftingaway the overburden. Well-defined tracks of both man anddinosaurs were found in the same rock stratum.What is the meaning of all this? It means that thegeologic ages must eventually collapse under the weight ofsolid scientific evidence. There is very little evidence forevolution outside of the fossil record. The order in which thefossils were buried was one of the main arguments in supportof evolution. That is, microscopic forms of marine life werefound in the deepest sediments. Then higher sedimentscontain larger, more complex types. If the sediments werelaid down slowly, over long periods of time, this mightindicate evolution. Actually the sorting action of movingwater would bury these various types of life in this order, onthe average. The small marine life with dense shells would bedeposited first, then the larger types, such as mammalswould be buried later. Sudden rapid deposit of sedimentseliminates the necessity of long geologic ages. This returnsus to the relatively short history of the earth presented inScripture.The evidence analyzed in the book The Genesis Flood,by Whitcomb and Morris, indicates that the facts of geologysupport the Biblical history of the Flood. Stated very briefly,the world before the flood appears to have been warmer thanthe present climate. The continents had comparatively fewmountains and probably none of the great mountain chainswhich we have today. The oceans and the continents literallyteemed with life, both plant and animal. Men had spread allover the earth, certainly to North America. When thecontinents sank, and the oceans washed back and forth overthe land, forests were uprooted, piled up and then buried toform coal. Fantastic quantities of marine life were buried insandy sediments, and under great pressure and heat andcertain chemical conditions, were changed into oil.Mountains arose, volcanoes erupted, lava poured out ofcracks of the earth and covered hundreds of thousands ofsquare miles. These facts are all well demonstrated bygeology. It is the theory that differs with the historypresented in Scripture, not the facts.•••* Mr. James R. Honeyman, 2610 Upper Terrace, LaCrescenta, Cal. 91214, is an elder in the Los Angeles,congregation. He adds in a personal letter: ' 'I will be hapto try to answer any questions raised or point out sourceswhere I believe answers may be found."A new organization has been formed called CreationScience Research Center, in San Diego, California. Itspurpose is to continue to investigate new facts of sciencewhich support the Scriptural view of history and publishthese facts for the benefit of all Christians. I have theprivilege of being on the Board of Directors. We will also bepreparing and publishing materials for use in the Californiapublic schools. This is possible because of the recent rulingby the State Board of Education that when evolution istaught, creation must also be taught as a belief that is held bmany people.In God We TrustAbout a hundred years ago Americans were in a coldwar that was growing hotter every day. The country was atthe mercy of bungling politicians. The national debt exceededthe cash in the Treasury by 45 to 1. Taxes were skyhigh. People all over the nation blamed the bureaucrats inWashington. The ex-midwestern storekeeper in the WhiteHouse was severely criticized as being "too little" for thegreat destiny that had been thrust upon him.This disheartening period was 1861. Religious leaderswere sure that the cause of our economic and political illswas spiritual. They knew that a crass materialism wasplaying havoc with American life and character. God andspiritual motives were being neglected. One of these menwas a Pennsylvania small town preacher by the name ofWatkinson. One day he had an idea about the wayAmericans might be called to the faith of their fathers. Hewrote a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P.Chase. He suggested that an inscription be put on the coinsof the nation showing that this country was founded on a•faith in God.Mr. Chase was a deeply religious man himself and heliked the idea. He immediately instructed James Pollock,Director of the Mint in Philadelphia, to prepare such amotto. After much thought the phrase from "The StarSpangled Banner," "In God is our trust,'' was shortened to"In God We Trust." This phrase is imprinted on everycoin. It is a solemn reminder that our material welfare restson spiritual foundations. — C M C ...FEBRUARY 24, 1971 9

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Lesson Helps for the Week of March 21Sabbath SchoolLessonfor March 21,1971Preparing for His ComingMatthew 25:1-13Comments by John K. GaultAt the time of the events of this lessonJesus and His disciples have gone toJerusalem, ostensibly, for the celebrationof the Passover, but in reality, in Jesus'mind, for the giving up of His very life inthe great sacrifice for sin.At different times throughout Hisearthly career, Jesus had told the disciplesthat He was going to leave them but thatHe would return; as in John 14:3 He said,"And if I go and prepare a place for you, Iwill come again and receive you untomyself, that where I am there ye may bealso." In Matthew 16:27, He said, "For theSon of man shall come in the glory of HisFather with His angels; and then He shallreward every man according to hisworks." Also in Luke 21:27, Jesus said,"And then shall they see the Son of mancoming in a cloud with power and greatglory." These are but a few of the manystatements of Jesus indicating that Hewould return to earth at some time in thefuture. His first coming was with greathumiliation but His second coming will bewith great exaltation.Earthly life has been given to peoplein order that they might prepare themselvesfor the second coming of Christwhen He will come not as man's Savior butas man's judge. The opportunity to acceptHim as Savior is now, at the present time."Behold, now is the accepted time; behold,now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2).1: The Ten Virgins in this ParableRepresent Professing Christians.These people were alike in that theywere virgins and they all had lamps. Theoutward appearance of their lives was thatthey were real followers of Christ, andthey all "went forth to meet thebridegroom." Many professing Christiansappear well in the eyes of their fellowmen.They occasionally attend church. Theofficers of the church cannot judge who issincere and who is insincere. Many timesthe session of the church thinks likeSamuel when Eliab, the son of Jesse, stoodbefore him. He said then, "Surely theLord's anointed is before me." The visiblechurch is composed of professingChristians but not all of them may belongto the invisible church. In Jesus' parable ofthe tares in the wheat, the servantsinquired of the owner, "Wilt thou that wego and gather them up? But he said, Nay,lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root upalso the wheat with them." Taresresembled wheat and so it could have beenthat the wheat would have been rooted upif they had attempted to root out the tares.Such a situation often appears in thevisible church.2: Christ Is United to His People in aCovenant Relationship."The virgins went forth to meet thebridegroom." Evidently a wedding wasabout to occur. It would seem that when awedding was about to take place, a groupof unmarried women would join in theprocession to go to the home of the bride.Psalm 45 presents a picture of an orientalwedding as it symbolizes the marriage ofthe King of heaven, who is Christ, taking toHimself as His bride, the redeemed of theearth. In verses 9 and 14 of the Psalm it issaid, "King's daughters were among thyhonorable women; upon thy right hand didstand the queen in gold of Ophir. Sheshall be brought unto the king in raiment ofneedlework; the virgins, her companionsthat follow her, shall be brought untothee." It will be a very grand occasionwhen this heavenly wedding occurs andthe bride will be the redeemed of the earth,who compose the church invisible. Peopleshould prepare themselves for this occasionwhile they have opportunity tosubmit their lives to Christ, who by reasonof His shed blood can cleanse them of allsin.3: It Is Very Foolish Not to Preparefor Christ's Coming.The ten virgins, "went forth to meetthe bridegroom. And five of them werewise and five were foolish. They that werefoolish took their lamps, and took no oilwith them. But the wise took oil in theirvessels with their lamps." The secondcoming of Christ, when He will sit injudgment of the people of the earth andwill separate between the bad and thegood, is a definite certainty. People in thismodern age spend millions in insurance oflife or possessions in order that they ortheir families will not suffer loss if thepossessions are destroyed. People arevery careful to guard against what mayhappen, but against the great certainty ofChrist's second coming they become exceedinglycareless. Where people willspend eternity hinges on the preparationthey make for the second coming of Christ.There is no greater exhibition of folly inthe world than that of a person making noeffort to prepare himself for Christ'ssecond coming. When He comes He willestablish His court of last resort, fromwhich there can be no appeal. That will bethe end and there will be no more time oropportunity. It is far more foolish to misssuch an opportunity of preparation than tomiss any other opportunity in all theworld; and yet that is the opportunitywhich many of the people are missingevery day.1: It Is Very Essential that in MakingPreparation for Christ's Second Comingthat People Have the Oil of the Holy Spirit.In Bible times oil was a very preciouscommodity. Its physical use was largelyfor illumination in the lamps at night. Butit also had a symbolical use. Priests andkings were anointed with oil upon theirconsecration. God said to Samuel whenDavid was brought in before him, "Arise,anoint him for this is he." Aaron and hissons were anointed with oil upon theirconsecration for the priests' office. The oilbecame a symbol of the grace of God'sSpirit, and this grace is something whichevery one must have in makingpreparation for Christ's second coming. Itis the Holy Spirit who convicts one of sinand who leads him to "come to himself." Itis the Holy Spirit who gives spiritual lightall along life's pathway. The foolishvirgins represented those who may haveprofessed Christ but they had never beenendowed with God's Spirit. They were likethe seed which fell on the stony groundwhere the soil was shallow, which sprungup quickly, but when the hot sun shoneFEBRUARY 24, 1971 11

upon it,it withered. The wise virgins,however, had prepared themselvesbeforehand, with "oil in their vessels withtheir lamps." Without the oil of God's freegrace no one can be prepared for thecoming of the Bridegroom, who is Christ.5: It Is Natural to Slumber WhileWaiting for the Bridegroom."While the bridegroom tarried theyall slumbered and slept." Both the wiseand foolish virgins did this. Sleep isnecessary for health. The second comingof Christ has been delayed for divinereasons, and consequently people shouldengage in the natural functions of theirlives which include worship, both publicand private, also work and wholesomerecreation. All of life's activities arefiguratively included in the words,slumbered and slept.6: The Second Coming of Christ WillOccur at an Unexpected Time."At midnight there was a cry made,behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye outto meet him." The virgins were in a soundslumber when they were awakened by thiscry. In 24:36, Jesus said concerning Hissecond coming, "But of that day and hourknoweth no man, no, not the angels ofheaven, but my Father only." No one canlook into the future and ascertain just howlong he is going to live. But when deathdoes come it will be the end of opportunityfor preparation. For the people who diebefore Christ comes, for them that willmean His coming.7: Salvation Cannot Be Passed fromOne to Another.It is strictly a personal matter. "Thefoolish said unto the wise, Give us of youroil, for our lamps are gone out. But thewise answered, Not so, lest there be notenough for us and you." No one has morethan he needs of divine grace; others mustget it for themselves.8: The Time Comes When the OpportunityIs Past. "The door was shut.""Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S A."Junior Topicfor March 21,1971EstherUnit: Later Old Testament Daysby Mrs. Herbert A. HaysMemory Psalm: 46:1,2,5,6, p. 118.Psalms: 1:1,2,6; 25:1,3,4; 23:1-3, p.53.Memory verse: Matthew 25:21a:"Well done, thou good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."EstherLet us analyze the life of the beautifuland brave Queen Esther. She delivered theJews by her heroic determination to appearbefore the king with a plan in hermind to deliver her people.1. She was beautiful. Esther 2:7.2. Self denial and heroism, acharacteristic. Esther 4:16.3. She was tactful. Esther 5:8.4. She was courageous. Esther 7:6.5. She was a great patriot. Esther8:3-6.Leader: How Queen Esther saved herpeople may be read or told. It is found onpage 405 in the Child's Story Bible byCatherine Vos.After considering the characteristicsof Esther we know why the Lord had herbrought forth to become queen.A Prize WinnerObjects: Two candles, one short andone unburned, and a blue ribbon with agold seal cut from gold-colored paper.Lesson: There is a prize winner herethis morning, and I am going to award thisblue ribbon with the gold seal to the winner.Each of you is wondering whetheryou are the one to receive the blue ribbon. Iwill give you a hint who this is. It is one ofthese candles on the table. Which onewould you choose to be prize winner?"The big one."I knew you would guess the wrongone. Which candle has given itself to lightthe darkness?"The short one."Yes, and this candle should have theblue ribbon for service. The tall candle ismore beautiful to behold, but it has nevergiven itself to drive away the darkness.Queen Esther was both beautiful andgave of herself to serve her people. Her lifeof service made her beautiful. She had lovein her heart for her people. She was willingto give her life in order that she might helpthe people who were in trouble.We Christians are not killed becausewe let our light shine, but our faithfulnessto Christ often costs us friends andposition.We are not to look at the present cost,but the future reward, when Christ shallsay: "Well done, thou good and faithfulservant" (Matt. 25:21). We shall then beglad that we gave our life to give theGospel light to many who were indarkness.Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, blessthose this night who have given their livesto serve Thee. (Here prayer for themissionaries in Cyprus, Japan, and theSouthern Mission may be offered.)Prayer MeetingTopicfor March 24,1971PRAYER FOR THENATIONAL REFORM ASSOCIATIONDr. W. W. WeirWhat is the National ReformAssociation? We turn for an answer to thenew brochure published in January, 1971:"The National Reform Association is aninterdenominational organization,founded in 1864, 'for the purpose ofmaintaining and promoting in our nationallife the Christian principles of civilgovernment,' (NRA Charter) byawakening our citizens to moral andspiritual Biblical standards essential forthe preservation of our nation and itspeople."Copies of the brochure have been sentto the pastor or the clerk of session of eachcongregation for distribution among thefamilies who attend prayer meeting, thatyour prayers may be more specific.On January 27, 1971, the NRA completedits 107th year of service. TheAssociation was never intended to replacethe church; it is an organization ofChristian citizens of severaldenominations (at present, ReformedPresbyterian, United Presbyterian,United Methodist, Assemblies of God,Christian Reformed are represented onthe Board of Directors) attempting to dealwith problems, individual and social, in apractical way. Recently a letter came tothe NRA office containing this paragraph:"Do you currently carry on any programof social concern aside from alcoholism,tobacco, narcotics, and Sabbathbreaking?Is the National ReformAssociation currently engaged in anyeducation program in regard to racerelations, labor-management relations,pollution, mental health, family planningand abortion?"In reply to the question it was pointedsee page 1512COVENANTER WITNESS

CHANGE OF ADDRESSSynod's Board of TrusteesLouis D. Hutmire, Treasurer7418 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, Pa. 15208Office Phone - 412-731-1177CHANGE OF ADDRESSUnion congregation, Mars, Pa.:A1C Robert E. MitchellFR 201404728CMR Box 51666217 SupplyAPO San Francisco 96319FEBRUARY HONOR ROLLSubscriptions from thesecongregations were received on or beforeFebruary 1: Hot Springs, Rimersburg,Walton.MRS. MARY McCLELLANDThe Kansas City Women'sMissionary Society wishes to pay lovingtribute to Mrs. Mary McClelland, who wascalled Home in December, 1970.She was a member of our society andcongregation for many years. When sheand Mr. McClelland moved to the WestCoast, she kept in touch through lettersand contributions.Mrs. McClelland was the mother ofeight children, the youngest of whom wasMrs. Verd Dunn. She believed in prayerand testified to its blessing and use in herown life. She gave to the Lord's work aslong as she lived. She was deeply impressedby Isaiah 6:8: "Whom shall I send,and who will go for us? Then said I, Heream I; send me." She tried to fulfill thatverse by witnessing to shut-ins and takingsermon tapes to them."Precious in the sight of the Lord isthe death of His saints" (Ps. 116:15).SOUTHFIELD(Rev. John O. Edgar. D.D., Pastor)The annual congregational meetingwas held on January 22. The officerselected for 1971 were Chairman, Mr.Edmund Robb; Secretary, Mrs. RalphShell; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs.John Edgar; Treasurer, Mr. RaymondStevenson.The Sabbath School officers for thecurrent year are Superintendent, Mrs.Raymond Stevenson; Junior Superintendent,Mrs. John Edgar; Secretary,Mrs. Edmund Robb; Treasurer, Mr.Joseph Baumgartner.A reading contest for the JuniorSabbath School is being held for eightweeks under the sponsorship of thelibrarian, Miss Carolyn Baumgartner.Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Smith became theparents of a baby boy, Michael Joseph, onJanuary 19. Jeffrey and Mark are veryhappy about a new brother.On January 28, a baby boy was bornto Mr. and Mrs. James McDonald. Hisname is Ted Michael. He has a brotherCharles and a sister Gloria.Mr. and Mrs. Jay Laster anddaughter Elayne were in a head-on autoaccident on New Years Day which resultedin injuries for all of them. Elayne washospitalized for about a week, and Mrs.Laster is still in the hospital on February 1.She underwent back surgery on January 27and everyone is praying for her completerecovery. We thank God for spared lives inthis serious accident.Miss Linda Stevenson, daughter ofMr. and Mrs. Raymond Stevenson, isdoing social work in Army hospitals in andaround Heidelberg, Germany. She is enjoyingher travels in various parts of thecountry.Mr. Joseph McGaw is spending thewinter months in Florida.Officers of the Women's MissionarySociety for 1971 are President, Mrs. BruceAdams; Vice President, Mrs. John Edgar;Recording Secretary, Mrs. MildredBeardslee; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs.Richard Dale; Treasurer, Mrs. FloraAbbott.The congregation is looking forwardto the Genevans' Concert on March 26when they will make their first stop atSouthfield while on a western tour.Dr. John 0. Edgar representedGeneva College at the Inauguration of Dr.Andrew Bandstra as Professor of NewTestament at Calvin TheologicalSeminary in Grand Rapids on January 28.GREELEY, COLORADO(Rev. E. Raymond Hemphill, Pastor)Area fellowship meetings were held,December 9, at the Wylie Kennedy and theClyde Dunn homes.The Junior Highs had a Christmasparty at the home of Debbie Garcia, onDecember 16, while the Senior Highsdecorated the church for Christmas.On December 18, Miss Sue Halburwas married to Tim Mitchell, son of Mr.and Mrs. Wm. Mitchell. A severe snowstorm the same day kept many guests athome, but we all join in wishing them realhappiness in their life together.The Sabbath School Christmasprogram, on December 21, was well attendedby children and parents.The young people were entertained atdinner at the parsonage, December 29.Guests during the holiday seasonincluded the Ray Wilcoxes, RobertWuthnows, Dick Garbers, Deane Carsons,Mrs. Kathryn Wuthnow, Misses SharonAlexander and Kathy Lee.The outside entrance to the churchbasement has been completed.A New Years Eve dinner and gamesat the church was well attended.Church on January 3 was cancelledbecause of a severe snow storm.Four Week of Prayer services inbelow zero temperature were held at thehomes of Wilner Lowe, Roy Carsons,Walter Bailey, and Philip Kennedy.The annual congregational meetingwas held, January 13.Christian Education officers for 1971are General Superintendent—PhyllisEvans; Adult Superintendent—EdwinKeys; Adult Assistant—Herbert Gilchrist,Youth Superintendent—Jennie Hemphill;Youth Assistant—Elayne Moore; JuniorSuperintendent—Lee Mitchell; JuniorAssistant—Freida Willcox; Secretary andLibrarian—Geneva Elliott; Treasurer-Glen Willcox; Cradle Roll Superintendent—MildredAlexander; HomePRE SYNODIC CONFERENCEFor Reformed PresbyterianMinisters and EldersTHEME: "The Kingdom of God-June 10-12, 1971GENEVA COLLEGEHousing in air-conditioned apartments,with swimming pool. Time for informaldiscussion, relaxation and recreation.Sponsored by the Bible Department ofGeneva CollegePLAN NOW TO ATTEND!FEBRUARY 24, 1971 13

Department—Raymond Hemphill; AdultFellowship—Raymond Hemphill; YouthSponsor—Jennie Hemphill; Junior HighSponsors—Neeland Siebrings; JuniorSponsors—Philip Kennedys.Richard Marshall of Cheyenne hasbeen a welcome visitor at our worshipservices.Mrs. Warnock Bailey has beenconfined to the hospital but is improvingnicely.SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA(Pastor, Rev. Donald Weilersbacher)During the past year God hasabundantly blessed this part of His flock inSan Diego. Some 28 people were added tothe rolls: 14 communicant and 14 baptizednon-communicant. Three communicantmembers were removed from the roll: oneby death and two for other reasons,making a net increase of 25, which is a 50per cent increase in the total membershipof the congregation. How has all this cometo pass? The Scriptures declare:"Not bymight, nor by power, but by My Spirit,saith the Lord of hosts" (Zech. 4:6b).Moreover, the Lord has enabled us totake the burden of responsibility in thecongregation from off the shoulders of afew hard workers and spread it moreevenly throughout the covenant community.Furthermore, we now haveenough men to teach the young teens,senior-college, and adults in the morning— as well as the juniors, CY, and the adultdiscussion group in the evening.Certainly Satan has also been activein our midst. Spiritual apathy andbacksliding are not uncommon. Nevertheless,God's grace has changed manyhearts and given us a new vision of whatthe Lord can do. So we can say with theApostle Paul, "Being confident of this verything, that He which hath begun a goodwork in you will perform it until the day ofJesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6).For this coming year, pray that theLord will send us at least one family permonth as a new contact through theSabbath School or church; that we willraise $1,000 per month in our morning andevening offerings; that the Lord willconvert Larry Hostetter, Sandy Iversen,and Ramon Garcia; that wisdom will begiven to those who are studying oursubordinate standards: the Remillardfamily, John Hollister and two covenantchildren — Tom Hostetter and MikePasarilla. Pray for a contact made byphone with Edward Pinell. He is originallyfrom Central America, but now lives in celebrated Youth Week with a swimmingSantee, California. He is 33 years old, has and gym party at the Newburgh YMCA, onthree children, is strongly reformed in February 6. On Sabbath morning,persuasion and very hungry for the Wordand for Christian fellowship. Also pray forFebruary 7, the youth of the church participatedin the morning worship service.his brother in Christ — Bob Mundi — thateach of these men will find spiritualnourishment here in our covenant community.GENEVANS ATTEND SEMINARWe praise the Lord for a gift of aboutIN WASHINGTON, D.C.Four Geneva College students, accompaniedby a faculty sponsor, attended$8,000 from the will of Mr. Rickman. Mr.Rickman was an adherent of the the 50th session of the Washington Seminarcongregation who left this money to be on Federal Service, the first week inused for repairs, painting, etc. of the February, at the Dodge House inchurch and parsonage. We certainly needit and God has been very gracious inproviding for our need!Washington, D.C. It was sponsored by theNational Association of Evangelicals.Attending were students David Jack,Pray also for Ben Broadway's contacta junior history major from Bruin;with some hippies (a few of whomwere recently converted) and with somedisillusioned Pentecostals. Pray that StanCharity Penn, junior biology, Tenafly,New Jersey; Tom Robb, senior chemistry,Morning Sun, Iowa; Paula Walters, juniorBell, Larry Hostetter, Eva Nold, andDonna Haley may all find work in the SanDiego area. Ask God to heal the bodies ofso many that have become ill this winter;especially the children who have sufferedlanguage, Grove City, and Dr. Yojifrom so many viruses, and KerryPasarilla who recently broke her collarbone in a car accident.COLDENHAM, NEW YORK(Rev. John M. McMillan, pastor)The Christmas program for the BibleSchool was held in the educational buildingof the Coldenham Church on December 19,under the direction of Mrs. Juanita Besser.The children gave an entertaining andeducational program and the entireevening was topped off with a visit fromSanta.A fellowship supper was held in theeducational wing on January 30. About 75members and friends enjoyed the deliciousfood and friendly visiting. Following thisthe annual congregational meeting washeld. The reports from all theorganizations and Sabbath School showeda busy year both spiritually andmaterially. Plans were made for the year1971. Mr. Charles Shafer was re-elected ascongregational chairman with Mrs. JackieLundell as secretary. Bea Erickson waschosen as secretary of the Sabbath schooland Mrs. Eleanor Milliken as Junior CYleader.The WMS gave a surprise bridalshower for Doreen McPhillips at theirJanuary meeting. Doreen became thebride of Richard Conroy, on February 13,at a service in the Coldenham Church.The Junior CY and the Senior CY bothAkashi, associate professor of history.The purpose of the seminar was toacquaint evangelical Christian collegestudents with the federal government, andto possibly interest them in Federal service.Study was devoted to currentgovernment, issues before the newcongress, and studies of urban and internationalissues.Students and faculty sponsors participatedin small seminars integratedwith the various fields of study.LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA(Rev. Bruce C. Stewart, pastor)Margaret Rose, weighing 7 poundsand four ounces, was born, December 15,to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry F. O'Neill (AnnBirdsall). Congratulations to the parents.In November Mrs. Emily Brown and Mrs.Dean Hinton were hostesses at a lovelybaby shower for Mrs. O'Neill. OnNovember 10, Jerry O'Neill left forOakland, California and then on to VietNam. Jerry's address is:PFC Jerry F. O'Neill, 508-46-5990Co. C. 2nd BN 506th Inf.101st Airborne (AMEL) Div.APO San Francisco, California96383We ask for your prayers for Ann, MargaretRose, and Jerry. Ann and the baby aremaking their home with Ann's parents, theJ. D. Birdsalls.Our annual thank offering meeting ofthe two missionary societies was held,November 20, following a family nightdinner. The program was a film by Inter-varsityFellowship about the14 COVENANTER WITNESS

Missionary Conference, at Urbana,Illinois, in December.We are happy to report that ourcentenarian, Mr. G. Harootunian is nowable to be in his place again at the morningworship service. He has been in thehospital several times during the pastcouple of months. He was 101, February 7.We are enjoying the fellowship of theRev. Raymond McCracken family who arenow living at 20563 Barnard, Walnut,California. Mr. McCracken has undertakento work in a new area for ourdenomination. He is being very wellreceived in the community where he hasbeen calling and both Mr. and Mrs. Mc­Cracken are having Bible studies withsome of the people contacted. Pleaseremember this important work in yourprayers.One of our fine young persons, MissPriscilla Luther, attended the Inter-varsityMissionary Conference at Urbana,December 27-31. Priscilla gave an interestingreport of the activities there. Approximately12,000 attended. She said heroverall impression of the affair was verygood and inspiring.The Bible study and prayer groups, often or so to a group, were very helpful anduplifting. Priscilla said a really fine workis being done among students and she wasthrilled to be able to attend.Our pastor was in Washington, D.C,January 18-23, attending a LeadershipBriefing Seminar of the NationalAssociation of Evangelicals. He gave avery inspiring and interesting report of theSeminar. Mr. Stewart had the opportunityof visiting many of the Governmentbuildings and also speaking with manyimportant personages and governmentofficials and listened to many finespeakers. He urged us to write to ourCongressmen to let them know our impressionof what they are doing for ourcountry and to pray for them and also totell them we are praying for them. Apersonal letter of commendation, if we arehappy with their performance, or one ofconstructive criticism, carries considerableweight. We were very proud thatour pastor was selected to attend thisimportant Seminar and we wish everyreader might hear his report.Dr. Alan Hemphill attended aWestern Pediatric Research Seminar atCarmel, California, January 27-30. Hiswife Gerry and daughter, Tammy, accompaniedhim.The new officers for the CovenanterDaughters Missionary Society, elected inNovember, are Miss Ruth Gilmore,president; Mrs. Gladys Chambers, 1st vicepresident; Mrs. Sue Boyd, 2nd vicepresident; Miss Alice Robb, secretary;and Miss Edith Fowler, treasurer.Our annual congregational meetingwas held Friday evening, January 29,following a carry-in dinner. The youngpeople provided the dessert and made anominal charge for it, the proceeds to gointo their fund for expenses at the PacificCoast Presbyterial and Youth Conferencethis summer. The officers for thecongregation are Chairman, Mr. DonaldBirdsall; Assistant Chairman, Mr. JimHazel; Secretary, Miss Margi Boyle;Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Louren Wolcott;Correspondent to the Witness, Mrs.George Chambers.PRAYER MEETING Fr. page 12out that "time and personnel and callsmade upon us all determine the emphasisgiven at any particular time." It was thenpointed out that the narcotics problem hadbeen claiming much time recently; thatsharing the Gospel, person to person, wasbeing stressed this year; that we had thusfar done nothing in the area of familyplanning and abortion.But where is the power to keep highmoral standards to come from? One'sresolutions, fear of the law, example offriends — these are helpful but are entirelytoo weak. Citizens must be called back tothe Bible to learn what the true standardsare, and to the Savior for the power to liveaccording to those standards. Jesus said:"For from within, out of the heart of man,come evil thoughts, fornication, theft,murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness,deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander,pride, foolishness. All these evil thingscome from within, and they defile a man"(Mark 7:21-23,RSV). Hence it follows thatthe most permanent national reformespecially in a republican form ofgovernment depends on personal reformsuch as King David pleaded for: "Createin me a clean heart, O God; and renew aright spirit within me" (Ps. 51:10).The NRA has campaigned, andrightly so, to legalize Bible reading andprayer in our public schools. But do wewant atheists reading the Bible and aprayer? This must be done by Christianteachers. The Christian teachers mustcome from Christian homes, Christianschools, Christian churches. Hence theNRA must give attention to sharing theGospel. Reforming society involvesaggression on a broad front ifrighteousness is to prevail — running "as amighty stream" as the prophet Amospictured it. (Amos 5:24)For social reform we need newcreatures in Christ, as Paul said in 2Corinthians 5:17, and we need God'sguidance in making laws, as He guidedJoseph in Egypt. (Gen. 47:26) In urgingpeople to avoid taking into their bodiesnarcotics, too much food, cigarette smoke,it must be stressed, along with otherreasons, that the body is the temple of theHoly Spirit, as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians6:19. And that is the reason, that onsome occasions, the AdministrativeSecretary of the NRA has taken a converteddrug addict with him when showinga film on narcotics that a testimony mightbe given to the transforming power ofChrist. And at other times a convertedalcoholic has been taken for the samepurpose. Thus along with much informationthat would lead one to desirefreedom from the grip of narcotics, thereis witness to the power which makes itpossible to live up to one's resolution.Here are a few Scripture passages,among the many that apply to nationalreform: Deut. 6:1-3; 28:1-14; 30:10-20;Psa. 2:10-12; 33:20-22; 2 Chron. 7:14; Prov.4:23; Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; John 5:39-40; 1 Tim. 1:8-10.Suggestions for prayer:1. that the NRA will keep reformbased on Biblical truth.2. that in working for practical,immediate changes, the long rangechanges be kept as essential—those socialchanges resulting from a change in theheart of man.3. that satisfied, comfortableChristians stir themselves to action:a. sharing the Gospel b. invitingpeople to church andbor SabbathSchool c. writing to lawmakers, stateand national, in support of good bills andagainst bad ones d. taking a stand for theright when talking to friends, neighbors,and others.4. that the NRA be guided: a. inchoice of causes to support or opposeb. in choice of a new AdministrativeSecretary when the present one retires inthe spring of 1972 or earlier if his successorcan be found c. in publication of theChristian Statesman, tracts, books d. inthe use of funds contributed for thework e. in its effort to get out among mento learn their work, their problems, theirtemptations; then attempt to help meettheir visible and their spiritual needs.FEBRUARY 24 1971 15

floiedeVimfry of tiringVr/eneva College was named for the "French" city of Geneva, Switzerland, where the Swiss Reformers discoveredjoie de vivre through hearing and obeying the Word of God. Joie de vivre! Une petite formule qui exprime le dele plus profond de rhomme. On a essaye de nombreuses philosophies de vie pour atteindre la joie de vivre. Aucud'elles n'a produit une satisfaction qui dure. Joie de vivre! A small phrase which expresses the deep desire of mMan has sought it in different ways, but without God he has failed. Geneva College believes God has provided forjoie de vivre through Jesus Christ.It seeks to aid youngpeople in finding this inner reality and developingChristian principles for living. Through a strong liberalarts program integrated with the Word of God, eachstudent is not only prepared for a meaningful vocationbut becomes aware of the world and his response to it.Would you like to share Geneva's joie de vivre?Qeneva CollegeYes, tell me more about joie de vivre at Geneva College.Please send me a catalogue application form.nameaddresscityyear of high sch ool graduationstate/provincezip/zoneBOX A 100Return to:ADMISSIONS, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 15010

VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 9 MARCH 3, 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 28, 1971Rev. Robert Morrow, PastorReformed Presbyterian ChurchBELLE CENTER. OHIO

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER r EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors:Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling,Kansas two weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductory offer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. HughWright, B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern IrelandBT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.TOMORROW"Tomorrow" he promised his conscience,"Tomorrow I mean to believe;Tomorrow I'll think as I ought to;Tomorrow my Savior receive."Tomorrow I'll conquer the habitsThat hold me from heaven away";But his conscience repeatedOne word, and only one, "Today.""Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow,"Thus day after day it went on."Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow,"Till youth like a vision had gone.Till age and his passion had writtenThe message of fate on his browAnd forth from the shadows came DeathWith the pitiless syllable, "Now.""What will you do with Jesus?"The call comes low and clear;The solemn words are sounding nowIn your listening ear.Immortal life's in the question,Joy through eternity;Then what will you do with Jesus?Oh, what will your answer be?—SelectedThis Week's WitnessReformation Translation Fellowship NewsletterGlimpses of the Religious World.Activities in Japan.Dialogue.Some This and That in W.M.S..Board of Foreign Missions Meets.Annual Council Meeting.Observations on Free-MasonryDr. John Peoples at Work in Turkey .Lesson Helps.Church News..3.4.5.6.7.7.8.9101114The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

RTF NEWSLETTERDear Friends in Christ:Praise to the wonderful Name of our Lord Jesus Christthat He has been with us during the past year and we foundourselves very busy with the work here. We certainly appreciateyour prayers and support. I would like to report thefollowing for your remembrance of our needs before theThrone of Grace.The Manuscript of the Chinese translation of JohnCalvin's Commentary on Romans is in the hands of ourprinter. The printing cost of this Reformed classic inChinese, the first of its kind, here in Taipei would be approximately$500. Our British Board has kindly promised topay for this project. We wish to express our deepest appreciationto our brethren in Great Britain.I wish to call the attention of our friends to thefollowing needs in your prayers:These several manuscripts of new titles ready for printing:1. Christian Supernaturalism — L. Boettner, translatedby CH. Chao2. The Trinity — L. Boettner, translated by CH.Chao3. Christian Fundamentals and Modern TheologicalThought — edited by CH. Chao4. Introduction to World Religion — J.G. Vos,translated by CH. ChaoTitles needing to be reprinted:1. The Visible Church — J.G. Vos, translated byCH. Chao2. The Importance of Christian Scholarship — J.Gresham Machen, translated by Paul Han3. The Social and Economic Responsibility oj theChurch — J.G. Vos, translated by Egbert W. Andrews et al4. What is Presbyterianism ?— C. Hodge, translatedbv Andrew Cheng5. Prophecy and the Church — O.T. Allis, translatedby I.C Hen (57 copies left)6. Westminster Confession of Faith translated byCH. Chao7. The Meaning of the Word 'Blood' in Scripture —A.M. Stibbs, translated by CH. ChaoTitle under preparation:1. A Chinese Dictionary of Theological Terms,edited by CH. ChaoIt is our hope that the last mentioned will be in theprinter's hands by next spring. There is a great need for sucha dictionary among the Chinese theological students andministers.With Best Christian Wishes,Charles H. ChaoFrom your American Representative and Treas.We thank God for the report of steady production ofbasic tools for Christian witness in the Chinese language, asevidenced in Mr. Chao's letter. He doesn't mention theregular quarterly publication of the Reformed Faith and Lifemagazine, but it continues to go out, and to find a permanentplace on many library shelves and in Bible schoolsand seminaries.' 'His Grace Is SufficientWe were greatly pleased when the Banner of TruthTrust, of London, sent us word that they were accepting themanuscript of Mrs. Li's book for publication in the spring of1971. This meant the fulfillment of the labors of Miss RoseHuston, who worked with Mrs. Li on this book, and whocompleted the translation after Mrs. Li's death. Both Dr.Boyle and Miss Huston are working with the Banner ofTruth Trust in getting details completed. We hope to be ableto announce details as to price and how you can get the bookin this country, in time for our annual report.The Sam Boyles to Return to JapanDr. and Mrs. S.E. Boyle are to go to the Far East late in1971, to resume missionary work in Japan, as missionariesof the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Although plans arenot definite at this point, they expect to remain there at theirformer post for a year, then go to Taiwan. If this can beworked out, it will strengthen Mr. Chao's hands. It was Dr.Boyle, who with Dr. J.G. Vos as American Representative,started the RTF with Charles Chao 21 years ago, in Canton.Pray for God's leading and blessing.Yours in Christ,Lester E. KilpatrickHOW THE DISCIPLES DIEDTradition reveals the following manner in which thedisciples met their Lord:1. Matthew was slain with the sword.2. Mark was dragged through the streets of Alexandriauntil he was dead.3. Luke was hanged to an olive tree in Greece.4. James was beheaded at Jerusalem.5. James the lesser was thrown from a pinnacle of thetemple and then beaten to death with a club.6. Philip was hanged from a pillar in Egypt.7. Bartholomew was flayed to death.8. Andrew was bound to a cross where he preached tohis captors until he died.9. Thomas was murdered in the East Indies, (his bodypierced by a lance).10. Jude was shot to death with arrows.11. Matthias was stoned, then beheaded.12. Barnabas was stoned by the Jews.13. Peter was crucified head down-ward.14. Paul was beheaded.15. And We ? ? ?MARCH * 1Q71 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014A GLIMPSE OF RED CHINA FROM HONGKONGA friend from language school days in Hongkong,1938-1940, and for the past 30 years a missionary in thatColony, stopped to see us last month, and told of one of thecooks in their Bible School, Seventh Sister, now quiteelderly, who recently visited her Third Sister in Canton.Third Sister told of the loss of all their Bibles and Christianbooks under the Red Guard campaign. All the books werestacked in the court yard and burned. Later she found onepage of a Bible that had not been burned. She folded it andhid it in her belt. That is the only Bible she knows of inCanton. She takes it out daily and has her devotions with ICorinthians 13, the only complete chapter on the page.Seventh Sister returned safely to Hongkong, but youngpeople do no,t dare go into Red China, lest they not bepermitted to return. Only the elderly and the sick are grantedexit permits. Two students in the Bible School where Don isprincipal swam the Shumchan River under machine gun fire.A third young man didn't make it. The young men were notChristians when they escaped to Hongkong. The Communistscould, of course, take control of Hongkong any timethey choose. It is for them now a valuable contact with theoutside world, so it will doubtless remain a spot of greaterfreedom for Chinese on the mainland, only so long as RedChina deems it profitable to them to leave it that way.Seventh Sister reported that the Red government hastaken notice of the Christian radio station on Okinawa whichhas been reading the Bible at dictation speed, and is nowrequiring that all radios be tuned to receive only Redgovernment stations. "Surely the wrath of man shall praisethee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." This isour confidence.A GLIMPSE OF CZECHOSLOVAKIAThe Underground Evangelism movement withmailing address in the U.S.A. in Los Angeles, and withpublicity signed by L. Joe Bass, reports that CzechChristians enjoyed a little freedom after the Russian invasionof 1968. However, now the pressure is on. "(Sabbath)schools are forbidden. Religious instruction is outlawed, andchildren are the special target of intensive atheisticpropaganda." "Team members" came back fromCzechoslovakia with an urgent request for 25,000'Children's New Testaments' which would be "small, withno identifiable cover and printed in small type so that carriedwith school books they would not attract attention." I do nothave enough information about this movement to say thatyour money would certainly be used for this worthy purpose.I have heard some suggest doubts, but in a project of thiskind, one must decide whether or not the individuals namedare worthy of trust. Many of those involved understandablymust remain anonymous. I have seen some names wellknown on the Christian world scene, cited as giving endorsementto the movement. There's a certain risk involvedif we entertain strangers, but we may have the privilege ofentertaining angels unaware^.PRO-ARAB RALLY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.The cause of the dispossessed Arab seems to beforgotten in the zeal with which some Christians rejoice inthe astonishing prosperity and ' 'progress" of modern Israel.Perhaps the idea of a physical kingdom of Israel seemsfulfillment of a particular theory of prophecy, and soanything that promotes it, "must be the will of God," andwhat is really wise and just is lost sight of. A rally backingthe Palestinian Arab cause, says EP, had the support of amember of the British Parliament — who denounced Israel"as a racist nation" — and two Senators, one of them MarkHatfield of Oregon, a Baptist. Usually the charge of"racism" is thrown in the other direction, and anyonecritical of Israel is "anti-Semitic."Our own retired missionary, Chester Hutcheson, whohas lived in close contact with both Jews and Arabs, in theirown Near East habitat, commented on the "Glimpse"(Covenanter Witness, 6 Jan. 1971) regarding the film, "HisLand," "It is pure premillenialism and Zionistpropaganda." He says, "I admit I can see both sides of theproblem, having lived in both countries for some time. .(but) how about the million or so refugees the Israelis havecaused and are not willing to give any compensation for theconfiscated property." This "no logical and just solution"idea, seems about the same conclusion that Elizabeth Elliotcomes to in her book, Furnace of the Lord.Some of the very Congressmen who are eager to getthe U.S. out of Vietnam seem ready to involve us in the NearEast. (Let's not get involved in a "holy war." L.K.)Read The Bible"Read the Bible and it brings you into the associationof the best people that ever lived. You stand beside Moses,and learn his meekness; beside Job, and learn his patience;beside Abraham and learn his faith; beside Daniel, and learnhis courage to do right; and beside Isaiah, and learn his fieryindignation toward the evil-doer; beside Paul, and catchsomething of his enthusiasm; beside Christ, and you feel Hislove."Charles Spurgeon4 COVENANTER WITNESS

Activities In JapanMissOreta EverettKobe Shi, JapanJanuary 9, 1971Dear Friends in Christ,As we enter into a new year, may the Lord's richblessing rest upon you and may His Holy Spirit be workingin and through each to enable all to go forward with Him.May His great name and Kingdom be magnified throughout1971.We thank you for the prayers of the past year andcount on your continued prayer support throughout the yearahead. You will be interested in knowing how your prayershave been answered concerning the holiday activities.The Christmas Eve program of "Christ In ThePsalms" was blessed, although the attendance wassomewhat smaller than the 100 of a year ago. The programwas recorded and this has enabled some shut-in and othersunable to attend, to be blessed with this recorded message inPsalms.The Lord gave His strength throughout the manyyear-end activities and parties, even though some of us didcatch colds which clung to us longer than we would haveliked. — The mission staff enjoyed a good time together onChristmas Day with a dinner at Orlena Lynn's home. Westayed together also until evening when we again enjoyedfellowship around the table with left-owrs, combined with aspecial celebration for Jim Pennington's birthday, whichwas on Christmas.This year there was no worship service on New Year'sDay, but in each of the three congregations, on the Lord'sDay, appropriate New Year messages were presented.On January 4, the young people of the threecongregations had a special blessed time together for study,discussion, and recreation. This was at the Keiyaku Housein Okamoto. Your prayers are appreciated for this fine groupof young people. Pray especially that from within this groupthe Lord will bring forth young men who will answer Hiscall, prepare, and come forth to be ministers. The need isgreat.Continue to pray for the Psalter Publication Committee.A goal of April has been set to publish some 70Psalms which are ready. In the near future we plan to haveafter the morning worship service, on Sabbath, a brief Psalmpractise each week to acquaint us with new tunes and Psalmsnot included in our present mimeographed Psalter.Now I must apologtee. This letter was removed frommy typewriter in order to do some other work, and itbecame out of sight, thus out of mind. Now it is the 20th ofJanuary.MARCH 3. 1971There was on January 15 a fine one-day conferencewhich had been planned and sponsored by a committee ofwomen from the three congregations. Some 45 peoplegathered at the Keiyaku congregation's place of worshipwhich is also the home of the Spear family. The Rev. Mr.Masunaga had the main address from Romans 9 and 10. Theconference text was II Timothy 2:15. A number of peoplegave their testimony. Also a helpful discussion time was anencouragement and challenge. I have always been favorablyimpressed by the Japanese Christians' willingness to participate and speak when called upon, often without advancewarning. At the close of the conference a large candle lightedbirthday cake honored three who that day were celebratingbirthdays. They were Mrs. Yasahara of the Higashi Sumacongregation, Mrs. Nakamuraof the Keiyaku congregation,and Miss Lynn.We are happy to have Mr. Pennington with us still,but sorry that his time here is all too quickly approaching thedeparture day for the U.S. Continue to support him withyour prayers, as he continues to wait upon the Lord fordirection. We know that those of you who will be able to hearhim during his deputation, shall be blessed by his ministry.After his departure from here, the preaching in Tarumi willbe continued by Mr. Spear and Mr. Masunaga. Supportthem in prayer as their duties expand. Needless to sayremember the Kasumigaoka congregation there in Tarumias one more shuffle in their history takes place.Since December, I have had a new class in myschedule. Once again I am able to teach a Bible class at theKobe Women's Pharmaceutical College where I had a classup until my furlough in '68. This class of 16 girls also haveasked me to coach their English Club's drama in preparationfor the spring festival. Upon reading the manuscript, it wasdiscovered that the play contained much profane language. Itold them I could not approve of this blamphemouslanguage, but would keep my promise to help them if theywould delete these words and phrases. After talking it over,thev decided to let me do it my way. Pray for these girls as westudy and work together, that the Holy Spirit will convictthem of their need of Christ's atonement. Three of the girlsare Christians, so pray for their strengthening and encouragementas they strive to live for the Lord Jesus Christ."Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, andto make you stand in the presence of His glory blamelesswith great joy, to the only God our Savior, through JesusChrist our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, andauthority, before all time and now and forever." •••D

DialogueMrs. Ronald Stegall, Nicosia, CyprusLORD'S DAY, 12:10 P.M.". . .now and forevermore, Amen.""Judy, Don't forget to speak to Carol.""Yes, Mother.""Good morning, Mr. Harley.""Good morning, Judy. You just back from where allthat rioting's going on?""I'm just back from school.""You weren't helping to disrupt things were you?""No."' 'Well, I'd be glad I was outif I were you.""Hey there. How's my little sweet petunia? Haven'tseen you around here for quite a spell."' 'No. I'm just back from school, Mr. George. I'm justfine. How are you?""Oh, not so bad, for an old man.""You look just fine to me.""Well, not like I used to be, not like I used to be."' 'Judy, I wanted to catch you before we left. About theSabbath School Class. We just don't seem to be getting thegirls out like we used to. I thought perhaps next week wecould have a Bible quiz. Maybe you could ask some to takepart and that would get at least a few outif they had toparticipate. We could give prizes or something too. I've justbeen trying to think what would make the kids come. Whatdo you think?""Well, I guess we could try it.""O.K. You ask some and we'll try to getit workedout. I've got to go. The roast is probably burnt.""Hi, Janet. How are you? It's been an age since I'veseen you. And Lisa is so big now. How old is she?""Seven months.""Can I hold her a minute?""Sure.""Hey, how are ya, kiddo? Eh? How are ya? Boy,you're a cutie. Maybe I could come over someday, Janet,and we could find out what's been happening with eachother.""Yea, I'd like that. But right now we're a mess witheverything being painted. Why don't I call you?""O.K. That'd be good.""Hi, Carol."]'Hi, Judy.""How are you?""O.K.""How is school going?""O.K.""What are you planning to do next year?""I don't know."'Hi, Jude. Don't tell me the great scholar hasreturned.""You're a great one to talk, Pete. Don't you thinkyou're about old enough to get a job now?""Well, I don't want to rush things. Want to givemyself plenty of time to develop.""I understand.""Hi, Jude.""Hello, Ann. Oh, that dress is nice. Now that you areearning millions you must do nothing but buy clothes. Everytime I see you, you have something new on.""Well, you don't see me very often.""That's for sure. What's been going on aroundhere?""According to John, only starvation.""Hi, John. You still complaining?""If things continue at this rate I predict that in tenyears his sermons will be approximately seven hours andtwenty-seven minutes in length. No complaints, just facts.""Well you can go home and eat. Your folks look likethey're ready to go in their old '70' Buick. Why didn't youbring the new one?""You should talk. I hear your folks gave you one forgraduation.""Second-hand. Besides, I have to get aroundsomehow.""Sure. Well, see you.""Bye, John.""You coming to the party tomorrow night, Judy?""I didn't even know there was one, Ann.""Yea. We're going skiing. Folsomes got a newboat.""Sounds great.""We thought maybe we could invite some new kidstoo. You know.""Good idea.""Bye, Judy.""Oh bye, Carol see you.""We've got to go, too, Judy. See you tomorrow.""O.K.""Hello, Judy.""Hello, Mr. Graham.""You're back just in time to paint this Thursday.Work night. We want to get the basement done before theyput the carpet down.""I'll try to be here.""How do you like the 'old church' "?"Inoks great.""Trouble is, we just getit finished and these newapartments are going in practically right on top of thevolleyball court.""Oh, I didn't know.""Yea, we couldn't do a thing about it. Just one ofthose things, but sure is disappointing after all this work. Seeyou Thursday." see page 76 COVENANTER WITNESS

Some This and That in W M. S.The following addresses may be used to gather informationfor the monthly mission studies as suggested inthe 1971 Uniform Program (p. 12) for the Women'sMissionary Societies.January: Christian Government Movement, TheChristian Patriot, 804 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15221.February: Billy Graham crusades and follow-up work.Decision Magazine, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association,Box 779, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440.March: Underground Church, Jesus to the CommunistWorld, Rev. Richard Wurmbrand, P. O. Box 11,Glendale, California 91209; Underground Evangelism,1222 So. Glendale Ave., Glendale, California 91205.April: Missions to the Jews; Rev. E. H. Reid, OMTInc., 632 Jefferson Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45215; or —Dr. Dan Fuchs, American Board of Missions to Jews, 236W. 72nd Street, New York, New York 10023.May: L'Abri Fellowship — Francis Schaeffer, L 'Abriby Edith Schaeffer, listed in the W.M.S. Book List for 1971.June: National Association of Evangelicals assistanceto missions; World Relief Commission, Inc., 33-10 36thAve., Long Island City, New York 11106.July: Reformation Translation Fellowship, (Checkwith your pastor for newsletter or—). Rev. LesterKilpatrick, Sec'y. of R.T.F., 1031 E. Glenrosa, Phoenix,Arizona 80514.Dialogue from page 6"Hello, Judith.""Hello, Miss Briggs."' 'It's so nice to have you back again. I just want you toknow we are so proud of what you young people are doing.Us old folks are set in our ways we know, but we admire youyoung ones and depend on you.""Well, hello, Judy. You're about the last one out. Ithought I held the record.""Hello, Rev. Mr. Wilkens. I guess there are a lot ofpeople to see.""It's good to see you back. You can be a big help.""I wonder if I could take a minute and ask you aquestion?""Sure, Judy. What is it?""I've been reading in Luke and thinking a lot aboutthis verse in chapter 14. 'So likewise whosoever he be of youthat forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be mydisciple.' ""Yes. I can remember wondering a lot about thatverse when I was your age, too. But I'll try to pass on anexplanation someone gave to me at that time. I don t thinkthat Christ is demanding here, or even wants us to reallygive up everything. I think He meansAugust: Non-Reformed Missions: World Vision,919 W. Huntington Drive, Monrovia, California 91016:Missionary Aviation Fellowship, 3519 W. Commonwealth,Fullerton, California 92632; Sudan Interior Mission.September: Christian Anti-Communism Crusade, Dr.Fred Schwarz, Editor/Newsletter, Box 890, Long Beach,California 90801.October: Material and information will appear in alater edition of the Covenanter Witness (Womens'Department).November: Wyeliffe Bible Translators, InternationalHeadquarters, P. O. Box 1960, Santa Ana, California92702; American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, NewYork, New York 10023; Pocket Testament League; TheGideons, International, 212 E. Superior St., Chicago 11,Illinois.December: Reformed Missions: R. P. EvangelicalSynod, World Presbyterian Missions, 901 N. Broom St.,Wilmington, Delaware 19806; Christian ReformedChurch, Foreign and Home Mission Offices, 2850Kalamazoo Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508;Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 7401 Old York Road,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19126; National ReformAssociation. Dr. W. W. Weir, 45 So. Bryant Ave.,Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15202. These may be substitutedor used in any way desired.Board of Foreign MissionsFebruary, 1971The February meeting of the Board of ForeignMissions was held on February 8 and 9 at the HotelSalisbury, in New York City. Opening devotions and prayerwere led by Dr. W. W. Weir.A highlight of the meeting was the presence of Mr.Thomas Edgar, who is home on furlough from Larnaca,Cvprus. In his interview, following afternoon devotions, hegave many interesting and enlightening facts regarding thework in Cyprus.The Executive Secretary gave a full report of workdone and conferences attended during the year.Plans were discussed and formulated for the return ofMiss Eleanor Faris to Japan, early in March, and fordeputation work to be done by Rev. James Pennington,when he returns from Japan in March. Plans are shaping upfor the going of the Bovles to Japan in September.WORKERS ARE STILL URGENTLY NEEDEDFOR BOTH THE CYPRUS AND JAPAN FIELDS.Publicity CommitteeMARCH * 1971 7

WASHINGTON, D.C.Fe bruary 2-4, 1971Annual Council MeetingRev. Alvin W. Smith, Sr., D.D.Chairman, Synod's Temperance CommitteePresident, National Temperance and Prohibition CouncilThe writer attended this meeting of the NationalTemperance and Prohibition Council, representing theReformed Presbyterian Church in North America throughSynod's Temperance Committee.Readers should be interested to know that the NationalTemperance Council was organized in Columbus, Ohio, in1913, under the name of the "Council of 100" with theprimary object of promoting a general temperanceeducational movement.At its first meeting, a few weeks later, held inWashington, D.C, organization of the Council was completedby the adoption of By-laws and the name changed toNational Temperance Council. It later became the NationalTemperance and Prohibition Council. The 1957 revisedConstitution states:Object"The object of this organization shall be to afford amedium through which citizens and organized agenciesinterested in the promotion of Temperance and Prohibitionmay take counsel and formulate policies to encourageeducation on all phases of the drink problem, promotelegislative measures and governmental policies in the interestof Temperance and Prohibition, and to secure unity ofeffort in behalf of the Movement against BeverageAlcohol."From this it can be seen that the Council stands forabstinence on the part of the individual and the eradication ofthe drink traffic. The Council believes that of all the narcoticaddiction-producing drugs, alcohol creates the mostproblems; that the existence and activity of the liquor industry"compounds the felony of alcohol." It definitelybelieves that moderate drinking underlies the total alcoholproblem.Purpose1. To work for a united witness of all churches forabstinence. 2. To seek the promotion of legislation thatwill restrict the manufacture, sale, advertising and use ofalcoholic beverages: ban their use on commercial planes;require stricter highway safety laws where alcohol is concerned;and require health hazard labeling on all alcoholicbeverages.From this review it can be seen that this Council cameinto being back in the old saloon days . . . was active duringthe 14 years of Prohibition and has not relaxed its alertnessand activities since Repeal came in.The Covenanter Church has been a constituentmember and has taken an active part with this organizationall along, and, please God, will continue to do so. We haveworked shoulder to shoulder with leaders of the NationalReform Association. Dr. John Coleman served his turn asPresident and Dr. Kermit S. Edgar played a leading part inannual meetings and more than once was chairman of theCommittee on Resolutions.This year for the second time, one evening wasdevoted to a program put on by youth from high schools andcolleges, members of the National Youth TemperanceCouncil. They demonstrated their awareness and courageand ability to exert a witness as Christians devoted to theservice of Christ.One of the outstanding speakers on the program wasDr. Melvin H. Knisely, Director, Department of Anatomy,Medical College of South Carolina. Many of you doubtlessread the article in Reader's Digest some time ago:ALCOHOL AND YOUR BRAIN (some news for socialdrinkers). This told of Dr. Knisely's research in connectionwith the blood and the discovery of its effect of sludging theblood vessels and thus depriving the brain of the vital oxygencarried by clean blood, with the resulting death of brain cellsnot to be replaced.Once having been a drinker himself (he swore off in1946) he showed us live films in which university studentstook part in a test (8 or 10) students. Part of them were givenintoxicants before being taken to a motel to spend the nightsingly under the watchful eye of a state patrolman.Then each of these students was examined in turn ashe or she lay on a table, face upward, under a high poweredmicroscope, fixed on the white of the eye. This was filmed.Results were easily seen and were tabulated; and withoutexception it was either positive or negative. In the case ofthose who had not imbibed .... the blood flowed clean andunobstructed through the unbroken blood vessels of the eye;whereas in the case of each one who had imbibed the daybefore ... the blood cells showed the clogging motionbecause they were sticking together.Dr. Knisely made this comment: "The degree ofdamage is in proportion to the frequency and amount of8 COVENANTER WITNESS

drinking and the length of time it is kept up.''The Council is encouraged over the results of therevelation brought about several years ago by the U.S.Surgeon General at the head of the Commission appointed tostudy the relation between Smoking and Health. Two goodresults came of it: 1. Over 20 million smokers have quitthe habit. 2. Cigar et advertising over radio and televisionhas been banned . and labels ordered placed on packagesof cigarets stating that smoking IS a hazard to health.We seek the appointment of a like Commission underthe leadership of the Surgeon General to find out the relationbetween drinking alcoholic beverages and health . . and thelabeling of every container of alcoholic beverages, stating thehazard to health, of drinking.One thing we are watching for, the move of the hardliquor people to put their advertisements on radio andtelevision to replace the cigaret ads. There is, at present,absolutely no legislation to prevent this move . . but it isbadly needed. Yet Congress shies away from morallegislation refusing to face the fact that if America is tosurvive it must abolish the traffic in intoxicants and thepractice of indulging In them, BOTH.We are encouraged by an unmistakable ground swellagainst drinking. This issue is far from dead and it is for theChurch to maintain its witness against this entrenched evilwith the spirit and zeal of the Old Testament prophets andthe spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ who answered the devil inthe second temptation: "It is written again, Thou shalt nottempt the Lord thy God."•••ADVICE TO TEENS: BE KIND TO PARENTSThere's no end to the number of articles being writtenabout handling teenagers. Here, as a change of pace, aresome suggestions to teenagers on ways to get along withtheir parents:Don 't be afraid to speak their language. Try usingstrange-sounding phrases like, "I'll help wash the dishes"and "Yes."Try to understand their music. Play Glenn Miller's"Moonlight Serenade" on the stereo until you becomeaccustomed to the sound.Be patient with the underachiever. When you catchyour dieting Mom sneaking salted nuts, don't show yourdisapproval. Tell her you like fat mothers.Encourage them to talk about their problems. Try tokeep in mind that, to them, things like earning a living andpaying off the mortgage seem important.Be tolerant of their appearance. When your Dad gets ahaircut, don't feel personally humiliated. Remember, it'simportant to him to look like his peers.And most vital of all: If they do something youconsider wrong, let them know it's their behavior youdislike, not themselves. Remember, parents need to feel thatthey're loved!— The California LiberatorOBSERVATIONSONFree-Masonry(from Mackey 's Revised Encyclopedia of Free-Masonry)By Rev. Raymond Joseph, West Lafayette, Indiana1. It is a Religion.(p. 847)'' .we contend. . .that Free-Masonry is. . .aneminently religious institution, .that it is indebted solely tothe religious element it contains for its origin as well as itscontinued existence, and that without this religious elementit would scarcely be worthy of cultivation by the wise andgood."2. It is a Christless Religion.(p. 847) " .it is not Christianity. . .it supplies noscheme of redemption for sin. . .it does not claim to be 'theway, the truth, and the life." (p. 848)(p. 409) "God is equally present with the Hindoo inthe temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Mohammedan inthe mosque, and the Christian in the Church."(contrast the Scriptures; Jesus said in John 14:6, "Iam the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh to theFather but by me.")3. It is a "Church."(p. 597: definition oi Lodge) "These two (definitions)are precisely the same as those to be found in the wordChurch, which is expressive both of the building in which acongregation meets to worship and the congregation ofworshipers themselves."(p 598)'' .the congregations of Free-Masons (meet)for work or worship."4. It is a "liberal" Church.(p 271) Deists are defined as "those who do notbelieve in the Scriptures as revelation." Followed by,"Deism presents no disqualification for initiation."Conclusion: Jesus said, "He that is not for me, is againstme" (Matt. 12:30). Consequently. Free-Masonry must beclassed with other Christ-denying religions, such asUnitarianism.•••DANIEL WEBSTER"If ue abide by the principles taught in the Bible, ourcountry will go on prospering and to prosper, but if we andour posterity neglect its instruction and authority no mancan tell how suddenly a catastrophe may overwhelm us andbury us.MARCH ° 1,V71 9

The Children's CornerDr. John Peoples at Work in Turkeyby Mrs. Kenneth SandersonOn May 8 he wrote, "I arrived at Mersine two daysago at six a.m. Threw some things together and took theafternoon train for Adana. The Mersine mission buildingsare full of refugees, many of whom have measles withcomplications. I came to Tarsus from Adana on Friday to seeif I could get some Turkish doctors to help. —"Just one instance to help explain what horrible andunthinkable cruelties have taken place here. A party ofArmenians were forced to become Moslems and then setupon by the soldiers and bayonetted. Afterward they werebrought out of the house where they were and laid in a pilewith rubbish thrown over them and the whole set on fire.One woman whom I cared for today was in this pile, butmanaged to crawl out quickly after having been badly burnedon the head and arm. There is one little boy here abouttwelve whose head was hacked by an axe. His brain isprotruding and today I cut a portion of it away because ofgangrene. We who are spared can but 'thank God and takecourage.' The wonder is not that the few die, but that somany have survived. In many cases it would seem to be amerciful providence that they do die — no friends, norrelatives, no money, no clothing, no homes, no land — inshort, nothing. The suspense and strain and uncertaintythrough which the missionaries have passed is inconceivableand almost beyond human endurance."At first Dr. Peoples spent most of his time in Adanahelping treat the wounded and sick in the refugee camps. Hewas so busy he couldn't even take time to keep track of thenumber of patients he cared for. After August when he didbegin to keep records he reported that their clinic had treated6,065 patients in twenty-four days, with 415 being thegreatest number treated in any one morning!If Dr. Peoples had been longing for more work to dofour months previously, now he was wishing for some timeto rest and more capable doctors to help him. He wrote,"We come in tired from the hospital and have supper and goright to bed. As soon as breakfast is over we go to thehospital and make another day's round. I'm tired and sleepy.After next Monday I expect to be the only foreign doctorhere. At present we have one surgical and two medicalhospitals. I have charge of the surgical. They are exceedinglycrude affairs, but good work has been done in them. We takeonly emergency and accident cases into the surgical hospital,not any long standing or chronic cases, for there is too muchto do."When he first reached Adana he described his lifethus: "I was going day and night and literally had nowhereto lay my head except in a building which had been commandeeredby the British Consul. There were some cots onwhich every Tom, Dick, and John threw themselves whentoo tired to go any further — no sheets or pillow cases, sothese were never changed. There was enough grease wheremy head lay to cook eggs. Did not have a good wash, withouteven thinking of a bath for many days."In early June the British Vice Consul invited him tocome and live at the Consulate in Adana since it was near thehospitals and the country was under martial law whichmeant they could not go out after sunset. When he went outafter dark he had to have one soldier in front of him and onebehind, except if he went from the Consulate to the nearbyhospital. His letters home continued to be full of his horrorat the situation in Turkey as it had been and continued to be.The following quotation is typical: "Justice is a farce and amere mockery and very evidently the Young Turks are littleimprovement over the Old. Facts are too horrible to relate.— Have to take a boy's eye out early tomorrow morning.Am still getting bullets out of different parts of anatomies.The boy who had the brain operation died."Dr. Peoples did not forget to write home some of themore humorous moments also. "One time I was operating,with an Armenian doctor helping by giving the anesthetic. Assoon as I would begin to cut the patient's skin with the knifethe doctor would quit giving the anesthetic and the sick manwould move his hand. There was an English noblewomanthere and finally I asked the lady to hold the patient's hand.She did so, but as soon as she saw the blood she went downlike a sack of flour. I asked the Armenian doctor to take thewoman out and look after her and thus solved two difficulties!I got the native girl who had worked with me beforeto give the anesthetic and went on with the operation."As work among the refugees slackened Dr. Peoplesreturned to Mersine and began to make plans for opening asmall hospital. Before long interests quite outside the field ofmedicine began to take a part of his time. Miss EvadneSterrett had come to visit her aunt, Miss Evadne Sterrett, inOctober 1907. She stayed in Mersine until the followingJune and returned to America. In October 1909, shereturned to Mersine to teach. On November 20 she wrotehome, "I am quite ashamed that I have not even written tomy home or to anyone in America. It is not because theschool is so large, but other matters have filled the time."Part of the "other matters" was becoming acquainted withand eventually engaged to John Peoples.In describing his future wife to his family, JohnPeoples wrote, "Yes, Evadne is very jolly and she can dolots of things that boys can do. She whistles nicely, sings,and plays. — Another point in her favor is that she has beenout in Turkey before and is seemingly able to stand it fairlywell. It is an exceedingly hard country and climate forwomen. I think Evadne is fairly fond of cooking."(To be continued)10 COVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of March 28Sabbath SchoolLessonFor March 28,1971FAITHFUL IN ALL THINGSMatthew 25:14-30Comments by John K. GaultThis lesson presents another pictureof the kingdom of heaven and of the secondcoming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The manwho traveled into a far country and whoentrusted his affairs to his servants,represented Christ, who after 40 days in arisen state, ascended up into heaven. Theman, before he left for the far country"called his own servants and deliveredunto them his goods." Even though he"delivered unto them his goods" the goodsstill belonged to him and the "servants"were but custodians of that which had beenentrusted to them. Shortly before Jesusascended to the right hand of God, Heappeared in the group of disciples and saidto them, "All power is given unto me inheaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, andteach all nations, baptizing them in thename of the Father, and of the Son, and ofthe Holy Ghost: teaching them to observeall things whatsoever I have commandedyou." While it is true that all persons aretalented by the Almighty, the onesdepicted in this parable are called "servants,"which means that they were allprofessing Christians, who are presumedto be living in the household of God.1: The Lord Will Return to "Reckon"with His Servants, the ProfessingChristians.Reckon is a legalistic word meaning"an accounting." Jesus has gone awayinto heaven but He is coming back to earthto call to an accounting all of His professedfollowers. He has delivered unto them His"goods," which include all of the oracles ofGod, namely, the Bible, the church, andthe revelation of God in nature. It is expectedof God's servants that they will all"seek first the kingdom of God and Hisrighteousness." As the psalmist says,"The world and its dwellers belong to theLord." People, therefore, do not ownanything in this world. God owns all, andpeople are but caretakers.2: All Persons Are Not EquallyTalented.Verse 15 says, "And unto one he gavefive talents, to another two, and to anotherone; to every man according to his severalability; and straightway took his journey."There is a great difference inpeople's abilities. Some have five talentsor more and some have one. This is to benoted especially among ministers of thegospel. Some are more eloquent thanothers and some have greater ability inmaking contact with the unsaved. Butamong all the members of the churchthere are varying degrees of ability. Buteven though this is true there should be noenvy because one is more successful thananother. It is certainly evident that in thechurch, especially, God has not entrustedto His servants an equal number of talentsto each one. Talents may not be equal innumber and neither may they be equal inquality. One person may excel in one line,while another person may excel in quite adifferent line. So, God has "delivered untothem His goods, .to every man accordingto his several ability."3: All Persons Should Have EqualOpportunity.The servants probably all belonged tothe same race but they may not have. Theyall had the same opportunity to make thebest use of their talents according to theirabilities. God in His wisdom has createdpeople with different degrees of ability. Itshould be man's desire to give to all peoplethe opportunity to use their abilities in thebest possible way.4: Even Though People Do Not Havethe Same Number of Talents They Can BeEqually Faithful and thus ReceiveEqual Reward.The lesson says, "Then he that hadreceived the five talents went and tradedwith the same, and made them other fivetalents. And likewise he that had receivedtwo, he also gained other two." These twoservants had been one hundred percentfaithful. Through careful investment theyhad doubled their original trust. "After along time the lord of those servantscometh, and reckoneth with them. And sohe that had received five talents came andbrought other five talents, saying, Lord,thou deliveredst unto me five talents:behold, I have gained beside them fivetalents more. His lord said unto him, Welldone, thou good and faithful servant: thouhast been faithful over a few things; I willmake thee ruler over many things: enterthou into the joy of thy lord." The servantto whom two talents were entrusted cameand told the owner of his doubling hisnumber of talents also, and to him wasgiven the same commendation and rewardwhich the first servant had received.Reward, therefore, in the kingdom ofheaven does not depend upon the numberof talents which God has entrusted to aperson but upon the use which has beenmade of them. They should be used for thehonor and glory of God.5: Some People Have False Conceptionsof God, and Give Those asReasons for Not Using Their Talents.To the third servant one talent wasgiven. He said as his case came before thejudge, "Lord, I knew thee that thou art anhard man, reaping where thou hast notsown, and gathering where thou hast notstrawed; and I was afraid, and went andhid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thouhast that is thine. His lord answered andsaid unto him, Thou wicked and slothfulservant, thou knewest that I reap where Isowed not, and gather where I have notstrawed. Thou oughtest therefore to haveput my money to the exchangers, and thenat my coming I should have received mineown with usury, (interest) Take thereforethe talent from him, and giveit unto himwhich hath ten talents." This servantprobably thought that he had been treatedunfairly. He thought of God that He was a"hard" man; whereas, God was a God ofmercy. If he had this view of his lord heshould have been more careful to put hismoney out at interest and when the lordcame back he could have gotten back theprincipal as well as the interest. Peopleshould be careful not to have false ideas ofGod and they should realize that having afew talents, even one, is no excuse for notusing them to the best advantage.6: Talents Not Used Will Be TakenAway from One and Given to Him Who HasMARCH 3. 1971

Used his Talents Aright.The owner of the funds said of theservant who had hid his one talent, "Taketherefore the talent from him, and give itunto him which hath ten talents. For untoevery one that hath shall be given and heshall have abundance; but from him thathath not shall be taken away even thatwhich he hath." Experience makes onemore proficient in any line of activity. Ifone ceases to exercise his potential in anyline of study he will find that he does noteven have a potential any more. Christiansshould exercise their religious potential inevery possible way, and by doing that theywill not lose their original investment inreligious work. In his second epistle Petersaid, "Wherefore the rather, brethren,give diligence to make your calling andelection sure; for if ye do these things, yeshall never fall" (II Peter 1:10).7: A Great Doom Awaits Those WhoHide Their Talents.The owner of the funds said concerningthe "unprofitable servant," "Casthim into outer darkness; there shall beweeping and gnashing of teeth." TheBible, worship, and religious work aregreat means of grace whereby one candevelop his talents. If God has entrusted toone the ability to gain wealth he shouldcertainly use that talent for the advancementof the kingdom of God. Allprofessing Christians should endeavor todouble their spiritual money through wiseinvestments for their Lord. To hide one'stalent is an indication of a lack of faith inGod, who is "able to make all graceabound toward you; that ye always havingall sufficiency in all things, may abound toevery good work" (II Cor. 9:8)."Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior TopicFor March 28,1971NEHEMIAHUnit: Later Old Testament DaysMrs. Herbert A. HaysPsalms: Review the two Psalms thatwere learned over the thirteen-weekperiod. Memory verses to be reviewed.Print the name Nehemiah on a heavypiece of paper and back it with a piece offlannel. Place this on the flannelboard.The following characteristics of Nehemiahshould be written on pieces of paper to beready to place on the flannelboard as theScripture verses are read.Nehemiah, The Patriotic Statesman.1. Patriotism. Neh. 1:14.2. Prayerfulness. Neh. 1:5-11; 4:4,5,9.3. Faith. Neh. 2:20; 4:14.4. Courage. Neh. 4:20; 6:10,11.5. Diligence. Neh. 4:21-23; 6:3.6. Executive ability. Neh. 4:13-20.7. Firmness in the right. Neh. 13:11,17,25.8. Earnestness in reform. Neh.?5:13,15-21.If a flannelboard is not handy, ablackboard may be used.Leader: If you think a story is moreappropriate, turn to page 418 in The Child'sStory Bible and read or tell, "HowJerusalem Was Finally Rebuilt."NEW UNIT: OUR PUBLICWORSHIP AND SACRAMENTS(For April 4 —May 30)Mrs. John RussellIntroduction — Public WorshipThrough the ages man has worshipedsome thing or someone. For example, hehas worshiped the sun, rain, a mountain,an idol made by man, money, or a person.Worship means to show honor, reverence,devotion, love. But when we becomeChristians we see that God is the only trueGod. He sent His Son for our salvation andHe desires to be worshiped as the true God.The acceptable way of worshiping the trueGod is as He shows us through theScriptures and in the name of Christ. Jesussaid in John 4:24, "God is a spirit, and theythat worship Him must worship Him inspirit and in truth."The worship of Cain, for example,differed from that of Abel. Cain's offeringwas not accepted, but the worship of Abelwas approved by God because he did it inthe way God wanted. (Leader brieflyreview this story in Gen. 4:5-16.) Whenpeople worship God in any way not commandedby God, their worship is useless.Two men in the Old Testament — Nadaband Abihu — were consumed by the fire ofthe Lord because they "offered strangefire — which He commanded them not" intheir worship of God.In this unit we will study certain partsof worship that God has told us are right,such as, prayer, reading and preaching ofthe Word of God, singing of Psalms, theoffering, and administration of thesacraments. God does not want people toinvent or bring in anything to the worshipof Himself that He has not told us about.We can worship God at home alone, withour families, or anywhere and at any time.But we are going to learn about these partsof public worship, for God desires a unitedworship also. ". . .Let us exalt His Nametogether." When a boy, girl, or adultbelieves in Christ as personal Savior, hehas a desire to unite with some church andmake his feelings known to others. Andthis is pleasing to God!When we think of a church, the firstthing we picture in our minds might be abuilding, but this is not the real church.The church is made up of a body ofbelievers in Christ. We become membersof this body when we accept Christ asSavior from our sins, and Christ is Head ofthis body. We can compare it to our ownbodies with a head that controls all theparts. An outcome of this union with Christis "fellowship and communion in theworship of God." The person united toChrist is united to other believers, who arealso members of that body. We usuallyhave our public worship on the one day inseven that God appointed for a Sabbath, tobe kept holy unto Him.God created man in His own likeness.Man alone, of all God's creatures, has asoul. With that soul, man can think aboutGod, trust and love Him. The Christian lifeis a joy as well as a duty. We are to enjoyGod. He made us for Himself to havefellowship and closeness with Him. Thereis something missing and unhappy in ourlives apart from friendship with God.The more we learn about God, themore we love Him and want to please Him.And then we want to be with others whoalso love and want to serve God. Then wecan sing praise to God with others asDavid sang, "In Thy presence is fulness ofjoy; at Thy right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11).BIBLIOGRAPHYThe Shorter CatechismThe Constitution of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of North AmericaThe Book of Psalms with MusicBerkhof, L., Manual of Christian Doctrine,Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ. Co.Elliott, Delber H., Handbook for YoungChristians.McKelvy, Anna P., Taught of the Lord(Helps for Junior leaders.)Schoolland, Marian M., Leading LittleOnes to God, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ. Co.Tweed, J. Boyd, The Communicants'Class.Vos, J. G., Bible Truths for YoungChristians.Williamson, G. I., The WestminsterConfession of Faith, Pres. and Ref'd. Publ.Co.12 COVENANTER WITNESS

Flannelgraph: "The Baptism of Jesus" —Story-o-graph, "The Last Supper" —Thomas CompanyLEADER HELPS FOR UNIT(1) Provide or make in the first meeting a"Worship Notebook" to be kept by eachduring the unit. Include stickers, pictures,verses, questions and answers for eachlesson as child is able. Some of writing canbe assigned homework.(2) Catechism questions — 2 or 3 selectedquestions will be given each topic.(3) Memory verses — called "our worshipverse" — 1 or 2 each lesson.(4) Handwork will be suggested to keep innotebook.(5) Two memory Psalms used over thisunit of lessons.(6) Leader please adjust lessons andnotebook to age and ability of children.Keep in mind the goal of this unit: to instilla love and reverence for God, His worshipand church.Prayer MeetingTopicMarch 31, 1971Family Night SupperWMS TopicApril 1971Mrs. John Allison,North Hills, PittsburghSuggested Psalm: 34:1-6, page 79.Scripture passage: Psa. 37."Blessed are the meek; for they shallinherit the earth." (Matt. 5:5)In order for the Christian to embraceChrist's beatitudes, he must be aware ofthe essence of the requirement: in thiscase, meekness. What is meekness? Wecould begin by defining it as humilitytoward our fellow man, but this wouldhardly fully express the virtue. Meeknessmust be linked with lowliness. As Christwas lowly, so must we be. "Learn of me:for I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matt.11:29). Gentleness is also associated withmeekness. "To speak evil of no man, to beno brawlers, but gentle, shewing allmeekness unto all men" (Titus 3:2).Meekness consists of a pliant heart andwill. "The meek will He guide in judgment,and the meek will He teach His way" (Ps.25:9).MARCH °This command of Christ to meeknessderives deeper meaning from the twopreceding verses. Stone upon stoneChristian character is built as fruit of anorderly progression of God's grace insinful hearts. First there is poverty ofspirit; the realization of our unworthinessbefore God. Then, a sorrowing for that lostcondition. Meekness follows, a by-productof self-humiliation and self-relinquishingin relationship with God.If we are meek before God, we canremain so before other men. The Bibleoffers wonderful examples of meekness.Abram took the second-best land, allowingLot to choose first. He was blessed of God,materially, in spite of this seeminglyinadvantageous beginning. David, theLord's anointed, stood meekly before Saul,even in the face of physical harm. Then,the meekest of men, Jesus Christ, throughHis incarnation, exhibited a humilityunequaled among God's people.What are the fruits of meekness? Wecan exhibit the fruit of meekness, first ofall, Godward. Where this grace abides theemnity of the carnal mind is subdued.Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that theChristian is satisfied with his lot. He doesnot fret over the prosperity of the wicked(Ps. 37:1). He accepts God's chasteningswith a calm spirit and all patience, as didEli when he learned of God's judgment forhis failure to raise his sons correctly. (ISam. 3:18). A meek man is truly yielded tothe will of God.The second way in which meeknesswithin becomes evident is manward. Itcauses the believer to accept daily insultsand revilings. The meek Christian mayaccept instruction from the least of hisfellow believers. "Brethren, if a man beovertaken in a fault, ye which arespiritual, restore such a one in the spirit ofmeekness; considering thyself, lest thoualso be tempted" (Gal. 6:1).But meekness must never be confusedwith weakness. The meek in Christwill not compromise with evil, nor willthey yield their God-given rights. Moses,one of two called meek in Scriptures, wasrighteously outraged when he observed theIsraelites dancing before Aaron's goldencalf and he put the desecrators to thesword. Meekness properly forbids fromprivate revenge, but upholds a Christian'sright to defend God's honor.As with any virtue of God, promisesare not far behind the command. Themeek shall inherit the earth. First, Christgave this promise in a spiritual sense.Psalm 37:11 underlines the ways thatmeek men will see their inheritanceestablished. "(The meek) shall delightthemselves in an abundance of peace. Thissatisfaction comes from God. We havepeace in the face of the evildoer who increasesin wealth and we are content withthe portion we have obtained from God."Better is little with the fear of the Lord,than great treasure and troubletherewith" (Prov. 15:16).The promise covers a literal sense aswell. Psalm 37:3 claims that the righteousman will be fed. We have inherited theearth through Christ who regained theright to it for His elect. Paul said, "For allthings are yours; whether... .the world, orlife or death or things present or things tocome, all are yours" (I Cor. 3:21,22).The Beatitudes begin with "blessed"or happy. Surely, blessedness comes inaccepting Christ and through Him havingshare in the things of this world in whichwe are now and those things which are tocome.LODGE MEMBERSHIP DECREASINGThe Christian Cynosure forDecember 1970 states that in 1970 therewere 15,709 lodges in the United Stateswith a membership of 3,816,494, a decreaseof 47,802 over 1969. Statistics given show alarge decrease in each of the last six years.Every province in Canada showed adecrease; the total decrease according tothe latest figures available was 4,106.Caught With My Hands Full by WinnieChristensen. 141 pages. Harold ShawPublishers, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.Paperback, $1.25. Here is a book full of"down to earth" topics dealt with in an "upto heaven" way. Some of the ten chapterheadings are Opportunities in my Community,Needed: New Attitudes, TheChurch: Inactive or Effective? and theconcluding one, " .And My Neighbor asMyself." You will be glad to have read thisbook. Caught With My Mouth Open was anearlier book by the same author.M.W.D.The oak tree's boughs once touched theground,But every year they grewA little farther from the earthAnd nearer to the blue.So live that you each year may be,As time glides swiftly by,A little farther from the earthAnd nearer to the sky.— Unknown1Qr71 13

CHANGE OF ADDRESSKnight, Isabelle Murphy, Brenda McNutt,Synod's Board of TrusteesPearl Simmons, and Rev. Robert Henning,Louis D. Hutmire, Treasurer and vocal solos by Carol Spear, accompaniedon the piano by Gwen Faris,7418 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, Pa. 15208Ted Wilcox to his own guitar accompaniment,and John Kerr, ac­Office Phone - 412-731-1177companied by David Carson.An all-Sabbath School Hallowe'enNOTICE OF CALLparty was held in the CE Building.Wednesday, February 17, I The fall thank offering programOnmoderated a call by the Oakdalecongregation which resulted in the choiceof the Rev. Robert Henning to be theirpastor. The call was made unanimous.Ralph E.JosephModeratorEASTVALEOur two youngest communicantmembers are Joel Adams and PaulHenning since their profession of faith, onAugust 2.Dr. Roy Adams was delegate toSynod at Carleton and John Kerr wasdelegate to fall Presbytery at Allegheny.Rally Day was observed by a specialprogram with Mrs. Elizabeth Wilcoxpresiding. Charles Simmons II, KeithSteiner, Kim Campbell, BeckyOmogrosso, and Betsy Carson each told ofwhat the Sabbath School has meant tothem, birthday offerings were receivedand designated for children's work in ourJapan Mission, and Mrs. Aria Downie ofour College Hill congregation challengedus with a dramatic presentation of theBible story of Bartimaeus.The congregation's 34th Anniversarydinner program featured Dr. Roy Adamsas the M.C., Dr. David Carson leading usin a time of reminiscence and assisted byH. C. Anderson, Jean Daniels, RuthIOWA WOMENSPRESBYTERIAL TO MEETIowa Women's Presbyterial iscalled to meet at the WashingtonReformed Presbyterian Church onWednesday, April 14, 1971, at 9:10 A.M.Rev. James Pennington will be themissionary speaker afternoon andevening. Convention theme: "JesusChrist, .the Way. . .the Truth. . .theLife."included Dr. and Mrs. Sam Boyle andChris as guests. Mrs. Grace Boyle sharedhighlights from the Boyles' summer visitto Japan. Dinner appointments includedappropriate, geographic-design, placemats,courtesy of Mrs. MargaretCarson.Mrs. Madge Adams was privileged toattend the American Bible Society AdvisoryCouncil meeting in New York,November 30-December 2, and gave anencouraging report of the scope of work ofthis arm of the church.The Christmas program committeethis year included Mrs. Connie Braun,chairman, Miss Frances Steiner and Mrs.Mary Louise Richeal. Rev. Mr. Henningled devotions, the Junior S.S. presented aplay, Mrs. Annie Kerr told the Christmasstory, using colorful hand-drawn pictures,the Jr. and Sr. Hi classes presented a play,John Kerr led in group carol singing andsang "0 Holy Night," Dr. David Carsonsupervised a group game, and the socialcommittee served punch and cookies.Candy treats from the S. S. and a big, red,delicious apple from Mr. and Mrs. AlKnight were given all.One of our recent S. S. electivecourses, Precentorship, was led by Mr.Charles McBurney. Since then, our praisehas at times been led by various memberswho took the course: Paul Coast, RenAdams, Paul Henning, and Ted Wilcox, aswell as our regular Precentor andAssistant: Mrs. Annie Kerr and Mrs. RuthHenning.Dana Wayde is the new brother ofRhonda, born to Ronald and RosemaryHoffman.Messrs. H. C. Anderson, CharlesCoast, Paul Coast, Joe Daniels, GeorgeDoutt and Mmes. Connie Braun, HadessahPander and Betty White have all beenamong the sick or hospitalized recently.Mr. John Kerr received word of thedeath of his father at Motherwell,Scotland.The Ethyl Copeland MissionarySociety looks forward to hosting the PittsburghPresbyterial on March 25, 1971.BUTLER HENNON,Field Representative for GenevaL. Butler Hennon, best known for hisspectacular 38-year career as a hjghschool basketball coach in western Pennsylvania,has been named to a newlycreatedposition as field representative ofGeneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. Dr.Edwin C. Clarke, president of the collegeannounced his appointment, effective July1, 1971.Although his claim to fame is as acoach, Mr. Hennon has been an outstandingeducator, moving from teacher tosupervising principal of Wampum HighSchool and most recently serving as AdministrativeAssistant to the Superintendentof Ellwood City schools.This year Coach Hennon climaxes anincredible record, having just recorded his620th win and received a special plaquefrom the Pennsylvania State BasketballCoaches Association. His record includes16 Regional, 3 Western Pennsylvania, 3Class B State, and 4 Invitational Championships.His 1955 team, led by his sonDon was undefeated in 31 games,averaging 101 points, and one winningstreak went 82 games. Don was threetimes All-State, breaking Wilt Chamberlin'sall time Pennsylvania scoringrecord and was twice All-American guardfrom the University of Pittsburgh. Anotherson, Bill, played with the 1958 StateChampions. Accounts of his accomplishmentshave been featured in Life,Parade, Saturday Evening Post, NewYork Times, Sports Illustrated, Teen,Presbyterian Life, Sporting News andAmerican Youth Magazine.Mr. Hennon was graduated fromGeneva College in 1933 and holds aMasters Degree from the University ofPittsburgh. He has served 30 years in theWampum Presbyterian Church as(Sabbath) School teacher, principal andelder. He has been active in the Fellowshipof Christian Athletes. He and his wife, theformer Irene Minner, have four childrenand six grandchildren.Geneva College, founded in 1848 bythe Reformed Presbyterian Church ofNorth America, serves 1,325 full-timestudents as well as over 300 evening14 COVENANTER WITNESS

students. A Christian liberal arts college,Geneva holds the Biblical view of God,man, and the universe in their mutualrelations.THE KANSAS AND COLORADOWOMEN'S PRESBYTERIALwill meet at the Quinter R.P. Church onApril 6 and 7, 1971.Convention Theme: Jehovah, OurCovenant God.Convention Psalm: Psalm 25:7-12Roll Call: A Bible verse on Covenants.Mrs. Waldo Stevenson,Presbyterial PresidentPRE-SYNODIC CONFERENCEFor Reformed PresbyterianMinisters and EldersTHEME: "The Kingdom of God"June 10-12,1971GENEVA COLLEGEHousing in air-conditioned apartments,with swimming pool. Time for informaldiscussion, relaxation and recreation.Sponsored by the Bible Department ofGeneva CollegePLAN NOW TO ATTEND!International HotelLos Angeles, CaliforniaApril 20-22, 1971JesusClTRiSCLORt)OF ALL29th Annual Conventionof the National Association of EvangelicalsBilly Graham, evangelistMontreat, North CarolinaLindsell Armerding Johnson BaxterSPEAKERSHarold Lindsell, editorChristianity Today, Washington, D.C.Edgar Johnson, general secretaryThe Church ol the Nazarene, Kansas City,MissouriEdward Hill, pastorMount Zion Baptist Church, and directorot World Christian Training Center,Los Angeles, CaliforniaCharles Blair, pastorHudson T. Armerding, presidentCalvary Temple, Denver, ColoradoWheaton College and National Association J. SidlOW Baxter, Bible teacher, authorol Evangelicals, Wheaton, IllinoisSanta Barbara, CaliforniaMention Geneva and the travelerrecalls water gushing Irom thefountain in Lake Geneva or themagnificent Swiss Alps whk henvelop the city of the reformation.There is another Geneva with abeautv all its own nestled in theBeaver Valley ot western I'ennsvlvania. . Geneva College. We invitevou to disc over this (ieneva, a Hillyaccredited Christian liberal artscollege with majors in the variousarts and sciences as well as engineering,all integrated around theWord of God.To make this discovery, write torthe brochure entitled "DiscoverGeneva." Send the coupon to Mr.W. Lee Troup, (ieneva College.Beavei^dllsJVJSlMO._Yes, tell me more about (ienevaCollege. Please send me the /ree brochure entitled "Discover (ieneva."More than 60 workshops and seminarsBusiness sessions affecting the direction of evangelical ChristianityFellowship with more than 1,000 evangelical leaders.uklrcMir i ir.)\ inc i' /i • /i inFor registration information writeNational Association ol Evangelicals • Box 28 • Wheaton, Illinois 60187MARCH 3, 1971M M )l ''• ' • >•. 'loi i r Mill,itli ip -bl ' .'.DBNGVA COLLCGB15

W Mil that will Surprise You! QjfMostHelpfulBiblePublishedReveals Spiritual Meaning of VersesGives Desired Information More Quickly57 FEATURES ... 8 GREAT DEPARTMENTS MAKE—THE NEW CHAIN-REFERENCE BIBLEFOURTH IMPROVED EDITIONTruly a Bible PLUS a Biblical Library in ONE VolumeEDITED BY REV. F. C. THOMPSON, D.D., Ph.D.READ WHAT OTHERS SAY:Justice Glenn Terrell, Former Chief Justice of theSupreme Court of Florida: "The Inscription over theentrance to the Graduate School Bldg. of the FloridaState University in Tallahassee, Florida, ia:"The Half of Knowledge Is to Know Where toFind Knowledge.'The New Chain Reference Bible is the 'Where' tofind the fullest spiritual truths and to gain the mostcomplete knowledge of the Bible in the easiest way.For the past two years I have used the New ChainReference Bible and I have found it the best of themall." Dr. V. R. Edman: "The New Chain ReferenceBible is a most valuable help to me in searching theScriptures as well as in devotional reading. Studytherein is most rewarding." Dr. Harold J. Ockenga:"The New Chain Reference Bible is splendid. For thenew Christian or for one who has studied the Biblefor forty years, the helps are time-saving and ofRapidly Replacing Other Bibles —Has So Many1. Unique chart showing Origin and Growth of theEnglish Bible.2. The Outline Studies of Bible Periods, comparingBiblical History with Contemporary Secular History.3. The Analysis of the Bible as a Whole.4. The Analysis of each of the 66 Books of the Bible.5. The Analysis of every Chapter of the New Testament.6. The Analysis of the Verses of the entire Bible.7. The Numerical Chain Reference System.8. Special Analysis of the Important Bible Characters.9. Contrast between the Old and New Testaments.10. The Topical Treasury. New Topics for PrayerMeetings, Men's, Women's, Young People's Meetings, etc.11. Special Bible Readings for private devotions andpublic services. New and different subjects.12. Bible Harmonies of the Lives of Moses and Paul.13. Siecial Portraits of Jesus.14. Chart of the Messianic Stars.15. Chart showing cause of the Babylonian Caotivity.16. Chart of the Temple of Truth, illustrating theSermon on the Mount.17. Chart of Jesus' Hours on the Cross.18. The Christian Workers'Outfit. Of Special value toeoul winners.IP. All Prominent Bible Characters Classified, listingthe Patriarchs, Leaders in Early Hebrew History, etc.20. Golden Chapters of the Bible.21. A Complete General Index of over seven thousandtopics, names, and places.22. Special Memory Verses selected from each Book ofthe Bible.23. Chart showing Seven Editions of Divine Law.24. Graph of the Prodigal Son.25. Bible Mnemonics, or how to memorize.26. The Principles and Best Methods of Bible study.27. Pictorial Illustration of the River of Inspiration.28. Bible Markings, Explaining best methods of markingone's Bible.29. Concordance.30. Atlas of 12 colored maps with index.Other Features in Text Cyclopedia31. Topical Study of the Bible. Correlated Scripturesprinted out In full under 2467 topics and sub-topics.Three times as many as in any other Bible.32. Contrast Study of Great Truths of thp Rihle. Enablesyou to study the Constructive and DestructiveForces of Life with the Bible verses printed out in full.great assistance. It is truly a Bible that should bein every home." Dr. Duke K. McCall: "The New33. Life studies, such as Business Life, Home Life, etc34. Bible Stories for Children. A list of 56 stories tobe read from the Bible itself.35. Miracles of both the Old and New Testaments.36. Parables of the Old Testament. Parables of theNew Testament, each Gospel.37. Title? and names of Christ; of the Holy Spirit; ofGod the Father; and of Satan.38. General Bible Prophecies.39. A list of the Prophets of the Bible.40. List of the Judges of Israel and Judah.41. List of the Notable Women of the Bible.42. Mountains and Hills referred to in Bible.43. Dictionary Material.44. Tables of Time, Money. Weights and Measures.More Unusual Features in the Helps45. The Historical Bridge, covering interval betweenthe Old and New Testaments.46. Chart showing the History of the Apostles.47. Harmony of the Gospels, citing references in differentGospels where events are given.48. Calendar of the Christian Era.49. The Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus, illustratedwith well-known paintings.50. Chart of the Seven Churches of Asia, described byJohn.51. An Outline History of the Evangelistic and Missi'^Work of the Early Church.52. The Prophecies Concerning Jesus and their Fulfillment,arranged Chronologically, with principal versesprinted out in full.53. Map Showing Approximate Distances from Jerusalemto Various Historical Points.54. Chart Showing the Interior Arrangement of theTemple at Jerusalem.55. Nineteen Special niustrated Maps Showing theJourneys of Abraham, Children of Israel, Joshua, Gideon,Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, Jesus, Paul and Peter.These are separate maps, mind you—not several crowdedtogether on one page.56. Places of Religious Worship, Hebrew Times, Festivalsand Religious Officials.New in the Fourth Improved Edition57. Archaeological Supplement. Over 100 Illustratedaccounts of discoveries in Bible lands linked by numberwith the Bible text.B. B. O^rA/yrule BIBLE CO..INC.DEPT. w-763K. OF P. BLDG.*JiChain Reference Bible not only provides a wealth otuseful helps for Bible study but also provides themin a form which makes them accessible to the user.For the most usable and time-saving helps, I suggestthat one carefully examines this Bible before buyingany other." Dr. Paul S. Rees: "For sheer helpfulness,the New Chain Reference Bible is a jewel. Itis a pleasure to commend it to all lovers of theScriptures." Dr. Edward L. R. Elson: "For twentyfiveyears, I have used the New Chain ReferenceBible as my study and devotional Bible. As an aid toBiblical study and homiletical effort, it has alwaysbeen at my right hand. For the preacher, teacherand student of the Bible, it is unsurpassed." Dr. J.C. McPheeters: "I regard the New Chain ReferenceBible as the best Bible published with special helpsto guide the student in Bible study." Dr. Bob Jones,Sr.: "You will do any man a great favor by puttingMore New Helps!this Bible in his hands. I wish I could influenceevery Christian to purchase one of these Bibles."The Revised Version is given inthe wide margin opposite the verses,wherever an important difference inmeaning occurs.Be Fair to Yourself!See this special Bible with its unequaledpractical helps before youbuy any Bible—or you may regretit as others have. Ask your pastorabout it. No other Bible is so highlypraised by so many renownedSEND NOWfor thisbig FREEdescriptiveBOOKBible Students.Agents WantedB. B. KIRKBRIDE BIBLE CO., INC.,K. of P. Bldg.Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204 W-VtM• Without cost or obligation to me,send a copy of the big illustrated book,"A New Bible for a New Day," and fullparticulars concerning the Fourth ImprovedEdition of your New Chain ReferenceBible.• Send your special terms to Representatives.Name,Address_INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, 46204I City_State_16 COVENANTER WITNESS

•\LrIVOLUME LXXXVI NO. 10 MARCH 10, 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 4, 1971SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARKTHE PARKER GROUPUnion Pacific Railroad Photo

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER r EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors:Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling,Kansas two weeks beforeit is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. HughWright, B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern IrelandBT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.SHORT SERMONSIf prayer does not drive sin out of your life, sin willdrive prayer out.If I don't stand for something, I will fall for anything.He stands best who kneels most.God puts the Church in the world; Satan puts theworld into the Church.If God has called you, do not spend time looking overvour shoulder to see who is following.To realize the worth of the anchor we need to feel thestorm.Salvation may come quietly, but we cannot remainquiet about it.Better never to have been born at all, than never tohave been born again.We ought so to live Christ as to compel others to thinkabout Christ.God's heart is our habitation; our heart is God'shabitation.Faith, Prayer & Tract League,Grand Rapids, MichiganThis Week's Witness"Our Daily Bread"Love Overcomes HateGlimpses of the Religious WorldChristian Literature: Meaning and Quality.Your College Is Alive.What About Your Wife?Home Foundations.Dr. Peoples at Work In TurkeyLesson Helps.Church News.N.A.E. Convention.Worried About What They See? . ...3..3..4..5..6..7..8.10.11.14.16.16The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

"Our Daily Bread"Ella May MillerWhat do you need today? Groceries, or a new outfit—complete with hat, shoes, and purse? Or would you dig upthat list that's been accumulating for a long time—a newwasher, rug, dishwasher, or piano?It's often difficult to separate necessities from luxuries,isn't it?Perhaps just this morning you prayed, "Give us thisday our daily bread." How did you expect God to answerthat request?Not many of us—if any—really depend on God to giveus our daily food because our cupboards are bare. But weknow that life is more than food. Man cannot live by breadalone."Daily bread," for me, includes many types ofnourishment to sustain me in a balanced day. I needpatience, love, kindness, understanding, wisdom, calmness,courage, and strength.Treasure these words from the Bible: "My God willsupply all that you need from his glorious resources in ChristJesus" (Phil. 4:19, Phillips).God has proved this to be true many times in my ownpersonal life. Not often does He provide miraculously, butsometimes He does. Usually He works through normalchannels—giving added strength, new insights, nudging afriend to drop by with a word of encouragement, helping usacquire more money to meet an emergency, or showing mehow to utilize better the resources at hand. Frequently it'shelping me to sift wants from needs. Sometimes He sends anappropriate promise.It seems that instead of trusting God to supply theirneeds of calmness, patience, self-control, contentment,courage, many mothers prefer escapism. Instead of allowingGod to show them how to meet their perplexing or strenuoussituations, they prefer their own quick solution. Andnowadays this is very easy to do! With all the modern drugsat our disposal, we can resort to them, instead of by faithaccepting God's promises. I was very surprised recently tohear of some mothers and daughters who resorted totranquilizers to get them through the wedding festivities.The American public spends nearly twenty million dollarsyearly forpills to slow them down or to help them relax.Maybe they are afraid God will tell them to drop someactivities or change jobs, to spend more time at home, and toread the Bible and pray more often. Maybe they fear achange of schedule and plans. Whatever the reason, it seemsthey forget that God invites them to depend on Him.What do you need today? Where are you looking foryour "daily bread"?MARCH 10, 1971Sunday School Times.Love Overcomes Hateby R. Barclay WarrenHate generates war and war generates hate. But even inwar there are occasions when God's love shines forth.Commander Mitsuo Fuchida who, on December 7,1941, led the 360 planes in a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor,is today a born-again Christian. He turned down the highestmilitary job in the Japanese Air Force to organize a fivememberevangelistic association. Now in his sixties, he isthe only one of the 700 officers who led the attack on PearlHarbor still living. All the others were killed.Fuchida was summoned to Tokyo from Hiroshima theday before the atomic bomb leveled that city. After the bombfell, he and eleven other officers flew to inspect the damage.They were there for two weeks, knowing nothing of theclanger from radioactive fallout. The other eleven died fromradiation sickness. Fuchida suffered noill effects. He said, "Ibelieve that God laid His hand on me and protected my lifefor some strange reason, but I did not know why. I wasconstantly searching to understand who God is, and why Hespared my life."When one of Fuchida's friends returned who had beenimprisoned in a hospital in Utah, the United States, Fuchidamet him and asked how he had been treated. He expected tohear a tale of torture. Instead, he was told the story of an 18-vear-old-girl, Margaret Covell, who had been an angel ofmercy to him.Margaret was the daughter of missionary parents inJapan. When the war began, the Covells fled to thePhilippines, finally taking refuge in the mountains of Luzon.When the Japanese came, the Covells where captured andshot as spies because they had a small radio receiver. WhenMargaret first heard of her parents' death, her heart wasfilled with hate for the Japanese. Later she learned that beforeher parents died, they prayed for nearly thirty minutes.Margaret's attitude changed so that she began to treat theJapanese prisoners in the hospital with Christian love.Returning to Tokyo, Commander Fuchida was handed atract concerning Jacob DeShazer. bombardier who flew withthe Doolittle squadron. On parachuting into Japaneseterritory he was imprisoned, tortured, and starved. Hishatred grew. Then a Japanese quard gave him a Bible. Jake,whom I know personally was changed as he read of Christ'slove, and he promised to return to Japan and preach thegospel of love.Jake is still serving as a Free Methodist missionary inJapan. He and Fuchida have met and are Christian brothers.They both discovered that, "if any man be in Christ, he is anew creature: old things are passed away, behold, all thingsare become new."—The Free Methodist3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014"NEW PANTHEISM""Now we risk becoming enamoured with the noblecause of ecology. Do we expect to fill the relentless void withsophisticated pantheism?"The only way to break this self-defeating chain is toput God in His place, above all of His creation, above man,above the universe, and certainly above machines. WhenGod is in place, all the rest can be seen in proper perspective."—Eternity magazineHIS MAGAZINE TO 1100 YOUTHThe Christian Reformed Church Minister ofEvangelism, the Rev. Wesley Smedes, said he wantedsomething combining "real Christ-centered depth withbright contemporaneity," and something "not afraid of theissues" to place in the hands of their college-age memberson secular college and university campuses.WORDS OF REVOLUTION BY TOM SKINNERA speed reader could have a ball for 10 or 15 minutes(I'm not one), with this book, but should be careful not tomiss such sentences as, "If you think you're going to smashthe system, you're mistaken," or "Any civil rights,perspective will fail," for he does sometimes seem to give agood deal of sympathy and encouragement to black militants.He uses the word charisma in connection with John F.Kennedy and his brother, Robert, and Martin Luther King,then says that the ' 'Jesus I discovered (was) — charismatic,disciplined, tough, radical — because he lived his life in totaldependency on the Father . .. (He was) not afraid to buck theestablishment . . . He had a kind of aura about Him thatshook me."Skinner's sermons — and that's what this book is —bear a resemblance to Billy Graham's, simple, incisive,Arminian, but you don't question that he's a preacher calledof God.Personally, I dislike describing Jesus Christ as a"revolutionary," or a "radical," unless one gives thosewords a context that will show unmistakably that He was theopposite of the present day popular conception of themovements so designated.Then, perhaps we can understand and forgive Mr.Skinner for having missed seeing good in "the greatAmerican dream," seeing rather, only the "immorality,hypocrisy and mythology.""OBSERVE TO DO"Ken Anderson in Christian Digest tells of thediscovery he made of the words above, which transformedfor him the regular chore of Bible reading and study."I thought of the many Christians I knew who readthe Scriptures faithfully. I thought of my own searching, andI'm sure, at least in a sense, the meaning of those words hadbeen operative in my pursuit. But now I no longer stood atthe door, fumbling for my key in the darkness; I held the keyin my hand: observe to do!"I am not to read the Bible simply to substantiate myviews on a given doctrine, important though doctrine maybe to the Christian's world-life view. I am not to read it as adaily exercise, a kind of spiritual calisthenics. I am to readthe Bible looking for instructions on how to live as well ashow to believe."Obedience made the Bible come alive for me. I wasno longer just reading it; I was listening and responding toit."THE BOOK OF PSALMSTHE BOOK OF PSALMS was the inspired Prayerand Praise Book of Israel. It is a Book of Devotion for theChurch of God in all ages. Perhaps Paul had this in mindwhen he wrote, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms andhymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody inyour heart to the Lord." Eph. 5:19.The Psalter makes known God in His Divine attributesof majesty and mercy, wisdom and power. Christ isthere in His divinity and humanity, humiliation andexaltation.The inner life of the godly man is here revealed.Christians in all ages have felt a kindred spirit with all thehopes and fears, the perplexities and encouragements, thegrievous falls and pardoning mercies of a forgiving God hererecorded.The Churchman 's MagaziA CCO UNTA BILITYHugh Latimer, the martyr bishop, writing to one ofhis fellow Reformers, said: "You may feel it a great matterof discouragement that you are a pastor over a very smallflock while many of your colleagues administer to largecongregations; but take it from me, you will not count it asmall congregation in the day when you stand before thejudgment seat of Christ. It will be large enough then.''How solemn a thing it is to realise our accountabilitybefore God. "It is required in stewards, that a man be foundfaithful." (I Cor. 4:2).4 COVENANTER WITNESS

Meaning and QualityChristian Literatureby Dr. Norman M. CarsonHead of English Department, Geneva College1This is not a simple subject. What, initially appears tobe easily defined becomes complex, slippery. As oneexamines the relationship of Christianity to literature, as hereads what has been written on this subject, as he studies inthe realm of aesthetics, he soon realizes that the concept ofChristian Literature is very broad, indeed. It is as if aMartian, visiting our planet for the first time were introducedto a chicken and told, unwisely, that a chicken is atwo-legged animal with feathers, whereupon he called allsuch creatures he saw from then on, chickens. Some scholarsare as familiar with historic Christianity as that visitingMartian would be with the varieties of earthly fowl. So it isthat one must be careful, one must discriminate, whenconsidering Christian literature.Let us begin with the term literature. The dictionarytells us that literature is "imaginative or creative writing;belles-lettres." While this definition may satisfy, to setprecise limits on this concept poses the question: "Whatdoes this definition include?" Many television commercialsare more imaginative than the program they interrupt. Yetone could scarcely label as literature the progeny of thehuckster's mind. One may argue about whether or notbiography, autobiography, or writings in natural science orin history may be included in this term. For my purposes,therefore, I shall begin by including, under the termliterature: poetry, fiction, drama, biography andautobiography.The problem grows more complex once we add theadjective Christian. If we consider the whole spectrum ofscholarly writing on this subject, we discover three distinctnotions about what the concept includes. The narrowestdescription would include only works written by Christiansfrom a distinctly Christian point of view and written with anovert purpose directly connected with growth in Christ, orwith the promulgation and defense of the Christian Faith.Such literature has been at times fictive, though in moreinstances than not it has been non-imaginative. Furthermore,it obviously demands the inclusion of types notlisted above. Therefore, one might list under ChristianLiterature in this narrow sense: devotional writings,polemic works, and didactic works, more or less evangelisticby nature, in addition to those types already listed above.Still, many persons include a whole segment of literatureexcluded by the first definition. What should one think of anovel such as C. S. Lewis' Till We Have Faces? In whatMARCH 10, 1971category is one to place T. S. Eliot's Four Quartets? Arethese works Christian Literature? The term, therefore, canbe made to include works written by professing Christiansbut which are written without the overt Christian purposecharacteristic of the first category. It is difficult to knowwhere to draw the line in this instance. Was Tennyson aChristian? This is a debatable point. We are, obviously,faced with the hoary question of judging an individual'sprofession. We must be careful not to narrow the termChristian to suit our particular evangelical point of view. Ifthe poet or novelist professes to be Christ's, and if, as far aswe can determine, his practice seems to indicate a desire toidentify himself in some way with the Body of Christ, wemust allow him under our umbrella; likewise his work. Butthere are still those who, for one reason or another, wouldinclude within our definition works written by non-Christians and which introduce moral and ethical situationswith which the Christian Faith would be immediatelyconcerned, either by way of reaction against them or by wayof offering, perhaps, a viable solution. For example, can oneassume that, in this sense, Ernest Hemingway and WilliamFaulkner write Christian literature? Where does one placesuch works as Camus' The Fall or The Stranger?At this point let me say that I have no problem treatingas Christian literature such works described under thesecond category above. Furthermore, I think I can bejustified in teaching much of the literature of the third sort inthe classroom in a Christian college. But I find myself unableto label this third kind of literature Christian. One would notthink of designating a case of murder or rape as "Christian"simply because he reacted to it from his Christian moralstance. Nor can we describe the practice of the wholesaleexploitation of natural and human resources in our communityas "Christian" just because we believe with all ourbeing that we must offer Christian solutions for such acondition.For the term Christian Literature to mean anythingdistinctive, we must think in a fairly restrictive manner.Therefore. I would propose considering only those works ofliterature written by professed Christians which are informedby a pervasive Christian point of view, whether or not anovert Christian purpose seems intended by the author. Butare we able to set and apply standards of judgment to suchworks? I shall attempt to answer this question in a subsequentarticle.(To be continued)b

YOUR COLLEGE IS ALIVE AND LIVINGIN BEAVER FALLS!by Kevin Robinson *It doesn't seem like a long time ago that my dad had totake me out on the front porch of Coldenham's rustic,handhewn church to instill in me anew a more appropriateattitude toward worship. Since then, I've been doing somedrying behind the ears. In fact, it's quite comforting to growup and realize just what that white building with all thegrown-ups in it meant. Now I can see how God used myfamily and church to bring me to a personal and savingrelationship with Jesus Christ and eventually to Geneva,"our college."That's what I want to talk about: our college. Genevais the educational institution of the Reformed PresbyterianChurch of North America. That's you and your's truly. Butwait a minute — back to the fellow in the back row atColdenham. Just how much did I know about Geneva as Igrew up in the church? Not much. Sure, my dad had gonethrough "some years back" (How's that, dad?) but inchurch circles I never saw much interest or enthusiasm in"our college." Once in a while one of our young peoplewould head for Geneva and be faithfully supported with ourprayers, but I never heard anyone talking about or askingabout the critically important questions: Geneva'sphilosophy, its goals as a Christian college, or its "Foundationsof Christian Education." (Have you read them? Askaround for a copy!) I am in no way pointing at Coldenham.Look at your own congregation. How much do your youngpeople know about Geneva? How much do YOU knowabout Geneva?My request to my church, every congregation, andevery member, is this: Geneva needs your prayers as muchas our missions, our synod, or our local ministries. Thereare some strong and dedicated Christians on the staff,faculty, and administration who are working diligently tomake totally Christian education a reality at Geneva. But thecollege does have its problems — some big ones; and sheneeds your interest and encouragement. Being faithful toGod's standards almost always means standing opposed tothe world around you. First, we must fully realize that withGod we don't need to depend on the world.It seemed rather odd, in fact rather annoying, when Igot to "our college" for the first time two years ago, thatsome old Carleton acquaintances warned me right off thebat: " Don t let anybody know you' re a ' Covie'." I thoughtit was a joke, but after a few encounters with the natives Ibecame fully and totally aware of the historical plights ofsuch minority groups as the Irish, the Italians, and the* Mr. Kevin Robinson is an elementary education major inhis sophomore year in Geneva College. He is a member ofthe Coldenham, New York R. P. Church.American Blacks. I was a ' 'Covie'' at Geneva! We may be asmall denomination by great American religious standards,but if a stranger tried to determine our size by the number ofour young people at Geneva, he'd think we were reallysmall!Interestingly enough, a committed Christian of anydenomination, if he makes any effort to let it be-known, isautomatically a "Covie." It's a good thing the "war" atGeneva is not a physical one; we're so outnumbered bystudents who openly express their contempt for us and ' 'ourcollege," that we'd be in some distress. Strange but true,the vast majority of students at Geneva are always ready todegrade it, yet they keep coming back, in fact more and moreeach year. I suppose I am particularly sensitive in this respectas a close Christian friend who applied for admission shortlyafter I, was turned down and is now attending Wheaton onfull scholarship. It seems like we go out of our way for thelocal area kids, most of whom bitterly resent us (the college)while they are here and never look back once they are out.Not to make this sound like a "Dear Abbey" letter,my point is this: If our young people were encouraged earlyto support "our college," the environment might becomesuch that belligerent non-Christians might think twicebefore coming to harass. With some numerical support, themore timid Christians might carry a more effective witnessto those in whom the Spirit would choose to work. I'd liketo see the atmosphere such that it's theChristians that feel at home.Don't let me fail to impress upon you several things.In my book Geneva is tops! God is blessing her more andmore as she looks to Him. Like His people in the time oftheir captivity, we often tend to look to Egypt rather than toGod to supply our needs. In our frailty it's hard to reallybelieve that "the cattle on a thousand hills are His." As thenext semester gets underway, I hope, with the help of some"cronies," young and old, that we can keep in touch withour church throughout the country, letting you know ourneeds and how God is blessing those who seek His guidance.For the moment: "Your mission, should you decideto accept it "Adults — Include Geneva in your study and in yourprayers. Make a real effort to find out just what it's trying todo. Realize what's happening at secular colleges anduniversities all around you. Godlessness breeds Godlessness,but, God has promised to bless men who are faithful to Him.He doesn't depend on local community and industry at all!Let your kids know that Geneva is their college, and try notto become deterred by the scenic beauty and ecology of thegreat Beaver Valley!Young People — Seriously consider Geneva, not onlyas an excellent educational opportunity after high school,but, as your opportunity to serve God and to strengthen theChristian community He is building at Geneva College.Well I know what kind of an article it takes to keep mereading this long, and this isn't it, but if you think of it, takethis article along to mid-week prayer meeting and tell 'em K.Robby sent you!6 COVENANTER WITNESS

WhatAboutYourWife?By June P. WilliamsThe conversation between the pulpit committee andmy husband went something like this."We've talked about you and what you can do. Now,what about your wife? What can she do?" asked a memberof the committee."Well," replied my husband, "she can cook, sewand iron and . . "Whereupon he was interrupted by the Committeeman:"Oh, no. I mean, what can she do in thechurch?""Are we talking about two salaries or one?" my noblespouse asked. ' 'My wife will do as much as any other womanof the church, but don't expect more of her. The last timeyou went to the doctor or the dentist, were their wives thereto hold your hand?"Let me hurriedly assure you, this conversation isrepeated with my most sincere warmth and respect for thosewho are chosen to serve on a pulpit committee. I realize whata tremendous responsibility is placed upon their shoulders asthey try to please the congregation they represent and act inthe best interest of the church.However, I believe the topic of this conversation hasentered into most meetings of this type, directly or indirectly.It's true that the minister's wife and family have agreat influence upon his ministry; he can be "made or"ruined" by the personality of his wife.When a man enters the ministry, he realizes there isan image the laity expects him to fulfill. Those of us whomarry these "celestial bodies" must realize we are a part ofthis image, and I dare say. anyone who is not willing toadjust to this fact should either choose another way of life orprepare for a hard road.The relationship of congregation and minister — andminister's family — is special. Your minister loves God, thechurch and you — his flock — very much or else he wouldnot be with you. This applies to the lady of the manse,doubly! She takes the hurts and criticisms more personally.Because of this love, the desire to serve the Master and hischurch to the very best of their ability is the center of theirexistence. This being true, they come to you filled with azeal to accomplish great goals for Christ and his church.Here is where the responsibility shifts — greatchurches and great ministers are made by great people! You,the church, must share in the ministry. If you do not agreewith the policies or procedures, don't be a disgruntledmember. Speak your ideas if you are sure they are in the bestinterest of those concerned, but, for God's sake and thewelfare of the church, keep your opinions to yourself if theyare just personal peeves! The carrying on of the greatmission of the church must be uppermost in our hearts andminds.Just as the congregation has an image it expects theminister and his family to match, the reverse is true: theminister expects certain things of his congregation. Hewants them to remember that, although he is anordained minister of God, he and his family are stillhuman beings and, as such, capable of mistakes! You expectGod, your minister and your fellow Christians to beforgiving and uplifting. Should not your minister expect thesame of his flock?Lately, we hear much about men of the clergy leavingthe church. Sometimes I wonder if it is not a case of thechurch leaving them. I fully believe we receive forgivenessfrom God sooner and easier than we do from our fellowChristians.Beloved people, love your minister and his family;uphold them and, yes, give them criticism when needed —in a constructive and loving manner. If this is the pattern,the minister's wife will not be put in the place of moderatorand mediator until she finds her position and sanity impossible.Your minister's wife wants to help her husband andshare in his ministry in ways she thinks she is most capable.But she must work this out for herself — and will, with theproper encouragement. Then you won't have to ask, "Whatabout vour wife? What can she do?"Mrs. Williams, who lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is thewife of John W. Williams, a Christian Church (Disciples ofChrist) minister. Reprinted bv permission from T1IFCHRISTIAN. Februarv 2. 1969.Seminary QuarterlyMARCH 10. 1971 7

An address given at a District Farm Bureau Women 'sConventionHome FoundationsRev. S. Ray BlairPastor of the Washington, Iowa R.P. ChurchSchool Counselor in Columbus function, IowaThis past week I had opportunity to visit with a youngman of my acquaintance. A prominent part of his dress was apeace medal. I asked this young man if this represented astrong conviction upon his part, or something else. He said,"I am a pacifist." Knowing somewhat his background, Ithen asked him if this meant that he felt that no war wasjustifiable. He answered that he thought World War II was. Ithen asked the difference in this attitude to this war and thepresent conflict. In response he made a significant statement,which I consider indicative of many young people today, ' Tam confused." This is an extremely well informed youngman with great capabilities. But why shouldn't he beconfused?What, in your minds, presents any degree of stabilityto young people today?THE HOME?If statistics are indicative, the home is greatly lackingin stability itself. I feel in agreement with an educator at theuniversity who said, "Our grandfathers were authoritarianin their home relationships — they raised a generation ofsociopaths. Anyone in school work today cannot but beimpressed at the anguish of modern parents in theirrelationship with their children. The other day I wrote a noteto parents in which I strongly recommended that a studentbe encouraged to continue in a class because she wascapable, she was not studying, she needed the discipline ofwork when the going became difficult, and the class wouldcontribute to her future benefit. Back came the answer:"Please drop my daughter from this class." We haveparents who wish the school administration to set and enforcestandards of appearance and dress, principally becausethey do not want the unpleasantness a stand would generate.I guess what I am really advocating is that what we need forgood foundation in homes is moral fortitude, perhaps betterexpressed in the vernacular as guts and backbone.Psychologists have long informed us that what youthneeds is guidelines from their adult society. I am sure thatyou are as alarmed as I am at the involvement of youth withdrugs. I visited with a young man who was concerned that hehad gone past the point of return. How hopeless such afeeling must be. I am really less critical of these young peoplethan you might imagine. I know their problems. I am awareof the overwhelming use of barbituates to sleep, of thewidespread use of alcohol to relax, to lose one's inhibitions,etc. I find many instances of marital infidelity, separation,and divorce among adults. I see those who are supposedlymoral leaders vascillating in their positions, inconsistent intheir arguments, and insecure in their own socialrelationships. We don't try to solve problems, but rather fleefrom them. Youth is doing the same. I am most surprisedthat adults are as respected as they are when theirweaknesses are everywhere so apparent.Today we face great involvement toward women'srights. A few minutes with representatives of the women'sliberation front would cause any interested in strong, forcefulhomes and home life to shudder at the prospects. I amstill committed to the Biblical principle that the father is thehead of the home and the proper authoritarian figure, thatmother also has her role, but in instances of discipline this isto support and defer to her husband's judgment. I have littlehope that a matriarchal home situation will solve problemswith the male students of our society. The appeal and degreeof mothers' working contribute greatly to the breaking downof traditional parental roles and the permissive atmosphereso much a part of the present situation. I am old fashionedenough to believe that a family reared in model circumstances,in the midst of love, concern, and neededdirection is superior to the family in the most affluent circumstances.I see too many families, tired from their occupationof the day, provide the family car, too muchmoney, and too little direction to their children, in the hopethat they won't bother them for the evening. They usuallydon't, but the police often do.THE CHURCH?Do you think that the church provides neededstability? I read recently the critical comments of a youngwoman, a report to her home congregation concerning thenational meeting of her church. She said: "I looked forprayer. . .and found leaders wise in their own eyes, seekingby every device to accomplish social change — but notbelieving in prayer to make the impossible possible or in the8 COVENANTER WITNESS

God who rules all events. I looked for devotion to the Wordof God, but I saw seminarians deride the Scripture and heapridicule and scorn upon it. I looked for faith and found littleto comfort me."I believe we are experiencing the just deserts of asociety which has overwhelmingly embraced evolution as away of life. What do you expect of those who have beentaught two fundamental laws of evolution: natural selectionand the survival of the fittest? Add to this the destruction ofa belief in a future state and in future judgment and you canunderstand why immediate gratification and selfishfulfillment have become a way of life.Can an institution that speaks with various voices, thatteaches a relative truth and a changing morality provide afirm foundation? I would hope that we could come to a morepositive conviction concerning Him, who is the truth andwho provides stability because He is a rock unto us.CAUSES OF UNCERTAINTYPerhaps our uncertainty and lack of assurance stemsfrom the assaults upon our moral integrity. I am constantlytold that there is a prominent generation gap today — thatwe cannot speak to youth. This has been shouted so oftenthat it provides all adults with guilt complexes. Perhaps ourcommunication problem is akin to that of the newlywedfarmer whose wife began immediate reformation of hisspeech. When his friend of some years visited and the twoconversed, his wife pointed out that Billy was hardly anappropriate name for an adult and he should wisely useWilliam. When he referred to some tale that Bill had related,she wished him to be more erudite and use anecdote. Thatnight as they were retiring she corrected her husbandconcerning putting out the lights and suggested extinguish.Considerably after retirement when a noise was heard in thekitchen, she wakened her husband. On his return shewanted a report, whereupon he exclaimed: "There was aWilliam goat in the kitchen. I took him by his anecdote andextinguished him."I know that we possess the same vehicle of communicationas the younger generation. I have even participatedin the transmission of this vehicle and what amission it is. If there exists a gap in understanding, I feel thatit is not so much that the young do not understand what wesay, but rather that they do understand but don't appreciatewhat they hear. In that case, I believe it our duty to insistupon compliance unless they can communicate to us a betterway. The burden must rest upon them if they are the exponentsof change to demonstrate that it will work.A young man at our national church service constantlyberated our nation for her sin. A lady of our churchput a correction fairly when she said. "Young man, do youever say anything good about our country?" The youngmavericks of today who have experienced the benefit of hardworking,religiously oriented fathers are not to be condonedin their criticism of the means which provided them opportunityto exploit our conscience unless they can providealternatives. I have heard few positive directions from themore vocal groups.GUIDELINES FOR THE HOMELest I be guilty of the practice I criticize, let mesuggest some direction to more substance in our home life:To gain the proper perspective of life I would refer you to theexample of Manoah. "Oh my Lord, let the man of Godwhich Thou didst send come again unto us and teach uswhat we shall do unto the child that shall be born," heprayed.The Psalmist gave expression to solid foundation forthe home when he noted: "Except the Lord do build thehouse the laborers lose their pain. . . .Lo, children are God'sheritage, the womb's fruit His reward. The sons of youth asarrows are for strong men's hands prepared." The nextPsalm begins: "Blessed the man that fears Jehovah and thatwalketh in His ways; thou shalt eat of thy hands' labor, andbe prospered all thy days. Like a vine with fruit abounding,by thy side thy wife is found and like olive plants thychildren, compassing thy table round." The basis of ourlater behavior is the strong value system transmitted by ourparents in the first few years of life, the time when so manychildren are committed to a baby sitter. Do you have confidencein this person to transmit the lasting foundations oflife? The child learns quickly, not only from precept but alsofrom example. Parents need increased education about theircontribution to their child's life system and ways positivelyto influence it.Secondly, we need an aroused citizenry. I am afraidthat the so-called silent majority are really the apatheticmajority. A time of such importance to our nation is no timefor sleep. Look at the involvement of people with theproblems of other people and you can find what I speakabout. I walk onto the playground and immediately I'msurrounded by little friends. They hold my hand; they cometo talk and play. I could cry for the need for affection whichso many show. And who is to provide this? I see us concentrateso much effort upon the attaining of academicexcellence, and completely neglect the inner child. I am notadvocating the expenditure of great funds, but how mutuallyhelpful it would be for some of our older citizens to volunteertheir services to the school to serve as interested fostergrandmothers and mothers. What a boon it would be to someof our children to know such kindly interest.To all of you I would say, develop awareness to theneeds of your community. Most of these are more likelypsychological than physical. People need to feel that they arerespected as persons, as human beings. The gift of our attentionis far more influential and permanent than mostefforts of charity.I fear a polarized society. We had one in Germanybefore the last war. We are rapidly approaching such in ourexperience. The answer lies not in polemics of speech butrather in exchange of concerns and conversation at locallevels. This I guess is a nice way of saying, "Keep talking —but make it count."MARCH in 1971 9

The Children's CornerDR. PEOPLES AT WORK IN TURKEYby Mrs. Kenneth SandersonThe summer of 1910 was a busy one for Dr. Peoples.Most of the missionaries went to the summer resort in themountains, Guzne, but John had to go and come as businessand pleasure required. Judging from a letter to his familywritten in early July he seemed almost as busy as whenworking in Adana with the refugees. "Now it is Saturdaynight. Last Saturday afternoon I went up to Guzne because acouple of the missionaries there are not well. I was down inMersine by seven a.m. on Monday. Then at 9:40 p.m. Iwent up again to be at the Patton-Edgar wedding onWednesday. I got up there at 2:30 a.m. and left at 10:10that night, arriving in Mersine about 2:30 a.m. Thursday.Miss French was the bridesmaid and I was best man. Inbetween times when I was down here I have been making astable. The weather has been hot and oppressive so onedoesn't feel able to move. Since last Saturday night I havebeen averaging about four hours of sleep a night. Tuesdaynight when I went up I was tired and hot and didn't feel likemoving. I hardly knew whether I could sit on the horse, butwhen I got up into the mountains near Guzne it got somecooler and that made me feel like living again. You havehotter weather than we have here, but you have some rainnow and again and you have some cool days sandwiched in,which make it bearable. Here we have no rain for months ata time and just one continuous dose of heat. There is muchfever among the people these days. I will have to return toGuzne in the early part of the week to see the sick. I havemade that trip eight times already this summer, that is fourround-trips. Thursday was the last of the quarter andanother of my duties has been to try to get the quarterlytreasurer's report out."The long hot summer came to a joyful conclusion forDr. Peoples when he and Evadne Sterrett were married, onSeptember 28, in Mersine. The newlyweds were soon settledin their home in Mersine.The largest snowstorm Mersine had seen for years fell,on January 24, 1911, and the same night a terrible firebroke out two doors away from the mission property.Fearfully the Peoples watched the flames shoot high into thesky and wondered how soon the building separating theirhome from the fire might catch afire too. If it did, then theirbuilding was sure to be the next. From two a.m. till five Dr.Peoples was out trying to help fight the fire. The God theyloved and worshiped protected them and their home thatnight, just asHedid Daniel's three friends and no harm cameto them at all. The following morning as they opened theirPsalm books they were especially impressed that the nextPsalm in order was the 91st Psalm. As you read the words ofthe first stanza can you see why?"The man who once has found abodeWithin the secret place of GodShall with Almighty God abide,And in His shadow safely hide."Maybe you'd like to sing part of this Psalm right now. It ison pages 224 and 225 of the Psalm book.Dr. Peoples described a method which the Turkishpeople used in treating wounds. ' 'A patient is brought to thenative doctor and they put a poker in the fire and get it redhot. Then they place the poker on the skin as near to theplace of the pain as possible and burn a hole. Presumably thisis to let the pain out. Then they get a pea and put in the holeand cover that with a leaf, which may be dirty or otherwise.On top of it all a bandage is placed, seemingly the dirtier thebetter. This is left on the wound until it falls off or the infectionis so great that they come to the doctor who is expectedto deal with the awful mess."Now after almost seven years away from his family andthe United States it came time for Dr. Peoples to return forhis furlough. This time he had a new wife and four monthsold David to introduce to his family.Before the year was up the doctor felt the needs inMersine were too pressing and purposely cut short hisfurlough to return in January 1914. The Christian Nationreported, "Dr. and Mrs. Peoples and their two littlechildren boarded the steamer, "Adriatic" on January 10,to sail from New York for Mersine. Beside their family, anumber of the Foreign Mission Board members gatheredaround them on the ship expressing their affectionate interest,speaking words of good cheer, and saying farewell intones that lay close to tears. . . .The little group gathered inthe Peoples' cabin where prayer was devoutly offered forthose who would be dwelling here for three weeks while onthe sea. The little home became at once a consecrated spot.— As the ship moved out from the pier, Dr. and Mrs.Peoples waved their final salute with little David, betweenthem, doing his best to be recognized. The sweet baby wasfast asleep in the cozy cabin. — They deliberately cut theirhome visit short that they might be back at work where thecry for help is imploring."Once more Dr. Peoples was involved in treating warcasualties for World War I had broken out in Europe.Gradually he increased his twelve-bed hospital to one with105. Of course he admits, "These beds were of the roughestkind of lumber made with four corner blocks, a couple ofboards along the side with ropes across from side to side andboards placed on top of the cords." Not the most comfortablebed to say the least.(To be continued)^^10 COVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of April 4Sabbath SchoolLessonFor April 4,1971CHRIST ACCLAIMED AND REJECTEDMatthew 21 =9-15,33-45Comments by John K. GaultThe events depicted in this lessonoccurred during the final week beforeJesus' crucifixion. Jesus had said sometime before this, "I must work the works ofHim that sent me while it is day: the nightcometh, when no man can work" (John9:4). So, Jesus' "day" was about over. Thegathering storm of opposition from therulers of the Jews was soon to break uponHis defenseless head, and He would betreated, then, as an archcriminal andwould suffer a most ignominious death.I: Jesus Prepared for His TriumphalEntry into Jerusalem.He knew beforehand that it was goingto happen even though no announcementhad been made. In Matthew 21:1,2 it issaid, "And when they drew nigh untoJerusalem, and were come to Bethphage,unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesustwo disciples, saying unto them, Go intothe village over against you, andstraightway ye shall find an ass tied, and acolt with her: loose them, and bring themto me. And if any man say ought unto you,ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them;and straightway he will send them. . . Andthe disciples went and did as Jesus commandedthem, and brought the ass, andthe colt, and put on them their clothes, andthey set Him thereon."Both Mark and Luke, in describingthis event, said that Jesus sent the twodisciples to find a "colt tied" which theywere to untie and bring. The apostle Johnsaid of this occasion, "And Jesus when Hehad found a young ass, sat thereon, as it iswritten."In explaining this seemingdiscrepancy it could be said that Matthewwrote his gospel principally for the Jews,and so he adhered closely to the word ofthe prophecy of Zechariah. It would seem,therefore, that the beast on which Jesusrode into the city of Jerusalem, was ayoung ass, or "colt, whereon never mansat." Usually an animal which is riddenfor the first time becomes nervous, but itwas not so with the young ass on whichJesus rode. It was thoroughly pacified,which was typical of the amelioratingeffect which the presence of Jesus hasupon the whole creation. He said to thewind and the waves, "Peace be still, andthere was a great calm." In the state of theyoung ass, therefore, there is to be seen areflection of the perfected kingdom ofChrist, when He shall reign as the "Princeof Peace."2: The Triumphal Entry Was aFulfillment of Prophecy.Several hundred years before thisoccasion the prophet Zechariah hadproclaimed, "Rejoice greatly, 0 daughterof Zion; shout, 0 daughter of Jerusalem;behold thy King cometh unto thee; He isjust, and having salvation; lowly, andriding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foalof an ass." The scribes and Pharisees weresupposed to know the Scriptures, whichwould have made them "wise untosalvation." Instead, however, with theireyes blinded with their own traditions,they saw no connection between what theprophet Zechariah said and that which washappening right before their eyes. But thewhole nature of Jesus' earthly career wasa fulfillment of what the prophets hadforetold concerning Him; consequently,He could rightly say to the two discipleswith whom He walked on the way toEmmaus, "Ought not Christ to havesuffered these things and to have enteredinto His glory?"3: This Occasion Was a GreatDeclaration of the Kingship of Christ.The scribes and Pharisees did notgive to Him this acclaim. As Matthew saidin 21:8,9, "And a very great multitudespread their garments in the way; otherscut down branches from the trees, andstrawed them in the way. And themultitude that went before and thatfollowed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Sonof David: blessed is He that cometh in thename of the Lord; Hosanna in thehighest." It was the multitude, composedof common people who so acclaimed Him,and not the rulers of the Jews. "When thechief priests and scribes saw the wonderfulthings that He did, and the childrencrying in the Temple, Hosanna to the Sonof David, they were sore displeased, andsaid unto Him, Hearest thou what thesesay? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea;have ye never read, out of the mouth ofbabes and sucklings thou hast perfectedpraise?" Christ must be praised. It is theduty of the rulers of the world to recognizeChrist as King, but if they will not do itthere are others who will, namely, themultitude and the little children.4: Jesus Demonstrated HisAuthority over the Temple.When Jesus had come into the city ofJerusalem He "went into the Temple ofGod, and cast out all them that sold andbought in the Temple, and overthrew thetables of the moneychangers and the seatsof them that sold doves, and said untothem, It is written, My house shall becalled the house of prayer but ye havemade it a den of thieves." With, perhaps,several million people who had come intothe city from remote countries, for thecelebration of the Passover, the traderswere doing a thriving business, buying andselling animals for the sacrifices andchanging foreign money into the halfshekel of the sanctuary. And it is evidentthat they were not honest in their dealingswith the strangers, for Jesus said that theyhad made the Temple into a "den ofthieves." This practice in the very sacredprecincts of the Temple was an openviolation of the ideals of the kingdom ofChrist as pictured by Zechariah when hesaid, " .and in that day there shall be nomore the Canaanite in the house of theLord of hosts." (The name Canaanite hadbecome a synonym for merchant.) WhenJesus chooses to assert His authoritypeople and everything else must fall backbefore His voice and presence.5: The Rejection of Christ Is Portrayedin the Parable of the WickedHusbandmen. (21:33-41)In this parable four personalities arerepresented: the householder, thehusbandmen, the servants and the son.The "householder planted a vineyard, andhedged it round about, and digged aMARCH 10. 197111

winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it together, and lo and behold! the rejectedout to husbandmen, and went into a far stone fitted right into that place.country." This is evidently a representationof God's choice of Israel as a nation, were many who stumbled upon Him; thatWhen Jesus was in the world thereof His bringing them out of the land of is, they took offense at Him because of HisEgypt and establishing them in the land of lowly origin. They were broken by thisCanaan. "They gained not the land by unbelief, but after some years the chieftheir sword or their bow." Then God "went cornerstone fell upon the Temple and "oneinto a far country"; that is, He went back stone was not left upon another." Peopleare being broken by their stumbling uponto heaven and left Israel to take care of thecountry which He had given to them.The "time of the fruit drew near"means that the time came for Israel to dothe will of God and to live in expectation ofthe coming of Christ. Instead of doing this,Israel lived wickedly as a nation. Thepeople worshiped idols and the poor wereoppressed. They did not do the will of God,in general. Israel was represented in thisparable by the husbandmen.As the time of the fruit drew near thehouseholder "sent his servants to thehusbandmen, that they might receive thefruits of it." The servants represent theprophets of the Old Testament times, suchas Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, and others,whom God raised up and sent to preachrepentance to the people of Israel. Thehusbandmen "took the servants, and beatone and killed another, and stonedanother." So Israel rejected the voice ofthe prophets and treated them with greatcruelty. Other servants were then sent and"they did unto them likewise."At last the householder sent his son,"saying, They will reverence my son." Butwhen the husbandmen saw the son comingthey said, "This is the heir; come let us killhim, and let us seize on his inheritance.And they caught him, and cast him out ofthe vineyard and slew him." Thus, theJews did with Jesus, the Son, whom Godsent.6: Because of the Rejection ofChrist the Son, the Kingdom of God WasTaken from the Jews.Jesus followed this parable with arepresentation of Himself as "the stonewhich the builders rejected, the same isbecome the head of the corner." The Jewsas a nation rejected Jesus, but on the thirdday He rose from the dead and ascendedup to heaven to sit on the right hand of God,as the Sovereign of the whole universe. Ina hypothetical building, the chief cornerstonewas cast aside into a pile ofrubble because they didn't know what itwas for. Some of the builders stumbled onthis stone and fell, probably breaking theirlegs. After a while they needed a cornerstonewhich would bind two wallsthe Stone and earthquakes happen tothem, but that is not as bad as having theStone fall on them as it will on the day ofthe last Judgment. Then it will "grindthem to powder" and they will be completelyobliterated, if they have failed torepent."Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior TopicFor April 4,1971THE SINGING OF PRAISEUnit Topic: Our Public Worshipand SacramentsMrs. John RussellWhat do we do when we are happy?We may laugh, jump up and down, squeal,hug someone! Do you sometimes sing?Yes, a lot of songs are happy songs. Butsome songs are even sad, some tell stories,and maybe you know some that just repeatthe same words over and over and don'treally say much of anything!We can be happy and thankful thatmany years ago God had a man, calledDavid, write songs that God wants us touse in our worship. These are calledPsalms. "Sing unto Him, sing Psalms untoHim" (Ps. 105:2).These Psalms express many of ourneeds and moods. They show happiness,sadness, pleading, tenderness, storytelling,confession, victory, defeat, confidence,hope. They picture God's goodness,greatness, love, power, wisdom, andtruth.These 150 Psalms are included in theScriptures, our Bible, and should be usedin our praise because He wrote themHimself, working through men. Thismeans they were inspired ("Godbreathed")along with the rest of the Bible.In school you will learn of great poets, likeScott, Burns, Longfellow, Tennyson,Browning. But none of these produced apoem worthy to be laid by the side of thePsalms of David. The Spirit of God restedupon David and the other authors of theBible in a peculiar manner. That is thereason we don't sing hymns or other songs(man-made) in our praise of God. Jesus asour example, sang the Psalms when Hewas on earth. (Psalms 113-118 in observanceof the Passover). The earlychurch, that we read of in the NewTestament after Jesus went back toheaven, used the Psalms. They followedChrist's example and there were no hymnswritten at that time. The apostle Paulwrote, taught and preached from the OldTestament, where the Psalms are found.When and where do we sing praise toGod? It is pleasing to Him that we praiseHim wherever we are. Psalm 51:15: "0Lord, open thou my lips and my mouthshall show forth Thy praise." But anotherverse, Psalm 67:5 says, "Let the peoplepraise Thee, 0 God: let all the peoplepraise Thee." Singing of God's praise is apart of public social worship in which thewhole congregation should join. Somethings we should all remember whensinging Psalms in church are 1) It is anact of worship to our God who made us andcares for us. For this reason, it should bedone reverently, with respect andmeaning. In both prayer and praise weshow our love to God and give Him thehonor that He deserves and no matter howyoung we are we can take part. 2) Itprepares our hearts for hearing of themessage from the Bible. 3) It will helpour Christian lives. As we learn the truthabout God and Jesus Christ through themusic, it often softens our hearts andmakes us think on parts of the Bible wehave learned.God is concerned with the manner,too, in which we offer our praise. Thisbrings up the question as to whether wepraise Him with the human voice alone orwith accompaniment of instruments ofmusic.Instrumental music has its place; theworld would be dull without it. But, doesGod command it to be used in His worship?Instruments were used in the OldTestament Temple. But they were not usedin the synagogue after which the NewTestament church was patterned. So wesee that this type of music was used as apart of the ceremonial service in offeringof sacrifices, and when these observancespassed away with Christ's sacrifice,musical instruments in worship alsostopped. Nowhere in the New Testamentare instruments commanded as a part ofworship. God must be pleased to have us12 COVENANTER WITNESS

learn the Psalms and sing them well fromour hearts with meaning! "By Him,therefore, let us offer the sacrifice ofpraise to God continually, that is, the fruitof our lips, giving thanks to His name"(Heb. 13:15). The human voice is the finestmusical instrument that has ever beenmade! In most cases, it needs to be trainedand it would be to God's glory to improvemost congregational singing. God requiresthe use of the very best in His worship!To Leader:(l) Catechism questions 49 and 51.(2) Memory Psalms for Unit: Psalm 95:vv. 1-6, p. 231; Psalm 122: vv. 1-3, p. 316.Assign several verses each meeting andreview.(3) Sing in meeting: Psalms 100: vv. 1-4,p.237; 8: vv. 1,3,4, p. 12; 65: vv. 1,2, p. 156;48: vv. 1,7,10, p. 122.(4) "Worship Verse" — Psalm 119:105(write in notebook)(5) Start on "Worship Notebook" — labelfront — use a picture of an open Bible orpraying hands.(6) Have Juniors tell and write out theirfavorite Psalms that begin (a) with theword praise (b) a call to worship.Questions and Answers: (Vos, BibleTruths for Young Christians)(1) Why do we sing praises to God as away of worshiping Him? Because God inHis Word has commanded us to do this.(Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16)(2) Do we have a right to worship God inany way we please? No. When we worshipGod, our aim must be to please Him, notourselves. We have no right to worshipHim in any other way than what He hastold us in His Word is pleasing to Him.(3) What songs has God appointed for usto sing in worshiping Him? God has appointedthe Psalms of the Bible to be sungin His worship.(4) Where are the Psalms of the Biblefound, and how many are there? There are150 Psalms, and they are found in thePsalter, or Book of Psalms, in the OldTestament. These have been translatedfrom the original Hebrew into poetry, inmany languages, for singing in religiousservices.(5) What songs did our Savior Jesus Christsing in worship when He was here onearth? Our Savior sang only the Psalms ofthe Bible in worship, as did all godly Jewsof that time.(6) Should a Christian sing only thePsalms of the Bible in praising God? Yes.God has commanded us to sing them andwe have no right to sing any other songs inthe worship of God.(7) Why does the Covenanter Church notuse any instrumental music in worshipingGod? Our church does not use any instrumentalmusic in worshiping Godbecause God has not appointed instrumentalmusic to be used in the church,and it is not necessary because we canlearn to sing well without it.(8) Did the Jews in the Old Testament usemusical instruments in worship? Yes, inthe Temple where sacrifices were offered;not since Jesus' crucifixion.Prayer MeetingTopicFor April", 1971The Example of Jesus in PrayerRev. Donald WeilersbacherScripture: Mark 1:35; 6:45,46;Praise: Psalm 5:1-3, p. 8We know that there were a number ofoccasions when Jesus was tired, but Hedidn't have time to rest. It is also quite truethat many times He was hungry, but Heeither couldn't or wouldn't stop to eat. YetJesus always found time to pray! It mightbe early in the morning before anyone elsewas awake. Or He might leave themultitude to whom He was ministeringand go off by Himself to commune with theFather. Sometimes He even spent theentire night in prayer. This teaches us theimportance which Jesus attached toprayer. As suchit is very convicting whenwe consider our own lack of priority in thisarea.A study of the Scriptures also revealsthat Jesus prayed by Himself, with othersin small groups, and with the congregationof God's people in the house of God.Following His example, we do well toconsider our own emphasis in these areas.How much time do I normally spend inpersonal prayer each day? Do I lookforward to praying together as a family orwith a small group of brothers and sistersin Christ? How much of the averageprayer meeting is really devoted toprayer? Is there any reason why prayermeeting has to be on Wednesday night at7:30 at the church? Why not considerhaving three prayer groups each week:one on Tuesday morning, one on Wednesdayafternoon, and one on Thursdayevening at various homes? In that wayperhaps more people could and would planto attend according to their schedule andinterest! Do I consider the prayers utteredon Sabbath day as an essential part of theservices and a real challenge to me as Ipray along with whoever is leading? Do Ialways pray in generalities because I lackthe fact to be specific''Discussion:Prayer:Praise: Psalm 116:1-4, p. 282UNITED PRAYER CONFERENCEMay 9-16TOPIC: THE FAMILYSponsored byNational CY StaffLook for programsthe last week of MarchCHRISTIAN TEACHERSINFLUENCE GROWS!Christian teachers and educators inthe public schools of America are unitingin greater numbers and showing steadysigns of an increasing influence on theeducational pattern of this country. Keyindicator of this trend back to moral andspiritual values in the classroom isNational Educators Fellowship, the onlynational professional organization forChristians in public education.The past year witnessed significantadvancements in the scope and outreach ofNational Educators Fellowship. One wasthe acquisition of a permanentheadquarters building located at 1410 WestColorado, Pasadena, California 91105. Thenew national offices are ideal for currentneeds and adaptable to accommodatefuture growth demands.Another important event in thesecond decade of NEF history was anational convention during the summer of1970. It was this country's first nationalconvention exclusively for Christianteachers and educators of non-parochialschools. It was so successful, however,that a second one is planned for August 3-6,1971, at the famous Asilomar ConferenceGrounds on the Monterey Peninsula Coastnear San Francisco.The NEF magazine, Vision, is now inits 17th year of publication. This magazine,one of the EPA group, is circulated freeeach month to NEF members only. It isavailable in no other wayNational Educators Fellowshippublishes other witnessing aids and keepsin communication with thousands ofChristian educators across the country.Teachers will also be happy to know thatarrangements have now been completedso that one unit, graduate level credit maybe obtained through attendance at NEFconferences.MARCH 10, 197113

study group is being held every otherThursday morning. The group meets at thehome of Mrs. Bill McElroy. Our WMS isunderwriting the cost of a babysitter for allthe children who come with their mothers.MEMORIAL FORMRS. IRL (ANNA)McMAHANThe members of the Women'sMissionary Society of the Hebron Churchwish to express their appreciation of thelife of Mrs. Irl (Anna) McMahan. Mrs.McMahan passed away, on November 24,1970, in Clay Center, Kansas, after alingering illness.She is survived by her husband, Irl,and children: Wilson, Clay Center;Willard, Redfield, South Dakota; Owenand Mrs. Arthur (Anita) Schultz, Niland,California; Howard, Dallas, Texas; Mrs.Frank (Eunice) Dannefer, Rossville,Kansas.The McMahans were privileged tocelebrate their 60th wedding anniversaryin March 1970.Most of her years were spent as amember of the Topeka ReformedPresbyterian Church. She loved her Lordand her church and was faithful in attendanceand active in the work of thechurch as long as her health permitted.She is remembered for her friendship andhospitality and her special love for hergrandchildren, great-grandchildren, andall young people."Then shall the dust return to theearth as it was: and the spirit shall returnunto God who gave it" (Eccl. 12:7).TOPEKA, KANSAS(Rev. D. Howard Elliott, Pastor)The annual congregational businessmeeting, on January 13, was preceded by adinner. The following officers wereelected: Maurice Reed—Chairman; GeneSteuart—Vice-Chairman; Pearl Johnston—Secretary;Don Fee—Treasurer;Ella McElroy—Assistant Treasurer; JuneHill and Betty Martin—Social Chairman;Ella McElroy and Paul Gibeson—Trustees.We again praise the Lord for His careof the congregation spiritually, physically,and materially during 1970.New members received into thecongregation this fall and winter are Mrs.Ned Nusbaum, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. FrankEngel, and Dr. and Mrs. Bill McElroy. TheMcElroy children, Joe, Danny and MaryEllen, were placed on the baptized roll.We are happy that Martha Taggartand Linda Stiles are now at home afterstays in the hospital. We have missed Mrs.Blackwood and Mrs. Dick at our services.Our prayers are with these and others whoare not well.In memory of Mr. Lloyd S. McElroy a"Thermo Fax" copying machine waspresented to the church by Mrs. EllaMcElroy.Dr. Elliott brought the message at thefuneral services of Mrs. Irl McMahan inClay Center. Mrs. McMahan had been amember of the Topeka congregation forover forty years.Miss Eleanor Faris was our thankoffering speaker in December. A churchChristmas program was also held inDecember.Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Johnstonannounce the marriage of their daughter,Nancy Jo, to Carroll James Brown, onDecember 5,1970. The couple is at home inDallas City, Illinois. Our prayers are withthis new home.We rejoice with Mr. and Mrs.Maurice Reed in the birth of a granddaughter,Susan Michelle Reed. Herparents are Mr. and Mrs. Bob Reed ofSterling, Kansas.This winter quarter our adult S.S.classes have been offered on the electivebasis: Personal Witnessing, taught byDick Ayres; Bible Doctrine, taught byWilmer Piper; and Archeology and theBible, taught by Dr. Bill McElroy.Dr. Elliott led the quarterly WorkersConference.Sympathy is extended to Miss MarthaTaggart in the passing of her sister, Mrs.James (Esther) Burrows of Estes Park,Colorado. Mrs. Burrows is the youngestdaughter of Dr. and Mrs. D.R. Taggart,who were a part of our congregation for somany years. Survivors include Mr. JamesBurrows and daughter Susan, of EstesPark, Miss Martha Taggart of Topeka,and Mrs. Sam (Ruth) Clark of Matawan,New Jersey.We have enjoyed having Steve Mc­Mahan, Sonda Fowles, and Sheryl Shurlefrom Clay Center worship with us whilethey are attending Kansas StateUniversity at Manhattan.A young women's prayer and BibleTHANK YOU, HEBRONWe deeply appreciate your kindnessto us and consideration of us in the gift of abonus of $600 for 1970, and for the increasein salary for 1971.Thank you, in Christian love,Luther and Ethel McFarlandHEBRON, NEAR IDANA, KANSAS(Rev. Luther McFarland, Pastor)A large Christian flag and theAmerican flag were placed in the sanctuaryand presented to the Hebroncongregation by the Irl McMahan familiesin memory of Anna McMahan, wife andmother.The following Sabbath morning,February 14, these flags were dedicatedand accepted for the congregation in ashort message by the pastor.Unintentionally in the last Hebronnotes the name of Rodney Goodin wasomitted. He is a freshman at Kansas StateCollege in Hays.Steve McMahan was elected by theCY. Conference at Forest Park to be theirpresident for two years.CORRESPONDENCEFebruary 10,1971Dear Editor:My letter to the editor in the January20, 1971 issue of The Covenanter Witnesscontains some gross errors and misinformationwhich I would like to correct.(1) In my endeavor to get the informationincluded in the Witness aboutthe time the 1970 Minutes of Synod were tobe distributed, I relied upon the figures oncommunicant members and the amountsIOWA WOMEN'SPRESBYTERIAL TO MEETIowa Women's Presbyterial iscalled to meet at the WashingtonReformed Presbyterian Church onWednesday, April 14, 1971, at 9:10 A.M.Rev. James Pennington will be themissionary speaker afternoon andevening. Convention theme: "JesusChrist. . .the Way. . .the Truth. . .theLife."14 COVENANTER WITNESS

PRE-SYNODIC CONFERENCEFor Reformed PresbyterianMinisters and EldersTHEME: "The Kingdom of God"June 10-12,1971GENEVA COLLEGEHousing in air-conditioned apartments,with swimming pool. Time for informaldiscussion, relaxation and recreation.Sponsored by the Bible Department ofGeneva CollegePLAN NOW TO ATTEND!contributed to Synod's Budget which Iassumed were to be printed in statisticalreports in the Minutes of Synod. Due to amisunderstanding, I used a list of theactual amounts given to Synod's Budgetprepared especially for this analysis.When I sent the letter to the editor, I stilldid not have a copy of the 1970 Minutes ofSynod against which to check my figures.As a consequence, many amounts aredifferent from what was reported.(2) Even though the figures which Ireceived and submitted were to be theactual amounts donated, errors unfortunatelywere present. Bloomington,for example, gave $5,000; not $3,500 aslisted. Broomall, for another example,gave $5,654.50; not $11,300.85. There wereother errors, too, but not so significant. Iwish to offer an apology to thesecongregations for misinforming thechurch regarding their support of Synod'sBudget.(3) My letter was intended to bewritten by a person who could usepublished information and was not intendedto be an official letter from Synod'sBoard of Trustees. I think that the editorialdiscretion of the editor erroneously gavethe impression to the readers that theletter was official. In fact, it was not.The differences, beside errors, betweenthe amounts recorded in the church officeand the amounts reported in the Minutesprobably fall into one of the followingcategories :(a) Contributions received after thebooks are closed are recorded in the newyear while the congregation records themin the previous year.(b) Difficulties arise in determiningwhether items should be counted ascontributions towards departments includedin Synod's Budget.(c) Contributions received from theSabbath School or Young People arecounted as coming from a congregation.(d) Individuals sometimes make acontribution desiring that credit be givento a particular congregation with theirnames to be kept anonymous, but thecongregations, of course, do not reportthese.In order to facilitate the recording andaccumulation of amounts received forSynod's Budget from congregations in thefuture, the records in the Church Officeand receipts for contributions have beenredesigned.I hope that despite the error theanalysis has an impact which will help toraise Synod's Budget in full in the future.Sincerely,John M. Mitchell, PresidentSynod's Board of TrusteesBOOKSVoices Above The Crowd by Daniel R.Taylor. 96 pages. $2.95. Word Books, Waco,Texas.This is a book of testimonials byfifteen outstanding Americans: PatBoone, J. C. Penney, Norman Rockwell,Charles M. Schultz, and Eugenia Priceamong them. The testimonials cover suchtopics as Priority, Discouragement, God,Prayer, The Bible, The Church.To read the convictions of such peopleis most encouraging in a time when onehears so much of adverse criticism.M.W.D.Life's Greatest Trip by Arthur Blessit. 92pages. $2.95. Word Books, Waco, Texas.The author is a minister of SunsetStrip and he maintains a center known as"His Place" where he ministers to hippies.This challenging book sets forth theuniqueness of this ministry in drawing the"outs" "in."M.W.D.Great Preaching edited by Sherwood Wirtand Viola Blake of the editorial staff ofDecision magazine. 172 pages. $4.00. WordBooks, Waco, Texas.This is a compilation of twenty-twosermons by as many authors, largely ofevangelical persuasion.M.W.D.THE KANSAS AND COLORADOWOMEN'S PRESBYTERIALwill meet at the Quinter R.P. Church onApril 6 and 7, 1971.Convention Theme: Jehovah, OurCovenant God.Convention Psalm: Psalm 25:7-12Roll Call: A Bible verse on Covenants.Mrs. Waldo Stevenson,Presbyterial PresidentMention (ieneva and the travelerrecalls water gushing from thefountain in Lake (ieneva or themagnificent Swiss Alps whichenvelop the city of the reformation.There is another (ieneva with abeauts all its own nestled in theBeaver Valley of western Pennsylvania..C.eneva College. We inviteyou to discover this Geneva, a fullyaccredited Christian liberal artscollege with majors in the variousarts and sciences as well as engineering,all integrated around theWord of God.To make this dis

BILLY GRAHAMTO ADDRESS N.A.E.29TH ANNUAL CONVENTIONWHEATON, ILL. (NAE) —Evangelist Billy Graham will be amongseven top speakers at the 29th annualconvention of the National Association ofEvangelicals in Los Angeles, California,April 20-22. An expected 1,500 evangelicalleaders representing 36,000 churches willhear messages on the convention theme,"Jesus Christ —Lord of All," and morethan 60 workshops and seminars willexplore vital evangelical concerns."The significance of this meeting,"NAE President Hudson T. Armerdingasserts, "that sets it apart from allprevious ones is that the crises andchallenges we face today are greater thanat any time in our 29-year history."We are going to have to focus ourattention on the things that really matter...to rise above our preoccupation withpersonal or provincial concerns."During the course of the workshops,seminars, messages, and businesssessions, the leaders of NAE's two andone-half million members will probeimplications of theological and socialaction developments, the changing face ofthe church, new Christian movements,church-state relations, legislative concernsthat affect the church and resourcesfor evangelization and Christianeducation.Other speakers besides Grahamscheduled for major addresses include Dr.Harold Lindsell, editor of ChristianityToday; Dr. Hudson T. Armerding,president of NAE and president ofWheaton College; Dr. B. Edgar Johnson,general secretary of the Church of theNazarene; Dr. Edward Hill, pastor ofMount Zion Baptist Church and director ofthe World Christian Training Center, LosAngeles, Calif.; Dr. Charles Blair, pastorof Calvary Temple, Denver, Colorado; andDr. J. Sidlow Baxter, Bible teacher andauthor, who will speak during the dailyBible study hour.College and seminary students willattend workshop sessions, taking part indiscussions about national issues. During atwo-part meeting on the last day, thestudents will hear the presidents of someof the most active Christian youthmovements: Dr. Bill Bright of CampusCrusade, Dr. Sam Wolgemuth of YouthFor Christ International, Dr. JohnAlexander of Inter-Varsity Fellowship;Bill Star, director of Young Life, andLome Sanny, president of The Navigators.Resolutions generated by conventiondiscussions are expected to establish NAEpolicy in several important issues of theday, ranging from pornography tomissions and evangelism.The Women's Fellowship of NAE willmeet concurrently with the convention andwill host a special luncheon. Mrs. VonetteBright, wife of Campus Crusade PresidentBill Bright, will speak on the subject,"Women Can Help Change the World."Several commissions will also hostluncheons, featuring such renownedpersonalities as Dave Wilkerson, author ofThe Cross and the Switchblade. NAE'sfour affiliates will meet during the convention; these include the National SundaySchool Association, the NationalAssociation of Christian Schools, theNational Religious Broadcasters, and theEvangelical Foreign Missions Association.The International Hotel at LosAngeles International Airport will be thesite of the convention.The National Association ofEvangelicals comprises a network of fournational affiliates, 11 commissions, fivefield offices and an Office of Public Affairsin Washington, D.C. The NAE nationalheadquarters is in Wheaton, Illinois. Dr.Clyde W. Taylor is general director of thetwo and one-half million memberorganization.WHENCE THE CLOUD?A professor at a large universitymade no secret of the fact that he was anagnostic. Moreover, he boasted of hisphilosophy whenever opportunity to do socame his way.He would tell his students, "If youdon't throw aside your faith in God, andact in your own knowledge and strength,you'll not get very far in this world."One day, during a class, the matter of"rain-making" entered the discussion, sothe professor inquired hypothetically:"What help was faith in God duringthe recent drought? A lot of farmers gotdown on their knees and asked God forrain. What did they get in answer to theirprayers? The Dust Bowl! Do you knowwhat they should have done? They shouldhave sought help from science. Send a manup in a plane, drop some chemicals on acloud and you get rain. No need of Godthere! Any questions?""Yes, I have a question," replied oneof the students, "Who furnishes the cloud,if not God?"—The PilgrimWORRIED ABOUTWHAT THEY SEE?THEN DO SOMETHING! Writeletters to sponsors. Write the networkpresidents. Or even write the FederalCommunications Commission.There is considerable evidence toshow that even when the public islukewarm toward a proposed measure, oractually opposed to it, they are inclined toaccept change after the fact.Television producers know this, andthey are not afraid to peddle their filth onthe picture tube.On the other hand, television shows ofhigh moral value and of intrinsic worth tosociety can be encouraged by publicopinion, the same way immorality on TVcan be discouraged. Television productionsrise and fall according to the NielsonRatings which measure audience exposure.So don't just sit there! Write letters,send telegrams, make phone calls. . .andregister your opinion for the sake ofnational morality. Below are listed thenames and addresses of people whocontrol the nation's communicationsnetworks.In addition, you can write for aspecial booklet which lists corporationsand names of their presidents who sponsorprograms. The booklet is edited andproduced by Ethel Daccardo, 3245Wisconsin Avenue, Berwyn, Illinois 60402;$1 per copy. Your influence counts. Use it.American Broadcasting Co.Leonard A. Goldenson, pres.1330 Ave. of the AmericasNew York, N.Y. 10019Columbia Broadcasting SystemFrank Stanton, pres.51 W. 52nd StreetNew York, N.Y. 10019National Broadcasting Co.Julian Goodman, pres.RCA Building30 Rockefeller PlazaNew York, N.Y. 10020National Association of BroadcastersVincent Wasilewski, pres.1812 K Street NWWashington, D.C. 20006NAE Profile16 COVENANTER WITNESS

»^VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 11 MARCH 17, 1971 STERLING KANSAS

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER r EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Rev Kenneth SmithRev. L. E. KilpatrickDepartment Editors:Rev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introducttoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.PSALM 1212. He Who keeps Isr'el is thy keeper true,Thy changeless shade;Thy keeper, God the Lord, at thy right hand,Himself hath made.And thee no sun by day shall ever smite;No moon shall harm thee in the silent night.3. Jehovah shall thy sure protector beFrom ev'ry ill.Thy soul from ev'ry evil most securePreserve He will.In daily going out and in thy door,The Lord will keep thee henceforth evermore.This Week's WitnessFlash News from Cyprus. .Fidelity to Vows.Glimpses of the Religious World.Christian Literature: Meaning and QualityA Bitter Cry Over the Lost Blessing.The Ethics of EvangelismDr. Peoples at Work in Turkey.Lesson Helps.Church News..3.34.5610.1114WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and thatit is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

News From CyprusC. C. CHRISTOUMarch 3, 1971The BILL about the private schools, which wasunder debate in the House of Representatives, at lastbecame LAW, and was published in the official Gazette ofthe Republic of Cyprus, on February 26, 1971. I have itbefore me. It has 29 Articles and one Schedule at the end,which lists all the foreign schools (the AmericanAcademies are included) exempting them from makingnew application for permission to function under the newLaw.All private schools are required, within threemonths of the date of the publication of the Law, toconform to all the provisions contained in it. In certaincases, where complete compliance is impossible, theDirector of Education can grant extension, but not afterthe first of September, 1971.The Article in connection with religious teachingreads as follows:(Translation)"In any private school the use of physical or moralcompulsion to the end that the student be compelled tochange his religion or prevented to change it is prohibited.And for this purpose the compulsory teaching of religionor doctrine different from that to which the studentbelongs is not allowed."For the purposes of the present clause, the term"moral compulsion" includes any penetration or attemptto penetrate with intention of changing its contentsthrough means deceitful, or through abuse of inexperience,or confidence, or exploitation of his spiritual orbodily incapacity."Non-conformity imposes on the guilty person heavyfines and the school upon the order of the Court may beclosed.There are other provisions which interfere with thepresent setup of the academies, e.g. matters of discipline,administration, qualifications of teachers, curriculum, etc.The Governing Body asked me to seek an interpretationof it, from a lawyer, without delay. In all this,however, we must admit that the Law, as a whole, is verygood, for it seeks to protect education, to raise thestandards, and safeguard the schools from becomingcenters for commercial gain.This is high time for united prayer by the Church'hat God's will may be done.Other things are happening, but I do not feelcompetent at this time to say anything.MARCH 17, 1971Rev. W MilroyFidelity To Vows" — It has been said, and we think truly said, that thehigh church in England and the high church in Scotlandare 'sappers and miners for the Church of Rome!" withequal truth we may add, popish prelacy, the high churchin America, is a sapper and miner for the Church of Rome.And what are the purposes of the Church of Rome here?A distinguished Romish priest of New York revealed themwhen he said, in a lecture recently delivered in the city ofDetroit: 'Catholicism rules the city of New York with fiftythousand majority. And the question is not now, will theCatholics ever rule America? but, how soon? The policyadopted to secure their contemplated end — the end ofwhich they are now. and with reason, so boastfullyconfident — is Jesuitical, artful, and insidious. Have wnot been forewarned of it? Has it not been intimated to usin the word of infallible truth, that as there were falseprophets among the people of Israel of old. so 'there shallhe false teachers among you. who privily shall bring indamnable heresies: and whose coming is 'with alldeceivab/eness of unrighteousness.' beguiling unstablesouls? Have we not been informed that 'many shall followtheir pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truthshall be evil spoken of?'II Peter 2:1, 14 — "But there were false prophetsalso among the people, even as there shall be falseteachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnableheresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, andbring upon themsebes swift destruction.Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot ceasefrom sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they haveexercised with covetous practices; cursed children:"II Thessalonians 2:10 — "And with alldeceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;because they received not the love of the truth, that theymight be saved.""Is it not high time the friends of religion and truthwere taking alarm? were forecasting the future'.' werepreparing for defence, seizing again those weapons thatha\e been proved, and found so effective in the past? Is itnot highly proper, now that danger threatens, that truth isimperiled, that the enemy is coming in like a flood; is itnot. I say. highly proper that we, directed by the exampleof our worthy covenant ancestors, and animated bv theeminent success that crowned their efforts, should againdisplay the banner, as of old. that we should gather for itssupport, and for the defence of liberty. ci\il and religious.blended in unity, and bound together as one man hy theoath of God.' —"Memorial Volume published by order of Synod in LS~2.3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014CHRISTIANS IN RED CHINAAmbassadors Communique is the information organof Ambassadors for Christ, Inc., Washington, D.C., whichlabors especially among Chinese students in the U.S.A.,also, Chinese churches in this country. They report alecture delivered to "a theological seminary inWashington, D.C," by a minister who maintains manycontacts among business men and visitors to China on"legitimate occasions," in which he maintains: "I believethat since the Communists came into power the number ofChristians in China has perhaps doubled!" He says further,"I personally believe there are more Christians in Chinathan English believers in England."The speaker revealed his bias toward non-creedalChristianity when he says, "Denominational thinking hasbeen almost completely sloughed off," though doubtlessunder such circumstances creedal formulations must bepostponed. He says, "The new form of Christian life iswhat you might call 'grass roots regeneration.' Truebelievers have been thrown back on the Bible alone withno aids, commentaries, seminaries." (This does not accordwith what was reported two weeks ago, where DonCarlson reported that Christians in Canton, at least, werewithout Bibles. L.K.) This anonymous lecturer statesfurther, "They don't have the benefit or handicap ofknowing church history or denominational theology sotheir faith is pure. No one is called pastor, but they haveelders in the Biblical pattern. It is a strong and veryresponsible lay movement with collective discipline. . .Memorization (of Scripture) is a test of recognitionamong believers."Moses Chow, editor of Communique, conducted theWorkshop for Chinese students at Urbana '70, the Inter-Varsity Missionary Conference. Sam Chao, son of theRev. Charles Chao of the Reformation TranslationFellowship, served as a Bible study leader at the Conference.Also, the Rev. Paul Szto, who has done sometranslating for the RTF, was one of the Chinese resourcepanel.The Ambassadors for Christ, Inc. last summerfilmed the story of Miss Christiana Tsai, "Queen of theDark Chamber", in Taiwan, and will have the film readyfor release this summer. You may have read this valuablemissionary book."The Committee of One Million — Against Admissionof Communist China to the United Nations" isproducing a TV documentary entitled "Red China: Mythsand Realities." They state that in a single month HongKong authorities counted 280 swimmers who made itsafely in their flight from Red China, and they estimatethat not more than 1 in 10 make it. "Lucky ones" drown orare shot, but those captured may be dragged over "rockcrags and oyster bars" till dead, or be sent to prisoncamps."God forbid that we should be slack in praying forour brethren in Christ in mainland China today!"HOW IS A PUBLIC SLN APOLOGLZED FOR?Some publicity has been given to a "Christianprogram" in which a profane curse was uttered, and then aparody of the story of the fall into sin of Adam and Evewas given. Not being familiar with all the circumstances,one cannot pass judgment. However, I am concerned withthe defense or "apology," or explanation that apparentlywas circulated because of criticism of the program. Thecurse, so the letter of defense says, was by "an overenthusiasticyouth in an otherwise deeply spiritualpresentation . . . (it) was regrettable, . . . (an) indiscretion. . It was . . . exuberant pleading." But it was not rebukedby the leadership at the time. The parody "was in badtaste," so the defending letter says, and "A stern lettercounseling this youth to use his talents in a more positiveChristian way" was sent to him. It was "inappropriate,"they say, but all this was "soon swept away" by the"magnificent" good things that followed.Really now, we're not helping someone to find relieffrom the burden and guilt of sin, by toting up all the attenuatingcircumstances, making excuses and thenstigmatizing as "not Christian" those who suggest that aretraction and apology may be in order.There is a way of recovery when we sin. It is simpleand plainly set forth in Scripture, "Repent." That involvessorrow, contrition, a broken heart. It is humbling tohuman pride, but it is the way to peace with God and man.Furthermore, we do not balance out, or sweep away, ourbad deeds by piling up some good ones. This would belogical according to human reasoning, but such "worksreligion" is the opposite of salvation by the grace of God.David put it very simply, "I have sinned."HOLL1NGTON K. TONGAmbassador Tong, one of the great men of China,has gone to be with his Lord. He worked his way throughPark College in Missouri. He was a Christian and had greatinfluence on Chiang Kai Shek. He was in the difficult postof ambassador to Japan after World War II, and won thehearts of thousands who "came to say farewell, and toshake the hand of the recent enemy." He was Ambassadorto the U.S.A. from the Republic of China and was one ofthe most respected of the diplomatic community. Hewrote a letter to the Reformation Translation Fellowshipin appreciation for its ministry in providing Christianliterature in Chinese. The Beaver Falls News Tribune citessee page 7COVENANTER WITNESS

Meaning and QualityChristian Literatureby Dr. Norman M. CarsonHead of English Department, Geneva College(continued from last week)III hope that by having first established what I meanby the term Christian Literature I can proceed to a clearernotion of some of those standards which might be expectedin such literature. Two considerations must bemade. They are, naturally, the areas under whichliterature is usually judged—form and content. Theyinvolve, for the Christian examining Christian literature,more than is often supposed. Let us begin with a considerationof content and then proceed to form.Much that can be said about the content of Christianliterature has already been implied in my earlier article(see Covenanter Witness, March 10, 1971, p. 5). Oneor two points remain to be elaborated. The believer whotakes his Faith seriously is blessed with a clearer perspective,a less clouded vision (though never completelyfree from distortion) than is the unbeliever. That is, underthe Covenant, he is permitted to see, however imperfectly,a totality in which individual experience operates,relationships stemming from this totality, and purpose inlife. The Christian novelist or poet cannot but write out ofthis context. His Christian presuppositions permeateeverything he writes, whether or not he consciously writesovert Christian literature. It is for this reason, therefore,that the limitation of the term Christian Literature to thatwhich has been consciously designed for polemic orevangelistic purposes is too severe. The Confession of St.Augustine, Dante's Comedia, or Bunyan's Pilgrim'sProgress are classics of Christian literature, but they mustbe joined by other works written out of this broaderChristian perspective: e.g. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral,Greene's The Power and the Glory, or Paton's Cry. theBeloved Country. When one examines the content ofChristian literature, defined in this way, he must apply thefollowing standard first: is it informed by a discernibleworld-and-life view which can be accepted as Christian inan inclusivistic sense (i.e. Catholic as well as Protestant;liberal or neo-orthodox as well as evangelical)? Only then,after he accepts the work for that which it purports to be,may he apply specific theological criteria. I am not, ofcourse, suggesting one's passive agreement with any andevery theological point of view; rather I am insisting onone's recognition of the content of a work as Christianrather than non-Christian before he proceeds to argueabout specific theological bias.Assuming a Christian world-and-life view on the part°f the author, we discover another vexing problem indealing with content. This problem might be called theproblem of freedom versus restriction and stems from theauthor's viewpoint as it governs his choice of subjectmaterial. Shall he be romantic, carefully restrained, orrealistic? Should certain subjects, situations or kinds ofcharacters be considered taboo? What kind of languagemay be used in dialogue? There are no easy answers tothese questions. An author of integrity will resist writingaccording to the dictates of the contemporary readingpublic rather than according to the clear demands oftruthful presentation. Still, one can legitimately choose towrite for a particular audience; if so, he must be willing toaccept the consequences of that choice. I once thoughtthat the argument for freedom based upon the Bible'sapproach to life was too facile, too easily used by thosewho wanted license to write as they pleased. I have sincebecome convinced that the Christian writer cannot fearthe truly realistic approach to life which the writers ofScripture used; that if he shuns such an approach, he doesa disservice to the presentation of truth. At the same timeI believe that such an approach—realistic, straightforward,honest—does not permit license in the sense of agratuitous wallowing in filth for its own sake. Therefore, inexamining the question of content I would say that thestandard should be that of honest realism—tellingit asit isjust as Scripture does—as long as that realism is constantlysubordinate to the Christian perspective and aslong as the expression of that realistic viewpoint does notsubject the reader to an unmotivated or gratuitousbarrage of filth, perversion, or profanity. It should benoted that such a standard, calling for honesty of treatment,does not rule out, within the framework of theChristian world-and-life view, those expressions orsituations which might properly be used to produce thehonest representation of truth in human nature or conduct.Honesty brings into focus both content and form. Itis the consideration which, above all else, whould beborne in mind as one proposes standards for Christianliterature. For it is here that so much of Christianliterature goes wrong. As for content, honesty demands ofthe Christian author the avoidance of that rose-colored,sentimental piety so often associated with religiouswritings. Although our citizenship is in hea\en, we aredwellers in this \ale of tears; we are sojourners andpilgrims. Therefore, Christian literature must not indulgein a form of "otherworldliness" which distorts the realitiesoi the Christian's earthly life. Poetic justice has no place inMARCH 17, 1971 s

the presuppositional structure of the Christian author.Poetic justice does not square with God's justice; theywho write as though it does are either romantically naiveor deliberately dishonest. The Psalmist knew this—Goddoes not of necessity reward the righteous nor punish thewicked in this life, certainly not in terms of material goodsand social standing. An author who cannot see beyondthat level in his characters is not writing acceptableliterature from either the standpoint of honestly conceivedcontent or honestly wrought form. Moreover,honesty must preclude the inevitability of the overtGospel message as the "solution" to the conflict lyingwithin the book. All too often the Gospel is dragged in,without motivation, to finish off the story as though thestory could not otherwise be called Christian. Scripturepresents the Gospel clearly, and it must be proclaimedfrom the pulpit, but it is a misunderstanding of theessential role of Christian fiction, particularly, to make theGospel offer, without exception, an integral part of theliterary work. Therefore, judgment of Christian literaturemust rest on the grounds of the truthful presentation ofrealistic life situations and living people and not on thegrounds of the presence or absence of the solution to all oflife's problems.Much that I could write will, of necessity, beomitted, but one final word: farthest from the standards ofChristian workmanship is a shoddy piece of literature. Noone denies, for example, the sincerity of many an attemptat Christian verse, but sincerity is no substitute for excellenceof craftsmanship. The Christian writer must learnhis craft; for literature, written to the glory of God, mustcommunicate, however subtly, God's grandeur—both interms of truth and beauty.Therefore, Christian literature must present God'sworld as it is; scarred by sin; must present human beingsas they are, even after they are redeemed; and above allmust imaginatively present all in the light of God'srevealed truth so that the author's Christian perspectivepermeates the work, illuminating it in such a manner thateven those who run in these hectic times can read—canmeet again the God of truth and redemption. , ,,A Bitter Cry Over The Lost BlessingRev. John M. McMillan,Pastor of ColdenhamR. P. Church, New YorkAnd when Esau heard the words of his father, heThe great tragedy of Esau's cry, of course, was thecried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto lateness of it. For years he had worn a mask of indifference,had shrugged his shoulders and said, "Sohis father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. . . . AndEsau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my what?" He waited far too long to think deeply and clearlyfather? Bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau about the value of the blessing, and by that time it waslifted up his voice, and wept" (Genesis 27:34,38).There is something strange and tragic about thecrying of Esau. Here we have the deep disappointment ofa man over forty years of age, in the prime of his adult life.Since boyhood he had been known for his thick red hair,his love of the outdoors, and his skill as a hunter. Hisparents had named him "Esau," which meant "hairy," andhe was his father's favorite.Along with the strangeness of Esau's crying, weirrevocably lost. In the 12th chapter of the book ofHebrews we are warned against being a "profane person,'like Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.For ye know how that afterward, when he would haveinherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found noplace of repentance, though he sought it carefully withtears" (Heb. 12:16,17).This past week I was looking for a book in theNewburgh city library when my eye caught the title, Thewould observe the bitterness of it. It was the crying of a Hodge Case. I quickly picked it off the shelf and began toman who has just discovered the real value of somethingwhich he had already forfeited. In his younger days Esauhadn't cared much about the birthright which belonged tohim as the firstborn son. He just wasn't thinking thatseriously, or that far ahead. One night he had come homewith a ravenous appetite, and had impulsively sold hisbirthright to his twin brother Jacob for one good meal ofread. We lived in southern Illinois when the Orville Hodgescandal had rocked the state. Hodge came from our partof Illinois, and was the genial, popular state auditor. Hehad led the party slate as a vote-getter. When the chargesof corruption began to appear, the editor of our localweekly newspaper quickly wrote an editorial entitled,"WE HAVE FAITH IN HODGE." That faith had beenlentil soup. Jacob had prophetically appeared from his tragically betrayed; Orville Hodge had systematicallymother's womb at birth with his hand firmly gripping his"just older" brother's heel; so his parents had given him aname which meant "heel-grabber." The birthright and theblessing had meant a great deal to Jacob, but they hadn'tstolen $2 million dollars from the citizens of Illinois. Twomillion dollars will buy a lot of lavish living; but when wemeasure what he got against what he gave up, it was amulti-million dollar mess of pottage. The book I wasseemed to mean much to Esau — until he had lost them. scanning traced the frantic course of a man who is trying6 COVENANTER WITNESS

in every way to hold onto the blessing — the blessing ofIt is our prof 'oneness.personal integrity and public confidence, of friendshipWe have lost our sense of spiritual value. We haveand freedom — which he had already under-valued and turned our backs on God and His revealed truth (Hisbargained away. The day finally came when his mask of written Word). Every coin we jingle — every piece ofsmiling confidence broke away, and he wept to the state currency — says that in God we trust. We teach ourtreasurer and cried, "Warren, you've got to protect me!" Itwas too late.We are most concerned this morning to find out thereason for Esau's bitter and belated crying. You can readthe record in the Bible and say, "That's easy. This is a manwho has just been tricked and cheated out of whatbelonged to him, and he is pouring out anger and hatredagainst the brother who had cheated him." You wouldn'tbe wrong, of course. And in the moments when wechildren to declare every school day that we are onenation under God. Yet our community is full of parents intheir 30's and 40's who are living in the afterglow of trueChristian conviction, and are not giving their children anymoral or spiritual base on which to build the longed-afterlife (and society) of wholeness and integrity. Our "kids"cry out, "Who is this God that we trust? — this God. underwhose authority we live our lives and run our country?"Do we really value Him and His blessing?suddenly realize an overwhelming loss, we can usuallyRomans 1:21 reads, "Because that when they knewdiscover someone to be mad at.God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were grateful.But the Bible, while candidly exposing the fraud of but became vain in their reasoning and their foolish heartJacob, puts its finger on the root sin in the life of Esau.Esau was a profane man.This is not profanity in the sense of using all theworst swear words; but profanity in the basic sense ofhaving no respect for that which is sacred and spiritual.Esau's sin was not so much his over-valuing the worth ofwas darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, theybecame fools."In conclusion, think back to Jacob and Esau. Whichtwin got the blessing? Certainly not the one who deservedit. Jacob reminds me, at one point in his life, of the smutpeddler or the tavern operator, who takes selfish andone appetizing meal; it was his despising of his birthright. calculating advantage of the weakness of another. NeitherFor a trifle Esau had thrown away the highest honor that a twin deserved the blessing of God — not the one whoson could have. Behind his bitter cry and his irrevocable wanted it and sought after it — not the one who made lightloss lay his lack of any true sense of spiritual value.of it until it was too late — neither one of them. AndWe are listening these days to the cry of a belovedcountry. It is not only individual men and women who areweeping over their losses. It seems to be a whole cultureJacob, who received the blessing and the birthright, hadfinally to admit that he wasn't worth the love andprotection of God, and didn't begin to deserve it.that is crying. We are fast losing our image as a nation of Salvation — then and now — is by the grace of God. Weboasters — a wealthy, confident people, and are becominga nation of bitter weepers.We can find many specific things to cry about — theloss of our sense of security, loss of beauty, loss of purpose,must reach after it and plead for it in faith; ask for it, withan honest confession; and findit in the person and work ofChrist the Savior — in the faithful promise of the covenantGod.of good health, of national integrity. We deeply Happy is the man that choosesresent the fact that sin is being more and more draggedout into the open and flung into our faces.Back of all this bitter, public outcry we need todiscover and confess the root sin of our culture.Jacob's God to be his aid. . .He is blessed whose hope of blessingOn the Lord his God is stayed! (Psalm 146)• • •Glimpses. from page 4a dread reminder from one of his six books, "The Communistssay, and I agree, that the battle is one for theminds of men. But let us not forget that the Communistshave never been reluctant to capture the bodies first andwork on the minds at their leisure."COMING NEXT ISSUECovenanter Witness Reader SurveyThe R. P. Board of Education & PublicationH O M E S P U NV ERSEGOD BLESS AMERICAby Martha Ellen SearleGod bless America.Let us stay free;Make us thankfulfor blessingsThat You shower downon us constantly.Make us loving.Make us thoughtfulof each brotherblack or white.God bless America;Give heartspure sight.MARCH 17. 1971

The Ethics of EvangelismIn a world torn apart by rising nationalism,economic unrest, and threat of nuclear war, wherein mustthe Christian play his part in such troubled times? Has theworld condition so changed that Christianity can not stillbe an instrument for bringing peace and order out ofchaos? Yes, the Christian still constitutes the means,which is above all other means, for bringing the world intoconformity with the will of God. However, before attemptingto introduce Christian principles of living intobusiness, politics, or world affairs, the Christian must firstseek to be the means for bringing other people into asaving and life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ.God has always employed His elect to glorify Hisname; hence, the chosen ones must understand the how,when, where, and why of glorifying their Redeemer.During Old Testament times, Israel fell into grievous sinswhen the people misunderstood or strayed away from thepurpose of their very existence as a chosen people.Likewise Christians today need to understand "The Ethicsof Evangelism."Nature of EthicsBut what do the terms ethics and evangelism mean?Philip Wheelwright defines ethics as:that branch of philosophy which is the systematic study ofreflective choice, of the standards of right and wrong bywhichit is to be guided, and of the goods toward whichitmay ultimately be directed.Since the reader may never have taken a course inphilosophy, he need not assume that this paper has norelevance to him — for one may define philosophy as "anattempt to see life, and to see it as a whole." This involvesone's growing in appreciation as to the purpose, plan, orreason for living. Therefore, everyone is to some extent aphilosopher — since he has some general idea about"what makes life tick."Ethics, as a branch of philosophy, has a definitescope with specific limitations. No person can make a"moral choice" who can not think reflectively; therefore,anyone who is so mentally retarded that he could notunderstand the law of personal possessions could not bemorally responsible for stealing. Similarly, one must beable to carry out any alternatives of the decisions which hemay make. Consequently, ethics would not include thosedecisions where either of two alternatives would be impossible.For a cripple, whose legs can not hold him, tomake a choice between sitting and running is ethicallyimpossible — since he has not the power to fulfill thelatter choice.Rev. Donald WeilersbacherPastor of San Diego R. P. ChurchNow before a Christian can enter into a discussion ofethics, certain assumptions must be presented. From ametaphysical viewpoint the Christian assumes that God isthe Ultimate Reality of the universe. He can neither proveby scientific experiment this assumption, any more thananother can disprove it. The step is one of faith. This faithis based upon the epistemological argument that God hasgiven a special revelation of Himself through the Person ofJesus Christ: so that having been enlightened by the HolySpirit, God's elect may find saving faith in Him throughthe written Word. Likewise he assumes that through thereading and application of the Holy Scriptures, one cansee the teleological aspect of ethics: God has specificpurposes which must be considered in making moraldecisions. Finally, all of the raw material of knowledgeproduced by the application of these assumptions must besubject to coherence as the criterion of truth. This termcoherence means "systematic, inclusive consistency,constantly subject to revision." For although God'sstandard of ethics never changes, man's understanding ofHis will is constantly subject to re-examination andreinterpretation. Consequently, the subject of Christianethics can never be of a static nature; since the Living Godreveals the dynamic principles which the redeemed striveto understand and apply in their daily living.Nature of EvangelismHaving discussed the nature of ethics, the followingdefinition of evangelism given by D. H. Walters may behelpful:Evangelism, in the broadest sense, means any testimonyborne to another by a Christian, with a view to makingChrist known and accepted.According to this definition of evangelism, every Christianmay be included as a possible center of evangelism, andany other person may be considered as the possible objectiveof evangelism. However, such a definition shouldbe modified by explaining the four basic assumptions ofevangelism. These assumptions logically follow theprevious discussion of ethics. In order to considerevangelism within the scope and limitations of ethics,there must be value in evangelism, a duty of evangelism, adesire for evangelism, and a power for evangelism.Evangelism can not result from a personal whim withoutmoral urgency, half-heartedly performed, and without aspiritually dynamic motivating, enabling, and energizingprinciple. Such a thought is inconsistent with ethics andunfruitful in practice.8 COVENANTER WITNESS

Value in EvangelismConsider first the value in evangelism. Does such anelement really exist? Foremost, one must again defineterms because there are two types of value — intrinsic andinstrumental. Intrinsic values are desired for no otherreason than themselves. Instrumental values are desired asa means for attaining intrinsic values. Therefore, intrinsicvalues have reference to the aforeconsidered subject ofmetaphysics — which concerns itself with the ultimatereality of the universe. If God is the ultimate reality in theuniverse, and if His will, the teleological element, consistsin His glorification and our enjoyment of that process,then both intrinsic and instrumental values have theirsource in God.Further definition of terms introduces the subjectsol ideal and norm. An ideal defines a value — a true idealcorrectly defines a value, and a false ideal does not. Normsare rational concepts of what ought to be in the areas ofintrinsic value. One must understand that the value ofevangelism can be incorrectly defined, and that inproperly defining how it ought to be esteemed, one hasnot yet realized by experience its value. In other words,one has not fulfilled his moral obligation to evangelize bysimply defining that obligation; he must actually performhis obligation.Since no two persons seem to agree in defining theintrinsic, instrumental, ideal, and norm of evangelism,what are the factors which condition man's similarity anddivergence from God's value of evangelism?From a synoptic consideration, every man's worldview constitutes his attitude toward evangelism. "Wherethere is no vision, the people cast off restraint. . . ."(Proverbs 29:18a). Buildings, churches, hospitals, andschools can be destroyed or fall into ruin, but a spiritualvision can not be taken away. A Christian, who "attemptsto see life, and to see it as a whole," will have a definiteperspective toward evangelism.Similarly, one's value priority or scale of valuesdefinitely affects his attitude toward evangelism. Jesussaid, ". . . for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart bealso" (Matthew 6:21). One must "seek first" the kingdomof God. The present-day priority scale of the ChristianChurch seems to be reflected by its lack of concern for thelost.A man's general and specific vocation also formulateshis disposition toward evangelism. Christians arecalled to be a "peculiar people." On the one hand, anindividual's understanding that he is part of the ChurchInvisible seems to produce common values. Yet thecommon intrinsic values, which he may share with others,seem to be balanced by distinguishing attitudes towardinstrumental values. If one works as a shoemaker, ateacher, or a farmer, his specific vocation determines howhe evaluates the means for attaining intrinsic values. Theshoemaker may find that ordinary acts of kindnessproduce the best opportunity for witnessing for JesusChrist. The teacher, however, may find that his highereducational standing facilitates doing neighborhoodvisitation and evangelism. Each person finds a differentevaluation toward the means for attaining intrinsic values— although as a believer in Christ, he has the same intrinsicvalues.Finally, individual consciences react differentlytoward the subject of evangelism. Being darkened by thefall, conditioned by environment, habit, and education —they still must be considered as being indicative of the willof God. Perhaps the following from Carl F. H. Henry canaid the reader in understanding the idea of conscience:.. knowledge of God and His will is promoted by faithfulnessof conscience, and is decreased by unfaithfulnessto conscience.. . conscience needs not only to be obeyed, but to beenlightened and educated.That conscience must always be obeyed is therefore afundamental principle of Christian ethics. The appeal toconscience becomes an appeal to man's highest dignity.In summarizing, one sees that the "value claim" ofevangelism upon an individual is conditioned by his worldview, value priority, general and specific vocation, andconscience. All of the aforementioned are constituentparts of the total value of evangelism. Since the total valueof evangelism would constitute the sum of its intrinsic andinstrumental values, one can rest assured that the will ofGod is "both intrinsincally and instrumentally good."All of the previously defined terms have been anecessary prerequisite to a discussion on the comparisonof values in evangelism. Through the prophet Isaiah,Jehovah said,... so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:it shall not return unto me void, but shall accomplish thatwhich I please, andit shall prosper in the thing whereto Isentit (Isa. 55:11).Since God has promised to bless His Word, if the Christianin obedience to that Word and through use of the writtenWord seeks to lead others to Christ, what seems to be theforseeable future value claim?How can one adequately compare the value ofevangelization with any other value claim? Jesus spokeabout the rejoicing of the angels in heaven over one sinnerwho repents. Can the Christian ignore such a value claim?Or if one may desire to consider negative values, hemay well heed the words spoken to Ezekiel:Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the houseof Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and givethem warning from me. When I say unto the wicked,"Thou shalt surely die;" and thou givest him not warning,nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, tosave his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity;but his blood will I require at thy hand (Ezek. 3:17,18).Finally, one must consider emergent values: the glory ofGod and the salvation of sinners. All of these attempts tocompare values actually consist of observing the sametopic of evangelism from as many different perspectives aspossible. In essence, the value of evangelism is both intrinsicand instrumental, conditioned by one's world view,value priority, general and specific vocation, and conscience.The total value finds expression in the will of Godand can be appreciated through a comparison of thevarious values of evangelism.I To he continued)MARCH 17, 1971 9

The Children's CornerMDR. PEOPLES AT WORK IN TURKEYby Mrs. Kenneth SandersonHe continues: "In one of the military hospitals duringthe war my first patient was a Greek. He had not seen a razoror a piece of soap or water or anything of a cleaning andbeautifying nature for weeks. He came in in such poor shapethat I took him upstairs to bed and didnT bother to give hima bath. That was late in the afternoon."The next morning the nurse came to me with thenews that the patient was 'just walking away'. I went up tosee him and found that all his whiskers and hair were justfilled with lice. I got a razor and shaved all his hair and beardoff. Then I had him taken down and given a bath. If he diedin the process, I would be sorry, but he couldn't stay in thehospital full of lice. I then ordered the soldier that I had, togo up to the cupboard where I kept the man's rags he'd beenwearing and look at them. He said they too were walkingaway so I ordered him to take them down to the edge of thesea and put a match to them. You could hear and see thesizzling because of the grease and livestock they contained.All Dr. Peoples' hard work did not pass withoutappreciation. One early patient wrote the following letter.Translated into English it reads, "I am pleased. Yourservice is like that of the angels because of your companionship.Let the door of heaven be opened for you. — Lether divine majesty, Mother Mary, brush back your hairfrom your brow."Although busy with work, life must have been lonelyfor the Peoples' family for most of the missionaries had leftdue to the war and in late November he wrote to Dr.Metheny, "I have not received a letter from home in I donot know how long. Your letter of September 8 was the firstletter any of us received from America since the beginning ofthe fighting. Food is high in price. People have no money andno work. However, our day schools are both running withfair and increasing numbers. There is great need for relieffunds here."Our story has already grown very long so we willsummarize the next three years as years of war and muchwork with the sick and dying. This time much of the doctor'swork was in caring for British military prisonerspassing through Turkey.Dr. John Peoples ' War ExperiencesIn November 1916, Turkey entered the World Warand five months later she broke off relations with America.Dr. Peoples was the family doctor for the Chief of Police inMersine. In early 1917, he sent for Dr. Peoples and told himthat orders had come from Constantinople that anyAmericans who wanted to return to their homeland couldgo.Dr. Peoples went home and talked the matter overwith his wife. He felt he should stay to protect the missionproperty but he urged Mrs. Peoples to do as she felt best for10herself and the children. In the days that followed both ofthem prayed much, asking the Lord to guide them.A few evenings later they were kneeling in familyworship. Dr. Peoples was leading in prayer when Mrs.Peoples felt as though a hand was resting on her shoulderand seemed to hear a voice speaking to her saying, "Fearnot, I will take care of you.""The voice was so clear and real," she later told herfriends, "that I raised my head and looked across the tablethat separated John and me to see if it was John, but he hadhis head bowed in prayer. I was sure this was an answer fromthe Lord."So Evadne began gathering clothes and other thingsnecessary for herself and the three children, David, Jean,and Sam, to travel to America. It was no easy job to pack allthe things they would need for the long journey. May 31,they received permission to travel. They were also told theymust be in Tarsus as soon as possible. June, 2 a party of sevenleft Mersine for Tarsus: Mrs. Peoples and her children,Mrs. A. J. MacFarland and Margaret, and Miss EvadneSterrett, Mrs. Peoples' aunt. They rode over rough roads inspringless wagons. In Tarsus they joined a group of eightypersons, fifty-nine Americans and the rest Turkish. Let ushear about the journey in Mrs. Peoples' own words.' 'We were told to be ready to start by four o'clock inthe afternoon, June 6. We were in the last wagon whichpulled out. There were eight open wagons and nine coveredones. Because we had the little children with us we were in acovered wagon. Besides the fifty-nine Americans we hadtwenty-one others, including Turkish guards, plus 154pieces of baggage. How we did long to be back in Mersine."It was a cold, hard ride and baby Sam did not enjoycold solid food. When a baby boy has been used to a milk dietand is cutting teeth he generally lets everyone know thatthings are not going smoothly with him."The journey is generally considered to need thirtysixhours but we were told we must do it in twenty-four. Wearrived one hour late and it was too late to get our militaryexaminations that evening. They offered us an emptywarehouse in which to sleep. Goats had occupied the roomthe night before. Fortunately for us the Commandant ofByzanti at that time had been in Mersine and knew us and hedid us the favor of getting us a room in a hotel."On the morning of June 8, we were herded to thestation in Byzanti. After all our luggage had been inspectedand stamped and we too had been inspected, they sent usback to the warehouse until about nine p.m. when our trainwas ready to depart for Konya. We were packed in prettyclosely, but fortunately no one found any lice, only bed bugsand fleas.(To be continued)COVENANTER WITNESS

Sabbath SchoolLessonLesson Helps for the Week of April 11For April 11,1971The Nature of Our ResurrectionI Cor. 15:20-22,35-45; Matt. 28Comments by John K. GaultHuman life is filled with frustrations,disappointments, and sorrow. Theresurrection of the saints is, therefore, thegreat hope of the Christian life. ThroughHis incarnation and sacrificial death,Christ became far more than an example tobelievers. He became their righteousnesswithout which there is no salvation. Deathis a sure sign of unrighteousness forrighteousness is a force which cannot die.Paul said, therefore, in I Corinthians 15:19,"If in this life only we have hope in Christ,we are of all men most miserable."1: The Resurrection of Believers IsBased upon the Resurrection of Christ.Paul said, "But now is Christ risen fromthe dead, and become the firstfruits ofthem that slept. For since by man camedeath, by man came also the resurrectionof the dead. For as in Adam all die, even soin Christ shall all be made alive" (I Cor.15:20-22). Jesus was put to death on thecross, but early in the morning of the thirdday after, namely, on the first day of theweek, He rose from the dead. During thenext forty days Jesus made many appearancesto people. Paul described theseappearances in verses 6-8, "And He wasseen of Cephas (Peter), then of the twelve:after that, He was seen of above fivehundred brethren at once: of whom thegreater part remain unto this present, butsome are fallen asleep. After that, He wasseen of James; then of all the apostles. Andlast of all He was seen of me also, as of one the dead. It is sown in corruption; it isborn out of due time." But there were raised in incorruption. It is sown inother appearances which Paul did not dishonor; it is raised in glory; it is sown inmention in this list. Jesus first appeared tothe women who were the first arrivals atweakness; it is raised in power; it is sown anatural body; it is raised a spiritual body.the sepulchre and He also appeared to the There is a natural body and there is atwo disciples on the way to Emmaus. Toquote from Halley's Bible Handbook, "Thestatement of Acts 1:3, 'showed Himselfalive by many proofs by the space of fortyspiritual body." In this Scripture Pauldays, speaking things concerning thekingdom of God,' along with similiarstatements in Acts 10:31 and 13:31, impliesthe possibility that He may have mademany appearances beside those recorded,and that His post-resurrection ministrymay have been more extensive than weknow."2: Paul, First Viewed theResurrection from a Negative Viewpoint.He as much as says, "What will thingsbe like if there is no resurrection of thedead?" He said this because there weresome who denied the resurrection, "Howsay some among you that there is noresurrection of the dead?" He answeredthem by saying, "But if there be noresurrection of the dead, then is Christ notrisen. And if Christ be not risen, then is ourpreaching vain, and your faith is also vain."(By the word vain Paul meant "empty" or"without reality") "Yea, and we are foundfalse witnesses of God; because we havetestified of God that He raised up Christ:whom He raised not up, if so be that thedead rise not. For if the dead risenot, thenis not Christ raised; and if Christ be notraised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in yoursins. Then they also which are fallen asleepin Christ are perished." This, then, wouldhave been the condition of people's beliefsif Christ had not risen from the dead and ifthere were no resurrection of the dead forbelievers.3: There Must Be Death If There Is toBe a Resurrection.This was a stumbling block to some ofthe Corinthians as is evident from whatPaul said in verses 35-45. "But some manwill say, How are the dead raised up? andwith what body do they come? Thou fool,that which thou sowest is not quickenedexcept it die: and that which thou sowest,thou sowest not that body that shall be; butbare grain, it may chance of wheat, or ofsome other grain; but God giveth it a bodyas it hath pleased Him and to every seed hisown body. —So also is the resurrection ofcompared the resurrection of believers to asprouting seed from which decay therecomes a new plant of grain. He continuedto describe the resurrection in verses 45-48,"And so it is written, the first man Adamwas made a living soul; the last Adam wasmade a quickening spirit. Howbeit that wasnot first which is spiritual but that which isnatural, and atterward that which isspiritual. The first man is of the earth,earthy; ,the second man is the Lord fromheaven. As is the earthy, such are they alsothat are earthy: and as is the heavenly,such are they also that are heavenly."4: "Flesh and Blood Cannot Inherit theKingdom of God." (verse 50)To inherit implies a future state of blissfor believers. Our bodies, then, such asthey are in the world will not be like that inheaven; they will be spiritual bodies. WhenJesus comes the second time to judge allpeople there will be many on earth whowill not have died. How will theresurrection affect them? Paul answeredthis question in verse 51, "Behold I showyou a mystery; we shall not all sleep but weshall all be changed, in a moment, in thetwinkling'of an eye, at the last trump: forthe trumpet shall sound and the dead shallbe raised incorruptible, and we shall bechanged." So whether one is alive or dead,when Jesus comes, "this corruptible mustput on incorruption, and this mortal mustput on immortality."5: The Resurrection and Change WhenJesus Comes Will Win the Victory forBelievers in Christ.Paul said in verse 54b, "Then shall bebrought to pass the saying that is written.Death is swallowed up in victory. O death,where is thy sting? O grave, where is thyvictory? The sting of death is sin and thestrength of sin is the law. But thanks be toGod which giveth us the victory throughour Lord Jesus Christ." Death, therefore, isthe final struggle of the evil of our natures,but by reason of the resurrection of Christa glorious resurrection of believers isassured. This will be the final victory. Thisaccomplishment of Christ takes the stingout of death and the victory from thegrave.6: Because of Their AssuredResurrection, Believers in Christ ShouldBe Strong and Active in the Work of theLord.Paul said in verse 58, "Therefore, mybeloved brethren, b.> ye stedfast, unmoveable,always abounding in the work ofthe Lord, forasmuch as ye know that yourlabor is not in vain in the Lord." All thosein Christ should realize that all work for theLord is not in vain even if few, or anyMARCH 17, 1971 11

favorable results are observed. The that the minister often takes the Psalms toglorious morning of the resurrection willmark the consummation of the earthlyjourney. Jesus will then say to those on Hisright hand, "Well done, thou good andfaithful servant. Thou hast been faithfulover a few things; I will make thee rulerexplain in order each week. See if yourminister does this now! This method helpsus to learn new Psalm words and musicthat perhaps we have overlooked before.Have you ever thought of the way thePsalms are suited to different occasions,over many things. Enter thou into the joy too? (Such as, for Thanksgiving, funerals,of thy Lord.""Lesson based on International Sunday Schoolweddings, communion services, etc.)We need to have the Psalms explainedLessons: the International Bible Lessons for and try to study them ourselves with aChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Division purpose to find Christ in them. Christ saysof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior TopicFor April 11,1971UNIT: OUR PUBLICWORSHIP AND SACRAMENTSExplanation of the PsalmsBy Mrs. John RussellProbably many of you boys and girlshave learned some of the Psalms of theBible. Could you answer some of thesequestions: (1) Have you always understoodthe words in the Psalm you havelearned? (2) Do you have a favoritePsalm? (3) Do you know one that willhelp you when sad, or one when happy?(4) Do the Psalms tell us about JesusChrist and salvation?The explanation of the Psalm is a partof the public devotional worship in ourchurch, usually coming toward the firstpart of the service. The minister will helpto answer some of the questions we haveabout the Psalms, and show us the depth ofmeaning and beauty in them. The childrenand young people and adults all can learn anew truth to help in their Christian lives ifthey give attention in this part of theservice. The Psalms need to be explainedbecause they cannot be seen or felt in alltheir power without it. Some of the wordsand sentences are different from what weare used to or are like word pictures of athought. We can think of the Psalms aswells of salvation out of which we maydraw water with joy, and this well is deep!This means that the Psalms are lasting andthe more familiar, or known to us, theybecome, the more they are loved!This part of the service leads into theother parts of worship, is short, and shouldcontain the main ideas, lessons, challengesfound in the Psalm. The minister will showhow the Psalms: speak of Christ andsalvation, speak of sorrow for sins, of hope,courage, of faith, of joy in knowing we areforgiven, of thanksgiving, of reverence inthe presence of our holy God.Many of you who regularly go tochurch on Sabbath mornings may notice12Himself that He is in the Psalms; they areChrist-centered. And yet some people saythere is not enough of Christ in them.Let's look up a few verses about theperson and work of Jesus listed in thePsalms.1. His divine nature — Ps. 45:6, Ps.110:1; 2. His being the Son of God — Ps.2:7; 3. His birth — Ps. 2:5, Ps.40:7; 4. As prophet — Ps. 40:9,10, Ps.22:22; 5. As priest — Ps. 110:4; 6. Asking — Ps. 45:6; 7. His betrayal — Ps.41:9; 8. His suffering in the Garden —Ps. 22:2,11,19; 9. His trial — Ps.35:11; 10. His rejection — Ps. 22:6, Ps.118:22; 11. Crucifixion— Ps. 22 and Ps.69; 12. Burial and resurrection — Ps.16:9-11; 13. Ascension — Ps.47:5; 14. Second Coming — Ps. 50:3-6.Places in the New Testament could begiven that show Christ or one of theapostles saying the same words found inthe Psalms. After His resurrection, Jesuswas explaining to His disciples why He hadto suffer and He said, "These are the wordswhich I spake unto you, while I was yetwith you, that all things must be fulfilledwhich were written in the law of Moses,and in the prophets, and in the Psalmsconcerning Me" (Luke 24:44,45). He meantthat all the words spoken of Him in the OldTestament and Psalms were true and hadalready, or would, come to pass.TO THE LEADER:1. Catechism questions — 1,4,5.2. Memory Psalms for Unit: Ps. 95, p. 231;Ps. 122, p. 316. Review.3. Sing in meeting: "The Guiding Psalm"— Ps. 25, p. 57, 3-6; "Prayer Psalm" — Ps.143, p. 347, 4,5; "Psalm of Love" — Ps. 103,p. 246 or p. 247; "Psalm of Salvation" — Ps.40, p. 102, 1-4; "Sabbath Psalm" — Ps. 118,p. 285, 17. (Leader can explain each Psalmbriefly.)4. Worship Verse — Romans 10:13 (writein notebook).5. "Worship Notebook" — a) Draw a smallpicture of Psalm book at top of page. HaveJuniors take to church and take mainthoughts and verses of Psalm the ministeruses for a Psalm explanation. Give outlinefor Juniors to follow and secure help ofparents in taking these notes, b) Labelone page: "The Shepherd Psalm" — 23rd.Cut out pictures of shepherd, staff, sheepto include. Leader can explain how this is apicture of Christ, our Saviour, and His carefor us. (If available, use "Taught of theLord," page 11, by Anna McKelvy to readbefore singing.) c) Pictures may be put innotebook to illustrate Ps. 8, 149, orothers, d) Ask each Junior to findpromise in the Psalms beginning with theinitials of his name. Label these "PersonalPromises" in notebook.6. Handwork — During this Unit we willbe talking about different "ships" in ourspiritual fleet of "ships." Make a small shipout of construction paper and label eachone. The first one is Wor-ship. Falseworship is a black pirate ship, but trueworship is a beautiful, fleet-winged vesselthat carries our thoughts to God and Hisblessings to us. In its cargo are found theBread of Life and perfume of prayer. On itsdeck is heard happy praise to God. Inorder to sail in this ship, we must worshipthe true God. Rev. 4:10,11. The Shipmasterof the whole spiritual fleet is Jesus,the captain of our salvation. Because He isthe bright and morning star, we call ourBible Fleet, the Bright Star Line. No otherline carries life boats. None other will takeyou safely to the heavenly harbor. Juniors,sail forth on the sea of life, ridingthe Biblefleet with Jesus at the helm! (See "Taughtof the Lord" — page 35) Set up ships ontable as a group project.7. Question: Can you tell of any Bible menor women singing Psalms?Prayer MeetingTopicFor April 14,1971PRAYER FOR THE NATIONBy Rev. G. M. Robb, D.D.Scripture: Psalm 147:12-20That our nation needs our prayers, whowould dispute? The space that is availablefor the prayer meeting comments could befilled with the simple naming of problemsthat have our statesmen walking the floor.With a disconcerting number of our majorproblems we appear to have given up anyhope of finding solutions: we are trying tolearn in a hurry how to live with them. Ifwe should ever have time to sit down andcatch our breath, we would do well to mullover those words of General DouglasMacArthur at the close of World War IIwhen he commented, "Our chief problemstoday are theological." Let us be remindedthat theology is "the study of the existence,COVENANTER WITNESS

attributes, and character of God, and ofHis laws and government."God's Word speaks to us with authorityin this present hour. It reminds us, inRomans 13:1, "There is no power, but ofGod." Israel's ancient Singer declares, inthe 20th Psalm, "Some trust in chariots,and some in horses: but we will rememberthe name of the Lord our God." Warningmen, in Isaiah 10:1, "Woe unto them thatdecree unrighteous decrees." God speaksto the rulers of men and nations in theSecond Psalm: "Be wise now therefore, Oye kings: be instructed, ye judges of theearth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoicewith trembling."In I Timothy 2:1,2, the Bible speaks tothe citizens of the nation concerning one oftheir highest duties as citizens: "I exhorttherefore, that, first of all, supplications,prayers, intercessions, and giving ofthanks, be made for all men; for kings, andfor all that are in authority." Whether ornot they actually are spending time inprayer for their nation, most men feel thatthe nation needs to be prayed for. TheBook of Common Prayer of the ProtestantEpiscopal Church lists, among otherthings, prayers for the President, theCongress, the State Legislatures, theCourts of Justice, the Army, the Navy,peace, and deliverance from our enemies.As citizens we will, of course, bemindful of the fact that in answer toprayer, God often works through people. Itis largely through the activities of peoplethat rulers are chosen, decisions are made,taxes are raised, laws are enacted, andproblems are resolved or enlarged. As wego to prayer we might ask ourselvesfrankly, the extent to which we would bewilling to make personal efforts andpersonal sacrifices in order that we mightbe instruments through whom God couldanswer our prayers for the nation. Howlong, for example, has it been since wehave written to any of our public officials,commending them for taking a courageousstand on moral issues?In our prayer time tonight let us prayfor:1. President Nixon: that he will begiven very great wisdom as our chiefexecutive; that he may be kept in healthand safety; and that he will keep his ownchannels of prayer open, as he fulfills thetremendous duties of his office. Pray alsofor the members of his Cabinet, and hisadvisers. Remember in prayer, too, thegovernor of your state and the officials ofyour locality.2. The Congress: that God will so workm the hearts of its members, that wise andnecessary legislation may be enacted; andthat in the midst of politics there may bemuch of statesmanship. Don't forget topray for your state legislature, countycommissioners, city council, etc.3. Our courts of justice at all levels:that our judges may be men of integrityand wisdom; and though they are subjectto human error and frailty, pray that theymay be given Divine guidance in theirdifficult assignments.4. Law enforcement officers who oftenare facing situations of gravest danger inorder that the rest of us might enjoy ameasure of safety, and freedom from fear.5. Those in our Armed Forces: manyof them have been drafted into the service;many are far from home; some are sorelytempted, many are bewildered, all are insituations of potential danger. How oftenthey are guarding with their own lives,those who are maligning them in their owncountry.6. Those at the grass-roots levels whoare wrestling with problems of pollution,drugs and liquor, the squandering of ourresources, the "New Morality," racialinjustices, grinding poverty, and "theinhumanity of man to man."7. Pray that our nation will turn fromits rampant Sabbath desecration; and willcome to regard the keeping of the Lord'sDay as a high privilege and a sacred duty.8. Pray that our Nation, in its nationallife, will come to recognize the limitationsof its wisdom and power; will "seek theLord while He may be found"; and willsoon come to recognize the authority andlaw of Jesus Christ, the Ruler andGovernor of Nations, in the Constitutionby which we are governed.9. Pray that God will, in grace and inmercy, send a mighty revival of religion toour land and to our people: one in whichmultitudes who know not the Lord, wallturn to Him; and one in which those whoalready profess to be His followers, willfollow Him more closely.UNITED PRAYER CONFERENCEPRAYER TOPICMay 9-16,1971GOD AND FAMILIES:WHAT'S THE RELATIONSHIP?Michelle MaineScripture: Psalm 128, Eph. 3:15According to Genesis, God said, "It isnot good that man should be alone." SoGod gave Adam a wife in marriage, andcommanded them to be fruitful, tomultiply and to replenish the earth. Thusthe first family on earth was established byGod. In order that children might grow uplearning to be God's servants. Goddelegated certain authority to parentswhom children are bound to obey.The humanists complain that this is theage of deterioration — of decay. They say."Respect for authority has disappeared. Allof our old mores and norms have beendisregarded and are now despised by ouryoung people." They say that the familystructureis crumbling all around them, andyet they fail to see any possible relationshipwhatsoever between the results obtained intheir family and their own lost condition.But for us whom Christ has redeemed, thetruth of God is so very self-evident. Or is it?Christian families have their share ofproblems. In fact Christian families areoften in worse shape than their humanisticcounterparts. However, our earthly familyis not the only family of which we are amember. Thank God for that. Parents andtheir children live under the promises anddemands of God's covenant. It is in Godthat families in truth exist. (Eph. 3:15) Infact, that is what our relationship is to God.We who love and obey Him are allmembers of his family, and in God's familythere is no room for the 'generation gap.'Unlike the authoritarian father whosechildren obey out of fear and secret hatred,or the permissive father who buys hischildren off with material possessions andexperiences, over and above all this is God,our heavenly Father, who loves us butexpects us to commit ourselves to Him,totally.If we are children of Christ,it should beas obvious to others as if we literally hadHis seal on our foreheads: our lives shouldbe that different from what we see aroundus. Just so, our relationship to Christwhether good or bad, will evidence itself inour own family relationship. In otherwords, there is a positive correlationbetween our relation to Christ and therelation to our own family. If the first bondis strong the latter will be strong also. Wemust first be one with Christ before ourfamily resembles the family of Psalm 128.Some questions to think about: How wallrebellion against God evidence itself in afamily? Have you ever shared with yourchildren how you became a Christian?How do parents disobey by becomingeither authoritarian or permissive? Or dothey?Prayer requests:Parents — prav that God would teach youhow to use the authority He has given you;pray that God would show you how Heexpects you to discipline your children;pray for your children individually.Young people — pray that God wouldreally show yon how to take on theresponsibility He has planned for you; praythat God would make you faithful inobedience; pray for each of your parentsand grandparents.MARCH 17, 1971 13

PRE-SYNODIC CONFERENCEFor Reformed PresbyterianMinisters and EldersTHEME: "The Kingdom of God"June 10-12,1971GENEVA COLLEGEHousing in air-conditioned apartments,with swimming pool. Time for informaldiscussion, relaxation and recreation.Sponsored by the Bible Department ofGeneva CollegePLAN NOW TO ATTEND!IOWA WOMEN'SPRESBYTERIAL TO MEETIowa Women's Presbyterial iscalled to meet at the WashingtonReformed Presbyterian Church onWednesday, April 14, 1971, at 9:10 A.M.Rev. James Pennington will be themissionary speaker afternoon andevening. Convention theme: "JesusChrist. . .the Way. . .the Truth. . .theLife."THE KANSAS AND COLORADOWOMEN'S PRESBYTERIALwill meet at the Quinter R.P. Church onApril 6 and 7, 1971.Convention Theme: Jehovah, OurCovenant God.Convention Psalm: Psalm 25:7-12Roll Call: A Bible verse on Covenants.Mrs. Waldo Stevenson,Presbyterial PresidentThe New York Women'sPresbyterial will meet in theColdenham, N.Y. Church on Wednesdayand Thursday, May 12 and 13,1971 for their annual meeting. Thespeaker for the Thursday night meetingis Mr. William Milliken, (brother of thepastor of our Newburgh congregation)who is working with the organization"Young Life" in New York City.ONTARIO! The place withsomething for everyone — such as morethan 130 inches of snow last winter!Which can only spell GREAT FISHINGfor Covenanters visiting Almonte thisyear. For materials and helps, inquirepromptly to the "Look-out and ReformCommittee", c/o Miss Jeanette Waddell,R.R. No. 2, Almonte, Ontario,CANADA.WALTON, NEW YORKOur fall communion was held, withRev. John McMillan of the Coldenhamcongregation as guest minister, on October23-25. He brought us four fine messages tomake us realize again our great privilege inbeing of the household of God. Wewelcomed the Richard Hafele family intothe congregation as Richard was receivedas a member and their three children werebaptized.Our fall thank offering meeting washeld, November 11. Following a nicedinner, Rev. Robert Henning, Secretary ofthe Board of Foreign Missions, spoke. Aquestion and answer period followed. TheGuild had on display handmade articles forthe Selma bazaar.On Thanksgiving Day a service ofpraise, thanksgiving, and meditation washeld, and the offering received was sent tothe World Relief Commission.On November 27, a Psalm sing washeld. Guests came from White LakeColdenham, Newburgh, Syracuse, Pittsburgh,and Philadelphia, as well as fromour own community.On December 12, the elders and theirwives were invited to the parsonage for awonderful dinner. Following this, theelders held their regular meeting and thewives visited.On December 19, our Christmas gettogetherwas held. Following a turkeydinner at noon we had devotions, whichincluded the Christmas story, recitationsby the younger Sabbath School classes,games, gifts, and candy. Hot dinners weretaken to the shut-ins at noon.Again this year, we had a Christmascard tree at the church. Members placeone card as their greeting to others in thecongregation. This year the money savedwas put into our fund for purchasing audiovisualequipment.The men sponsored a family night onDecember 30. Games were enjoyed,followed by refreshments.Some members have been hospitalized.Mrs. Wanda Thomson was confined to thehospital and then at home for some time,but we are happy that she is better and hasbeen able to travel to Florida. Mr. PaulLoker is now home from the hospital, but isstill somewhat restricted. Mrs. MildredHulbert was in for a few days and Mrs.Marilyn Russell for a ten-day stay followingsurgery. Mrs. Esther MacNaughton is alsohome after a two-weeks stay followingsurgery.We were happy to hear of the marriageof Miss Patricia Ann Phuffer to Mr. RobertMitchel on December 5. We wish them alife of happiness in serving our Lord.Over Christmas we also had plans madefor the establishment of two new homeswith the engagement of Miss BeverlyHenderson to Mr. Jack McCready andMiss Linda Anweiler to Mr. Bruce Henderson.Happiness is also a baby born to Mr.and Mrs. Ralph Henderson, Jr. on January9. Donald comes to join his sister and twinbrothers. Mrs. Henderson had receivedmany nice gifts at a shower on December28, at the home of Marilyn Russell.On December 26 several gathered atthe Thomas Henderson home for asnowmobile party. Many received the thrillof their first ride, while others watched.Itwas an enjoyable evening.We were sorry that the Mitchels missedour Christmas party, but we were happythat they were able to travel to Pennsylvania.On Sabbath they ministered inthe First Beaver Falls congregation. Intheir absence, Rev. William Smithpreached for us. Upon their return, theMitchels were presented a Christmas gift ofearthenware china and flatware by thecongregation.On the evenings of January 3, 6, and 10,our congregation met with the Christianand Missionary Alliance and the Assemblyof God congregations for the Week ofPrayer services. There was a good responseto the services and we enjoyed thefellowship of each other.Our annual congregational meeting washeld, January 23, following dinner at noon,put on by the deacons' wives. Mr. RobertLa Tourette was elected chairman andMrs. Mildred Hulbert, clerk. Our budgetwas set at $15,630, with $5,000 for Synod'sBudget. A raise in salary was also given toour pastor.DR. FARRA TO HEADGENEVA'S SPEECHDEPARTMENT AT BEGINNINGOF FALLTERMDr. William H. Russell, Dean ofGeneva College, has announced thepromotion of Dr. Harry E. Farra, Directorof Dramatics, to Chairman of theDepartment of Speech effective at thebeginning of the 1971-72 college term inSeptember.He will assume the duties of Dr. ArthurF. Fleser who has accepted the position ofDivision Chairman in the area of Speechand English starting with the opening of14 COVENANTER WITNESS

the fall term at Asbury College, Wilmore, Dr. Lee, Chairman of the DepartmentKentucky. Dr. Fleser, who has been amember of the Geneva faculty since 1961,of Economics and Business Administrationat Geneva College, is also a member ofpreviously was a member of the Asbury President Nixon's Consumer Advisoryfaculty from 1947 to 1956.Dr. Farra, who joined the Genevafaculty in the fall of 1962, received theCouncil, and the President's Commissionon International Trade and InvestmentPolicy.bachelor of arts degree from NorthwesternCollege, Minneapolis, Minnesota, thebachelor of divinity degree from BethelTheological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota,his master's degree from theUniversity of Minnesota, and his doctor ofphilosophy degree in speech from PennsylvaniaState University, State College,during December 1970 graduationceremonies. He also holds membership invarious professional organizations.He has a special interest in homiletics,the science of preaching, and several of hisarticles on religious drama have beenpublished in Christian periodicals. Afterintensive study of Geneva CollegeLibrary's .collection of more than 2,000works by the late Dr. Clarence E. Mc­Cartney, Dr. Farra edited a volume of hisunpublished sermons titled "Along Life'sCrowded Highways." It was published in1969 by Baker Book House and a secondvolume is due for publication this spring.Dr. Farra also is a frequent speaker in localchurches.Geneva's Bagpiper Theatre wasremodeled from a restaurant to the nowexisting intimate theatre under hissupervision where several Broadway "hits"and special plays for children have beenpresented by the college's "Frill andDagger" Drama Society under thedirection of Dr. Farra.His community interests have includedthe direction of plays for local communitytheatre groups.Dr. and Mrs. Farra, their daughterHeidi and son Kirk reside at 3524 CollegeAvenue, Beaver Falls.DR. STEWART M. LEENAMED TO TASK FORCEDr. Stewart M. Lee, Beaver Falls, hasbeen named by the Consumer Federationof America (CFA) to a nine-member taskforce to study the various internationaltrade bills now before Congress, and toguide in developing a consumer positionon world trade.In naming this task force in January the189-member group adopted the followingresolution: "CFA recognizes the mutualadvantages that can flow from increasedand equitable international trade and aremindful of the complexities surroundingthe varying aspects of any international•rade program."A VISIT WITHMrs. R. G. LeTourneauSome years ago a friend of oursdeveloped a very serious throat condition.A specialist prescribed medication but healso told her that she had to be completelysilent for six months. She was not allowedto speak at all — her vocal mechanism hadto have complete rest.Imagine such a situation for a womanwith a husband and six children. She did,however, cooperate. When she wanted tocall the children to come in she blew awhistle. If she wanted to give some instructionsor needed to answer questionsshe used a pencil and paper. She keptpaper and pencils available in variousplaces around the house.The six months passed and sherecovered. What do you think she saidafter that experience? This was it. First shesaid she was amazed what it did to thechildren — they became quieter — theywould respond at the first sound of herwhistle. She said, "I don't think I'll everholler again like I did before."What about the "notes" written tothe children and her husband? To this shereplied, "You'd be surprised how many ofthose notes, some hastily written when I'dgrab a pencil and write, were crumpled upand thrown into the waste basket before Igave them to anyone to read." She added,"I don't thinkI'll ever talk as much nor asloudly again. 'Seeing,' or you might evensay 'hearing' my own words before anyoneelse heard them had an effect which I donot think I can ever forget."NowWHENCE THE CLOUD?A professor at a large universitymade no secret of the fact that he was anagnostic. Moreover, he boasted of hisphilosophy whenever opportunity to do socame his way.He would tell his students, "If youdon't throw aside your faith in God, andact in your own knowledge and strength,you'll not get very far in this world."One day, during a class, the matter of"rain-making" entered the discussion, sothe professor inquired hypothetically:"What help was faith in God duringthe recent drought? A lot of farmers gotdown on their knees and asked God forrain. What did they get in answer to theirprayers? The Dust Bowl! Do you knowwhat they should have done? They shouldhave sought help from science. Send a man"up in a plane, drop some chemicals on acloud and you get rain. No need of Godthere! Any questions?""Yes, I have a question," replied oneof the students, "Who furnishes the cloud,if not God?"—The PilgrimNEW ADDRESSRev. Philip Martin72 Gates AvenueMontclair, New Jersey 07042CONVERSION —NECESSARY FOR ALLOn one occasion H. P. Barker washaving some Gospel meetings in a soapmanufacturing area and the manager ofone of the factories who was a fineChristian man, asked himif he would liketo see over his soap factory. Mr. Barkersaid he would be delighted. So at theappointed hour, he went to the soapfactory, was met by the manager and hadthe processes of the soap explained to himas they moved round the establishment.First the manager took him to a number ofvats filled with evil-smelling fats, and Mr.Barker was glad when they moved on asthe stench was most unpleasant. Aftergoing round the various departments of thefactory and explaining everything to hisvisitor the manager had a lovely box oftoilet-soap brought and presented to Mr.Barker, saying, "The beautiful, useful,fragrant soap contained in this box wasmade from the evil-smelling fats you saw inthose vats at the beginning of our tourround the factory."That night, H. P. Barker preached on"Conversion" and used the illustration ofthe conversion of the fats into fragrantsoap by means of a process known to thetrade.Next day he received a letter fromone who had attended the meeting and hadheard his illustration. The writer said thathe too was manager of a soap-factory andinvited Mr. Barker to come and visit it, forsaid he, "we do not use evil smelling tatsbut only the finest sweet-smelling oils forthe manufacture of our soaps." Mr. Barkerwrote thanking him but assuring him that asecond visit to a soap factory was unnecessary."For," said he, "whether the materialbe bad-smelling fats or pleasant, sweet oils,it needs to be converted before it canbecome fragrant useful soap."—The BulwarkMARCH 17, 1971 15

pic de VimgoyofCMutir/eneva College was named for the "French" city of Geneva, Switzerland, where the Swiss Reformers discoveredjoie de vivre through hearing and obeying the Word of God. Joie de vivre! Une petite formule qui exprime le dele plus profond de I'hotnme. On a essaye de nombreuses philosophies de vie pour atteindre la joie de vivre. Aucud'elles n'a produit une satisfaction qui dure. Joie de vivre! A small phrase which expresses the deep desire of maMan has sought it in different ways, but without God he has failed. Geneva College believes God has provided forjoie de vivre through Jesus Christ.It seeks to aid youngpeople in finding this inner reality and developingChristian principles for living. Through a strong liberalarts program integrated with the Word of God, eachstudent is not only prepared for a meaningful vocationbut becomes aware of the world and his response to it.Would you like to share Geneva's joie de vivre?Geneva CollegeYes, tell me more about joie de vivre at Geneva College.Please send me a catalogue application form.nameaddresscityyear of high school graduationReturn to:ADMISSIONS, Genevastate/provincezip/zoneBOX A 100College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 15010

Q JL^ML*Kir-VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 12 MARCH 24. 1971 STERLING KANSAS t,75"9BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL IN.1^~1* r - r-fcS MURAL BRIDGEBRYC1 CWYOS \-\TIO\M PARKt nion Pacific Railroad PhotoThis IssueRparlpr Snrupu

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER C^j^^>T EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introducttoryoffer—$1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.READER SURVEYReaders of the Covenanter Witness are urged tomake use of the enclosed survey which has beenauthorized by the Board of Education and Publication.You are asked to complete the form and mail in the enclosedenvelope as soon as possible. Your assistance willbe most helpful. Thank you.TRUST GOD A ND WLN SOULSWhen we were leaving Liverpool after my father'sdeath, I went with my mother, as she wished to bid "goodbye"to Dr. McNeile. As we were leaving my mothermentioned that I was to be ordained before long. "Oh," hesaid, "I wish I had known that." Then, coming near to me,he laid his hand upon my shoulder, and he said, "At firstyou will think that you can do everything, then you will betempted to think that you can do nothing; but don't letyourself be cast down. You will learn that you can do whatGod has for you to do."—Bishop Boyd Carpenter.This Week's WitnessWhere True Prayer Is Found. .3Glimpses of the Religious World. . . 4The Ethics of Evangelism. . . .bBible Reading and Prayer In The Public Schools 7A Bible Alphabet. .9Dr. Peoples' War Experiences 10Lesson Helps. 11Church News. . . 14WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.preserve the purity of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andThe Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theFaith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Lord Jesus Christ.Salvation by Grace.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The Gospel Call and Election.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and thatit is notThe Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.to be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenThe duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asas the destiny of the saved.King of Kings and Lord of Lords.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believeThat Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.in Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allThe Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church. governmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That terms of membership or communion are essential to the That the Covenants of the past are still binding.2 welfare of the Church.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. TweedCOVENANTER WITNESS

Where True Prayer Is Found(From a sermon by C. H. Spurgeon)"Therefore hath Thy servant found in his heart topray this prayer unto Thee" (2 Samuel 7:27).First, prayer in the heart proves that the heart isrenewed. True prayer dwells not in a dead, corrupt, stonyheart. If thou findest in thy heart to pray unto God thouhast assuredly been born again. "Behold, he prayeth," isone of the first and one of the surest marks of the newbirth. The faintest movement of the pulse proves that lifestill remains in a drowning man, and though prayer beweak, feeble, fragmentary, yet if it be there at all the soullives unto God. Though to your apprehension your prayeris so poor and broken and unworthy that it cannot beaccepted, yet the desire of the soul towards God is anindex of spiritual life most hopeful and instructive. Havehope as long as you can pray, for none who praybelievingly, in the name of Jesus, can ever be cast intohell. He whom faith in Jesus has taught to cry to God shallnever hear Him say, "Depart, ye cursed," for hath not theLord said, "Whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lordshall be saved?" Be glad, therefore, if you find it in yourheart to pray, for it proves that the root of the matter is inyou.Prayer is also the index of a spiritual heart. David satin his house of cedar: it was costly and carved with greatart, but it did not draw his mind away from God. It has toooften happened that prospering professors have becomeproud professors, and have forgotten God. When theywere poor they associated with Christian brethren, whomthey felt pleasure in recognizing, but now they have gottena large estate they no longer know the poor people ofGod, and they spend their Sabbaths where they can meetwith a little "society," and move among their "equals" asthey call them, they being themselves so very muchsuperior to the holy men and women whom once they hadin honor. Such folks become high and mighty likeNebuchadnezzar, and as they walk their grounds or sit intheir painted chambers they say, "Behold this greatBabylon which I have builded." A "self-made man," risenfrom the ranks, comes to have a name like the name of thegreat men that are upon the face of the earth: is not thissomething? Oftentimes hath it happened that these thingshave turned away the hearts of professors from the Godwho loaded them with benefits.It was not so with David.In his cedar palace he foundit in his heart to pray. The more he had the more he lovedhis God; the more he received the more he desired torender unto the Lord for His benefits. Plants when theyare pot-bound become poor weak things, and so do men'shearts when they are earthbound, doting upon theirriches. As a traveler findsit hard to move when his feetstick in the mud of a miry way, so do some men makesmall progress heavenward because they are hindered bytheir own wealth. Happy is that man who has riches butdoes not suffer riches to have him: who uses wealth anddoes not abuse it by idolizing it, but seasons all with theword of God and prayer.Now, secondly, it is pleasant to be able to see howthe prayer came into the heart. "I find it in my heart," sayDavid. Well, David, how did it come there? I answer, as hedid not, that any true prayer which is found in the humanheart comes there by the Holy Spirit. If there be anythingexcellent in us, even if it be only a desire to pray acceptably,it is of the Holy Spirit's creation, and unto Himbe all the praise. But the way in which the Spirit operatesupon us is somewhat in this fashion. First of all He puts thepromise into the Word of God. David tells us very plainlythat it was because God had revealed such and suchpromises that therefore saith he, "hath thy servant foundin his heart to pray this prayer unto Thee." The Lord givesthe promise, and that becomes the parent of our prayer.For first there are some mercies we should never havethought of praying for if He had not promised them. Theywould never have suggested themselves to us, and weshould not have known our need of them unless the supplyhad taught us, and the promise of God Himself incited usto the desire.What does praying a prayer mean? It means, first,that you present it to God with fervency. Pray as if youmeant it; throw your whole soul into the petition. Entreatthe Lord with tears and cries. If you do not prevail at first,yet come to Him importunately again and again with theresolve that since He has written the prayer in your heartyou will take no denial.Pray also spiritually, for the text saith, "I have founit in my heart to pray this prayer unto Thee." It is of no usepraying to yourself or to the four walls of your room.Some persons even pray to those who are around them,like the preacher of whose prayer the remark was madethat "it was one of the finest prayers that ever waspresented to a Boston audience." I am afraid manyprayers are presented to audiences rather than to God.This should not be. Moreover, when you find a prayer inyour heart do not talk it over nor say to another, "I feelsuch and such a desire" — but go and pourit out beforeGod; speakit into the divine ear, realize that God is thereas distinctly as if you could see Him, for that is the way tomake a proper use of the prayer which is in your heart.And do so promptly. Let promptitude mark yourprayer as it did that of David. He did not wait a week ortwo after he had obtained the promise; he went straightaway and sat down before the Lord, began to plead thedivine word, and said, "Do as Thou has said." He foundthe petition in his heart, and before it could lose its wayagain he brought it before God. He was studying his soul,and as he observed its movements he saw a prayer lift upits head. "Ah." said he, "I will seize it," and he held it fastand presented it before God, and so obtained a blessing.MARCH 24, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014EVOLUTIONARY THEORY: ITS STANDLNG TODAYI once had a university professor who said, "It takesa generation to get a new idea into our university — andanother to get it into elementary and secondary schools."His reasoning was that students in graduate schools tendto hold with their mentors, and are unwilling to concedethe validity of a new idea of a rival professor. Hence, theyspend a lifetime of resistance. Then, if the new idea cansurvive that generation it has a chance. Most scientistswho hold evolution as a valid explanation of the world aswe know it, would doubtless say, "Of course, no onebelieves in evolution as Darwin proposed it." Yet, thevariations or qualifications suggested do not touch thebasic divergence of the theory from the understanding ofthe creationist.Garret Vanderkool, Assistant Professor at theInstitute for Enzyme Research, University of Wisconsin(writing in the Banner), says, "The theory of evolution hasbeen in existence and more or less accepted for more thana hundred years. A large body of circumstantial evidence,much of which was available to Darwin already a centuryago, is explained by it. This includes such things as thefossil record, similarities in form among animals andplants, and the geographical distribution of animals andplants. . . .". . . As we all know, the theory offers a naturalisticalternative to the creation account contained in the Bible,and this is considered to be a highly desirable thing bythose who do not want to recognize the Creator. Theproponents of evolution have done such an effective jobof propagandizing this religious theory, in the name ofempirical science, that some formerly orthodoxtheologians are revising their interpretation of the Bible tomake room for it."From the scientific point of view, evolution mayhave been a plausible hypothesis in Darwin's day, but ithas now become untenable, as a result of fairly recentdevelopments in molecular biology."Vanderkool then cites Dr. D. E. Green and Dr. R. F.Goldberger, Molecular Lnsights into the Living Process,published by Academic Press, "As a prime example" ofthe scientific literature, questioning even the probabilityof evolution being an acceptable explanation: "There isone step (in evolution) that far outweighs the others inenormity: the step from macromolecules to cells ... ajump of fantastic dimensions ... In this area all is conjecture."How long will it be before a docile belief inevolution will cease to be necessary for academicrespectability?RELATED "EVOLUTION" NOTESIn Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resourceshas refused to make changes in their film, "For You4Naturally," which drew objections for its references to theearth as being millions of years old.Mississippi's law against teaching evolution in thepublic schools has been overturned by the State SupremeCourt. This is the last of such state laws in the country.The "Carbon-14" system of dating antiquarianmaterials has been declared untrustworthy as reports arecoming "thick and fast" from various countries in whichsome scientists judge it to be in obvious error. (Theseitems from EP)LETTER ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF A GIFTThe American Tobacco Co.245 Park AvenueNew York, N.Y. 10012I received the gift box of Silva THINS FilterCigarettes.Much as I dislike destroying the work that humanlabor has produced, (I don't smoke) I dislike it even lessthan to pass on to someone else, something that is not onlynot beneficial, but is positively harmful. Therefore, I havedestroyed these two packs of cigarettes.If you are interested at all in the welfare of ourcountry, you will at least cease trying to promote the useof the nation's resources for polluting the air that the nonsmokermust breathe, for creating fire hazards, forproducing ashes and charred butts to mess up our landscape,besides injuring the health of the user of yourproduct.Sincerely yours,Lester E. KilpatrickP.S. This is an "open letter."GROWTH IN PRAYEREast Asia Millions carries a report of a missionary inThailand, among the Lisu. "Prayer is yet a bitmaterialistic. One after another these new believers askthe Lord to keep the pigs and chickens from dying and toprotect everyone from sickness. But a couple of weeks agoAloo prayed, 'Lord, give us hearts like Yours — straightand true.' That's growth."GET McINTIRENot all the reported difficulties in which CarlMclntire finds himself can be brushed off as injusticewhich he imagines. When his efforts at getting a hearingfor a radio station, for Shelton College, for permission tohold rallies are met with obviously discriminatorytreatment, his ecclesiastical enemies may find'enlargement and deliverance arise . . . from anotherplace," for Mclntire, as did Jeremiah, from "the princesand all the people," while the "priests and the prophets"(26:16) were silenced.COVENANTERWITNESS

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COVENANTER WITNESS READER SURVEYI. READER ANALYSIS (circle the appropriate letter in right-hand column)1. Age: a. under 25 b. 25 to 50 c. over 50 a b c2. Sex: a. male b. female a b3. Area in which you live: a. East b. Midwest c. West d. Southe. Canada f. British Isles g. other abedk. Type of community: a. rural b. suburban c. urban a b c5. Education beyond high school: a. yes b. no a b6. Vocational status: a. self-employed b. employee c. retiredd. student e. homemaker f. other abed7. Circle from the list below what most accurately describes1) your present position OR2) the vocation for which you are presently training OR3) the vocation from which you have retireda. educator f. legal or political position a b cb. pastor or religious worker g. laborer f g hc. medicine (doctor or nurse) h. office worker or salesmand. businessman i. Armed Servicee. farmer (operates own farm) j. other:8. Relationship to the Reformed Presbyterian Church:a. member (active) b. member (inactive or out of bounds)c. adherent d. other abedLength of membership: (if applicable)a. under 5 years b. 5 to 20 years c. over 20 years . ... . . a b c9. Frequency with which you read The Witness;a. regularly b. occasionally c. very infrequently a b cII. READERSHIP EVALUATION OF THE WITNESS POLICIES10. Do you believe the present subscription rate is:a. too low b. realistic c. too high abc11. Do you favor:a. the present weekly paper with the same appearanceb. a weekly with substantial change in appearance(necessitating rise in subscription costs)c. a bi-weekly with improvements in appearance and more selectivecontent (at the same present cost)d other (describe here if you wish)abed

III. Indicate by circling the proper letter how regularly and thoroughly you readeach of the current features of The Witness listed below:a. indicates regular and thorough readingb. indicates frequent scanningc. indicates infrequent reading or less12. editorials a b c 1?. mission news. ..... a b c13. sermons a b c 18. women's page a b clk. essays a b c 19. denominational news. . .a b c15. youth page a b c 20. general religious news..a b c16. S. School topic. . a b c 21. Prayer meeting topic, . a b cIV. Using the list of features below, circle the letter that indicates how yourate them for timeliness and readability for general church public:a. excellent b. good c. average d. below average e. poor22. editorials abode 27. mission news a b c d e23. sermons a b c d e 28. women's page. abode2k. essays. . . ... .abode 29. denominational news. . .a b c d e25. youth page a b c d e 30. general religious news, a b c d e26. S. School topic. . a b c d e 31. Prayer meeting topic. . abodeV. Again using the list given below circle the letter that indicates how youevaluate the amount of space given to the features:a. too much b. too little c. adequate32. editorials a b c 37. mission news a b c33. sermons a b c 38. women's page a b c34. essays a b c 39. denominational news. . .a b c35. youth page. . , . .a b c kO. general religious news, a b c36. S, School topic. . a b c kl. Prayer meeting topic. . a b cVI. Using the list of topics below, indicate your evaluation of their presentemphasis in The Witness:a. overemphasized b. adequately emphasized c. underemphasized42. evangelism. . . . a b c k8. stewardship. . . . a b c 5^. ecumenism.a b ckj. Reformed Theology.a b c 49. Kingship of Christ.a b c 55. drugs. . .a b ckk. social action. . .a b c 50. Christian Education,ab c 56. poetry. . a b c45. sex and marriage..a b c 51. book reviews. . . .a b c 57. Modernism.a b ck6. Distinctives. . . a b c 52. choosing vocations.a b ck7. Bible Study. . . .a b c 53. temperance a b cVII. Further Evaluations58. Do you favor:a. the present style of reporting church news ORb. the printing of briefer and more current church news with featurearticles and pictures59. Do you favor:a. fewer pictures b. more pictures c. the current amount a b c60. Do you favor:a. continued publication of the study topics (WMS, S.S., Youth, PrayerMeeting) in the pages of The. Witness ORb. publication of these aids under separate cover(s) OR^ c. discontinuing the publication of some or all of these aids. . . . a b cList those you would discontinue (if applicable):a b

The Ethics of EvangelismRev. Donald WeilersbacherPastor of San Diego R. P. ChurchFrom last weekDuty of EvangelismHowever, even though evangelism may be importantand have eternal effects, the case for evangelism can notbe established merely by a discussion of values. Theimportance of evangelism must be reinforced by introducingthe duty of evangelism..Duty consists of "action required by one's occupationor position, proper behavior toward a superiorperson, and obedience to someone respected." The dutyto evangelize lies primarily on the Church. MartinMonsma asserts:... the work of evangelism in its more purposeful andorganized form is definitely the prerogative, the privilege,and duty of the instituted or organized church.Neighborhood visitation evangelism is a work of the localcongregation. It should be done by having the pastor andlay groups work together. If the Church is unconcerned,the individual must take up the task — with or withoutorganized support.Man's duty results from God's total claim on the lifeof man. Who created man? Who redeemed man? No areaof life can be excluded from God's total claim. Comparingoneself with another does not reduce man's duty. Nor cangood intentions substitute for the performance of duty.Carl F. H. Henry defines "sanction" as:. . .an objective consideration, implicit or explicit,which enforces a moral imperative upon the agentfrom outside him.He further elaborates and says,Sanction for ethical conduct includes such considerationsas the nature of God, the Divine promiseof reward, the Divine threat of punishment orcoming judgment, the love of God, and gratitude forprovision of redemption.Jesus said:All authority hath been given unto me in heaven andon earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of allthe nations, baptizing them into the name of theFather and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:teaching them to observe all things whatsoever Icommanded you (Matt. 28:18-20).The apostle John wrote:Hereby know we love, because he laid down his lifefor us: and we ought to lay down our lives for thebrethren (I John 3:16).... he that saith he abideth in him ought himself alsoto walk even as he walked (I John 2:6).Paul wrote, "Ye are bought with a price." Likewise thePsalmist had said, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so"(Ps. 107:2a).How, therefore, can the Christian avoid being awareof his own duty or moral obligation to evangelize? Accordingto the recently cited verses, God's total claim onHis chosen ones naturally follows Christ's command,Christ's example, Christ's atonement, and the believer'sprofession of Christ. Furthermore, the Scriptures seem toteach that individual responsibility increases according topersonal knowledge, and the time elapsed since oneaccepted Christ.. . .to whomsoever much is given, of him shall muchbe required . . (Lk. 12:48b).For when by reason of the time ye ought to beteachers, ye have need again that some one teachyou the rudiments of the first principles of theoracles of God; and are become such as have need ofmilk, and not of solid food (Heb. 5:12).DESIRE FOR E VANGELISMNevertheless, having examined the Scripturesconcerning the value and duty of evangelism, there can beno evangelism without personal desire for it. If there isabsolutely no desire to evangelize, then perhaps there hasnever been a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Onemust admit that the non-Christian does not burn to seesouls brought into a saving relationship with their Lord.Therefore, before discussing the desire for evangelism, thewriter assumes that the reader himself has found life inJesus Christ.What is a desire or motive, but "a subjective reasonfor obedience."? That is, a motive implies an inwardlydynamic self-regulating principle. According to Carl F. H.Henry,Motives for ethical obedience may include fear ofpunishment or of God, or desire for future or presentreward, or love of the good for its own sake, or lovefor God, or imitation of Christ, or gratitude for God'smercies.The apostle John wrote that the Christian loves Godbecause God first loved him. Yet even before love,gratitude must fill the heart.Not anv desire or motivation is good enough toevangelize. Some people believe that "where there's a will— there's a way." This is untrue. Wrong motives comefrom sin or ignorance. Such motives may be characterizedby a feeling of pride or a morbid fear of the wordevangelism. In either situation Satan will always capitalizeupon the occasion.MARCH 24, 1971 -i

Proper motives have their source in God. Therefore,anyone who is out of fellowship with his Lord, can hardlyhave the correct motives for evangelizing. In reviewingwhat has already been said, one may discover that propermotives are characterized by a Scriptural value priorityclaim, a clear understanding of personal duty, a harmoniousagreement of duty and value, and culminated bypersonal gratitude toward one's own Savior and Lord.Naturally, such a balance is never permanently attained,but through God's grace it can become a daily growingreality.POWER TO EVANGELIZENow being conscious of the value, the duty, andone's personal desire for evangelism, God must be soughtfor the power to evangelize. Without having poweravailable to perform this task, then it would cease to besubject to ethical consideration — for according to thescope of ethics, no decision can be morally binding unlessthere exists power to accomplish that desire.God has ordained, however, that the Scripturesprovide the wisdom and vision which are prerequisitesbefore an attempt to win others for Christ. Of themultitudinous number of proof texts to which one mightrefer, perhaps a simple and initial start would be Proverbs2:1-6. If the reader will open his Bible to this passage, hemay encounter some guiding principles.Prayer has also been ordained to purify andstrengthen the believer. Even though one may be veryyoung in the faith and without the knowledge of manyScripture verses, still, through a consecrated prayer lifeGod can use him to lead others to Christ.Although the study of the Scriptures and a life ofprayer are appointed channels to receive divine power, noone can substitute theory for practice. Who will deny thatthere is no substitute for experience? No matter where orwhen one may begin, he must begin. Every Christian iscapable of leading another person to Christ. He may needsomeone to strengthen him by instruction and to lead himthrough practical experience, but even without these Hecan begin now to witness. Furthermore, one's message isfar more important than his method of presentation. Manyuneducated people have surpassed in usefulness theirwell-educated counterparts who spend all their time intheological discussions. Nevertheless, perhaps thefollowing summary of the apostle Paul's method will provehelpful:1. He began with the lost on their own level.2. He won their confidence and esteem.3. He dealt frankly and honestly with sin.4. He held up the crucified Christ as the only Savior.5. He demanded true repentance and faith as theonly condition of salvation.6. He refused to be discouraged, never giving up nomatter how great the difficulties, and rejoicing inevery indication of success.7. He carefully organized and taught those who wereconverted, to the end that they might form the truechurch of God and again be a witness to others (DH. Walters) ' "6PROBLEMS TO OVERCOMEFinally, there are problems to overcome. First,consider the difficulty of doctrinal misunderstanding.Oftentimes people confuse predestination with fatalism.Therefore, anyone who is thus confused may assert thatsince God has ordained all those circumstances which willlead to the calling out of His elect, why should one attemptto accomplish anything? Herein, there existsconfusion because free will has not been given its properplace. If predestination were one side of a coin and freewill the other, one would be able to see either side as beingrecognizable, but only one side at a time. However, if thecoin were twirled, the apparent discrepancy would be lostin the beauty of one unified vision. We must rememberthat the same God who commands us to do something alsoworks in us to enable us to desire to obey.Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed,not as in my presence only, but now much more inmy absence, work out your own salvation with fearand trembling. For it is God which worketh in youboth to will and to do of his good pleasure.(Philippians 2:12,13).An even greater problem arises when one assumeshis own self-sufficiency to evangelize. It does not logicallyfollow that if one receives a great Christian heritage fromhis forefathers, and that he asserts that he himself believesthe same things as his forefathers, that he will do the workor deeds of his Christian forefathers. In other words,similar doctrinal assertions are not the same as similarpractical applications of the same doctrinal assertions.How often have Christians refrained from attemptingto do something because of a fear of failure?Rather than give a long and detailed discussion, perhapsthe following excerpt will help. Herein the author directsus to be "looking unto Jesus":. . .and not at the obstacles which meet us in the path.As soon as we stop to consider them, they amaze us,they confuse us, they overwhelm us, incapable as weare of understanding either the reason why they arepermitted, or the means by which we may overcomethem.Of course, the final problem which must be overcomeis lack of experience. While the simplest to explain,it is the hardest to perform. Just start! There is no otherway to conquer this problem.Having covered such a vast territory, how may it besummarized? Essentially, one finds that evangelism is aproblem of Christian ethics. As such it has a correspondingvalue, duty, desire, and power for accomplishing it.The value of evangelism is seen primarily in the will ofGod. However, one's personal attitude toward the value ofevangelism is conditioned by his world view, valuepriority, general and specific vocation, and conscience.The duty to evangelize primarily lies within theorganized Church — although the individual must alwaysuphold his responsibility. The source of this duty is God'stotal claim on the life of the believer. The duty must beupheld by personal desire or motivation. There can existboth wrong and proper motives for evangelizing. , ,.COVENANTER WITNESS

Finally, nothing can be accomplished without thepower which God provides through the Scriptures, prayer,and actual practice in witnessing. Therefore, through theproper union of value, duty, desire, and power —evangelism is not only possible, but inevitable. This inreality is the will of God which glorifies His Name and inturn increases our enjoyment of Him.After having said so much, in order to make apersonal application of this theme, one must refer to theScriptures. Taking the occasion on which Christ taughtHis disciples to be personal examples for other people,this quotation seems most appropriate:If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ve do them(John 13:17). .. .Bible Reading And PrayerIn The Public SchoolRev. GlenPastor of Santa AnaThis is a subject that most everyone has strongfeelings about, either pro or con.Senators Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania, HowardBaker, Jr., of Tennessee, and Representative John Pastoreof Rhode Island indicated late last year that they wouldintroduce into the 92nd Congress bills on the Bible readingand prayer issue in public schools, similar to the oneintroduced by Senator Everett Dirksen before his death.Consider with me the history of this issue briefly before wedig deeper into the debate raging around the SupremeCourt rulings of the past ten years.Before the Constitutional Convention and the FirstAmendment, the schools which existed in the 13 originalstates taught religion as evidenced by the curricula andtextbooks of the time. This included the established publicschools as well as schools in New England where a statechurch continued until the 1830's. (Dr. Robert Ulich;Harvard Graduate School of Education Assoc. Bulletin,X, Summer 1965 pp. 2-6)The McGuffey Eclectic Readers, which were thedominating core of the U.S. school curriculum for almost100 years, gave further evidence of religion being taught inthe public schools even up until 1925, when 122 million ofthem had been sold and almost universally used. In factMcGuffey was founder of the Ohio public or statecommon school system and found nothing inconsistentwith using his readers which had many references toprayer and God and also encouragements to pray. (TheBasic Everyday Encyclopedia; Random House 1954, p.341)It has only been in the last generation that most ofthe objection has come against the Bible and prayer in theschools for religious use. To be sure the problem graduallyarose earlier through intolerance of the clergy in regard todifferent interpretations of the Gospel, the growingnumber of immigrants of different faiths, including non-Christian faiths, the growth of humanism, of atheism, ofrelativistic philosophies, and of new scientific theoriessuch as Darwinism. (Dr. Robert Ulich; op. cite p. 2-6)In the first of two Supreme Court decisions therecitation of the New York Regents Prayer was declaredunconstitutional in 1962. In the second decision on theMurray-Schempp cases religious prayer and reading of theMARCH 24, 1971n McFarlandCalifornia R. P. ChurchBible, with permission for objectors to be excused fromthese devotional services, was declared unconstitutionalby the court in 1963. In this latter case the door was leftopen for the limited use of the Bible only in the publicschools when not in connection with a religious service ordevotions. The Court said, "The Bible is worthy of studyfor its literary and historic qualities. Nothing we have saidhere indicates that such study of the Bible or religion,when presented objectively as a part of a secular programof education, may not be effected consistent with the FirstAmendment." (Congressional Digest Nov. 1964)Since our subject is not just the devotional orreligious use of the Bible in the public schools, let mereport on some ways that the public schools are implementingthis permitting clause of the 1963 SupremeCourt's Decision. Many teachers and school boards aredevising their own ways and means to do the job.Teaching the Bible as literature has perhaps won morefavor than any other. In Indiana, almost two thirds of thepublic schools use the Bible in their literature classes anda course in Biblical literature is an authorized elective forhigh school students. In Georgia, too, most teachers wereincluding the Bible as a text in literature courses in 1965.Teachers of history are making similar efforts, suchas in California where public school teachers are requiredto include in their courses appropriate study of the role ofreligion in the story of mankind.Sociology offers another field to study religion's rolein human affairs. In New York schools the sociologyclasses are divided into small discussion groups, withProtestant, Catholic, and Jewish students asked to explaintheir own faiths. (Clarence W. Hall; Reader's Digest,February 1965)More recently the California State Board ofEducation left the door open for the Bible explanation ofcreation to be studied in the science classes of theirelementary schools. The Board did this on the basis thatthe accounts of science in the Bible are every bit asscientific as evidence of evolution, since you have to havefaith to believe either explanation. (National Observer;Jan. 5, 1970; Roy H. Copperud)Though many persons are satisfied with theSupreme Court's Decision, including many church

leaders, the relegating of the Bible to "secular" use in theschool while denying its religious use, along with prayer,has many opponents. Their opposition centers in thefallacy that we can divorce the religious from theeducational spheres in our educational system. The truthis that man is a whole and cannot be bisected as thoughthe physical earthly things of life and the spiritual religiouslife can be squeezed into watertight compartments whichwill not affect one another. No true teacher can besatisfied with this impossible task of simply being an instructorof skills and knowledge. Rather he will desire hischarges to learn about the meaning of the subjects of thecurriculum within the larger meaning of human existence,(and I personally believe if he's a Christian within themeaning of God's purpose for man). Only this will keepthe schools from becoming more and more godless institutionsand the nation the same. (Dr. Robert Ulich; opcite pp. 2-6)This opposition to the Supreme Court's Decision isin the spirit of Washington's and Jefferson's statementsabout the place of religion in keeping America free.Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independencewrote, "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can theliberties of a nation be secure when we have removed theconviction that these liberties are the gift of God?"George Washington in his Farewell Address warned usthat only "with caution indulge the supposition thatmorality can be maintained without religion." {Today'sEducation: Dec. 1969; "Teaching about Religion in thePublic Schools")Opposition to the Supreme Court's Decision againstreligious reading of the Bible and voluntary prayer alsocame from Constitutional scholars. Some of these scholarsbelieve the Court was in error in its interpretation of theFirst Amendment upon which its decision rested. TheFirst Amendment states, "Congress shall make no lawrespecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting thefree exercise thereof." By reading into the First Amendment'sprohibition of "any law respecting an establishmentof religion" much more than its authors intended, theCourt had in effect "amended the amendment — not onlyusurping powers belonging to lawmaking bodies butarrogating to itself decisions traditionally left to local andstate school authorities.""By forbidding Bible reading and prayer, as well asany and all "religious exercises," the Court had, in thewords of Princeton's Prof. Edward S. Corwin, a leadingauthority on Constitutional law, "itself promulgated a lawprohibiting the free exercise of religion." Bypronouncing, for the first time in American history, theabsolutist dogma that as between religion and irreligion"the state is firmly committed to a position of neutrality,"the Court was, in the words of the late Episcopal BishopJames A. Pike, "establishing by judicial fiat a religion ofsecularism." This is surely a doctrine foreign to a landwhose founders regarded religion as the bulwark of thestate, who saw themselves accountable to "the SupremeJudge of the world," and whose citizens' rights to freedomand self-rule were "endowed by their Creator."8Further criticizing the Court's decree, Erwin N.Griswold, dean of the Harvard Law School, said, "This is aChristian country, in origin, history, tradition, and culture.It was out of Christian doctrine and ethics that itdeveloped its notion of toleration. The Muslim who comeshere may worship as he pleases, and may hold publicoffice without discrimination. But why should it followthat he can require others to give up their Christiantradition merely because he is a tolerated and welcomemember of the community?" (Clarence W. Hall op cite)Another Constitutional scholar, L. Brent Bozell,objected to the Court's interpretation of the FirstAmendment in his book The Warren Revolution. Hewrote: "If the construction of the clause advanced in theSchempp-Murray Decision is accepted as 'settled' law, nodefensible barrier remains to the total secularization ofAmerican public life by judicial order. If the States, aswell as Congress must observe a "high and impregnable . ..wall of separation between state and church," in thelanguage of the Everson and McCollum Decision, or a"strict neutrality" as in the language of the Schempp-Murray Decision, then every public action affectingreligious interests constitutes a prima facia case of unconstitutionality."(L. Brent Bozell, Arlington House, 1966p. 78) We shouldn't be surprised that some day on thissame reasoning the Court may proceed to order theremoval of God's name from coins, public anthems, andthe pledge of allegiance, and also chaplains from the jailsand the armed services. Mr. Bozell went on to write, "Dowe exaggerate? Consider the formulation the Court announcedin the Schempp-Murray Decision for applying its'neutrality' principle to concrete cases. (Quote "The testmay be stated as follows: to withstand the strictures of theEstablishment Clause, there must be a secular legislativepurpose, and a primary effect that neither advances norinhibits religion") It can be illustrated by the public schoolteacher's quandry on being asked whether human rightscome from a Creator-God, as asserted by the Declarationof Independence. Under the Court's 'neutrality' rule, theteacher cannot answer the question by either 'Yes' or 'No',for this would amount to the government 'taking sides'.The required reply is, T don't know' i.e., I cannot saywhether it is true or not, because the government cannottake a position on the existence of God." But that reply, asProf. Charles Rice has remarked, is a far cry from'neutrality'; plainly the teacher is aligning the governmenton the side of agnosticism through his affirmation that, asa matter of state policy, God's existence is unknown orunknowable."Another group who oppose the Court's interpretationof the First Amendment was theCongressmen on Capitol Hill, as well as the governors ofthe states. No fewer than 154 resolutions were put into thelegislative hopper calling for amendments after theCourt's Decision denying voluntary prayer and religiousreading of the Bible in the public schools."Joining in the demand for an amendment werealmost all of the 50 state governors, who at their 1962annual conference resolved, with reaffirmation in theirCOVENANTERWITNESS

1963 meeting, to 'urge the Congress to make clear andbeyond challenge the acknowledgement by our nation andpeople of their faith in God, and permit the free andvoluntary participation in prayer in our public schools'."(Clarence W. Hall op cite)In addition, opposition to the Court's Decision onBible reading and prayer came from school authoritiesacross the country. The Albert Gallatin area SchoolDistrict of Fayette County, as an example in Pennsylvania,challenged the Decision by continuing prayer and Biblereadings of a devotional nature. The U.S. District Judgejudged them illegal.Thus I firmly believe that the history of this greatnation supports the religious use of the Bible andvoluntary prayer in the schools of the nation, as a continuingpractice. Also the historical interpretation of theFirst Amendment had nothing to say about prohibitingreligion in public life, many have concluded.American ingenuity has introduced secular uses ofthe Bible in the public schools, but this alone can never besatisfactory, for man is "incurably religious" and thereforeno area of his life can be cut off from God, including hispublic school education. Finally opposition from Constitutionalscholars, Congressmen, governors, and schoolauthorities gives hope of rectifying the situation before itis too late to reclaim millions of youth from the"irreparable injury" the Supreme Court has done to them.A BIBLEALPHABETA good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.Proverbs 22:1.Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is inheaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48.Cast thy burden upon the Lord. Psalm 55:22.Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. James4:8.£ven a child is known by his doings, whether his work bepure, and whether it be right. Proverbs 20:11.Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for Iam thy God. Isaiah 41:10.Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to everycreature. Mark 16:15.//appy is the man that findeth wisdom. Proverbs 3:13./can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.Philippians 4:13.Judge not, that ye be not judged. Matthew 7:1.Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are theissues of life. Proverbs 4:23.Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of myheart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord. Psalm 19:14.My times are in thy hand. Psalm 31:15.Wo man can serve two masters. Matthew 6:24.Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, andfor his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm107:8.Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. IThessalonians 5:21.Quench not the Spirit. I Thessalonians 5:19./?emember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.Ecclesiastes 12:1.Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon himwhile he is near. Isaiah 55:6.7Tiou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayedon thee. Isaiah 26:3.Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in theheavens. Psalm 123:1.Verily there is a reward for the righteous. Psalm 58:11.What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, andto love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah6:8.EXcept the Lord build the house, they labor in vain thatbuild it. Psalm 127:1.7e that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their helpand their shield. Psalm 115:11.Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judahrejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord. Psalm 97:8.— American Bible SocietyFRUIT OF FAITHFUL PREACHINGIn the Church of Somerville, New Jersey, where Iwas afterwards pastor, John Vredenburgh preached for agreat many years. He felt that his ministry was a failure,and others felt so too, although he was a faithful ministerpreaching the Gospel all the time. He died, and diedamidst some discouragements, and went home to God; forno one ever doubted that John Vredenburgh was a goodChristian minister.A little while after his death there came a greatawakening in Somerville, and one Sabbath two hundredsouls stood up at the Christian altar espousing the cause ofChrist, among them my own father and mother. And whatwas peculiar in regard to nearly all those two hundredsouls was they they dated their religious impressions fromthe ministry of John Vredenburgh.—Autobiography of T. DeWitt Talmage."The true way to a forgiving spirit is to be forgiven,to go back again and again to God, and count over ourdebt to Him. The man who thinks justly of his ownwrongdoing has no heart to make much of the injuriesdone to himself. He always feels how much more he hasbeen forgiven than he can ever be called upon to forgive.His soul gladdened, softened, and humbled by a sense ofthe great compassion that has remitted his great debt,loses all power to be harsh and defamatory. We musttherefore begin with the truth about oursehes. We neednot proclaim to every man we meet the reason, but wemust let all men see that we have a reason forlovingkindness, for humility, for gravity, for tenderconsideration of others, for every quality that banisheshatred from earth and welds men closer into one community."Marcus DoddsMARCH 24, 1971 9

The Children's CDr. John Peoples ' War Experiencesby Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson"In Konya we had to wait two days for a train toConstantinople. Mr. French Carithers, under guard,caught up with us on Sabbath day and that evening ourtrain left for Constantinople. We were in a third classcoach, but had three classes in the one car. First class wasunder the seats, for babies and small children. Secondclass was on the seats for grown-ups, and third class was inthe aisle which was reserved for boys and young men.Monday, whose train should we pass but the EnverPasha's! He looked quite lonely in his private car."We were detained in the Hydar Pasha which is thelast station on the Asiatic side of the Bosphorus fromTuesday nighttill Wednesday morning. In the afternoonwe crossed by boat to the European side and were met byfriends who kept us during our stay in Constantinople."While there the price of food almost doubled. Forten days the buyer tried to find one pound of rice for me touse on our journey, but could find none. Exactly six weeksfrom the day we landed in Stamboul we were permitted toleave."While I was busy with money and papers during myexamination in the station baby Sam wandered off toinvestigate things. I supposed he was with Mr. Fowle whowanted to carry him to the train shed. When I reached ourcar on the train I did not find Sam and found that Mr.Fowle had forgotten all about him somewhere in thestation. A search was immediately started and before longSam was located intently studying the wheels of the train'sengine."From Constantinople they went right through thearea where fighting was taking place. Their cars werecattle cars with all the openings boarded up so they couldnot see out to know how much damage had been done inthe country or what military preparations were beingmade. No rest rooms or diners for these travelers. "Theday before we reached the Bulgarian frontier," Mrs.Peoples continues, "I spent most of the day sitting on suitcases in the corridor of the car. How good it was when wepassed the Bulgarian frontier when I finally got a place tosit down and rest my back and head."At the station in Budapest, Mr. Carithers missedthe train. He had gotten off to try to get a little hot waterto make cocoa for the children. He said he did not countthat ten minutes stop meant ten minutes stop! He had justcome from a country where ten minutes meant anythingmore than that number."They passed through Austria and finally reachedSwitzerland, Saturday, July 28. "It was so restful andrefreshing to breathe free air. Such a weight was liftedfrom us," sighed Evadne.10The missionary part of the company remained togive thanks to God for His goodness and to spend theSabbath quietly. "For supper we had meat, potatoes,bread, cheese and milk. What a meal!" They had not hadany cheese or milk since they left Mersine.Mrs. Peoples had hoped to remain in Switzerlanduntil the end of the War but the high cost of living anddoubts as to when the War would end finally led her todecide to return to the U.S. So on August 21, 1917, theyboarded a train in Switzerland and set off for France, butone trouble seemed to follow on the heels of the first.They had to spend twenty-four hours in quarantine andthen travel through southern France, a journey whichtook parts of five days, instead of going directly acrossFrance which took two days. At last they reached Bordeau,on Saturday, August 25, and boarded their ship. Theship was delayed in sailing until the following Tuesday.While going down the river, their ship stuck on a sand barand was held up until high tide floated them free.At last they breathed a sigh of relief for they were offacross the Atlantic for America. Since it was war timethey had to travel in convoy and be constantly on the alertfor enemy submarines. But still their troubles were notover, for the night before the ship reached New York theyran into a hurricane. Mrs. Peoples summed up theirjourney, "We had a hard journey but we have beenprotected by the way and each step seemed to open upbefore us as we journeyed along. God has cared for us andhas been such a strength and help. He is ready to fulfill Hispart. I must not be afraid but trust in Him. Three monthsand six days have passed since we started from our homein Mersine and landed in New York."Days dragged on for Mrs. Peoples in the homeland.For two years she received no word from her husband. InNovember 1918, Dr. Peoples wrote to her, "I have notheard a word from you or about you and the children forover two years. There is now a possibility of getting a fewlines off on an English boat. We are still survivingalthough the night has been long and black. Some monthsago I tried to communicate with you, but have had noresult. I am very busy caring for English prisoners. Dr.Stewart is here, having been freed from detention and Iam hoping he may leave by an English boat tomorrow.Thank the Lord the fighting is over, at least for a time.May it never be repeated. There is much sickness.Lovingly, John."Mrs. Peoples could scarcely contain her joy whenshe received the foregoing letter on January 17, 1919.(To be continued)COVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of April 18iSabbath SchoolLessonFor April 18,1971The Role of the Hebrew ProphetsIsaiah 6:1-8; Hosea 1:1; 8:1-3; Amos 1:1;3:1,2; Micah 1:1; 3:5-8.Comments by John K. GaultThe word role means "the part playedby a participant in a certain action such asa drama, a construction, a militaryoperation." In the ancient drama the partsplayed by the performers were inscribedon a roll of parchment or paper which wasunwound as the play progressed; hence thederivation of the word role which is Frenchfor roll.The Hebrew prophets all performed adefinite role in the unfolding of thekingdom of God. It was their function tospeak for God in such a way that thepeople would learn of the will of God fromthe voice of the prophet.1: It Was the Role of the Prophets toReceive a Revelation from God.God transmitted unto them themessage which He wished the people tohear. Isaiah said in 6:1: "In the year thatking Uzziah died, I saw also the Lordsitting upon a throne, high and lifted up,and His train filled the temple. Above itstood the seraphims: each one had sixwings; with twain he covered his face, andwith twain he covered his feet and withtwain he did fly. And one cried untoanother, and said. Holy, holy, holy is theLord of hosts: the whole earth is full of Hisglory. And the posts of the door moved atthe voice of him that cried, and the housewas filled with smoke.' Isaiah, therefore,"saw the Lord." King Uzziah had recentlydied and the throne of the kingdom wasunoccupied by mortal man; but Isaiah hadthis vision in which he saw a far greaterKing, sitting upon a throne and His royalrobe filled the Temple.In Hosea 1:1 it is said, "The word of theLord that came unto Hosea, the son ofBeeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz,and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in thedays of Jeroboam, the son of Joash, king ofIsrael." It was the word of the Lord whichcame to Hosea; hence, his role was totransmit the word of the Lord to the peopleof Israel. Amos, by occupation, was ashepherd but he spoke repeatedly of hismessage from God. He said in 3:1, "Hearthis word that the Lord hath spoken againstyou, O children of Israel." In chapters 7and 8 he began with the words, "Thus haththe Lord showed unto me." The prophetMicah began his discourse by saying, "Theword of the Lord that came to Micah" andin 6:1 he said, "Hear ye now what the Lordsaith." The role of the Hebrew prophetswas, therefore, to speak for God and sothey proclaimed, not their own message,but the message from God, to be deliveredto a disobedient people.2: The Hebrew Prophets Had an AcuteConsciousness of Their Own and thePeople's Sins.When Isaiah "saw also the Lord sittingupon a throne, high and lifted up" then hesaid, "Woe is me! for I am undone;because I am a man of unclean lips, and Idwell in the midst of a people of uncleanlips: for mine eyes have seen the King, theLord of hosts." It was the vision of the holyGod that brought Isaiah to the realizationof the sinful condition of the people,himself included. In this modern era,which is after Christ, God has providedpeople with the revelation of His Word,and it is this view of God that convictspeople of their sins and their need of aSavior.In order that Hosea's conception of sinmight be made exceedingly acute, Goddirected him to select a wife who had beenimmoral. God said to him, "Go, take untothee a wife of whoredoms and children ofwhoredoms: for the land hath committedgreat whoredom, departing from theLord." Hosea's wife, therefore, became anobject lesson to him, that his realization ofthe sins of the land might be quite vivid.Hosea's wife left him for other lovers andhe induced her to come back to him. Hisresolve is stated in 2:14, "Therefore,behold, I will allure her, and bring her intothe wilderness, and speak comfortablyunto her." This experience was to Hosea anobject lesson of God's merciful pleadingwith the people of Israel to return to Himafter they had gone into the depth of sinwhich is pictured in 4:2, "swearing, andlying, and killing, and stealing, andcommitting adultery, they break out andblood toucheth blood."3: Obedience to God's Call Was in theRole of the Hebrew Prophets.Isaiah said in 6:8,9, "Also I heard thevoice of the Lord, saying. Whom shall Isend, and who will go for us? Then said I,Here am I, send me. And He said, Go, andtell this people, hear ye indeed but understandnot, and see ye indeed, butperceive not." Hosea, Amos, Micah, andthe other prophets, also, obeyed the call ofthe Lord, except Jonah and he needed twocalls before he was ready to obey.4: The Hebrew Prophets Proclaimedan Unpopular Message.Isaiah said to the people of both thekingdoms of Israel in 8:5-9a, "The Lordspake also unto me again saying,Forasmuch as this people refuseth thewaters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoicein Resin and Remaliah's son; nowtherefore, behold, the Lord bringeth uponthem the waters of the river, strong andmany, even the king of Assyria, and all hisglory: and he shall come up over all hischannels, and go over all his banks: and heshall pass through Judah; he shall overflowand go over, he shall reach even to theneck; and the stretching out of his wingsshall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.Associate yourselves, O ye people,and ye shall be broken in pieces." This wasa message which the people would not liketo hear, andit would not make the propheta popular person.Then, there was Hosea who said in 8:1-4, "Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shallcome as an eagle against the house of theLord, because they have transgressed mycovenant, and trespassed against my law.Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we knowthee. Israel hath cast off the thing that isgood: the enemy shall pursue him. Theyhave set up kings, but not by me: they havemade princes, and I knew it not: of theirsiher and their gold have they made themidols, that they may be cut off."Micah said to the people of Judah in3:1-4, "Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob,and ye princes of the house of Israel; is itnot for you to know judgment? Who hatethe good, and love the evil; who pluck offtheir skin from off them, and their fleshfrom off their bones; who also eat the fleshof my people, and flay their skin from offthem; and they break their bones, andchop them in pieces, as for the pot, and asflesh within the caldron. Then shall theycry unto the Lord, but He will not hearthem: He will even hide His face fromthem at that time, as they ha\e behavedthemselves ill in their doings." The chiefmen of Judah and Israel would not like toMARCH 24. 1971 11

hear a message of this kind and it is quite service is the intercessory prayer, part oflikely that some of the prophets were the longer prayer by the pastor toward thetortured and killed because of their unpopularmessage."Lesson based on International Sunday Schoolmiddle of the service. Intercessory meansprayer or speaking in behalf of others. Wepray in the name of Christ, who is ourLessons: the International Bible Lessons for intercessor before God. This type of prayerChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionincludes adoration and love toward God,of Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."thanksgiving, confession of sin andpetitions (asking) for ourselves and others.These petitions include requests for ourcongregation and our church and all herJunior Topicrepresentatives; for other churches andways the Gospel of Christ is spreadthroughout the world, for our communityand nation with those in places of authorityand trust; for other men and nations andthat Christ may be honored as Saviour andKing all over the world.For April 18,1971UNIT: OUR PUBLIC WORSHIPAND SACRAMENTSPRAYER(Invocation, Intercessory, Congregational)by Mrs. John RussellWe now come to prayer, as part of thepublic worship of God. Usually oneperson, the minister, leads the worshipersand speaks to God for them. As hearers,we should be reverent and quiet, thinkingof the words and meaning of what theminister says, just as if we were prayingaloud to God ourselves.In Question 98 of the Catechism welearn that "Prayer is an offering up of ourdesires unto God, for things agreeable toHis will, in the name of Christ, withconfession of our sins, and thankfulacknowledgement of His mercies." Wealso learn that the Word of God directs usin prayer. We can use the form of prayerwhich Christ taught His disciples, calledthe Lord's Prayer. We can learn to pray inprivate, in families, and also to appreciatethe public prayers in our church services.Prayer is to be made humbly, with understanding,reverence, faith and love.Two men went up into the temple to pray,the Bible tells us, but only one of them hadthe humble grace of prayer. He cried,"God be merciful to me a sinner."Public prayer is to go along with theWord of God when it is preached. TheBible does not tell us to use written formsof prayer, because we might not reallythink what is being said, or grow in ourability to pray. God wants prayer from ourhearts and this is something we will learn todo better as we grow older and our loveand understanding for God grow. Even thedisciples, who were with Jesus here onearth, asked, "Lord, teach us to pray."Prayer shows the sinner approaching thepresence of a holy God.The invocation (the shorter prayer atthe first of the service) should ask for thepresence and power of the Holy Spirit forpreparing the hearts of the people, and forguidance and blessing in every part of theservice.12Another kind of prayer used in theThe congregation should pray alongwith the minister in their hearts. Theyusually stand during prayer. The Bible saysthat kneeling or standing during prayershows our reverence and devotion to God.The prayer following the sermon asks Godto bring the truths of the message to ourhearts and for God to accept the worshipthat has been offered. Perhaps you Juniorscan listen more carefully to the prayers inthe church service and see the differentparts as we have mentioned.Prayer is a necessary part of ourChristian lives, both in public and private.Christ, who had no sin, was a man ofprayer, often rising a great while beforedaybreak to pray or praying during thenight. We, in contrast, are so weak andsinful and it is impossible for us to show agood faith in Christ without prayer in ourlives. We like to talk with those we loveand God desires our "talking" with Himand telling Him of our love for Him andour needs. Prayer is this fellowship withGod. Also, it is asking God for things thatHe has promised to give. Matthew 21:22 —"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask inprayer, believing, ye shall receive." Prayeris necessary when faced with sin andtemptation, when we have need forwisdom, and when we become tired in ourwork. Let us live and pray as if we believedGod to be both willing and able to do greatthings for us!TO LEADER —1. Catechism questions — 14,98,99.2. Memory Psalms for Unit: Ps. 95, p. 231;Ps. 122, p. 316. Review.3. Sing in meetings: Ps. 96, p. 232, 1,4; Ps.27, p. 62, 1,4,5; Ps. 103, p. 246, 1-4; Ps. 43,p. 109, 3-4,6.4. Worship Verse — Colossians 3:17 (writein notebook).5. "Worship Notebook" — a) Draw orsecure "praying hands" stickers for top ofpage, b) Have juniors name and write innotebook people who prayed in the Bible.Talk about how they prayed, for what, andhow God answered. Write one briefstatement after each name. (Examples —Daniel, Samuel, David, Jesus, Solomon,disciples, Rhoda, Paul, etc.) c) Writethree answers to prayer that each has hadrecently, d) List the parts of prayer:adoration, confession, thanksgiving,petitions, intercession for others.6. Questions: (Vos, J.G., "Bible Truths forYoung Christians.")1. Is it necessary to pray aloud for Godto hear our prayers? No. We may praysilently in our hearts without speaking thewords aloud. God knows even ourthoughts, as well as our spoken words. Ps.139:23.2. What should we say in praying toGod? We should confess our sins, thankGod for His love to us, and ask God foranything that is according to His will. IJohn 1:9; 5:14; I Thess. 5:18.3. In whose name should we pray? Weshould pray only in the name of ourSaviour Jesus Christ. John 16:23.4. What does it mean to pray in thename of Christ? By praying in the name ofChrist we do not mean merely mentioningHis name at the end of our prayer, but toask and believe that God will hear andanswer our prayers for Christ's sake; thatis, that God will accept our prayersbecause of what Christ has done for us a;our Saviour. I Tim. 2:5.5. What kind of conduct should ;Christian avoid during church services? Hishould avoid all unnecessary talking owhispering, reading books, or papers thahave nothing to do with the service, an

of work, especially the worshipat Kasumigaoka, Higashi Suma,yaku. Note also more specificion about the respective churchesack of the calendar. * NOTE:langes in leadership of theaoka Church:)Spear—in charge March-August.Boyle — in charge from Sep-1971.'ennington — presently travelingation work in the U.S.Faris — scheduled to return tothe spring.Problems in connection with theand Witness of our three Japaneseis true at home, many noninquirerswon't come to theservices and Bible studies of the, due to self-satisfaction or ineto spiritual things. Those fewwho do come, and have beenor a long time, hold back at thepersonal commitment to Christtification with the Church ase of the members are still veryimmature, requiring constant•ouragement, and counseling."s, and other leaders, are tooheavy burden of work. Inlack of workers also hindersnew outreach.the problem of sermonin Japanese for ordainedand pastors. If thoroughf an English sermon requires20 hours of study, how muchermon preparation require inthe busy, missionary-pastor.le that we are all languager in fact, none of us are).ath Day is often a day ofork, and many school activitiesies, parents, children, andvluch of the business and schools required of employees andthus preventing many who ared in Christianity from attendingservices and fellowship meetingshurch.e Prayer Requests in connection; Worship and Witness of our: Churches:ay for a renewed interest in thef God that would attract more5. including English Bible class, and parents of Sabbath School, to attend worship services andidies in Japanese.ay for the prayer meetings andeetings as a more effective meansthening the faith of believers, andg inquirers into the fellowship ofthe respective churches. (All threechurches have Japanese Bible study onSabbath day, in addition to the worshipservices. All three churches have prayermeetings. Higashi Suma Church has anactive, and well-attended home meetingeach month in the home of a member.)3. Pray that God would call more toprepare for the work of the ministry, aspastors, elders, deacons, Sabbath Schoolteachers, and other positions of leadershipand responsibility in each church. ThankGod for those whom He has called, andwho have responded, and are faithfullyserving Him in each church.4. Thank God for the return and activeand faithful participation of delinquentmembers, especially at Tarumi.5. Pray for additional grace andstrength for the few laborers in Japan, andespecially for Miss Faris who has recentlyreturned to the field.6. Pray for Mr. Pennington as hetravels across the Church on deputationministry in behalf of Japan until the end ofMay. Pray for needed strength, safe travel,and an effective ministry.Consider the missionary task of theChurch in the light of Luke 10, especiallyvv. 17,18. Here, the devil's "falling fromheaven" is associated with the missionaryactivity of the seventy sent out by Jesus.Also, in Revelation 20, especially vv. 1-3,the "binding of Satan" is definitelyassociated with the work of missions andthe extension of the Church as a witnessingforce among the nations. In other words,the power of Satan to deceive the nationshas been restrained during this presentGospel Age, so that he is unable to preventthe church from carrying on an active andeffective missionary program. Though weare very slow to see it, indeed, theprophecy of Psalm 72 is now in the processof fulfillment, as a result of the missionaryactivity of the Church. Satan cannotdestroy the Church as a mighty missionaryorganization, proclaiming the Gospel to allnations. Let's claims this promise andprovision of our Sovereign Lord and goforward with the work of missions throughour fervent prayer support and faithful,sacrificial giving. And as we pray and giveof our means, we must always be ready togive "our own selves as well," "so thatGod's way most holy on earth may soon beknown; and unto EVERY people HisSAVING GRACE be shown." We must beever ready to respond to God's call, "Lord,here am I. send me."LET THE RECORD SPEAKIn the six states with the largest percentageof population living in dry countiesthe per-capita consumption of alcoholicbeverages in 1968 averaged 12.14 gallons.In the six states which have no dryterritory, and which have the highestcomposite rate, based on(1) Number of outlets(2) Per capita consumption(3) Cirrhosis of the liver(4) Alcoholismthe per capita consumption of alcoholicbeverages averaged 23.61 gallons — nearlydouble the rate of the six states with drycounties.This would certainly seem to say thatwhere alcoholic beverages are lessavailable, due to local option, the percapita consumption is far less than wherealcohol is sold with minimal restriction.The six states with 30 percent or morecounties dry are: Georgia, Kentucky,Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama andMississippi. The six wet states with theheavy drinking record are: Nevada, NewJersey, New York, Connecticut, Californiaand Illinois.Let the record speak!The American IssueEAST PITTSBURGH NEW WORKOn the first Sabbath of each monthwe carry sack lunches and get to knoweach other better as we share food andconversation after the worship service. Ourlargest attendance was on February seven,when thirty-eight persons met for worship,discussion, and lunch.We have had visitors from as farnorth as Alaska, and as close as next-doorto the Seminary. Ruth Long, whose homeis in Anchorage, is a student at GenevaCollege. Another visitor, Mr. TiborLorincz, is a Hungarian refugee, nowstudying theology in this country. OnFebruary 28, Elder Woody Woods sharedGod's blessing on the Chicago Fellowship.A regular participant in the fellowship isNatasha Martinov, a Yugoslavian citizenwho is teaching at the Wilkinsburg Schoolfor the Deaf.There are people involved in at leastseven different Bible studies. Please prayfor those who study that they may bebuilded up in Christ.LAWRENCE FELLOWSHIP(Rev. M. L. McFarland, Pastor)February 27 marked a very importantevent in the Fellowship. Mr. Harold L.Milligan was ordained and installed as thefirst elder. The provisional session, consistingof Dale Curry. Darrell Parnell. andWilbur Copeland. will continue to workwith Mr. Milligan until another elder ischosen by the Fellowship. The Fellowshiprejoices in this step forward in the work.I 24, 1971 13

hear a message of this kind and it is quite service is the intercessory prayer, part oflikely that some of the prophets were the longer prayer by the pastor toward thetortured and killed because of their unpopularmessage.middle of the service. Intercessory meansprayer or speaking in behalf of others. We"Lesson based on International Sunday School pray in the name of Christ, who is ourLessons: the International Bible Lessons for intercessor before God. This type of prayerChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionincludes adoration and love toward God,of Christian Education, National Council of Churchesthanksgiving, confession of sin andof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior TopicFor April 18,1971UNIT: OUR PUBLIC WORSHIPAND SACRAMENTSPRAYER(Invocation, Intercessory, Congregational)by Mrs. John RussellWe now come to prayer, as part of thepublic worship of God. Usually oneperson, the minister, leads the worshipersand speaks to God for them. As hearers,we should be reverent and quiet, thinkingof the words and meaning of what theminister says, just as if we were prayingaloud to God ourselves.In Question 98 of the Catechism welearn that "Prayer is an offering up of ourdesires unto God, for things agreeable toHis will, in the name of Christ, withconfession of our sins, and thankfulacknowledgement of His mercies." Wealso learn that the Word of God directs usin prayer. We can use the form of prayerwhich Christ taught His disciples, calledthe Lord's Prayer. We can learn to pray inprivate, in families, and also to appreciatethe public prayers in our church services.Prayer is to be made humbly, with understanding,reverence, faith and love.Two men went up into the temple to pray,the Bible tells us, but only one of them hadthe humble grace of prayer. He cried,"God be merciful to me a sinner."Public prayer is to go along with theWord of God when it is preached. TheBible does not tell us to use written formsof prayer, because we might not reallythink what is being said, or grow in ourability to pray. God wants prayer from ourhearts and this is something we will learn todo better as we grow older and our loveand understanding for God grow. Even thedisciples, who were with Jesus here onearth, asked, "Lord, teach us to pray."Prayer shows the sinner approaching thepresence of a holy God.The invocation (the shorter prayer atthe first of the service) should ask for thepresence and power of the Holy Spirit forpreparing the hearts of the people, and forguidance and blessing in every part of theservice.12Another kind of prayer used in thepetitions (asking) for ourselves and others.These petitions include requests for ourcongregation and our church and all herrepresentatives; for other churches andways the Gospel of Christ is spreadthroughout the world, for our communityand nation with those in places of authorityand trust; for other men and nations andthat Christ may be honored as Saviour andKing all over the world.The congregation should pray alongwith the minister in their hearts. Theyusually stand during prayer. The Bible saysthat kneeling or standing during prayershows our reverence and devotion to God.The prayer following the sermon asks Godto bring the truths of the message to ourhearts and for God to accept the worshipthat has been offered. Perhaps you Juniorscan listen more carefully to the prayers inthe church service and see the differentparts as we have mentioned.Prayer is a necessary part of ourChristian lives, both in public and private.Christ, who had no sin, was a man ofprayer, often rising a great while beforedaybreak to pray or praying during thenight. We, in contrast, are so weak andsinful and it is impossible for us to show agood faith in Christ without prayer in ourlives. We like to talk with those we loveand God desires our "talking" with Himand telling Him of our love for Him andour needs. Prayer is this fellowship withGod. Also, it is asking God for things thatHe has promised to give. Matthew 21:22 —"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask inprayer, believing, ye shall receive." Prayeris necessary when faced with sin andtemptation, when we have need forwisdom, and when we become tired in ourwork. Let us live and pray as if we believedGod to be both willing and able to do greatthings for us!TO LEADER —1. Catechism questions — 14,98,99.2. Memory Psalms for Unit: Ps. 95, p. 231;Ps. 122, p. 316. Review.3. Sing in meetings: Ps. 96, p. 232, 1,4; Ps.27, p. 62, 1,4,5; Ps. 103, p. 246, 1-4; Ps. 43,p.109, 3-4,6.4. Worship Verse — Colossians 3:17 (writein notebook).5. "Worship Notebook" — a) Draw orsecure "praying hands" stickers for top ofpage, b) Have juniors name and write innotebook people who prayed in the Bible.Talk about how they prayed, for what, andhow God answered. Write one briefstatement after each name. (Examples —Daniel, Samuel, David, Jesus, Solomon,disciples, Rhoda, Paul, etc.) c) Writethree answers to prayer that each has hadrecently, d) List the parts of prayer:adoration, confession, thanksgiving,petitions, intercession for others.6. Questions: (Vos, J.G., "Bible Truths forYoung Christians.")1. Is it necessary to pray aloud for Godto hear our prayers? No. We may praysilently in our hearts without speaking thewords aloud. God knows even ourthoughts, as well as our spoken words. Ps.139:23.2. What should we say in praying toGod? We should confess our sins, thankGod for His love to us, and ask God foranything that is according to His will. IJohn 1:9; 5:14; I Thess. 5:18.3. In whose name should we pray? Weshould pray only in the name of ourSaviour Jesus Christ. John 16:23.4. What does it mean to pray in thename of Christ? By praying in the name ofChrist we do not mean merely mentioningHis name at the end of our prayer, but toask and believe that God will hear andanswer our prayers for Christ's sake; thatis, that God will accept our prayersbecause of what Christ has done for us asour Saviour. I Tim. 2:5.5. What kind of conduct should aChristian avoid during church services? Heshould avoid all unnecessary talking orwhispering, reading books, or papers thathave nothing to do with the service, andeverything else that will distract himself orothers from paying attention. Hab. 2:20.6. Handwork, a) Add Fellowship toBible fleet of ships, b) Make PrayerVerse Wheel — paper plate with shortprayer verses around for each day.Prayer MeetingTopicFor April 21,1971PRAYER FOR JAPANby Rev. James C. PenningtonScripture: Luke 10:1-20Psalms: 67 and 72Reference Material: a) Recent missionaryletters from Japan in the CovenanterWitness i.e.,—"In Motion in Japan" byRev. Gene Spear; Jan. 6, 1971issue, b) The 1971 Japan PrayerCalendar — Note especially the prayerrequest for April. These comments willfollow that theme of prayer for the threeCOVENANTER WITNESS

centers of work, especially the worshipservices, at Kasumigaoka, Higashi Suma,and Keiyaku. Note also more specificinformation about the respective churcheson the back of the calendar. * NOTE:(•Changes in leadership of theKasumigaoka Church:)Mr. Spear—in charge March-August.Mr. Boyle — in charge from September,1971.Mr. Pennington — presently travelingon deputation work in the U.S.Miss Faris — scheduled to return toJapan in the spring.I. Some Problems in connection with theWorship and Witness of our three JapaneseChurches:1. As is true at home, many non-Christian inquirers won't come to theworship services and Bible studies of thechurches, due to self-satisfaction or indifferenceto spiritual things. Those fewinquirers who do come, and have beencoming for a long time, hold back at thepoint of personal commitment to Christand identification with the Church asmembers.2. Some of the members are still veryweak and immature, requiring constantprayer, encouragement, and counseling.3. Pastors, and other leaders, are toofew for the heavy burden of work. Inaddition, the lack of workers also hindersplans for any new outreach.(Consider the problem of sermonpreparation in Japanese for ordainedmissionaries, and pastors. If thoroughpreparation of an English sermon requiresa minimum of 20 hours of study, how muchtime should sermon preparation require inJapanese for the busy, missionary-pastor.Don't assume that we are all languagegeniuses, for in fact, none of us are).4. Sabbath Day is often a day ofpleasure, work, and many school activitiesfor families, parents, children, andstudents. Much of the business and schoolactivity is required of employees andthe respective churches. (All threechurches have Japanese Bible study onSabbath day, in addition to the worshipservices. All three churches have prayermeetings. Higashi Suma Church has anactive, and well-attended home meetingeach month in the home of a member.)3. Pray that God would call more toprepare for the work of the ministry, aspastors, elders, deacons, Sabbath Schoolteachers, and other positions of leadershipand responsibility in each church. ThankGod for those whom He has called, andwho have responded, and are faithfullyserving Him in each church.4. Thank God for the return and activeand faithful participation of delinquentmembers, especially at Tarumi.5. Pray for additional grace andstrength for the few laborers in Japan, andespecially for Miss Faris who has recentlyreturned to the field.6. Pray for Mr. Pennington as hetravels across the Church on deputationministry in behalf of Japan until the end ofMay. Pray for needed strength, safe travel,and an effective ministry.Consider the missionary task of theChurch in the light of Luke 10, especiallyvv. 17,18. Here, the devil's "falling fromheaven" is associated with the missionaryactivity of the seventy sent out by Jesus.Also, in Revelation 20, especially vv. 1-3,the "binding of Satan" is definitelyassociated with the work of missions andthe extension of the Church as a witnessingforce among the nations. In other words,the power of Satan to deceive the nationshas been restrained during this presentGospel Age, so that he is unable to preventthe church from carrying on an active andeffective missionary program. Though weare very slow to see it, indeed, theprophecy of Psalm 72 is now in the processof fulfillment, as a result of the missionaryactivity of the Church. Satan cannotdestroy the Church as a mighty missionaryorganization, proclaiming the Gospel to allstudents, thus preventing many who are nations. Let's claimsinterested in Christianity from attendingworship services and fellowship meetingsof the church.II. Some Prayer Requests in connectionwith the Worship and Witness of ourJapanese Churches:1. Pray for a renewed interest in theWord of God that would attract moreinquirers, including English Bible classstudents, and parents of Sabbath Schoolchildren, to attend worship services andBible studies in Japanese.2. Pray for the prayer meetings andhome meetings as a more effective meansof strengthening the faith of believers, andattracting inquirers into the fellowship ofthis promise andprovision of our Sovereign Lord and goforward with the work of missions throughour fervent prayer support and faithful,sacrificial giving. And as we pray and giveof our means, we must always be ready togive "our own selves as well," "so thatGod's way most holy on earth may soon beknown; and unto EVERY people HisSAVING GRACE be shown." We must beever ready to respond to God's call, "Lord,here am I, send me."LET THE RECORD SPEAKIn the six states with the largest percentageof population living in dry countiesthe per-capita consumption of alcoholicbeverages in 1968 averaged 12.14 gallons.In the six states which have no dryterritory, and which have the highestcomposite rate, based on(1) Number of outlets(2) Per capita consumption(3) Cirrhosis of the liver(4) Alcoholismthe per capita consumption of alcoholicbeverages averaged 23.61 gallons — nearlydouble the rate of the six states with drycounties.This would certainly seem to say thatwhere alcoholic beverages are lessavailable, due to local option, the percapita consumption is far less than wherealcohol is sold with minimal restriction.The six states with 30 percent or morecounties dry are: Georgia, Kentucky,Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama andMississippi. The six wet states with theheavy drinking record are: Nevada, NewJersey, New York, Connecticut, Californiaand Illinois.Let the record speak!The American IssueEAST PITTSBURGH NEW WORKOn the first Sabbath of each monthwe carry sack lunches and get to knoweach other better as we share food andconversation after the worship service. Ourlargest attendance was on February seven,when thirty-eight persons met for worship,discussion, and lunch.We have had visitors from as farnorth as Alaska, and as close as next-doorto the Seminary. Ruth Long, whose homeis in Anchorage, is a student at GenevaCollege. Another visitor, Mr. TiborLorincz, is a Hungarian refugee, nowstudying theology in this country. OnFebruary 28, Elder Woody Woods sharedGod's blessing on the Chicago Fellowship.A regular participant in the fellowship isNatasha Martinov, a Yugoslavian citizenwho is teaching at the Wilkinsburg Schoolfor the Deaf.There are people involved in at leastseven different Bible studies. Please prayfor those who study that they may bebuilded up in Christ.LAWRENCE FELLOWSHIP(Rev. M. L. McFarland, Pastor)February 27 marked a verv importantevent in the Fellowship. Mr. Harold L.Milligan was ordained and installed as thefirst elder. The provisional session, consistingof Dale Curry. Darrell Parnell, andWilbur Copeland, will continue to workwith Mr. Milligan until another elder ischosen by the Fellowship. The Fellowshiprejoices in this step forward in the work.MARCH 24, 197113

The following is the distribution of Synod's Budget as of February 28, 1971Departments Amount Granted Total DistributationForeign Mission $40,000.00 $6,666.70Home MissionsWomen's AssociationTheological SeminaryStudent AidMinisterial ReliefWidows and OrphansGeneva CollegeBoard of Education and PublicationWitnessMisc. FundN. A. E.Church Erection 5,000.00Pastor Refresher 10.00Evangelism 4,049.00Corporators 1,200.0028,000.00 4,666.7012,000.00 2,000.0029,000.00 4,833.40500.00 83.4010.00 10.0012,500.00 2,083.4022,000.00 3,666.7043,775.00 7,295.9019,000.00 3,166.7012,606.00 2,101.00350.00 58.40833.4010.00674.90200.00Total $230,000.00 38,350.60Designated Funds Received for Synod's Budget:53.21Undesignated Funds Received for Synod's Budget:10,542.15 10,595.36Synod's Budget Account ($27,755.24)Yours in Christ's Service,Louis D. HutmireALUMNI DAYAlumni Day at Geneva College will be,May 1, 1971. The honored classes will bethose grad years ending with l's and 6's.GERTRUDE E. VAILGertrude E. Vail, 95 years of age,passed away, January 13, 1971. She hadbeen a member of the Cache Creekcongregation, Apache, Oklahoma since1905.Her husband, Otho P. Vail, precededher in death in 1925. He was the first whiteelder at the Cache Creek Mission. Since hisdeath Mrs. Vail lived in Washington statefor many years, but later returned toOklahoma.SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIARev. Glenn McFarland, PastorOur fall thank offering meeting was a"three-pronged" success; after a carry-indinner, the men took down tables andarranged chairs, while the young peoplewashed dishes and the women went to aclassroom for a quick business meeting.This was followed by devotionals, led byMrs. Sedgeley, and showing of the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship film, "Urbana."For this spring thank offeringmeeting we are varying the program alittle. The girls are joining the MissionarySociety and the boys will be stuck with thedishes. After devotions, we will be happyto hear Rev. James Pennington of Japan asour thank offering speaker.Our fall communion assistant was Rev.John Gault. This spring we are lookingforward to hearing Rev. Luther McFarlandof the Hebron congregation on March 20.We extend sincere sympathy to three ofour families who have recently hadbereavements: Miss Delia Patton's brother,Samuel; Mrs. Ruth Shepard's husband,Ronald; and the John Gault's son, James."Blessed are the dead, which die in theLord."Our pastor and family have quicklyrenewed old connections and cementednew ones in the congregation. A lovely,"At Home", planned to accommodateafternoon and later evening guests, wasfollowed by wonderful dinner parties, "Funand Study Parties" for the Junior Highs,Young People's bowling parties,(sometimes not so youngs too). BetweenSabbath School and church servicesconversation is kept at a decorus level aswe listen to beautiful Psalm recordings.Mr. McFarland and a choir conducteda church service in the Quaker GardensRetirement Home in Garden Grove, onSabbath, February 28.We do thank Miss Ethel Torrens for thebeautiful new American flag that replacesa faded one.Congratulations: to Fresno on itsFiftieth Anniversary; to Seattle on thededication of their new church, debt-free;to Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Ladd,and Mrs. Connery upon their recent veryimportant birthdays. We're not tellingages.New officers are CongregationalChairman, Lewis Keys; Secretary, Mrs.Albert Wylie; Treasurer, Mrs. Tom Davis;Sabbath School Adult Superintendent,George Milligan; Primary Superintendent,Mrs. Sadie Henderson; Secretary andTreasurer, Mrs. Lewis Keys.We wonderif we have an exceptionallygood city council in our town. The SantaAna City Council designated last October18-24, as a Week of Prayer for Peace.The U. S. Navy is gaining two of ourfine young people for its service. JaniceKeys has been accepted for Navy Nursestraining and will enter the service upon hergraduation. Kenneth Keys has joined theNavy and will enter the service in April.A GRADUATE SCHOOLFOR 'CHINESE' THEOLOGY!While on a recent trip to the Orient,the RES General Secretary visited theChinese Evangelical Seminary in Taipeiand held an interview with the President,the Rev. James Taylor, great grandson ofHudson Taylor. The information thatfollows was gained on this visit.The China Evangelical Seminary(CES) opened in October, 1970, and has 24students enrolled: 12 full time day studentsand 12 part time evening students. It is a'graduate' school which requires an A.B.degree for admission. It offers a three-yearprogram and expects its graduates to servein many different places and churches. Itisthoroughly evangelical, drawing itsteaching staff from several churches.A special concern of the CES is theattempt to teach Chinese theology. Theintention is to modify the theologicalstructure so thatit will be more acceptableto the Chinese milieu and culture. Attentionwill be given to what the Scripturessay to the Orient, especially to China.Courses in Chinese history and Chinesehistory and Chinese intellectual thoughtwill be offered. "We must study Scripturethrough the needs we find here," Mr.Taylor said.In Taylor's opinion ProtestantChristianity did not take roots in Chinabecauseit never addressed itself to the realChinese problems. It ignored Chinesephilosophy. And while the Christiansremained ignorant of Chinese intellectual14 COVENANTER WITNESS

thought the Buddhists gave it the attentionof their best minds. As a result Buddhismgained much ground but Christianity didnot. "What we need is an institute for thestudy of the Church in China," Taylorconcluded.RES NewsletterBIBLE WORK OPENINGUP IN COMMUNIST-DOMINATED COUNTRIESNEW YORK—New openings forBible work in Eastern Europe make workin communist-dominated countries more"encouraging" than in many years, theRev. Sverre Smaadahl of Geneva, Switzerland,regional secretary consultant forEastern Europe for the United BibleSocieties, declared here.While the extent of Bible workvaries, Mr. Smaadahl said it is carried on inall Eastern European countries, with theexception of Albania, where "religion isforbidden."Because there have been no freshsupplies of Scriptures for decades in themajority of the countries and churcheshave lost many of their privileges, he said,"Christians in Eastern Europe have experiencedwhat it is to live under theCross." Christianity "has survived."In a "most realistic way" churcheshave been thrown back to the Biblicalmessage as the final basis for Christianfaith and life. "A deep love for the Biblehas emerged, which has made the deep anduncovered needs for Holy Scriptures evengreater," he continued.Enumerating new openings last yearMr. Smaadahl said the United BibleSocieties has contact with 13 translationprojects including four in Yugoslavia,three in the Soviet Union, two inCzechoslovakia and one each in Bulgaria,Hungary, Poland, and Rumania.(Some countries have more than onetranslation project because severallanguages are spoken there).Contacts are made in several ways.Translation literature is sent eastward withscholarly editions of the Bible. Europeansecretary-consultants and translationspecialists visit the various communistcountries. Eastern European translatorstake part in training courses in the West,and training courses and consultations fortranslators are held in the East, he told.Scriptures are made available incountries where the churches haverequested them, either by having thempublished in the requesting country orhaving them printed elsewhere and imported.In East Germany Scriptures havebeen published to meet the needs theresince 1945 and some German Bibles havebeen exported. Annual production nowtotals 350,000 copies.Scriptures have been producedregularly in the past 20 years in Hungary,although the total of 295,000 Scripturesproduced between 1949-1970 has not beenadequate, he said.A total of 120,000 Bibles and NewTestaments were produced in Russia since1956.While he termed production inCzechslovakia "very limited and irregular"up until 1968, a total of 122,000 Scriptureswere produced in Prague and Bratislavaduring the last two years.There was no production in Rumaniaprior to 1967, but since then 100,000 Bibleswere printed in Bucharest. Currently40,000 New Testaments are underproduction in Rumania.A production of 50,000 NewTestaments is expected in Bulgaria whennew translation is finished in theforeseeable future, the United BibleSocieties secretary said.He added that because of standinglicenses Bibles have been going to Polandand Yugoslavia since 1945 at the annualrate of 120,000 Scriptures to Poland and25,000 to Yugoslavia.For the first time under communismBibles were imported into Czechoslovakiaand Rumania, 41,000 to the former countryin 1970 and 10,000 to a Protestant churchin Rumania this year.Mr. Smaadahl said that the 750,000copies of the Scriptures which were madeavailable, in different ways, in EasternEuropean countries in 1969 might seemslight in light of the 350 million inhabitants.However, compared to the situation fiveyears ago,it is a real "breakthrough forBible work in the communist countries."Labeling the opportunities to doBible work in Eastern Europe a "task ofhighest priority," Secretary Smaadahl said:"Only when we use the existingopportunities, will we be able to see newones. With full awareness of the deep anduncovered need there still is in most of theEastern European countries for the HolyScriptures, we are thankful and glad for thedoors which the Lord has opened for us."DR. JOEL H.NEDERHOODMinister on "Back to God Hour"Dr. Joel H. Nederhood, minister onthe "Back to God Hour" radio broadcast,spoke at Geneva College, March 14.His topic was "God's Jubilee Grace"using Luke 4:21 as his text.Dr. Nederhood was graduated fromCalvin College in 1952, after which heserved two years in the United StatesArmy. He then entered Calvin Seminarywhere he was graduated in 1957 andcontinued his studies at the Free Universityat Amsterdam where he completed hiswork in 1960. His dissertation was titled,"The Church as Mission and theEducated."He then joined the administrativestaff of the "Back to God Hour" and asassociate minister was frequently heard asa summer speaker on the radio broadcastin the Pittsburgh area. He assisted inestablishing a Christian Reformed Churchin Washington, Pennsylvania, returning tothe Chicago office after the church obtaineda permanent minister.Dr. Nederhood was appointed radiominister of the Christian Reformed Churchafter the death of the Rev. Dr. PeterEldersveld in 1965. He now serves as themain speaker on the "Back to God Hour"radio program carried by the MutualBroadcasting System, NBC, the Yankeeand the Intermountain Networks, andmany other large broadcasting stations.The English program is the official radiovoice of the Reformed Churches inAustralia and New Zealand. The overseasoperation, under the supervision of theChicago headquarters, includes full timeradio ministers who broadcast in theArabic and Spanish languages.WHY HE LOVED HERA young woman who runs a powersewing machine for fifty hours a week in afactory tells the following story of hermarried life.My husband, left an orphan, neverhad a chance to go to school or learn atrade. He is a teamster and makes verylittle money, but he loves me enough totrust me with all he earns. My husbanddoes not go to saloons or places of thatsort, and he never goes out for pleasurewithout me. Do you think it hurts me thathe can't give me fine clothes when everyday he tells me I am the best thing Godever gave him?Every night he kisses my hands thathave worked so hard all day. We have beenmarried over a year and never a crossword. I did not know any one could be sohappy. Do you think I mind working tohelp a man like that? His love makeseverything worth while. Here is a man,ignorant of books, with no businesstraining, yet possessing a rare faculty thatguides his home life in ways of happinessand peace.—The ExpositorUNITED PRAYER CONFERENCEPRAYER TOPICMay 9-16,1971GOD AND FAMILIES:WHAT'S THE RELATIONSHIP?MARCH 24, 1971 15

floie de VivrefloyofCiviHQVr/eneva College was named for the "French" city of Geneva, Switzerland, where the Swiss Reformers discoveredjoie de vivre through hearing and obeying the Word of God. Joie de vivre! Une petite formule qui exprime le desle plus profond de I'homme. On a essaye de nombreuses philosophies de vie pour atteindre la joie de vivre Aucuned'elles na produit une satisfaction qui dure. Joie de vivre! A small phrase which expresses the deep desire of mMan has sought it in different ways, but without God he has failed. Geneva College believes God has provided forjoie de vivre through Jesus Christ.It seeks to aid youngpeople in finding this inner reality and developing Yes, tell me more about joie de vivre at Geneva College.Christian principles for living. Through a strong liberal Please send mea catalogue application form.arts program integrated with the Word of God, eachnamestudent is not only prepared for a meaningful vocationbut becomes aware of the world and his response to it. addressWould you like to share Geneva's joie de vivre?Qeneva Collegecityyear of high school graduationstate/provinceReturn to:ADMISSIONS, Geneva College, Beaverzip/zoneBOX A 100Falls, Pa. 15010

OLIJME LXXXVI NO. 13 MARCH 31, 1971 STERLING KANSAS r.7579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 25. 1971THE GENEVANSf — . 1 *flO^1n 1 |First row left to right: Margaret Elliott, Jan Sherrer, Connie Openshaw, Donna Geiger, RuthStiening, Jeannie Dill, Patty McKim, Cindy Bell, Barbara Gillespie, Diane Evans, Eleanor Dennison,Cheryl Klingensmith, Beth Gardner.Row two left to right: Cindy Benton, Gretchen Tomko, Liz Davis, Beth Alexander, Dottie Mc-Sweeny, Marjorie Ray, Judy Plants, Pat Phillips, Shirley Lane, Carol Spear, Jackie Mollineaux, andSandy Wing.Third row left to right: Dave Hartzell, Terry Caldwell, Alan Dodds, Bill Farrer, Bob Albright. LynnCoblentz, Tom Price, Mike Drake, Bob Tanzee, Paul Kilpatrick.Fourth row left to right: Rich Riggall, Tom Slick, John Martin, Rick Evans, Keith Anderson. RayGutowski. Mike Tabon, Terry Wardle, Jack Davis, Dennis Blank.s

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER * EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R.P. Church —S3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.March 26March 27March 29March 30March 31AprAprAprAprAprApr1 11213151617THE GENEVANS SPRING TOURUNITED PRAYER CONFERENCEMay 9-16TOPIC: THE FAMILYSponsored byNational CY StaffLook for programsthe last week of MarchSouthfield, MichiganMorning Sun, IowaClarinda, IowaSterling, KansasGreeley, ColoradoQuinter, KansasKansas City, KansasTopeka, KansasSparta, IllinoisIndianapolis, IndianaTiffin, OhioThis Week's WitnessYou Ask Me Why?Glimpses of the Religious World.The Fear of the Lord.I'rhana '70 CommunionThe Doctor of Hoa Khanh.Christ's Garden.New Life.Dr. Peoples' War Experiences.Lesson HelpsChurch News34571098101114WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

You Ask MeWhy?You ask me why I send my children to the Christianschool?Well, now, that's a good question. I know what you'rethinking. The public schools have just as good facilities andteachers as the Christian schools, and sometimes evenbetter. So why all this fuss and bother of setting up a separateschool system? Why not teach the children religion at homeor in church or (Sabbath) school?But, you see, you've asked me something that getsright to the core of the meaning of life. If Christian schoolsmeant simply tacking on a prayer each day, or an extracourse in Bible study, they wouldn't be worth all the timeand expense._ I send my children to the Christian school because Ibelieve that all of life is religious. God is at the center ofeverything. He made all things, He guides and controlsthem, and He demands that we, His creatures, honor him asLord and Savior in everything we do.Of course that includes our studying as well as oureveryday work. It includes every part of life, without exception.It means that I can't be satisfied with submitting mychildren to Christian training at home and church only. As aparent, I'm responsible for those thirty important hours thatthey spend each week in school. Some of the most significanttraining of my children takes place in the school atmosphere.How can I leave God out of the picture here?But, you say, what's the difference if my child studiesarithmetic, history, or literature in a public school or in aChristian school.Much. I want my child to learn, from his earliestyears, that all of life belongs to God and was made for Him.—In science, I want him to know that he is studyingGod's laws for the universe.—In history, I want him to see the unfolding of God'splan for the ages and the redemption of His people.—In literature, I want him to test other writers byChristian standards so that he will appreciate what is goodand true and beautiful, and discern what is false ordishonoring to God.—In civics, I want him to know that true governmentis ordained of God and requires our loyalty and support. Iwant him to learn the principles of honesty, decency, cooperation,and fair play because these are rules that God hasset up for the ordering of our life together.All this is a big order. It can't be accomplished infifteen or thirty minutes a day. It takes everything we've gotto instill in the hearts of our children that true fear of theLord which is "the beginning of all wisdom."Moses said it thousands of years ago. He told thepeople of Israel then how to bring up their children — God'scovenant children. This is how he said it:Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heartand in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand,that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.And ye shall teach them to your children, speaking ofthem when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou liestdown, and when thou risest up.And thou shalt write them upon the door posts ofthine house, and upon thy gates. (Deut. 11:18-20)This means Christian education — in all of life.Expensive? Yes, of course. We pay our full share oftaxes for the public schools, and we support our Christianschools in addition to this.But we count it a privilege to have this wonderfulopportunity in a land of freedom, to dedicate ourselves andour children entirely to God.—Christian School GuideGlimpses. from page 4an evangelical magazine, carried an article exposing some otthe declarations of Moody's leaders of yesteryears, whichruled out interracial marriage, President Banks thought itwas "pulling off the scab of yesterday's sore," when wemight better "rejoice in today's healing."The editor answered that "whether to print thematerial about Moody was one of the hardest decisions wehave had in some time, and only after long consideration didwe finally do so. It is quite possible that we made the wrongdecision." However, he goes on to explain his reasons forprinting it. He says, "Moody is not held in high esteem bythe black community that surrounds it (in Chicago)." Oneof the reasons for the decision to print the material was"because we felt that Moody had not taken with sufficientseriousness the damage it has done to the cause of Christ.Such sin requires open and public repentance to those sinnedagainst; a simple change, accompanied by an attempt tosweep past sins under the rug is not Christian."Whatever may be the merits of the question anddecision that The Other Side editors made, the principlestated is valid. One must remember that such Scriptures as,"Love covereth all sins," and "A prudent man coverethshame." are quite in keeping with, "He that covereth hissins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsakeththem shall have mercy." President Banks says, "There isno ban. no teaching, no official stand against interracialmarrjage here at Moody."iMARCH 31, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014"TO TEST (RACE) CONDITIONS IN THEIR CHUR­CHESThis was the billing for the Reformed EcumenicalSynod Conference in Chicago, March 2-5, on race relations.There were 160 or more registered. I counted 11 ReformedPresbyterians, there were several Orthodox Presbyteriansand a scattering of others, but the majority of the delegateswas of the Christian Reformed Church. The Rev. ClaudeBrown sent a brief paper but was prevented from attendingby illness. Perhaps 10 percent of those attending wereNegroes. (Also, about 1 in 10 of those in attendance wore abeard, while about twice that number wore sideburns or hairlonger than the "straights." Sam Boyle had a field day,sketching and classifying sartorial adornment as "catwhiskers," "Van Gogh," "Surrey Top Fringe," "HighSierra," "Martha Washington" and others. The "saddest,loneliest delegate" was the defoliation victim, thebaldheaded man.) •Reports will no doubt be forthcoming in the Witness.The opening keynote address was by Bill Pannell. Some ofhis illustrations and complaints will not bear carefulscrutiny, yet he threw some barbs that must have gottenthrough to most of us. He said, "I visited a ReformedSeminary in the South. In that town X-rated movies are notpermitted and Playboy magazine may not be sold, yet thechurches are segregated." After pointing to some gains inequality of opportunity for Negroes for which Christianscannot take credit, he said, "We can't go on letting asecular society that is on its way to hell, set our standards forus.Herbert Oliver, author of No Flesh Shall Glory, had acarefully prepared and helpful paper on ' 'Black Identity,'' inwhich he urged ' 'Christian identity,'' but suggested that theagitation for "black identity" which we are observing nowin our country, is an unavoidable reaction to the "whiteidentity" under which blacks have had to live the pastcenturies, and which will right itself.The conference was "action" oriented, which meantdifferent things to different people, the difference extendingall the way from working programs of a social nature in theghetto, to the militancy and violence of the riot. However,this last found little sympathy. The intent was that theconference should be not mere words, but that we should actin accord with right words."KEY 73"This organizing of the churches of the U.S.A. announcedlast June, into an effort "to confront every personin North America more forcefully with the gospel of JesusChrist," would seem to be a most worthy effort. Themovement is loosely organized, and includes officially appointedchurch representatives from the largerdenominations as well as many smaller, the UnitedMethodists, at least three of the largest Lutheran bodies,American and Southern Baptists, Friends, Disciples ofChrist, Pentecostal bodies and others. Dr. Aiken Taylor,editor of the Presbyterian Journal, however, finds thisgigantic evangelistic thrust considerably less than gratifying."Advance publicity calls it not a crusade but a celebration.""The latest thing is to sing, clap and dance around theLord's Supper." He says that "the evangelicals havejumped on this bandwagon more quickly than the others."He thinks many evangelicals are being tempted by seducingspirits to "waver from their firm commitment to Biblicalevangelism in strict obedience to the Lord of the church."We'll hear more of "Key '73." Is it something wemust fall in with because it is "evangelism?""EQUAL TIME"Apparently even the Federal CommunicationsCommission has seen how ridiculous is its so-called"fairness doctrine," that is, the idea that if a radio stationpresents one side of a controversial question, it must providefree, ' 'equal time" for an opponent to answer. At leastit hasdeclined to enforce it in the case of the "anti-smoking announcements.'' Pro-smoking spot announcements are not tobe mandatory. Hopefully, it may conclude that fairness andfreedom do not require that those who pay for time to expressan opinion over the air, also must pay for time for theopposite opinion to be expressed.MAF DEATHSAfter more than 20 years without fatal accidents, theMissionary Aviation Fellowship has recorded four more fatalaccidents since the first which took place in October 1968.The crash of a Cessna 185 owned by the Fellowship hastaken the lives of MAF's manager of technical training, E.W. Hatcher, and a prospective MAF pilot, John Wilson,employed by United Airlines, near Corona, California. Justthree weeks earlier MAF pilot Paul Weir of OverseasMissionary Fellowship along with James Johnson andDennis Mata died in a plane crash in Honduras.MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE AND THE RACEQUESTIONWhen Newsweek spread its condemnation of MoodyBible Institute before the public for standing against interracialmarriage, Moody President William L. Banksfeltthat Newsweek, being secular and never having anythinggood to say about the Institute anyway, might be excused."They know not what they do." But when The Other Side,see page 34 COVENANTER WITNESS

One of the Principles of the ReformationThe Fear of the LordFrom their mother's knee the Reformers weretaught to fear the Lord. The Roman Church in whichthey were brought up saw to that. It was not, however,a fear that wafted them toward the God oftheir creation, but rather one that drove them furtherinto the darkness of ignorance and superstition.Emerson reminds us that fear always springsfrom ignorance. The fear of God engendered byRomanism certainly appears to prove that this isso. Savonarola bears witness to the fact that "beforethe diffusion of the light of Holy Scripture, humanitywas plunged into a night of obscurity."Prior to the Reformation the Roman Church hadencouraged the belief in many and varied fantasies.From fork-tailed demons torturing the damned withpitchforks to "pick-pocket Purgatory" itself. Men andwomen — especially the uneducated — were keptin subjection by stories so weird and fierce thatGod could never be loved. Fearing Him they ran tothe Virgin for comfort and to the Pope for salvation.Conviction of sin merely served to increase theemotional pain. Thus John Calvin, in this condition,thought in terms of suicide. ". . .by good works,"says Calvin, "we must wipe out from before Theethe memory of our evil doings; finally, to make upwhat was lacking we must add sacrifices andsolemn acts of expiation. Then because Thou werta stern judge, a strict avenger of iniquity, they(the priests) showed how dreadful Thy presence mustbe... whenever I examined my own self, or liftedmy heart up to Thee, a terror so extreme seized methat no expiations or satisfactions could give meany cure. And the more closely I examined myselfthe more was my conscience tormented by sharpstings so that there was no solace or comfort left tome save that of deluding myself by oblivion."God having graciously saved them, the Reformerswere made to realise that fearing the Lord didnot produce misery. The opposite was true. ShoutsZwingli joyously, "Christ stands before you withopen arms, inviting you and saying, 'Come unto me,all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I willgive you rest.' O glad news, which brings with it itsown light, so that we know and beheve that it istrue. . ." Those covered by the Confessional foryears spring forth fervently into the arms of theGreat High Priest when He bids them do so. TheyMARCH 31, 1971by Rev. Peter Trumperfear Him with reverence, not as slaves, but as Hisbrothers and sisters. He is God. He is good.As Romanists, born and bred, they had beentaught incorrectly. Now, in Christ the balance wasrestored. "For therefore hath He sent His Son, notto oppress us with heaviness and sorrow, but tocheer up our souls in Him." So realises Luther whosemonastic misery had been extreme.However, the Reformers were not content withrelying upon their experiences of God, importantas those were. They were not Mystics. It was theBible to which they turned the world's gaze. SaysCalvin in his 'Institutes,' "It being thus manifestthat God, foreseeing the inefficiency of His imageimprinted on the fair form of the universe, has giventhe assistance of His Word to all whom He has everbeen pleased to instruct effectually, we too, mustpursue this straight path, if we aspire in earnestto a genuine contemplation of God, drawn from HisWorks, is described accurately and to the life."La imer echoed these words in England. ". . .Stickonly to the Word of God, he said. In Scotland JohnKnox cried ou', ". . .Within the Word of God isarmour and weapons sufficient."Through the pages of the Word, then, the contemplationof God begins. In doing this the Reformerswere taught to fear the Lord again. Romanismhad taught them a half-truth, namely, that God isholy. Like the apostle John they fell at His feet asdead men. Romanism had left them on the ground.The Word of God had picked them up. The formerleft them in terror and misery. The latter instilledin them a gentle fear. A happy distinction was drawnbetween the two.To fear the Lord is to possess a positive virtue.It is, says the Word, "the beginning of wisdom."It is to see God as He is without the thick veils ofunscriptural dogmas hiding the view. It is to readof His being "high and lifted up" and reacting asIsaiah did. He did not run from the Temple in abjectterror. His fear was expressed positively in thewords, "Here am I, send me." The shepherds towhom the angelic host appeared, were "sore afraid."They were instructed not to fear and, indeed, themessage they received brought them joy.Was this not the fundamental difference betweenthe Reformers and the Romanists? Is this

not the measure between law and grace? But for theGood News of God's redeeming grace how frightenedwe would be if He were merely to appear before usin silence? Says Luther with fervor, "We are condemnedand killed by the law, but Christ justifiesand restores us to life. The law astonishes us, anddrives us from God: but Christ reconciles us to God,and makes for us an entrance that we may boldlycome unto Him."Rome was only capable of presenting a God whocould never be satisfied with His subjects. He terrifiedthem with His Holy Presence. Only in the Wordcould they read of grace spilling freely upon themthrough God's Son. Ulrich Zwingli testifies to themajor principle of the Reformation. "We shouldhold the Word of God in the highest possible esteem. . . and we should give to it a trust which we cannotgive to any other word. For the Word of God iscertain and can never fail. It is clear, and will neverleave us in darkness. It teaches its own truth. Itarises and irradiates the soul of man with full salvationand grace. It gives the soul sure comfort in God.It humbles it, so that it loses and indeed condemnsitself and lays hold of God. And in God the soullives, searching diligently after Him and despairingof all creaturely consolation. For God is its only confidenceand comfort. Without Him it has no rest:it rests in Him alone."Thus Zwingli finds he truly fears the Lord. Alldesires to run away from God have vanished. Indeed,to fear God is to rest in Him, and finding"confidence and comfort" in so doing.How else can we explain the Reformers' zeal fortruth than by acknowledging that they "stood inawe" of God? Such was their "high" view of DivineMajesty; their reverence for His Person and respectfor His Presence, that brandish the truth they must.No privation was too severe, no cost too great. Theywere confident in their God for they sheltered inHis shadow. They feared Him, for they loved Him.They loved Him, for He first loved them. To Himthey owed everything.To fear the Lord is to be a true and worthy worshiper.It is to see Him as He is clearly defined inScripture; it is to relish His doctrines; it is to expoundthem by lip and life; it is to be humbled beneaththem; it is to breathe them; it is to rejoicein them. John Huss shows us how. "Truly this isthe most holy and chief Roman pontiff, sitting atGod's right hand and dwelling with us. . For thatperson, Christ, is everywhere present, since He isthe very God whose right it is to be everywhere withoutlimitation. . He is the one who makes us priests. .He performs the Sacrament of the eucharist. . Thisis He who confirms the faithful ones. . He it is whofeeds the sheep by His Word and example and by6the food of His body. . He is the pontiff who inadvance makes the way easy for us to the heavenlycountry. . He is the Pope because He is the wonderfulPrince of Peace, the Father of the future age.For indeed, such a pontiff became us who, sinceHe was in the form of God, did not think it robberyto be equal with God, but emptied Himself. ." Husscontinues long after this. We must stop.Like the apostles, these true God-fearers wereunashamedly caught up in their Saviour. Merewords were inadequate to express their loving fear ofHim. God was everything. The worshiper wasnothing. Hence Huss states, "Holy men, when theyhave been praised by men, have humbled themselvesand have burdened their minds with fear, lest praiseshould cast them down from a merit still moreworthy." In the light of this quotation I do notthink these great men are enjoying all that iswritten here!How can men die so bravely? We are told thatCranmer "came to the stake with a cheerful countenance.." We hear Latimer say to Ridley, "Be ofgood cheer, Master Ridley. . ." Was it not becausethey had exercised the prerogatives given them byGod? He who had bidden them to "come boldly untothe throne of grace" meant what He said. They hadcome. At first, fearfully. "Being aroused by fear,"as Calvin puts it, they had learned humility. Theywere not sentimentalists swayed by emotions. Theywere men governed by the truth. They were not"amateurs" playing games for fun. They were"professional" soldiers of Christ enduring hardship.They were not "nice" men bending over backwardsto please all. They were not soft and winsomecharacters looking for friends in every direction."1 never work better than when I am inspired byanger," wrote Luther.They feared the Lord. Everything must revolvearound Him. To him be the praise and to Him bethe glory. Secondary things must remain second.As we enter the 1970s may evangelicals learnto fear God. The Arminians — who ever breathedown our necks! — have thought too much of man.To uplift man is to fear him. In fearing God manwill feel insulted. He will react accordingly. Do wefear that reaction? Pray God we will grow moresensitive to the sovereign claims He makes uponus.". . .1 am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted,"cries Luther at the Diet of Worms," and my conscienceis captive to the Word of God. I cannotand will not retract anything, since it is neithersafe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot dootherwise, here I stand, may God help me, Amen."This, is the fear of the Lord. It is always fearlessof men.—The Churchman's MagazineCOVENANTER WITNESS

Urbana '70 CommunionRev. RobertAlmonte.The religious press widely reported the Inter-VarsityChristian Fellowship's 1970 convention at Urbana, includingits communion service in the closing minutes of1970.This communing sacrament sponsored by avoluntary association of individual Christians raises anumber of questions.The first concerns an awareness of the basicmeaning of the word "communion." All know com means"together, with." Then munion derives from a Latin wordmeaning "erecting, fortifying, affectionate gift and service."Communion as a word therefore signifies a unitedbuilding and strengthening, by service, of a priceless gift.It does NOT merely represent a "memory of their(Christians') Lord" as one advocate declared.This etymological meaning then immediately leadsto the term's theological import. Presuming the Englishdictionary accurately declares the public's meaning, itdefines communion theologically as "a body of Christianshaving one common faith and discipline." Mindful that theBible uses the term body to mean the visible, corporateChristian church (I Cor. 12:12,27) which then excludesmisconstruing it as a voluntary gathering of professedChristian individuals, then theologically the precious giftbuilt through communion is the visible, united church ofChrist's doctrine and discipline.This gives rise to the third consideration, namely:What is that Biblical "doctrine" (discipline) which isconstructed through communion? Since Paul, in ICorinthians 5:7, declares, "Christ our passover issacrificed for us" — which Calvary is the basis of communion:Therefore New Testament communion continuesIhe spiritual reality of the Old Testament Passover. Moraltruths concerning the Passover therefore continue as thecommunion's principles.The Biblical institution of the Passover is recordedin Exodus 12. Verse 6 requires that "the whole assembly ofthe congregation of Israel" perform the sacrament. Verses11,12 show that law and discipline were of vital importanceto the observance. Verses 14,1 7 ,24 state theprinciples are perpetual. Verses 26,27 show the Passoverwas both worship and religious sen ice, but also the meansof fortifying Israel in being God's believing church. Verse43 adds, "There shall no stranger (literally, "no offspringof foreigness" — no person not recognizable as a memberof the bodv) eat thereof." Verse 44 requires that God'sMARCH 31, 19-71More. Jr.,Ontariodiscipline be cut upon the stranger and that he benaturalized into the body before sharing the sacrament.Verses 46,47 require that the communion cannot beobserved indiscriminately throughout the land, but ratherhad to be commemorated in the household of faith — inthe family of God's inheritance of Israel.These principles lend themselves to certain conclusions.(1) Communion is not divinely instituted on theindividualistic status of believers, but on the community ofthe body of saints. Hence individualistic Christiansgathered voluntarily for propagating certain goals cannotBiblically claim, with propriety, to commemorate theLord's means of grace.(2) Communion was not divinely ordained merelyon the basis of a collection, a*-gathering, of certainbelievers or organizations. Its foundation is in the bosomof Christ's visible body, the corporately confessing church.Therefore an optional group with only limited idealscannot rightly claim to administer Biblical communion.(3) Communion was governed by divine law andcorporate discipline. However, no mere association ofmen can Biblically discipline those with whom they havenot to do. (Confession. XX, ii.iii; Testimony. XXIII, 4).Yet Biblical communion requires discipline to be anintegral part of the sacrament. Hence no voluntary groupwhich may, by option, be attended and supported orrefused could sponsor a Gospel communion.(4) Communion consists of participation in thedoctrine and practice of the believing body of Christ. Theconfession of THE faith, and submission to His obedientpractice is an absolutely necessary element of communion.Hence no group with a deliberately truncateddoctrine, and limited Biblical obedience to the wholecounsel of God can be acknowledged as dispensing a Godpleasingcommunion.While the world in general, and a sector oi individualChristians may laud, and participate in, theI'rbana '"0 communion, those who with consecrationhave searched out the mind of Christ revealed in Scriptureand whose vow before God and believers will never bedeferred from payment (Confession XXV.iii; XXVII,i;XXIX.iv,viii: Testimony. XX\ 3,41 cannot praise orsanction the misconception (hopefully not guile I or activeproselv ti/ing which runs counter to the Biblical revelationof communion.i

Homespun VerseNEWMartha Ellen SearleLIFEWhen Joyce Kilmer saw beyond the "tree'He'd never even heard of me.Nor you.But God around us every dayHears me when I kneel to pray.And you.Trees' branches reach up to the skiesLike every man before he dies.Have you?They breathe the sweetness of the airAnd do not seem to have a care.Do you?Christ says that He will turn us freeFrom burdens carried needlessly.It's true.In autumn, too, as leaves all lieI think of Christ who came to dieFor youAnd me.But springtime brings the new life outAs Christ arose and goes aboutFor meAnd you.For all our sins our Christ has paid.To do His work He asks our aid.Both youAnd me.So seven days of every weekMay every word that we both speakBe kind,For Him.In New York, London, or in Rome,In school, or office, shop, or homeBe trueTo Him.As birds awaken me each dayTo live for Him is what I pray.You, too?The Doctor of Hoa Khanhfrom page 10Dr. and Mrs. Long and their three small children liveon the hospital grounds. People continually ask Bob how hecould bring his family into the danger and living conditionsof Viet Nam, but Christians will understand his motivation.His wife Judith is as concerned for the patient's spiritualwelfare as he is, and she hopes to be able to communicatewith the children in the hospital as soon as she learns thelanguage. The World Relief Commission is attempting toengage a substitute doctor temporarily so the Longs will beable to take ten weeks of intensive language study.Other personnel is also desperately needed: two morefull-time doctors—another pediatrician or general practitionerand a surgeon or orthopedist, at least two Americannurses to help with the training of over 30 Vietnamesenurses, a laboratory technician, a maintenance man, ahospital administrator and a full-time Vietnamese children'schaplain.In addition to personnel, there are several items ofequipment which are needed plus, financial backing for thehospital—an estimated $350,000 for this year (about equalto the entire budget for the remainder of the World ReliefCommission's world-wide ministry). WRC estimates it willhave to increase its budget by a half million dollars to supportthe hospital for three years.Surely the Lord who established this work and guidedthe Longs so definitely to it is able also to sustain it withpersonnel and finances.ProfilePRE-SYNODIC CONFERENCE(Sponsored by the Bible Department of Geneva College)June 10 —June 12, 19711 P.M. on June 10 through 12 P.M. June 12"FOR CHRIST'S CROWN"' 'A Discussion of the Natureof Christ' s Kingdom''Speakers:Dr. Robert TweedProfessor of Bible, Geneva CollegeDr. S. E. BoyleChristian Government MovementDr. Bernard ZylstraProfessor at the Institute for ChristianStudies, Toronto, CanadaCosts:$2.50 Registration Fee$3.95 Housing and LinenMeals will be served in the College CafeteriaCOVENANTERWITNESS

CHRIST'SGARDENALCOHOL. THE IGNORED'lam come into my garden, my sister, my spouse, ' — Songof Solomon 5:1The heart of the believer is Christ's garden. He boughtit with His precious blood, and He enters it and claims it asHis own.A garden implies separation. It is not the opencommon or public park; it is not a wilderness; it is walledaround, or hedged in. Would that we could see the wall ofseparation between the church and the world made broaderand stronger. It makes one sad to hear Christians saying,'Well, there is no harm in this; there is no harm in that',thus getting as near to the world as possible. Grace is at a lowebb in that soul which can even raise the question of how farit may go in worldly conformity.A garden is a place of beauty, it far surpasses the wilduncultivated lands. The genuine Christian must seek to bemore excellent in his life than the best moralist, becauseChrist's garden ought to produce the best flowers in all theworld. Even the best is poor compared with Christ'sdeservings: let us not put Him off with withering and dwarfplants. The rarest, richest, choicest lilies and roses ought tobloom in the place which Jesus calls His own.The garden is a place of growth. The saints are not toremain undeveloped, always more buds and blossoms. Weshould grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord andSaviour Jesus Christ. Growth should be rapid where Jesus isthe Husbandman, and the Holy Spirit the dew from above.A garden is a place of retirement. So the Lord JesusChrist would have us reserve our souls as a place in whichHe can manifest Himself, as He doth not unto the world. Othat Christians were more retired, that they kept their heartsmore closely shut up for Christ! We often worry and troubleourselves, like Martha, with much serving, so that we havenot the room for Christ that Mary had, and do not sit at Hisfeet as we should.The Lord grant the sweet showers of His grace towater His garden this day.C. H. SPURGEONSPIRITUAL LIFEGrowing up depends upon these four essentials—thephysical, the mental, the social, and the spiritual. Our livescan increase in these four ways, and they should be inhealthy and wholesome balance.An automobile needs all four of its wheels. Perhapsthree wheels on your car are in perfect condition; but if justone wheel is weak or badly out of line, then your automobileis in serious trouble.Isn't this what is wrong with modern life? It is badlyout of balance. People have never had better physical care,and we have the greatest school system ever known. Webelong to the most advanced social system in human history,but countless people pay little or no attention to God.Surely we realize that every man needs a faith to liveby. We must pay much attention to the spiritual training ofour young people, and we should remember to keep ongrowing spiritually ourselves. Let us ask the Lord each day tohelp us to grow spiritually. —Saint Andrew AccentDRUGWITH THE POLISHED IMAGEAmong the social reasons for ignoring the dangers ofalcohol is that many do not even classify it as drug. Themarijuana of the hippies, the heroin of the junkie, the LSD ofthe hallucinates who leap from buildings; those are thedrugs that get attention and worry "the Establishment."Many social drinkers, particularly those with asophisticated self-image, laugh off the effects of alcohol. Yeteven one mild drink hampers both intelligence and efficiency.A second social reason for ignoring the dangers ofthe alcohol drug is due to its well informed and highly shinedimage. The alcoholic beverage industry in the United Statesgrosses $12 billion a year, and spends nearly $200 millionon advertising, a figure exceeded only by car and food ads.The liquor ads unfailingly associate the consumptionof the drug with sex, success, smartness, elegance, youth,health and beauty. Shrewdly, they often stress the highintegrity of the liquor maker; occasionally this is a hoodedmonk — Brother Timothy is popular — or a Kentuckymountaineer, even though most monks and mountaineersare too busy with prayer or poverty to produce or profit byliquor.Legally, sale of the alcohol drug is more and morewidely sanctioned. The Prohibition repeal legislation thatbegan in 1933 culminated three years ago when the lastremaining statewide ban on liquor sales ended in Mississippi.Beyond this, the drug has been available over the counterwithout prescription, and despite such laws as forbiddingsales to minors and known inebriates, virtually available toanyone who is half-determined to get it.The federal government takes a $4 billion a year onliquor taxes, second only to individual and corporate incometaxes. Hence, weakly devised and lamely enforced controlsare allowed to stand, lest the golden egg-laying goose bekilled. Legislatures, particularly on the state level, are eagleeyedto the powerful liquor lobbies and seldom pass alcoholcontrol legislation without industry opposition. The realtest for legislators, state and local officials, pastors andparents will come when prevention gets in the way of profits.If so many of our leaders follow that line of so-calledreasoning in considering alcohol, gambling, etc., then itshould not surprise anyone to find some immature teens andsome "ivory-tower eggheads" using the same argument tourge legalizing marijuana, removing age limits and otherdisciplines against drinking, gambling, and pornography.Cold facts can never equal the teaching value of awarm personal example!Do Teens Have A Right To Ask Any Adult. . Willyou give up beer, if I'll give up marijuana? . Will you stoplegalizing and promoting such destructive products asliquor, if I'll be a proud and willing supporter of America'sfree enterprise democracy? Many Youth Are Saying:"The so-called Establishment is uptight about drugs thesedavs, but they're thinking of drugs that are new in ourculture — heroin, marijuana, LSD. They shouldn't forgetabout alcohol, because alcohol is the drug which should topthe nation's "most dangerous list." - Adapted from"Alert", United Christian Action of Florida.MARCH 31. 1971 9

The Children's CornerDR. PEOPLES' WA R EXPERIENCES(continued from last week)by Mrs, Kenneth SandersonStill later, in February, Dr. Peoples wrote theForeign Mission Board: "I am longing to get some wordfrom my family for I have had no word since they leftSwitzerland. — We are waiting and wondering as to whatthe outcome of all this will be. We know this, that thewhole business is the Lord's business and He will bring itout all right in His own good time."What it has really been to have lived through theseyears only those who have actually been through them canappreciate. Not always because of what really happened,but because of the suspense and fear as to what was likelyto happen."Finally Dr. Peoples was able to leave Mersine, onApril 27, 1920, and traveled through Switzerland, Italy,and France before he at last reached Philadelphia on June19. What a joyful reunion that must have been for theirfamily after more than three years of separation.During her years in Turkey, Mrs. Peoples hadcontracted amoebic dysentery, which with other complicationsbrought about her early death, in 1925 followingmuch suffering. Their oldest child, David, had died, onAugust 6, 1924. During his wife's prolonged illness Dr.Peoples had been practicing medicine in Philadelphia andhe continued to do so.Turkey and its needs were constantly weighing onhis mind. In May 1926, he informed the Foreign MissionBoard that he was willing to return to Turkey if he couldtake his two children with him. After considering his offer,the Board expressed their thanks to him, but said that theyfelt it wasn't wise for him to take his children to Turkey,and also the medical work in Mersine had been closed.While denied the opportunity of further work in Turkey,Dr. Peoples continued his work as a missionary bybecoming an enthusiastic and faithful worker in his freetime in the Jewish Mission in Philadelphia until God calledhim to his heavenly home in 1965.In accepting an award from the Medical AlumniAssociation of his university, Dr. Peoples concluded hisacceptance speech with these words: "God in His HolyWord promises us another award, one not of merit, but ofgrace. It behooves us to walk this highway of faithfulnessto our Master that we may receive His award. "Be thoufaithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of Life."Truly Dr. John Peoples was a man who proved himselffaithful.THE END10THE DOCTOR OF HOA KHANHA Medical Doctor Brings Hope andHappiness to Viet Nam ChildrenA tall, slim, blond American steps into a wardcrowded with Vietnamese children. The children in the bedsturn toward him with happy smiles. Those who are ambulatoryrush across the room toward him. With a quicksmile he scoops up a child in each arm. After a few friendlywords he sets them on their feet, and he proceeds down theward.The young American with the warm smile and thefriendly, happy personality is Dr. Robert G. Long, medicaldirector of Hoa Khanh Children's Hospital in Danang, VietNam. There are 120 beds in the hospital with a daily bedoccupancy of 70-80 patients and an active outpatient clinic.Under Dr. Long's care and responsibility is everything frompremature babies to tuberculosis of the spine.At 7:30 in the morning he is at the hospital checkingon a 14-year-old boy upon whom they worked to bring out ofshock for three and a half hours the preceding afternoon. Orperhaps it's a two-year-old blind girl with pneumonia—andso malnourished it is difficult for her to eat anything morethan small sips of high protein milk. This is the beginning ofa demanding day that often lasts until ten at night.Bob Long is a friendly, outgoing person, yet a manwho obviously knows his direction and has a deep resolve tofulfill it.Even before his discharge from the Army in July, theyoung Chief of Pediatrics Service of the USA Hospital inOkinawa had had invitations from over 30 organizations tofill medical missionary posts. In fact, he had visited facilitiesin several countries.Long explained, "Though we'd considered manyareas, we did not really know where we were to fit in. Wewere willing to go anywhere the Lord directed us. . .and Heheld us to that. Just before being discharged to the UnitedStates, in direct answer to prayer for the Lord's guidanceconcerning where He wanted me to serve, I received therequest to come to the Hoa Khanh Children's Hospital. Itold the Lord, 'If You want me to go there, make it possiblefor me to visit the hospital.' Knowing all the time that it wasimpossible, humanly speaking, I checked to see if there werea military aircraft available. To my amazement, I was toldthere was one going that very week. I knew that God had Hishand in it."A spiritual program has been instituted to supplementthe medical feature of the hospital. There is a Bible StoryEvening for the children on Thursdays and Christian booksfor them to enjoy. There are also daily staff prayer meetings.see page 8COVENANTERWITNESS

Sabbath SchoolLessonLesson Helps for the Week of April 25ifor April 25,1971God's ludgment Upon IsraelAmos 1:1; 2:4-7; 8:4-7,11Comments by John K. GaultOnly one man in the Old Testamenthad the name, Amos, and that man was theAmos of this lesson. He lived over sevenhundred years before Christ, in the vicinityof Tekoa, a small village about ten milessouth of Jerusalem. By occupation Amoswas a shepherd and the scholars say thatthe name herdsman indicates that he raiseda special breed of sheep, the wool of whichwas very desirable in the weaving industry.The call of Amos to be a prophet isdescribed in his answer to Amaziah, thepriest of Bethel, who counseled him to gosouth into Judah and "there eat bread, andprophesy there," as he said, "I was noprophet, neither was I a prophet's son; butI was an herdman and a gatherer ofsycamore fruit: and the Lord took me as Ifollowed the flock, and the Lord said untome, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.Now therefore hear thou the word of theLord." It is evident, therefore, that Amosnever attended any formal school of theprophets, but, notwithstanding, his simpleoutdoor life enabled him to realize thenearness of God and of the responsibilitywhich the people owed to God. Somecommentators are of the opinion thatAmos probably visited different cities ofthe land and in that way he saw the uncheckedwickedness of the countries andhis heart burned within him to dosomething about it.1: Amos, Speaking For God,Pronounced ludgment upon JudahBecause the People Despised God's Law.As he said in 2:4 they "have not kepthis commandments, and their lies causedthem to err, after the which their fathershave walked." To despise God's law is thegreatest sin which people can commit. It isthe origin of all other forms of transgressions.In Psalm 19:7 the singer said,'The law of the Lord is perfect, convertingthe soul." To despise God's law is,therefore, to be in an unconverted state.People, by nature, are inclined to do as'hey please, but this inclination can veryMARCH 31, 1971easily prove their undoing. A child alwayswants to do as he pleases; consequently hemight put poison in his mouth, fall into thewater, or destroy himself in many otherways. The restraining hand and voice ofthe parent is always necessary if the child isto be kept from harm. This is what the lawof the Lord does for people. When peopleobserve and obey this law they are keptfrom the harm of the Devil who wouldotherwise destroy them. The nation ofJudah had come to despise the law of theLord and as a consequence God said tothat nation in the words of Amos, "But Iwill send a fire upon Judah, and it shalldevour the palaces of Jerusalem." This waswhat happened when Nebuchadnezzar,king of Babylon, captured the city,destroyed the Temple, and took all theimportant citizens into captivity.2: God Pronounced ludgment uponIsrael Because the Greedy LandownersOppressed the Poor.Amos said for God, "For threetransgressions of Israel, and for four, I willnot turn away the punishment thereof;because they sold the righteous for silver,and the poor for a pair of shoes; that pantafter the dust of the earth on the head ofthe poor, and turn aside the way of themeek;" The poor of the land were forcedto sell themselves into slavery in order tohave food to eat and even to obtain a pairof shoes were the poor sold into slavery.The rich were so rapacious in their greedthat they sought to seize the poor who hadput dust on their heads as a sign of theirabject misery. The "meek" or those whodid desire to do the will of God were"turned aside"; that is, they werediscriminated against by the lustful rich. Inthe "Deserted Village" Goldsmith says,"111 fares the land, to hastening ills aprey.Where wealth accumulates, and mendecay;Princes and lords may flourish or mayfade;A breath can make them, as a breathhas made;But a bold peasantry, their country'spride,When once destroyed, can never besupplied."Amos said, also, as he denounced therich men of Israel for their oppression ofthe poor, "Hear this, O ye that swallow upthe needy, even to make the poor of theland to fail, saying, When will the newmoon be gone, that we may sell corn? andthe Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat,making the ephah small, and the shekelgreat, and falsifying the balances bydeceit." The rapacious land owners ofIsrael were guilty of the most flagrantsocial sins which amounted to openviolation of the second table of the lawrequiring love for one's neighbor.3: God Pronounced Judgment uponIsrael Because of Her Gross Immorality.This is stated in 2:7,8, "A man and hisfather will go in unto the same maid, toprofane my holy name: and they laythemselves down upon clothes laid topledge by e\ery altar." — Incest andadultery were evidently commonplace andtheir idol worship was characterized byopen wickedness of this sort. Israel,therefore, had become a nation of idolworshipers, which was a violation of thefirst table of the law wherein God had said,"Thou shalt have no other gods beforeme." Their oppression and cheating of thepoor were violations of the second table ofthe law which commanded people to lovetheir neighbors as themselves.4: God's Judgments upon IsraelWere Inescapable.For every cause there must be aneffect, so God said through Amos, "Cantwo walk together except they be agreed?Will a lion roar in the forest when he hathno prey? Will a young lion cry out of hisden, if he have taken nothing? Can a birdfall in a snare upon the earth, where no ginis for him? Shall one take up a snare fromthe earth, and have taken nothing at all? —The lion hath roared, who will not fear?The Lord God hath spoken, who can butprophesy?" Through Amos, God has saidto the people of every age and nation thatas day and night follow each other soretribution is sure to follow any disregardof God's laws.S: Israel Did Not Learn from LocalJudgments.Amos said in 4:6-9,11,12, "And I havegiven you cleanness of teeth in all yourcities, and want of bread in all your places:vet have ye not returned unto me, saith theLord. And also I have withholden the rainfrom vou, when there were vet threeII

months to the harvest: and I caused it torain upon one city, and caused it not torain upon another city: one piece wasrained upon, and the piece whereupon itrained not withered. So two or three citieswandered unto one city, to drink water;but they were not satisfied: yet have ye notreturned unto me, saith the Lord. I havesmitten you with blasting and mildew: . . .yet have ye not returned unto me saith theLord. ... I have overthrown some of you,as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, .. . yet have ye not returned unto me, saiththe Lord. Therefore thus will I do untoyou, O Israel: and because I will do thisunto thee, prepare to meet they God, OIsrael."God has spoken to the people ofAmerica in much the same way as he spoketo Israel. Local disasters have occurred invarious places such as the earthquake inLos Angeles county, the tornado in theMississippi delta, and storms of snow but itcan be said of America as Amos said ofIsrael, "Yet have ye not returned unto me,saith the Lord. Therefore, . . . prepare tomeet thy God." America has not yetlearned from local disasters that her greatduty is to acknowledge Christ the King."Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior TopicFor April 25,1971Unit: Our Public Worshipand SacramentsTHE OFFERING(Tithes and Stewardship)Mrs. John Russell"God loveth a cheerful giver" (II Cor.9:10). God is a giving God and Christianityis a giving religion. Christians must be agiving people. All we possess we receivedfrom God. He has made us stewards of allwe possess. "It is required in stewards thata man be found faithful" (I Cor. 4:2). Thetime will come when we will be called togive an account of our stewardship. (Luke16:2)Covetousness, to want more than wehave or what someone else has, is a deadlysin. "The love of money is the root of allevil" (I Tim. 6:10). God doesn't want stingychildren. That is what we are if we havenever learned to give. We need to give forour own sakes, because it will not reallyhurt God if He doesn't receive our littletithe. It will hurt us if we keep everythingfor ourselves. (Elliott — "Handbook forYoung Christians") We may become less12thankful to God and selfish, and will forgetwho made us and gives us everything thatwe are and have. "Bring ye all the tithesinto the storehouse, that there may bemeat in mine house, and prove Me nowherewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I willnot open you the windows of heaven andpour you out a blessing, that there shall notbe room enough to receive it" (Mai. 3:10).What does the word steward orstewardship mean? This means a way oflife in which we understand that all wehave really belongs to God, and then weshow that we understand this by regularlygiving a part of it back to Him for the workof bringing others into God's Kingdom. Agood steward uses all his abilities and anyspecial talents in service for God'swork, too. We should give our whole self toGod. If we are God's children, we say toGod, "I belong to You, dear Father." Thatis the gift God loves best.And, because we love God, we wantto give to others. We give to the poorbecause Jesus loves them. We give to helpmissionaries tell the story of Jesuseverywhere. This we do when we give ourmoney in the offering in the church services.This, too, is an important part of ourpublic worship of God. We can give kindwords and do kind deeds to people aroundus, as Jesus did. Jesus says that when wegive something to someone else becausewe love Jesus, we are really giving to JesusHimself.Isn't it wonderful that we really givesomething to Jesus, just as Mary in theBible gave her precious ointment orperfume? This giving will make us happy.(Review story of Mary and Jesus — John11:2, 12:1-8)Here's another Bible story aboutgiving. One day, long ago, when theIsraelites were God's special people, Godtold them to build Him a tabernacle — abig tent where they could worship Him. Hetold Moses, their leader, just how to makeit. And He said, "Everybody who wants tomay bring things for the tabernacle. Youmay bring gold and silver, wood, beautifulcloth, and animal skins; you may bringjewelry and sweet incense." Do you thinkmany people wanted to bring gifts to Godfor the tabernacle? Oh, yes! All who lovedthe Lord were glad to bring their gifts.They brought their best and many, manythings, so much, that at last Moses saidthey should stop! The people had shownhow much they loved God. He had done somuch for them, and that is the reason thatthey were so glad to bring gifts to Him.When your birthday comes, it's ahappy day, isn't it? Maybe you get presentsand it's fun to get presents. Gettingpresents makes you happy, but do youknow what will make you even morehappy? Giving something makes us morehappy than getting something. We givepresents to people because we love them.Next time you give something, see howhappy you yourself will be!What does it mean when the ministertalks about "tithing"? The practice of"tithing," or giving one tenth of the netincome of money to God's Kingdom, is asystem which many Christians have foundto be a good method of stewardship. Youmay wonder how you can tithe or give anoffering in church when you are a youngboy or girl. God doesn't think of theamount of money given, but of the attitude(cheerfully or stubbornly) and of thesacrifice (giving most to God or beingselfish with money). In the Bible is thestory of a poor widow who came toworship and gave only two mites (less thana penny) and yet Jesus gave her great creditfor this because He knew this was all shehad and she would have faith that Godwould help her get more money for foodand things she needed. Stewardship includesfour parts of life: self, service, time,and money. 1) Self — He wants our loyaland loving hearts and lives. 2) Service —He wants our physical and spiritualabilities used in His service. 3) Time —In one sense all time is special, becauseGod gives us life here, but especially oneday, the Sabbath, is to be special for Him.(Ex. 20:8-11). 4) Money — He wants usto return to Him a portion of what we haveto show Him we understand He really ownsit all.So we see that giving to the Lord is anact of worship. It also helps us grow inunselfishness, sympathy, and generositytoward those who are in need. And manywho give the tithe regularly say that Godblesses, and the nine tenths of money goesfarther than the ten tenths did before!(Tweed — "The Communicants' Class)To Leader:(1) Catechism questions — 39, 50.(2) Memory Psalms for Unit: 95, p. 231;122, p. 316. Review.(3) Sing in meeting: Ps. 96:3, p. 232; Ps.27:4,5,8, p. 62; Ps. 66:10,12,13, p. 158; Ps.116:8,9,11,12, p. 282.(4) Worship Verse — Acts 20:35 (write innotebook).(5) "Worship Notebook" — Label thispage, "Giving Money to Jesus." Have childbring picture of church and collectionplate and money. Make a heading, "Offerings"with two columns marked,"Pleasing to God" and "Not Pleasing toGod." List Bible characters on each side,such as Cain, Abel, widow and two mites,giving for tabernacle, etc. List also what ispleasing today from us: selves, time,COVENANATER WITNESS

service, money. Also what is displeasingand talk about examples of each. Talkabout what one tenth is (one penny of adime, dime of a dollar, etc.) This is what weowe, and above that is really giving!(6) Handwork — Add Stewardship toBible fleet of ships. Make Kitchen TimeClock motto. Use a paper plate withmetallic cardboard for the hands, using aparquet circle in center. Mark the 12places around dial and use Bible versestickers or write in verses about time.(Examples — Rev. 22:20, Isa. 55:6, Hos.10:12, II Cor. 6:2a, II Cor. 6:2b.)Prayer MeetingTopicFor April 28,1971PRAYER FOR THECHRISTIAN GOVERNMENTMOVEMENTRev. Samuel E. Boyle, D.D.Philippians 2:9-11; John 18:32-19:22;Revelation 1:5; 11:15.Psalm Suggestions: Ps. 98:1-4,7, p. 234(Desert); Ps. 93:1-5, p. 228; Ps. 72:9-12, p.175; Ps. 2:1-3,6-8, p. 4."My kingdom is not of this world,else would my servants fight. . ," said Jesusto Pilate, who then asked, "Art thou a king,then?" To this our Savior quietly replied: ".. I am a king. To this end was I born, andfor this cause came I into the world, that Ishould bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice."Pilate saith unto Him, "What is truth?"Many Christians misunderstand theabove statement of Christ as ruling out anypolitical application of the Kingship ofJesus Christ to national life, but ReformedPresbyterians have always insisted thatChrist's Kingship is universal in both aprovidential and moral sense, requiringthat the governments of all nations "kissthe Son" (Psalm 2) by an official submissionto the authority and law of JesusChrist, the prince of the kings of all theearth (Revelation 1:5, 11:15). The fact thatthe United States rejected this confessionof the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the 1789Constitution made Covenanters refuse toswear allegiance to it from the verybeginning of our nation's existence.After 1841 the Covenanters of NorthAmerica not only maintained politicaldissent from Christless civil government,but also began in a positive manner topublicize their denominational faith in theKingship of Christ over the nation bycirculating petitions among other churches.Beginning in 1844, too, periodicefforts were made to get Congress to passMARCH 31, 1971legislation to change the Constitution insome way which would commit our land toChrist the King. Separation of church andstate has always been consistentlymaintained by Covenanters but they havenever tolerated separation of the statefrom Almighty God. The Word of Godcontained in the Scriptures of the Old andNew Testaments omits no neutral area —not even the so-called sphere of "commongrace" — where Jesus Christ's mediatorialdominion does not extend in power andglory.There have been gradual changes inthe Covenanter Church's witness to Christ'sMediatorial Kingship over nations since itwas first adopted in 1806. The earliesttestimony written and adopted by the"Reformed Presbytery" in 1806 stated inchapters XXIX and XXX:"It is the duty of Christians, for thesake of peace and order, and inhumble resignation to God's goodprovidence, to conform to thecommon regulations of society inthings lawful; but to professallegiance to no constitution ofgovernment which is in hostility to thekingdom of Christ, the- Head of theChurch, and the Prince of the kings ofthe earth." D&T XXX.2"Christians testifying againstnational evils, and striving in the useof moral means to effect a reformation,should relinquish temporalprivileges, rather than do anythingwhich may appear to contradict theirtestimony, or lay a stumbling-blockbefore their weaker brethren." D&T XXX.4This Testimony condemned as anerror: "Thatit is lawful to profess orswear allegiance to an immoralconstitution of civil government."(No. 1)National Reform Efforts, 1844-1970The first recorded evidence ofChristian petitions to Congress came in1844, when "citizens" (we have no proofthat they were Covenanters) from WesternPennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois persuadedex-President John Quincy Adams, acongressman from Massachusetts, to readin The House their petition askingCongress to acknowledgeAlmightyGod, toaccept the Scriptures as the "lawparamount," and to submit to the LordJesus Christ as "ruler of this nation." Loudlaughter greeted the reading of thispetition bv Mr. Adams and the Housevoted immediately to lay it on the table,thus barring any discussion of the petition.The National Reform Associationwas organized during the Civil War withCovenanter leadership andit attracted awide interdenominational following duringthe next century. The earliest Covenantercondemnation of the United StatesConstitution had been drastic and completebecause of the document's"irreligion" and its "immorality." Theimmorality, of course, was chiefly the sinof condoning human slavery. The irreligioncharged against the Constitution was itssecular indifference to the Christianreligion. Covenanters in the earlynineteenthcentury publicly attacked theFirst Amendment for allowing Papists,sectarian heretics, Jews, and atheists thesame political freedom which Christianshave. The Covenanter ideal at that timewas still anchored to the "covenanteruniformity" ideal embodied in Scotland'sNational Covenant of 1638 and the SolemnLeague and Covenant of 1643. Tolerationof error was not deemed possible under aChristian Government, and our forefathersin this nation viewed the First Amendmentto the Constitution as a rebellious defianceof the Sovereignty of God.By 1894, however, the church hadmellowed on this point to the extent ofproposing to the Congress a much lesselaborate Christian confession than theearly petition presented to Congress in1844. The National Reform Association'sfirst two Christian amendments failed,though a public hearing was held in March,1896 on House Joint Resolution 28, aChristian amendment sponsored by theNRA. This hearing in 1896 attractednational attention and opposition. Afterseveral subsequent vain attempts to getCongress to adopt religious bills ofdiminishing Christian content, the NRAfinally dropped this legislative effort andturned to general moral reforms.After World War II, God moved theCovenanter church to try to bring Americato Christ by another new Constitutionalamendment campaign. The 1946organization was called The ChristianAmendment Movement. This 1946 form ofChristian amendment accepted the U. S.Constitution's First Amendment and evenoffered a modified oath to non-Christians.This 1946 Christian Amendment wasquite different from the original demandsmade on America by Covenanters in 1806,1844 or 1896. It strongly supports the FirstAmendment! Some 54 separate Christianamendment resolutions were introduced inCongress by various Christian members ofSenate or House from W47 to 1%9. Apublic hearing before a sub-committee ofthe Senate Judiciary Committee came in1954 but at no time did the Christiansec page Id13

"SHE'S A STATE CHAMPION"Jeralyn Long, a Geneva Collegejunior speech major from Lafayette, Indianais not short on trophies. During oneand one-half years competition in ninetournaments she has won ten trophies inforensics. Her most recent accomplishmentwas attained at the 24thannual Pennsylvania Inter-collegiateForensic Tournament held March 5 and 6at Villanova University. Her score of 189 ofa possible 190 points won for her the StateExtemporaneous Speaking Championship.Contestants were from some twenty-sixPennsylvania colleges and universities whoare members of the Debating Associationof Pennsylvania. Miss Long will representGeneva at the Phi Kappa Delta NationalForensics Tournament, the largestforensics tournament in the world, to beheld March 22-26, at the University ofHouston, Houston, Texas. There she willcompete with participants representingsome 2,500 colleges and universities.Jeralyn is the daughter of Mr. andMrs. William Long, 720 South Ninth Street,Lafayette, Indiana. She is a member of theReformed Presbyterian Church.KATHARINE WAGNERProverbs 31:31: "Give her of the fruit ofher hands, and let her own works praiseher in the gates."One of God's chosen race, she choseto acknowledge His virgin-born Son as herSavior and Lord, and joined the ThirdChurch of the Covenanters, then located atFranklin and Dauphin Streets,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in April 1915.At the time of her conversion, ThirdChurch maintained a vigorous home14missionary program, under the leadershipof our beloved Miss Annie Forsyth, withfacilities in the next-to-the Church GuildHouse, where activities for children, youth,and adults were carried on daily, and manysouls were led to Christ and lives dedicatedto His Crown and Covenant.Mrs. Wagner and her children firstlearned The Way through His Word taughtin these classes in the Guild House, andafter Mrs. Wagner became a member ofthe church, she assumed the duties asteacher of the Beginner's Class. Never didBeginners better learn to sing the Psalms,memorize Scripture verses, and catechismthan they did under the tutelage of Mrs.Wagner, and the Beginners' Roomoverflowed with "little people."She was always a very busy person,taking care of her Civil War Veteranhusband, who wasill for many years beforehis death. She supported her family byworking for a furrier and was much indemand because she was such a fineseamstress. She loved the missionaries ofour denomination and gave generously totheir support. Residents of the ReformedPresbyterian Home in Pittsburgh wererecipients of many "goodies" at birthdayand holiday times.For many years before her death onOctober 18, 1970, Mrs. Wagner and herdaughter, Elizabeth, resided in AtlanticCity, New Jersey. From this place shetraveled twice yearly to attend the springand fall Communions.Another daughter, MadalineThurlow, two sons, Frank and George, andseveral grandchildren survive her and "riseup to call her blessed."Minutes adopted by theWomen's Missionary SocietyThird Church of the CovenantersPhiladelphiaMISS MARGARET ROSSThe Cambridge Women's MissionarySociety records with sorrow, the loss of afriend and member, Miss Margaret Ross.Miss Ross was born in Jamaica Plain,Massachusetts, on December 12, 1904, thedaughter of Elder and Mrs. Walter Ross.She was a member of the FirstBoston Church until the congregation wasdissolved, and then she united with theCambridge congregation.Margaret was one of eight children,including a twin brother, George, but onlythree survive her, a brother Donald ofBuffalo, New York, and a brother Walterand sister Rachel with whom she made herhome. We pray God's blessing on theseremaining members of the family, andclaim His promise of comfort and blessingfor them.Miss Ross lived for her Lord in whomshe had unwavering faith. This wasdemonstrated by her unselfish devotion toher family, and her cheerful acceptance ofall tasks that were hers to perform. She washospitable in her home, generous with theuse of her car, faithful in visiting the sickand elderly, and every new baby that cameinto the church family received abeautiful handmade gift. Her life wasalways one of service to others.During the last few years of herlifeshe was in poor health, but had seemedmuch improved in the last year and wasable to work at a part time position.Her Savior called her to be with Himon November 3, 1970.II Timothy 4:8: "Henceforth thereislaid up for me a crown of righteousness,which the Lord, the righteous judge, shallgive me at that day."STERLING, KANSAS(Rev. Paul Faris, pastor)We are glad to have Dr. and Mrs.John Scott back with us and active in thework of our congregation. In December,before the Christmas season, Dr. Scott hadserious surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Mrs.Scott was with him and the children alsojoined them during the Christmas holidays.Miss Pamela Mann, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Howard Mann, became the brideof Mr. Ron Keir of Hutchinson, Kansas onFriday, December 18. The young coupleare living in Hutchinson where Mr. Keirattends Junior College and works atBailey's Farm Supply.Mr. and Mrs. Marlin McFarland, ofNorfolk, Virginia, are the parents of a babygirl, born December 23, in PortsmouthNaval Hospital. She has been named KaraDawn. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs.Eldo McFarland of Sterling and Mr. andMrs. Fred Burnett, Granger, Washington.Mr. Sam Schafer of Sterling is the greatgrandfather.A church supper was held on NewYear's eve at the church. Mrs. IrenaKilgore had charge of the program whichconsisted of skits and musical numbers puton by each class of the Sabbath School.The new officers of our WMS areMrs. Eldo McFarland, president; Mrs.Quentin Kilgore, vice-president; Mrs. LouWilkey, recording secretary, Miss EldaPatton, corresponding secretary; and Mrs.Robert McCrory, treasurer.COVENANTER WITNESS

A soup supper was held in thechurch, Monday evening, January 11,followed by our annual congregationalmeeting, presided over by Mr. QuentinKilgore.Mrs. Paul Faris started a Bible studygroup in January. The women meet onMonday mornings from 9:30-11 in theindividual homes for coffee and Biblestudy of Rev. Kenneth Smith's book,"Learning To Be A Woman." Attendanceand interest have been very good.Mrs. Lou Wilkey was hostess to theJanuary evening meeting of the WMS. Areview of the Christian GovernmentMovement was given by Mrs. Paul Faris.Miss Jean Edgar led devotionals. A latenight caller (Mrs. James Humphreys) in adisguised man's voice delivered a large boxto the door for the new grandmother, Mrs.Eldo McFarland. The surprise gift was afolding high chair for her new granddaughter,Kara Dawn.The deacons held a work night at thechurch on February 8. There was a goodattendance and people were mendingpews, painting, fixing table tops, etc. Theyalso moved the bookcases and books intothe new carpeted library room. Refreshmentswere served during the evening.The high school CY held a Valentinedinner meeting in February at the church.Following the dinner, Valentine cakes,made previously by the girls of the group,were taken to the homes of Mrs. SelinaBeckett, Mr. and Mrs. Warnock Patton,Miss Florence Edgar, and Mrs. Nuest.Dessert was taken to Mrs. Esther Hitchcockand Mrs. Sam Milligan.Miss Eleanor Faris was our thankoffering speaker on Sabbath evening,February 14. We enjoyed having her withus before she left for her work in Japan.Philip and Don McCrory, who areattending Wichita State University, wereboth on the Dean's Honor Roll the firstsemester of the school year. Philip Mc­Croryis a business major and Don Mc­Crory a music major.The men of the congregation had apancake and sausage supper for thewomen on February 17. Everyone enjoyedthe fellowship and the good food. Mr.Steve Wilkey was leader of prayer meetingfollowing the supper. Interesting reportsabout Cyprus were given by Miss EldaPatton and Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Church services were dismissed onSabbath, February 21, due to the bigblizzard which brought 18 inches of snowplus high winds, which kept this areasnowbound for three days.The WMS held an evening meetingin February at the country home of Mrs.Robert McCrory. Mrs. Reah Mathews gaverecent news about the Billy GrahamCrusades. Devotionals were led by Mrs.Lou Wilkey. There was a good attendanceeven though it was a cold, slushy night.Miss Eleanor Faris was a guest.Dr. and Mrs. Clarence Wilson arebeing missed here as they are nowvacationing in Phoenix, Arizona.Mr. Robert McCrory was elected as anew member of the Sterling Co-op board attheir yearly Co-op banquet held in Marchat the Sterling College Cafeteria.Mrs. Lauren DeBuhr, nee MelodyMcFarland, and son Eric of Topeka werevisiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. EldoMcFarland, the last five days of February.Congratulations were extended toMrs. Esther Hitchcock on March 11, her90th birthday. Members of the church senther a card shower. She has been unable toattend services this winter and we havemissed her.Rev. Wylie Dougherty conducted aservice at the Sterling Manor on Friday,March 5. A quartet, Mrs. Paul Faris, Mrs.Wilber Wilkey, Mr. Robert Dill, and Rev.Mr. Dougherty led the singing.CTA2 Marlin McFarland, who hasbeen stationed at the Destroyer-SubmarineBase at Norfolk, Virginia, for the past twoyears, has orders to report this spring toGuam. His wife Paula and daughter, KaraDawn, plan to accompany him.The Sterling High School BlackBears basketball team closed out the yearwith a very creditable 14-8 record. RogerTener, 6'5" senior, has been an outstandingplayer and scorer. Roger is the son of Mr.and Mrs. Max Tener. Father Max says theyear has been a hard one on his bloodpressure. Mr. Quentin Kilgore of ourcongregation has been Assistant Coach ofthe team.COLLEGE HILL,BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIAThe fall thank offering meeting washeld in conjunction with family night onNovember 18. Mrs. Norman Carson leddevotions and had charge of the program.Dr. Robert Young, assistant dean of men atGeneva College, was the speaker. Heshowed slides of countries he had traveleden route to his home from Iran andLebanon, where he had been serving as alay missionary.On November 27 the CY of PittsburghPresbytery sponsored a Psalm singin the Allegheny Church. Rev. Kenneth G.Smith was chairman, Carol Spear,precentor, and Lynn Turk, assistantprecentor. Congregational singing wasinterspersed by a mixed quartette singingtwo Psalms and several young people whospoke about the Christian life and sangappropriate Psalms. The program wasconcluded by a short message on "Livingfor the Glory of God" by Dr. RenwickWright.The annual Thanksgiving worshipservice was held at the Geneva Church.The message was brought by Dr. RobertTweed.The David Pasarilla family havetransferred their letters to the San Diegocongregation, and the Lee Bittner family tothe Philadelphia congregation. Our prayersgo with these former members as they joinwith other congregations.On December 6, Rev. Joseph A. Hill,assistant Bible professor at GenevaCollege, baptized his granddaughter AnnHughes, daughter of Jim and LindaHughes.Dr. C. M. Lee, having had furthersurgery, is home from United Hospital inBeaver Falls and is making satisfactoryrecovery. Sam McDonald is home from thehospital after an emergency appendectomy,Sabbath, January 3.The R. W. Redpath MissionarySociety were guests of the HighlandersMissionary Society, December 6, at thehome of Mrs. Robert McConaughy.Following the program a white elephantexchange and social hour was enjoyed.The congregation rejoices in theacceptance of Dean R. Smith to becometheir pastor. The Smiths expect to come toBeaver Falls in March.The following officers were electedat the annual congregational meeting: Dr.William Russell, chairman; Mr. KarlCunningham, vice-chairman; Mrs. GeorgeHenning, secretary; Dr. John Mclsaac,treasurer; Roy McDonald, assistanttreasurer. Elected to three-year terms astrustees were Kenneth Engle, DonaldLedrick, and Robert Anderson.True Calvinists love "TULIP."Almonte Covenanters especially do. Wefondly gaze on a million and more tulipsin Ottawa, generally in full bloom aboutmid-May.However, we aren't so totallydepraved or limited but what wepersevere long ourselves and almostirresistibly long that you might elect thisvear to visit us about that time. There isone condition though — write forcomplete travel information from the"Look-out and Reform Committee", c/oMiss Jeanette Waddell, RR. 2,Almonte. Ontario, CANADAMARCH 31, 1971 15

LaMention Geneva and the travelerrecalls water gushing from thefountain in Lake Geneva or themagnificent Swiss Alps whichenvelop the city of the reformation.There is another Geneva with abeauty allits own nestled in theBeaver Valley of western Pennsylvania..Geneva College. We inviteyou to discover this Geneva, a fullyaccredited Christian liberal artscollege with majors in the variousarts and sciences as well as engineering,all integrated around theWord of God.To make this discovery, write forthe brochure entitled "DiscoverGeneva." Send the coupon to Mr.W. Lee Troup, Geneva College,_ Beaver_Fal I^Pa_J 5010.Yes, tell me more about GenevaCollege. Please send me the tree brochureentitled "DiscovernameGeneva."addresstitv stale |)r

jD^e^ttei n*S&MFOR..N ^ t e elA.VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 14 APRIL 7, 1971 STERLING KANSAS 6757QBIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 2, 1971WHITE LAKE. NEW YORK R. PCHURCHMissionary Number

THE COVENANTERWITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER » EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. L. E. KilpatrickDepartment Editors:....Rev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, S-month Introductoryoffer — SI.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.PRE-SYNODICCONFERENCE(Sponsored by the Bible Department of Geneva ColJune 10 —June 12, 19711 P.M. on June 10 through 12 P.M. June 12"FOR CHRIST'S CROWN""A Discussion of the Natureof Christ' s Kingdom''Speakers:Dr. Robert TweedProfessor of Bible, Geneva CollegeDr. S. E. BoyleChristian Government MovementDr. Bernard ZylstraProfessor at the Institute for ChristianStudies, Toronto, CanadaCosts:$2.50 Registration Fee$3.95 Housing and LinenMeals will be served in the College CafeteriaThis Week's WitnessHow to Understand and HelpDelinquent CovenantersGlimpses of the Religious WorldA Growing Church in Japan.Report from Japan.Rev. T. M. Hutcheson Writes.My Bible.Sarah: Abram's Wife.Fred Karmay's Ambition Realized.Lesson Helps.Church News.Some This and That in W.M.S..34.5.67.8.910111416WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and thatit is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent fromallgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

For the Board of EvangelismHowTo Understand And HelpThe Delinquent CovenanterTom Joseph *Member of the Evangelism BoardStop right here for a moment. . . . What would youlike my comments to be, or what do you expect them to belike? Should they be a long list of chastising accusationsgiven by one who remains "loyal to the cause"? No! Noneof us can claim a higher favor with God because of ourown "cool appraisals." All who are within Christ'skingdom of the redeemed are there for one reason, thegrace and love of God.Our basic approach is to be one of love and concernrather than a critical, standoffish attitude. We must goback to understanding the foundations which they havelaid, or had laid for them, in their earlier life. What wasit that took them away from us? Our first, basic-concern is their salvation. Have they become memberswithout receiving Christ as their Savior? One of thepurposes of the new birth is to give us a desire to pleaseGod (Ezek. 11:19,20). Without the Spirit's working theindividual can have no real desire to be a Christian.We all recognize that becoming a member involvespersonal consent to the "Covenant of Church Membership."This 'consent' can be brought about in otherways than a personal commitment. Social pressures sweepa young person into the church. Parents and churchfathers frown if young people don't follow the routine ofchurch membership at a certain age. In some ways weexpect spiritual growth to be as automatic and regular asphysical growth. The choice of loyalty to Christ vs. theworld is the most important decision of a person's life. Wedon't expect a person of fourteen to sixteen to choose hislife work, nor do we expect him to choose his marriage'partner for life. And yet we expect him to become part of(,lhe bride of Christ. We "force" him to make a maturedecision at a spiritually immature age. The decision tobecome in subjection to Christ can, of course, be understoodat a young age but not always. Has he been avictim of social circumstances through family, church, orpother young people's decisions which swept him along intochurch membership? He must be given a desire to please"Christ (the New Birth) before we can expect him to be>>al to Christ and to our church. A person finding himself* Mr. Thomas Joseph. 1080 Westview Drive. Marion,/"wa 52302 is a member of the Marion, Iowa R. P-• Church.within the membership of the church without a personalcommitment will continue to chafe and avoid coming togrips with the claims of Christ.The second basic consideration is for those whoalready have a saving commitment to Christ. Their degreeof spiritual growth and commitment can be from"righteous Lot" (II Peter 2:7,8), a man who had alwaysseemed to me to be a 'spiritual rascal' on up throughSamson (Heb. 11:32), Jacob the deceiver, etc. I list severalsituations to stimulate your thinking of reasons that theperson is found in his present position.a. Marriage to a non-Christian which graduallypulls him away from former loyalties. This may haveresulted from love infatuation at an early age, familypressures to get married, etc., again being too young formature decisions.b. Putting success in the business world aboveScriptural lovalty. This also shows a lack of conviction asto adopting Scriptural standards for himself and his familyand in many cases a lack of intention to carry out hisbaptismal vows. Sometimes it is obvious that the individualhas placed vocation above conviction whenmaking his life plans, though a Covenanter family does onoccasion find itself out-of-bounds temporarily.c. Personal grievances within the Church. Thisagain indicates where a person places his priorities. Is thegrievance important enough to jeopardize his ownspiritual growth and service? This basically indicates alack of love for the Word (Psalm 119:165) and for hisfellow Christians (I John 3:14).d. Social acceptance. "Our church is too small,out-of-date, odd, etc." Again, is this important enough tojeopardize his own spiritual growth and service? Christnever comforted us by saying that being His followerwould be the popular thing to do. We worship achangeless God who does not alter His laws to coincidewith every passing fad.Again I repeat,il is not the intention of this article tochastise, or reprimand, but to encourage those who feelled of the Holy Spirit to talk with your Covenanter friendsand their families regarding this, to first search out informationso thev will more carefully understand the 'why'of their position. To understand is to help. Through God'st>raee we can do both.• • •WRIL 7. 19-1

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014ON BEING CONTEMPORANEOUSWe had 40 miles yet to go to reach Phoenix,midafternoon, back seat of the car empty, when we passedthree hitchhikers — two fellows and a girl (as near as Icould tell) — but we sailed on past at 70 miles an hour.Had we missed an opportunity to "entertain angelsunawares"? Did we merely make a poor stab at justifyingourselves with "reasons" such as: "90 percent of all hitchhikershave arrest records." "These folks havedeliberately chosen this irresponsible, dependent kind oflife, rather than being there by economic necessity.""And, aside from the personal danger factor, could we dothem any good under such circumstances?"Yes, "life styles are changing," and perhaps in thisthe judgments of God are upon us. We've taken our quiet,secure life for granted, as normal. We've "settled on ourlees," we haven't "been poured from vessel to vessel." Therisks in the Christian life, along with life in general, are onthe increase. So we need to be "awake." (We talked theincident mentioned above over, and concluded we haddone the right thing.)"CHRISTIAN DISSENT"According to Evangelical Press News, Pres. J.Brooke Mosley of Union Theological Seminary and Mrs.Cynthia Wedel, President of the National Council ofChurches agree that "Christians have a moral obligation toinvolve themselves in dissent." Mrs. Wedel says that afalse image of the concept of Christian love was developedin Victorian times (the latter half of the 19th Century), and"(it) has carried over until recently." She says that "dissentis not only ethical but necessary when truth is beingcovered up."Such quotations from these two prominent"ecumenical" leaders raise at least two questions. First,are they willing to accept the Bible as the test of whattruth is? They aren't on record with such acceptance. Andsecond, why did Mrs. Wedel go back to "Victorian times"to find the false image of the concept of Christian love.Within the present half century, both Union TheologicalSeminary and the National Council of Churches havepresented a false image of Christian love on the groundsthat we should be "positive," not negative, in our Christiantestimony. There is no evidence that these twoorganizations have made a basic change toward the truth.We would need to examine the kind of dissent which theypropose — "We may have to do illegal things," Mrs.Wedel is reported to have said — to see whether suchdissent is "obey(ing) God rather than men."Proper dissent is not merely disobeying men. Properand honorable dissent is obeying God rather than men."KIDD WAS NOT KIDDING"James Kidd, a copper miner, willed his estate ofSI75,000 (now estimated to be worth $250,000) to anyonewho could prove that the soul survives the body afterdeath. The Arizona superior court awarded the money toBarrows Neurological Institute, a branch of a PhoenixCatholic Hospital. Now the state Supreme Court hasreversed the decision, saying that the Barrows Institutestudies of the human nervous system are not directedtoward real soul searching. Therefore, the money must beawarded to one of the other claimants. The Hospitallawyers say that Barrows Institute will appeal, so, asChristianity Today says, the U. S. Supreme Court may beforced to do "some soul-searching of its own."THE VATICAN INDEPENDENT STATEIn 1929 a treaty between the Vatican and Mussolinibrought to an end a period of 58 years when the Romanpopes considered themselves to be "prisoners of theVatican." Rome had been defeated and annexed to theKingdom of Italy, and the popes rejected the terms underwhich Italy proposed that Roman Catholic authoritiesshould live. The popes lived in self-imposed "imprisonment"till the treaty of 1929 solved the problem bygranting the Vatican status as an independent state. Sincethat time some nations have exchanged "ambassadors"with the Vatican. Various presidents of the United Statesproposed that we exchange ambassadors, but Congresswas unwilling. Yet Presidents have had "personalrepresentatives" in the Vatican.Now it seems that conflict is again brewing. TheItalian Parliament has imposed a 30 percent tax ondividends from church funds invested in Italian business,retroactive to 1963, also it has passed a bill legalizingdivorce. Whether the Roman Church has the prestige toresist the Italian Parliament today remains to be seen.CHRISTIAN BOOKSChristianity Today's annual "books" issue carries adsof various publishers of Christian — and merely religious— books. The pressures of our generation are in evidence,in the pitch being made to sell good books — or is some ofit "to get business"? One "exciting controversial bestseller" reveals "intimate fears, frustrations, lusts ... thenaked realism" of its hero. Another is a "daring story" that"took nerve to publish." Now the publishers "dare you toread it." "I Predict . . ." tells of Jeane Dixon. Perhaps allthese books are on a high Christian level, but some of thelanguage suggests the jargon of the movie hucksters of ageneration ago. Furthermore, "Of making many booksthere is no end." But the right ones are a wonderfulblessing., • •COVENANTERWITNESS

Hews From Our Mission Field*0ADear Friends,Twenty years have passed since my arrival in Japan.Ruth Spear called last night to ask me to bring along someslides from the early days in Japan for the evening of ourMission get-together for Jim Pennington before his returnto the States. As I went through the slides, I came acrossthe one taken that first day, February 1, 1951. Sam Boylehad come to meet Miss Stewart and me at the ship, and onthe way home he stopped in a little market street to getsome bread. There I saw a Japanese mother with her littlegirl, looking at kimono material in a shop, and I took theirpicture. That jeep in which we went from the ship to theBoyle-Huston-Adams home was an old army jeep, painteda lovely light green, and in those days in Japan, it was quitea wonderful vehicle. On rainy days we needed a raincoatwhen riding inside it, as well as when we were outside. Thelittle market streets, such as that in which we stopped thatfirst day, were so narrow and so many people walking, andno sidewalks at all, but shops opening right out on to theroadway, so that we wondered how we could manage tomake our way on through the market. In those days wecould drive up in front of the entrance to the largest trainstation in Kobe and leave the car there for the day, or parkright in front of the doorway of the biggest departmentstore in the city of Kobe. Instead of traffic lights we hadpolicemen standing on boxes in the center of a couple ofthe main intersections in Kobe, waving their arms inelaborate motions when a car came in sight.Through the years the literature ministry of theCovenanter Book Room has gradually increased. The firstyear, 1952, we sold just over $3000 of Bibles and Christianbooks, 1955 was $6700, 1960 was $8200, 1965 was SI 1,700,and 1970 sales of Bibles and books came to over S28,000.As more and more good books have been published inJapanese, there has been a shift through the years to alarger and larger percentage of the books sold beingJapanese rather than English.In January, on a national holiday when ones werefree from work, there was an all day meeting and time offellowship for the women from all three groups together.The three ministers and several of the young people werealso present for the day. The subject was "Witnessing,"before friends and relatives, in the neighborhood, and atwork.The Keiyaku group, Kasumigaoka group, andHigashi Suma congregation all had congregationalbusiness meetings in January. Members showed a finespirit and a great interest in planning for the coming yearand carrying on the business matters of the church. AtHigashi Suma the budget has usually been planned by theAPRIL 7. 1971Growing Church In Japandeacons, but this year was planned by a finance committeewith an elder as chairman, and representativesfrom each department of the church as members. Theymet for some hours, carefully considering all aspects andplanning the budget for the coming year.Our first use of Psalms for praise in worship servicesin Japan was the writing of the Psalms in large letters onbig sheets of paper hung at the front of the room. At firstthere were one or two and then gradually others wereadded. In 1957 a Psalter selection book was printed. Alimited number were printed, and soon we were again inneed of printing a Psalter. Before reprinting, though,revisions were made, and other Psalms prepared, andmimeographed copies made available to the members.Through these fourteen years several differentmimeographed Psalter selection books have beenprepared, and the committee has worked very hard on thepreparation of the Psalms, and all are anxious to have theJapanese Psalter printed. The long-awaited JapanesePsalter selection book is to be printed this April, though,and for this we truly give thanks. Pray for the committeein their final preparations for this.Rev. Mr. Masunaga is a very fine minister, and agifted Bible teacher, and we are most grateful that Godhas provided him as a leader of the church here in Japan.Our church has been in Japan for twenty years now. Wehave four centers of work — Keiyaku Church, CovenanterBook Room, Higashi Suma Church, and KasumigaokaChurch. But we still have only one Japanese pastor. Howwe do pray that there might be more Japanese pastors!How we do pray that there might be more centers ofwitness! How we do pray that many more might bebrought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ!We are thankful for Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Masunaga, and weare thankful for each of the Christians and for the witnessof their lives. Pray for Mr. Muto, Mr. Miwa, and otheryoung people, that each might know God's will for hisplace of service to the Lord, and be wholly yielded to beused of the Lord.We sometimes have the disappointment of seeing oneswho have been coming faithfully and showing considerableinterest in the Gospel suddenly drop away andstop coming. Some of these return again at a much laterdate. Some do not. And then we sometimes have thatcreat jov of seeing ones, who have come for variousreasons other than just to study the Bible, come to knowthat this is truly God's Word and to see themselves assinners in God's sight and in need of the salvation, which isthrough Christ alone. Recently I had this joy as Miss Yoko

Kashiwagi, who attends my Sabbath morning Bible class,professed her faith in Christ and asked to receive baptismand become a member of the church.A son, Kohei Chan, was welcomed to the Yamashitahome the first week of February. The following dayKatsuyo Sonobe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nitta, alsogave birth to a baby boy. In each home there was one littlegirl. Pray for wisdom for all our young Christian parents asthey teach and train the children entrusted to their care.Jim Pennington is now busy with various "farewells"and making the final preparations for his return to theStates. He will certainly be missed in Japan, and all arehoping that it will not be too long before his return hereagain. We look forward to welcoming Eleanor Faris backto Japan soon after Jim's departure, as he leaves March 2and she is expected back in early March. We are thankful,too, both for the Board of Foreign Mission's provision andthe Boyle family's willingness to return to Japan again inSeptember. Pray for the witness here in Japan and foreach one of us, the Spears, Oreta Everett, myself, and theones to come, that we might each be faithful in the taskwhich the Lord has given us to do, and that we mightmeet in the most effective way the opportunities whichare before us here in Japan today.Sincerely,Orlena LynnReport FromJapanMrs. Gene SpearKasumigaoka Church -1+1After many "till we meet again"s, Mr. Penningtonleft us on March 2, and Miss Faris arrived this morning,March 11. So the Kasumigaoka parsonage was not emptyvery long and will continue to be a place where people arewarmly welcomed. The members there are working faithfully.They teach the Sabbath School class and lead goodBible studies after the worship hour and are becomingmore free at entering into constructive discussion. Mr.Fukui and Mr. Kojima take turns presiding for theworship hour. Mr. Spear, Mr. Masunaga, and Mr. Matsudaof the Japan Reformed Church will share thepreaching until the Boyles come at the end of summer.Higashi Suma Church ProgressI called Mrs. Masunaga to see if they have news foryou, and she told of various encouragements. MissKashiwagi, who is graduating from college this month andwho attends Miss Lynn's Bible class, has said she wants tobe baptized, so Mr. Masunaga is teaching her everyWednesday night before prayer meeting. They are pleasedwith fifteen or so gathering for prayer meeting weekly.The women's group is studying Beyond Ourselves and hasa new project of taking turns two at a time cleaning thechurch on Saturdays. Mr. Miwa is helping the youngpeople's group get off to a new start. They are praying forMr. Miwa's friend, Mr. Soya, that he might believe.Japanese Christians are actively opposing a plan tomake Yasukuni Shinto Shrine a publicly financed nationalmonument to the war dead. If this were done schoolchildren, government employees, and others wouldeventually be expected to honor the dead in an idolatrousway.Keiyaku Church NewsHere in Okamoto the church is planning a specialevangelistic service for April 2. Last Sabbath the youngpeople passed out a thousand church newsletters andinvitations to the homes of this community. One youngman stopped the work he was doing and sat right downand read it. Another called to ask if he could come to theFriday English Bible class. A man on the street asked,"Are you the ones sending out those letters? They havesome good things in them!"During his vacation between school terms, Mr.Muto is helping us with writing letters and many otherthings that need to be done. This is a real blessing andanother evidence that God supplies all our need.We have Promotion Day on March 28, so SabbathSchool teachers and students are busy preparing aprogram. Mrs. Nagai has written a clever skit about theWidow's Oil for the little class. Elisha will be played byTatchan Ohigashi who has come since he was three and isfinally ready to be promoted out of the smallest class as hegoes into third grade. We trust God has a special futurefor him.A series of heart-expanding sermons on Exodus arereminding us anew of God's great plan and provision inthe midst of overwhelming physical and spiritualproblems. God is so merciful and gracious and we arealtogether too unthankful and short-sighted. The membersare taking turns, bi-weekly, writing a letter containing ashort summary of the sermon to send to out-of-boundsmembers and others who didn't come to church.We trust this news gives you a blessing because ofyour faithfulness in prayer that God's glory might beshown in Japan, too.Had my Saviour been God only I might have trustedHim, but I could not have come near to Him without fear.Had my Saviour been man only I might have loved Him, butI could not have been sure that He was able to take away mysins. But my Saviour is God as well as man, and man as wellas God. God, and so able to deliver me; Man, and so able tofeel with me. Power and sympathy are met together in thisone glorious Person.j Q Ry\ e6 COVENANTER WITNESS

Rev. T. M. Hutcheson Writes:American Academy,Larnaca, CyprusMarch 11, 1971Dear Readers of The Covenanter Witness:It is my privilege to greet you from Cyprus, whereGod's Spirit is working daily. Thanks to all of you, who areoffering up prayers for the Lord's work here.There is a real interest among people in Bible study,and in seeing God working out spiritual solutions to theirproblems. God has challenged many to commit their livesto Him, for which we are glad. In February, the Christianyoung people from Larnaca and Nicosia had a one-dayretreat in Nicosia, led by the C.C.C.ers, which was verywell attended.There are six folks who are studying with me inLarnaca, in three different communicants' classes, allhoping to present their lives "a living sacrifice" to Godthrough our Church. There are, also, similar classes inNicosia, with Rev. J. Paul Wilson, and some of theC.C.C.ers are helping teach and train new Christians.All this is not without its opposition. The words ofour Lord in Matthew 10:34-39 can never be more true thanin Cyprus, as well as the words in Matthew 10:16-20. Forthis reason your daily prayers are requested.A spring Christian Youth Conference is beingplanned for April 2 through Sabbath, April 4, 1971. Rev.Mr. Wilson and his Conference Committee are trying towork out the program, and the details for the Conference.It will be held in Larnaca.Before you read this letter, Rev. C.C. Christou andRev. J. Paul Wilson will have been in Greece to meet theExecutive Committee of the Greek Evangelical Synod, tomake exploratory studies of the way we might be able tofind a basis for cooperation in evangelistic work in Cyprus.The Greek Evangelical Church is Presbyterian ingovernment. They have a Confession of Faith, of theirown, which some of us are studying, to see in what areaswe believe the same, and where we differ. Our deputationneeds your prayers in these important consultations.Our observance of the sacrament of the Lord'sSupper is being planned for early May.This week, our newest young Christian Churchmember was taken under the care of the Cyprus Commission,for the purpose of pursuing theological studies.He has been pre-enrolled in our Theological Seminary, inPittsburgh, pending the completion of the necessary prerequisites(namely a B.A. degree). He hopes to enroll inGeneva College this next school year. Pray that the Lord'swill may be done in this matter. Pray that he will neverlose his vision of doing the Lord's work in Cyprus.In Cyprus we have a new law, which is called thePrivate School Law of 1971. Its purpose is to control andregulate the functioning of all private schools in Cyprus.The American Academy is named as one of the privateschools, which mav continue under this new Law. Atpresent we are making a careful study of the law to see ifitwill prohibit, in any way, our continuing as a Missionschool. We ask you to pray that the door for freedom ofreligion will continue to remain open to us in our island.On April 7, three other teachers and I expect toaccompany 40 of our top class students on an educationalboat trip to Greece. We will be gone for two weeks.We wish to thank you for your many birthday andChristmas greetings, which have continued to arrivethrough February. We do appreciate receiving the newsand your gifts for the work here, from our home Church."Pray without ceasing."Sincerely yours in Christian service.Rev. T. M. HutchesonLIFE REVIEWEDDr. Doddridge dreamed that he died, and clad in aseraphic form, was born by an angelic attendant to a gloriouspalace, in one of the rooms of which he left him, saying,"Rest here. The Lord of the mansion will soon be with you.In the meanwhile, study the apartment." The next momenthe was alone; and upon casting his eyes round the room, hesaw that the walls were adorned with a series of pictures.To his great astonishment he found that it was his pastlife delineated there. From the moment he had come into theworld a helpless infant, and God had breathed into him thebreath of life, unto the recent hour when he had seemed todie, his whole existence was there marked down. Everyevent which had happened to him shown out conspicuouslyon its walls. Some he remembered as perfectly as thoughthey had occurred yesterday. Others had passed from hismemory into oblivion, until thus recalled. Things obscure inhis life which had caused him doubt, perplexity, evenuneasiness, were rendered clear now.The perils of his life were there — the accidents whichhad overtaken him in his mortal state, all of which he hadescaped from untouched or but slightly hurt. One in particularcaught his attention — a fall from his horse — for herecollected the circumstance well. It had been a perilous falland his escape was marvelous. But scattered in every picture,all along the whole career, he saw merciful, guiding,shielding angels, who had been with him unsuspectedthroughout his life, never quitting him, always watchingover him to guard him from danger. He continued to gaze onthese wonderful pictures; and the more he gazed, the greatergrew his awe, his reverence, his admiration of the goodnessof God. Not a turn did his life take, butit rested on somemerciful act of interposition for him. Love, gratitude, joy,filled to overflowing.—6, 000 Sermon IllustrationsTHIS AND THAT from page 16with one or two of her missionary associates, having aleisurely cup of tea together by a cabin window framing thefamed and picturesque Mt. Fuji."I willlift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whencecometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, whichmade heaven and earth The Lord shall preserve thv goingout and thy coming in from this time forth, and oven forevermore."• • •APRIL 7, 1971

MY BIBLERev. Robert More, Jr.Pastor of the Almonte, R. P. ChurchParti—THEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLESPhillip's New Testament, The Amplified Bible, WueA major Biblical problem facing English-speaking Expanded Translation. In many places the Today'sChristians today is: What Bible should be claimed as "myBible"? Until the turn of the 20th Century, the King JamesEnglish Version is a paraphrastic, although in others ittends to be literal.Version was The Holy Bible. In 1901 the AmericanWhich then — literal or paraphrase — should beStandard Version became its sole alternative. Today thereare more than two dozen choices (to this writer'sknowledge). Among the most popular have been theRevised Standard Version; Phillips' New Testament; the"my Bible"? Some (Kenneth Taylor in the preface to theLiving Prophecies vehemently scorns) denunciate theacceptability of a translation, while many today extolparaphrases. On the contrary, the question of translationNew English Bible; the Living Bible by Kenneth Taylor; or paraphrase involves far more than mere contemporaryand Today's English Version by the American BibleSociety.language and speech forms. There are weighty theologicalprinciples too. These are now traced.Beside the problem of the multiplicity of versions, asecond problem needs careful study, but is oftendisregarded in making any version to be "my Bible." Thatis the question whether a version is a translation or aparaphrase. A translation is a version which puts theoriginal languages into English by closely adhering to thegrammatical, historical meaning and form of the original.The paraphrase means that the sense, the general idea, isthe supreme goal. Individual words are therefore of lessimport; the sense or the idea are preeminent. Thus it isbasically an interpretation, a commentary, about the text.To illustrate, the King James Version is exceedinglyliteral to the Greek in Romans 13:3. It reads, "For rulersare not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wilt thou thennot be afraid of the power? do that which is good and thoushalt have praise of the same."The New American Standard Bible (quite literal alsoin modern English) reads, "For rulers are not a cause offear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to haveno fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will havepraise from the same." Kenneth Taylor's Living Biblehowever, is a paraphrase, ft reads, "For the policemandoes not frighten people who are doing right; but thosedoing evil will always fear him. Soif you don't want to beafraid, keep the laws and you will get along well."From these examples the difference between atranslation and a paraphrase is evident. Now the questionis: Which should be "my Bible"? And under it, what aresome translations and some paraphrases?In reverse order: The versions this writer considersto be translations are the following: The King James, TheAmerican Standard. The New American Standard, TheRevised Standard. The Charles B. Williams NewTestament. The Berkley Bible. Those that are essentiallyA. Creedal StatementsThe Westminster Confession of Faith binds thesubscriber to certain truths concerning the Bible. Chapterf.l says God revealed His will for the church by committing"the same wholly unto writing." Therefore,precisely all that is written and as written is God's revealedwill. The autographs (the inspired original Hebrew,Aramaic and Greek) have wholly written God'srevelation.Chapter I.vi adds that "the whole counsel of God. ..is. .expressly set down in Scriptures. . .unto whichnothing at any time is to be added. . .by. . .traditions ofmen." Since the autographs fully and solely are the writtenaccount of God's will, then English version makers maynot add or subtract anything from them.Chapter I.viii says that the inspired originals have,by God's singular care and providence (been) kept pure inall ages." This requires that the inspired originals be faithfullytransmitted in later times, conforming precisely tothe original writings.Chapter I.viii then states, "Therefore they (theScriptures) are to be translated." This openly states"translation" not "paraphrases." Also, the framers of theConfession knew the difference between those two wordsas evidenced by the Psalm Book (called the Rouse) theAssembly approved, which had a closing section called,"Translations and paraphrases in verse."B. Scriptural CitationsSince the Confession evidently commits itself totranslations, not paraphrases, then does the Scriptureitself support that position? The following are noted.1. Order of books. Matthew 23:35 sustains the orderof the books in the Hebrew Bible (Genesis to IIparaphrastic are The Living Bible, The New English Bible, Chronicles).8COVENANTER WITNESS

2. Phraseology. Hebrews 12:27 sustains precisephrases.3. Words. John 10:34,35 shows specific words areGod-given.4. Number. Galatians 3:16 shows that even asingular (not a plural) was God-breathed.5. Voice. Galatians 4:9 demonstrates that whether averb is active or passive reflects God's revealed will.6. Orthography. Matthew 5:18 demonstrates thateven the "dot on the i" and the corner, hook on the 'd' (inHebrew) were God-given.The Scriptural testimony surely supports thetranslation method whereby the English conforms even tothe smallest but most exact points of the originals.C. Scripture for ParaphraseNehemiah 8:8 is often cited in defense of theparaphrastic method, because it says the priests andLevites orally read God's Word enunciating clearly, and"gave the sense, so that they (the audience) understoodthe reading." Then it is affirmed, a paraphrase doesprecisely that, too.In counter, please note the Brown, Driver, BriggsHebrew Lexicon (the "standard" one today) says that theword sense should be rendered, "set forth the understanding(i.e., the meaning.)" It does not say, "Make upa meaning the paraphraser believes it means." The versesays, "Set forth" what God wrote. Then note too thathistorically the Jews had just returned from Babylon.History shows too that the common people had duringthat time forgotten the then "dead" Hebrew language,being raised on the current Aramaic. Therefore those who"set forth the meaning" were none other than "oraltranslators," transferring the unknown Hebrew Bible intothe common Aramaic language. That verse, consequently,does not necessarily give sufficient sanction for theprinciple of paraphrase. Besides the previous section inthis paper still needs careful consideration.Having examined the fundamental principles oftranslation and paraphrase, the next three parts evaluateKenneth Taylor's Living Bible, the American BibleSociety's Today's English Version, and a modern literaltranslation. The New American Standard Bible.(To be continued)CHRIST'SINTERCESSION"Illustrative of Christ's intercession is the famousstory of Amintas, who appeared as advocate for hisbrother Aeschylus, who was strongly accused and verylikely to lie condemned to die. Now Amintas havingperformed great services, and merited highly of thecommonwealth, in whose service one of his hands was cutoff in the field; he comes into the court in his brother'sbehalf, and said nothing, but only lifted up his arm andshewed them cubitam sine maner, an arm without a hand,*hich so moved them, that without a word speaking, theyfreed his brother immediately."Fla velHomespun VerseSARAH. ABRAHAM'S WIFEMrs. Myra Hart, 620E. Pine, Santa Ana, CaliThe Syrian maiden, SaraiLived in the long agoWhat do we know about her?Only some facts we know.Did she act like modern maidens?Sometimes bold and sometimes shy?Did she some way touch the heart stringsOf the casual passer by?Or was she fair and helpless?Did her man prefer them blonde?Did her faults serve to endear her?Did they but cement the bond?Was she a happy traveler?Did her form attract the eyes?Was her tent a place of romanceWhen pitched 'neath starry skies?Did she keep that girlish figure,And the skin you love to touch?Were her eyes still bright at ninety?I have wondered very much!!!We know: That love of husbandLed her far from native land —That through a long and unknown way,God led with outstretched hand.We know that she was fair of face,And had a fault or two:That her husband called her "sister,"A lie he lived to rue.We know that she was long deniedThe gift of motherhood,That she laughed at the angel messageAs in her tent she stood,That — being a human motherShe was so jealous for her childThat she drove her servant Hagar,And her child into the wild.Oh, we find her very human —(As between the lines we read)This pretty, faulty SarahMother of the Promised Seed.And if she sometimes doubted(Even as vou or I)God must have seen her faith increaseAs the long, long vears went bv.And who for the aged SarahWould speak a word of blame?For she lived to count full ninetv \ears'Ere the blessed babv came.APRIL 7, 19"1 9

The Children's CornerIused to think, "Why should other boys and girls go toschool and I have to stay here and work?"He determined if he was going to continue to workA thrilling life story, written with Fred Karmay's permission.FRED KARMA Y'S AMBITION REALIZEDMrs. Kenneth SandersonDid you ever wish you didn't have to go to school?Did you ever think, "Oh, how niceif I could just stayhome all day and do whatever I wanted to"? Before youdecide either way read Fred Karmay's story and maybeyou'll think school isn't so bad after all.To go to school and learn to read, write and somearithmetic was practically a passion with little FredKarmay. Just like you, Fred started to school when he wassix, but he didn't live in the U.S.A. but in Syria. Thereitcost money to go to school.Unfortunately, three months after he started schoolFred's mother died. His father moved from one place toanother to work and Fred's schooling stopped. Within afew months Fred started attending a school where theytaught the Koran, and like all the other little boys, dayafter day, they memorized part of it. Sometimes theyrecited it in unison, shouting at the top of their voices toshow how well they knew their lessons, and sometimeseach boy droned out the lesson.One day a policeman on a horse came by and stayedat Fred's home. His father was proud that his son couldread and write and ordered him to show off his knowledgefor the guest. Proudly Fred did his best and must haveimpressed the visitor, for when he saw that Fred could notonly read and write but add and multiply as well, hesuggested, "Why don't you send your son to the AmericanMission School? Then he can learn English, too."Mr. Karmay wasn't very enthused about thesuggestion but young Fred was entranced with the idea.Later he said, "The idea of learning English struck myhead like a bullet." By this time he was eleven or twelveand lived seventy-five miles or so from Latakia whichmade it impossible to go there to school. Beside that hisfather was quite certain his son had all the education heneeded. Fred says now, "I firmly believe that this was theguidance of God when the policeman made thatsuggestion."Although Fred's family owned land and orchardsthey never seemed to bring in much income to the family.Then World War II came along and life seemed to be oneconstant move from one job to another and money wasalways scarce. In order to help out, Fred got a job workingfor a rich landowner. He helped Mrs. Shretah bydoing the washing, buying, and even cooking sometimes.Still Fred wasn't satisfied. He just couldn't get overthe idea that he must go on to school. Night after night hehe would also sneak away in the daytime and go to schoolin Latakia, which was only about three miles away fromthe Shretah's farm. Each day when he started off forshopping or other chores he would hide his school booksunder his clothes. When he returned at night he carefullyhid them under his bed. But one day the secret was nolonger a secret. His employers found out.The family insisted that Fred stop school. Fredinsisted he just had to go to school. Finally after a lot ofarguing, when they saw he couldn't be persuaded tochange his mind, they agreed, "Well, alright, but be sureyou continue to do your work for us as well." Thirteenyear-oldFred at last had his way. Never mind if he wasonly in second grade! Unfortunately, when the new schoolyear began, work again claimed Fred's full attention andfor two more years he didn't manage to return to regularclasses. Don't think, though, that it was "out of sight out ofmind." He was determined he'd get to that AmericanSchool yet.At last in 1943 Fred's father moved nearer toLatakia. One morning Fred was up with the sun and offwalking to Latakia. When he reached the city he inquiredfrom first this one and then another, "Where's theAmerican School?" At last he found it and putting on hisboldest front he walked into the school and asked to seethe principal. Fortunately for Fred it turned out to be Dr.Herbert Hays. His heart was touched when he saw theeagerness of the boy for an education. He asked one of theteachers to examine him and see what class he couldfitinto. Fuad reported that Fred could do fourth grade workand maybe the next semester begin the fifth gradeif heworked hard. That afternoon as Fred walked back to thevillageit seemed like his feet hardly touched the ground.Just imagine, he was at last enrolled in the AmericanSchool. He'd left his last school in second grade and theywere willing to put him in the fourth grade. At that pointlife seemed to be all roses.(To be continued)The Parable of the"PIG AND THE COW"A pig was lamenting his lack of popularity. Hecomplained to the cow that people were always talkingabout the cow's gentleness and kind eyes, whereas hisname was used as an insult. The pig admitted that the cowgave milk and cream, but maintained that pigs gave more."Why," he complained, "we pigs give bacon and ham andbristles and people even pickle our feet. I don't see whyyou cows are esteemed so much more."The cow thought awhile and said gently, "Maybe it'sbecause we give while we're still living."—Selected10 COVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of May 2!Sabbath SchoolLessonFor May 2,1971GOD'S CALL TO ETHICAL LIVINGAmos 5:4,6,7,10-15,21-24; 9:7,8,14,15Comments by lohn K. GaultThe word ethical means "conformingto God's standard of morals." Fashions,measurements, values may change fromone country to another, butit is not thatway with Christian ethics. They are thesame the world over because they arebased upon the moral law of God. Somewould have us think that ethics are relativeand are determined by the prevailingopinions of people. As they would say, "Ifmost of the people favor abortions then itmust be right to have abortions." Nothingcould be more fallacious than such anargument.1: God's Call Is Both Positive andNegative.Amos presented the good whichwould come to the nation if the peoplewould return to the Lord, and the awfulsuffering which would come if they did notreturn to the Lord. He spoke for God as hesaid, "For thus saith the Lord unto thehouse of Israel, seek ye me and ye shall drew this wonderful picture before thelive. . . .Seek the Lord and ye shall live." minds of the people of Israel. Seek GodAmos meant that as a nation they wouldcontinue to live in the world. They wouldhave a government which would not passaway or fall before the attacks of cruelinvaders. They got their land in the firstplace, not through their own strength butthrough the strength of God. Heit was whosubdued the nations before them and madethe walls of Jericho fall down. God isthe source of all forms of life. People diephysically because of sin in the race butthey need not remain dead spiritually. Godhas been saying to the people of the worldever since the Fall, "Seek ye me, and yeshall live." Christ has come and offered upHimself in order that people, dead in sins,might seek Him and be saved.But Amos also made a negative callby presenting the very dark side of thepicture, as he said, "But seek not Bethel,nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba:for Gilgal shall surely go intocaptivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.Seek the Lord, and ye shall live; lest Hebreak out like fire in the house of Joseph,and devour it, and there be none to quenchit in Bethel." These cities had been seats ofthe true worship in former times, butidolatry had long supplanted the trueworship of God. So, in the day of nationalcrisisit would be useless to flee to one ofthese cities which had been marked fordestruction. God has been repeating thesepositive and negative calls down throughhistory: "Seek ye me and live"; and "If youdo not seek me you shall die."2: God Calls on People to LiveEthically by Revealing His Control overthe Planets and Over People.Amos submitted this argument to thepeople of Israel, "Seek Him that makeththe seven stars and Orion, and turneth theshadow of death unto the morning, andmaketh the day dark with night: thatcalleth for the waters of the sea, andpoureth them out upon the face of theearth: the Lord is His name: thatstrengtheneth the spoiled against thestrong, so that the spoiled shall comeagainst the fortress." God is so great thatHe controls the movements of Orion andall of the other heavenly bodies. Theoperations of nature on the earth are allcontrolled by God; consequently, there isday and night, sunshine and rain. Amoswho does these wonderful things in theuniverse and not the idols which can donothing.Amos next presented the call of Godfrom the standpoint of the inclinations ofsinful people. He said, "That strengtheneththe spoiled against the strong." The richlandowners of Israel had sought to spoilthe rights of the poor. So, Amos remindedthe oppressors of the land that God haditin His power to make a complete reversalof the existing conditions, "the spoiledshall come against the fortress."3: Because of Their UnethicalPractices the Rich People Would ReceiveNo Benefit from their Labors.Amos said in 5:11,12, "Forasmuchtherefore as your treading is upon thepoor, and ye take from him burdens ofwheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone,but ye shall not dwell in them; ye haveplanted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall notdrink wine of them. For I know yourmanifold transgressions and your mightysins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe,and they turn aside the poor in the gatefrom their right." "Houses of hewn stone"were considered to be the most permanentstructures and the owners built them withthe intention of living in them for manyyears. But, Amos told them, they wouldhave no opportunity to live in them beforethey would be destroyed. And, a goodvineyard was expected to last for severalgenerations. Amos said, "Ye shall notdrink wine of them." Before the vines weregrown large enough to bear grapes the landwould be overrun by invaders who woulddestroy their "hewn stone" houses andtheir "pleasant vineyards." In their effortsto escape from one disaster they wouldbecome victims of another, as Amos said in5:18,19, "Woe unto you that desire the dayof the Lord! to what end isit for you? theday of the Lord is darkness, and not light.Asif a man did flee from a lion and a bearmet him; or went into the house and leanedhis hand on the wall, and a serpent bithim." As long as they resorted to unethicalpractices there was no way in which theycould escape destruction.4: Religious Forms Are Offensiveto God if They Are Not Accompanied byEthical Living.The people of Israel continued topractice their religious forms. In 5:21-23Amos said for God, "I hate, I despise yourfeast days, and I will not smell in yoursolemn assemblies. Though ye offer meburnt offerings and your meat offerings, Iwill not accept them: neither will I regardthe peace offerings of your fat beasts. Takethou away from Me the noise of thy songs;for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.But let judgment run down as waters, andrighteousness as a mighty stream." Theapostle James says in 1:27, "Pure religionand undefiled before God and the Father isthis, to visit the fatherless and widows intheir affliction, and to keep himself unspottedfrom the world."5: Israel Had Become No Betterthan Other Nations which They Consideredto Be Inferior.Amos told about this in 9:7,8 as hesaid, "Are ye not as children of theEthiopians unto me. O children of Israel?saith the Lord. Have not I brought upIsrael out of the land of Egypt? and theAPRIL 7, 1971 11

Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syriansfrom Kir? Behold, the eyes of the Lord areupon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroyit from off the face of the earth."that which the Bible commands. We areBible Christians first, last and always! TheBible is the most priceless treasure we haveinherited from the past.The Bible is the Word of God in a6: At Some Future Time GodWould Bring Back Israel from the Land ofCaptivity.The wicked people of that presentsense which is not true of any other book.This is what inspiration means — the wordsas they were given by God and written bymen inspired by His Holy Spirit are thetime would be destroyed, but their very Word of God and speak only thedescendants would be brought back to the truth. Inspired also means "Godbreathed."land of their fathers. Amos said in"Holy men of old spake as they9:11,12,14,15, "In that day will I raise upthe tabernacle of David that is fallen, andclose up the breaches thereof; and I willwere moved by the Holy Spirit" (II Peter1:21). The Bible uses the expression manytimes, "Thus saith the Lord." "All Scriptureraise up his ruins, and I will build it as in is given by inspiration of God and isthe days of old: that they may possess the profitable for doctrine, for reproof, forremnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, correction, for instruction inwhich are called by My name, saith theLord that doeth this. . . .And I will bringrighteousness; that the man of God may beperfect, thoroughly furnished unto all goodagain the captivity of my people of Israel, works" (II Tim. 3:16,17). "The law of theand they shall build the waste cities, and Lord is perfect, converting the soul; theinhabit them; and they shall plant testimony of the Lord is sure, making wisevineyards, and drink the wine thereof; theyshall also make gardens, and eat the fruit ofthem. And I will plant them upon theirland, and they shall no more be pulled upout of their land which I have given them,saith the Lord thy God."the simple" (Psalm 19:7).How could we come to know Christand believe in Him in the first place if itwere not through the Bible? So it is importantwhat we believe about the Bible,because in it we find the plan of God to"Lesson based on International Sunday School save sinners. And God uses men like ourLessons: the International Bible Lessons for ministers, teachers, and missionaries toChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionexplain the Word to us.of Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior TopicFor May 2,1971Unit Topic: Our PublicWorship and SacramentsREADING THE SCRIPTURESMrs. John RussellOf all the activities in our publicworship service, did you know that themost important parts should be thereading, preaching, and hearing of theWord of God? This message from the Biblewill be applied to our hearts by the HolySpirit and not by some human person orminister. The reading of the Word of Godby the minister, or with the congregationtaking some part, should be thought of asour hearing God's message to us.Why is the Bible so important to us asChristians? The Bible (both Old and NewTestaments) was written by men uponwhom the Spirit of God worked and so it isthe written Word of God and is ourauthority or basis for our faith and life inChrist. The Bible answers every question ofa moral and spiritual nature which has todo with our own, our social, or ourreligious life. We do not have the right toset up another or a lower standard than12Jesus Christ believed the OldTestament was inspired of God and Heoften quoted from the Scriptures.Remember when He was three timestempted by Satan in the wilderness?When tempted to turn stones into bread,He replied, "It is written, Man shall not liveby bread alone, but by every word thatproceedeth out of the mouth of God."When Satan dared Christ to jump off thepinnacle of the Temple, Christ said, "It iswritten, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thyGod." When Satan offered Christ thekingdoms of the world if He would only falldown and worship him, Christ answered,"Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written,Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God andHim only shalt thou serve" (Matt. 4:3-10).Each time Christ rebuked Satan with thewords, "It is written." The Scriptures wereHis authority. Jesus quoted from the law,Psalms, and prophets at other times and Heshowed that He believed they were trueand would be fulfilled or come to pass.Christ also promised that the same HolySpirit that inspired the authors of the OldTestament would be given to those whowould write books of the New Testament.Did you ever think about the unity orharmony in all the books of the Bible?There are 66 books all in one Bible, 39 inthe Old Testament and 27 in the NewTestament. These were written by 36different authors over a period of 16centuries. There is no contradiction orconfusion, history has proven that the factsare true, and there is one main messagethrough them all. The Old Testamentpoints to the Savior to come and the NewTestament tells us of the Savior who hascome. There is only one explanation forthis unity: there was really only one author— God. Think how prophecies of Christ inthe Old Testament — His birth, life anddeath — were all fulfilled in the NewTestament! This couldn't just have happened!Perhaps you can remember some ofthese wonderful facts about the Scripturesthe next time the Bible passage is read inyour church service. Perhaps, rememberingthat it is God's Word will make youreverent and humble in God's presence.This should make us listen carefully andunderstand more.To Leader:(1) Catechism questions — 2,3.(2) Memory Psalms for Unit: 95, p. 23T;122, p. 316. Review.(3) Sing in meeting: Psalms 19:5-7, p. 42;138:1,2, p. 338; 119:1-4, p. 298; 119:1-4, p.288.(4) Worship Verse — II Timothy 3:16,17(write in notebook; learn all or part)(5) "Worship Notebook" — a) List booksof Old and New Testaments in order. HaveJuniors learn these if they haven'tbefore, b) Label top of page with a Biblesticker or draw a picture of Bible, c)Write down references to 3 favorite Bibleportions; talk about these if time.(6) Handwork — a) Add King-ship toBible fleet. This displays the royal ensign(Christ our King). Also add Scholar-ship.Each Christian Junior should ride his shipas far as possible. Board ships that carrytrue wisdom. (Prov. 9:10) b) Make apattern of a child for Juniors to copy,labeled, "I am a Christian Soldier" Eph.6:14-17, with own name under. At eachmeeting, add parts of the Christian armorwith paper fasteners or tabs. Make swordof the Spirit (Word of God) this meeting.(See patterns in Taught of the Lord, byAnna McKelvy.)(7) Object Lessons — Object—a roadmap. When you want to take a trip, differentfriends may tell.you different roadsto take. A map can tell you the right way toget there. How do you find the way toheaven? Who would be right? Go whereyou can get the right answer — to theBible. (John 14:6) Object—flashlight withbulb taken out. Why does not this bulb givelight? It's foolish and thinks it can give lightby itself. "If I try hard enough I am sure ICOVENANTER WITNESS

will shine." Christians are often just asfoolish. They forget John 15:4. But look,the bulb is not attached to the flashlight. IfChristians try to shine apart from Christ,they will be cold and dark and not able toplease Him. They must abide in Christ, asthey read the Bible, pray and depend onHim. (Light of Christ shining through us).(8) Story — A little girl asked her fatherfor two Testaments—one for herself andone to send to a poor little heathen girl.She wrcte inside the one: "A little girl wholoves the Lord Jesus wishes with all herheart that whoever reads this should alsolove and believe on Him." This book wentto India to a Hindu lady who was learningto write English. As she tried to copy thewriting in the front, the meaning of thewords gradually impressed her. "Thesewords were written to me," she said. Shestudied the Testament and became aChristian. Years afterward, the little girlwas a missionary in India and was visitingin the home of a native lady. This ladybrought out the Testament and told howshe had been converted. Imagine themissionary's joy when she saw it was thevery book she had sent. Together, theyknelt and thanked God who had drawnthem both to Himself through His Word.Prayer MeetingTopicFor May 7,1971ABRAHAM REASONS WITH GOD(No Comments)RESTRAINT: IS IT ANABRIDGMENT OF FREEDOM?by Max Levin, M.D. *President Nixon, in his emphaticrejection of the majority report of theNational Commission on Obscenity andPornography, advanced a compellingargument:"I am well aware of the importanceof protecting freedom of expression. Butpornography is to freedom of expressionwhat anarchy is to liberty. As free menwillingly restrain a measure of theirfreedom to prevent anarchy, so must wedraw the line against pornography toprotect freedom of expression."Where is the dividing line betweenfreedom and anarchy? At what level doesfreedom of speech and behavior pose anintolerable threat to the general welfare?Why raise these questions in a medicalDeriodical? Well, the answer to that lastone is easy. Many of the people sitting inthe physician's waiting room are therebecause of problems related, directly orindirectly, to the turmoil and strains in oursociety today.In the matter-of human rights vs. therights of society, one of the obstacles tobalanced judgment is the belief of manypeople that we must have "objective"evidence to establish a proposition. Theycall for statistical research to provide theanswers. To take but one example, theyask, Has the rate of sex crime gone up ordown in Denmark since they lowered thebars against pornography? But it is adelusion to suppose that statistics cansettle questions that involve humanvalues. The majority members of theNational Commission are among thosewho suffer from this delusion.In an issue concerning freedom ofspeech a great judge once declared,"Freedom of speech does not mean that aman has the right to get up in a crowdedtheatre and shout FIRE." The advocatesof unrestrained freedom could havequestioned Justice Holmes about this, butthey didn't. No one of legalistic mind gotup to ask him, "Precisely how would youdefine crowded? Is a theatre with 300people crowded, and one with 295 notcrowded?" But such a question is no moreabsurd than some of the arguments advancedby some lawyers, and accepted bysome judges, in matters of freedom ofspeech as it applies to pornography.Statistics are useful in many areas,as when we want to know which drug isbetter for pneumonia. But they are lessuseful, indeed they can actually bemisleading, when we deal with humanvalues.The majority members of theNational Commission are obsessed withthe question of whether pornography is acause of sex crime. They have made thisquestion the focal point of their work. Butthis is a naive approach, for sex crime isnot the major issue. It's true that rape is abrutal crime and we ought to do what wecan to prevent it. But there is a muchbigger issue: the moral degradation of oursociety and its psychological consequences.The number of rapists andtheir victims is small. By contrast, thenumber is astronomical of those whoseemotional development and sexual adjustmentis distorted and stultified by theproliferation of pornography.Sexuality is one of the great blessingsof mankind. It is one of the noblest expressionsof the human spirit. A healthysexual attitude, culminating in the harmoniousmarital adjustment of a man andwife, is one of the pillars of our society, forsound family life promotes the welfare ofour children. The national welfare is in thehands of these children, for they will takeour society over from us when their timecomes. The future of our nation depends onour ability to raise successive crops ofhealthy children capable of assumingresponsibility when it is handed over tothem. Can anyone imagine that healthysexual attitudes and emotional balanceare promoted by the sadistic and obscenematerial that engulfs our youngsters?William F Buckley, Jr., in a columnon sex education, criticized those who inour "secularist society promulgate sex asprimarily a physical experience." Heurged that "the sexual experience cannotbe understood except with reference to aspiritual dimension." Buckley's wordsshould be remembered.In the Jewish wedding ceremony thegroom places the ring on the finger of hisbride with these words: "Behold, thou artconsecrated unto me with this ring, inaccord with the law of Moses and Israel."The word is consecrated. In the Episcopalceremony the groom puts it in thesemoving words: "With this ring I thee wed.With my body I thee worship. . " Theword is worship.This is not a matter of religious orthodoxy.Even the atheist, who rejectsreligion, can appreciate and value whatBuckley calls the "spiritual dimension"embodied in the wording of these vows.The moral and spiritual degradationof our society is as great a menace as thepollution of the air we breathe. In focusingtheir attention on such narrow issues asthe rate of sex crime, the members of theNational Commission majority have takena shortsighted view of their task, which isto combat a much more serious evil thatthreatens the future of our people.* Max Levin, M.D., psychiatrist andneurologist in practice in New York, NewYork.Current Medical Dialog"When considering a pastor theaverage church asks in effect 'Is this manworthy to speak to us?' I suppose such aquestion is valid but there is another onemore in keeping with the circumstances. Itis: 'Are we worthy to hear this man ?' Anattitude of humility on the part of thehearers would secure for them a great dealmore light, from whatever sized candle theLord might be pleased to send them. Whena man or woman becomes worthy to hear,God sometimes talks to them through veryunworthy media. Peter, as an example,was brought to repentance by the crowingof a rooster" (Dr. Tozer).APRIL 7, 1971 13

CURED NARCOTICS ADDICTSSPEAK AT GENEVAThe dangers of drug abuse werepresented by a team of cured narcoticsaddicts in a program at Geneva CollegeStudent Center at 8 p.m., Friday, March12.The young men, representing theTeen Challenge Training Center, are partof a relatively small minority of addicts inthe United States who have overcomenarcotics addiction.The programs which Teen Challengehas been sponsoring in high schoolsthroughout the state have been recommendedby the Pennsylvania CriminalJustice Planning Board, a branch of theState Crime Commission. RaymondFrankenburg, assistant director of theCrime Commission said, "The TeenChallenge effort has been so effective withstudents that the commission is fully endorsingthe program in Pennsylvaniaschools."The Pennsylvania Association ofStudent Councils recently named the TeenChallenge presentation as the outstandingprogram in state high schools during the1969-70 term.At a time when federal hospitals areobtaining a recovery rate of about 3percent with narcotics addicts the TeenChallenge organization claims over a 70percent recovery rate.The program at Geneva wassponsored by the Religious Services officeand the missionary societies of the PittsburghArea Reformed PresbyterianChurches.NOTICETrue Calvinists love "TULIP."Almonte Covenanters especially do. Wefondly gaze on a million and more tulipsin Ottawa, generally in full bloom aboutmid-May.However, we aren't so totallydepraved or limited but what wepersevere long ourselves and almostirresistibly long that you might elect thisyear to visit us about that time. There isone condition though — write forcomplete travel information from the"Look-out and Reform Committee", c/oMiss Jeanette Waddell, R.R. 2,Almonte, Ontario, CANADA.14SEATTLE, WASHINGTON(Rev. Robert McMillan, Pastor)The Pacific Coast Presbytery met,February 17 and 18, in the new churchbuilding of the Seattle congregation. Theroll was as follows: (ministers) BruceHemphill, Bruce Stewart, RaymondMcCracken, Lester Kilpatrick, DonaldWeilersbacher, Glenn McFarland, RobertMcMillan;, Ronald Mackenzie (fraternaldelegate from the O.P. Church), and JamesCarson (consultative member), (rulingelders) Samuel Marshall, Daniel Hyatt,Gordon Betts, Joseph Fleming. Officerselected were Glenn McFarland,Moderator, Bruce Hemphill, Clerk, andRaymond McCracken, Assistant Clerk.The Seattle congregation was happy tohave the members of Presbytery presentfor the dedication of the new building onThursday, February 18. The dedicationsermon was preached by Rev. JamesCarson, D. D. The church was filled tocapacity as friends and guests rejoiced withthe congregation in the completion of thebuilding after several years of planning.A reception was held following the service.Nancy Ann Redfoot, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Glenn S. Redfoot, and David A.McMillan, son of Rev. and Mrs. RobertMcMillan, were united in marriage,December 19, 1970, in St. John LutheranChurch, Greenville, Pennsylvania. Theyare now making their home in Seattle andhelping in our congregational activities.Our pastor, Mr. McMillan, flew tcAnchorage, Alaska on March 11, and withthe assistance of Elder Joseph Lamont,received into the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, Mr. and Mrs. Howard W. Long,and two of their children, Calvin (15), andEllen (13); Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Long.Mrs. Stanley Long (nee Kathy Fish) wasalready a member of the ReformedPresbyterian Church in Wilkinsburg.These two families are asking Pacific CoastPresbytery to designate them a missionstation and hope to be the nucleus for thefirst Reformed Presbyterian congregationin Alaska. Brian and Ruth Long arestudents in Geneva College. Mr. HowardLong recently was honored by beingnamed Engineer of the Year by theEngineering Society of Alaska. The Longfamilies are deeply inteiested in Christianeducation on all levels .We welcome home Mr. JosephFleming, who spent the winter in Floridaand Pennsylvania.Kay and Evelyn Gilchrist cruised theCarribean and spent some time in SouthAmerica.The Joseph Lamont family combinedbusiness and a pleasant vacation inHawaii.Mrs. Bob Collins, a welcome visitorfrom Phoenix, spent a week with hermother,. Mrs. Marguerite Mitchell.The young people have continued tosupport Chu Lin, a Korean boy, in a schoolfor handicapped children for the past year.On March 3, Jim Pennington spoke ofthe progress and needs of the Japanchurches, after which a pleasant time ofconversation and refreshment was enjoyed.We are very grateful to all who helpedin the building, furnishing, and completionof our new building and invite all to join usin our worship service.Karen Anderson spent the winter andwill attend the spring quarter in Olympia asan apprentice legislator. She plans tospend the summer at Crater Lake with theparks services.We are looking forward to havingvacation Bible school again this spring.MacNAIR AUTHORS BOOKON CHURCH PLANTINGRev. Donald J. Mac Nair, executivedirector of National Presbyterian Missions,the church extension agency of theReformed Presbyterian Church,Evangelical Synod, has completed anextensive new book which serves as amanual in church planting from the veryearliest stages through the establishment ofthe particular church.Entitled The Birth, Care, andFeeding of a Local Church, the 175-pagebook includes dozens of practicalsuggestions ranging from a proposed dailyschedule for a mission church pastor to asample evaluation sheet for neighborhoodsurvey work. There is a four-page chartdetailing proper procedure in a churchbuilding program.The book is a reflection of MacNair'sexperience as pastor of a small church, aspastor of a larger church which had its ownmission church interests, and morerecently as head of the denominationalUNITED PRAYER CONFERENCEMay 9-16TOPIC: THE FAMILYSponsored byNational CY StaffLook for programsthe last week of MarchCOVENANTER WITNESS1

church extension work. He suggests thebook as useful study material for all pastorsand elders in churches seeking new meansof outreach, as well as those who arespecifically serving in young churches.The book is published in a spiralbinding with large margins so that it can beused as a working manual. It may beordered from Perspective Press, LookoutMountain, Tennessee 37350, for $4.95Cono Church NewsletterBOOKSWhen the Walls Come Tumblin' Down byGordon C. Hunter. 139 pages, 3 parts, 12chapters, Price $3.95. Word Books, Waco,Texas.Gordon C. Hunter is director of Faithat Work, Inc. in Canada. With twentyyears experience in the pastorate, hespeaks, in this, his first book, with clarityand by illustration about the walls thatseparate man from God, man from man,and nation from nation. The secret ofmaking these walls come tumbling down isfound in Jesus Christ. You will like it.M.W.D.Paul Harvey announced onDecember 3, 1970 that big cigarette firmsare just waiting for the green light. Ifmarijuana can be legalized they will hastento start marketing "pot" cigarettes.W.M.S. TOPICfor May 1971Studies in the Sermon on the MountDr. Martyn Lloyd-JonesChapters 7 and 8Mrs. W. R. McWhinney"Blessed are they which do hungerand thirst after righteousness: for they shallbe filled."This Beatitude is the logical conclusionto the previous ones; it also introducesa change in emphasis, and issomething for which we should beprofoundly thankful to God. We have beentold we must be "poor in spirit," we must"mourn," we must be "meek." We havebeen looking at our own helplessness, ourbankruptcy in spiritual matters. We haveseen the sin that is within us; that selfconcern,that self-interest that leads to war,whether between nations or individuals.And we look for a solution. "Blessed arethey which do hunger and thirst afterrighteousness." The whole world is seekingfor happiness but never seems able to findit. This Beatitude tells us that they arehappy who hunger and thirst forrighteousness.APRIL "^^|What is righteousness? In thiscontext it is more than justification; itincludes sanctification also. It meansultimately the desire to be free from sin inall its forms and manifestations. Sinseparates from God, so it means to be rightwith God. It means to be free from self, —pride, sensitiveness, self-assertion; to bepositively holy, to show the fruit of theSpirit in the whole of one's life and activity;to walk in fellowship with God, to be likethe Lord Jesus Christ Himself.Do we desire such righteousness?The Psalmist wrote, "As the hart pantethafter the water brooks, so panteth my soulafter thee, O God. My soul thirsteth forGod, the living God." We do not feel thatwe can attain this righteousness by our ownefforts. The first Beatitude tells us we mustbe "poor in spirit," which is the very oppositeof self-reliance. This hungering andthirsting means a consciousness of ourdeep need, a desperate need; not just apassing desire, but a need that must besatisfied. One writer said when the prodigalson was hungry he was willing to feed onhusks; when he was starving he turned tohis father. Are we hungry and thirsty? Howgood is our spiritual appetite? One way tofind out is to make a careful study of theeleventh chapter of Hebrews; study thesegreat and glorious examples of people whodid hunger and thirst, and were filled; thenexamine ourselves. This blessedness is thegift of God's grace and cannot be obtainedby our own efforts. But by disciplining ourlives we can avoid those things that woulddull our spiritual appetite, and throughstudy of the Word, prayer, Christianfellowship, and the right kind of reading wecan keep this righteousness constantlybefore us.Why should this hungering andthirsting be most important to every one ofus? All who lack this righteousness of God,the Bible teaches, remain under the wrathof God. Only this righteousness can fit usto be right with God and spend eternity inHis holy presence. If we could see plainlythe hatefulness of sin, we would hungerand thirst after righteousness. And if wecould know the glory and the wonder ofthis new life of righteousness, we shoulddesire nothing else. If we see these thingstruly we shall become like the Apostle Pauland say, "That I may know Him, and thepower of His resurrection, being madeconformable unto His death; if by anymeans I might attain unto the resurrectionof the dead."The promise is that he who hungersand thirsts after righteousness shall befilled. This is the gift of God; this is thegospel of God's grace, for which we areprofoundly thankful to God.

Some This and That in W M.S."COME AWAY BY YOURSELVES TO ALONELY PLACE AND REST A WHILE. "(Mark 6:3DAn interview with Miss Eleanor Faris,Missionary to Japan"You mentioned one or two subjects about which wemight talk when we meet, and I thought that missionaryvacations in Japan would be my choice. I've come to have anew appreciation of the necessity of these."This was Eleanor Faris' remark to me over the phone,as we finalized our appointment to talk together at her homein Denison, Kansas, on the evening of January 22.That evening came, and I sat listening to Eleanor inher living room. On the nearby table, a graceful Japanesedoll stood poised for a bow in her glass case. Eleanor wasgiving me a word picture of a special place in Japan."Don't you and Orlena have a cabin somewhere forvacations?"' 'Yes. In 1959 we bought a part of a field belonging toa man in Yamanaka, a village about ten miles from Mt. Fuji.The village is larger than Denison, and is on LakeYamanaka, one of five lakes which are around Mt. Fuji. Wehad a cabin built on our piece of land, between the lake andthe mountain, so we have a beautiful view from our cabin.The cabin is well built, even though the walls are of veneer;it has three rooms and a kitchen; we have it furnished andeven leave our old clothes ready for vacationing there. Thebuilder, who lives near, and the owners of a shop not faraway, all keep an eye on the place while we are in Kobe. Wecan cook our own meals, for the shop and a butcher's areclose, or, for a treat, we can dine out at an eating place in thevillage. We sometimes cook food American-style, butusually we eat Japanese food since that is what the shopshave. In this place, six to seven hours by train and bus fromKobe, we enjoy relaxation, rest, reading, and bicyclingaround the lake. For Orlena it has included a climb to the topof Mt. Fuji. We often feel we can go for only a week or tendays, but this is really not long enough for a complete rest."I asked Eleanor how the missionaries in Kobe wentabout planning their vacations so that they wouldn't all beaway from their work at the same time. We reviewed themission organization there. The three fellowship groups ofCovenanters are these: the congregation at Higashi Sumaunder the pastoral leadership of Mr. Masunaga; the group atTarumi, led by Mr. Pennington until his return home; andthe Okamoto group which meets in the Spear home. Thefirst two groups have church buildings and residences inconnection with them. The last named has purchased a loton which there is a house which can be remodeled for use asa church. Each of these congregations need leadership, aswell as the Bible classes and other activities connected withthem and the Covenanter Book Room. The missionariescannot all be gone from their work at once. The Japaneselaymen have exacting jobs from which they take only brief,16two or three-day vacations, thus living and becoming accustomedto sustained job activity. It is easiest for themissionaries to try to fit in their vacations in little bits, asbeing more understood by their Japanese friends. Now MissFaris feels that her illness will increase the understanding ofothers of the missionaries' need for longer times ofrelaxation.Missionary work in Japan is a God-controlled enterprisefor our workers there. A witness for Christ is carriedon. During her years in Japan, Eleanor says that her facilityin using the Japanese language has grown, so that conversingwith people is done now with ease, and is not astrain. But the many things to be done, and the pressure onefeels to get caught up on work that has fallen behind causestension. Sabbath is a full day. Not only worship services areheld, but other groups, such as the prayer meeting, cometogether in the afternoon, because the members are fullyoccupied rather long hours on every other week day withtheir jobs.A Japanese holiday also makes the best time to haveone-or two-day conferences. For example, recently awomen's meeting was held on January 15, which is aholiday called "Older Persons' Day" in Japan. ManyJapanese businesses maintain a summer house in pleasant,restful surroundings where their employees may vacation forbrief periods. The summerhouse is staffed with those whocare for the maintenance and cook the meals. Many of ourshort church Bible study and youth conferences have beenheld in the rented summerhouse of the city office workers ofKobe, which is located on the small island of Awaji, near thecity. The conferees sleep in large rooms with straw matfloors, each on his own "futon" or padded sleeping mat.The summerhouse staff provides the meals. These are happytimes of fellowship, though hardly vacations for the leaderswho have planned and carried them through. Happily, thislast year of furlough for the Gene Spear family, has made itevident that the members and officers of our Japanesechurches carry on the responsibilities of the church workwell in their various capacities alongside, or without, themissionary leadership.For each missionary, Eleanor says, what constitutesan ideal situation for relaxation is different. In summer time,when the children are out of school, the Spear family may gofor a month's stay on Shikoku Island where fishing andswimming are enjoyable. Orlena Lynn likes bicycling, hikingand climbing the mountain slopes. Others prefer amissionary vacation resort of which there are two on theisland of Honshu, with opportunities for fellowship withother Christian workers.Eleanor says, "I think I prefer a fall vacation, after theheat of summer is over, and I can relax in a cool place. At thecabin, without many others about, we can just get awayfrom it all, rest, and read."After our conversation, Mrs. Faris, Eleanor, and I hadtea and cake together, and I could almost picture Eleanorsee page 7COVENANTER WITNESS

VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 15 APRIL 14, 1971 STERLING KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 9, 1971EXCUSES AND SCRIPTURESI'm not going to work as hard in the church this year as I did last year. "Bethou faithful unto death, and I v/ill give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10).Someone else can do it better than I. "Then Peter, turning about, seethJohn and saith to Jesus, Lord what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, Whatis that to thee? Follow thou me. So then everyone of us shall give account ofhimself to God" (John 21:20-22, Romans 14:12).I have too many other community activities. "Seek ye first the kingdom ofGod, and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).I've been working too hard; I want to rest awhile. "If any man will comeafter me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Forwhosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it" (Luke 9:23,24)./ don't like the preacher, the educational director, the church leaders."Who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?" (ISamuel 26:9).Someone criticized me. "Not as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christdoing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to theLord, and not to men" (Ephesians 6:6,7).1 don't feel like it. I have to rest when I get home from work. "And being inan agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops ofblood falling down to the ground. And he prayed, saying, Not my will, but thine,be done" (Luke 22:44; Matthew 26:37).

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER (Q£2£>*EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Marion L. McFarlandRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introducttoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R.P. Church —$3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.PRE-SYNODIC CONFERENCE(Sponsored by the Bible Department of GenevaJune 10 —June 12, 19711 P.M. on June 10 through 12 P.M. June 12"FOR CHRIST'S CROWN""A Discussion of the Natureof Christ's Kingdom"Speakers:Dr. Robert TweedProfessor of Bible, Geneva CollegeDr. S. E. BoyleChristian Government MovementDr. Bernard ZylstraProfessor at the Institute for ChristianStudies, Toronto, CanadaCosts:$2.50 Registration Fee$3.95 Housing and LinenMeals will be served in the College CafeteriaThis Week's WitnessThe Christian Walk . . .Glimpses of the Religious World.When Sorrow Comes.My Bible (Part II)Group Therapy or Slander?Fred Karmay's Ambition Realized.Lesson Helps.Church News..34.57.8.10.11.14WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.preserve the purity of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andThe Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theFaith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Lord Jesus Christ.Salvation by Grace.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The Gospel Call and Election.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notThe Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.to be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The fact of death and heli as the destiny of the lost and heavenThe duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asas the destiny of the saved.King of Kings and Lord of Lords.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believeThat Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.in Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allThe Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church. governmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That terms of membership or communion are essential to the That the Covenants of the past are still binding.welfare of the Church.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

The Christian life is often characterized as a walk.To walk is one of the actions of the body that denotesmotion from one place to another. It is often used inScripture for the manner of life.The Christian Walkfn the fifth chapter of Ephesians Paul urges us to "beimitators of God, as beloved children, and to walk in love,as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrantoffering and sacrifice to God." He also describes the walkof darkness and reminds us that once we were darknessbut now, he says, "Ye are light in the Lord; walk aschildren of light."Three prepositions suggest to us three essentialcharacteristics of the believer's life, connected with aGodly walk. The three prepositions are WITH, BEFORE,AND AFTER. Walk with God; walk before God; andwalk after God.Of at least two characters in the Bible it is said, "Hewalked with God." "Enoch walked with God and he wasnot, for God took him." "Noah was a righteous man andperfect in his generations; Noah walked with God."Surely walking with some one signifies fellowship,for "Can two walk together except they be agreed?"The spiritual experiences of those who walk withGod are not static. Walking with God is moving alongwith Him. It is going where He is going and living incompanionship with Him. You can sometimes tell thatpeople are related by watching them walk together.Notice a father and son. How often they walk and actalike. Of course you are familiar with the TV commercial,"Like Father, Like Son." Walking with God indicates therelationship between God and His children.What was the result of Enoch's walking with God?I've always liked the way a little girl told the story. Shesaid that one day Enoch went walking with God, and theywalked so far that God just said to Enoch, "You just comeon and go home with me." And that is what Enoch did. Myown father went home that way. He went to sleep onenight and during the night he slipped away without evenmoving in his sleep. A dear cousin said, "It reminded meof Enoch. He walked with God, and he was not, for Godtook him."And Noah? For him, walking with God meant thesalvation of himself and of his household. For he built anark into which he and his family went and remainedduring all the days of the flood upon the earth.Micah also has something to say about walking withGod. "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good. Whatdoes the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to lovekindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Walkhumbly with God? What does humility mean?Andrew Murray says: "Humility is perfect quietnessof heart. It is never to be fretted or irritated or sore, ordisappointed. It is to be at rest when nobody praises meand when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessedhome in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door andkneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a sea ofcalmness when all around and above is troubled."It costs something to walk with God. Some are notwilling to pay the price, as was the case of some of thedisciples who "walked no more with Him" afte"r Hisdiscourse on the Bread of Life. But there is a reward forwalking with Him. If we are faithful in our walk we will befound worthy of walking with Him forever.To walk with GodTo talk with GodTo wait with GodWastes no strength.Walk on.Wastes no breathTalk on.Wastes no time.Wait on.Walking before God is associated with holiness. Towalk before God means to be continually under God'seye. God's command to Abraham was "I am GodAlmighty; walk before me and be thou perfect." lacob sawthe covenant made with Abraham worked out. Hear himsaying, "The God before whom my fathers Abraham andIsaac did walk, the God who hath fed me all my life longunto this day . bless the lads."To David God said, "There shall not fail thee a manin my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, // only thychildren take heed to their way, to walk before me, asthou hast walked before me."Solomon could say God kept His promise. "Thouhast shown unto thy servant, David, my father, greatloving kindness according as he walked before thee intruth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart."There are so many promises if we walk before Godthat we cannot mention all of them. We are offeredprotection and all the necessary things of this life: "Seekye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness." God\\ill keep His covenant with us if we fulfill the condition —"God who keepest covenant and loving kindness with thyservants that walk before thee with all their heart."God has done great things for us. "He has delivered mysee page 7APRIL 14, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldURBANA '70 AGAINArnold Kress, reporting the Urbana Conference in[he Presbyterian Guardian, summarized its emphasis: "Wemust see the gospel as fundamentally one and allinclusive,directed to the whole man, and bringing allaspects of life (individual, societal, religious, familial,political, economic, social, moral, aesthetic, etc.) intoconformity to King Christ. . ."He went on to report that "The same theme wasunderscored by an "underground" newspaper, Vanguard,printed and distributed by students and friends from theInstitute for Christian Studies in Toronto (popularlyknown as the neo-Dooyeweerdians). The paper had noauthorization from the Urbana Conference. Giving a dailycritique of the conference, this organ unfortunatelyblunted its message of a unified, all-inclusive gospel by theuse of an almost incomprehensible jargon. It alsodisplayed a divisively negative type of "yellow journalism,'evidenced an exaggerated crusader-complex, and showeda striking lack of sensitivity to the psychological impacttheir methods made on an uninitiated student gathering.All these traits seem to stem from an insularity that soughtto address the outside world of evangelicalism, but did notreally listen to those outside."The "Toronto Institute" has made itself heardremarkably in the few years of its existence, especiallythrough books and articles published by its faculty, also,through their lectures and personal appearances outsideToronto. The position of the Institute is one of confidencein the full dependability — I haven't noted the word"inerrancy" in their writing, but this seems to be implied— of the Scriptures. However, the impression made by the"disciples" they send forth — and the above estimate is byno means isolated or unique — is the "fruits" by whichthey will be known. Observers of the Institute will continueto inspect, not just "the speech," but the fruits, ofToronto.4Rev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014CITIZENS FOR PUBLIC PRA YERThis organization, with headquarters at 3004 AdamsSt. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20018, continues to press for aconstitutional amendment which would specificallyapprove prayer in public buildings and agencies. They aresupporting Senate Joint Resolution No. 34, though manyamendment bills have been introduced into this session ofCongress. They tell us that several senators campaignedon the "prayer issue" and won, including J. Glenn Beall,Jr. (Md.), Lloyd M. Bentsen (Texas), William E. Brock(Tenn.), Robert Taft, Jr. (Ohio), and Lowell P. Weiker(Conn. I.Maryland voters on November 3, 1970 endorsed aprayer amendment by a 73 percent margin. InMassachusetts the state legislature restored voluntary preschoolprayer on school property beginning in September1970.This organization urges those concerned "literally toflood the Congress, the Judiciary Committees" and individualsin Congress "with letters, telegrams, and, wherepossible, personal visits.""PLAN OF UNION READY FOR STUDY"According to the Presbyterian Survey, officialmagazine of the southern Presbyterian Church (PCUS)(Incidentally, Survey is, like many other religiousmagazines, having circulation decline problems, skiddingfrom 250,000 in the early 1960s to a present 140,000,according to Christianity Today.), the joint committee ofthe northern (UPUSA) Presbyterian Church and thesouthern counterpart, has approved a plan for the unionof the two denominations, and released it for printing andforwarding to church courts, asking their aid in"facilitating the study of the plan."Of the 19 items reported in the March 8th issue ofthe Survey, four have to do with minority groups (such as"blacks, Hispanic-Americans, Indian Americans, andAsian Americans") in their representations indenominational affairs and administration, one recommendsthat the proposed denomination shall continue arelationship with the NCC and the WCC, three more are ofvaried matters while nine have a bearing on congregationswhich may dissent from the union plan and wish toseparate themselves. Congregations are to be permitted towithdraw and retain their property. The dissentingcongregations also may "petition for division of presbyteryand synod property." This generous provision in theproposed plan, it would seem, grows out of the experienceof the PCUS in attempting to take the property of twoAtlanta congregations which withdrew from thedenomination, but twice failed in efforts to get theSupreme Court to give the denomination the properties ofthe two congregations (Glimpses, Covenanter WitnessFebruary 18, 1970).In an interview with Dr. Albert Winn, chairman ofthe committee that prepared the "plan of union" (apparentlytaken before the final touches were put on the"plan,") he was asked what the proposed confession wouldhave to say about justification by faith. His answer: "Whatis the relationship between justification by faith and thebelief of many Presbyterians that poor people must bedeserving' before they are fed? . . .Now, I am not preparedto say what we are going to say — I don't know at thispoint." It will be interesting to see what they do say about"justification by faith." Is the Committee concerned topreserve this doctrine of justification by faith, and state itCOVENANTERsee page 6WITNESS

When Sorrow ComesRev. Robert McMillanPastor of the Seattle, Washington R. P. ChurchIn 1956, James Agee was awarded the Pulitzer prizefor his sensitive novel, A Death in the Family.(I) But theaward was made posthumously. The author had diedbefore his book about death was quite finished.The fact of death confronts every man alive. He maytry to blot the fact out of his thinking, but it is inescapable.The doorbell rings, and a salesman for a local cemeteryurges him to prepare for the inevitable. Perhaps there is adeath in the family, or a solemn warning from his doctorforces him to consider the possibility of his own demise."And as it is appointed unto men once to die,but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).Recently, a woman in the neighborhood confessedto the minister:"I used to enjoy singing in church, but I can'tsing any more. First, my daughter and son-in-lawwere killed in that accident. Then my mother died;then my father. All within three months — it didsomething to me."The minister of the Gospel should deal frequentlywith the subject of death. He should not wait for a funeraloccasion, but at other times, when the sun is shining, andpeople are in good health, he should teach and preach andpersuade and invite men to put their faith in". . . .our Savior Jesus Christ, who hathabolished death, and hath brought life and immortalityto light through the gospel" (II Tim. 1:10).One approach is to study the death-scenes whereJesus was present, and the funerals that He attended.I. A DEATH IN A HOME IN BETHANYIt was not a home in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1915(Ihe home in Agee's prizewinning novel), but a home inBethany, not far from Jerusalem. The family consisted oftwo sisters and a brother — Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Itwas a home where Jesus had been a guest at least once —perhaps many times. It was a special home. John sayssimply, "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, andLazarus" (John 11:5).Lazarus became ill, and his illness was seriousenough that a message was sent to Jesus who was with Hisdisciples two days travel time away: "He whom thou lovestis sick." The story is condensed. We don't know the natureof Lazarus' illness, but we know the effects of it. He died.We don't know if his sisters tried home remedies or calleda doctor. We do know that they prayed. They sent amessage to Jesus and certainly that was a prayer. Maryand Martha remembered many miracles of healing whenJesus touched someone, or spoke to them, or even healedfrom a distance. They watched and waited. Lazarus drewhis last breath and died. Mary and Martha were left withtheir grief.Are you acquainted with grief?"I was six years old when my sister died. It wasjust at dawn, and I remember my mother rushinginto the room where I was, and screaming frantically,'My God, My God!' I could not understandthis, and turning to my father, I asked, 'Papa, whatmakes Mama swear so?' and he told me she was notswearing but praying in agony because she had losther only daughter. My sister was nearly seventeenyear's older than I, and had taken care of me veryoften, so that she seemed more like a second motherthan a sister. She had typhoid fever; it was a longillness; I had been taken to her bedroom, so that shemight say Good-bye. But her death was a mystery tomy childish mind; I saw her in the coffin; I went toher funeral in a state of excitement. It seemed to meincredible that she had disappeared from our homeand family life, had become inaccessible. This wasthe first time I was brought face to face with themystery of death. For death is as complete a mysteryas life."(2)The grief which comes with the death of a loved oneis often made more intense if we feel that the death couldhave been averted if only we had done differently, orsomeone else had done differently."A young woman was especially distressed thather husband died after a quarrel when he left her inanger. A mother whose son died in the hospitalthought the nurses were inattentive and blamedherself for not being there at the time to care forhim. A man who fainted in the fire and was unable tosa\ e his wife felt guilt so acutely that he did not wantto live."(3)It was something like this with Mary and Martha.They could not help but think that more could have beendone. When Jesus finally arrived, they both said the samething: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had notdied" (John 11:21).Many people blame God when a loved one is taken.If thev don't say it in words, they sayit in actions:"It's God's fault. God could have preventedthis, but He didn't, so I don't even like God anymore."It is wicked even to think such a thought. Job spokethe language of faith:". . .the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;blessed be the name of the Lord"' (Job 1:21b).APRIL 14, 1971

2. THE DOCTOR WHO ARRIVED TOO LATEWhat is death? Isit the fact that the heart hasstopped beating? Not necessarily. Sometimes the heartstops, then an electrical shock startsit pumping again. Butif the heart stops beating long enough so that the cells ofthe brain are deprived of oxygen for five or ten minutes,then the person dies with no possibility of resuscitation.This should be called the climax of death because death isa life-long process. God warned Adam and Eve not to eatof the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, "for in theday that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die" (Gen.2:17). Did they die? They continued to breathe and walk,and talk, but they did die. The process of death beganworking in them at the moment of their disobedience.Lazarus died. Mary and Martha went into mourning,and many people came out from Jerusalem to mourn withthem. The traditional period of mourning was seven daysand the mourning had gone on for four days when Jesusfinally arrived. Martha and Mary felt that somehowsomething might have been done differently. There was ahint that the Master, who had shown such compassion toothers, somehow, had not done all that He might havedone for His friend Lazarus.Was Jesus heartless? He had said to His disciples:"Lazarus is dead, and I am glad." But that is taking wordsout of context:"Lazarus is dead and I am glad for your sakesthat I was not there, to the intent ye may believe;nevertheless let us go unto him" (John 11:14,15).3. JESUS AT THE FUNERALWhat would our Lord think of a modern Americanfuneral? In 1948, Evelyn Waugh wrote a biting satire, anovel, entitled, The Loved One,{4) with the setting acertain elaborate cemetery in a certain southernCalifornia city. More recently, Jessica Mitford wrote, TheAmerican Way of Death(S) — an expose of the Americanfuneral industry, and a plea for less expensive and lessostentatious programs.Jesus did what no one else could do. He broke upevery funeral He attended by raising the dead. He encounteredthe cortege of the only son of the widow ofNain, and He restored the son to life. Jairus' daughterdied, his only daughter, his twelve year old daughter. Jesussaid to her, "Talitha cumi," which means, "Little lamb,wake up." And then Lazarus died."When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, andthe Jews also weeping which came with her, Hegroaned in the spirit and was troubled, and said,Where have ye laid him. They said unto Him, Lord,come and see. Jesus wept" (John 11:33-35).Did you ever ask yourself, "Why did Jesus weep?"You can understand why He wept in the Garden ofGethsemane, but why did He weep at the grave ofLazarus? Were they tears of sympathy? He knew that in afew minutes, Lazarus would be standing in their midstalive again. He would say, "Lazarus, come forth!" andLazarus, who had been dead four days, would come forthfrom the tomb.6You will be surprised at the real reason. Jesus weptbecause He was angry! "He groaned in the spirit and wastroubled." This groaning was the indignation which theLord of Life felt at all the sorrow which sin had caused.How many times is the death scene repeated. All theparaphernalia of death made Jesus groan.Why do we have death in the world? Our Lord knewthe old-fashioned reason. Man was created immortal, butupon condition of obedience. Man disobeyed, and with sincame death, for God had said, "If thou eatest of theforbidden fruit thou shalt surely die." Everyone must facethe fact of death.But consider. The Christ who said, "Lazarus, comeforth" can change the meaning of death for us today. Forthe believer, the sting of death is removed. For thebeliever, death is no longer a dreadful thing, but a passingfrom mortal life to life immortal. The believer has the"hope that maketh not ashamed" (Rom. 5:5).Jonathan Edwards was faithful to his calling when hespoke these words at the close of a funeral address:"Let it be considered that if our lives be not ajourney towards heaven, they will be a journey tohell. All mankind, after they have been here a shortwhile, go to either of the two great receptacles of allthat depart out of this world: the one is heaven;whither a small number, in comparison travel; andthe other is hell, whither the bulk of mankind throng.And one or the other of these must be the issue ofour course in this world."(6)Our relationship to Jesus Christ will make the difference.• • •FOOTNOTES(1) Agee, James, A Death in the Family, Avon Books,New York, 1963.(2) Phelps, William Lyon, Adventures and Confessions,Charles Scribners and Sons, New York, 1926.(3) Johnson, Paul E., Psychology of Pastoral Care,Abingdon Press, New York, Nashville, 1953, p. 248.(4) Waugh, Evelyn, The Loved One, Little Brown,Boston, 1948.(5) Mitford, Jessica, The American Way of Death,Simon and Schuster, New York.(6) Blackwood, Andrew. The Protestant Pulpit,Abingdon Press, New York, Nashville, 1947, p. 48.Glimpses from page 4in modern language? Also, it will be interesting twhat they have to say about how we are to feed the poor insuch a way as to give them relief from hunger and somepermanent help in character building and self respect. Ourcountry, with the help of our Christian heritage, has notbeen notably successful in this. "Freely ye have received,freely give."• • •COVENANTER WITNESS

MYBIBLE(Part II)by Rev. Robert More, Jr.Pastor of Almonte R. P. Church, CanadaDr. Billy Graham in his December 17, 1966 column,entitled "My Answer," wrote, "I read many translations. . .. However I recommend Ken Taylor's Living Letters."With this credential lauding it, the publisher (TyndaleHouse, Wheaton, Illinois) has, not surprisingly, had a goodsales return.However, the question as to what may become "myBible" depends on far more than mere ministerial endorsementand publicity. The whole question of translationor paraphrase, sketched in the previous part, mustfirst be settled by conscience bound under Scripture. Onlythen can advertisements enter consideration.A second factor is, in the words of the WestminsterConfession of Faith (Chapter I,vii), the question as towhether the version is pure to the authentical writtenoriginals. To aid the reader a few items will be noted.The preface to The Living New Testament states thefoundation for this series. "The basic text used for thisparaphrase is the American Standard Version of 1901."Thus the paraphrase states that it is not founded uponauthentical Scriptures, but merely upon a fallible, earthlyEnglish version.In numerous places (see the covers to practically allthe volumes) the author calls it a paraphrase. Translationis thus wilfully repudiated and the practice of "interpretation,commentary, paraphrase" is obedientlypursued. This is confirmed by the author in I John 5:6where in a footnote he writes, "Other interpretations ofthis verse are equally possible." Or again in a Hebrews 5:7footnote, "Some readers may prefer the explanation that. .." (italics mine)The paraphraser even tampers with the divinedistinction between the Old and New Testaments bymixing "the Minor Prophets paraphrased with Daniel andthe Revelation." Therein he also imposes his own feelingson Scripture. The "this is literal" in Daniel 8:26 and theextensive footnotes on 9:24-27 advocating thepremillennial notion of eschatology are a bold interpretation,commentary upon the Scriptures by theauthor, and are not the pure, trustworthy Word of God.The Song of Solomon shockingly states many of itswords are conjectures. So too the presumed drama formof the book is another conjecture. Other examples are"my wife here in Rome" (I Peter 5:13) and the "dearwoman Cyria" (II John 1).Mutilation of the Scriptures to favor theparaphrastic habit is found in Jeremiah 50:2.Slang, if not blasphemy, offensively appears inMatthew 16:22 and Job 3:2.Perhaps worst of all is the attitude behind thisparaphrase. The preface to the Living Propheciesdeclares: "Bible students have complained, almost bitterly,against the prophets for their long-windedrepetitious, vaguely worded . . .and hard to understandorations. . . A paraphrase. . .tries to clear away from thefertile fields of Scripture the rocks and brush and rubbleof a literal translation, to reveal the rich soil underneath."Any comment upon what seems to be the arrogantdiatribe is unnecessary for, after all, do Christian creedsand the Scripture itself require that the Bible versions betranslations?• • •The Christian Walk . . from page 3soul from death and my feet from falling that I may walkbefore God in the light of living."Walking after God means living the life of obedience.Obedience is the golden key to the door of blessing. Therewards of obedience were promised to Israel in Leviticus26: "If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments.. ." I will give you plenty, peace, power, mypresence. Obedience, holiness, fellowship stand or falltogether.Read again Ephesians 5:1-8 and resolve, with God'shelp, to walk as children of the light.• • •Associate Reformed PresbyterianFrom PoemsThat Touch the HeartTHE BARThe Saloon is sometimes called a Bar,A Bar to heaven, a door to hellWhoever named it, named it well;A Bar to manliness and wealthA door to want and broken health;A Bar to honor, pride and fameA door to grief and sin and shame;A Bar to hope, a bar to prayerA door to darkness and despair;A Bar to honored useful lifeA door to brawling, senseless strife;A Bar to all that's true and braveA door to every drunkard's grave;A Bar to joys that home impartsA door to tears and aching hearts;A Bar to heaven, a door to hellWhoe\er named it, named it well!Bv a convict serving a life term in Joliet Prison, IllinAPRIL 14, 1971

Group Therapy - Or Slander:JAY E.ADAMS *Articles recently appearing in national magazineshave emphasized the rapid growth of a modernphenomenon known as "The Group." These articles havegiven the public a candid look at the procedures used atthe more lavish and well-known centers in which group"encounters' are taking place. (Cf. the article in Timemagazine, November 9, 1970, pp. 54-58.) These frankreports themselves should be the most potent means fordiscouraging Christians from participation in such activities.The fundamentally non-Christian purposes andcharacter of the activities of these groups should be apparentto every instructed Christian.Shedding all principles and inhibitions (even thoseChristian virtues that are appropriate to normal every-dayliving), sinful men and women are encouraged to expresstheir here-and-now feelings with abandon in whatevermanner they may see fit. Resentments and bitterness maybe vented with vehement hostility; sexually erotic contactsare encouraged in stimulating and provocativecontexts. There are literally no holds barred. Thedesperation of unbelieving psychiatrists (if they are not tobe charged with more reprehensible motives) at leastseems apparent in these attempts to rid their customers oftheir cultural and religious "hangups."ft is not, therefore, with the more obviously extremevarieties of "Encounter Groups," "T-Groups," "SensitivityTraining Groups," "Human Potential Workshops," orwhatever name a local variation of Carl Rogers'Esalenbased movement may assume, that I am concernedin this article. Rather, I should like to call your attentionto the less spectacular and yet potentially more dangerousbackwash now beginning to appear in schools, industry,mental institutions, counseling centers, seminaries, andeven in Christian churches.These groups have not received the publicityallotted to those national organizations which they oftenreflect, but they also are growing with astounding rapidity.Because participants in these less spectacular groups donot ordinarily disrobe, or engage in the more esotericpractices found in some of the more publicized programs,they may be led to suppose that they are engaged in anentirely different activity. Preachers themselves mayunwittingly adopt procedures that are based upon the non-Christian presuppositions of the whole movement.OPEN "CONFESSION"In addition to the "Encounter Groups" that arebased upon the non-Christian idea that an uncontrolled8release of emotion is desirable, there are other forms of"Group Therapy" that stress confession and openness orhonesty. One example of the latter is O. Hobart Mowrer's"Integrity Groups." (The distinction is becoming blurredeven here, however, since just this year Mowrer"discovered" the need for "involvement" that has movedhis confession groups closer too the Esalen movement.Mowrer now calls for shouting, crying, and "reaching out"to touch other members of the group.)It is this latter sort of group, stressing confession incombination with elements of the encounter or sensitivitygroups, that seems to be making a significant appeal tosome Christians. Seminarians and youth groups, for instance,are now being subjected to such group programs.Since it is impossible to describe the endless variationsupon the several basic themes running through all thesegroups, it might be most profitable to gather togethersome important Biblical criteria by which any localmanifestation of group encounter or therapy may bejudged. Since space is limited, I shall focus in depth upononly one of these basic themes.Among the many pertinent questions that might beasked are the following:1) fs there any Biblical warrant for systematicallyunlacing another person and throwing his stuffing aroundthe room in order to ventilate one's own hostilities andthus selfishly find relief for himself? "Let all bitterness,and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, beput away from you" (Ephesians 4:31; read verse 32 alsoand James 5:9,10; 4:11; Proverbs 10:12; Philippians 2:4;Romans 15:1-3). Do these have any answer to thequestion?2) Js it really necessary to take other people apartand tell them off in the name of honesty and openness?Does Biblical honesty require or allow such activity? ButPaul would show us that "more excellent way," the way ofcharity or loving concern for others that "beareth allthings" and "endureth all things" (I Corinthians 13).3) Is openness a Biblical concept? While believersshould "speak the truth in love" to one another, are theyto be so open that they may freely discuss any and allmatters, without distinction or exception, with anyone?There are things that are "not to be once named amongyou"; "for it is a shame even to speak of those things whichare done of them (the children of disobedience) in secret"(Ephesians 5:3,12).4) With what group should Christians associate?With any group indiscriminately? With Christians only?How does a Christian's relationship to the church, as aCOVENANTER WITNESS

Biblical group bound together by the Spirit in the bonds ofthe gospel, the truth and the love of God, differ from hisrelationship to other groups? Is it even possible for himseriously to consider participation in an encounter ortherapy group composed of non-Christians? On the otherhand, is there any Biblical warrant for Christians tosponsor encounter and therapy sessions?5) Does the Bible suggest that people withunaltered sinful life-patterns are to be dealt with in groups— or is it in just the opposite manner? Paul warns that "ifany man obey not our word, . . .have no company withhim; . . .but admonish him as a brother" (II Thessalonians3:14,15). Does this have relevance here? What about ICorinthians 5:9-11?6) Should sinfully rebellious and Biblically confusedpersons be selected as the proper persons fromwhom one should seek counsel when he is in a similarlymixed-up state? "A companion of fools shall be destroyed"(Proverbs 13:20). Should the blind lead the blind?7) Do not such groups tend to develop divisiveloyalties that do not serve the cause of Christ? Paul warnsus to avoid those who "cause divisions and offensescontrary to the doctrine which ye have learned" (Romans16:17; cf. Titus 3:10). Is this warning of any importance inevaluating the tendencies of very "open" groups which, inorder to preserve their "openness," become tight-knitcells? Cannot a specialized group become a substitute forthe proper group — the church itself?SLANDER SESSIONSThese and other similar issues may be raised aboutsome of the groups to which many earnest Christians havebeen attracted in search of help. I cannot discuss themhere, but want to devote the remainder of this article to aserious objection that may be raised with regard to mostof the confession-type groups now beginning to appearunder Christian auspices. That objection is that there is,unintentionally, a grave amount of slander sanctioned andcarried on under the aegis of the church!Slander is specifically forbidden in many places inthe Bible (as in Titus 3:2, Ephesians 4:31). Nevertheless,what happens in some groups is, in my opinion, nothingshort of a violation of these divine injunctions. Membersof the group are frequently encouraged to "tell their story"to persons who, until that moment, have had no involvementor interest in their lives and affairs. Yet now,before strangers, they are encouraged (often coerced) toreveal the details not only of their own foibles and failureshut also those of persons who have no means of knowingthat their privacy is being invaded, who are powerless tostop it, and who are not present to correct the one-sidedaccount that inevitably is given.Even in those groups in which one is supposed toconcentrate upon his own sins (and this is by no means theprevailing approach), it is necessary to talk about othersbehind their backs simply in order to tell one's own story.Since our major problems in life mostly have to do with°ur relationships to others, it is nearly impossible to be"°pen" about ourselves and not involve others.Can we dump our personal resentments andcomplaints on the table before strangers without slanderingothers in the process? Specifically, should youngpeople at a Christian college or seminary be encouragedto spill the beans about their parents, their brothers andsisters, their pastors, and other young persons back home?Should wives be provided opportunity to discuss thefailures of their husbands behind their backs? Shouldministers in a confession-oriented group disclose intimatedetails about their marriages and then declare to theirwives that loyalty to one another in the "group" supersedesthe loyalties of the marriage relationship?A group context of this sort encourages groupmembers to make accusations and charges apart from thebenefit of the safeguards of both the informal and officialprocedures involved in Biblical discipline. When thegroup meets without such safeguards, it operates as akangaroo court. Without demanding adequate evidenceor witnesses, without providing for a defense by the partywhose name and character may be at stake, the groupallows a member to make charges that it frequentlyaccepts at face value.Action is often recommended on the basis of thisone-sided information, fn effect, in his absence andusually in complete ignorance of the fact, a brother inChrist who may be quite innocent of the charges is tried,convicted, and judged in absentia. Great damage may bedone as a result, since the group has failed to heed thewarning of Proverbs 18:17: "He who states his cause firstseems right until another comes to examine him"(Berkeley Version).Talking to others who have not previously beeninvolved in a problem about those who are, is nothing lessthan the substitution of a human methodology for thedivinely ordained procedures outlined in Matthew5:23,24; 18:15-17. God says that a Christian who is offendedby another must go to him and attempt to bringabout a Biblical resolution of the matter leading to areconciliation of the parties. (If he has wronged hisbrother, he is still obligated to go and seek reconciliation.)Jesus specifically requires that the matter be kept in thestrictest privacy: "If your brother sins, go and reprove himin private" (Matthew 18:15, NASV).Only when reconciliation cannot be achieved byprivate consultation is one allowed to involve others —and then, only two or three. These men are not pictured asmembers of a therapy or encounter group, but rather ascompetent arbiters and counselors who should be"heard." If at length their efforts also fail, they becomewitnesses and official discipline is required. Only thendoes this matter become public, i.e. known to the church,and e\en this probably means it is known to the elderswho represent the church, not to the entire congregation.BIBLICAL CONFESSIONThere is a Biblically legitimate form of confessiongroup, ft should be as large as, but no larger than Ihegroup of persons who are actualK parties to the offense. Itsee page 16APRIL 14, 1971 9

The Children's CornerSo from sixth grade until he finished high schoolFred continued working in the Hays' home, in theA thrilling life story, written with Fred Karmay's boarding permission.department, at gardening, and any other jobs hecould find until finally a long awaited day came, highschool graduation day, and Fred proudly walked acrossthe platform to claim his high school diploma. Two of theFRED KARMA Y'S AMBITION REALIZEDother happiest people in the audience that day were Dr.Mrs. Kenneth Sandersonand Mrs. Hays who saw Fred being rewarded for his longhard climb up the educational ladder. During the sameyears Fred was studying Arabic as well as English andcompleted his Arabic Brevet, a government examinationwhich showed that he had completed work equivalent tothe 11th or 12th grade in high school in Arabic.Probably you're wondering, was Fred a Christian?He soon discovered there were thorns along with theroses. Each morning he walked to school and back homeat night. At noon when all the rest of the boys went homeor out to the playground to eat their lunches, Fred tried tohide, for do you know he didn't have any lunch and hedidn't want anyone to know it. This didn't worry Frednearly as much as the question of where he was to get thetuition money he'd promised Rev. Mr. Hays he would pay,and how was he to get money for his books. In Fred's ownwords: "I finished the school year successfully, but I can'tsay happily. I don't remember how much tuition I paid butI cleaned blackboard, erasers, dusted desks, and othersmall jobs. My father tried to persuade me to stop. TheShretah family told me it was a mission school and Ishould stop (they were Moslems). They told me that oneday they would make me a Christian. I, refused to listen.They scolded me, beat me, and punished me severely inother ways. One day my uncle pulled my ear until bloodran down over my clothes. My money was cut off which Iwas allowed for spending, but I was persistent. The Lordgave me the strength, encouraged me, and my interest inschool continued to grow. Why and how I do not know.Finally they won out, and when school started in 1944 Iwas not among the boys who went to enroll. Too muchwork and too little money had won the day."One fall day Fred was walking downtown in Latakiaand who should he run into but Rev. Mr. Hays. He greetedthe boy heartily and asked why he hadn't returned toschool. Sadly Fred told him his money problems, that hecouldn't afford either books or tuition. He didn't tell himabout all the opposition at home."Stop in at my office, Fred, and I'm sure somethingcan be done about your problem," Mr. Hays told Fred.Fred could scarcely wait until he found a chance to go,and to his joy Mr. Hays offered him work in the boardingdepartment, setting and clearing tables so he could earnhis board and room. Then over and above that he said ifhe'd work after school and on Saturdays in the Hays'garden he could earn his tuition. Fred was nearly besidehimself with happiness. Then, could he really believe hisears, for Mr. Hays was going on, "And by our garden thereis an old chicken house which I think we could clean outand make quite a nice small room for you to sleep andstudy in." Would he accept? Without the slightesthesitation the boy agreed. Hadn't this been his dream eversince he was seven years old?10No, not when he entered the American school, norprobably for some years. He himself declares, "I can notpin point the time I accepted the Lord. It was a gradualchange. The greatest influence in my life was my Christianfather and mother, Rev. and Mrs. H. A. Hays, whose love,actions, and attitude spoke much louder than words. Thejoy is great in heaven and on earth when a soul is lost andis found." Of his association with the Hayses he quotesIsaiah 3:19, "Say ye to the righteous, thatit shall be wellwith him, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings."Following his graduation from high school, Fredfound employment in the offices of the Iraq PetroleumCompany in Benias, about fifteen miles south of Latakia.When his father found he had become a Christian hetold Fred he would lose all his land which he was due toinherit from his mother if he did not return to the Moslemfaith, but Fred steadfastly refused, preferring Christ to anyother type of riches. In 1948 his father died.While he was working in Benias he went to Tripoli,Lebanon and was baptized as a Christian. He joined theReformed Presbyterian Church after he came to theUnited States.How wonderful it must have seemed to Fred at lastto be independent, have his own money and an education.But still his thirst for schooling wasn't satisfied. Whyshouldn't he go on to college?Year by year Fred carefully saved as much as hecould. He had determined he was going to go to Americaand enter Geneva College. When the oil company forwhich he worked learned that he planned to leave and goon to college they offered to help him go to Englandwhere he could get a college degree and then return towork for them in Syria in a better position and, of course,for better pay. But Fred had his heart set on going toAmerica. Finally he decided he had enough money to getthere and pay part of his first year's tuition. So on July 11,1955, he arrived in the U.S. and began work on theGeneva campus. The following years weren't easy, forbeside his studies, Fred was busy with work on campus,work in a steel mill, and other work.(To be continued)COVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of May 9iSabbath SchoolLessonFor May 9,1971God's Controversy With Israel's LeadersHosea 4:1-6; 7:5-10Comments by John K.GaultHosea and Joshua mean the sameand they have for their Greek equivalentthe name lesus which means "Jehovah issalvation." Hosea prophesied against thenorthern kingdom of Israel during thereign of Jereboam II about 785 B.C. Goddirected and arranged a domestic tragedyin Hosea's home as an object lesson of themoral degeneracy of Israel. God said tohim, "Go, take unto thee a wife ofwhoredoms and children of whoredoms:for the land hath committed greatwhoredom, departing ' from the Lord."Hosea did as God had directed and he tookGomer to be his wife; she proved to be anunfaithful spouse. The first three chaptersof the book of Hosea recount his experiencewith his unfaithful wife, and theefforts which he made to win her back tohimself. Israel had been a whorish nationin departing from the Lord her God, towhom she had been espoused: yet Godloved her and pleaded wiith her to comeback, which her remnant finally did whenJesus came to establish His kingdom.There is no other way for people to havetheir true kingdom than through KingJesus.1: God Has a Lawsuit with RebelliousSinners.This is the meaning of 4:1 as Hoseasaid, "The Lord hath a controversy withthe inhabitants of the land because there isno truth nor mercy, nor knowledge of Godin the land." Israel had violated bothtables of the law of God, His rights hadbeen trampled under foot. In a wellorderedsociety there is what is called asystem of jurisprudence in which thecourts function. If one party violates therights of another party it is the privilege ofwould contend with the priest and wouldthe offended one to bring suit before thecivil court and to demand reparation. Inthe case of a felony the officer of the lawapprehends the guilty party and there is thetrial in the criminal court. God has apprehendedthe sinning culprits of the worldand has brought them to trial. He has acontroversy" with the inhabitants of theland. There have been no extenuatingcircumstances, whereby people might say,"I am not guilty."2: The Offenses of Israel WereParticularly Violent.Hosea said for God, "There is notruth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God inthe land. By swearing, and lying, andkilling, and stealing, and committingadultery, they break out and bloodtoucheth blood." The people sinnedagainst God and against one another. Itnever fails to happen that when peoplerenounce God they then begin to preyupon one another. It is the Spirit of Godwho prevents people from resorting tosavagery. When people separate themselvesfrom God the animal instincts oftheir natures take control, and "Man'sinhumanity to man, makes countlessthousands mourn."3: Nature Suffers Along with GuiltyPeople.In verse 3 it is said, "Therefore shallthe land mourn, and every one thatdwelleth therein shall languish, with thebeasts of the field, and with the fowls ofheaven; yea the fishes of the sea also shallbe taken away." That is the way with man'ssin; nature suffers also and there aredisasters which cause the people and theland to mourn. Man, with his highpowered rifles, has destroyed many speciesof animal life, and the pollution of theocean and streams has caused the death offish and water birds by the thousands.4: All Efforts to Reform OneAnother Were Futile.They were all in the same sinkingship and it was useless for one to try toreprove another as Hosea said in verse 4."Yet let no man strive, nor reproveanother: for thy people are as they thatstrive with the priest." The priest was therepository of spiritual knowledge. Peoplewere supposed to inquire of the priest ifthere was any doubt about the moral law.Evidently the morals of the people haddegenerated to such an extent that theynot accept his counsel. When peoplerefuse to listen or to follow the advice oftheir spiritual leaders they indicate thatthey are hardened in sin. In the Christianchurch there is the exposition of God'sWord and when people live in accordancewith what they hear in the church they arethen in a position to help one another.5: It Was the Duty of the Priest toImpart the Knowledge of God.Evidently the priests of Israel hadfailed to do this for Hosea said, "There isno. knowledge of God in the land. . ..My people are destroyed for lack ofknowledge: because thou hast rejectedknowledge, I will also reject thee, that thoushalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hastforgotten the law of thy God, I will alsoforget thy children. . . . They eat up the sinof my people, and they set their heart ontheir iniquity. And there shall be, likepeople, like priest: and I will punish themfor their ways, and reward them theirdoings." The priests received their livingfrom the people and so instead ofdenouncing the people for their sins lesttheir li\ing be cut off, they accepted themin their sins. What the people wanted, thatthe priests granted, and so, as Hosea said,"Like people, like priest." A true ministerwill denounce sin and sinners regardless ofhow it affects his living condition.6: Hatred of the Right Burned intheir Hearts.This is w hat Hosea said in 7:6,7: "Forthey have made ready their heart like anoven, whiles they lie in wait: their bakersleepeth all the night; in the morning itburnetii as a flaming fire. They are all ashot as an oven, and have devoured theirjudges; all their kings are fallen: there isnone among them that calleth unto Me."When people hate the right they hate oneanother and they kill one another. In IJohn 3:15 that apostle says, "Whosoeverhateth his brother is a murderer: and yeknow that no murderer hath eternal lifeabiding in him." God, in His word, dealswith potentials as well as with actualhappenings. F or that reason Solomon saysin Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinketh in hisheart, so is he."7: Worldly Wisdom Without aCorresponding Spiritual EnlightenmentProduces an Unfit Society.In another figure of the bakery.Hosea says in verse 8, "Ephraim is a cakenot turned." As a cake of dough placed ina pan on the fire needed to be turned inorder to be baked thoroughly, so peopleneed to have both sides of their naturesexposed to spiritual influence. The tribe ofEphraim prided herself on her size, on heraffluence, and on her military might, buther spiritual life was in a bad state. Peopleare two-dimensional. Many persons areAPRIL 14, 1971 11

practically perfect physically but their them up in the faith that they might want tosouls are all wizened up through lack of see the Kingdom of God advanced on thespiritual nourishment. Many have a earth. The minister is ordained to speakknowledge of nuclear energy or of someother intricate subject but their lives aredevoid of a saving knowledge of God. Thethe whole truth as it is in Jesus Christ andto speak against all error. The minister isto prepare for preaching by much study ofsociety of Ephraim was woefully unfit for the Word of God and prayer. Hepeople to live in. It was burnt black on one should read widely and know the socialside and raw white on the other side. and doctrinal issues of the times. HisWhen the needs of the spirit are neglected message should be adapted to histhis is the inevitable result, both individuallyaudience. Through much prayer, he seeksand collectively. All persons the aid of the Holy Spirit in the choice,should try to "live soberly, righteously, andgodly in this present world."8: The Subtle Progress of Sin.This is revealed in 7:9, "Strangerspreparation, and delivery of the sermon.What should be our part as hearers inthis part of the service? In the manner oftheir attention, the worshipers (we) have ahave devoured his strength, and he part in the preaching! We should attendknowethit not: yea, gray hairs are here andthere upon him, yet he knoweth not."Gray hairs are perhaps the first sign of"with diligence, preparation, and prayer;receiveit with faith and love, lay it up inour hearts, and practice it in our lives."physical degeneracy yet they do not hurt (Catechism question 90) (CONandone who has them is still strong. Moral STITUTION OF R.P CHURCH)degeneracy proceeds in much the same Diligence means "careful attention."way. It makes subtle and unpainful Were there ministers that gaveprogress in human life. The only way tocombat such a tendency is to study theWord of God and apply it to one's life."Lesson based on International Sunday Schoolsermons in the New Testament? Yes, Paul,Peter, Philip, and others could be named.We believe that the Bible teaches that thePresbyterian form of church government isLessons: the International Bible Lessons for right. Each congregation shall choose itsChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionofficers, consisting of pastors, elders, andof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."deacons. Supreme authority comes fromChrist, the head of the church. Christ, byHis Spirit, operates through sessions,presbyteries, synods, and generalJunior Topicassemblies. The congregation is directedby the session (pastor and elders), sessionsare directed by the presbyteries, andFor May 9,1971OUR PUBLIC WORSHIPAND SACRAMENTSThe Sermonby Mrs. John RussellIn the Old Testament we read, "Sothey read in the book distinctly and gavethe sense, and caused them to understandthe reading" (Nehemiah 8:8). This issomewhat a description of a sermon.Then in the New Testament Paul commandedthe young man, Timothy, to"preach the Word" (II Tim. 4:2). Theseverses show that the Scriptures are to beexplained and applied to us by those menthat are ordained of God to preach theWord of God. Preaching that brings theWord of God to the conscience of thehearer by the power of the Holy Spirit isthe most honoring to God and saving tomen.The sermon in the public worshipservice is a message based upon a passageof Scripture, unfolding the truth taught,and applying it to the hearts and consciencesof the hearers, including thechildren. Its purpose is to convict andconvert sinners, to lead them to JesusChrist as their Savior and Lord, to build12presbyteries by the Synod. The Biblerefers to elders (Acts 14:23) and to theirordination by the presbytery (I Tim. 4:14).An important question was carried to thehighest court in Jerusalem for settlement(Acts 15). No one person (priest, bishop,or pope) is wise enough to settle questionsconcerning the purity and welfare ofChrist's church. The ideal for Scripturalchurch government is a government "ofthe people, by the people and for thepeople" under the supreme authority ofJesus Christ. (Handbook for YoungChristians" — Elliott)As juniors, you can gain much fromlistening carefully to what your minister issaying. As you do this, you will not only bepleasing God, but will be gaining a goodhabit for the rest of your life. It's a goodexample to older people to see youngpeople listening well or taking notes on thesermon and not distracting others bylooking around, whispering, or readingother papers. Many ministers at timeshave a children's sermon which will be ofparticular interest to you. Did you evertalk about the sermon with your family orfriends after church? This is a good checkif we have really listened and learned orifwe have been "day-dreaming" on otherthings during the church service! Bytaking notes, a person has to listen, and it'sa way to review the sermon again later.The Scriptures make severalrequirements for a church if it is worthy ofthe name Christian and the first is thepreaching of the Word of God (John 8:31,Isa. 3:20, II John 9). When in a churchservice we should ask ourselves, 1) Do weknow more about the Bible? 2) Has theminister faithfully tried to explain whatGod says in His Word, or just what hethinks? 3) Have we come to see moreclearly our sin and God's glory through thepreaching? 4) Has our faith beenstrengthened, our love deepened? Wecannot live a life in love with God in ourown strength. Christ warned, "Without Meye can do nothing." The chief means thatGod has provided for our spiritual "food"and growth is His Word. If we are to growin grace, it is highly important that we befaithful in the reading and studying ofGod's Word, and in our attendance at thepreaching of God's Word. "So then faithcometh by hearing, and hearing by theWord of God" (Romans 10:17).TO LEADER:1. Catechism questions — 89,902. Memory Psalms for Unit: 95, p. 231;122, p. 316. Review.3. Sing in meeting: Psalms 43: 3-6, p. 109,138:1,2 p.337, 119:1,5,6,p.300; 119(5);1,2, p. 290.4. Worship Verse — John 8:31 (Put innotebook).5. "Worship Notebook" — a) Name menthat were preachers in the Bible, b) Takenotebooks to church and take notes on onesermon and then talk about these inmeeting. Write down the Bible passage,the text verse, and the main points oroutline, the application, or anythingspecial. Notice if the sermon mainlycentered around 1) a person or character2) an event 3) a subject 4) a doctrine(leaching) 5) a duty c) label this sectionwith a picture of pulpit and open Bible.6. Sermons in the Bible — Discuss inmeeting these types of sermons and mainpoints. Look up Bible passages or reviewstories as given in The Child's Story Bibleby Catherine Vos. 1) Sermon on theMount—Matt. 5-7, Luke 6 (page 541, Vos)2) Unknow God — Acts 17 (page 669,Vos). 3) Paul's Speech to Jews — Acts 22(page 678, Vos). 4) Preacher in the Desert— Matt. 3, Mark 1, Luke 3 (page 518, Vos).5) Johah, the Unwilling Preacher — Jonah(page 413, Vos).7. Handwork — a) Add Court-ship to theBible fleet. It's a beautiful ship; it's bannerCOVENANTER WITNESS

is love. Jesus loves us and seeks theChurch for His bride, b) Add helmet ofsalvation to the Christian soldier.Prayer MeetingTopicFor May 12,1971PRAYER FOR THE NEWPACIFIC COAST PRESBYTERYEXTENSION MINISTRYLOCATED IN WALNUT, CALIFORNIABy Rev. D. Raymond McCrackenWalnut, California"...for I will work a work in your days,which ye will not believe, though it be toldyou" (Hab. 1:5b).These words have become a veryspecial promise to us. They have providedus with great hope as we have approachedand begun this new phase of ministry.Already the Lord has done manyastonishing works and opened doors whichwe viewed as impossible. For His goodnesswe do give thanks.Suggested Psalms: 100:1-4, p.237; 67:1-3,p. 161; 66: 1-3, p. 157.Suggested Scripture — John 4: 1-26 — Inthis passage note the following:How He established a new contact.How He developed and directed theconversation....or did He?Did the woman give evidence of a need?Did Jesus meet any needs? If sowhat?Keep before you — John 10: 1-21,especially vv. 14-16.THE WORK:LOCATION: After some intensivesearching, we believe the Lord directed thePresbytery to the community of Walnut,California. The address is 20563 BarnardAve. Walnut, California, 91789. Thesituation at the time of this writing is thatthe Presbytery carries a one-year leaseagreement during which time ground workcontact and study is being done. It is agood location for the following reasons:Walnut is a community having a largenumber of homes three years or less in agewith some brand new homes. A largeacreage, 4,000 or 73 per cent of the city iscurrently undeveloped or vacantagriculture land. This large acreage is thearea which represents the potential forWalnut in a county such as Los Angeles. Anew high school opened last year just twoblocks from us. A junior high openedthree or four years ago. There are many°ther physical improvements toonumerous to mention here.Our home is approximately 30 miles"Om the Santa Ana congregation and 34from the Los Angeles congregation. Wehave already been able to have fellowshipand worship with these congregations.In addition to the above mentionedpotential, Walnut is completelysurrounded with cities such as: WestCovina, La Puente, Diamond Bar, Covina,Rowland Heights, etc. Already a goodlynumber of people have come for Biblestudy from these neighboring cities.APPROACH: Through the use of abrochure, a calling program was carriedout. Advertisement was also carriedthrough a small local newspaper. Bothmeans proved effective.The Extension Ministry is nowcentered around two group Bible studies.A women's group meets on Mondaymorning; the other meets at 8:00 p.m. onTuesday. This is a study attended by folks,junior high age on up. The women's groupis studying Learning To Be A Woman bySmith, while the Tuesday group is studyingin the Gospel of John. We have found areal need for both types of Bible studies.THE STUDIES: The Tuesday eveningstudy is carried out in this manner. Thepeople are seated in a loose circle formabout our living room. Generally a fewminutes are given for introductions andvisiting for we have had to this writing anew person nearly every time. Since apassage is chosen a week in advance andsince cards of reminder and invitationcontaining the passage reference aremailed out during the week, we begin thestudy by assuming some familiarity with atleast the words of the passage. I then givea brief setting of the passage and suggestsome key thoughts which they might lookfor along with some questions which aredesigned to set them thinking.The group is then divided intosmaller groups which search out thepassage in detail. Again the groups cometogether and share significant thoughts andtruths stated in the passage. We thendiscuss how these truths apply to our livesnow in 1971.The Lord has given several goldenopportunities to present the direct plan ofsalvation...these opportunities coming viaspecific questions on the matter. We doask you to pray with us specifically at thispoint that fruit will grow to His glory.PRAYER:— That God's blessing will continue torest upon these studies because nothingcan be accomplished apart from Him.— That the Presbytery and its Commissionwill be given direction as they oversee andguide the work.— That people will be drawn to Christ outof darkness, and seeing Him will also wantto grow in Him and worship Him.— Spend some time in prayer for yourministrv.HOW CHURCHES HAVE FAILEDDr. W. Graham Scroggie pennedsome burning words that demand theattention of all church leaders. "We havebanked more on prestige than prayer" hesaid. "We have organized more than wehave agonized; we have allowed ritual toobscure reality; we have thought more ofconferences than of consecration. Inshort, we have displaced the Holy Spirit,and it is high time that we recognize thecause of our spiritual stringency."—SelectedIS CHRISTIAN TRAININGREWARDING?Here is a study of two families:Max Jukes lived in the state of NewYork. He did not believe in Christiantraining. He married a girl of likecharacter. From this union they havestudied 1,026 descendants. Three hundredof them died prematurely. One hundredwere sent to the penitentiary for anaverage of 13 years each. One hundredand ninety were public prostitutes. Therewere 100 drunkards, and the family costthe state SI,200,000. They made nocontribution to society.Jonathan Edwards lived in the samestate. He believed in Christian training.He married a girl of like character. Fromthis union they have studied 729descendants. Out of this family have come300 preachers, 65 college professors, 13university presidents, 60 authors of goodbooks, three United States congressmenand one vice-president of the UnitedStates. The difference in the two families:"Christian training in youth and heartconversions." The Bible-based schooloffers this to the youth of our nation.The above is a confirmation of HolyWrit:"Train up a child in the way heshould go and even when he is old he willnot depart from it" (Prov. 22:6).Christian School GuideSatan desires us, great and small,As wheat to sift us, and we all.Are tempted;Not one, however rich or great.Is by his station or estateExempted—LongfellowUNITED PRAYER CONFERENCEMay 9-16TOPIC: THE FAMILYSponsored byNational CY StaffLook for programsthe last week of MarchAPRIL 14, 1971 13

NEWBURGH, NEW YORK(Rev. Robert Milliken, Pastor)On Sabbath, January 10, a nursery wasstarted during morning worship servicewith Mrs. Mary Lee Hunsinger in charge.Mrs. Everett Mcllwee, Jr., Mrs. RobertMilliken, and Mrs. Ann Hathaway assisther.The young people have had bowlingand skating parties recently.The regular family night suppers havebeen held in January, February, and Marchwith special events on each evening. InJanuary, Rev. and Mrs. John Crane,missionaries, told of their work in Chileand showed films. They are serving withWorld Presbyterian Missions, Inc. and areon furlough until August. In February,Everett Mcllwee, Sr. was honored on hisbirthday, and in March, Mr. and Mrs.Robert Meneely were honored on their34th Wedding Anniversary.At the Sabbath evening services inNewburgh and Coldenham, special offeringshave been taken the last fewmonths to help defray the deficit of WhiteLake Camp Corporation. During March,offerings have been designated for theyoung people's project of raising $1,000 tosend Miss Carol Spear to Japan to assist herparents in the work during the summer.Mrs. Robert Milliken has been appointedJunior Director for the twochurches in place of Mrs. Jane Crawfordwho resigned recently.We are pleased to have Ricky Price,son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Andrew Price, backin his usual place at our services after astay in the hospital, due to an acute attackof diabetes. We know that God answersprayers in behalf of our loved ones.The Sabbath School annual meetingwas held at the home of Mr. John White onJanuary 20. Officers elected for thecoming year are Superintendent, Mr.Daniel Bosch; Assistant Superintendent,Mr. Robert McNeely; Treasurer, Mr. E.Dewey Mcllwee* and Secretary, Mrs.Walter H. Somers.The annual congregational meeting washeld on February 19. Officers re-electedwere Chairman, T. Andrew Price; clerk,Mrs. Rosanna Mcllwee; Treasurer, Mr.Robert McNeely; and Assistant Treasurer,Mr. Edgar Lynn. Appointed to a two-yearterm on the Board of Trustees were Mrs.Johannes L. Klomp and Mr. E. DeweyMcllwee.We welcome back from his vacation inFlorida Mr. Edgar J. Lynn.We have been missing from our servicesfor a month and a half, MissElizabeth Henderson, who has beenhelping out at our Home in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania. We hope that she will beback worshiping with us again soom.The W.M.S. is working with theColdenham society, making plans for theNew York Women's Presbyterial to be heldon May 12 and 13.Sabbath morning, March 21, a prayerservice, led by Elder Robert Meneely, washeld in the place of the regular worshipservice. Our pastor was conductingcommunion services for the Montclair,New Jersey congregation.THE TEST OF LOVE"If ye love me ye will keep mycommandments." The conception of Godis controlling in every form of religion.Religion has been well defined as a bondbetween God and man's whole nature.Who is and what is God?The Bible gives us a number ofconnected, yet marvellously luminousdefinitions of God. God is the Almighty,God is the Holy One, God is the Father. Inthe writings of John we have no less thanthree of these descriptive terms: God isSpirit, God is Light, God is Love. The lastconception of God is especially emphasizedin our age. We all believe thatGod loves us. Our text raises the questionof our love to Him. It proposes the test ofobedience.Observe its decisiveness. We neednot to go outside this single conversation ofour Lord with His disciples to see the proofof this form of discipleship. The questionis, What is obedience? It is the differencebetween feeling and doing; between meresentiment or emotion and principle. Weneed emotion. We need to have ourfeelings stirred and aroused. But whileONTARIO! The place withsomething for everyone — such as morethan 130 inches of snow last winter!Which can only spell GREATFISHING for Covenanters visitingAlmonte this year. For materials andhelps, inquire promptly to the "Lookoutand Reform Committee", c o MissJeanette Waddell, R.R. No. 2, Almonte,Ontario, CANADA.The New York Women'sPresbyterial will meet in theColdenham, N.Y. Church on Wednesdayand Thursday, May 12 and 13,1971 for their annual meeting. Thespeaker for the Thursday night meetingis Mr. William Milliken, (brother of thepastor of our Newburgh congregation)who is working with the organization"Young Life" in New York City.there can be no true religion withoutemotion, there may be emotion withoutreligion. See what obedience is in all walksof life. Here is what a great teacher says ofits necessity: "Whosoever will be a goodmember of any society system must learnto obey. Let the old Roman submission toauthority be cultivated by all young men asa virtue as once more characteristicallysocial and most becoming in unripe years.In the complicated tasks of social life nogenius and no talent can compensate for alack of obedience."This is the teaching of the text: "Lovefor God, when genuine, is a principle andnot a mere sentiment." A good soldierdoesn't stop to argue with his commanderor stop to consult his own feelings. Heobeys instantly and cheerfully."Obedience is the test of love." Howmay we apply the test? Among other applicationsI would suggest the following:First, as to our religious beliefs, we allknow that the Bible contains manystatements not to be scientifically verified.Christ and His disciples who represent Himunder spiritual guidance ask us to believemany things we have no proof of but theirword. I don't mean to disparage thetestimony of the Spirit, nor the proof ofChristian experience, but a man cannothave any Christian experience before heaccepts Christ. The first step to asatisfying knowledge is faith. The testcomes in the things Christ says, whichcannot be proved by experience or theapplication of our own desires. If we haveany intellectual or moral difficulties inbelieving, we do with them precisely whata good soldier does under a hard, perplexingorder. We obey.We should apply this test to ouractions, which involve cost. "This is mycommandment," says Christ, "that ye loveme and keep my commandments." To lovemen in any true sense as He loves us involvessacrifice of time, ease, money,pride, pleasure. We know that loveisa gift of self. We cannot obey Christ'scommands without humbling ourselves,without sacrifice of much which ournatural desires crave. It is this loyalty toChrist which holds men to distasteful tasks14 COVENANTER WITNESS

and accomplishes what the world deemsimpossible.We may apply the test to comfortand hope. So we get discouragedin the Christian life? Do we seem toourselves at times as dull, cold, and almostheartless? Are the fires of emotion burninglow in ourselves, and do we lack the livelyemotions of exultation once experienced?These are not the supreme tests of love.Thank God, wherever we are and whatevercircumstances we are placed in, thecommandmentsstill abide with us and wemay prove our fidelity to Christ inobedience to His commandment to love.—Rev. Edward A. Reed, D.DSome Gall — and other reflections on ear life and tell him that she loved him.by James Buckingham. 148 pages. $3.95. Do you know that is the normal,Word Books, Waco, Texas.natural attitude of the human heart towardThis gives incidents and experiences God at its best? We do not need to knowthat illustrate Bible texts used by Mr. only the facts about Him. Those are allBuckingham. It is very refreshing. known to every one of us. It is not that.M.W.D. God is waiting for you, just to have yourheart move out toward Him and to hear"Tell God That You Love Him"In the Middle West some years agothere was a gentleman whose littlechild was born deaf and dumb. Shortlyafterwards her mother died. He was leftalone to care for her, and so lovingly did hecare for her that a friend said he never sawanything likeit on earth. The child of thefamily who is crippled always gets the mostlove and care. He simply surrendered hislife to her. Outside of business hours hespent his whole time with her. They wereconstant companions and the sweetestkind of affection was theirs.They learned a sign language; no onecould understand it, but they could understandit. So those early years passed byand then he came to the moment he wasgoing to Europe to be gone several months.A friend said to him, "I would place thischild of yours in an institution, where theydo wonderful things for the deaf and dumb.She will be best cared for there." Hedecided to do it.Nearly a year passed and he was toreturn. His child had always respected andcared for her father, but that absenceNOTICEThe Board of Home Missions andChurch Extension will meet onTuesday, May 25, at 10 A.M., Genevacollege. Matters to be considered bythe Board should be sent to thecorresponding secretary before May 23,1971.Edward A. Robson,Corresponding Secretaryalmost took her heart and drew it acrossthe sea. She was all the time talking abouther father. There was a special reason whyshe could hardly wait for him to return. Itwas not enough just to take the step toknow the father and appreciate the father.That was not enough. Something else wasthe supreme element, and when he cameback this was what took place. That childrushed into her father's arms and pressedher little lips to his ear and to hisamazement said, "Papa, I love you." Theyhad taught her in seven months to moveher lips and say, "Papa." He dropped like adead man upon the floor. It was too muchfor him. He was completely overcome.She could hardly wait to get her lips to hisyour whisper of love. Just tell God thatyou love Him. —Cortland Myers, D.D.GENEVA PARTICIPATESIN NATIONAL JOURNALGeneva College is one of fifteencolleges from Massachusetts to Californiasponsoring the Christian Scholar's Review.A quarterly journal for scholars in alldisciplines, the Review seeks to integratethe Christian faith with the arts andsciences.The Review is published by an independentboard of editors, but sponsoredby colleges whose institutional aimscoincide with those of the journal. Dr.Norman Carson, professor of English andChairman of the Department of English, isGeneva's representative on the Board ofEditors.This journal is intended as a mediumthrough which Christian scholars maycommunicate their faith and learning onboth the intra—and inter-disciplinarylevels, providing a forum for the discussionof theoretical issues of Christian highereducation.The Christian Scholar's Reviewwelcomes articles of high standards oforiginal scholarship and of general interestdealing with all aspects of Christianthought and the inter-relationship ofChristian thought with all areas ofscholarly interest.The editorial staff includes: GeorgeK. Brushaber, Gordon College, Editor;Edward E. Ericson, Westmont College,Book Review Editor; James Barcus,Houghton College, Associate Editor(Humanities); George Marsden, CalvinCollege. Associate Editor (Social Sciences)and David Lindberg, Institute for AdvancedStudies. Associate Editor i NaturalSciences).Other colleges cooperating withGeneva are Anderson College, Anderson.Indiana; Barrington College. Barrington,R.I.: Bethel College, St. Paul, Minn.;Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Mich.;Gordon College, Wenham, Mass.;Houghton College. Houghton, N.Y.;Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa;Nyack Missionary College, Nyack, N.Y.;Spring Arbor College, Spring Arbor,Mich.; Taylor University, Upland, Ind.;Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights,111.; Trinity College, Deerfield, 111.;Westmont College, Santa Barbara, Calif.and Wheaton College, Wheaton, 111.EARLW.SCHULTZ,IR.Geneva College has been attemptingto bring leading spokesman of theEvangelical Christian Community to itscampus to address students. As a part ofthat program Earl W. Schultz, Jr., VicePresident, Youth for Christ International(YFCI) in the thirteen-state Eastern Area,was the guest speaker at chapel on March31 and April 1.He pioneered the YFC program in1947 in Hampstead, Md., and continued asits director for 22 years, serves on theYFCI President's Cabinet and is chairmanof the Overseas Committee. In July 1969he was one of the featured speakers at theInternational Convention, Winona Lake,Indiana.Each summer Schultz directs theannual conference at Ocean City, N.J., forthe 57 rallies in the Eastern States areawhich in 1970 had an attendance in excessof 2,500.In the fall of 1968, Mr. Schultzcompleted a six-week assignment for YFCIwhich took him around the world. Heministered to the leadership of Youth forChrist in Europe, the Middle East, Centraland Southeast Asia, Far East and the SouthPacific. In 1959 he took his first trip toMadras, India, for the 10th WorldCongress for Christian Youth.Youth for Christ International is aninterdenominational organizationspecializing in teen evangelism in theUnited States and in 39 other countries ofthe world.King Edward the Sixth of England,cm the day of his coronation, had presentedbefore him three swords signifying he wasmonarch of three kingdoms (EnglandScotland, Ireland). The king said there wasone sword missing; being asked whatitwas, he said, "The Holy Bible which is theSword of the Spirit, and is to be preferredbefore these ensigns of royalty."—Thomas Watson,in Spurgeon s Treasury of DavidAPRIL 14, 1971 15

GROUP THERAPY from page 9may include as few as two, as in the examples given inMatthew 5 and 18. That is to say, a Biblical groupingprovides for the possibility of reconciliation and seeks thisas its end. The group, therefore, must be composed of theestranged parties. Confession is wrongly viewed when it isconceived of as an end in itself. Unbiblical groups distortconfession, making it a personal catharsis that occursthrough ventilation. Confession rather must be seen as ameans leading toward forgiveness and reconciliation. It isa loving act in which the other person is prominently inview, not one focused merely on one's self (Ephesians4:32).Groups stressing confession in a non-reconciliationcontext often actually impede reconciliation. Airing one'ssins before the group may temporarily reduce the pressureof the guilt of unconfessed sin and estrangement. Therelief is temporary, to be sure, because in the long runsuch ventilation increases one's sense of guilt. Since theoriginal problem has not been solved by simply ventilatingit, the poor relationship has not been bettered, and theventilation itself has added the guilt of slander to analready over-burdened conscience.NEED FOR FELLOWSHIPThe amazing growth of groups must be explained asa multi-factored phenomena. For instance, new elementsthat characterize our modern mobile society, such as thevirtual dissolution of village-style community life, havecontributed to an acute sense of need for fellowship andfriendship. After all, God made man a social creature whoshould find his fellowship in the groups that God ordained— the family, the church, etc. There is nothing wrong withthe grouping together of God's people for worship, formutual instruction and encouragement, for service andfellowship. God Himself has endorsed and encouragedsuch grouping (Hebrews 10:24,25).It is not the idea of a group that must be opposed,but the distortion of the Biblical idea. The problem withtherapy and encounter groups is that since they are unbiblicalto start with, they meet for the wrong purposes,they exist on the wrong basis, they operate with the wrongpersonnel, and they use the wrong methods.There is one note yet to sound: The church hasfailed in large measure to help Christians meet their socialneeds and interpersonal relations in a truly Biblicalmanner, ft is time to do so. And this can be done only bymaking provisions for all of those crucial social elementsthat have been lost. The church must provide for itsmembers more wholesome social contact; it must preachand teach more frequently and specifically about themutual ministry of all believers to one another in whichthe Spirit's gifts are used for the benefit of all.Finally, the church must reinstitute both informaland formal discipline among its members for the glory ofGod, the welfare of the church, and the reclamation andreconciliation of the offender. Encounter and therapy16groups are not the answer.• • •The Presbyterian Guardian* Dr. Adams is Associate Professor of Practical Theology,as well as Dean of Students and Registrar, at WestminsterTheological Seminary. He also serves as a counselor forthe Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation.Clergy's StandBy Rev. Don LovingIn "Civilization On Trial," Arnold Toynbee said,"Out of 21 civilizations preceding this one, 19 of themhave been destroyed by a mixture of atheism, materialism,socialism, and alcoholism."Last year, in our country, 25,000 people were killedby drunk drivers on our highways to say nothing of thosestill physically living whose lives are wrecked.Is alcoholism a disease or a sin? If we accept the"disease" concept of alcoholism we must, in all honesty,accept the following facts:1. It is the only disease that is contracted by an actof will;2. It is the only disease that requires a license topropagate it;3. It is the only disease that is bottled and sold;4. It is the only disease that requires outlets tospread it;5. It is the only disease that produces revenue forthe government;6. It is the only disease that provokes crime;7. It is the only disease that is habit forming;8. It is the only disease that is spread by advertising;9. It is the only disease that is without a germ orvirus cause and for which there is no human correctivemedicine.It seems to be very hypocritical to license one to sellthat which will make another drunk and then punish theman who gets drunk. It is hypocritical to license one to sellthat which causes some to become paupers, criminals, andinmates in mental institutions while taxing sober peoplefor their support.It is hypocritical to license saloons to breed vice andcollect taxes for schools to teach virtue. It is hypocriticalto support an enemy which killed, in two years afterPearl Harbor, more Americans than did the Germans andJapanese combined.Maybe sin is not a big enough word to identifyalcoholism but if it is a "disease" it is a self-inflicted one. Aman is not an alcoholic before he drinks alcohol any morethan a child has mumps before he contracts the germ.Those who accept the authority of the Holy Bible wouldbe unrealistic to believe other than that drunkenness is sinbefore it becomes a disease.Editor's Note. This was taken from the Las Vegas Sun. It issignificant that it should come from such a source.—The Kansas IssueCOVENANTER WITNESS

VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 16 APRIL 21, 1971 STERLING. KANSAS

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER » EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. L. E. KilpatrickDepartment Editors:Rev. Kenneth McBurneyRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month uitroducttoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church —$3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.PRE-SYNODICCONFERENCE(Sponsored by the Bible Department of Geneva CollJune 10 —June 12; 19711 P.M. on June 10 through 12 P.M. June 12"FOR CHRIST'S CROWN""A Discussion of the Natureof Christ' s KingdomSpeakers:Dr. Robert TweedProfessor of Bible, Geneva CollegeDr. S. E. BoyleChristian Government MovementCosts:Dr. Bernard ZylstraProfessor at the Institute for ChristianStudies, Toronto, Canada$2.50 Registration Fee$3.95 Housing and LinenMeals will be served in the College CafeteriaThis Week's WitnessFaith in Action. .3Glimpses of the Religious World 4My Bible: Today's English Version .5Confronting Youth. 6Evangelism and the A.A.C.S.. .6Sabotage at Urbana. 7Keeping Alive and Pressing the Issue 8Fred Karmay's Ambition Realized . 10Bird Puzzle. 10Lesson Helps. 11Church News. 14WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Cmlst asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

Faith In ActionWhen moderns speak about faith they rarely speakabout it in theological terms.People speak about faith in our country, the future,our fellow men, and, in the most un-Christian context ofall, men are exhorted to have faith in themselves.But when the writer to the Hebrews says that"without faith it is impossible to please God" he meansfaith in God.As we walk through the eleventh chapter ofHebrews, which has been called the Westminster Abbeyof the Bible, we are very blind if we do not note the type offaith which enabled the men and women, whose namesare recorded, to endure what they did endure.The faith they had was faith in the living God and itwas that faith that enabled them to endure in the face ofcruelty and death.In both the Old and the New Testaments we arereminded that the just live by faith, and as we journey onin the Christian life there is need to have that faithstrengthened within us.In our daily life we are called upon time and again tomake choices between right and wrong. The wrongaction is often the action which seems expedient andwhich has the world's approval, whereas -the encouragementto take the right action comes solely fromthe Word of God and from the still small voice of conscience.Speaking on this very subject some years ago, thepresent minister of the Free Presbyterian Church in Taree,New South Wales, the Rev. Edwin Lee, said that everytime we choose to make a decision in obedience to God'sWord we exercise faith.We live in troubled days and they are days whichhave witnessed the removal of many of the ancient landmarks.But God's people still have the infallible guide ofGod's Word, and, just as navigators can plot a right coursein the darkest and stormiest night with the aid of radar, soGod's people, when they are overwhelmed with trouble,have the assurance that God knows their path.W. E. Vine, in his commentary on Hebrews, says:"All that is God-pleasing in (the) life is a matter of faith."In these days of depreciated values it is well toremember Vine's comment and to recognize that withoutfaith our religion, our professional and business life,become an arid waste of self-centered activity. True, ouractivity may please the world, but that is not the test whichGod's Word applies.Scripture's criterion is whether our lives and ouractivity please God. If our life is a life of faith then theBible assures us that we will please God.Finally, and by way of a footnote, true faithproduces humility. Self righteousness is the very antithesisof true faith.Evangelical ActionSabotage. . from page 7is the crudest caricature. Such an analysis bespeaks anignorance of the total thrust of Christian missionary involvementin scores of nations. Vanguard's people thusset up a straw man and with great heroics knock it flat.The practice of the comprehensive approach,however, does not imply that missions today suppose thatan outright call for the conversion of the soul has to waitfor some restructuration of society. We have no intentionof postponing evangelism as though time were endless andconversion some secondary goal. But Vanguard thinksdifferently about soul-saving. "We forget that the Word ofGod is one. We forget that the 'Great Commission' is notan entirely new mandate. Then we do the unforgiveable.We jam our Lord's words into our 'soul-saving' straightjacket."Soul-saving straight jacket, is it? Well, I happen tohave lived in Nigeria for nine years, and I beg to differ. Isaw new Christians come free from the dread of witchcraftand fetishism to the joy of life in Christ. Unfortunately,their society was not yet completelyrestructured and so they had no new economicsystem, political party, or journalistic enterprise tonurture them. It would undoubtedly have been valuableto have these at hand, but of all this they had insufficientknowledge as yet. At this point they knew only Christcrucified, they knew only that they had come from nightto day, and their shouts made my heart sing. They, atleast, would not have wanted to wait with evangelism untilsociety was restructured.So if Vanguard wants to address man as a totality tocall him to a reformational and radically Christian lifestyle,that is a laudable ideal. I would like to take part inworking out such a magnificent vision. But men can'twait until we get the new society all sorted out and set upbefore we call them to conversion. And I can't wait,either, because I happen to live now, and this is the onlychance I have to call the dying. There is an infinite graceof God that must be told, a message that turns a man's lifearound, that must be sent around the world, and we can'twait.Vanguard's people delight in the use of inflammatory,gut-level talk and anti-establishment rhetoric.This is sometimes a very effective device to call youngpeople up into their world. But it is a dream world, asimplistic world really, where everything gets laid out instep-by-step progression. The real world, though, isn'tthat way, and such rhetoric deceives. Thus Vanguard,while terming contemporary missiology and practicenaive, itself substitutes a missiology for a world that doesnot exist. I greatly fear that instead of liberating thechurch, such talk will only confuse and delay it. That, atleast, was the net result at Urbana. Liberation issomewhat more complicated than Vanguard supposes.The Reformed JournalEugene Rubingh is Recruitment Secretary of theBoard of Foreign Missions of theChristian Reformed Church.APRIL 21, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014WAR CASUALTYLt. William Calley has been convicted of thepremeditated murder of 22 Vietnamese civilians at MyLai, South Vietnam, three years ago. Lt. Calley is a warcasualty. He is reported to have said, "My Lai has happenedin every war. It's not an isolated incident, even inVietnam." It is, however, a rare thing that a countryshould bringit out and spread it on the news wires of theworld, an open admission of guilty injustice and cruelty.Those in our country who are seeking that the cause ofjustice be served, even at such a cost in "face" and worldimage, are joined in this crusade by those who seeknothing more than to weaken the U.S.A. before ourenemies. Such is the "confusion of face" (Ezra 9:7, Dan.9:7,8) to which our sins have brought us."I nope My Lai isn't a tragedy but an eye-opener,"says Calley further, and "I am hopeful that My Lai willbring the meaning of war to the surface not only to ournation but to all nations."Lt. Calley's comment that this is not an isolatedincident is no doubt true. Possibly this four-month trialwill make a little plainer to our generation what pressuresand fears a soldier is exposed to, so that it may have a"healthy" effect. I'm inclined to think that an even moreurgently needed object lesson might be the trial andconviction of a certain type of drill sergeant — and moreaptly still, the commanding officer of such — whodemands shouts and chants of obscenity, along withepithets of savagery, of his trainees, under dread ofphysical and emotional barbarity administered byhoodlums in uniform.With all its attendant hazards, the nation mustmaintain armed force to restrain and punish evildoers, andit is no Christian way out of the danger, to demand that wesimply refuse to fight. When we lack prevailingrighteousness we're not going to have peace. "The fruit ofrighteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace"(Jas. 4:18).HONG KONG BLIND CHOIR IN TAIWANHong Kong (EP)— The Rev. Calvin Chao, executivedirector of Chinese for Christ, Inc. of Los Angeles, hasaccompanied a blind choir in 33 cities and 77 evangelisticmeetings in Taiwan. In December, the Rev. Mr. Chaoaccompanied the choir throughout North America wherethey sang in more than 1000 churches. (They sang inPhoenix, accompanied by Mrs. Faith Chao, who trainedthem.) The Hong Kong Blind Choir is planning to settle inTaiwan and open a Music and Bible School for the approximately40,000 blind people on that island. (3-20-71)YOUNG ELDERSAnn Muilenberg, 19, has been ordained in the LaJolla (California) Presbyterian Church. Kay Stoddard, 18,4has been ordained an "elder" in the U.P. Church ofLiberal, Kansas, while Ann Edgar, 18, is now an "elder" inthe First Presbyterian Church of Hutchinson, Kansas.Terry Daniels, 17, was ordained an "elder" in St. LukePresbyterian Church, along with James Angrist, 19 — whohas since been made vice-moderator of Presbytery, inMinneapolis, Minnesota.It isn't years that qualify one to be an elder (readTitus 1:5-9), though apparently "years" has had a gooddeal to do with this office in the church historically. (Onedoesn't even have to have a beard, though that may beinvolved in the root of the word translated "elder" in theO.T.)Westover Hills Presbyterian Church of Little Rockhas a deacon 16 years old, Mike Mathes. Fred Hartwick at14 is a "vestryman" in St. Francis Episcopal Church in SanFrancisco, and a friend here in Phoenix told of being in alocal Baptist Church as a boy of 10 was ordained.TWO NON-SMOKING FLOORSat Scottsdale (Arizona) Baptist Hospital,representing 25 per cent of total hospital beds, have metwith overwhelming patient acceptance, according toadministrator A.E. Carpenter, M.D.Non-smoking sections in commercial airline planesseem also to have met a need of the public."SILENT PRAYER"The New York state senate has approved by a 39-14vote a bill which provides for a brief period of silentprayer or meditation in public schools. However, theNew York branch of the American Civil Liberties Unionspokesmen have declared that if the Governor signs it andit becomes law, they will consider a suit against it. Evensuch a weak and innocuous proposal has its bitterenemies. The governor of New Jersey, William Cahill,recently vetoed a similar bill in that state.THE A UTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CHINESE CHRISTIANSuch, I believe, is to be the English title of Mrs. Li'sbook of the Chinese title, His Grace Is Sufficient. Wehave learned that printing of the book of more than 300pages, is well under way, and we hope to have it availableby September. Banner of Truth Trust, London, ispublishing the book.INTERPRETING GODS WORD TODAYThe Reformed churches in Europe and America andAustralia are not yielding to the so called "new theology"of Dr. Kuitert and other of his colleagues of FreeUniversity of Amsterdam. A book of the above titlepublished by Baker Book House, is written by sevenprofessors but the reviewer in the Outlook says he wasstruck by "the unity of their thought." There is a unityamong those who hold that the Bible is the Word of Godwritten., . •COVENANTER WITNESS

MYBIBLE(PART III)TOD A YS ENGLISHVERSIONRev. Robert More. Jr.Pastor of Almonte, Canada R.P. ChurchThe American Bible Society, in 1966, published thefirst edition of Good News for Modern Man (or its officialname, The New Testament in Today's English Version). Ithas been announced that the Old Testament is inpreparation; the Psalms have already appeared. AlsoGerman and Spanish counterparts are now in print. Since1966, sales have skyrocketed to near the eighteen millionmark, which makes it the all-time best book seller. TheAmerican Bible Society, by its connection in the UnitedBible Societies, has used them to publicize and distributeit. Thus it has achieved world-wide circulation quiteeasily.The question is, however: Is Today's EnglishVersion (TEV) accurate to the Word of God? Thefollowing illustrations are noted.The preface seemingly shows the theological stancebehind it. "The twenty-seven books which make up theNew Testament were written by perhaps as many astwelve different authors. . ." The historical conviction hasbeen that no more than nine (eight if Paul wrote Hebrews)writers penned the New Testament. TEV's list seeminglytolerates an unknown authorship for Ephesians, II Peter,and the Revelation as many today contend.There is also a strange secrecy shrouding the secondedition of TEV. Apparently only the later copies mark thisfact on the cover. The earlier copies of the second editionare absolutely unmarked. Only by comparing certainselect verses could a reader tell which edition he had. Onekey verse is John 1:1. The first edition read, "From thevery beginning, when God was, the Word also was; whereGod was, the Word was with Him; what God was, theWord also was." The second edition reads, "Before theworld was created, the Word already existed; He was withGod, and He was the same as God." This change (Dr.Bratcher, the author, publicly promised it in a letter datedin September of 1967) is better than the former. And yetitisstill wrong on two counts. It supposes that the indefinitenoun God in the Greek is therefore an adjectivedescribing a quality, not a noun identifying the person.Secondly,it contradicts the historical confessions of theNicene Creed (325 A.D.) and the Chalcedonian Creed (451A.D.) that Jesus is "of one substance" with God (that is,v ery deity Himself) and not merely "of similar substance"•o God (like God). TEV accepts the latter condemnedview. (See, too, Hebrews 1:3, "He is the exact likeness ofGod's own being.")Dr. Bratcher also promised, in the letter mentionedabove, of Philippians 2:6, "In the forthcoming edition ofthe TEV. . . 'to remain equal with God appears as analternative." While that would have been better than thepresent reading, the fact is that no change was made. Thusit still reads, "He (Christ) did not think that by force Heshould try to become equal with God." This bluntly deniesChrist's deity by saying that Jesus gave up attempting toachieve equal status with deity.1 Peter 3:18,19, "He was put to death physically, butmade alive spiritually; and in his spiritual existence,"denies the corporal bodily resurrection of Jesus,preferring the mystical resurrection (of faith in the humansoul) commonly propounded by modernists.Galatians 5:24 ("those who belong to Christ Jesushave put to death their human nature") and Romanschapters 7 and 8 (repeatedly) treat the word flesh asmeaning "human nature," imputing to human nature perse an evil constitution. This is both the modern hereticalKarl Barthian view of man, but it is also a relapse into theanciently condemned heresy called Manichaeism. In IJohn 4:2 however flesh becomes "Jesus Christ becamemortal man." This is also heresy for "mortal man" equalsthe punishment meted out to a sinful creature. But Jesuswas sinless (Hebrews 4:15) and only received a nature likea sinful creature (Romans 8:3). Jesus indeed became trulyhuman (with the ancients creeds) but not truly "mortalman" (with TEV).II Peter 1:10 wrests God's sovereignty in electingsinners (alsoit adds the existential, modernist twist). Aparaphrastic tendency is evident in places like Galatians4:3 and 5:10.It is doubtful that the Biblical doctrine of Scripturalinspiration could be detected from Jude 3, "My dearfriends! I was doing my best to write to you. . .when I feltthe need of writing you now. ," as though Scripture waswritten when humans got the "impulse," the "feel."TEV has too many liabilities to be safely given eitherto new Christians, immature Christians, or non-Christians.Notwithstanding simple English and publicity, theultimate question must always be: Isit accurate to theinfallible Word of God?• • •APRIL 21, 1971 5

One in a series on evangelismConfronting YouthMemberBy Mr. Arlan Ramsayof Synod's Board of EvangelismIn recent years we have been hearing of the politicsof confrontation, and confrontation has been used as ameans of negotiation in areas other than politics. A groupof people will march to a government building or theoffice of a college or corportation president and present alist of demands, which may be described as nonnegotiable.This face to face interaction usually is intendedto bring about changes thought impossible toachieve by other means. There is a suggestion that thegroup is desperate and so is forced to this sort of coercion.Violence seems quite possible, and the risk of it isjustified by the urgency of the demands.We approach the suggested topic with this kind ofconfrontation in the background. We are of coursethinking of a Christian confrontation. Now all of us whohaye become new creatures in Christ are in fact ambassadorsfor Christ (II Cor. 5), standing face to face with arebellious and troubled world and responsible for confrontinglost persons with Christ. We also minister to ourfellow Christians by confronting them with the demands ofChrist. He has legitimate demands upon everyone, andthey are in fact non-negotiable. The changes they requireare certainly urgently needed, and there is truly no otherway to achieve these changes than by submitting to Christ(John 14:6). However, II Corinthians 5:20 gives no encouragementto coercion or violence. In bringing a wordof reconciliation we are to beseech a person to bereconciled to God. This passage evidently refers to unbelievers,but it is also important for believers to confrontone another with the truth, "speaking the truth in love."So far we have compared the confrontation of theworld with that of God's kingdom, and the differences arevast. Next we ask how confronting youth differs fromconfronting nonryouth. Of course, young people varyamong themselves, but the common characteristic offewer years is our concern here. First, we should emphasizethat in many ways there are no essential differences.In particular, the basic message is the same:repent, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him.We shall therefore content ourselves with suggesting a fewgeneral possibilities where the factor of being young inyears is pertinent.A desire for independence is common in youth andcan lead to a delusion of self-sufficiency, though this is byno means confined to youth. A Christian who has beendelivered from this delusion can confront such a personwith the truth by means of a personal testimony. Many ofus can tell of experiences which exhibit our own lack ofself-sufficiency, and can contrast that with the abundantlife in Christ. It is perhaps more important to bring to bearthe Word of God. Many passages speak of the frailty ofman, Ephesians 2:8 and 9 destroy any hope of salvation byworks, and John 14:6 leaves us only one way.Youth have ahead of them more decisions thanolder persons, and again the testimony of experience andthe Word are appropriate. These favor the making ofthese decisions in the light of Scripture and its principlesand with the goal of really serving God. The example of aGodly life is also relevant here. Confrontation on thissubject seems particularly appropriate for Christianyouth.All youth are forming living patterns for a lifetime,and Psalm 119:9 says that a young man can purify his wayby heeding God's Word. We can confront youth with thisfact, and again the example of one dwelling in Christ ismuch to the point.All youth are to some extent interested in aphilosophy of life. They ask, "Why am I here?"; "What isthe point of it all?"; etc. To bring them face to face withGod's answers to all of the important questions is a favorto them and a real privilege, as well as a duty.• • •Evangelism And The A.A.GS.Rev. Raymond JosephMinister at West Lafayette, IndianaR. P. FellowshipScripture instructs us to begin with the righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost if hisevangelization of the individual. Evangelization of the sins are not forgiven? Rom. 14:17.)individual always comes first in the order of priorities.And to abandon this scriptural priority results in blindspots and limited vision and a truncated concept of whatthe Kingdom of God really is. (How can a man experienceBut the spokesmen from the Association for theAdvancement of Christian Studies at Toronto apparentlythink otherwise. They believe that you must "evangelize"societal structures first, then the individual.COVENANTER WITNESS

It isn't that the men with the AACS at Toronto areall wrong in their desire to evangelize social structures.Christ is indeed King of social structures. The problem isthat they are teaching an unscripturally imbalancedconcept. Scripture instructs us to begin with theevangelization of the individual. This must always be first.And to abandon that scriptural balance leads us intoerror. The antics of the zealots from Toronto at Urbana(cf. "Sabotage at Urbana" by Eugene Rubingh, in a recentissue of the Reformed Journal) are a vivid and depressingillustration of how far into error an unscriptural imbalancecan take well meaning people.It would be interesting to see what constructivethinking could come from the zeal of the menassociated with the AACS if they could recognize thescriptural priorities of individual evangelization first,and societal "evangelism" second. But at present theirunscriptural imbalance is serious. And it is not helped bythe methods used to propagate it. Consider terminology.The use of vulgar, gross, and obscene words by some oftheir spokesmen is NOT consistent with the Gospel ofJesus Christ applied at ANY level, societal or individual,regardless of their supposed shock value.The suggested methodology may be worse than theterminology used to advocate it. Suggesting by words orexample (at Urbana) that existing structures should beoverthrown by violence and force, if necessary, regardlessof any well meaning intent to replace them with somethingbetter, is completely void of any scriptural precedent. Hasanyone at the AACS found that Paul advocated theoverthrow of the Roman empire, one of history's flagrantexamples of a slave-holding system? Would Paul haveadvocated that the convention at Urbana be stopped,because it was encouraging students to become involvedin personal evangelism?I fervently hope and pray that we can maintain ascriptural balance in our approach to evangelism.And yet Christianity has resulted in the elimination ofmuch of the world's slavery by lawful means. NoteEngland's experience, and even in the U.S. it's interestingto note that the agony of the Civil War occurred in orderto preserve the Union, not to destroy it and replace it witha slaveless society. The slaves were actually set free bylawful means, not anarchic. I an not suggesting that thereis not further advance to be realized for the black peopleof the U.S. and the world, but I am suggestingthat any needed revisions which are in keeping withChrist's Kingship be accomplished by lawful means, andthat no one...including the AACS...should advocateotherwise.• • •Sabotage At UrbanaEugeneDuring the last week of 1970, there occuired on thecampus of the University of Illinois an event of extraordinarysignificance. From every corner of thiscontinent and from every part of the world, twelvethousand students and missionary delegates joinedtogether at Urbana for five days of encounter with theneed and challenge of world missions. Inter-VarsityChristian Fellowship, sponsors of the conclave and of Hismagazine, had assumed the gigantic task of bringing theseyoung people to commitment and involvement inmissions. Many of us stood in the auditorium awestruck,like Israelites finding themselves suddenly on holy ground.Into this electric atmosphere, however, some rainwas to fall. On the second day of the conference a sheetnot unknown in Reformed circles began to appeareverywhere. The magazine was Vanguard, a periodicalvoicing the views of the Association for the Advancementof Christian Studies (AACS). Each day special editions ofthe periodical were published, and to my dismay, thecontours of sabotage became strikingly clear as each daypassed. Vanguard, clearly and incredibly had come todeclare the priority of evangelism at Urbana to be nonsense.The almost unbelievable reasoning of Vanguard'seditions at Urbana goes like this: the concentration on thegeographical outreach of the faith to the ends of the earth's an erroneous notion. The attempt to convert in-APRIL 21, 1971Rubinghdividuals to salvation in Jesus Christ is a truncated effortuntil we have fashioned the necessary societal structuresin a particular way which we will be told about by and by.Or in the by now familiar language of AACS, "We muststructurally evangelize the various structurations of asociety." So the imperative for Urbana was to ditch"evangelism first," and hold off on the conversion ofindividuals to Christ until society can first be restructured.One persistent question, however, will not down:how long is this going to take? How long before we get thego-ahead to engage in explicitly calling individuals toChrist? Certainly one must wonder whether Paul wouldever have left Antioch if such were the perspectiveforming his world view. His holy impatience to preachChrist crucified everywhere, in season and out of season,to meet shipwreck and flogging head on with a singledriving passion was all apparently premature.Surely Inter-Varsity in general and my own church,the Christian Reformed, in particular, have notdowngraded witness to the whole man. The conviction isstrong today that man must be addressed in his totality,and they have done just that. The witness is comprehensiveand radical, speaking to man's mind, caring forhis body, laying claim to the riches of his culture. This isreformational Christianity, and it is heady stuff to take tothe peoples of the world. To suggest that missions todayseek only "soul-winning" and then abandon the convertssee page 3

Keeping Alive And Pressing The Issue(Address given at the annual meeting of the NationalTemperance and Prohibition Council, in Washington,D.C, February 2-4, 1971, by the Council President, theRev. Alvin W. Smith, Sr., D.D.)A warm welcome is extended to each one of yougathered here tonight, and to those who we hope willcome later. Your presence indicates your understandingof the issue confronting us, a battle between the forces ofrighteousness, headed by the Church of our Lord JesusChrist and the forces of Satan.We meet as a Council. As expressly stated in ourConstitution adopted in 1957: Article I. The name of thisorganization shall be THE NATIONAL TEMPERANCEAND PROHIBITION COUNCIL. Article II. The OB­JECT of this organization shall be to afford a mediumthrough which citizens and organized agencies interestedin the promotion of Temperance and Prohibition maytake council and formulate policies to encourageeducation on all phases of the drink problem, promotelegislative measures and governmental policies in theinterests of Temperance and Prohibition; and to secureunity of effort in behalf of the Movement against BeverageAlcohol.This is a clear statement and our Council hasadhered toit year after year and we face the present andthe future with the same object in mind.As a Christian believer, and as a minister of thegospel, I wish to say that the attainment of our object willdepend first, last and always upon the power of God andour dependence by faith upon it.The Movement which we represent is notHUMANISTIC. It came about from convictions drawnfrom the Word of God that sobriety is the Lord's way forman and that indulgence in alcoholic beverages and thepromotion of their manufacture and sale are sins againstGod.Early in the 19th century various organizations wereformed to imolement these convictions, and thoseorganizations achieved remarkable results in promotingsobriety and the curtailing of the drink business. In thesecond decade of the 20th century the fruit of these earlylabors came in the enactment of the Eighteenth Amendment.Those of us who remember the old saloon daysbefore Prohibition, and the years 1919-1933, know of thepositive benefits brought about by Prohibition during itsfourteen years duration, even with imperfect enforcement.We also know why and how Prohibition wasrepealed, not because it was a bad law or that it wasunenforceable, but for the reason that the highly financedwet propaganda machine sold a bill of goods to the8American people especially during the Depression whichstruck in 1929, three years in advance of repeal. Seductivepromises were made, taxes reduced, property restored.At the present time after those years under Repealwe realize that the issue is with us still and is compoundedwith problems worse than those attending the years underProhibition. 1. We suffer from general and decisivedecline in morals. 2. This is called a Permissive Age;inhibitions have been removed. 3. There is a general spiritof public apathy. Evidence of this is seen: a. in ordinarycitizens b. in Congress c. in the Church which apparentlyhas decided to co-exist with evil.The liquor people have taken full advantage of allthis, and have increased their trade to the debauchery ofmen, women and children, victims numbered in themillions.Can this be counteracted effectively? YES it can be,but only as we fight back and seek direction from God anddepend on His working, and as we take encouragementfrom scriptural history. For example, the account of thevictory of Israel over the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16;Deuteronomy 25:17-19). What took place is clearlywritten. Joshua took a selected army into the field andfought...in a battle that lasted all day. Moses took the rodof God up on the mountain and raised it in faith. He wasgiven assistance in holding aloft that rod until the goingdown of the sun. Israel prevailed and gained a greatvictory. God gave instructions and made a prediction—verse 14: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for amemorial in a book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua;for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek fromunder heaven." This decree was carried out later by Saul,David, and Hezekiah.The Amalekites may well serve as a representativeof those organized and powerful enemies who prey uponthe weak and helpless...and they fear not God. They canbe overcome, but only as we go r orth against them underthe banner of our Lord Jesus Christ. And the churchshould be in the forefront of His army.In an earlier day the Church did lead. Ministers ofGod's Word spoke out from the pulpits over the landagainst the evils of drink and the encroachments of theliquor dealers in their communities. Discipline to someextent at least was enforced on violators of their churchvows.Today the situation is sadly different. The pulpit islargely silent on this issue. Repeal propaganda has had itsblighting effect. Doctors of Divinity who refuse to preachCOVENANTERWITNESS

temperance sermons, have become, in the language of theprophet, D.D.'s—"dumb dogs which cannot bark" (Isaiah56:10). Indulgence has invaded church membership andthe ranks of officials; churches as bodies have changedtheir witness. So many of them have conformed to our socalled"drinking culture."But, thank the Lord there ARE voices here andthere that let themselves be heard, and forcefully. One ofthe most encouraging words of witness came in theeditorial in CHRISTIANITY TODA Y, issue of November6, 1970, entitled: "Another Look at Abstinence." Thewriter says, in a forthright manner: "The most destructivedrug in general use today is the one whose massivelyharmful effects are least noticed. 'You can worry all youwant about any future addiction to narcotics among ourpopulation,' says one survey, 'yet it will never be morethan a small fraction of the problem we already have withaddiction to ' alcohol'."After going on to describe the situation thatalcoholism is the nation's worst health problem and thatthe number of alcoholics is estimated today at 9 million,and after pointing out the loss of life caused by drink, thewriter says: "The saddest part of the problem is thatvirtually nothing is being done about it. Hardly anyoneseems to care."Thank God for this testimony which has gone out togreat numbers of readers of CHRISTIANITY TODA Y.And thank God that something is being done about it, as istestified by your presence and by the work of theorganizations which you represent.Ihe truth is being told to counteract falsehood. 1wish to mention several organizations andpersons: the International Reform Federation'sstalwart stand; the results of the excellent research by Mr.Krusich of the Business Men's Research Foundation inChicago respecting the enormity of the problem ofrehabilitation and the ineffectiveness of what has beenBeaver Falls, Pa. 15010Ph.412-846-5100Room and Board InformationSaturday evening supper through Friday eveningsupperRoom and Board 28.00Board Only17 - 25Room Only110 °Charge for single room request 1 -00Room includes one set of bed linen, blanket, towels,md soap.Part-Time Charges:Room 1st night 2.75Room each additional night '•""Meals Breakfast RegularLunchCafeteriaDinnerSynod InformationA T GENEVA COLLEGEJune 12-18, 1971Pricesattempted — the absolutely prohibitive cost of effectiverehabilitation. Mr. Krusich calls our attention to thewisdom of working on the prevention side, as we havebeen doing.You have noted the attempt of the National SafetyCouncil to change its attitude toward the social drinker asa driver, and the effective answer to all this by Mr.William Plymat.Thank the Lord for the victorious campaign wagedin the state of Kansas against liquor-by-the-drink; also thefight in Texas, though the battle was lost there.The truth is continuously and effectively being toldby the National Women's Christian Temperance Union —nationally and through state, county and local groups; theTruth for Youth campaign carried on by Roger Bohall;the work in the schools of Ohio by Louis Berger; that ofDr. Weir representing the National Reform Associationconfronting youth in western Pennsylvania with the use offilms in our schools; the American Council on AlcoholProblems and the American Temperance Society both areto be highly commended for their intelligent leadershipand getting the truth out to the public on a wide scale; andthose individuals and other organizations not named areto be commended and encouraged to keep on KEEPINGALIVE THE ISSUE AND PRESSING IT.Yes, we are here for taking counsel. This is theLord's work, and labor in the Lord is not in vain. Ourchildren and our grandchildren will reap the benefits ofour labors.But we have our work cut out for us. No sooner hadcigarette advertising gone off the air by radio andtelevision than the promoters of hard liquors sent outfeelers for advertising their products over the air. Let usnot take this lying down. Not only whiskey, brandy,vodka, rum, and gin must be kept off these media buteventually beer and wine likewise. God grant. . . •The Christian StatesmanNo extra charge for room Friday night, June 18, ifneeded.If any committee is planning to meet prior to Synodand needs sleeping rooms and or meeting rooms, pleaselet us know as far in advance as possible.Delegates will be met at Greater Pittsburgh Airporton Saturday, providing you notify us ahead of time. Youwill be met in the lounge near the T.W.A. desk by driverswearing a badge. If we cannot meet you at the exact timewe will inform you of the time that you will be met.Synod meetings will be in air-conditioned groundfloor lecture room of Science and Engineering Building.Open meetings will be in Old Main Chapel.Please send your requests for room and board to Mr.McConaughy immediately and include your arrival timeifyou plan to fly.APRIL 21, 1971 9

The Children's CornerFRED KARMA Y'S AMBITION REALIZEDMrs. Kenneth Sanderson(continued from last week)again pressed him to go on and he completed his master'sdegree in education in June 1966. The following summerThe same year that Fred arrived in America his good he took a group of students to France. This comingfriends, the Hayses arrived there for furlough. The summer he is hoping to attend Middlebury College infollowing year Dr. Hays became pastor of the Geneva Vermont, and then go to the Sorbonne University in Pariscongregation in Beaver Falls and again Fred was living in to study French the following school year.the same city with his "adopted" parents. Before long they Fred says two of the most precious verses in thehad offered to let him live in their home to help him out Bible for him are these: "But what things were gain to me,with his college expenses.those I counted loss for Christ. Yes, doubtless, and I countAs a boy in Syria, Fred had often enjoyed eating all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge ofdates, fn America he found the word date had another Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss ofentirely different meaning. Fred thought to himself, "Why all things that I may win Christ" (Phil. 3:7,8). Can you seeshouldn't I date like all the other boys and girls?" So hebegan to look around. He'd been praying for some timethat God would help him find a true Christian girl tomarry. In Geneva he noticed an attractive girl namedHelen Light. One day he approached her quite confidentlyand asked her to go out with him the following night. Tohis dismay she said, "No." Fred was sure Helen was the girlfor him, so he asked her again a few days later. This timeher no wasn't quite so emphatic and she decided to ask theadvice of some of her college friends as to whether sheshould date this Syrian boy or not.Louise encouraged her. "Go out and see foryourself. Maybe you'll like him. After all, one date doesn'tmean you've committed yourself to marrying him."Helen's parents lived in Altoona, Pennsylvania andthey were good Christians. They too didn't see why sheshouldn't date Fred, so the next time he asked her theanswer was "Yes." Friendship grew into love and, onAugust 22, 1959, Helen became Mrs. Fred Karmay.Now Fred confides, "She was an answer to myprayers. I asked God to lead and guide me to the right girland He did. Helen is a real Christian, a very good wife,helpful, understanding, reliable, dependable, and a goodmother. I am very proud of her." Today they have threelittle boys: James (11), Kenneth (7), and Dale (5). Maybesome of you who are reading this story know them.But we got ahead of our story. In the summer of1959, Fred passed another important milestone in his lifewhen he was graduated from Geneva with a B.S.-B.A. inbusiness and education.Temporarily satisfied with having reached that goal,he decided he must help other boys and girls get aneducation so he accepted a position teaching French inthe Beaver, Pennsylvania High School and he isstillteaching there.10Both Fred and Helen are active in their church, theGeneva Church, in Beaver Falls. Fred is a deacon and waspresident of the deacon board in 1970.As the years passed, Fred's desire for educationwhy?JumbledBible BirdsRearrange the letters to spell the names of birds andsay in which verses you find them.12345678Proverbs 30Jeremiah 8Psalm 102Proverbs 26Genesis 8Psalm 84Job 39COVENANTER WITNESS

Sabbath SchoolLessonLesson Helps for the Week of May 16For May 16,1971God's Love for PeopleHosea 11:1-9; 14:1,4-6Comments bv John K. GaultWhen motoring through DeathValley, California, which in its lowestpoint is 282 feet below sea level andwhere the temperature in the summer risesto 130 degrees, we made contact with suchplaces as Devil's Golf Course, Bad Water,Dante's Point, and other places with namessuggesting the utter desolation of the areawhere many travelers perished with thirst.But at length we came to Scotty's Castlewhich was altogether out of keeping withthe whole area. There were rugs andtapestries costing as much as $50,000 andimported from Europe. A huge diningtable costing $10,000 was so large it had tobe constructed right in the room where itstood. There was a pipe organ which costmany thousands of dollars and a very largeelectric piano. In the front room a murmuringstream of water trickled over rockscontinuously. It was indeed in strikingcontrast with the utter aridity of the Devil'sGolf Course.Throughout the other places of theprophecy of Hosea and others we havebeen shown the desert of immorality suchas is expressed in 4:2, "By swearing, andlying, and killing, and stealing, andcommitting adultery, they break out andblood toucheth blood." The land of Israelhad become a spiritual desert. But in thiseleventh chapter of Hosea there is thewonderful description of the operation ofGod's love, as is presented in verses 1 and4, "When Israel was a child, then I lovedhim, and called my son out of Egypt. . . .1drew them with cords of a man, with bandsof love: and I was to them as they that takeoff the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meatunto them." This stands out in greatcontrast with the descriptions of Israel'ssins. In the world we pass many placeswhich might be likened to the Devil's GolfCourse of Death Valley and then we cometo the church where we hear about thewonderful "love of God which passethknowledge."1: God Showed His Love for Israel inDifferent Ways.Hosea said, "When Israel was a child,then I loved him." The prophet wasspeaking in behalf of God and he referredto the early history of Israel when thepeople were without a stable government.Under the leadership of Moses, God"called my son out of Egypt." God said, "Itaught Ephraim also to go, taking them bytheir arms, but they knew not that I healedthem." The figure here is that of a parenttaking a little child by the hands andhelping him up on his feet from time totime until he is able to walk by himself.When Israel had gotten more organizedGod was "to them as they that take off theyoke on their jaws." The reference here isto a young ox which because of its fractiousnesshad to have a special halter on itsjaws but afterit was broken in, the halterwas taken off. Israel lapsed into sin atdifferent times and "sacrificed untoBaalim, and burned incense to gravenimages," but God "drew them with cords ofa man, with bands of love....I laid meatbefore them."2: God Was Very Reluctant to GiveUp Israel.He said, through Hosea, "How shall Igive thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliverthee, Israel? How shall I make thee asAdmah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim:Mine heart is turned within me; myrepentings are kindled together. I will notexecute the fierceness of mine anger, I willnot return to destroy Ephraim: for I amGod, and not man; the Holy One in themidst of thee: and I will not enter into thecity." These words of the prophet indicatethat God is "slow to anger and of greatmercy," and, as the Psalmist says in 103:9,"He will not always chide: neither will hekeep his anger forever." (Admah andZeboim were two small places which weredestroyed in the holocaust of Sodom andGomorrah. It would seem that God justcould not bring Himself to do such a thingto Israel.3: Why Did God Love Israel SoMuch?He loved Israel so much and was soreluctant to give them up because He hadchosen Israel to be a special nation inpreparation for the Savior's coming. Godloves people whom He has chosen. Goddid not love Moab, Ammon, Edom,Assyria, or Egypt, because He had notchosen any of them to share in theestablishment of His kingdom. Israel andthen Judah were eventually destroyed asnations, but many of the individual peoplewho were taken into captivity remainedtrue to God; and after about seventy yearsGod caused a "remnant" of the people toreturn to the land of their fathers andrebuild after the desolation. God madechoice of Israel and therefore He lovedthem. God has made choice of all truebelievers who make up the Israel of God.He is "angry with the wicked every day"because He has not chosen them from the"foundation of the world", as He has therighteous. Israel was to become theproving-ground of redemption and so whenJesus sent out His disciples He commandedthem, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles,and into any city of the Samaritans enter yenot: but go rather to the lost sheep of thehouse of Israel." When the Jews rejectedtheir King and put Him to death on thecross He then commanded His disciples to"go into all the world and preach thegospel."4: The Base Ingratitude of Israel.After God had shown His great lovefor Israel, Hosea said, "He shall not returninto the land of Egypt, but the Assyrianshall be his king, because they refused toreturn. And the sword shall abide on hiscities, and shall consume his branches,and devour them, because of theirown counsels. And my peopleare bent to backsliding from Me: thoughthey called them to the most High,none at all would exalt Him." This was thestupid reaction of Israel to the manybeneficent acts which God had extendedto them. All unbelievers are likewisestupid.5: Hosea's Final Plea for RepentanceIn 14:1-3 he said, "O Israel, returnunto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallenby thine iniquity. Take with you words,and turn to the Lord: say unto Him, Takeaway all iniquity, and receive usgraciously: so will we render the calves ofour lips. Asshur shall not save us; we willnot ride upon horses: neither will we sayany more to the work of our hands, ye areour gods: for in thee the fatherless findethmercy." Hosea's counsel was thatIsrael should confess her sin with hermouth. It was not right that the peopleshould offer "calves" in their sacrifices andcontinue to practice wickedness. Theprophet told them to make a sacrifice ofconfession of sin. There was no safety forthem in Assyria andit would be useless togo into Egypt and ride upon horses. Theymust admit the sin of seeking help fromeither Assyria or Egypt, and also confessthe sin of idolatry and injustice, "the workof our hands."Hosea then gave to Israel thepromise that if the nation would repent ofher sins and turn to the Lord, as God said,APRIL 21. 1971 11

"I will heal their backsliding, I will lovethem freely; for mine anger is turned awayfrom him. I will be as the dew unto Israel:he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth hisroots as Lebanon. His branches shallspread, and his beauty shall be as the olivetree, and his smell as Lebanon." Theprophecy of Hosea is a wonderfulexhibition of the love of God shown topeople upon confession of their sins andupon their doing His will."Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior TopicFor May 16,1971UNIT: OUR PUBLICWORSHIP AND SACRAMENTSThe BenedictionBy Mrs. lohn RussellWe now come in our studies to thelast major part of the public worshipservice itself. Perhaps you never thoughtof the benediction as being important, butonly a formality in which the ministercloses the service. It is much moremeaningful than that!Remember when we studied aboutthe invocation—the prayer usually at thefirst of the service? This prayer was to seekthe presence and power of the Holy Spiritto prepare the hearts of the people forevery part of the service. And now in theprayer of benediction the minister is askingfor the blessing of God, the Father, the Son(Christ), and the Holy Spirit to be upon thepeople in the congregation. The commonform used is "The grace of the Lord JesusChrist, and the love of God, and thecommunion of the Holy Spirit be with youall. Amen" (II Cor. 13:14). This is the holyduty and privilege of the minister of theGospel.Do you notice that all three personsof the Trinity—or the triune God—arementioned in this prayer? Let us think ofthe part that each person of the Trinityplays in our salvation. First, God theFather loved us and chose to adopt someinto His family. Secondly, Christ the Sonpaid the awful price for sin by dying on thecross for us (we must believe on Him).Thirdly, the Holy Spirit guides, directs,comforts, and keeps us close to God afterwe are saved.What kinds of benedictions doesyour minister use? You have probablyheard the three we will mention here. 1)THE MIZPAH BENEDICTION (Gen.31:49) "The Lord watch between me andthee, when we are absent one fromanother." 2) THE OLD TESTAMENT12BENEDICTION (AARONIC). (Num. 6:24-26) "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee;the Lord make His face shine upon thee,and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift upHis countenance upon thee, and give theepeace." 3) THE NEW TESTAMENTBENEDICTION (APOSTOLIC). (Heb.13:20,21) "Now the God of peace, thatbrought again from the dead our LordJesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,through the blood of the everlastingcovenant, make you perfect in every goodword to do His will, working in you thatwhich is well-pleasing in His sight, throughJesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever andever. Amen." Notice in this last prayer the(a) title given to God, (b) great workascribed to Him, (c) titles given to Christ.Christ is the great Shepherd; ministers areunder-shepherds. (d) the way God isreconciled and Christ raised from the dead(discuss meaning of reconciled) (e) themercy prayed for. There is no good thingwrought in us but it is the work of God,through Jesus Christ; He works in us,before we are fit for any good work.Therefore, eternal glory is due to Him.How is the benediction differentfrom other prayers? 1) It is an officialblessing from God pronounced upon thepeople by the minister at the close of theservice. Only a man ordained to theministry of the Gospel is to pronounce thisfull benediction and is properly done onlyin a congregation of Christ's church forChrist's people (not a community or schoolprogram). 2) It usually includes theTrinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 3)Prayer that tells what God has done or isable to do for His people.The passage in Numbers 6:22-27 (theAaronic Benediction) is basic to the use ofbenedictions in Christian worship. Thepriesthood of Aaron has passed away, ofcourse, but some of its duties and functionsare exercised by those set apart asministers of Jesus Christ. We don't offeranimal sacrifices, as they did then, becauseChrist was the complete and perfectsacrifice. But the Christian minister is insome sense successor to the Aaronicpriests. In Isaiah 66:21, which predicts thatChrist will save Gentiles as well as Jews, itsays, "And I will also take of them forpriests and for Levites, saith the Lord."How is it decided what verses of theBible are to be used as benedictions?Ministers may use the Old Testamentbenediction or one of the forms used bythe apostles in the New Testament. It isnot proper for ministers to make their ownbenediction. No unordained man is topronounce the benediction. But a manthat has completed the requirements of thesecond year in seminary and has beenlicensed by his own presbytery (a licentiate)may conclude the worship servicewith a benediction in the form of a petitionwhich includes himself, such as : "May thegrace of our Lord Jesus Christ,...be with usall..."To recite benedictions together inunison at the close of a regular churchservice is not proper. But in informal orfellowship meetings, such as prayermeeting, young people's or your juniors'meetings, it is not improper to say togethera form of a benediction. The one mostused is the Mizpah Benediction — "TheLord watch between me and thee when weare absent one from another." The originaluse of these words by Jacob and his uncle,Laban, was not a benediction. (Review thisstory in Gen. 31:36-55. Notice the quarreland agreement).As part of the congregation, juniorsand all the people should wait quietly andreverently to receive the benediction,thinking about the prayer being offered.We should not be whispering, putting oncoats, or looking around, which would beirreverent in God's presence. Rememberthat this is the bestowal of the blessing ofGod, the Father, the Son, and the HolySpirit upon us as Christian people!TO LEADER:1. Catechism questions — 84, 86.2. Review Memory Psalms for Unit. Singin meeting: Psalms 45:1,2,6,7, p. 116;27:1,4,5,8, p. 62, other favorites of juniors.3. Worship Verse — (put in notebook)Psalms 29:11.4. Worship Notebook — a) Notice whichbenediction your minister uses in themorning and evening services and writedown the references, b) Write out yourfavorite benediction of any listed or read.c) Here is a list of other benedictions: NewTestament — Rom. 16:20, II Cor. 16:14; IIThess. 3:18, Jude 24,25, Rev. 22:21, Eph.3:20,21, I Tim. 1:17, I Pet. 5:10,11. OldTestament— Lev. 9:22, Josh. 22:6, II Sam.6:18, I Kings 8:55,56, I Chron. 16:2. Talkabout occasion of each one, whopronouncedaddressed.these, and to what peoplePrayer MeetingTopicFor May 19,1971THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIANHOMEBy Mrs. Melville W. MartinThe halls are quiet just now outsidemy office — but not for long. I hear somefamiliar footsteps coming from theelevator, and I'm sure they will either stophere or I will hear a cheery "Hi" as they goby. (Did you know that elderly people say"Hi" instead of the more dignified "Hello"or "Good morning"?) And the smiles! Oh,the smiles!! Sometimes we try to cheer upCOVENANTER WITNESS

our friends in the Home, and sometimes weare in need of being bolstered ourselves —and never are we disappointed. Courage isa hallmark of this place, and it is beautifulto see. It wears various colors and shapesand comes in different sizes, but it's there,and always evident, even with the quietermembers of the Home family.And humor! That, too, is one of therare gifts that appears in abundance fromtime to time, and is never very far from thesurface at any given time. The Homefamily enjoy a good story and can be heardchuckling again and again at the telling andre-telling of a favorite.Compassion? Yes, indeed. It isuplifting and challenging to those of uswho have fewer years on our life record tosee the little acts of kindness andthoughtfulness that spring from a Christianheart. Many of these are performed dailyand regularly, with no expectation of anyother reward than the simple satisfactionof having helped another in need. Visitorsare constantly surprised at the activity ofour residents, seeing them operating theelevator, helping to clear tables following ameal, reading to one who cannot see well,feeding another who needs help, stoppingto chat with the downhearted, offering towrite letters or run errands for those incapableof doing these little everydaytasks. And "inasmuch as ye have done itunto one of the least of these my brethren,ye have done it unto Me."Since it is Wednesday morning andthere are no other conflicts, we will announcethroughout the building via theintercom that the usual Music Hour will beheld in the lounge just before dinner.There are all kinds of tastes in musicrepresented in the Home family, just as inother groups, and we try to arrangeprograms with variety and appeal. Fromour excellent library of stereo recordings,we have furnished many a relaxing hour ofmusical enjoyment. There are some, ofcourse, just like you, perhaps, who wouldprefer to occupy themselves with otherthings than music, but since they knowthis is voluntary and will serve one ortwenty, they are free to choose their ownactivity. And for some, the tasks involvedin helping each other mean foregoing thepleasure of the Music Hour.One Wednesday a month is BoardDay, and residents passing through the hallnear the office like to stop and count thecoats to see how many are in attendance atthe monthly meeting in the ConferenceRoom. And they know that during aperiod of free time for members of theBoard not involved in special committeemeetings, some of the women might stopby their rooms to say hello. (A goodportion of Board members are busy withspecial meetings and find Board Day to bev 'ery time-consuming for them.) Boardwomen bring their own sandwiches fornoontime, and the Home cooks prepare aninviting salad and a beverage. Committeework often goes on during lunch, for theopportunities to be together are hard tocome by for these busy women, and eachone must be used to full advantage.Another Wednesday is the day forthe podiatrist, who comes to his patientsrather than asking them to go to him. Howwe appreciate this kind of service by busyprofessional men who take the time toshow they are human and understand thelimitations imposed by age and infirmity.Our house physician is one of these rarepersons, and we count on his understandingas well as his skills, knowingthat they work together to treat the wholeperson. He is on call at any time, andmakes regular stops as well — alwayscheerful and ready to serve the person whoneeds him.There are favorite TV programs, andin some rooms, hands are not idle; ratherthey are busily fashioning the articleswhich go on sale for the Busy Bees HobbyClub and which have gone to many areas ofthe world. The proceeds from these salesare used to further the work of Christ'sKingdom both here and abroad.Wednesday evening the Home familygathers in the chapel-lounge for a prayermeeting hour. Leaders are carefullychosen to correspond with their knowledgeof and enthusiasm for the topic of theevening, and the time is most profitable tothose who attend — and to the entirechurch. The thirst for information leads tointelligent and earnest prayer as they comeboldly to the Throne of Grace, often inYOUR behalf or that of YOURcongregation.One complaint we sometimes hear isthat the calendar is so full of activities that"there's just too much going on!" In spiteof this, the Home members are not asoccupied with the busy-ness of life as theyonce were or as you are; therefore they dohave time for meditation and prayer. Theyhave time for sharing — experiences andopinions, prayer requests and answers —and their fellowship with God is so realthat they respond eagerly to opportunitiesto counsel with others and to witness forHim. Where physical infirmities haveslowed down the former pace, the desire toserve has not diminished, and keen mindsare grappling with current problems bothin and out of the church. An old sloganpopularized a women's magazine for years,which paraphrased for our purposes mightread "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THEPOWER OF GOD WORKINGTHROUGH THE HOME FAMILY."Is vour COVENANTER WITNESSof July 22, 19"0 yellowed? Lost? Thrownout? It is full of information regarding theHome, which is. after all. YOUR Home —the agency of our church set up to care forour elderly friends, many of whom havebeen faithful servants of our Lord in allparts of the world. Since that issue of theWITNESS was printed, we have lost someHome members who have gone on toglory, and others have come to us. Amongthese are some well known missionariesand ministers' wives, who have brought tous their willingness to serve and to add tothe ministry of the Home family to, andthroughout, the church at large.What can the Home possibly do forthe church? Aren't they dependent on thechurch to do for them? Discuss this in yourmeeting, and see what ideas emerge. Themore you know about the Home, the betteryou understand its needs and its contributionsto the church. For this is not aplace of mere stagnant existence, andpeople are not here just to put in their lastdays. Get acquainted with the Home —your Home — and learn how you and themembers here can work together to serveGod.Geriatrics is becoming an expandingfield as the needs of the elderly must bemet. Mostly this is being done on thepagan level, humanistically. Our Home isdedicated wholly to serving God and thosewho love Him, and therefore the approachwe need is a different and unique one.Perhaps some of you have been gifted withideas which could be shared with theBoard and—or the administration; thesewould be welcomed and given carefulattention.PRAY that the Home will becomemore of a responsibility to the entirechurch, and especially challenging to thosewho join the Reformed PresbyterianWoman's Association.PRAY for ways of manifesting yourinterest in the Home itself, the reason forits existence, and the people it serves.PRAY for the influence, past,present, and future, of those who call this"home." Their contacts can be the pebblethat widens the ripple to a wave of influencefor good.PRAY for Home members who findit difficult to adjust to group living; thosewho are limited by infirmity and thus oftenfrustrated and liable to think themselvesuseless; those who feel the pressuresbearing down at times, thus tempting themto show less of their Christianity.PRAY for the administration andBoard who assume responsibility for YOUwho maintain this Home. State and federalrules are becoming more and morestringent, some of which are made fromthe humanistic approach with little or noconcept of a Christian home for the elderlyand its ministry.PRAY that sufficient monies andendowments will come in to guarantee asee pat;e 14APRIL 21, 1971 13

NOTICE OF CALLOn April 6, 1971, I moderated a callby the Lisbon Congregation which resultedin the unanimous election of Rev. PaulFaris of Sterling, Kansas.Ronald W. Nickerson,Pro-tem ModeratorLisbon SessionAVAILABLE MAY 1NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLEComplete Reference Edition $10.95plus $.25 handling chargeBlue Banner Bookstore703 Fort StreetHays, Kansas 67601YOUTH INVOLVEMENT INEVANGELISM A FEATURE OFN.A.E.CONVENTIONLOS ANGELES, CALIF. — The presidentsof five of the world's most active Christianyouth organizations will report on studentinvolvement in evangelism during a twopartsession for college students at the 29thannual convention of the NationalAssociation of Evangelicals here April 20-22.The men are Bill Bright of CampusCrusade; Sam Wolgemuth of Youth ForChrist International; John Alexander,Inter-Varsity Fellowship; Bill Star, YoungLife; and Lome Sanny of The Navigators.Presiding over the sessions will be Dr.Robert Cook, president of The King'sCollege, New York, N.Y.Dr. Billy Melvin, executive directorof NAE, said that the five men representministries touching virtually every majoruniversity and college campus in theUnited States and many in most foreigncountries."Their strategy is mobilization,"Melvin said. The enthusiasm andvolunteer efforts of the thousands of youngpeople that comprise these movements areunsurpassed. The men who lead them willno doubt have much to say to those at thisconvention."Utilizing a minimum number ofadministrative and management personnel,these organizations enlist the support andtime of thousands of volunteers. Theyform chapters, teams, music groups, clubs,and launch an array of special drives eachyear on and off campuses, in towns, onbeaches, and almost anywhere they can getan audience for the message of thegospel.The men who head these movements14have developed training conferences,camps and summer programs aimed atequipping the students for evangelisticthrusts. The youth invade foreigncountries in teams as summer missionaries,form the nuclei of witness groups oncampuses, and are placed in leadershippositions in local churches. Manyultimately become full-time lay leaders,pastors, or missionaries.These activities will be the points ofdiscussion when the five presidents gettogether in Los Angeles with an expectedtwo to three hundred young people.Sponsoring the day's affairs will bethe Youth Commission of the NationalSunday School Association, the Sundayschool arm of NAE. Chairman is Rev. PaulF. Henson of the Church of God,Cleveland, Tenn.The president and secretary-generalof the Vietnam Christian Youth SocialService will report on their work during thecommission sessions on Wednesday of theconvention. They are Mr. Ho Van Matand Mr. Nguyen Van Do.NOTICETrue Calvinists love "TULIP."Almonte Covenanters especially do. Wefondly gaze on a million and more tulipsin Ottawa, generally in full bloom aboutmid-May.However, we aren't so totallydepraved or limited but what wepersevere long ourselves and almostirresistibly long that you might elect thisyear to visit us about that time. There isone condition though — write forcomplete travel information from the"Look-out and Reform Committee", c/oMiss Jeanette Waddell, R.R. 2,Almonte, Ontario, CANADA.The absolute necessity of the newbirth is a certainty. We shall never poisonour people with the notion that a moralreformation will suffice, but we will overand over again say to them, Ye must beborn again. No, we dare not flatter ourhearers, but must continue to tell them thatthey are born sinners, and must be bornsaints, or they will never see the face ofGod with acceptance.Charles Haddon SpurgeonUNITED PRAYER CONFERENCEMay 9-16TOPIC: THE FAMILYSponsored byNational CY StaffLook for programsthe last week of MarchTHE BIBLE ISThe begetter of life;The uprooter of sin;The revealer of God;The guide of history;The fashioner of law;The friend of science;The comfort in sorrow;The foe to superstition;The textbook of ethics;The star of death's night;The light of the intellect;The enemy of oppression;The strength of weakness;The promise of the future.—Bishop William F. AndersonPrayer Meeting. from page 13bright and comfortable future for some ofYOU who may want to come to the Homesome day, or for a member of your familyor congregation who needs this security.And after you've PRAYED, askyourselfif there is something practical youcould DO to help God answer your prayer.SUGGESTED SCRIPTURE:Psalm 92—especially verses 12-15;Psalm 34—especially verses 11-22;Lev. 19:32—honor to the aged;I Kings 12:6—the counsel fo the aged;Prov. 22:6—begin training early;Isa. 46:4 (Living Psalms and ProverbsTrans.)"I will be your God through all yourlifetime, yes, even when your hair is whitewith age. I made you and I will care foryou. I will carry you along and be yourSavior."SUGGESTED PSALMS: 92, 34, 37, 44,148.PRE-SYNODIC CONFERENCEFor Reformed PresbyterianMinisters and EldersTHEME: "The Kingdom of God"June 10-12, 1971GENEVA COLLEGEHousing in air-conditioned apartments,with swimming pool. Time for informaldiscussion, relaxation and recreation.Sponsored by the Bible Department ofGeneva CollegePLAN NOW TO ATTEND!COVENANTER WITNESS

news, however, the Good News of God in Christ towardwhich the Old Covenant points, and of which the NewThe Word For TodayCovenant proclaims. This is the good news of the "comradeGod'' who has promised to be with us always.Dr. Ernest Gordon *No matter how hard the journey may be, He preparesa table for us even in the presence of our enemies. What isThe Bible is always relevant. It is as relevant today as it more, He prepares a way for us that is the way of eternal life.was for our forefathers of the early Church. Scientific andShortly after my release from prison camp, I was flownphilosophical works become dated and old-fashioned. What into Rangoon. One of my men met me in the hospital whereis it then about the Bible that makes it as important for the I had been taken. "Wait a minute." he said, "I'm going toman of the twentieth century as the man of the first?get something for you." He soon returned to hand me a newSimply this: that it tells of God's dealings with the Bible. "Here," he said, "I talked a chaplain out of this forchildren of His creation and redemption. God does not grow you. I knew you'd want it. We'll need it as much as we everold; neither do the things of the spirit that belong to Him. did in the jungle."God and man's dependence on Him never change from oneThe Book that was relevant for our captivity was alsogeneration to another. What is unique about man is that he relevant for our freedom: for it is the Message of life nowwas created for fellowship with his Creator. God comes and always.seeking fallen men.—Bible Society RecordIn my book THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE * Author of the book, ' 'Through the Valley of the Kawai.KWAI, I have told the story of how God reached down intothe condition of despair and degradation we were experiencingas prisoners of war of the Japanese in the jungle of HO W TO FIND TIME TO READ THE BIBLEThailand as we built a railroad through it to Burma. Thisrailroad was known as the Railroad of Death because everymile of it cost the lives of 64 prisoners of war and 240Southeast Asians. But it was also the Railroad of Life formany of us. God found us even in the shadows of death.One ex-prisoner told me that after he had experiencedthe grace of God he longed desperately for a Bible. There wasnone in his camp so he had to wait a long time until his wishwas realized. "This," he commented, "was the greatestdeprivation of all."In the camp where I was at Chungkai we were muchbetter off. A young Scottish soldier from Aberdeen hadorganized a lending library of Bibles. These he had inheritedfrom men who had died. Daily he hobbled along through thehuts giving out his Bibles for the sick men who were there insuch numbers. Whenever one group had finished their(reading, he would pick up his Bibles and go on to the nextgroup until he had covered the whole hospital area.Jock was desperately ill himself, but he kept going onwith his self-appointed task of "Word-bearer" until hisMaster summoned him home. He was a simple lad byworldly standards, but I am sure he received a king's(Welcome. For him the trumpets would blow with no uncertainsound.When I think of him I can still see him limping alongwith a rice-sack full of Bibles over his shoulder.."Here's the Word for today," I can hear him say ashe handed out the Bibles with a kindly smile.Jock was right. "Here's the Word for today."because it is God's Word.Many people allow themselves to be defeated by the'events of life in this confused age, because they never take• time to hear what God has to say. The bombastic utterances' of power mad dictators are given priority in our newspapersand too often in our lives. If the words of such men were theonly news, then we would have every reason to suffer fromfailure of nerve and the paralysis of the will. There is otherA great many people want to read the Bible. Theydelay taking definite steps to put a plan into operationwhich will result in regular Bible reading.It was Winston Churchill who said: "I really began toenjoy reading — and getting the best out of reading —when I learned to read entire paragraphs over and overagain. In every piece of writing there usually exists a gem,and when you, the reader, can read and reread that gemuntil it becomes a polished stone, it is then that you havereally learned to read."If a book doesn't stand this test of rereading, itprobably doesn't have much worth. The Book of books isever new.Here are 10 ideas for finding more time to read yourBible:1. Wake up 10 minutes earlier every morning andread.2. Put a Bible portion under your pillow at night toread before falling off to sleep; if you can't sleep, read.3. Talk less and you will have a few more minutes toread.4. Keep a copy handy in the kitchen or whendressing or at the telephone.5. Carry a New Testament in your pocket or bag.6. Take along your own copy when going to thedentist, lawyer, or elsewhere. Why read old magazines?7. Never go on a journey without a copy; you mightbe bored with your companions.8. Keep a copy in the glove compartment of yourcar in case of traffic jams, a wait for repairs, or whenchatting with passengers.9. Have a copy at hand when waiting for unpunctualpeople.10. Remember that a copy of the Bible in the handis worth two on a table or three in a bookcase!—Bible Society Recordf APRIL 21, 1971 15

pie de Vivre

'Vi'VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 17 APRIL 28, 1971 STERLING KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 23, 1971BIBLE VERSES FOR THE FAMILY"God setteth the solitary in families. . ." (Psalm 68:6)."Choose you this day whom ye will serve . . . but as for meand my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)."For I know him (Abraham), that he will command hischildren after him, and they shall keep the way of theLord, to do justice and judgment. . ." (Genesis 18:19)."For he established a testimony which he commanded ourfathers, that they should make them known to theirchildren: That the generation to come might know them,even the children which should be born; who should ariseand declare them to their children: That they might settheir hope in God, and not forget the works of God, butkeep His commandments ' (Psalm 78:5-7)."Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandmentwith promise; Thatit may be well with thee,and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers,provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up inthe nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:1-4)."And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and greatshall be the peace of thy children " (Isaiah 54:13)."Children's children are the crown of old men, and theglory of children are their fathers" (Proverbs 17:6).

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER (§§2£>fEVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. L. E. KilpatrickDepartment Editors:Rev. Kenneth McBurneyRev. lohn K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introducttoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R.P. Church —$3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.PRE-SYNODICCONFERENCE(Sponsored by the Bible Department of Geneva CollJune 10 — June 12, 19711 P.M. on June 10 through 12 P.M. June 12"FOR CHRIST'S CROWN"Speakers:Costs:'A Discussion of the Natureof Christ's Kingdom"Dr. Robert TweedProfessor of Bible, Geneva CollegeDr. S. E. BoyleChristian Government MovementDr. Bernard ZylstraProfessor at the Institute for ChristianStudies, Toronto, Canada$2.50 Registration Fee$3-95 Housing and LinenMeals will be served in the College CafeteriaThis Week's WitnessI'm the Only Mother My Children Will Ever Have. .3 .Glimpses of the Religious World..4The Role of a Father in the Christian Home..5.67For Fathers OnlyPriorities of the Christian Mother.Age Takes the BowClergy's Stand.Mother's Perfect DayLesson Helps.Church News. . .. ...My Bible: The New American Standard Bible..89.101114.15The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

I'M THE ONLY MOTHER MY CHILDRENWILL EVERHAVEYd Better Be A Good OneRuthVaughnI had only one mother — and she was a good one!The memories I retain of life at home are warm and good.She gave herself to the task of motherhood. Shepenned in her diary: "Training my children is the mostimportant task I have while they are under my care andnothing shall interfere with that training. The housework,joyed my numerous parties. She joked about it when shehad guests and discovered too late that I had used all ofthe sugar the night before in a fudge party. She liked myfriends.My only mother was proud when I won honors, andbuilt me back up when I lost. Her eyes flashed tears of joychurch demands, social obligations — all must be subservientwhen I was happy. Her arms held me tightly when I wasto my children's welfare."This she practiced!sad. My mother filled my world with happiness, love, andGod. She kept her spiritual life so lovely and radiant that IDespite the demands as a busy wife, she alwaysfound time to spend with us. Under a large tree, she wouldtell us the stories from the Bible, illustrating them in thesand with rocks and stones for houses and mountains andlived in the splendor of it all of my life.I had only one mother — and she was a good one!She shaped my life for good. If she had not been a goodmother, my life would be different. How I thank God forrepresenting the patriarchs of old with twigs. She captured my mother and all the mothers who have given ofour imaginations; and our heroes became David instead ofFabian, and Mary instead of Liz Taylor.We were taught the Scriptures and to pray before wecould say much else. Before we started school, we couldrecite the books of the Bible in order, the twelve disciples,and quote more Scripture than many ministers. We grewup with the Word of God as an integral part of our lives.themselves for their children.I occasionally slip into the nursery in my house andlook at the sleeping forms of my children. I am nowfashioning their memories of home. I am now moldingtheir adult lives and influencing their relationships withGod.Unless accident comes, I am the only mother myThe only mother I ever had, penned in her diary: children will ever have. I'd better be a good one! ..."The sculptor spends hours in shaping the features of theReprinted by permission of American Tract Society—aface; the painter labors to give color to the hair or expressionto the face. Their work is to stand for ages tonon-profit organization. Publishers of Christian literatsince 1825, Oradell, New Jersey 07649come. But I, as a mother, am shaping substances moreimperishable than canvas or marble. I can afford to bepatient and wait long for results. I have all eternity inwhich to watch developments."A LETTER TO YOU, DAD!My mother worked patiently and consistently. Whenwe grew older, she would pick out chapters and portionsof Scriptures, give us scissors, glue, a bundle of magazines,and a scrapbook. Then she would challenge us to illustratethese chapters with pictures from the magazines. Weaccepted the challenge, loved every minute of it — and,The gift we're giving you this year, Dad, is not onewe can send in a package or a letter. The syndicated cardsthat are beautifully written, and the luxurious gifts thatmay be sent, are too cheap and inadequate to express thereal love we have for you.not incidentally, memorized those chapters word forThe quiet faith you had in us when we were new atword.this job of living, and the courage you displayed for us inShe played Bible games with us! If we ran out of new those long, lean days of poverty and depression . . . these,ones, she created some. She could always be counted on without knowing, you gave to us — our heritage. Thesefor fun, companionship, and — although we were often are the seeds you scattered of which you were unaware —unaware of it — religious training.these are the seeds that you thought were husks.She told us the Bible stories and then challenged usYou taught us that life holds in it many defeats, butto live like the heroes we came to adore. We could listen that persistence often transforms them into successes.to the story of the sweet spirit of Joseph, the trust of And, Dad, if we ever amount to anything in life, we canDavid, and dream that "some day" we would live like that! say confidently that these are the fruits of your labors.But she challenged us to be like that now! She gave to our Because you prayed, we pray; you read the Bible, we readdreams of service an outlet so they could find fulfillment. ours; vou lived so that we and others know you were a realShe soothed me when I was sick. She played Ping- man. That seed remains in us, and some day you'll see thePong with me in the basement, dolls in the house, and harvest. That, Dad, is our gift to you!baseball in the street. She listened to my opinions andYour Childmade me feel important. She made me believe she en­Telescope-MessengerAPRIL 28, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014RED CHINA'S INCOME SOURCESAll remittances sent by overseas Chinese to hungryrelatives in China, according to China Mail, an Englishlanguage newspaper in Hongkong, are to be divided 50-50with the government. The mainland recipient would gethis half only if "revolutionary committees" agreed. If theremittance is more than ($25 U.S.) the government's shareis to be 60 percent. The Peking government estimates thatthis measure will yield approximately $83,000,000 a year.Also, according to the Central News Agency inHongkong, "The Maoists have greatly expanded theplanting areas for opium in many provinces of China" andthis extends also to North Vietnam. Besides the effect thatthis product will have, especially on American youngpeople, it will produce more than $1,000,000,000 U.S. ayear for Red China. These items are taken from Flashlight,publication of Bob Hammond, independent (Voice ofChina and Asia) missionary in Hongkong."ADULT INCOMPETENCE""What the older generation cites as proof of itscompetence is actually proof, to young people, of itsincompetence," according to the thinking of JohnWharton, director of the Council for Democracy. The I-VYouth Today reports his conclusion as we see "entrenchededucational, economic, and political systems"which have produced "more warfare, bigger massacres,more powerful criminals, and more overall violence thanat any other time since the Age of Enlightenment began."Wharton remarks, "When one is part of a system that hasbrought a whole world to disaster, only a fool boasts thathe is an important part."FACT (also from I-V Youth Today)"The underground press, written 'by the alienatedfor the alienated,' has achieved a circulation approachingfive million. There are more than 450 undergroundpublications with an estimated readership of up to 30million."WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED MINISTERSAccording to EP "a newly opened employmentagency here (in Philadelphia) says it is doing a briskbusiness in getting clergymen into other fields of work.""Mainstream" is a division of Marcy and Associates,a nation-wide job counseling firm, that usually assistsexecutives who want a change of jobs. "But we found,"says Jess Taylor, manager of this new division, "we weregetting so many clergymen, we set up a special division forthem." He added, "Usually the story is that they'refrustrated, and that the religious institutions inhibit theirpersonal freedom." "Both Protestant and Catholicclergymen come for this service," Taylor observed, and"the Catholics tend to smoke a lot during the interview,and are very nervous."THE GROWING ABORTION QUESTIONAccording to EP, the Illinois House JudiciaryCommittee rejected a bill, 12-6, to permit abortions in thefirst three months of pregnancy. The controversy in thatlegislature was ignited by a three-judge Chicago federalcourt ruling, 2-1, that abortion in the first 90 days ofpregnancy could not be prohibited by an 1867 Illinois lawthat bars such operations except for health reasons.The Illinois Department of Public Aid announced itwould underwrite abortions for welfare recipients and theBlue Cross-Blue Shield insurance company said, pendinglegality, it would issue insurance policies to cover abortioncosts when requested.A Superior Court judge in Providence, Rhode Islandruled that the accidental killing of a fetus — the stage ofdevelopment is not mentioned in the report — does notconstitute a crime under the Rhode Island law, "because afetus does not fit the legal description of a "person'."At a Senate Public Health and Welfare Committeehearing in Phoenix, while a doctor from Tucson wastestifying, a jar of preserved fetuses was sent forward forthe Committee's inspection. The Committee rejected twobills for "abortion reform," the former by a voice vote, thelatter 5-3.We must remember that the Canaanites and manyother cultures have had their problems with unwantedbabies, the majority of them directly related to thebreaking of God's law. The "worship" of Molech wherechildren were offered in a fiery sacrifice was contemporaneouswith the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth inwhich immorality was not only sanctioned but promoted.The results of sin are not only sooner or later painful butalso embarrassing. The Canaanites called the humanexpedient "worship."Conceding that there are circumstances when apregnancy may rightfully be terminated by man, we mustalso recognize that man's deceitful heart is subject to thetemptation to hide his selfishness and self will and lustwith "humanitarian" expedients. Abortion is no sufficientanswer to a distracted mother-to-be.•••WILLIAM PENN"If we will not be governed by God, then we will beruled by tyrants."4 COVENANTER WITNESS

The Role of a Father in the Christian Homeby Rev. Kenneth SmithSynod's Director of Christian EducationWhen George McManus invented the unforgettableMaggie and Jiggs in "Bringing Up Father," he may havebeen saying much more than was commonly understood.The obvious picture of a domineering shrew outwittingand outmaneuvering a rather indulgent spouse needs littlecomment. The title of the comic strip said as much.What may have been in McManus's mind as a subthemewould subtlely show itself in Jiggs' desire to escapefrom it all down at Dinty Moore's. What has happenedsince McManus was popular is not new in kind: justdegree. Jiggs and Maggie hung in there. The modern Jiggstakes his escape through divorce. That is, if he has what ittakes.Rather than climbing on the bandwagon todismember Maggie, a prototype of today's "Lib," I wouldlike to propose that there lurks in every man the desire forfulfillment. And every man likes to have his "DintyMoore's" where he can sound off and know the boys willlisten. The problem comes when he can't find such aplace. In the Christian community of course we say he hasthe church. But it is my own opinion that for years menhave had basic needs which have been left unfulfilled,while the church has given itself to children, youth, andwomen. Men? Too often they are not around. Or if theyare, they become submerged under titles, responsibilities,and activity, leaving a personality longing in vain forsomeone to notice and listen to him.So when one begins to think of a "father" in theChristian home, instead of automatically thinking of hisduties, I propose we must first think of a person.Someone. Who, after all, is he? And what makes up hispersonality? He has individuality; God made him thatway. Yet he is not independent. His characteristics oftenreveal unconsciously the same characteristics of his fatherand mother. But he is someone nonetheless.A man who plays the role of a father in a Christianhome really needs this self-concept first of all. I am notconsidering him psychologically and apart from theChristian context. Our generation has tended to depersonalizemankind, men and women alike, resulting inmany men in our churches who do not believe a discussionof their own personality and aspirations, not to mentiontheir problems, is worthy of anyone else's time. Except attheir Dinty Moore's, wherever that may be. But I amtalking about normal life. When we say to today's worldthat their chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Himforever, we must not assume that they necessarily understandand feel their personal worth. How a man gets'hat self-image is another subject. I simply point up thatAPRIL 28. 1971being a father in the Biblical sense means being someone.And enjoying it!This leads then to the matter of being able to"relate" in terms of personality. Every man lives in termsof three relationships. This phenomenon shows itself inboth the Old and New Testaments when man's responsibilityto love God, and his neighbor as himself, becomesexplicit. Here again we confront a culture which no longerrecognizes subconsciously that a personal God exists andcares about the activities of His creatures. So when wepresent the Christian Gospel, we must delve deeply intothe Biblical doctrine of the nature of man and his essentialcharacteristics as a creature, not just the highest form of abiological evolution. It may seem strange to be discussingthis in an article about fatherhood, but it is not strange.Our culture has forsaken so much!! And it shows in thelives of many men who have difficulty relating at all, not tomention relating in love.The Gospel of Christ brings man to a place wherethe Bible calls him a "child" of God, and he prays "OurFather. . . " The blessing of being able to relate to God asone's heavenly Father makes a profound effect in a man'slife. He knows God cares. He knows he belongs. He knowsGod's forgiveness in Christ is real. He can fail, yet findrestoration. How beautiful to know God "holds him on hislap," a position every Christian covets!Talking this way does not come easily for some men,for they have never known this kind of relationship on ahuman level. And it then becomes difficult to separatethese three dimensions of God, self, and others. Theyintertwine. We can say the relationship to God is first, andthat's true. But sometimes this comes about essentiallythrough someone; we can no doubt say usually. Andnormally, as the covenant view would suggest, it comesfrom the parents. It is my purpose here to establish that afather in the Biblical sense relates to God, himself, andothers on the basis of love. Without this he may sire anoffspring, but he certainly has not been a father. He maybring home the bacon, but if he has no rapport with hiswife, he can hardly be called a good husband. As a person,he relates to the Person of God as his heavenly Father,and such a man will of necessity relate to others as aperson.Mav I suggest that the role of the father also bringsup the whole matter of masculinity. A father is a man,sexuallv speaking, and he must act like one. Beyond that,he must feel like a man! Unisex not withstanding, theBible teaches God made man generically in two sexes.Being a man has much in common with womanhood, but5

it has its unique characteristics.One can get lost at this point in a morass ofpsychological conjecture. I would like to stick to thesimple, yet profound, truths of Scripture. The fact he is aman is significant as a man since God made him that way.His sexual identity builds on that truth. As a man he has amandate to have dominion in the created world, and hiswife shares in that responsibility as his helper. Thistherefore places him in the lead role, not because of hispsychological makeup, but because of God's creation andappointment. In the father role, he assumes the lead as thehead of the household — not as a domineering monarch— but as a man of God, loving in his relationships, as aperson seeing himself in Christ as important. Such a mansees his wife and children as important too, but he doesn'tconfuse the roles.I am becoming more and more impressed with theunconscious influence a man bears on his children whenhe begins to appreciate the role of "ruler" in the universe.How a man goes to work — and why — speaks volumes tohis children. When he sees his calling as important to Godand society, and has beside him an enthusiastic helper, thechildren gain a powerful sense of why they are here. Andall of this stems from being a man and enjoying the role.The other aspect of the masculine image deals withthe matter of reproduction, and assuming the properresponsibility for those children God gives. Having thepotential to bring forth fruit makes a man important, butwhen he recognizes the significance of his own personalityin Christ, his wife becomes more than his source ofamusement. She is someone who has become one withhim. And together they share the joy and stewardship ofparenthood. A father who can accept and love hischildren as persons, or as Charles Schulz once called them"Lil People," has mastered the basic idea. He can besomeone to them, and they are someones to him. Andthey begin to recognize what a relationship to God can belike.I have not attempted to write on some of the dutiesinvolved in being a father, for these often flow naturallyfrom a person who has found himself. The Bible speaks ofa man's obligations to instruct, chasten, play, and workwith his children, and God does not condone his givingthem over to their mother as "her job." But it provesfruitless to discuss these duties until a man has learned theimportance of conducting himself as a person. When thathappens, his fatherhood begins to take on life and color,and the children notice. And in time they begin torecognize how Christ gives that sense of meaning topersonality, and they are drawn to Him. Every fathertherefore conveys an image of a personal God who cares,or an impersonal God who couldn't care less. • • •For Fathers Onlyby Mel Larson, Editor, "Evangelical Beacon "It was a simple, almost casual experience. Funnything, though. I find that God often gets through to mebest in block-buster effect through ordinary little things.From the balcony of our church I got an angle viewof my squirming son as he wiggled his way all over thatchurch pew waiting for the program to start. As I lookedat him, my mind clicked as this thought came:Barring accident,I'll be the only father this boy willever have. So, I'd better be a good one! The only windowto the world he would have in the way of a father. For him,much of life would be seen as he saw it in me and as Itaught him.Familywise—socially—sports—love—financially—his only father. But, most important, spiritually.And I winced inwardly as I researched my soul tosee what kind of a father I had been to the lad entrusted byGod to me. In that quiet moment I concluded for myself—and I pass it on to you—that my son needs me morespiritually than he does any other way.So does your son, or sons.Ephesians 6:4 leaped out at me: "And, ye fathers,provoke not your children to wrath: but bring thern up inthe nurture and admonition of the Lord."My job. Not my wife's job. Who has so much more6time, you know. Your job, dad. Not your wife's.The Christian home in North America will regain itsrightful godly backbone when dad reassumes the place hetoo often has given up—as the spiritual head of the house!It's strange but true, too, that when dad assumes hisBiblical place, everything else falls in place better.Remember, you're the only father your son, or sons,will ever have. So, you'd better be a good one! May it besaid of you as was said of Abraham in Genesis 18:19, "ForI know him, that he will command his children and hishousehold after him, and they shall keep the way of theLord, to do justice and judgment. . .."Pull out your Bible on Father's Day. Gather thefamily around. Read some verses. Ask the children andyour wife what prayer requests they have, then voice themto God as you lift your family heavenward as the spiritualhead of your home. Your congregation needs you.—E. P. News Service• • •"There are no dividends comparable to those paid toparents who invest their lives in the maintenance of aChristian home, and in the careful training of the boys andgirls given into their care. "—Religious Telescope.COVENANTER WITNESS

The Priorities of the Christian MotherMrs. John M. McMillan *The demands upon any mother are numerous andvaried. The day the baby is sick and fussy may be the sameday that an older child comes home from school and yells,"Mom, I said I could bring two dozen cookies for a classparty tomorrow."Or the day the house is being cleaned in order toentertain a visiting missionary may be the day Susie fallsand gets a big cut in her forehead and has to be rushed tothe emergency room at the hospital.A request to teach a Sabbath School class may comeat the same time that the P.T.A. is making a desperateplea for workers to help on the scholarship committee.The wisdom to meet these needs efficiently and to knowwhat things should have priority can come only with God'sguidance.Therefore, daily fellowship with God is importantfor the Christian mother. Prayer and meditation uponGod's Word can be the means God uses to give the calmand fortitude for meeting daily crises.It is important that the Christian mother teach herchildren to love God. I believe that love for God is thegreatest incentive for doing right. A child may choose todo right because he fears punishment from a parent.However, if fear of parents is the only motive for doingright, then the incentive will be gone when the parent isnot watching. It has been a thrill to me to see a childdevelop so that his desire to please God causes him toresist the temptation to steal or cheat even though noparent or teacher is watching.Titus 2:4 says that the young women are to be soberand to love their husbands and children. The mothershould strive to develop a family unity and love. No doubtthere are times of fighting and quarreling in any family ofchildren, and the parents may despair of ever having aspirit of love. I remember once when I was small and ourfamily was on a trip in the car that the quarreling of us fivechildren caused my mother to break into tears. Of course Ithink she was worn out from being up half the night inorder to get everything ready for the trip.What can a mother do to help develop this spirit ofunity and love? I believe it is important to have fun, work,and worship times with the children. Plan outings and playtimes as a family. If it is necessary to let the housecleaninggo for a day in order to have time to play with thechildren, let it go! Then enlist the children's help to clean'he house the next day.If a child wants to make candy or cookies, let him.Some mothers are so afraid of having a messed up kitchenthat their children can never learn to do things. Flour orsugar may have to be swept up from the floor, andsplattered dough may have to be wiped from the walls, butwhat fun the learning is! And eventually the child canreally be a help in the preparation of family meals.Involving children in the work makes them feelneeded and helpful and prepares them for adult life. Ibelieve that the Christian mother should teach herdaughter the basics of cooking, sewing, laundering, etc.,so she will be prepared for these responsibilities in adultlife. Parents should put confidence in their children. Helpthem learn things and then expect that they will be able tocarry on.Plan times to teach your children to read the Bible,sing, and pray. This may be done with the family as a unitor just by a parent and one child.Love for one another should be expressed audibly,but especially by actions. If I tell my husband and childrenthat I love them, but squander the family income onmyself, they will question my love. If I work hard toprovide every desire of my family the members maybelieve I love them, but telling them so gives addedassurance.Proverbs 31:27 tells us that the wise mother looksafter her household well and is not idle. Therefore, it isimportant for the Christian mother to be industrious and agood organizer. She must see that Henry gets to his dentalappointment on time, Mary to her piano lesson, and Susieto her Brownie meeting. She must plan her work so thatthe ironing is done when it is needed and the household isas orderly as possible when her husband comes home.Having a somewhat regular mealtime schedule can be ahelp to each member of the family in planning his ownschedule.Ephesians 5:22 tells the wife to submit herself to herhusband as to the Lord. To some women this command isirritating, but I have not found it so. If husband and wifelove each other and God, even their disagreements can betalked out in a way that is satisfactory to all.Being a Christian wife and mother is one of the mostchallenging and satisfying occupations on this earth.Enjoy it!• • •# Mrs. John M. McMillan is the wife of the pastor ofColdenham. New York R.P Church. The McMillans havethree children.APRIL 28. 1971

Age Takes TheBowby Vickie McKissick *THINK YOUNG!!ACT YOUNG!!(Disguise your age if you Ye over 30.)In a culture as our American society, youth takesthe bow. Let them, for instance, be admitted as rulers insociety and good taste; even, let them rule on churchboards. Old age we shun as an unfortunate fate, a dis-ease.Advertising seeks to perpetuate youth; it appeals to oursearch for the Fountain of Youth. Old age is connectedwith senility and the idiom of the "generation gap." Yetprecisely the generation gap that youth complains of maybe directly related to the denial of family togetherness togrand- and great grandparents. Yes, we put them away innursing homes, so to rid ourselves of the aging.Where does this aspiring to the younger set andignoring of the aged lead us? Not too long ago on atelevision program, the master of ceremonies was talkingto young schoolchildren, asking each in turn what heconsidered the best age to be. When he came to one littlegirl and asked, 'And what age would you like to be?", sheanswered, "A baby." The surprised master of ceremoniesasked, "Why?" "Because then people do everything foryou." This is the modern dream, and even little childrenhave caught it: to be an unfrustrated modern baby in atotally permissive world that even deifies youth!A neighbor of an internationally famous filmdirector, currently in America, reported that it was not thenude sun-bathing or strolling which surprised her at thisbeach colony. The surprise was in other areas. The totallynude young mistress of the film director sun-bathes with apacifier in her mouth.(2)So we see that in society today, the fifth commandmenthas made a complete turn-about in terms ofpractical application. No longer do children honor andrespect their elders, but elders negate their own age andlook "up" to their children. At least the builders of Babelsaid, "Go to, let us build us a city and a tower" (Gen. 11:4),the City of Man. The builders of the modern Babel areworking instead to build the City of the Baby, theKingdom of the Child. They are working to create a socialorder which will serve as a grand pacifier for all our selfmadebabies.(3)Yet this City of the Baby, a permissive society, lacksthe capacity to overcome problems, because it retreatsinto liquor, narcotics, sexual immorality, and a criminal* Miss Vickie McKissick, a senior in Wichita StateUniversity, is a member of the Park City R. P. Church,Wichita. Kansas.8and revolutionary rage whenever frustrated. In such asociety, the traditional family declines, and individualslose the distinction between rightful submission andauthority. For without the family, individuals lose theirprimary training ground for mature, meaningful humanrelationships guided by just authority and mutual respect.Without such a base, our communities and nations andeven the whole of mankind suffer. Also, without thefamily based upon a firm bond in marriage, individualsproceeding from such a relationship are surely not goingto live long upon the land which is given by our Lord. Ithas been experimentally proven that absence of tender,personal, intimate mother love causes abnormal childdevelopment. It has also been affirmed that absence oftrue father love causes abnormal adolescent development.So what else but a long, fruitful life would followifchildren were nurtured and admonished in the fear of theLord! It is not only a sound psychological truth, but thespiritual lifeblood of our race.So we see the Christian principle in the fifth commandmentto be submission on the part of children totheir parents. Ironically, they learn this principle primarilyby the example set by their parents and other adults. Forwhat else do children do in most homes but try to imitatetheir parents — in speech, dress, walk, and behaviorlPaul's exhortation to Titus in chapter 2 is to speakbefittingly on this sound doctrine:Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible,sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older womenlikewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not maliciousgossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,that they may encourage the young women to love theirhusbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure,workers at home, kind, being subject to their ownhusbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.Likewise urge the young men to be sensible.—Titus 2:2-6, New American StandardSo to youth, the fifth commandment means that weare to revere and obey our elders, and thus learn fromthem discipline and wisdom in our life in Christ. Naturallythis also puts a great responsibility upon our parents andolder persons in our Christian communities. By no meansis old age good in itself. But old age seasoned by the graceof God is a blessing to every church or community ofbelievers in which the young people aspire to lead godlylives.• • •Footnoted material comes from Chalcedon Reports, no. 67February 1, 1970, by R. J. Rushdooney.COVENANTERWITNESS

THE PEACE SYMBOL OR SATAN'S MARK?Rev. Robert More, Jr.,Almonte, Ontario, CanadaA certain denominational paper named the CanadianChurchman in its December, 1970 issue printed a pictureand poem supposedly in the interest of peace. It featured adove holding an olive sprig. The moon had a "peace" signshining from its surface while the dove left tracks on thebeach sand in the form of the co-called ' 'peace symbol.''This paper professedly seeks peace. Hence the symbolis prominent. You know what it is — a circle with a straightline down the centre and two radial arms downward at thebottom.But what is that "peace" sign after all? Might therebe some ancient symbolism which the public does notrealize? Is it really Christian — worthy of a churchpublication? And what is real "peace"?I. The Peace Sign and Ancient SymbolismMr. David E. Gumaer in American Opinion magazineof Boston authored an article which has been reprinted in abooklet entitled "Peace Symbols: The Truth About ThoseStrange Designs." This scholarly article indebts allthoughtful Christians and is the source of the followinginformation.Likely the first question that should be asked is: Whenwas this modern "peace" symbol first used, and by whomwasit devised? The "World Without War Council" said itwas designed on February 21, 1958 while the "WarResisters League" in their paper called Win said it publiclyappeared at the "first Aldermaston March (in London,England) at Easter of that year" of 1958. Then whofashioned it? The Roman Catholic paper called the DenverRegister declares it "was designed by the Englishphilosopher Bertrand Russell" whom Current Biographystates was (until death recently) a member ' 'of the FabianSociety," that is, wealthy Marxists seeking to subvert thefree world.The next question then is: But what does the peacesymbol SYMBOLIZE? The first public explanation was thatit merely was a "composite semaphore signal for the letter'N' and 'D' standing for Nuclear Disarmament." Howeverthe "War Resisters League's" magazine goes further. Itclaims there is a Christian cross included in it and it was anancient symbol of the "gesture of despair" and the "manrune,"the mark of the "death of man."The third question then automatically arises: Howlong has this "death of man" symbolism been around?Gumaer shows its historical existence for a long, long time.In his article he draws from a German book by BernardKoerner which dealt with ancient symbols and another byRudolf Koch entitled The Book of Signs, published in 1955.He shows that in Hitler's Germany it was called "todersrune"or "death mark," being the identification ofobituaries.Moving back in time, the article reprints a woodcutcredited to John Knox. The original is now housed in theMuseum of Witchcraft at Bayonne, France and depictsAPRIL 28, 1971Satan. A look at the eyes is startling, for they are nothingother than the "peace sign" now!Then the Marquis dc Concressault in his book Symbolof the Anti-God declares the symbol was popular in themiddle ages in connection with "Black Mass and WitchSabbath with the symbol of the Anti-God (peace symbol)adorning the altar as an 'unholy relic'From the fifth century A.D.. there has come down acrude illustration of Peter's crucifixion upside down.Significantly he is fastened to the "peace symbol" but thencalled the "Neronian Cross" or more often, the "Sign ofthe Broken Jew."Also back in 1866 archeologists uncovered an ancientRoman villa with the "peace sign" laid as a floor mosaic inhonor of the Emperor Nero.Finally, Christian writer Nestorius the Syrian,Patriarch of Constantinople, in 428-431 A.D., said thatNero became so morally deranged that he built a cross;broke the arms; fastened them to the base; and thencrucified Peter on that hideous tree. Then he concludes thiswas the Neronian "symbol of the 'anti-Christ.' "Interestingly, it is now called the "peace symbol"!II. True PeaceThere is no better place to learn the true source ofpeace than in Psalm 46, especially verses 9 and 10. Drawingthe translation from several sources, it would say ofJehovah, "All over the world (He is) silencing wars. . .Desist, and recognize that (it is) I, God; I will be exalted bythe nations, I will be exalted in the earth."In the historical setting of the Psalm, the Assyrian haddescended upon God's people like a wolf upon the fold. Awar-like nation they were who prevented the world fromenjoying true peace. Proverbially they were "the cruelAssyrian." People craved for peace. Thence enters Jehovah.He silenced THE war throughout the world. The presentparticiple, followed by a future signifies that the historicalday long ago was just a beginning. It is the Father's goodpleasure to continue His work until there is lasting peace —until the world knows the silencing of war.The Biblical peace, however, contains one more step.Whether peace be "nuclear disarmament" or "halting ofoppressive nations" matters not. Jehovah says that silencingof war is conditional upon, "recognize that (it is) I, God"who makes peace. In other words, that so-called "peacesymbol" — actually a witch's foot; the anti-God sign; theanti-Christian Neronian Cross — is therefore simply one ofthe present-day oppressors, persecutors of God's believingpeople. It simply is an arm of the war of the flesh against thesons of God. Hence even it must be humbled and broughtlow. It too must be forced to recognize and acknowledge thatGod alone is able and equitable enough to create world-widepeace. Onlv when nations exalt Prince Messiah, and whenpeoples of sin desist in humble submission, will, in fact,wars cease o'er the earth.It is too shameful a thing for the Christian Church topublicize and praise a Satanically devised symbol describingdead man and anti Christ. But there is true peace, enduringpeace, universal peace— in the words, "It is I. God," whomakes it in Mv Prince ot Peace.•••u.

The Children's Corner

Sabbath SchoolLessonLesson Helps for the Week of May 23For May 23,1971When People Refuse God's LoveIsaiah 5Comments by lohn K. GaultIn the Scripture of this lesson, Isaiah5, the prophet used a vineyard as an objectlesson of the spiritual state of Israel andJudah. He said, "Now will I sing to my wellbeloveda song of my beloved touching hisvineyard. My well beloved hath a vineyardin a very fruitful hill: and he fenced it, andgathered out the stones thereof, andplanted it with the choicest vine, and builta tower in the midst of it, and also made awinepress therein: and he looked that itshould bring forth grapes, and it broughtforth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitantsof Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, Ipray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.What could have been done more to myvineyard, that I have not done in it?... Forthe vineyard of the Lord of hosts is thehouse of Israel, and the men of Judah hispleasant plant: and he looked forjudgment, but behold oppression; forrighteousness, but behold a cry." Thisdescription can be called a parable inwhich the nation of Israel was likened to avineyard which had been planted with the"choicest vine." The owner who was theLord of hosts did everything that couldhave been done to make the vineyardproductive of good grapes. Instead ofgood grapes the vineyard produced "wildgrapes" which represented the evilpractices of the people of the land. Inreturn for the great love which God hadshown to Israel the people had sunk low indebauchery and shame. This chapter is anindictment of Israel, especially of Judah,the southern kingdom, for the great sinswhich the people were committing.1: The Grasping Landowners WereDenounced for Extending their Estates atthe Expense of the Poor.This is the first of the six "woes"which the prophet described. He said,"Woe unto them that join house to house,that lay field to field, till there be no place,that they may be placed alone in the midstof the earth! In mine ears said the Lord ofAPRIL 28, 1971hosts, of a truth many houses shall bedesolate, even great and fair, withoutinhabitant. Yea, ten acres of vineyard shallyield one bath, and the seed of an homershall yield an ephah." The greedy landownerssought to establish a land trust bybuying up the inheritance of the poor.They sought to establish a land monopoly.But the time would inevitably come, saidIsaiah, when their extensive acres wouldyield a pitifully small return; even notgetting their seed back, which they hadsown and their great houses would bestanding "desolate, even great and fair,without inhabitant." This "woe" condemnsany system of monopoly or financialmanipulation which enables rich people tobecome richer at the expense of the poor.2: Isaiah Condemned AlcoholicAddiction.He said, "Woe unto them that rise upearly in the morning, that they may followstrong drink; that continue until night, tillwine inflame them! And the harp, and theviol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine are intheir feasts: but they regard not the workof the Lord, neither consider the operationof his hands. . . .Therefore hell hathenlarged herself, and opened her mouthwithout measure: and their glory, and theirmultitude, and their pomp, and he thatrejoiceth shall descend into it." It isevident that alcoholic addiction was asocial evil in the days of Isaiah as it is in themodern life of America. And along withthe wine they had their rock and roll musicwhich added to their intoxication.Beverage alcohol is very habit forming andmany people "continued until night."Covenanters can be glad that they belongto a church which believes in and practices"total abstinence." Beverage alcoholcannot be controlled in any other way.Even "social drinking" is "Woe unto himthat giveth his neighbor drink, that puttestthy bottle to him, and makest him drunkenalso, —3: Isaiah Condemned People WhoWere Firmly Attached to Sin and WhoDared the Holy God to Do Somethingabout It.He said, "Woe unto them that drawiniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as itwere with a cart rope: that say, let himmake speed, and hasten his work, that wemay see it: and let the counsel of the HolyOne of Israel draw nigh and come, that wemay know it!" As one who would use a"cart rope" in drawing a heavy load sothere were those who were firmly attachedto their sins, which would accomplish theirultimate destruction. To leave God out ofone's calculations of either work orpleasure, is to be in such a situation.4: Isaiah Pronounced a "Woe" onThose Who Sought to Overthrow theEstablished Moral Order.He said, "Woe unto them that callevil good, and good evil; that put darknessfor light, and light for darkness; that putbitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"There were those who sought to reversethe system of ethics which God hadrevealed to them through the prophets.Ever since the founding of our nation theBible had been read in the public schoolseach day, but Mrs. O'Hare brought suitwith the result that the devotional readingof the Bible has been banned in the publicschools throughout the United States.Even the courts of the land followed in thetrain of Mrs. O'Hare and reversed themoral customs of the land and called "evilgood and good evil." "Woe" to all such saidIsaiah.5: "Woe unto Them that Are Wise intheir Own Eyes."There were some who thought thatthey knew more than the prophets did;consequently, they could not be told aboutthe will of God. When people begin tothink that they are wiser than any othersthey are more ignorant than they think.When Isaiah was called to be the prophetunto Israel he had a lowly opinion ofhimself for he said, "Woe is me! for I amundone; because I am a man of uncleanlips, and I dwell in the midst of a people ofunclean lips: for mine eyes have seen theKing, the Lord of Hosts." It is a God-giventalent to be smart and to have a high IQ,but when one gets to be a "smart-aleck" heloses the friendship of both man and God.Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for theyshall inherit the earth."6: Unjust ludges Are in a State ofWoe.Isaiah said of them, "Woe unto themthat are mighty to drink wine, and men ofstrength to mingle strong drink: whichjustify the wicked for reward, and takeaway the righteousness of the righteousfrom him!" The judges, or politicianswould drink alcohol with their cronies andthen they would render pervertedjudgments. They could be "bought off."Corruption in office is the scandal whichhas been brought against many publicofficials. This was a great trouble in thetime of Isaiah, andit is by no means anunheard of occurrence in the modern lifeof America. It has been known to happen.7: The Inevitable Doom of a NationWhich Forgets God.After describing all of these woesIsaiah said. "Therefore as the firedevoureth the stubble, and the flame

consumeth the chaff, so their root shall beas rottenness, and their blossom shall go upas dust: because they have cast away thelaw of the Lord of hosts, and despised theword of the Holy One of Israel. Thereforeis the anger of the Lord kindled against hispeople, and he hath stretched forth hishand against them, and hath smitten them:...And he will lift up an ensign to thenations from far, and he will hiss unto themfrom the end of the earth: ...And in thatday they shall roar against them like theroaring of the sea." Undoubtedly theprophet is here foretelling of the invasionsof the Assyrians and of the Babylonianswhen the cities of Israel and Judah weredestroyed and the people taken away tolive in a foreign land."Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior TopicFor May 23,1971UNIT: OUR PUBLICWORSHIP AND SACRAMENTSBaptism, a SacramentBy Mrs. lohn RussellA sacrament is a holy ordinance, ordecree that Christ instituted or startedwhile here on earth. The only sacramentsof the New Testament are baptism and theLord's supper. These are symbols or visiblesigns (pictures) given by God to people ofour times. There were many signs andsymbols in the Old Testament, such assacrifices, the passover lamb, tabernaclefurniture (altars, table of shew bread,candlestick, mercy seat), garments of thehigh priests, the rituals of feast days, etc.which all had some particular meaning.Baptism is clearly commanded byChrist when, among His last instructions toHis disciples, we find this: "Go yetherefore, and teach all nations, baptizingthem in the name of the Father, and of theSon, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19).Baptism is administered by a Christianminister, applying water in the name of theFather, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Adults are baptized when they professtheir faith in Christ and obedience to Him.The infants of church members are also tobe baptized and baptism is not to berepeated. The Roman Catholic Church hasset apart seven sacraments but we believethat only two were set apart.What is the meaning of baptism? It isan outward symbol or picture of an inwardgrace. It shows what takes place in the soulof one who believes in Jesus Christ. Thesign used is water, which in Scripture isassociated with cleansing. It representspurification from the guilt of sin or beingcleansed by the blood of Jesus. It alsorepresents our being united to Christ byfaith.Baptism is a seal, or a promise, ofGod's blessings. A seal on a diploma atschool states the information contained istrue, so baptism is a sign of God'spromises. God showed the Israelite peoplein the Old Testament His ways throughsigns and symbols. Circumcision of thebaby boys was God's seal of His promiseto Abraham. "And he received the sign ofcircumcision, a seal of the righteousness ofthe faith which he had"(Rom. 4:11). Godhas promised we shall be His and He shallbe ours in all the blessings of His savinggrace.Our church believes that theBible teaches that children of believers areincluded in God's covenant promises andare to be baptized. In the Old Testament,children were certainly a part in thesepromises, and in the New Testament, Peterpreached, "For the promise is unto you andto your children..." (Acts 2:39). Examplesin the New Testament were Lydia, who"was baptized, and her household" (Acts16:15); the Philippian jailer "was baptized,he and all his, straightway" (Acts 16:33).Perhaps you have watched one ormany baptisms in your church. We believethat the symbol of water is to be usedand that Christ did not say how much touse, so the water is sprinkled on the child'sor adult's head. When parents bring theirchildren for baptism, at least one must be •a believer. They are assuming a greatresponsibility as well as receiving a blessingwhen they make these promises beforeGod and the congregation. They promiseto instruct the child in the Scriptures, andin the summary of the Scriptures in thecatechism, to pray with and for the child,to set right examples and to bring him upin the "nurture and admonition of theLord."If you, as a junior, were baptized as ababy, you are now a baptized member ofthe church. You are counted as a believerbecause your parents believe. You arecounted an American citizen because yourparents are Americans. Just as a child isgiven a name by his parents, so when webecome God's children, He gives us a newname which is registered in heaven and webecome members of His great Church.You are not a full member, one who cantake part in communion. When you are alittle older, you can express your belief inJesus Christ as your Savior and say youwant to become a communicant memberof His church.Baptism reminds us of God's greatlove. God the Father promises to make usHis children and forgive us our sins. Godthe Son gave His blood to wash away oursins. God the Holy Spirit lives in our heartsto make us pure and holy. All three personsof the Trinity work together to makeus ready for heaven. That is the reason theminister says, "I baptize you in the Name ofthe Father, and of the Son, and of the HolySpirit."As young and growing Christians wecan improve on our baptism all of our lives.We are born into this world only once, butwe celebrate our birthday year after year.When we are tempted to sin, and when wesee baptisms administered to others, thisshould remind us to be thankful, to drawstrength from the death and resurrection ofChrist, to live in holiness, and walk inbrotherly love to others as we rememberthe unity of Christ and Christians.TO LEADER:1. Catechism question — 92,942. Review Memory Psalms for Unit. Sing inmeeting: Ps. 51:1,4,7, p. 132. Otherfavorites.3. Worship Verse — Matt. 28:19 (Put innotebook).4. Worship Notebook — a) Label withpicture of parents and a child, b) Writedown: "Baptism — What it Teaches Me"and list 1) faith in Jesus 2) cleansing fromsin 3) new birth 4) new Father and newname 5) members of His church 6)resurrection to come 7) union with Christ.c) If there has recently been a baptism inyour church, have juniors record theirimpressions, what took place, Psalms used,etc.5. Bible Baptisms — Look these up. Howdid each person at once live for God? Jesus— Matt. 3:16,17; 4:1-11; the Eunuch —Acts 8:36-39; Paul — Acts 9:17-20; Lydia— Acts 16:13-15; Philippian jailer — Acts16:27-34.6. Handwork — Add Friendship to fleet ofships. It is the sister ship of Courtship,flying the banner of Love. Love oneanother. I Jn. 3:18; I Jn. 4:11,12. Also addHeirship. "Heirs of God and joint heirswith Christ." Add "breastplate ofrighteousness" to the Christian Soldiermodel.Prayer MeetingTopicFor May 26,1971CHESTER, ARKANSAS, MISSIONBy Rev. S. Ray Blab-Pastor, Washington, IowaR. P. ChurchChester, Arkansas is a small, formerrailroad town nestled in a valley of theBoston Mountains in northwest Arkansas.Though the town is only two miles fromhighway 71, an arterial trafficway toKansas City, the isolation is evident immediately.12 COVENANTER WITNESS

How Was a Work Located There?The Associate Presbyterian Churchhad disposed of the Ozark mission inKentucky early in this century. Therewere many in the church who lamentedthe selling of this mission tothe Reformed Presbyterian Church(New Lights) and yearned for thebeginning of a new work. Iowa Presbyterywas delegated to seek a spot for the churchto locate a minister to begin mission work.Several men from the Minneola, Kansas,church and the late Rev. Basil G. McBeefrom Washington, Iowa, surveyed theareas and finally chose Chester as the hubof work in surrounding mountain communities.The Rev. Mr. Fred Zitzmann, freshfrom seminary, began work here in 1948.In addition, a group of young people,largely from Sterling College, worked herethe first summer. Among those earlyworkers was the Rev. Gene Spear. Bibleschools were held in surrounding communitieseach year by the young people ofthe church who became known as Bibleschool workers.Tribute must be paid to Miss EmmaLee McKissick who had such a burden forthe work there until the Lord took herhome.The Work NowMany changes occurred over theintervening years. The church had boughta property which was repaired and furnishedoriginally to accommodate Mr.Zitzmann and his family. After he left thedenomination, the house was used eachsummer by the volunteer workers whowere paid a salary during their stay inArkansas. The church also owned vehicleswhich were used to transport the childrenwho lived at remote distances to thenearest schools in the area. The focus ofwork of late years has been the Bibleschools in Chester and surroundingcommunities.The ResultsThe generation originally taught inthe Bible schools now have children andgrandchildren. Many are active in thelocal churches. They have rejoiced at thereturn of our young people each year. Noone can count or enumerate those whohave known the Savior through theseefforts. The whole effort was on plantingthe seed.The greatest testimony as to thevalue of the work here is the positivechange in the lives of those who workedhere each year — both in the positiverelationships among the workers and alsothe effect in their Christian testimony andlife.The FutureThis work, after the union, wasPlaced in the hands of the Home MissionBoard. It is proposed because of theAPRIL 28, 1971changing condition which now exists in thiscommunity, the high expense of theprogram, and the distance from existingcongregations, that this work be discontinuedafter this year and that an appropriatealternate mission field besecured.For Our Prayers1. For the Home Mission Board in thematter of the work in Chester, Arkansas,that proper decisions be made and that theLord leads to work which will bring asgratifying results to our attention.2. For workers for this summer, for thepupils in the schools, and for the fruit fromlabors here.3. For those charged with administrationof this work.4. For development of home missionefforts and commitment of our membersto the witness for Christ.MY SHARE IN CALVARYI SEE the crowd in Pilate's Hall,I mark their wrathful mien;Their shouts of "crucify" appal,With blasphemy between.And of that shouting multitudeI feel that I am one;And in that din of voices rudeI recognize my own.'Twas I that shed that sacred blood;I nailed Him to the Tree;I crucified the Christ of God;I joined the mockery.Around the Cross the throng I seeMocking the Sufferer's groan;Yet still my voice it seems to beAs if I mocked alone.Yet not the less that Blood availsTo cleanse away my sin;And not the less that Cross prevailsTo give me peace within.HORATIUS BONARAVAILABLE Psalm record...God'sWord, The Psalms written to music. IWill Thee Praise...Praise Waits forThee....Scottish Records (The Psalms) LNo. 1 through L No. 2. All these recordsare beautiful and should be in yourhome. Price $3.00 to $3.50.ARE YOU WITNESSING? If you areunable to speak yourself for Christ andwould like to...Howabout using tracts?Tom Joseph has an excellent tract thathe wrote himself, titled "God's Wordand YOU." Available through the BlueBanner Book Store, 703 Fort Street,Box 427, Hays, Ks. 6"b01. 50 for $1.00.

NOTICEThe Hebron Congregation, near Idana,Kansas, will celebrate its 100th Anniversaryon August 21 and 22, 1971. Aninvitation is extended to everyone to comeand help us celebrate this historic occasion.NOTICEA student from WestminsterTheological Seminary, Mr. Gordon J.Keddie, is available for service andministry in the R. P. Church this summer.He is a member of the Free Church ofScotland which accepts the Westminsterstandards and in worship sings only thePsalms with no instruments. Ifcongregations are interested in availingthemselves of his services, please write tohim: c/o Westminster TheologicalSeminary, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania 19118.CORRECTIONThe Dedication sermon for the newchurch building in Seattle was preached byDr. Lester E. Kilpatrick and not as statedin the Witness. I was present at the service,and glad to be there for the happy occasion,and profited by Dr. Kilpatrick'sdiscussion of the nature of the church.James D. CarsonPAULINE FARISIn 1920, after her father who waspastor of our Barnet, Vermont Churchdied, Pauline came to Boston. She obtainedemployment, including a bank and areal estate office, where she worked evenafter retirement. Pauline attended FirstBoston. Upon its dissolvement she joinedthe Cambridge congregation. Herfellowship with us was sweet and steady.She loved her independence; she loved herlittle apartment right in the heart ofBoston. Pauline was a serious person andconscientious but withal had a surprisingsense of quiet humor which made heracceptable in any group. We all loved her.Then came the time when Pauline knewshe could no longer maintain her formersense of independence or her littleapartment she thought she could not dowithout. But a new kind of dependence onthe Lord led her to accept an invitationfrom Hazel, a niece in Vermont, to livewith her. From there it was foundnecessary for her to go to a hospital andsubsequently to two different rest homes.Pauline had many friends and relatives14who visited her often, not because they hadto but because they wanted to.Just before Christmas, the Lord whohad guided her in life, peacefully took herto be with Him in His own dwelling place,where there is fullness of joy.LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIAThe new officers elected forCovenettes, the young womens' missionarysociety, are President, Mrs. Francis Buck;Vice President, Mrs. Donald Walker;Recording Secretary, Mrs. Jack Grant;Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. DonaldBirdsall, who is also the Treasurer.New officers for the Youth arePresident, Steve Maycock; Vice President,Judie Wilson; Treasurer, Richard Buck,Assistant Treasurer, Gary Walker.The youth service on February 21,was a real blessing to us all. Much prayer,thought, and discussion went into theplanning. They chose their own topicwhich was "Living is Sharing." MarcTuminello presided; Frank and SteveMaycock, Don Stewart, Larry Walker,Barbi Birdsall, Cyndi Stewart, PriscillaLuther, Lee and Emily Maycock, JudieWilson, Claudia Hazel, and Patsy Boyle allspoke. Steve Hostetter and John Garsowwere ushers. Richard and Robert Buck,Lloyd Ige, and Brad Stewart received theoffering. Sara Birdsall, Jan Caskey, SoniaMartinez, Iveness Cheesman, MartyHuston, and Naloni Ige were in the choir,as well as some of the speakers. Manyadults shared what God is doing in theirlives. Our young people are to be commendedfor their loyalty to the church andtheir willingness to share their thoughtsand ideas with us.PFC Jerry F. O'Neill flew to LosAngeles to visit his wife, Ann, and to getacquainted with his little daughter,Margaret Rose, who was born after he wasshipped out to Viet Nam. Our pastor, TheRev. Bruce C. Stewart, baptized MargaretRose, Sabbath, March 21. Jerry spent aweek with Ann in the Birdsall home, thenhe and his little family went to Winchester,Kansas to visit Jerry's family beforereturning to Viet Nam.Laurel Lyn arrived April 1, 9:15 p.m.,weighing in at eight pounds and oneounce, to make her home with Dr. andMrs. Alan Hemphill and sister Tammy.Both mother and baby are doing fine. Dr.Hemphill received his assignment from thearmy and will be stationed at San Pedro,California.We have enjoyed a visit from theRev. James Pennington recently; it wasgood to see him again. Following a familynight supper at the church, Mr. Penningtontold us about the work at our missionstations in Japan and he also preached forus Sabbath, March 28.OLD BETHELnear Sparta, Illinois(Rev. Ralph Joseph, pastor)Our spring communion was observedon March 28 with Dr. D. Howard Elliottas assistant. Mrs. Elliott accompanied himand we enjoyed his messages and theirfellowship.Leaving by plane Miss FloraMathews went to San Mateo, California tovisit her niece Beth and sister, Mrs. AdaCathcart, who has recently returned fromthe hospital.Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson drove toKey West, Florida where they spent a fewdays with their son and his wife, Lt. andMrs. William Wilson. Bill is in Communicationsin the Air Force.Mrs. Esther Wallace, Kim, Vicky,and Mitzie of Marissa have been worshipingwith us. Mrs. Wallace is a sister ofMrs. Jackson of the Chicago congregation.Recently the interior of our churchhas been redecorated, which has addedmuch to its appearance. Also a new outsidebulletin board has been placed on the lawnin front of the church.Old Bethel has made every woman ofthe congregation a Synodical LifeMember. This was financed from aMemorial Fund.The last of March the U. S. Armyawarded Carl Mathews the Bronze StarMedal for his service in Vietnam from June1969 to June 1970. Carl is now enrolled atS. I. U. and was on the Dean's list the pastquarter.We were privileged to hear and helpentertain the Genevans on April 5. Theysang at the Sparta Grade School, wheretheir concert was well received.PRE-SYNODIC CONFERENCEFor Reformed PresbyterianMinisters and EldersTHEME: "The Kingdom of God"June 10-12,1971GENEVA COLLEGEHousing in air-conditioned apartments,with swimming pool. Time for informaldiscussion, relaxation and recreation.Sponsored by the Bible Department ofGeneva CollegePLAN NOW TO ATTEND!COVENANTER WITNESS

Synod InformationAT GENEVA COLLEGEJune 12-18. 1971Beaver Falls, Pa. 15010Ph.412-846-5100Room and Board InformationSaturday evening supper through Friday eveningsupperRoom and Board 28.00Board Only 17.25Room Only 11,00Charge for single room request 1.00Room includes one set of bed linen, blanket, towels,and soap.Part-Time Charges:Room 1st night 2.75Room each additional night 1.60Meals Breakfast RegularLunchCafeteriaDinnerPricesMY BIBLENo extra charge for room Friday night, June 18, ifneeded.If any committee is planning to meet prior to Synodand needs sleeping rooms and or meeting rooms, pleaselet us know as far in advance as possible.Delegates will be met at Greater Pittsburgh Airporton Saturday, providing you notify us ahead of time. Youwill be met in the lounge near the T.W.A. desk by driverswearing a badge. If we cannot meet you at the exact timewe will inform you of the time that you will be met.Synod meetings will be in air-conditioned groundfloor lecture room of Science and Engineering Building.Open meetings will be in Old Main Chapel.Please send your requests for room and board to Mr.McConaughy immediately and include your arrival time ifyou plan to fly.(PARTIV)by Rev. Robert More, Jr.Pastor of Almonte R. P. Church, CanadaTHE NEW A MERICAN STAN DA RD BIBLEThere is little dispute that Bible publishers todaystress the paraphrase style. It is therefore a joyful daywhen an accurate, Bible-honoring translation appears. It'sa double joy too when the version receives the bestfeatures and enduring qualities of the older translations.Into this tradition the new American Standard Bible fits.It is a magnificently careful translation. It also incorporatesthe finest features of the King James and theAmerican Standard Bible of 1901 while improving on theirweaknesses.The entire Bible will soon be available; heretoforeonly the New Testament has been published. The hardback edition was originally published by Moody Press ofChicago in 1963. The New York Bible Society ( 5 East48th Street, New York) issued a paperback edition acouple of years ago, which sells for about fifty cents. Thename of this edition (containing only the text, not thecross references and Greek explanatory notes) is TheDynamite of God, alluding to Romans 1:16.The backbone of the publication is shown by theforeword. "The New American Standard Bible has beenproduced with the conviction that the words of Scriptureas originally penned in the Hebrew and Greek were inspiredby God. Being the eternal Word of God, the HolyScriptures speak with fresh power to each generation...."That this is a translation is evident from manyconsiderations. Some of its commendable features are thefollowing.Imperfect tenses. English verb tenses generallycopy the Greek tenses. The English tendency, however,is 10 blur the delicate differences between the presenttense, the on-going past tense (imperfect), the completedpast tense (the basic nature of the aorist), and theprogressive past to present (perfect tense). This version isespecially conscientious in rendering the imperfect andaorist tenses. Examples of the imperfect properly renderedare found in Matthew 9:35, Luke 7:6, John 5:9, andtwice in Acts 13:25. An accurate insight into the aorist isshown in Mark 6:20.Italics. This is one of the few modern versions thatitalicizes what the English translator must add in order tomake good English. Practically all others simply addwithout notifying the reader what was Scripturally writtenand what was inserted. Now admittedly adding italics is atedious, difficult task — for grammatical reasons — stillitis very wise for the reader to be able to ascertain whatGod's Word is and what the translator added. There areso many verses with italics that none need to be cited hereto illustrate.Positive and Negative 'Not. In the Greek oneAPRIL 28, 1971

negative implies a "yes" answer. The other negativepresupposes a "no" response. In the case of the positiveanswer, the question is worded normally in this version asin Luke 4:22. Where the "no" answer is presupposed, itwould appear as in John 4:29, "This is not the Christ.„js it?"(See also John 6:67.) The value of this Biblical differenceappears in John 18:17,25,26 and visually shows the readerwhy Peter could truthfully reply "no" to the first twoquestions but lied in his reply to the third query.A couple of criticisms should be noted. In IICorinthians 8:7 it reads, "In the love we inspired in you."While this word is loosely used in the sense of stimulated itis nonetheless inaccurately employed, for inspired means"God-breathed" and II Timothy 3:16 applies it toScripture, not to humans.The worst criticism is found in Acts 13:38,39 wherethe Greek text places the words, "From all things fromwhich you could not be freed through the law of Moses,"at the close of verse 38, not with verse 39, as in this version.It, however, does give a marginal note informing thereader of this fact, quite unlike most other versions today.(Compare TEV and The Living New Testament.)All in all, any translation is far preferable — nay,absolutely necessary — for a reader to grow spirituallyinto the whole counsel of God's Biblical truth. Aparaphrase is simply wrought with peril, the chief of whichis the concealed mixing of man's doctrines and views uponthe Word of God. Furthermore this writer is satisfied thatthe New American Standard Bible is all that any seekerafter truth could desire in modern English. ThenII Timothy 3:15-17 would be a glorious fact. "Fromchildhood you have known the sacred writings which areable to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation throughfaith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired byGod and profitable for teaching, for reproof, forcorrection, for training in righteousness; that the man ofGod may be adequate, equipped for every good work."LORD, SHARETHIS HOUSEWHEN MOTHER PRAYEDI think that I shall never see,This side of God's eternity,A scene as lovely as the oneWhich met my gaze when day was done,In childhood years of long ago:My mother sings, 'tis sweet and low,Her face with love is all aglow,She turns the pages of God's Word,Her tender heart is deeply stirred.She kneels, she prays, Oh, what a prayer!I listen, lingering on the stair—"God bless my boy"—I hear my name,And there, within my heart, a flameBegins to burn—'tis burning yet,That hour I never shall forget!My Mother dear, at even kneels,And prays for me. This morn there stealsA ray of warmth into my heart,And now, like her, from cares apart,I pray. Her prayers still follow me—A torch, and by its gleam I seeMy home across the crystal sea.David F. NygrenRichard Baxter went about his parish establishingdaily family worship. The result was a glorious, spiritualawakening.Marie J. PostWe ask thee, Lord, to share this house of ours,Sit at our hearth, break with us daily bread,Make warm with confidence the passing hoursAnd in this house become the heart, the Head.If Thou art with us here before the fire,How carefully watched will be each word and deed.The good and true will be our real desireFor we will follow where Thy footsteps lead.These rooms of ours are very new and yetWe ask thee as our guest to step inside.Share our small loaf and cup, the lamp we set,And through the years in this our house abide.16—The BannerCOOL, COLORFUL COLORADOINVITES YOU TO THE ROCKIES.'COVENANT HEIGHTS FAMILY CONFERENCEJuly 12-18, 1971Under the auspices of Midwest PresbyterySPEAKERSJim Pennington, Robert McFarlandJ. Paul McCracken and Mel VosCOVENANTER WITNESS

VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 18 MAY 5, 1971 STERLING KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WFF.K OF) MAY30, 1^71SO I' THFll I D. MICHIGA NREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHRev. J. O. Edgar. D.D.. PastorMISSIONARY NUMBER

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER » EVANGELICAL MESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. L. E. KilpatrickDepartment Editors:Rev. Kenneth McBurneyRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introducttoryoffer —$1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.QUOTE...Christianity rests on three great pillars: The Incarnation,the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection of theLord Jesus Christ. Incarnation alone could not redeemsinful men. But, apart from the Incarnation, there couldbe no propitiatory sacrifice that would avail to put awaysin. God became Man in order to die. We cannot,therefore, make too much of the mystery of the union ofthe human and the divine in Him who was both Son ofGod and Son of Mary. In Him we have the 'Daysman' forwhom the patriarch Job longed, the One who can lay Hishand upon both God and man (Job 9:33) because Hecombines the natures of both in one glorious Person.Bethlehem, Calvary, and the empty tomb, all alike shouldstir our souls and draw our hearts out to God in wonder,love, and praise.—C. H. SpurgeonThis Week's WitnessChristian Education for Christian Youth .3Glimpses of the Religious World.. 4News from Cyprus 5What s Going On in Japan. 6RES Conference on Race. 8The Pearl Divers 10Lesson HelpsHChurch News 14This and That in W.M.S. 16WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.preserve the purity of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andThe Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theFaith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Lord Jesus Christ.Salvation by Grace.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The Gospel Call and Election.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and thatit is notThe Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.to be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenThe duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asas the destiny of the saved.King of Kings and Lord of Lords.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believeThat Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.in Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allThe Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church. governmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That terms of membership or communion are essential to the That the Covenants of the past are still binding.2 welfare of the Church.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B. TweedCOVENANTER WITNESS

Christian Education For Christian YouthThere is a great emphasis on education today. Someof this is motivated merely by fear of Russia — we mustpush education,it is said, to get ahead of the Soviets indeveloping missiles and satellites. We might, conceivably,beat the Soviets in this race andstill not be really educatedas a people. It is questionable whether the Russianmathematicians, physicists and technologists, brilliant asthey may be in their own fields, are really educated. For,being atheists, they are blind to the real meaning of life;and their knowledge even of history, literature,philosophy and other fields is severely limited by thedistorted ideology of a dictatorial government.There are, surely, better reasons for promotingeducation. The word "educate" comes from the Latineduco. which means "to lead out." Education is intendedto lead a person out — to bring out his possibilities andenable him to become a better, more effective person —more helpful to society and more satisfying to himself. It ismeant to help a person fully to realize his potential as ahuman being. The educated person has a grasp of things, asense of values, an appreciation of life, an ability to judgeand appraise ideas and things, a competence to askrelevant questions and to penetrate popular prejudicesand fallacies — in other words, a balanced, all-aroundeffectiveness as a person — which the uneducated personsimply does not have. This is true of education as such,anditis much more true of Christian education, as will beshown presently.Many people today confuse training with education.Training enables one to perform a job and earn money;education makes one a more effective personality. Theareas may overlap, of course, but many people have noother idea of education than thatit is training to enableone to get a better job and earn more money. A trulyeducated person may also have the specialized trainingneeded to hold a particular job, and if so he will have a.richer, more rewarding and useful life than the one whohas only the technical training. On the other hand, in ourAmerican life it has often been possible to attain aposition involving specialized technical skills whilestillheing an uneducated person — actually an ignorantperson —in the whole field of human and cultural values,.ihe things that gi\e meaning to life.Why seek education? A successful Americanhusiness man is quoted as having said "History is bunk."After all, one can neither eat it, wear it nor putit in thefuel tank of his car. Yet the person who is unaware of.history looks at the modern world with eyes that are at'east half blind. Socrates said, "The unconsidered life is, n "t worth living." He was in favor of education. Forhuman beings are not mere machines; far less are theyJ. G. Vos. Th. M., D. D.Head of Bible Department,Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa.mere vegetables like cabbages or turnips. They haveminds and hearts and immortal souls — in short, they arepersons and will exist forever. Because we are persons, weneed education. The Communist world, especially RedChina and to a somewhat lesser extent Soviet Russia, isreducing people to the sub-personal, sub-human level, it isturning people into mere machines to grind out work forthe all-powerful State. No wonder this system denatureseducation. The free world has something better; with allits faults and all its idolatries,itstill respects humanpersonality and maintains conditions in which that personalitycan be developed, and also expressed.What is Christian education? Here again we oftenmeet distorted views. The ordinary idea among Christianpeople is that Christian education is simply seculareducation with some Christian features added. Thecommon idea of a Christian college, for example, is that itis just like any other college in most respects, but that inaddition to the ordinary courses and features, a Christiancollege will have courses in Bible study, chapel services,seasons of evangelism, a religious emphasis week, prayergroups, Christian service organizations, and the like.These religious features are certainly important, but theydo not make education Christian, any more than carryinga Bible in his pocket makes a man a Christian. RealChristian education is not secular education plus someChristian features; it is education that is Christian throughand through, in all its features, departments and aspects.Its basic guiding principle is faith in God, especially thegreat basic truths of creation, providence and redemptioThe world, life, nature, history, society, — these do notexist of themselves. They were created by God and theyfunction by the providence of God. Therefore they canreally be grasped and appreciated only when viewed in thelight of God. In His light shall we see light (Ps. 36:9).Secular education is lacking in the things that mattermost; a true standpoint from which to approachknowledge, and a realization of man's deep need ofredemption if he is to be an effective personality.Something is terribly wrong when a volume on worldhistorv will devote pages to Julius Caesar and Napoleonand the French Revolution, and not even mention lorperhaps barely mention) Jesus Christ.Real Christian education, in other words, will have aChristian philosophy of education. It will, necessarily,define the need for education and the goals to be soughtbv education differently from the way secular societydefines these. For Christianity has a deeper view of whathuman personality is. and a more realistic \iev> oi what itneeds, as well as a much truer appreciation of the meaningof the world and of life.seepage"'MAYWI

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014DEPORTING MISSIONARIESCyprus! Taiwan! South Africa! Rhodesia! Whathave they in common? We have just heard Thomas Edgartelling of new laws in Cyprus that make the future of ourmission work there very uncertain. The permit of at leastone of our missionaries, Dick Ayres, to remain in theisland has been denied. Other permits are uncertain.The Rev. Milo Thornberry, with his wife, was takeninto custody, and,it is alleged, given 48 hours to leave theisland of Taiwan. Mr. Thornberry was teaching in aseminary operated by the Presbyterian Church of Formosa.Christianity Today reports: "A series of governmentraids on the homes and offices of church officials, anddeportations of clergymen have shaken up church leadersin southern Africa and in the United States." Three youngAmerican church workers were ordered to leave SouthAfrica by March 14, "No official reason being given." ACongregational Church "lay worker" with his family offive, was giventill March 28, the "tenth (expulsion order)for a church worker during one week." Two Americanborn Roman Catholic missionary priests, both outspokencritics of "apartheid," were also expelled, one from SouthAfrica, one from Rhodesia.In the Cyprus situation, it seems that the government'sreasons are religious — or social, in the othersituations, political — or social as some might interpret.In connection with the deportation of Mr. Thornberryfrom Taiwan, the charge was made that"Taiwan is a police state." I inquired of Mr.Chao, since he has been in Taiwan for several years,if he would comment on Thornberry's deportation.He says that the Rev. A. N. McLeod, missionaryof the Southern Presbyterian Church and a teacherin the Presbyterian seminary in Taiwan, also a goodfriend of the Reformation Translation Fellowship,knows Mr. Thornberry well, and says that he hadsuggested five years ago that he be dropped from thefaculty. (This, I would guess, was for doctrinal reasons.L.K.) Mr. Chao says that it was reported that Thornberry"had disobeyed regulations of the government." He saysfurther that he was no doubt too friendly with critics of thegovernment. As for the charge that Taiwan is a policestate, he says that this is untrue. There are hundreds ofmissionaries in Taiwan, and it is "untrue that there isincreasing pressure on the churches, visits and questionsby the police. . . ." He says further, "We really enjoyreligious freedom here. No matter wherever you want toopen a chapel, you can. There is no need to register at thegovernment."Actually, the idea of civil governments beingcompletely neutral toward religion is impossible. Manyeducators (but note the Glimpses item regarding the NewYork State Commissioner of Education, November 11,1970) and political leaders are trying to maintain theneutrality idea, but it is a farce. There is an official religionin the United States and it is the false religion ofhumanism, and in principle the opposite of the gospel ofJesus Christ. Other countries along with the U.S.A. aretrying to unravel and keep separate, affairs of religion andgovernment.When the Church is faithful in bearing witness to thetotal claims of the living and true God, it will find itself,sooner or later, in conflict with any government thatrefuses to acknowledge Him and His claims. I'm sure thatI have no more than a glimpse of what is involved, but wedo know that "the kings of the earth do bring their gloryand honor into (Christ's kingdom). . . . And they shallbring the glory and honor of the nations into it" (Rev.21:24,26).THE TOTALLY SCIENTIFIC MINDI trust it was a slip of Billy Graham, in a recentReader's Digest article, when he said, "The evidence ofthe Resurrection of Jesus Christ is overwhelming; yet it isnot conclusive enough to satisfy a totally scientific mind.That is where a step of faith is needed." This certainlysuggests that faith is inconsistent with consistent science.While there is still "science falsely so called," truescience is merely an orderly arrangement of theknowledge we gain. A believer and an unbeliever can lookat the same store of data, and come to opposite conclusionsas to the interpretation of those data, and thebeliever be just as scientific as the unbeliever. It is quitelikely that he is more scientific, for he has taken intoaccount a significant factor in the meaning of those data,namely, God, the Creator and Sustainer.One does not need to modify and qualify hisscientific stance in order to see God's hand, not only in theresurrection of Jesus Christ, but in all his understanding ofScripture and life.RELAXING OF "LAWS ON SEX"It is reported that Hawaii is considering a change inits criminal code which will legalize all forms of sex actsperformed privately between consenting adults, exceptprostitution. Illinois and Connecticut already have suchlaws in force. The reason given for making an exception ofprostitution is that this would not match current attitudesas to acceptable human behavior.Common arguments given by those who question ordeny moral absolutes include the idea that times havechanged so much that it is impossible to say in a givensee page 7COVENANTER WITNESS

News From Our Mission FieldsLarnaca, CyprusApril 2, 1971Dear Friends,In these busy days we may all sympathize with the8th grade student who submitted this very original versionof Psalm 103 on a recent test: "Who redeems all thydistractions." Yes, in these days of so many distractionswe are thankful our God is over all and can and does setright our forgetfulness and many mistakes.Frequently when it comes time to go to bed wewonder where the day has gone, as one necessary jobcomes riding in on the back of another and yet thereseems so little tangible to show in the way of souls broughtinto His kingdom.One of the things I have found very helpful andprofitable for my own spiritual life is the adult SabbathSchool in Larnaca. The average attendance is about eightrepresenting four different nationalities, but thankfully allone in Christ. Until Mr. Thomas Edgar left he taught theclass. Since then different ones of us have led in turn. It isrefreshing to sit and be taught since as a rule we, as Bibleteachers, are continually giving out.One of those who takes his turn teaching is Mr.Savva. Another joy we have had this winter is getting toknow Mr. and Mrs. Nick Savva well. They began comingto church last year when Mr. Savva was asked to translateRev. Paul Wilson's sermons into Greek. Now they arestudying for church membership. Mr. Savva has a goodjob in the English base of Dekalia, about twelve milesaway. He is a Greek Cypriot but has studied in England.Mrs. Savva is from England but has lived in Cyprus mostof the time since they were married about nineteen yearsago. They have three daughters; the younger two attendour Academy. The family attend church, and SabbathSchool faithfully and the parents never miss a Thursdaynight prayer meeting. All of us especially appreciate his bilingualability and often ask his opinion on a certain verseor word in Sabbath School. He translates the Sabbathmorning sermon each week which I should think entailsseveral hours of preparation each week, as he writes it allout.Rev. T. M. Hutcheson fills quite a few of his hourseach week training different ones, including Mr. and Mrs.Savva for church membership. I do not know just howmany expect to join our church when communion is held•nearly May but I think five will be prepared from Nicosiaa "d Larnaca. How thankful we are to God that at last asmall crack is appearing in the adamant that hasPrevented Greek people from desiring to join our church.MAY \ 1971As you know we are living in Larnaca this year andKen is filling in for Mr. Thomas Edgar as principal of theAcademy here. We were sorry to leave the apartment thathad been our home for ten years in Nicosia (Wilsons arenow living in it) but are coming to like living in a housemore and more. I'm especially enjoying having a plot ofground large enough to raise flowers, which grow all yeararound here. I find it good relaxation too.I haven't found the stores in Larnaca as good asthose in Nicosia and we still do quite a little of our groceryshopping there when called there on business. That isnatural, however, for Nicosia is four or five times as largeas Larnaca and is the capital. Also, I'm sure if I'd live herelonger I'd find where to buy more of the things I need.This winter one of the freshmen came to me andasked to meet to discuss problems. She brought anothergirl and we began discussing the plan of salvation, etc., butafter she had overcome her shyness she said she hadaccepted Christ and then still later, since Christmas, shesaid, "Do you know why I'm not a Christian?" I tried tokeep my mouth from dropping open for I'd been praisingGod that she now was. She went on, "Because I'm from acommunist family." As you have doubtless heard there is agreat deal of communism in Cyprus and Theckla's familyseems to be one of that persuasion. So lately in our weeklymeeting we've been trying to point out how communismdenies Christ and what the result is for believers in Russia,etc. It has been very revealing to me to hear herarguments (no doubt supplemented by her family betweenmeetings) to the tracts, etc. I've given her to read. Lastweek she had been reading excerpts I'd copied from thebook, "Tortured for Christ" by Wurmbrand. I felt it reallyspoke to her heart. I hope you have read it, too. So far shestill doesn't admit that she is a Christian (although she is anominal Greek Orthodox) and she needs your prayers.Since this is a boys' school, in the main, we findmuch greater emphasis on sports than in Nicosia. Severalof the boys I teach in the 8th and 9th grades have admittedto me that they got better grades before they got so interestedin football (soccer.) In December our school hada day of sports with the English school and we won themost points for the different games. In March we had asecond day and were beaten, but not too badly. Then lastSaturday we had what they call the Shield Sports. Thiscompetition was started in 1914 and has continued eachyear ever since. We lost by a score of b4-5>2. The shieldsports includes running, jumping, relays, discus throwingand the shot put. Tomorrow our school goes to Nicosia fora similar day of sports but this time Melkonian Institute,an Armenian school, will join in the competition. Nicosia

students are busv preparing for their May Day programwhich is open house with a program afterward ofcalisthenics and folk dances. Usually between 400-500attend the program.One of the innovations here this year has been toinvite the parents of different classes in (one class perafternoon) to meet the teachers of that class. I guess theparents have enjoyed it, for several parents showed up twoor three different Wednesday afternoons, when they hadchildren in more than one class. I think we averaged aboutfifty parents each afternoon and they all seemed gratefulfor the opportunity. Parents are almost always thankful toknow what their daughter or son is doing in school even ifthey find she or he isn't doing so well. The consequencehas been that some who were failing are improving as theparents become more concerned about their grades andconduct. One father, upon being informed by Kenneththat his son was failing plus having a lot of disciplineproblems, sighed and said, "I guessI'll have to stop being afriend to my son and act like his father." Probably it isn'tas drastic as it sounds, but whatever happened the boy hasimproved a* least 75 per cent in conduct and his grades arebetter too.The first Friday in March we observed the World'sDay of Prayer in our Academy at 3:30 p.m. Thirty-twowomen and girls attended including Greeks, English,Armenians, Americans, and one Italian lady (incidentallya Catholic school teacher brought by Mrs. Savva.) Wewere glad the subject this year so aptly fitted the emphasisof our church on Christ as King.Ron Stegall has been having quite a bit of troublewith a sore throat and difficulty in talking, so he decidedto have his tonsils out last Wednesday. He seems to begetting along fine and will go home tomorrow from thehospital. Don and Boni Piper will be among the sponsorsof the junior class from Nicosia when they go to Beirutand Damascus at Easter. Rev. T. M. Hutcheson is one ofthose to accompanv the senior class from here on theirtwo-week trip to Greece. This job is truly no holiday forthe teachers, but quite educational for the students. Theyhelp to finance their travel from the school canteen whichis operated by the class which goes.With some hesitation I decided to try using theflannel-graph in the 8th grade Bible class I teach this year.I have never taught such young students before, in Cyprus,but thought they weren't too sophisticated to enjoy it, andto my surprise it was the first time many of them had everseen one used. They had the usual question: "What makesthem stick?" and one boy wanted to know if he could havethe backgrounds to take home afterward. (He assumedthey were used once only.) I guess it is helping to "getthrough," for Wednesday one of the boys remarked aboutthe story of Gideon, "That's really fantastic!" Yes,Americans have no monopoly on the word fantastic. Thisboy has lived abroad and so has a wider vocabulary thansome others. Today he said, "Didn't the woman ofTimnath blackmail Samson into telling her his secret?"Thanks again to different missionary societies who havesent us flannel-graph stories and backgrounds in the past.The spring Youth Conference will be held in Larnaca,perhaps the second week-end in May. Pleaseremember this in your prayers. Former conferencescontinue to bear fruit in the lives of students. I think mostof those who are planning to join the church in May feelthat conferences have been one of the most influentialthings in their decision to become Covenanters.One more tidbit from a 9th grade test as I close thisletter. Question: Why did Paul say they shouldn't let thesailors escape in the boat?Answer: Because women and children were to be savedfirst.Your sincere friend,Marjorie A. SandersonWhat's Going On In JapanRev. GeneMiss Faris is back on the job in Kasumigaoka,Tarumi. We are thankful for the restoration of health thatthe Lord has given her. She is taking up work a little at atime as she can handle it so that she will not soon getoverloaded again. A little language study to polish off therust, some teaching, calling in homes, and various activitiesfillher days. The church attendance has increasedsince her return as a result of her contacts.Election ResultsAt last the election is over! That is the wayeverybody feels because during the campaign period carswith mounted speakers blaring drive constantly throughthe residential areas from early morning to late at night.Billboards and posters clutter every corner and there are aSpeargreat number of speeches as well as a lot of propagandadumped into the mailboxes. The result was one of thehighest voting turnouts so far.The results of the elections were rather shocking, asyou have probably heard. The communists and socialistscarried on a united campaign, and as a result they madesignificant gains. They use attractive slogans and try tooutdo all other campaigners. As a result Osaka and Tokyoboth elected communist governors. In Japan now thecommunist candidates are calling themselves"progressives," and the newspaper tells us that Tokyo,Osaka, Kyoto, and Yokohama all have "progressive"governors. Some are interpreting this as a "political crisisfor the conservative forces in Japan. Infiltration of6 COVENANTER WITNESS

communists into the prefectural assemblies also causesconcern.We should not, I think, interpret this to mean thatthe communists are about to take over Japan. If that evercomes it will not come soon. It does mean that thesocialists have come out and shown their real color. It maymean that there will be stiffer opposition to the government'splan to nationalize Shinto shrines. I am afraid itmeans that communists have become respectable inJapan, but it doesn't mean that a great many people don'tstill fear and oppose communism. However, many who dooppose communism in their hearts do not express thatopposition openly.Evangelistic EffortsThe room was full and all sat with eyes glued onYoshioka Sensei, president of the Reformed Seminary, ashe preached about the marvelous power of Christ to castout demons. It was an unusual subject for Japanese anda very fine message. Considerable planning and work wentinto the preparation for this meeting. Church memberspassed out a thousand invitations and gospels of Mark toeach home in the community. Letters were sent to morethan a hundred inquirers. Even the newspaper boys didchurch work, for they distributed five thousand inserts inthe newspapers of this area. After the meeting the youngpeople formed a fellowship circle and got acquaintedsinging and playing a few games. Some have continued tocome to meetings.There seems to be a steadily diminishing response topublic appeals in Japan. It appears that more and more wewill have to work person-to-person in order to reach theunsaved. We are very thankful that the Lord is buildingHis church, and in spite of our many weaknesses He isadding to the church. Higashisuma Church is continuingto have large prayer meetings and is much encouraged bythe answers to prayer. Three young people are studyingdoctrine and we hope that all of them will be baptized.The church in Japan continues to need our prayers andyours. Spring communion is set for May 16.The prayer calendar for May mentions the marriageproblem of our Christian young people. There are so fewChristians thatit is a real problem, and we have it often onour minds. One young lady is bringing a young man tochurch and encouraging him to study the Bible. Onevoung man would like to marry. Several are thinking andpraying about the problem. If good Christian homes canhe established it will be a great blessing to these peopleand to the church. However, it often seems to be verydifficult to get our own young people together. Americanswould say to leave them alone, but Japanese say we don'tdo enough to help them. You can help with your prayers.For anything worth having one must pay the price;; "Hl the price is always work, patience, love, selfsacrifice—nopaper currency, no promise to pay, but theU«lil of real service.—John BurroughsMAY S. m-iChristian Education from page 3Most American church-affiliated colleges are simplyordinary colleges with the added religious featuresmentioned above. A very few are consciously seeking toimplement a truly Christian philosophy of education allalong the line — and this means in science, history,sociology, psychology, literature, as well as in religion.Perhaps none would dare to claim that this lofty aim hasbeen truly achieved. These colleges that are seeking to betruly Christian in all parts of their inner life are facing adifficult task and cannot boast but only humbly claim tobe seriously pursuing their aim — to take the knowledgeof God seriously in every relationship of life andknowledge.Geneva, our Church college, is a very good collegeas colleges go. It is fully accredited and offers the Church'syouth a wide variety of educational opportunity. And thewriter humbly asserts that Geneva is trying to becomebetter as a truly Christian college, and that some realprogress is being made in this effort. What Geneva seeks isnot merely to become a better college plus Christianity,but to become a better, more radically, more consistentlyChristian college.Glimpses. from page 5case, "This is right; that is wrong." Actually, that is true ofeveryone of the ten commandments, even the one thatsays, "Thou shalt not kill." When the one charged withmurder is brought into court,it may be alleged that he wasacting in self defense. Was he? Did he strike first, thendefend himself? The jurors and judge may never be ableto determine questions such as these with absolute certainty,yet they must give their judgment.The absolutes of the ten commandments are there,and we're not going to relieve our difficulties with them bydenying them. We're merely going to compound thedifficulties.THE WAY TO HEAVENDr. Alexander Whyte, of Edinburgh, touching at afamily reading a portion about the Cross, stopped andwhispered to his four-year-old son: "Do you know what across is, my boy?""Oh, yes, father," was the reply; "it's just the thingwe climb on when we go to Heaven.""Ah, my little boy," he continued, "when you are asold a sinner as your father you'll know experimentally thetruth of vour words."God sends us many love-tokens, and amongst themare the great and the little annoyances and pains that besetour lives, and on each of them if we would look, we shouldsee written in His own hand, this inscription: "For yourgood." Do not let us have our eyes so full of tears that wecannot see, or our hearts so full of regrets that we cannotaccept, that sweet, strong message.—Alexander Maclaren

RES CONFERENCE ON RACESTRESSES UNITY OF FAITH ANDACTION(Grand Rapids, Michigan) One hundred fifty persons metfrom March 2-5 at the Chicago YMCA to "test conditionsin their countries and churches" concerning racial attitudes.The Conference was arranged by three NorthAmerica member churches of the Reformed EcumenicalSynod: The Christian Reformed Church, the OrthodoxPresbyterian Church and the Reformed PresbyterianChurch of North America.The Planning Committee had structured the conferenceso that the participants would come to grips withthe biblical norms for race relations and would all bedriven to action. Lest it be action without biblicaldirection however, the Committee prepared a collectionof fourteen position papers on the biblical basis for the1968 RES resolutions on Race. These were distributed tothe registrants before the conference opened. Theplanning committee also structured the sessions so thateach day would begin with a 'biblical theological' study ofa key part of the racial problem. Accordingly there wereaddresses on the need for societal reform, black identity,and the biblical idea of jubilee, the basis for social action.The conference was structured so that early in thesessions an honest analysis would be made of the racialsituation in the churches. Accordingly representatives ofeach church presented analyses of their owndenomination. This was followed by the showing of thefilm Revolution II which jarringly depicted the social andracial clash of the street and the inner city.The Rev. C. Herbert Oliver presented a penetratingaddress on Black Identity. He asked that all black andwhites seek their identity, not in their blackness or in theirwhiteness, but in their bearing the image of God, whetherthey be black or white. Both blackness and whiteness, hesaid, are frames of mind from which man must beliberated. A response to the presentation stressed theneed for man to seek this mind-liberation alone throughJesus Christ.On the second day several 'models of ministry' werepresented so that the conferees could learn first-hand howin some instances projects which could claim a measure ofsuccess were coping with the racial challenge. Thesemodels included a cooperative venture in Christianeducation in Philadelphia, the Addicts RehabilitationCenter in Manhattan, the Evangelical Committee forUrban Ministry in Boston, the Baxter Community Centerin Grand Rapids and "the Other Side" a publicationventure in racial understanding. The story of an integratedchurch in Selma, Alabama was not told becausethe black pastor was prevented from coming by illnessThe committee was not able to find a model among theparticipating denominations of a 'church that stayed' in8the inner city.Lest any conferee leave with a picture of success andthe idea that all that was needed further was to tidy up theedges, a "Yes—But" panel followed the presentations ofthe models of ministry. One panelist feared that theconference had not adequately come to grips with institutionalizedforms of racism. Another said that toomany of the projects treated only the symptoms, not thedisease. He said that people were generally more ready tosend out an ambulance to pick up victims than to correctthe 'structures' that caused the mishaps. Another thoughthe detected a trace of racism in the pre-conferencepapers.Meeting in the YMCA itself added to the tensenessand the 'authenticity' of the conference on Race. Eachday residents of the hotel listened in at the proceedings.Some of them also participated in the discussion. An offeringwas taken for a project of needy Chicanos. Whilethe conference was held an indigent elderly womanrooming on the 14th floor was either killed or took herlife.At the public rally of the Conference in the FourthPresbyterian Church, the Rev. William Pannell, a TomSkinner associate, challenged the conference, plus a fewhundred people from the community, to meet the issues ofracism head on in the name of Christ. In a special litany,the gathering pledged themselves to the task.During the last days of the conference the atmospherewas charged even more than at the first throughthe injection of the troubles in two mostly black Chicagocongregations in Lawndale and Garfield Park. The peopleof Lawndale church were much distressed because theirchildren might not attend the all-white Timothy ChristianSchool in Cicero. The Garfield Park people were'frustrated and disillusioned' because their white pastorhad been suspended from the ministry.All this and more comprised the 'input' of theconference. In order to enable the participants to formulate'concrete action proposals' eleven Strategy ActionGroups (SAG) were formed in which proposals for actions,to be referred to the churches and to relatedagencies, were formulated. In addition, the PlanningCommittee appointed a 'pulse' committee which helpedsteer the conference and a 'findings' committee whichmade observations and formulated into a single report theproposals from the Strategy Action Groups. This committeepresented a 9-page report on the final day of theconference.The best way to describe the conference in a singlesentence would be to say that it sought to unite faith andaction. Although there was a degree of tensionCOVENANTER WITNESS

throughout whether more stress should be put on the onethan the other, and there was some impatience with anyreferences to theology and biblical principles, this emphasisdid not win the day.There were also those who called for a morethorough analysis in the light of biblical norms of thedeformation of the social structures that oppress the racialminorities but this emphasis did not win the day either.The unity of faith and action was caught by the Rev.James B. White who found in the Scriptural teaching onthe year of Jubilee a basis for social action. This note waspicked up in the Findings Committee which presented aresolution that was later adopted without dissent: "faithand action must be more firmly joined in our relationshipsbetween the races in our churches and countries; whiletheologizing apart from deeds of obedience is dead, actionwithout a living faith in Christ and the power of the HolySpirit is vanity."Among the many suggestions for ways to combatracism, most of which called for a specific kind of 'action',there were also those that asked ministers to preach thewhole counsel of God regarding the rights, privileges andduties of all Christians, to the end that believers will knowtheir responsibilities toward their fellow men and will beimpelled to practice true Christian love and justice towardthem.The specific action proposals that received the mostattention were those that (1) called for a commitment onthe part of each conferee to work for racial understandingin the area of his responsibility; (2) called for the all-whiteTimothy Christian school to admit black children; (3)urged all involved churches, institutions, and persons,Classis Chicago North and the Synod of the ChristianReformed Church to take immediate action toward thehealing of the body of Christ caused by the unrest inChicago; (4) asked the sponsoring churches to correspondwith the RES Afrikaner churches in South Africa con-Beaver Falls, Pa. 15010Ph.412-846-5100Room and Board InformationSaturday evening supper through Friday eveningsupperRoom and Board 28.00Board Only 17.25Room Only 11.00Charge for single room request 1 00Room includes one set of bed linen, blanket, towels,a nd soap.Part-Time Charges:Room 1st night 2.75Room each additional night 1-60Meals Breakfast RegularLunchCafeteriaDinnerPricesMAY S, 1971Synod InformationA T GENE VA COLLEGEJune 12-18, 1971cerning their support of the racial policies of theirgovernment.The unity of faith and action was given its mostforceful emphasis by Dr. Harry R. Boer in the 'Commissioningservice'. Dr. Boer obviously expressed theview of everyone present when he scored the in-builtinjustice in American society. With a gripping force hesent the conference participants homeward with their'homework'. He asked each one to study for himself themeaning of the word of Jesus, EVEN AS THE FATHERHAS SENT ME, SO SEND I YOU.RES NewsletterDR. HAROLD LINDSELLADDRESSES N.A.E. CONVENTIONThe editor of Christianity Today told more than 900evangelical leaders in the recent N.A.E. Convention in LosAngeles that a reorientation to the Christian faith and aclear understanding of the Christian life are absolutelynecessary to a meaningful thrust into the Seventies.Dr. Harold Lindsell, speaking before the secondmajor assembly of delegates and visitors to the 29th annualconvention of the National Association ofEvangelicals, said that of all the sins a believer cancommit, none is greater than that of the refusal to let JesusChrist be the Lord of life."This means a fundamental reorientation in perspective,"Lindsell explained, "in the priorities andpurposes for which I use my life."Lindsell reminded the group that an evangelicalthrust into the Seventies should be with the Christ of theScriptures, with full assurance that Jesus Christ is Lord ofall, that He is the Lord of the cosmos, the Christ ofredemption and consummation, and the Christ of hopeand faith. The point of all this, Lindsell said, is a challengefrom the "Man for all seasons" to follow Him withcomplete commitment of life.No extra charge for room Friday night, June 18, ifneeded.If any committee is planning to meet prior to Synodand needs sleeping rooms and or meeting rooms, pleaselet us know as far in advance as possible.Delegates will be met at Greater Pittsburgh Airporton Saturday, providing you notify us ahead of time. Youwill be met in the lounge near the T.W.A. desk by driverswearing a badge. If we cannot meet you at the exact timewe will inform you of the time that you will be met.Synod meetings will be in air-conditioned groundfloor lecture room of Science and Engineering Building.Open meetings will be in Old Main Chapel.Please send your requests for room and board to Mr.McConaughy immediately and include your arrival time ifyou plan to fly.o

The Children's CornerThePearlBy Bessie M. MartinCobourg, OntarioDiversSusan and Dianne were sisters. They each hadsomething in a shell which they valued very much. Everymorning, before going to school, they would peep into theshell and admire the precious pearl that was gleaminginside. It was only last week that they were at theExhibition in Toronto where they had fished out theoyster in the pond where the Japanese diving girls were.They found a lovely pearl inside. On the way home fromthe Ex, Dianne had said: "Let's go back to the Ex everyvear until we have a whole string of them.""A whole string of them! That would take years andyears" Susan had exclaimed."Well, may be" biting her finger nails and lookingslightly glum, "but perhaps if we save up our allownace fora while, we could get two or three at a time" was Dianne'sreply."It's worth a try," Susan had agreed.Their brother, Gary, wasn't much interested in whatthe girls were doing most of the time. He had been aroundlooking at electronics and realmen's stuff at the Exhibition while they were at the divingpool. But one day he became curious as to how the pearlwas set inside the oyster, and he slipped unnoticed into thegirl's room. Carefully, he opened the shells and had justset them side by side on the bureau for a close look, whenDianne came strolling in. She was the quick tempered oneof the family. In no time at all, she had made a pass atGary and grabbed for the pearls. In the skirmish, thepearls fell to the floor and rolled away, while Dianne gavea deafening shriek, bringing Mother and Dad, with Susanand toddler, Teddy, on the scene.10"What's going on?" cried Mother, looking down atboth Gary and Dianne crawling around the floor lookingfor pearls. Meanwhile, Dad had run towards Baby Ted tosee what he had picked up and rescued the two pearlsfrom going into his mouth."It was Gary's fault ... he was snooping at ourpearls," cried Dianne, in tears."Now we don't know which is mine and which isDianne's," wailed Susan."Does it matter that much? Are the pearls of somuch value that you must fight over them?" Motherasked, quietly annoyed. "There are many more pearls inthe ocean as good as those two," she added."But there was one very precious pearl which a mansold everything he had to buy — his house, his car,everything that he had," said Dad."What pearl was that, Dad?" asked Gary."I thought you might have guessed," replied Dad,smiling.Mother nodded, knowingly. "You mean the manwho sold all that he had to buy the Pearl of Great Price . ..the one Jesus told His disciples about?""Right," said Dad."But what was so special about the pearl . . . whatdid He mean?" asked Susan, much impressed."I believe," said Dad, cupping his chin in his handthoughtfully, "in fact, I am quite sure the Lord Jesusmeant that the precious Pearl of Great Price was theforgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life for allHis followers. Not long after He told this parable, He paidthe great price' by dying on the cross for us."The ShantymanMartha Ellen SearleBITTERBILLIEBitter Billie bought a barrel of bitter boozeA barrel of bitter booze bitter Billie bought.If bitter Billie bought a barrel of bitter boozeWhere is the barrel of bitter booze bitter Billie bought?Bitter Billie's bitter barrel of bitter boozeBit bitter Billie's boozin' 'bibin' buddiesAs well as bitter Billie bit by bit.Now Billie's bound to buy another barrel of bitterboozeAnd bit by bit, best bet is, Bill will lose.COVENANTERWITNESS

Sabbath SchoolLessonLesson Helps for the Week of May 30iFor May 30,1971GOD, THE LORD OF HISTORYIsaiah 10:1-34; 14:24-27Comments by John K. GaultHistory began with creation; consequently,in the consideration of God'splace in history it is natural and logical tothink of His place in creation. In Genesis1:1it is said, "In the beginning God createdthe heavens and the earth," and in John 1:3is the statement concerning Christ, theWord, "All things were made by Him;and without Him was not any thing madethat was made." The Bible is very largely abook of history. In the Old Testamentthere are 17 historical books whichdescribe the rise, the progress and the fallof the Hebrew nation. In the NewTestament the four gospels present ahistory of the earthly life of Christ and thebook of Acts is a history of the origin of theapostolic church. God's place in history isdescribed in Isaiah 40:12,15 in the words,"Who hath measured the waters in thehollow of His hand, and meted out heavenwith the span, and comprehended the dustof the earth in a measure, and weighed themountains in scales, and the hills in abalance? . Behold, the nations are as adrop of a bucket, and are counted as thesmall dust of the balance; behold Hetaketh up the isles as a very little thing."M\V 5, |o/7i1: The Circumstances Which CauseGod to Punish a Nation.Isaiah said in 10:1,2, "Woe unto themthat decree unrighteous decrees, and thatwrite grievousness which they haveprescribed; to turn aside the needy fromjudgment, and to take away the right fromthe poor of my people, that widows may be'heir prey, and that they may rob thefatherless!" The judges of the nation ofJudah were guilty of committing the sinsmentioned. They issued "unrighteousdecrees" to prevent the poor people fromreceiving justice. They preyed upon thewidows and the fatherless who did not have'he financial ability to defend themselves»i court. There was corruption in the highlevels of government. The judges of theland were guilty of violating the eighth andninth commandments especially, whichs,ns probably resulted in the violation of•he sixth commandment also. Retribution*as sure to fall upon the heads of the evildoersof Israel and the wicked would notgo unpunished. The society of the landneeded to be cleaned up and the societyof America needs to be cleaned up for onevery hand the people are worshipingbefore the god of money. There is Sabbathdesecration and alcoholism, just to name afew of the offenses of which "we thepeople" are guilty.2: There Can Be No Escape from theAvenging Hand of God.Isaiah said in verses 3 and 4, "Andwhat will ye do in the day of visitation, andin the desolation which shall come fromfar? To whom will ye flee for help; andwhere will ye leave your glory? Without methey shall bow down under the prisoners,and they shall fall under the slain. For allthis His anger is not turned away, but Hishand is stretched out still." Thedesolation from far refers to the incursionof the army of Assyria which would lay theland waste. It would be useless to seek helpfrom Egypt as some counseled. The gloryof the land could not repose in anysituation where it would be free fromdepredation. The government of the landhad been without God for many years, andconsequently "in the day of visitation,"they would still be without God and "theyshall bow down under the prisoners, andthey shall fall under the slain." People,today, should repent and do the will ofGod for "in the day of visitation" there canbe no escape.3: God Used Assyria as a Weapon toPunish Israel and ludah.The prophet said in verses 5 and 6,"O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, andthe staff in their hand is my indignation. Iwill send him against an hypocriticalnation, and against the people of my wrathwill I give him a charge, to take the spoiland to take the prey, and to tread themdown like the mire of the streets." Assyria,therefore, became a tool in the hand of theAlmighty, with which He punished guiltyIsrael. This does not mean that Assyria wasmore righteous than Israel. It probably wasless righteous, but this shows that God usesone nation to punish another nation. Israelwas more blameworthy than Assyria forshe had been highly favored of God andhad received enlightenment from Godthrough the prophets as no other nationhad. So. as one would take a rod to destroya venomous serpent. God took up Assyria,as a rod, to destroy the evil-doers of Israel.4: No Nation Has the Right to Exultover her Accomplishments without God.Even though Assyria was a rod in thehand of the Almighty, that nation had norealization of that fact. In verse 7 it is saidof Assyria, "Howbeit he meaneth not so,neither doth his heart think so; but it is inhis heart to destroy and cut off nations nota few....For he saith, By the strength of myhand have 1 done it, and by my wisdom; forI am prudent: and I have removed thebounds of the people, and have robbedtheir treasures, and I have put down theinhabitants like a valiant man;...Shall theaxe boast itself against him that heweththerewith? or shall the saw magnify itselfagainst him that shaketh it'.' as if the rodshould shake itself against them that lift itup, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as ifit were no wood. Therefore shall the Lord,the Lord of hosts, send among his fat onesleanness; and under his glory he shall kindlea burning like the burning of a fire.And the light of Israel shall be for a fire,and his Holy One for a flame: andit shallburn and devour his thorns and his briers inone day." Assyria boasted that she haddone such mighty deeds, but in one daythe Light of Israel destroyed 185,000 of theAssyrians under Sennacherib. Assyria waslater conquered by the Babylonians, whoin turn were conquered by the Medes andPersians.5: God Decreed that a Remnant ofIsrael Would Return.This is stated in verses 20-23 whereGod said through Isaiah, "And it shallcome to pass in that day, that the remnantof Israel and such as are escaped of thehouse of Jacob, shall no more again stayupon him that smote them; but shall stayupon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, intruth. The remnant shall return, even theremnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God."This return was accomplished when Cyrusthe Great became king of Persia, and hemade a proclamation that all Jews whodesired to return to their native land mightdo so. It is probable that the great Cyruswho gave permission for the return, wasnot a believer in the true God but it is saidof him in Isaiah 44:28, "That saith to Cyrus,he is my shepherd, and shall perform all mypleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, thoushalt be built; and to the temple, thyfoundation shall be laid....Thus saith theLord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose righthand I have holden, to subdue nationsbefore him; and I will loose the loins ofkings, to open before him the two leavedgates; and the gates shall not be shut;...And 1 will uive thee the treasures ofII

darkness, and hidden riches of secretplaces, that thou mayest know that I, theLord, which call thee by thy name, am theGod of Israel. For Jacob my servant's sake,and Israel mine elect, I have even calledthee by thy name: I have surnamed thee,thou hast not known me" (Is. 45:1-5).6: God Has a Purpose For All theNations of the Earth.For this reason all nations shouldacknowledge Christ the king, to whomGod has given all the nations of the earth.In Isaiah 14:24 the prophet said, "The Lordof hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as Ihave thought, so shall it come to pass; andas I have purposed, so shall it stand....Thisis the purpose that is purposed upon thewhole earth; and this is the hand that isstretched out upon all the nations.""Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior TopicFor May 30,1971Unit: Our PublicWorship and SacramentsTHE LORD'S SUPPER,A SACRAMENTMrs. lohn RussellIn our study of baptism, we saw itwas a "picture" of our union with Christ.The Lord's Supper is also "a bond andpledge" of the union and communionshared by true believers with Christ (thehead) and with each other (members of Hisbody). Through this sacrament, believerscan receive assurance of the fact they havebecome members of a new race in Christ.This is a blessed fellowship because of ourunion with Christ.The Lord's Supper is a sacramentinstituted by Christ on the night He wasbetrayed. It is to be observed in His Churchuntil the end of the world. It is given for aremembrance of His sacrifice, it bringsbenefits to believers for their spiritualgrowth, it is a pledge in all they owe Christand a sign of communion with Him andeach other as members.At the communion season most ofyou juniors cannot take an actual part yet,but you can watch with reverence and lovefor Christ and gain a great blessing if youlearn more about it.As baptism was to replace circumcisionin the Old Testament, so theLord's Supper was to replace the feast ofthe Passover. Christ was to be the PassoverLamb to take away our sins and to keepaway the angel of death. Here is the storyof the Passover. (Part of story quoted from"Taught of the Lord" by Mrs. AnnaMcKelvy) The night before God brought12the Israelites out of Egypt, He asked themto place the blood of a slain lamb upon thetwo side posts and upper door post of thehouse They were to eat the roasted lamband bread in haste, ready to flee that landof sin At midnight the Lord passedthrough the land of Egypt and smote allfirstborn, man and beast, all except thosewho were in the houses where the bloodwas. He passed over them and they hadlife God commanded the Jews to observethis feast yearly and to tell their childrenhow His people were saved, because of theblood of the lamb. Years later, the boyJesus was told this story, and when He was12 He, too, took part in the feast atJerusalem. But the night before He wasbetrayed, He gathered His twelve disciplesfor this feast in the upper room for the lasttime. The old Passover would be doneaway, for the next day Jesus, Himself, theLamb of God, would be slain on the crossand His precious blood would cleanse thehearts of His children so that they wouldhave everlasting life. This new feast was tobe called the Lord's Supper.What is the real meaning of theLord's Supper? The death of Jesus Christ isshowed forth where He died for the sins ofHis people. He was our "substitute," payingthe price for sin and bringing us back toGod. The purpose of the Lord's Supper, forthose who rightly partake of it, is tostrengthen, to encourage, and spirituallyto build up Christians along the whole lineof their faith, life, and work. The right useof the Lord's Supper encourages and buildsup the Christian in relation to his Savior, tohis God, and in relation and love of fellowbelievers. The Lord's Supper points forwardto the second coming of Christ. "Foras oft as ye eat this bread, and drink thiscup, ye do show the Lord's death till Hecome" (I Cor. 11:26). We look both backwardto Calvary's cross and forward to theLast Day.The record of the institution of theLord's Supper is found in the NewTestament in three gospels and one epistleof Paul. (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25;Luke 22:17-20; I Cor. 11:23-26) Christappointed the ministers of His Word toadminister the Lord's Supper and it isimportant that it be done as Christ did it.There are two elements used in theLord's Supper: the bread and the fruit ofthe vine. The bread is a symbol torepresent Christ's body; the fruit of thevine, His blood. Together, they representHis human nature which He took when He"was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (Jn.1:14) by being born as a child inBethlehem.The sacramental actions involved inthe Lord's Supper are important. There aresix actions,fourof them performed by Jesusand two by the disciples or believers today.These six actions, taken in their truemeaning, act out what Christ has done (Hisatonement) and a sinner's receiving Him byfaith.Meaning of sacramental actions:A. Performed by Jesus and ministers in Hisname today:1. Took bread and cup — He took ahuman nature when born into world.2. Blessed, or gave thanks, for breadand fruit of the vine, setting them apart fora special purpose. Christ was set apart as aRedeemer.3. Broke bread — His broken bodyon the cross.4. Gave bread and fruit of the vine todisciples. The gift of Christ to sinful men.John 3:16.B. Performed by disciples and communicantstoday:1. Took bread and the cup — TakingJesus as Savior by believing.2. Ate bread and drank the fruit ofthe vine — Our dependence on Christ forspiritual life and growth.Our churches have special communionseasons with services before theLord's Supper in preparation. "Itisrequired of them that would worthilypartake of the Lord's Supper, that theyexamine themselves, of their knowledge todiscern the Lord's body, of their faith tofeed upon Him, of their repentance, love,and new obedience; lest coming unworthily,they eat and drink judgment tothemselves." (Catechism) When webecome communicant members and havethe preparation of our hearts and fail totake part in the sacraments, we rob ourselvesof blessing and harm the body ofChrist.This closes the unit on worship, butas we all worship regularly in God's house,may we have a deeper reverence and lovefor God than before.To the Leader:1. Catechism questions — 21,96.2. Sing Psalms 118:14-18, p. 285; 19:5,6,9,p. 42; 24:2,35, p. 54; 72:10-12, p. 175.3. Worship Verse — I Cor. 11:26 (Put innotebook)4. Worship notebook — a) Label withpicture of long table or picture of "TheLast Supper." b) Copy in notebook"Meaning of sacramental actions" listedabove, c) Write down reference I Cor.11:23-29. Make a reminder to self to readthis and think about it before each communion.Read in meeting and talk aboutft.5. Handwork — Add Hardship to fleet ofships. All must journey in this one. II Tim.2:3; Matt. 24:13. Add Battleship, carryingsoldiers of cross. To Christian Soldier add— loin cloth—truth, shoes—gospel olpeace, and shield—faith.COVENANTERWITNESS

Prayer MeetingTopicfor June 2,1971Scripture Passage: Acts 7:59-60Rev. lames D. CarsonPastor of North Hills R. P. ChurchThe last words of Stephen werewords of prayer offered to God. Ourpurpose tonight is to discover how ourprayers may reflect the kinds of things Godwould have us pray for. We may not befacing our last breaths as we read thesewords tonight, and we may never face thehard stones of opposition and die amartyr's death, but we may be sure that weshall die and our task is to learn how topray in life so that we shall know how topray in death.John Calvin points out that thisprayer has two parts: the first part in whichStephen prayed that the Lord Jesus wouldreceive his spirit, indicates the firmness ofhis faith in God; and the second, in whichStephen prays for forgiveness of hisenemies, indicates his love for his brethren.Stephen had learned to love God with hiswhole heart and his neighbor as himself.We have every assurance that theprayers of Stephen were heard. There canbe no doubt but that Stephen's spirit wasreceived by the Lord Jesus. As to theforgiveness of those responsible for hisstoning, surely this was answered in theforgiveness granted to Saul, who perhapsin part through this experience wasconverted.Perhaps two further questions arisefrom the study. One is the question,"Why?" Why would God take this youngman, just at the beginning of what appearedto be a most effective ministry?And if he were to die, why would Godallow this kind of death to coine to him?Remembering that God is the giver of lifeand the taker of life, and that we belong toHim, we come to the inescapable conclusionthat God has His purpose. Can weseeit? Sometimes. We may get a clue herein the words of Acts 8:1 that Saul wasconsenting to his death. Later on, in Acts22:20, Paul confesses his part in thestoning. Blaiklock writes: "Seldom isitpossible to judge the true significance ofevents at the time of their occurrence."One other question comes to mind.h concerns ourselves. Do we have the faith'o be able to act as did Stephen underconditions of persecution? This is a veryreal question, and may become even morereal in the coming days. G. CampbellMorgan writes: "Have I the courage that*'ll make me true in the place of criticisma nd opposition, of supercilious disdain for•he name of Christ'.'" And he answers, "Theor| K courage that dares, is the courageMAV S. |i rjborn of the conviction of the supremacy ofthe spiritual. That was Stephen's dyingwitness."Stephen's life — and death —continue to be witnesses to us in our day.What kinds of things should we pray aboutin the light of these verses? Let me suggestsome and you can add to thelist in yourmeeting.1. That we might have the kind ofconfidence in God and love for men, evenour enemies, that Stephen had.2. For the faith that "all things worktogether for good to them that love God,"so that we shall not question the wisdom ofGod.3. For the right development of ourspiritual lives now that we shall be able inconfidence and victory to face death.Suggested Psalms: 16:7-10, p. 27; 73:9, p.179; 71:10-11 p.. 171.Questions for Discussion:1. What parallels can you findbetween Stephen and Jesus on the Cross?(See Luke 23)2. Why was Stephen able to pray theway he did? What kind of person wasStephen? (See Acts 6)3. In what ways did Stephen showlove for God and for man? What can welearn from this?W.M.S. TOPICFor June, 1971STUDIES IN THE SERMONON THE MOUNTBLESSED ARE THE MERCIFULBy Miss Anna BlairR.D. 6Newcastle, Pa. 16101Psalm 136; 107.Scripture: Luke 6:20-38."BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FORTHEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY."This statement is a test for each of usas to our profession of the Christian faith.If we pass the test, we are the happy peopleas Christ tells us. In passing the tests of thepoor in spirit, those that mourn, the meek,and those that hunger and thirst afterrighteousness, we come to the question ofwhether or not we are merciful."Blessed are the merciful." Inthinking of a definition for merciful, wethink at once of the sacrifice of JesusChrist. In his sinful, fallen state man couldand can do nothing to save himself from hismiseries in this world and his utterdestruction in the world to come. God inHis mercy gave His Son that we might havelife everlasting. When we accept God'smercv and grow as Christians, we show byour actions. Without God's mercy wecannot show mercy. A Christian issomething before he does anything. Wehave to be Christian before we can act asChristians.J. M. Boice says, "Grace is love whenlove is undeserved. Mercv is love reachingout to help those w ho are helpless and whoneed salvation. Mercy identifies with themiserable in their misery."In the Bible — Luke 10 — we havethe story of "The GoodSamaritan." In the book, As aRoaring Lion by Martha Wall, we learn ofthe natives of Colombia, South Americawho live lives of faith; having acceptedGod's gift they forgive and show mercy tothose who persecute them. One who hadhad his cattle stolen and his homedestroyed said, when asked about theattitude of his neighbor, "They were antagonistic."Then thinking he might havesaid too much added, "Better say, theywere against us."On pages 103-104 of Hoi Moon wefind the story of the Broken-legged Man.His leg was broken when he and his neighborwere fighting over the ownership ofsome ducks. He had the neighbor put intoprison — to stay as long asit took his leg toheal. At first at the hospital, the BrokenleggedMan was not interested in hearingof God's love. He wanted only to hate.Before he left, God's Spirit touched hisheart and he asked to join the church.Some who knew him before, thought hewas doing this because he thought it wasexpected of him. The session examinedhim and saw no reason why he could notbecome a church member.Those who knew him before weresurprised at his gentleness and radiance.He fully forgave the neighbor who hadinjured him — even confessed he himselfmight have been to blame. He taught hisaged mother about God's love and shejoined the church. He did not hesitate tomake his Christianity known to the world— giving out tracts and portions ofScripture to those he would meet.If I am not merciful I am outside ofChrist; I am yet in my sins; I am unforgiven.Happy are the merciful for theyshall obtain mercy.Read together Romans 12.A GOOD REPLYA skeptic in London said, in speakingof the Bible,it was quite impossible inthese days to believe in any book whoseauthority was unknown. A Christian askedhim if the compiler of the multiplicationtable was known."No." he answered.'Then, of course, sou do not believeinit'.'""Oh. yes. I believe init becauseitworks well.""So does the Bible." was therejoinder, and the skeptic had no answer tomake.—Messengern

NOTICEThe Hebron Congregation, near Idana,Kansas, will celebrate its 100th Anniversaryon August 21 and 22, 1971. Aninvitation is extended to everyone to comeand help us celebrate this historic occasion.NOTICEA student from WestminsterTheological Seminary, Mr. Gordon J.Keddie, is available for service andministry in the R. P. Church this summer.He is a member of the Free Church ofScotland which accepts the Westminsterstandards and in worship sings only thePsalms with no instruments. Ifcongregations are interested in availingthemselves of his services, please write tohim: c/o Westminster TheologicalSeminary, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania 19118.SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIAWe praise God for His continuedblessings upon us in San Diego. During thefirst quarter of 1971 there were 59 newvisitors, Sabbath School attendance increased16 per cent to an average of 67, ourtotal offering during the morning andevening worship services increased 52 percent from $2,088.20 to $3,149.50. TomHostetter, a baptized non-communicantmember, was received by the Session intofull communicant privileges. John Hollisterwas also received into membership byprofession of faith.We thank God for sending to us Mr.Ed Miller. Ed is a young Christian in theNavy, who previously had contact with ourLaFayette Ministry. He is very active bothin the study of the Word and in bringingother young men to church with him. Mr.Dennis Remillard and Ben Broadway aredoing visitation each Tuesday night in thecommunity. Pray that the Lord wouldanoint their lips and bring to fruition theseeds which are being planted.Mr. Gaylord "Brad" Bradford andMr. Ben Broadway have been electeddeacons by the congregation. We trust thatby the time this letter is printed they willhave indicated their desire to serve in thiscapacity and have been ordained andinstalled.The parsonage has been paintedoutside and railing installed on the outsidestairs of the church, but much needs yet tobe done by way of repairs and improvements.Pray for the Bible studies in Santeeand Chula Vista that the Lord may giveedification and outreach through thesegroups. Also remember the individualBible studies with members and adherents,especially Mr. Steve Christensen. Steve isjust getting out of the Navy and has beguna study of I John with much enthusiasm.Pray for his conversion!It is almost unbelievable how manyhave been tested by sickness or by beingout of work. Your prayers arestill neededhere. Again, we all need the continualreviving of the Holy Spirit so as to renewour interest in Jesus Christ and in HisChurch. We regret that Don and LindaReed will soon be transferred to anotherpoint of service by the Navy. They havebeen a big help to us and we hope that theyhave been encouraged by the ministry ofthe congregation in their lives.We confess our coldness to the Wordof God and indifference to the fellowshipof His people. Crying out for mercy andforgiveness through Jesus Christ, we alsoask for the strength and courage to fightthe good fight of faith. We claim thepromise of Psalm 108:13; "Through Godwe shall do valiantly: for He it is that shalltread down our enemies."MEMORIAL FOR MELVIN MEANS"The Session of the Phoenix FirstReformed Presbyterian church wishes torecord our sorrow and sense of loss in thedeath of our friend, fellowelder and clerk,Melvin Means. His courage and patienceand ready smile, through the almostconstant pain and physical suffering of thepast three years will be remembered andappreciated, as will his faithful interest andwilling labors, almost from the founding ofthe congregation and building of thechurch building to the present time. Hiscounsel was modest and thoughtful, withconviction and concern for God's glory inHis church. We commend his family to theGod and Savior of their late husband andfather, to the God of all comfort who is'able to make all grace abound toward you'(II Cor. 9:8)."Melvin W. Means was born atAmbridge, Pennsylvania, in 1922 and wasmarried to Flora Heineman of Beaver Fallsin 1942. After serving as crew chief on a B-24 bomber in the South Pacific in WorldWar II, having completed his missions asthe war ended, he came to Arizona with hisfamily in 1951. He suffered a cave-in accidentwhile in construction work in 1968,but the Lord raised him up and spared himto his family for three years more. Henever fully recovered but was in constantpain, and died in a fall at his home, onApril 6, 1971. He was an elder and clerk ofsession in the First R.P. Church of Phoenixat the time of his death. He is survived byhis wife Flora; by four children: Dean, ofthe home, Tim of San Diego, a daughterMarilyn McMurray of Flagstaff, andMelvin Wayne the II, in an airbornedivision of the U.S. Army in Vietnam; byhis mother, Mrs. Janet Means; and twobrothers, Robert and Gary, of Pennsylvania."Blessed are the dead which diein the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith theSpirit, that they may rest from their labors;and their works do follow them."N.A.E. PRESIDENT SAYSTHE BIBLE COULD SOLVECURRENT ISSUESWHEATON, ILL. — The president of theNational Association of Evangelicalspredicted that the 29th annual conventionof N.A.E., convening in Los Angeles, April20-22, may be one of the most significantthat the three-million-membetorganization has ever had.Dr. Hudson T. Armerding, presidentof N.A.E. and president of WheatonCollege, pointed to serious social problemsin the nation and the need to bring theScriptures to bear on contemporaryculture, in a taped interview that went outto a hundred radio stations across thecountry recently."We are living unexamined lives," hesaid, "and I thinkit is up to the NationalAssociation of Evangelicals to help theChristian community focus the truths ofthe Bible on some of the current issues sothat there can be a greater degree ofobedience to what the Word of Godteaches."Armerding said that the governmentand the family have both been brought intoquestion recently, and that the Bible oughtto be applied very directly to questionssurrounding these issues.FORMER BEAVER FALLS RESIDENTHONORED BY GENEVAALUMNI ASSOCIATIONVINCENT L. ROCERETOVincent L. Rocereto, Topeka,Kansas, a native of Beaver Falls, wasamong those awarded the DistinguishedService Award (DSA) at the Alumni Daydinner, May 1, in Metheny Field House,Geneva College.Mr. Rocereto is Executive VicePresident and Agency Director of theAmerican Home Life Insurance Company,Topeka, Kansas.14 COVENANTER WITNESS

He entered Geneva in 1941 to haveBOOKS DONATEDhis college career interrupted by WorldWe thank Loundonville ChristianWar II. He was discharged in January 1946 Day School in Albany, N.Y. for giving usas a Lieutenant Commander in the United used textbooks for supplementary aid in: States Naval Reserves after service in the English, math, spelling, social studies, and(Pacific and participation in seven D-Dayinvasions. He then returned to Geneva,health.SCHOOL BOARD CHANGESwhere in August 1946, he was graduated Karl Cunningham, who served aswith a bachelor of science degree in chairman of the Educational Committeebiology.During his college days he playedbasketball and tennis.; After his graduation he moved to:;Topeka, Kansas, where from 1946 to 1953he taught school and was an athletic coach.:His summers were spent doing graduateswork in the secondary school of adiministrationat Kansas University,Lawrence, Kansas.In 1953 he entered the life insuranceS business as a salesman where during hisI first two years he earned the "Man of theYear" award as the company's leading-salesman. In 1955 he was appointedi : assistant agency officer and later that year^elected vice-president and agency directorof the company. In 1957 he was elected to, : the company's board of directors and,.-.:xecutive committee and the followingv'ear was promoted to his present position.,., He has served on numerous comjjnittees and boards in the life insurance...business and in 1967 was elected to "Who'sWho in the Life Insurance Industry."His term as president of the MidwestE\lumni Association of Geneva College wasecently completed and he now serves as:ongregational representative of the;ollege's Development Fund in his church.if He and Mrs. Rocereto, the formerMargaret Huebner, a 1945 graduate ofGeneva, their son Paul, a 1969 graduate,. nd their two daughters Anne Elizabeth5nd Mary Kay are members of the TopekaReformed Presbyterian Church. Mr.tocereto serves as a member of the Boardf Deacons and the Board of Trustees.He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. VincentL. Rocereto, Sr., residents of 819wenty-third Street, Beaver Falls.rBEAVER COUNTYCHRISTIAN SCHOOL209 Darlington RoadBeaver Falls, Pa. 15010SCHOOL ENROLLMENTThere are 34 students coming fromI families. The breakdown into grades is:\M — 5 students; 2nd — 7 students; 3rd —® students; 4th — 1 student; 5th — 5'"dents; 6th — 8 students.(J FINANCIAL NEEDFor many months our budget hast een in the red, making it necessary toorrow to meet expenses. Gifts have not.^creased to match growing expenditures.I AY 5. 10" isince the school began, has asked to berelieved. We express many thanks for hiswork which involved initial planning. Wealso thank James Warden, past Transportationchairman, who now replacesKarl as chairman of the EducationalCommittee. Rev. Richard Rowe, pastor ofChrist Reformed Presbyterian Church, wasappointed chairman of the TransportationCommittee.CLASSROOM NEWSGRADES 1, 2, 3 — We enjoyedobserving some of God's creatures in ourschool's terrarium, a turtle, two toads, anda chameleon. Field trips were taken to anapple orchard and Brady's Run Park. Aweekly highlight is our Friday afternoonart class with Mrs. Carson.GRADES 4, 5, 6 — From our studyof illuminated monk's printing, Mrs. DavidCarson, our art teacher, is directing us toprint and decorate a Scripture passage ofour choice using this type of lettering.After reading and studyingbiographies, their structure, formulation,etc., we wrote brief biographies of one ofour parents.CHARITY BAZAAROur Little Red Schoolhouse won thefirst prize of $50.00 at the Beaver ValleyShopping Mall Charity Bazaar heldJanuary 15 to 23. Thirty people helped inthis project, building the booth, sellingChristian literature, and passing out freeschool brochures. Our main purpose wasto distribute information to the publicabout the Christian School and Christianreasons for the school.FUTURE PLANSPlans are being studied by theEducational Committee to add a third fulltimeteacher and a 7th grade next year.Additional facilities will also be needed.We covet your prayers as these decisionsmust be made. If you know of an experiencedChristian teacher who wouldlike to teach in our school, please let usknow.THE PURPOSEOF CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONInasmuch as man's essential purposeis to glorify God, Christian education seeksto develop the student's ability to knowGod and to relate himself and the createduniverse to God through the study of HisWord and Works. Christian Educationemphasises the Person and Work of theLord Jesus Christ in order that the studentmay be yielded to Him as his Savior fromsin and that he may see in Christ theultimate purpose and meaning of the w holeuniverse. (Quoted from the "FoundationalConcepts of Christian Education" ofGeneva College.)NewsletterNOTICEWha' needs auld kirk o' Almonte dear?Vive I'amour ye hae thegithertae gi'e!Fither, mither, dochtor, bairn an' clanFrae hither wad say, 'Twa heartsshauld neibours bee:'Sae, faith, guid weal wi' mony a pray'rTon thine hame we lay, a' an' ane rare!(Translation upon writtenrequest.)Splurge a stamp on us, and weScotsmen will afford you free literature,service, and love. Right smart, aye?"Look-out and Reform Committee",care of Miss Jeanette Waddell, R.R. 2,Almonte, Ontario, CANADA.CAN THECHURCH SURVIVE?Writers for the popular magazinestodav. sometimes raise the question. Canthe church survive? The word "church" isnot used to designate any onedenomination but rather to embrace all ofthem. Those who ask the question mightwell consider this bit of literary history.Probably no writer today is as rabidin his denunciation of religion and itsrepresentatives as was the French freethinkerVoltaire. He prophesied in the 18thCentury that within 100 years religionwould be extinct and the churches nothingbut crumbling ruins.It is a strange coincidencethat the very room in whichVoltaire wrote his prophecy was beingused some 100 years later by a BibleSociety as a repository for newly printedBibles.It is around 200 years since Voltairewrote. Religionstill has significance in thelives of millions and churches arestillbeing built throughout the free world. And.writers arestill asking the question, Canthe church survive?—NuggetsARE YOU WITNESSING? If you areunable to speak yourself for Christ andwould like to...Howabout using tracts?Tom Joseph has an excellent tract thathe wrote himself, titled "God's Wordand YOU." Available through the BlueBanner Book Store. 7 03 Fort Street,Box 42". Hays, Ks. 67601. 50 for $1.00.

Some This and That in W M. S.ANNUAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING OFTHE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETYYour Synodical President and the Historian-Librarian, Mrs. Roy M. Adams, had the privilege of beingamong the 200 church representatives (men and women)of more than 70 different denominations which met at theHotel Commodore, New York City, November 30-December 2, 1970, in the 52nd annual Advisory Council ofthe American Bible Society. We were challenged toencourage our respective groups to take a greater part inScripture distribution and financial assistance, and toadvise the ABS Staff as to our needs and to offersuggestions for future plans.The importance of this work is seen from this excerptfrom the message of Ross J. Manning, the UnitedBible Regional Consultant for Africa:"Ha-'e you ever been present when people havereceived for the first time some portion of the Word ofGod in their own language? If you have, you will neverforget the experience! Have you ever been surrounded bya crowd of people who impatiently demand to know whenthey are going to receive the Scriptures in their ownlanguage? This, too, is unforgettable!""When I think of a Bible society, I think not of itshistoric beginnings, central organization or finances.Rather I think of the thousands of people throughout theworld for whom the local Bible Society is the source of theprinted Word of God with its message of deliverance,hope, and eternal life. The Society brings this message tothe people in their own language and within their reach —physically, financially, and intellectually."In a letter from Dr. Dorothy E. L. Haas we bring toyou the following:"One evening there were three dinners at AdvisoryCouncil — executives, those with special interest inevangelism emphasis, Women's Activities. Fifty women inattendance, the majority being executives of churchwomen's organizations heard Mrs. Norman Vincent Pealetell about the early beginnings of Women's Activities; Mrs.Kemmons Wilson, the National Mother of the Year gaveemphasis to the need for a deeper spiritual foundation inthe home; Mrs. Daniel Poling, Jr., the advisor to theYoung Mothers Council of the American Mother'sCommittee, informed the group about the opportunitiesfor Scripture distribution in her group."Our own need for the Word of God was pressedhome to us by this thought from one of the devotions:"Many of us are concerned about preparing a mealfor others but we ourselves do not eat. (Yes, we areanxious for others to have the Word in a language they canunderstand and to provide others with Scriptures, but arewe as concerned about our personal spiritual life andpreparation. Let us not neglect to nourish ourselves withthe Word.) This is a reminder that we should be adding tothe purpose of the American Bible Society — emphasis onreading the Word.16Mrs. Adams and I thank the Women's Synodical,Missionary Society for this experience of help and in-ispiration. We never cease to be amazed at the scope andjoutreach of this great organization in the distribution

OLUME LXXXVI NO. 19 MAY 12, 1971 STERLING KANSAS 67579RIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 6, 1971• ' * % & $ \Ml SHASTA FROM MILL POND•M McCTOUD. CALIFORNIAllnion Pacific R.R. Photo

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER T EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Kenneth McBurneyRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada. $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introducttoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.COOL. COLORFUL COLORADOINVITES YOU TO THE ROCKIES!COVENANT HEIGHTS FAMILY CONFERENCEJuly 12-18, 1971Under the auspices of Midwest PresbyterySPEAKERSJim Pennington. Robert McFarlandJ. Paul McCracken and Mel VosThis Week's WitnessLiving by the Stars .. .3Glimpses of the Religious World 4Faith of our Fathers—What Is It?—Where IsIt 5Why I Chose the Covenanter Pulpit .6The Christian Home — A Witness 7From the Study Window .8The National Covenant of Scotland. .9Thank You for Jesus. .10Lesson Helps 11Church News. . 14I-VCF Beach Evangelism Project 16WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.preserve the purity of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andThe Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theFaith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Lord Jesus Christ.Salvation by Grace.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The Gospel Call and Election.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and thatit is notThe Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.to be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenThe duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asas the destiny of the saved.King of Kings and Lord of Lords.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believeThat Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful auin Him together with their children.thority.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent fromallThe Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church. governmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That terms of membership or communion are essential to the That the Covenants of the past are still binding.2 welfare of the Church.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B TweedCOVENANTER WITNESS

"Living ByWe are witnessing a worldwide revival of interest insupernatural powers, ranging from Black Magic to what isconsidered harmless tea-cup reading. The Press and TVhave helped promote this renewed interest. France iscurrently spending some 4,000,000 francs on palmists,fortune tellers and the like. Many have been caught up inthis revival. Magic is born of fear, curiosity, and superstition—itis a mixture of folk-lore, psychology andtheology. The success of the horoscope or fortune teller topredict your personal future accurately increases yourconfidence in magic. I am convinced that it is possible,through these means, in many cases, to reveal the futureboth personally and nationally (while many who purportto reveal the future are charlatans and amateurs).The whole range of this subject is described in theBible as divining, magic, neocromancy, soothsaying,sorcery, and witchcraft. It is all under the control of onewhose very existence is questioned today—he is Satan.Since the Fall of Man, we all have been born witheyes blinded to the truth of God, because the mind is inbondage to Satan. Therefore, many have accepted what isconsidered normal today, to turn to the stars for guidanceand help in times of stress or trouble.All of us, without exception, whether or not webelieve this Biblical truth, live and move and have ourbeing in the sphere of God's determinism. God is theSovereign Ruler of the Universe and not a sparrow falls tothe ground without His knowledge. He also observes oursitting down and rising up. It is He, not fate or the stars,who governs the affairs of men. This same God sent HisSon into the world to lead men out of darkness into light.Jesus Christ pronounces to all men: "I am the Way, theTruth and the Life."The Stars"Synod InformationAT GENEVA COLLEGEJune 12-18. 1971Dinner Pri cesBeaver Falls. Pa. 15010Ph.412-846-5100Room and Board InformationSaturday evening supper through Friday eveningsupperRoom and Board 28.00Board Only 17.25Room Only 1100Charge for single room request 1 00Room includes one set of bed linen, blanket, towels,and soap.Part-Time Charges:Room 1st night 2.75Room each additional night 1-60Meals Breakfast RegularLunchCafeteriaGod condemns, in the strongest terms, all forms ofmagic and superstition. Deuteronomy 18:10 says, "Thereshall not be found among you . . . anyone who practisesdivination ... a charmer or a medium or a necromancer.For whoever does these things is an abomination to theLord." Reader, if you value your soul, do not dabble inthose things which have the curse of God upon them. TheLord Jesus Christ is the only authorised Door into thespiritual world.The Apostle Paul once preached for nearly threevears in a city where superstition governed the lives of thepeople. Through the message of delivering grace, fear fellupon all, and many believers came forward, confessingtheir former evil practices and giving full account of them,and a number of those who had followed magic arts madetheir books into a heap and burned them publicly (Acts19:18ff).If God, the Holy Spirit, has convicted you aboutthese practices, in whatever form you indulge, I urge youto turn from them, burn your books, destroy your charms,medals and other paraphernalia. On the authority ofGod's Word I tell you that there is permanent deliverancefrom these and all sin to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ,who, in His death on the cross, gained the victory over allthe powers of darkness.If you are possessed of or obsessed by horoscopes,witchcraft, spiritism or other forms of magic or superstition,you cannot be delivered by medicine, psychologyor psychiatry, but only through the Lord Jesus Christ, whoalone can rescue from the kingdom of darkness andtranslate you into His glorious kingdom.—J. C. Coxin Evangelical ActionNo extra charge for room Friday night, June 18, ifneeded.If any committee is planning to meet prior to Synodand needs sleeping rooms and or meeting rooms, pleaselet us know as far in advance as possible.Delegates will be met at Greater Pittsburgh Airporton Saturday, providing you notify us ahead of time. Youwill be met in the lounge near the T.W.A. desk by driverswearing a badge. If we cannot meet you at the exact timewe will inform you of the time that you will be met.Synod meetings will be in air-conditioned groundfloor lecture room of Science and Engineering Building.Open meetings will be in Old Main Chapel.Please send your requests for room and board to Mr.McConaughy immediately and include your arrival time ifyou plan to fly.MAY 12, 1971 1

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.1031 E. Glenrosa AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85014B. B. WARFIELD AGAIN ON THE SCENEThough it has been 50 years since the death of thistheological professor, his writings are again beingreprinted, also some previously unpublished. My directintroduction to his works came through his volumes onPerfectionism and Counterfeit Miracles and my admirationfor the thoroughness, simplicity, and clarity withwhich he treated his subjects, was born. The informationthat follows comes from the Banner of Truth magazine,the whole February issue of which is devoted to the manand his writings. Many of these writings are now beingprinted by Banner of Truth Trust.His father was a breeder of cattle and horses at theirhome in Kentucky, and it was as editor of the Farmer'sHome Journal that B. B. Warfield started his professionalcareer. He had already surprised his family and closefriends, at the age of 21 while in Heidelberg, Germany, byannouncing his intention of studying for the ministry, andshortly he entered Princeton Seminary. He at one timestrenuously objected to the study of Greek, yet his firstteaching assignment, after a short period when he servedas an assistant pastor, was to the department of N. T.Exegesis and Literature in Western Theological Seminaryin Pittsburgh. After nine years he was called to Princeton,to the chair of Systematic Theology, where he served formore than 30 years till his death in 1921.Twice in the comments concerning Warfield in thisissue of Banner of Truth, it is stated that not only ministersand teachers but "intelligent Christian laymen" read hiswritings with profit. His "style was certainly marked by nogreat flourishes; . . . but one virtue it did have — howeverprofound the theme, the meaning was clear."The clarity and simplicity with which he wrote maybe partially explained by the light in which he saw hissubject of systematic theology. Warfield wrote: ". . . everyadvance in the scientific statement of theological truth hasbeen made in response to a practical demand, and hasbeen made in a distinctly practical interest. We whollymisconceive the facts if we imagine that the developmentof systematic theology has been the work of cold,scholastic recluses, intent only upon intellectual subtleties."He reminds us that the statement of religiousdogma by the church always came to resolve theologicalcontroversy, when false ideas threatened, not only toresult in schism but to bring doctrinal error into goodstanding.Warfield gave the church the equipment by which toface down the issues of the hour — and our generation isfinding that what he wrote fits the needs of today. He wasthe champion of faithfulness to the Word against theliberalism that was undermining the church, not merely inopposing the details but the world and life view of whichthey were a part.One of the few times when he wrote anonymously,he signed himself, O.L.D. Fogey., but like Jeremiah heknew which of "the old paths" were good, where menmight "find rest for (their) souls" (Jer. 6:16).THOSE CLERGY CERTIFICATESThirty years ago the clergy bureaus of the railroadssold 50,000 clergy certificates a year, though manyministers used them only "in going to synod." The mostrecent of railroad clergies give only 25 percent reductionin fares instead of the former 50 percent. We are told thatthe Eastern (Chicago and east) Bureau sold 8000 certificatesin 1969, 4000 in 1970 and so far this year only2000. It is air travel, of course, that has cut in on "clergytravel" by rail. While airline clergy certificates have justthis year changed the discount from 50 percent to onethird,it is still a bargain, if the smaller airlines serve theminister's need. (TWA, American, United, etc., do notgrant "clergy discount.") He may be "bumped" of course,but if he avoids the "weekend rush" the "clergy" stand-byfare is a real economy.'REVOLUTIONARIES, REACTIONARIES, ORRADICALS?"W. R. McEwen's editorial in the most recent copy ofEvangelical Action (McKinnon, Australia) with this title,reminds us that while Christ did not identify Himself withthe "hippies" of His day, neither did He identify with thePharisees. He could reach the immoral, the Zealot, thepublican, the Pharisee, but He identified with none ofthem. Mr. McEwen warns us, however, that in refusing toidentify with the "hippie" — or with the establishment —we may be retreating into our own little refuge of selfrighteousness.We find some Christians today who seem to go outof their way in trying to picture Jesus as a "revolutionaryin order to "be with it now." We may be just as pathetic inour picturing Him in the likeness of the respectable butworldly American. May the Holy Spirit make us able toface ourselves and our communities to the truth that"good neighbor," "golden rule," "community minded,"litter and ecology conscious," "mind one's own business,"united fund support," people who do not know JesusChrist are sinners and lost. And then that through faith inChrist and His forgiveness, we can fulfill our calling toglorify our Maker.4 COVENANTER WITNESS

Faith Of Our FathersWhen we speak of the faith of our fathers, it suggestsdifferent things to different people. In this article I use theterm to describe the faith which God has revealed tomankind and which has been handed down from onegeneration to the next generation. In Old Testament timesGod spoke through holy men who were moved by theHoly Spirit. In New Testament times God spoke throughHis Son and through the Apostles. This "faith of ourfathers" is much superior to any other faith for thefollowing reasons:// Is a Biblical FaithIt is based upon the inspired word of God which isthe only infallible rule of faith and life. If it were not arevealed faith it would have very little value; because it isa revealed faith it has great value. It reveals what man is tobelieve concerning God and what duty God requires ofman. Man cannot by searching find out God; he can onlyexplore a very small portion of the universe which Godhas created, much less can he come to comprehend Godwho created all. God can and does reveal Himself to man,together with His will for man. Man needs this revelationof God's will for in a great many instances the way whichseems right to man turns out to be the way of death. It isonly when man follows the light of God's revelation thatman can keep on the right path, and when man uses therevelation as a lamp to his feet, he can keep from stumblingas he follows that light.It Is a Tried FaithIt has been tried in all ages and under all circumstancesand it has never failed. It has been demonstratedover and over that it is superior to all other faiths.History gives us many illustrations of people who haveturned from it to their hurt. Those moderns who suggestthat we discard it would do well to refresh their memoriesas to what happened to Israel when Israel said this "Faithof our Fathers" is no longer relevant to our times, andboasted that they could get along very well without it. Orwhat happened in the Dark Ages when the light of "theFaith of our Fathers" was almost extinguished. If theywould just look around them and see what is happening tothe churches which have forsaken "the Faith of ourFathers" and see the tremenduous increase in crime andlawlessness they would know how necessary" "the Faith ofpur Fathers" really is. Truly those who turn from that faithforsake the fountains of living water and hew out forthemselves cisterns, broken cisterns which hold no water.It Changes LifeIt is the power of God unto salvation. From the very•beginning that faith has transformed men. Abram wascalled to a new kind of life, a life of faith, and he was givenMAY 12, 1971What Is It? Where Is It?Rev. R. W. Caskey, D.D.Pastor of Superior, Nebraska R. P. Churcha new name of Abraham. Old things are to pass away; allthings are to become new. Man's plans to change theworld without God all fail, because they cannot changehuman nature, and that is the real problem of mankind.Through the "Faith of our Fathers" men are led to JesusChrist where they can receive the power to become thechildren of God. There can be no saving faith which doesnot transform people.Where Is It?The second part of my subject deals with thequestion where is the "Faith of our Fathers"? We differ asto whereit is. Some would sayit has been left behind; theymay admit it played a useful part in man's developmentbut is no longer needed. Some have castit aside and put inits stead a faith which is more acceptable to men, whichrequires less sacrifice on man's part and allows man to dowhatever he wants to do, whenever he wants to do it.It certainly is not held in high esteem in many of ourseminaries and liberal churches. There is nothing newabout "the Faith of our Fathers" not being appreciated bymen. Esau sold his portion in the faith of his fathers for amess of pottage. Judas sold his part for thirty pieces ofsilver. Demas loved the present world and did not havetime to bother about "the Faith of our Fathers." In the dayof the early church it was everywhere spoken against.Throughout history its fortunes have risen and fallen so wedo not need to be surprised ifit is not held in high honorby everyone today.We do need to know that "the Faith of our Fathers"is not on trial today. Since it is God-given we do not needto worry about its future. Since it has stood the test of theages it is not going to fail now. Man is on trial, for manneedsit desperately;it is man's only hope for today andfor eternity. One generation may reject it, but since mancannot make progress without it, man will always return to"the Faith of our Fathers."We can be sure that "the Faith of our Fathers" isheld in high esteem by Almighty God. The words of Godare true words; they are like silver tried in the furnaceseven times; there is not a particle of dross in them. SinceGod says it is the power of God unto salvation, it makeslittle difference what the world may say about it.If "the Faith of our Fathers" is in our hearts andhomes and churches, ifit is held in high esteem in ourland, we do not need to worry about the future. Ifit is not,if we have been beguiled into watering it down, or acceptingsome substitute which we are told is just as good,or mavbe a little better, we should los-Ano time in gettingback to "The Faith of our Fathers" as it was oncedelivered unto the saints.S

Why I ChoseThe Covenanter PulpitBy Rev. J. Melvin VosPastor of Winchester. Kansas R. P. ChurchWhy did I choose the Covenanter pulpit? This isreally not one question but two. Why did I choose thepulpit at all rather than some other occupation? Why did Ichoose to serve in the Covenanter Church rather than insome other denomination? I will try to answer both ofthese questions in this article.The Scriptures indicate that there are two thingswhich qualify a man to be an ordained officer in thechurch. He must have the call of God to the office, and hemust have what the New Testament calls the gifts for theoffice. In this day and age the call of God to an ordainedoffice in the church does not come in some flash ofsupernatural revelation such as a vision or miracle. Ratherit comes by way of what Berkhof in his SystematicTheology calls "certain ordinary providential indicationsgiven by God." He notes thatit includes especially threethings: "(a) the consciousness of being impelled to somespecial task in the Kingdom of God, by love to God andHis cause; (b) the conviction that one is at least in ameasure intellectually and spiritually qualified for theoffice sought; and (c) the experience that God is clearlypaving the way to the goal" (p. 587).God's call came to me in this ordinary providentialway. There was no handwriting on the wall, no voices ordreams. I simply had a growing conviction that I had insome measure the necessary qualifications for the gospelministry, and following a period of reflection after asummer young people's conference a number of years agoI had a growing consciousness of being impelled by God inthe direction of the ordained ministry.The gifts or qualifications for the ordained ministrydo not come to a person in a supernatural way. They arenot given in a sudden flash of intuition. They must bedeveloped gradually over a period of time through studyand training in the Christian life. This I did in a formal wayat Geneva College, at Westminster Theological Seminary,and at the R. P. Theological Seminary. During my threeyears at Westminster I gave serious thought to thequestion of whether I should enter the Covenanter pulpitor go into some other denomination. I had somedisagreement with the presbytery under whose care I wasconcerning the matter of theological education, and Iwondered if this might be an indication from the Lord thatI should seek ordination in some other denomination. Idetermined that I would seek licensure and ordination inthe Covenanter Church trusting that if the Lord desiredme to serve in another denomination, a proper understanding of the circumstances would point in thatdirection. As it turned out, I was licensed and ordainedand am now serving as pastor of the Winchester, Kansas,R. P. Church.I chose the Covenanter pulpit because theCovenanter Church stands squarely upon the revealedWord of God without apology. There are things in theCovenanter Church which I think need to be improved.There are things in both practice and doctrine with whichI am not in full agreement. He is a rare minister indeedwho accepts everything in the Church's Constitutionwithout any qualification whatsoever. But in a time whenit may be popular to criticize what is wrong with theCovenanter Church, I think we need to pause and thankGod for what is right with the Covenanter Church. She hasmaintained a firm commitment to the Bible as the infallibleWord of God and has not gone the way ofmodernism as so many other evangelical churches havedone and are doing. It was because of what is right withthe Covenanter Church that I chose the Covenanterpulpit.I urge any young men who may read these words togive serious consideration to the possibility that God maybe calling you into the ordained ministry. Do not simplypass it off by saying, "Oh, I could never be a minister.God's call to you may come in a very ordinary way. Thevery fact that you have some of the qualities necessary tobe an ordained minister may be an indication that Godiscalling you. "Who knoweth whether thou art come to thekingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14).6 COVENANTER WITNESS

The Christian Home — A WitnessMrs. Raymond P. Joseph *Could you give an answer to someone who approachedyou with the plea, "Help me. My parents aregetting a divorce?" In many cases it's too late, and millionsof dollars are being spent to "help" the victims of divorcein our country today.What has happened to the Christian home which isto be a beacon in the world, living evidence of the loveand power of God? This institution created by God is tobe producing men and women who themselves grippedwith the power of God in their lives should be reproducinggodly homes. It is no news that the foundations of oursociety are crumbling, and outstanding in this disintegrationis the home. In his book, The End of theAmerican Era.(I) Andrew Hacker discusses the breakdownof American marriages. He comments, "Not only doa high proportion end in divorce or desertion, but few ofthose which continue intact are love-filled or light-heartedrelationships." He does not touch on God's solution, buthe does make this observation, "Not only can an illconceivedmarriage lay waste a significant span of aperson's life, but when a husband walks out on his wifeand children, society will probably have to subsidize thehome he leaves behind. Millions of American youngstersnow grow up in households where the parental relationhas become a dull and joyless routine, often infected bybitterness and frustration."This mounting tragedy is taking place on our ownstreets and in some instances closer than that. It was God'sintention that the Christian home be a positive witness tothe world, the family relationship being the institution ofGod lying at the foundation of all society. He gave us Hisblueprint with a set of instructions to do the job well. InChrist are contained all the ingredients of love, compassion,giving, receiving, self-control ... to produce abeautiful unit called the family of God. His Word states to; the parent, "Train up a child in the way he should go: andwhen he is old, he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6). Iti would seem that He is saying the home is to be a trainingground.How does He expect us to teach our children theway that they should go? Deuteronomy 6:6-9 describes theanswer in terms of a round-the-clock atmosphere ofgodliness, a continual communication of the faith; a visionthat is caught by the children as they are growing up in thissetting. Every Christian family should be able to say, "TheLord has done great things for us!" Then, this message ofGod's marvelous grace will be broadcast to the world.Focusing our attention on one opportunity for the*Mn. Raymond P Joseph is wife of the pastor of theWest Lafayette. Indiana R. P. Church. The Josephs havefour children.MAY 12, 1971home to witness to the world, consider the home as acenter of worship. Not by accident, people are often led toour door just as we are preparing to have family worshiparound the dinner table. Here is an opportunity to beseized upon because we can share and welcome friendsinto the family circle. They will see us worshiping Godtogether, something quite foreign to most homes today. Iremember speaking of this with a friend back in Pittsburghwhen working for Pittsburgh Plate Glass. She was soperplexed at the idea of a family worshiping in the homethat she asked, "Did you build a little chapel in your hometo do this?"One objective in nurturing this godly atmosphere isto enable members of the family to share Christ naturallywith others outside of the home. During this time ofgrowing up. children can learn to talk of their experiences,good and bad, or their successes and defeats, and all thesematters can be shared as a family in prayer. Satan willcontinually try to attack the family, but God is ourdefense. And this is part of what is communicated day byday in the family.Unlike the worldly, the godly home is not a battlefieldor a scene for competition between husband andwife. As each member of the family learns what is his role,mutual consideration takes place. There have beenseveral good books written on the subject of familyrelationships, and in Eugenia Price's A Woman'sChoice(2) the problem of competition is examined. Shesays that both husband and wife may be immature attimes. The Scripture, however, does not back up theirdemands: the husband demanding that his wife be adoormat, or the wife expecting that her husband carry heraround on a pillow. Miss Price points out that the solutionto this unfortunate kind of competition between husbandand wife is to be submissive to each other. This spirit ofmutual submission is stressed in the often quoted passagein Ephesians 5, where Paul is addressing both husbandsand wives, "Be submissive to one another out of reverenceto Christ." That sets the stage for the specific instructionsto wives and husbands. As families are built on the cornerstoneof Christ we cannot help having a positivewitness to the world starved for love and understanding.Just as a contractor checks closely his specificationsas the building goes up, the Christian home is built bvconstant examination and re-examination of the Word ofGod. The youth of today are screaming, "Listen to me."Parents may not have been listening to their childrenbecause they have not been listening to God. He haspromised His blessing on those who listen. "Blessed is theman that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waitingat the posts of my doors" (Prov. 8:34). Children catch anSee page 9

A Brief Fashion History of HistoryFrom The Study WindowDavid M. Carson, Ph.D.Head of the Department of Political ScienceGeneva CollegeAs we were sitting in the lobby of Old Main at thecollege between classes recently, one of my colleaguesremarked to me, apropos his preparation to teach a classin U.S. history, that the most interesting historians to readwere those with a sociological interpretation of history.My immediate reaction was to smile at the waystyles in the writing and understanding of history change,just as styles of dress and architecture change.At one point, some centuries ago, it was common tosee the direct intervention of God in the events of history.Jonathan Edwards illustrated this approach when hewrote, in his History of the Work of Redemption,In all probability, providence has so ordered it, that themariner's compass, (which is an invention of later times,whereby men are enabled to sail over the widest ocean,when before they durst not venture far from land,) shouldprove a preparation for what God intends to bring to passin the glorious times of the church, viz. the sending forththe gospel wherever any of the children of men dwell, howfar soever off, and however separated by wide oceans fromthose parts of the world which are already Christianized.Later there came a period when the interest ofhistorians was essentially political and diplomatic.Scholars grew especially excited over investigating thedeveloping power of the British parlament through theTudor period, or the increasing limitations on the powerof the Stuart kings in the seventeenth century, or the stepsby which the prime minister of England gained power.The complications of dynastic marriages intriguedstudents. History was divided into chapters by the reignsof kings and the terms of presidents.The development of economics as a science in thenineteenth century, and especially Marx's blunt assertionthat economic forces were alone responsible for history,led to fresh investigation and to new conclusions. Manyscholars who were not at all Marxists came to agree thateconomic causes were central. Charles Beard wrote AnEconomic Interpretation of the Constitution to call attentionto the role of commercial and landholding interestsin shaping our government. The Civil War was seennot so much as a quarrel over slavery as a conflict betweenthe industrial economy of the North and the agrarianeconomy of the South. The tensions of the 1930'sculminating in the Second World War were pictured asbetween the "have" and the "have-not" nations. Mycontemporaries in middle life will find this familiar, for itwas the approach to our study of history in high schooland college.And now my younger colleague says that the mostinteresting historians are those with sociological interpretations.He mentioned Bernard Bailyn, who forinstance in an essay "Politics and Social Structure inVirginia" described the conflicts among the colonists notin political terms or in economic terms but as the result ofconflicts between social classes — the old Englisharistocracy, the rough and ready "new men," the wellestablishedgentry, often younger sons of well-to-doEnglishmen. The sociologist's analysis of formalorganizations can help us understand the institutions ofthe past. His study of current social change illuminateschanges in past societies.Two things strike me about these changing styles inthe understanding of history. One is this: men see all ofhistory in terms of the thought common to their own time,When the general climate of opinion included a Christianview of man and the world, men saw the direct hand ofGod in historical events. When men came to think ineconomic terms they saw economic forces at work. Nowthat sociology and psychology are important, we seehistory from their perspective.The second point is that these styles are notmutually exclusive. Each new approach need not invalidatethe old, but rather enriches it. As Christians, weknow that God rules the world. Just as God normallyworks through orderly processes in the physical universe,processes which can be examined and at least partiallyunderstood, so He normally works through such processesin history, which can be examined and at least partiallyunderstood. The more approaches we take to history, themore we understand such processes. More than any of ourpredecessors, therefore, we can appreciate the rich complexityof the past and the wide variety of human motivationsthat, in God's permissive will, have producedit.CITADELS OF FREEDOM"If higher education should become exclusively afunction of the state," said President W. P. Tolley,Allegheny College, "it would be the most seriouscatastrophe that could happen in America. In a day whenthe state is becoming more and more important and theindividual less and less, independent colleges are ourstrongest citadels of freedom. If they should be crippled orstarved by needless competition on the part of the state,the people of America may be taught only the dogmas ofthe party in power."COVENANTER WITNESS

The National Covenant Of ScotlandThe illustrious history of the Covenanting Churchmay be said to have begun on the 28th February, 1638,when the National Covenant of Scotland was signed inGreyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh.A series of attempts had been made by Charles I andhis henchman. Archbishop William Laud, to counter andoverturn the work of the first great Reformation inScotland. The foisting of a proposed liturgy on the Churchof Scotland had been thwarted the previous summer bythe courageous action of Jenny Geddis. In the interval,from every part of the kingdom, petitions of protestagainst innovations had poured in to the Privy Council.Crowds had flocked to Edinburgh in support of thesepetitions. But calm thought, careful organization anddisciplined leadership were essential to control the risingspirit of anger and frustration felt by the people ofScotland. A Committee known as The Four Tables beganto sift the protests. The earnest indignation of the peopleagainst innovations in worship and their sincere determinationto maintain the ground reached in the Reformationwas expressed with statesmanlike skill in adocument known as the National Covenant of Scotland.This Magna Carta of religious liberty was in threeparts. The first was a summary of earlier Covenants andBonds, especially the King's Confession of 1581, whichhad declared that "the Pope's worldlie monarchic andwicked hierarchie" were abhorred and detested. Thesecond part, the work of Sir Archibald Johnston ofWarriston, the able 27-year-old lawyer of the Covenant,listed all the Acts of Parliament that had condemnedPopery and confirmed Presbyterianism. The third part,the work of Alexander Henderson, the 55-year-oldminister of Leuchars in Fife, was a solemn protest againstthe innovations in worship that had roused the nation inrevolt. After an all night sitting on February 27, the finaldraft was revised and amended and finally passed forsignature.It was a moving scene in the Kirkyard of GreyfriarsChurch on Wednesday the 28th February, 1638, when thenoble document was signed. The Earl of Rothes describesthe event. "Prayer was said by Mr. Alexander Henderson,very powerfullie and pertinentlie to the renewing of theCovenant. Loudon spoke . . . After the reading of 'thedraught' by Mr. Archibald Johnston out of a fair parchmentabove an elne (a yard) in square, those that haddoubts had satisfaction given, and the noblemen andbarons subscribed as many as could that night. Theministers signed next day, and the great majority of thepeople of Scotland on the following days. Some added thewords 'until death.' Others used their blood in place of ink.MAY 12. 1971The copy in possession of the Edinburgh Corporationbears signatures both of men and women written obviouslyin blood.The Second Reformation in Scotland had begun.Perhaps the most eloquent comment on the wholeCovenanting Movement was that made by one of its archenemies, the haughty Episcopal Primate Spottiswoode,"All which we have been attempting to build up during thelast thirty years is now at once thrown down."The National Covenant was Scotland's answer totyranny and patronage. In this day of compromise andspiritual lethargyit is good to recall the stirring events ofthree centuries ago. A remembrance of that chill Februaryday should rouse us all to a deeper loyalty and a moredevoted service to our Savior and Lord.—A.L.The Covenanter Witness of Scotland and IrelandThe Christian Home from page 7attitude of listening and learning from parents who listand learn from God.We feed the newborn baby milk; then graduallyintroduce solid food at the proper time. Our childrenwould starve without it. God instructs us to feed on theWord "as newborn babes" that we may grow. As thefamily is fed by the Word of God, the Spirit of God usesitthrough them out into the lives of people around them.This process of intake and output forms a channel forministrv. We are a witness to the world as we minister theWord of God to people. Perhaps we can begin by invitinga neighbor for supper. We do not hesitate to entertainrelatives and long-time friends, but how are we doing withstrangers? The Living Letters states Romans 12:13 likethis. "When God's children are in need, you be the one tohelp them out. And get into the habit of inviting guestshome for dinner; or, if they need lodging, for the night."The world is full of people looking for someone tominister to their needs. God is saying, "Be involved withpeople." Should we say, "Count me out?" People will seethe negative witness as well as the positive one."If righteousness is in the heart,there will be beauty in the character."If there is beauty in the character,there will be harmony in the home."(1) The Ind of the American Era. Atheneum, 19"().(2) -\ Woman's Choice. Zondervan, 1962.9

The Children'sA boy in India found new and differentways to show his love for the Savior.ThankYouForJesus"Who will cut the grass today?" The Indian motherstirred the pot of spicy vegetable curry while her childrengathered around, hoping for a taste. "If we don't get somegrass to thatch the roof," she said, "the rains will comeright in on us."The youngest little boy clutched his rags andshivered. "Don't ask me to go, Mother. I'm hungry. Just ataste?" He pulled at her sari."I'll go, Mother," said ten-year-old Devdan. He feltsorry for his mother who always had the problem offeeding a hungry family.Devdan, whose name means "Gift of God," hadrecently asked Jesus Christ to come into his heart.Because he loved Jesus, he wanted to do everything hecould to help his mother.He went outside and found the sickle, then headedfor the fields beyond the village where he could find thenice, long thatching grass.Devdan sang as he walked along the winding road tothe country fields. He was so happy—just to think thatJesus loved him. How could he ever thank Jesus for thewonderful gift of eternal life?He had thought of one way to say "Thank you" toJesus. He had gone to the pastor of his church and said,"Master, may I be the one who sweeps the church andkeepsit clean? I will do it for the Lord Jesus, because Hehas done so much for me."The Indian preacher was surprised and pleased."You surely may," he said.Not once had Devdan forgotten his promise.Whenever the people came to a meeting in the church,they foundit swept and clean. They found Devdan there,too. He loved to read God's Word and hear it preached.10When he came to the field of long grass, Devdannoticed a little boy and girl dragging a big pile of the grassbehind them."Friends," called Devdan, "I hope you will come tochurch—the one down the road there. You will hearwonderful things about Jesus who loves you."But the little boy and girl were busy with theirbundle. "We've never heard of Jesus," they said as theyhurried on their way.As Devdan began swinging his sickle, he felt sad tothink of the little boy and girl. He wondered how manymore boys and girls there were—right around his village inIndia—who had never heard of Jesus.Just then the grass near him moved suddenly. BeforeDevdan could jump back, a snake raised its head and bithim on the hand.Quickly, Devdan killed the snake with his sickle.Then he knelt down in the grass and prayed: "O God,ifitis Your will, heal me from this snakebite."Devdan spent three days in bed. He was very sick.The third day he understood that he was not going to getwell, and he called for his parents and brothers and sisters."I promised God I would give Him my chicken inthe offering at the church," he said. "But I will not be herethen. I will be with Jesus. Don't forget to take my hen tochurch and put it in the offering for me."Devdan then asked God to bless his family and thepeople of the church. He encouraged his parents to praymore so that God would give the family good crops. Thenhe stopped and raised his hands, and said, "Now the angelsare coming to take me to heaven."After that the people did not see Devdan at churchany more. They missed his happy face and his helpfulhands. But they knew that Devdan was happier than ever.Now he could see Jesus face to face and thank Him for thegift of eternal life.Have you ever wondered how you could say "Thankyou" to Jesus?Little Devdan was glad to be a Christian, but thereare many boys and girls just like the ones he met on theroad—no one has ever told them of God's love. Maybeone day you will want to say "Thank you" to Jesus bygoing as one of His missionaries. And you may offer Himmany "Thank you's" even now by loving and serving Himwith all your heart.—Adapted from story by Margot Kvaase, IndiaCOVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of June 6Sabbath SchoolLessonFor June 6,1971GODS CALL TO FAITHIsaiah 30:1-19; 31:1-3,6; 32:15-18; 37Comments by John K. GaultGod has been calling people to faithever since creation. Adam was told not toeat of "the tree of the knowledge of goodand evil." God called him to perfectobedience. Enoch "walked with God" andso he must have had faith in Him. In IIPeter it is said that God "spared not the oldworld, but saved Noah the eighth person, apreacher of righteousness, bringing in theflood upon the world of the ungodly." Theprophets, especially Isaiah, besought thepeople to turn away from sin and to havefaith in God. Jesus' whole earthly careerwas designed that people might have faithin Him to save them from their sins.Through the Bible and the church, Godcontinues to call upon people to have faithin Him for "without faith it is impossible toplease God."1: There Are Always CircumstancesWhich Test One's Faith.This is shown in the lesson before us.In Isaiah's time there were two great worldpowers, Assyria and Egypt. Assyria hadoverrun much of the country adjacent toJudah. Israel, the northern kingdom, hadalready fallen and Jerusalem was beingthreatened. The officials of the governmenttook counsel and decided that theywould seek help from Egypt. It was indeeda test of their faith for Judah was a littleinsignificant nation in comparison withmighty Assyria. Humanly speaking Judahhad no hope. It was here that faith in Godshould have guided the decision, so Isaiahupbraided them for seeking help from manin the words, "Woe to the rebelliouschildren, saith the Lord, that take counsel,but not of me; and that cover with acovering, but not of my spirit, that theymay add sin to sin: that walk to go downinto Egypt, and have not asked at mymouth; to strengthen themselves in thestrength of Pharaoh, and to trust in theshadow of Egypt." This was a test of thepeople's faith. In Psalm 118:8,9 the writersaid, "It is better to trust in the Lord thanto put confidence in man. It is better totrust in the Lord than to put confidence inprinces." Jesus said to His disciples as theywere storm-tossed in the boat, "Why are yefearful, O ye of little faith?"2: It Is the Tendency of People toTrust in Worldly Resources Instead ofTrust in God.God controls every circumstance inthe world. There are no limits to His poweror wisdom; consequently, He is alwaystrustworthy. People and nations should,therefore, seek the blessing of God firstand should make decisions according toHis will. The southern kingdom of Judahhad become wicked. They are called in thislesson "rebellious children." In 31:1 Isaiahsaid of them, "Woe to them that go downto Egypt for help; and stay on horses, andtrust in chariots, because they are many;and in horsemen, because they are verystrong;butthey look not unto the Holy Oneof Israel, neither seek the Lord." Egypt, atthat time, was a highly developed country,but it represented the resources of theworld. America is the most highlydeveloped nation on earth, with itscomputerized economy and nuclearharness but these developments representthe resources of the world which the Lordcan destroy or use against us. America hassought the help of computers and nuclearenergy instead of trusting in the help ofAlmightv God. We must come back toGod if we are to survive as a nation.3: Egypt Was Both Unwilling andUnable to Help Israel.Isaiah said in 30:4,5, "For his princeswere at Zoan, and his ambassadors cameto Hanes. They were all ashamed of apeople that could not profit them, nor bean help nor profit, but a shame, and also areproach." Little Israel would be a hindranceinstead of a help to the militarystrategy of Egypt and so the latter wasunwilling to enter into any militaryalliance. But Egypt was also unable to givereliable help to Israel in this time of crisis.Isaiah said in 31:3, "Now the Egyptians aremen, and not God; and their horses flesh,and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretchout His hand, both he that helpeth shallfall, and he that is holpen shall fall down,and they all shall fail together." In Psalm60:10,11 the writer prayed, "Wilt not thou,O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou,O God, which didst not go out with ourarmies? give us help from trouble for vainis the help of man." It can be said of allearthly resources, "Vain is their helpwithout God."4: Isaiah Was Told to Make a PermanentRecord of the Real Cause of theNation's Debacle.God said to the prophet, "Now go,writeit before them in a table, and note itin a book, that it may be for the time tocome for ever and ever: that this is arebellious people, lying children,children that will not hear thelaw of the Lord: which say to theseers, see not; and to the prophets,prophesy not unto us right things, speakunto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:get you out of the way, turn aside out of thepath, cause the Holy One of Israel to ceasefrom before us." People are quite forgetfuland, after two generations, accurateknowledge of events is lost unless there is awritten record. God commanded Isaiah,therefore, to write a description of themoral state of Israel. A permanent recordwas to be made so that the futuregenerations might read and know of theconditions which prevailed and whichcaused the collapse of the government.Every government should keep a record ofits sins as well as of its righteousacts. Futuregenerations should know where to put theblame.5: The Most Important Act of aSinful Government Is to Return to God.This was the counsel of God given byIsaiah as he said in 30:15, "For thus saiththe Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; inreturning and rest shall ye be saved; inquietness and in confidence shall be yourstrength: and ye would not." Also in 31:6the prophet said, "Turn ye unto Him fromwhom the children of Israel have deeplyrevolted." To do this is the essence ofrepentance, which is essential to a nation'speace. If one takes the wrong turn at anintersection the only thing for him to do isto turn and go back to the place where hegot off and then make a right turn. This isstandard for a nation as well as for anindividual. The United States has made awrong turn quite a number of times and therepeal of the prohibition amendment wasone of them. Every individual personshould likewise return to God if he has notalready done so. This is God's call to faiththrough His Word and the church.6: It Is God's Spirit that Leads Peopleto Respond to His Call to Faith.This is what Isaiah said in 32:15-18after he described the wretchedness of theland as a result of sin. "Until the spirit bepoured upon us from on high, and thewilderness be a fruitful field, and thefruitful field be counted for a forest, thenjudgment shall dwell in the wilderness, andrighteousness remain in the fruitful field.And the work of righteousness shall bepeace; and the effect of righteousnessquietness and assurance for ever. And myMAY 12. 1971 11

people shall dwell in a peacable habitation, - be divided into teams or play together.and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting Quiz is to match: Name, station and oneplaces." It was God's Spirit which put it missionary function of our missionaries.into the heart of Cyrus to issue a decreepermitting the Jews to return from the landof captivity. It was God's Spirit that ledTeacher mentions name or station. Firstchild to jump up is chosen to supplymatching information. Child with mostthem to return and to rebuild the walls of correct answers is winner. Example:Jerusalem and the Temple. It is God's ' Teacher — "Eleanor Faris", Child:Spirit which leads people to repent of sin "Tarumi, Women's Bible Classes."and to return to Him for forgiveness.7: It Was Faith in God Which for June 6,1971Delivered lerusalem from Sennacherib,UNIT: Missionary MindedKing of Assyria.MISSIONARIES OF BIBLE TIMES —"Then Isaiah, the son of Amoz, sentWHO IS A MISSIONARYunto Hezekiah saying, Thus saith the LordGod of Israel, ... he shall not come intothis city, nor shoot an arrow there, norcome before it... " (Isaiah 37:33)"Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolBy Miss Martha HutchesonReferences: Acts 13:1,2; II Kings 5; Daniel1,2; Jonah 1.Memory Psalm: Ps. 67, page 161, vv. 1-3.Lessons: the International Bible Lessons for Choose other missionary psalms.Christian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."JuniorTopicJUNIOR TOPICSFor June,1971UNIT: MISSIONARY MINDEDBy Miss Martha HutchesonGoal of next four lessons is : 1. To awakenthe desire to be missionaries at home andabroad. 2. To arouse a keen interest in thework of God in foreign countries bymissionaries of all nationalities. 3. Toarouse prayer interest in our missionaries.This unit will include the history ofChristian missions as well as present work.Resource: The sponsor shouldcollect the missionary numbers of theWitness. These are the first issue of eachmonth. Be current on information. Theseissues also include pictures of ourmissionaries which should be used.For Reformation and pioneermissionaries the following would be goodeasy background material: Heroes of theFaith, by J. Hefly, Moody Press; WilliamCarey — Father of Modern Missions, byWalter Davis, Moody Press; and TheTriumph of lohn and Betty Stam by Mrs.H. Taylor, Moody Press.Memory Psalm — Psalm 67, Page161, Verses 1,2,3.Memory Verses — I Cor. 1:17, "For the Christian missionary is sent by ChristChrist sent me. . . to preach the gospel" or through the church.whole verse. John 3:16; Luke 6:38, first What job is the Christian missionarypart or all; Matt. 10:8, "Freely ye have sent to do? Look at our memory verse, "toreceived, freely give."preach the gospel." A missionary may haveTeaching aids: World globe. Pictures many jobs to do. He may be a dentist. (Atof adults and children of many nationalitiesthis point have pictures clipped to show ofand vocations.people in these jobs) a doctor, nurse,Handwork: Make Bibles out ofmatch boxes. Cover with black constructionpaper. Color edges red.Game for Unit: Jump-up Quiz likeYouth for Christ quiz teams. Children may12Memory Verse: I Corinthians 1:17.Material: Cut out pictures of individuals ofdifferent nations. Flannelgraph charactersto represent Paul, servant girl in Naaman'scourt, Daniel, and Jonah.Handwork: Begin match box Bibles.Missionary! What comes to yourmind when you hear that word? Let themshare anything. Some will probablymention names. Yes, we think of people.Here are pictures of people. Show cut-outs.Discuss. They look like ordinary peoplefrom different countries. Mothers andfathers, brothers and sisters. Could any ofthese be missionaries? Yes, anyone ofthese could be a missionary.What makes an ordinary person likeyou or me a missionary? Let us look at adictionary and find what it says amissionary is. Read appropriate definition.Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary says,"Persons sent somewhere to perform astipulated service." In other words, aperson, sent by another, to do something.So a missionary is someone who has beensent. Now let us see what a Christianmissionary is.Who sends the Christian missionary?Look at our memory verse for the answer. ICor. 1:17. Paul is speaking. Was Paul amissionary? Yes, the greatest the world hasever known. Who does he say sent him?Christ. If we look more closely at Paul'slife, Acts 13:1,2, we find that the church atAntioch was used by God to send him. Soteacher, ordained minister, printer,mechanic, husband or wife; but their mainjob is to spread the gospel of Christ.Next week we will be talking aboutthe gospel or good news. This week we aregoing to look at some of the different kindsof missionaries there were in the Bible.(Have flannelgraph pictures of Biblecharacters lying in a large Bible, in thechapters relating to their life. Bring theseout one by one as you talk about them. Noflannelgraph board needed.)(1) Jewish servant girl. II Kings 5.Can a servant girl be a missionary? Thisone was. Reading in Bible story book mayhelp teacher present this more graphically.Emphasize a little Jewish girl in a foreigncountry was not afraid to tell her mistressabout God. Missionary from Israel toSyria. If one of the older Juniors knowsthese stories, let him narrate it, with theteacher emphasizing the missionaryaspects.(2) Daniel. Daniel 1,2. Here is ayoung boy who became a missionary. As aboy, he was taken captive from Israel toBabylon. Even though he was far fromhome, he stood up for God and told othersabout Him. One day the King had a dream(2:20-23, 27-30) which no one understood.God told Daniel the meaning of the dream.When Daniel told the King, he made surethe King understood that it was the trueGod in heaven who explained the dream.The King and others believed that Daniel'sGod was the true God.(3) Jonah. Jonah was a missionary toNineveh. God had to make him go. Thepeople of Nineveh listened to him andturned to God.(4) Paul. We have already mentionedthat he was the greatest missionary thatever lived. Where did God send him? Lookat globe and point out countries around theMediterranean he visited. Maps of hismissionary journeys may be found in theback of Bibles.Can you name other missionariesfrom the Bible? Let them name and tellwhy they were missionaries.These are people just like you andme, whom God sent to be missionaries.Could God send you to be a missionary?Would you be willing to go?Prayer: Considering being a missionary.Assignment: During the month pray for anopportunity to talk to someone aboutChrist. Share this at last lesson of unit.Game: Learn name and station of ourJapanese missionaries and one thing thatthey each do. Jump-up Quiz.Prayer MeetingTopicPRAYER FOR SYNODJune 9,1971By Rev. John O. Edgar, D.D.Psalms: 107:1-4, p. 264; 132:7-9, p. 330;48:7-10. p. 122.Scripture: Acts 15:1-6; I Cor. 12:27-31.Study Materials:COVENANTER WITNESS

1. The Minutes of Synod, 19702. The Constitution of the ReformedPresbyterian Church(a) Confession of Faith Chapt.31, page 53(b) Declaration and TestimonyChapt. 23, page 191(c) Church GovernmentChapt. 11, page 266One of the first meetings of leadersin the New Testament Church is recordedin the 15th chapter of Acts. While themeeting cannot be called a "synod" in thesense in which it is used today, it was acouncil where representatives of thechurch met to consider matters pertainingto doctrine and practice. The meeting wasPresbyterian in the sense that it wascomposed of apostles and elders who hadbeen chosen to hold office. There was adifference of opinion among members ofthe church concerning circumcision and ofmeats which had been offered to idols. Toresolve the problem, the leaders met to tryto determine what God's will might be.They sought the guidance of the HolySpirit, for in Acts 15:8 we read, "It seemedgood to the Holy Ghost and to us .. . ." It isto be noted that a decision was reachedand a declaration was made by James, thespokesman for the council. It is alsosignificant that the decision of the councilwas binding upon all the members of thechurch.The passage in I Corinthians setsforth the truth that all Christians are a partof the Body of Christ, which is the Church.The members of the church have differinggifts and these gifts are to be used in amanner that will bring honor to Christ andHis Church. The Synod of our church ismade up of ministers and elders who havebeen chosen to serve by reason of the factithat they have certain gifts andqualifications which are set forth in(Scripture. These qualifications are clearlystated in I Timothy 3:1-7. They are thejelected representatives who are chargedwith transacting the business of the church.Every session of Synod opens and^closes with prayer, in the name of Christ,who is the Head of the Church. Themeetings are conducted in a solemn,dignified manner, with special attentionbeing given to the Rules of Synod, whichare set forth in the "Book of ChurchGovernment," chapter 12.At the meeting of Synod, reports areIreceived from each of the standing boardsand committees of the church. Thesereports give information about work which.has been carried out, about problemswhich may have been encountered andusually give something of the plan of action! for the coming year. Sometimes a board orcommittee may present a specialresolution for action by Synod, such as tnatt presented last year by the Foreign MissionMAY 12, 1971Board concerning work in Taiwan.(Seel970 Minutes of Synod, pages 102-103)In order to facilitate the work ofSynod, the moderator appoints thefollowing committees: Nominations,Finance, Judicial, Records of Presbyteries,Resolutions, and Time and Place. Thesecommittees work during the meeting ofSynod and report before its close. Thereare also special committees which havebeen assigned to study particular subjects.These committees are usually appointed bythe previous Synod, but sometimes acommittee may be working on itsassignment for a period of years. A partiallist of the special committees to report atthe 1971 Synod, may be found in connectionwith the Report of theNominations Committee, 1970 Minutes ofSynod, page 107.Some other items which may comebefore Synod include, (a) MemorialService for ministers, minister's wives,missionaries, and elders who have diedsince the last meeting of Synod, (b) Thesetting up of the Church's financial budgetfor the next calendar year, (c) Hearing theReports of Presbyteries, (d) The hearing ofappeals which may come concerning theactions of a presbytery, (e) The exercise ofchurch discipline, (f) Consideration of anyproposed changes in the Standards of theChurch, (g) Hearing fraternal delegatesfrom other churches or organizations.Synod is that which has been writtenabove and much more. Space forbids goinginto detail. The Synod is the highest courtof our church. The decisions which aremade and the programs which areinitiated, may well determine the growthand witness of the Church asit goes forthbearing the precious seed. The decisions ofSynod directly affect each member of thechurch, and they may also have an effectupon the course of history in our nationand the world.Special Items For Prayer1. For the retiring moderator, as hegives the opening sermon, and for the newmoderator who will be chosen.2. For the standing boards andcommittees of Synod (Minutes pages 157-160).3. For the special committees (Min.Synod, page 107).4. For the Co-ordinating Committee,asit hears requests for money and sets upthe Budget for 1972.5. For congregations that may nothave a representative at Synod.6. That the Holy Spirit will direct inevery decision, and that a spirit ofChristian love will always be evident.7. That each congregation may feelthat through its elected representatives, ithas a voice in the decisions of Synod.ESSENTIAL FEATURESOF A CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHYOF EDUCATIONIn a Christian high school, English,mathematics, history, science, foreignlanguages and physical education aretaught, even as they are in the publicschools. Does then the adding of a coursein Bible make the difference between asecular and a Christian school? Certainlynot!If this were the case,it would be farless expensive to let the state furnish ouryouth with education in the first coursesmentioned and then have the church,following the regular school hours, teachthe Bible. Both the Jews and the Mormonsare following this plan.The problem is not solved as easily asthis. Youth then would still be subjected toa secular education which rejects God.This, of course, we are trying to get awayfrom.A Christian high school, ifit is to betruly Christian, must hold to the following:1. It must recognize that God is theCreator and that all Truth finds its origin inHim.2. It must hold to the fact of the Fallof man into sin and that the whole race issinful and seeking its own ways rather thanGod's. To hold to this fact is importantbecause if man has not sinned, he thenneeds no Savior from sin. He is thencapable of directing his own ways.3. It holds to the fact that educationcannot elevate man morally and spiritually.Rather this can be only by a new life impartedthrough the "new birth." A streamof water will never rise higher than itssource. Likewise, education by itself canonly lead man as high as he is, but this isnot high enough. To be accepted of Godwe must have His righteousness.4. Christian education will seek tohelp the individual (who is saved) bringharmony into his life which was disruptedby the influence of sin. To accomplish this,every course that is taught, every counselingsession, and every administrativeprocedure will be from a God-centeredpoint of view.5. Christian education includes as itsresponsibility the development of youthspiritually as well as physically, socially,and mentally. Secular schools assumeresponsibility only for the latter three. .(From the Western Voice)HOW TO CONVERT NOBODYToo much modern preaching is designed toplease everybody, offend nobody and sendpeople home feeling that "day by day inevery way they are getting better andbetter." Such preaching never converted asingle soul nor changed and transformed asingle life.13

NOTICEPreaching for the full summer.Cambridge, Mass. Parsonage available.Contact: C. F. Millican, Clk. Session410 Woburn St., Lexington, Mass.COLLEGE HILL WILL CELEBRATEThe College Hill Congregation willcelebrate its 75th Anniversary on July 1,1971.LOUISE C. MURPHYMatthew 25:21: "Well done thou good andfaithful servant: thou hast been faithfulover a few things, I will make thee rulerover many things: enter thou into the joyof thy Lord."Mrs. Louise C. Murphy a life longmember of the Syracuse ReformedPresbyterian Church, died, February 28,1971. She lived her whole life in devotedservice to others.Early in her life she served asmissionary to Syria and Cyprus. After shereturned from Cyprus she was married toCharles D. Murphy. They had three boys:Edmund, David, and Allan.The lives of countless young peopleand adults were influenced by her devotedefforts in teaching Juniors, Released Timeclasses, Vacation Bible School, SabbathSchool classes and as a sponsor for CYPU:she served faithfully the W.M.S., W.C.-T.U.,RescueMission Alliance, EvangelicalChild and Family Welfare, and the GideonSociety.She corresponded with hundreds ofpeople in this country and abroad. Whenthe Syracuse congregation celebrated itscentennial, Louise compiled a completehistory of our church which required notonly a fantastic amount of research andtime, but was by far one of the most interestingaccounts of Syracuse history andthe life and times of the members of theearly Reformed Presbyterian Church inSyracuse.Her home was always open wide tovisiting ministers and their families,missionaries and friends and family fromall over the world. She made everyone feelso welcome.Here was a truly remarkableChristian woman who lived her life incomplete dedication to our Lord. She wasand is an inspiration to all.MISS ANNA TAYLOROn January 10, 1971, Miss AnnaTaylor, a member of the Third Church ofthe Covenanters for seventy-seven years,was called to her eternal home.Miss Taylor s family came toPhiladelphia from Ireland and united withthe Third Church in October of 1893.She was intensely loyal to theCovenanter principles and attended allchurch services as long as she wasphysically able. For many years she sang inthe choir and taught a class of teen-agegirls.After the death of her sister, Mrs.Samuel McClurken, she devoted manyyears of her life to making a home for herfour nephews, who survive her.When overtaken by infirmity andprolonged weakness, she greatly missedthe worship service and especially thesinging of the Psalms. She longed for theday when she would be received into thegreater fellowship of her Lord and Savior.Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at alltimes, His praise shall continually be in mymouth."Memorial Minutes adopted by theWomen's Missionary Society of the ThirdChurch of the Covenanters, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.WANTED: GEORGE FAMILY DATAWould like to correspond withdescendants of the GEORGE family ofOhio and Pennsylvania. There were manyCovenanter or Reformed Presbyterianministers among the GEORGE family.Rev. Henry H. George, 1833-1864 and hiscousin Rev. William F. George are twoprominent ones. Is someone compiling aGEORGE family history? I have data backto the immigrant, Thomas George, whowas born in Scotland in the early 1700's.Will be happy to exchange data. Pleasewrite to Doris T. Law, 835 East First South,Salt Lake City, Utah 84102.GREELEY, COLORADO(Rev. E. Raymond Hemphill, pastor)The World Day of Prayer was observedby a good number who braved theicy roads to join in the Psalm Sing led byMrs. Paul McCracken of Westminster. Thetheme was "Christ the Lord" in all phasesof life.The men at the Prayer Breakfast,March 9, heard Officer Bill Mitchell of theGreeley Police Department. He describedand demonstrated the use of the polygraphas used by law enforcement agencies. Mr.Hemphill was the host.Mr. Hemphill also entertained theGreeley Area Ministers meeting at thechurch, March 16. Chief John Parkinson ofthe Greeley Police Department was thespeaker.Several from the fellowship groupsenjoyed a time of bowling at the Universitylanes, March 19, and had refreshments atthe parsonage afterwards.Mr. Fred Bailey is recovering nicelyfrom eye surgery. Mrs. R. R. Snair, Mrs.Nellie Van Wyke, and Mrs. Stella Glennare in the hospital again for treatments.Mrs. Frank Meeker is recovering frommajor surgery on her knee. Mrs. WarnockBailey is home from the hospital andimproving nicely.Miss Anna Dickey, a member of ourchurch for 52 years, died, March 10, at theage of nearly 80 years.The Genevans, our college choir,was well received here, March 31. Theyliterally blew in from Sterling, Kansas intime for a Western supper served to 150people. Others arrived later to enjoy thefiae program of music.GENEVA COEDWINS NATIONAL AWARDJeralyn Long, a Geneva Collegejunior speech major from Lafayette, Indiana,was among sixteen recipients of agold medal award at the National ForensicsTournament held in Houston, Texas. Themedal is the highest awarded annually bythe National Phi Kappa Delta ForensicsSociety for superior work in extemporaneousspeaking.Her score of 189 of a possible 190points in extemporaneous speaking at thePennsylvania Inter-College ForensicTournament won for her the Pennsylvaniachampionship and the opportunity torepresent the commonwealth in thenational tournament. She was the onlyPennsylvania representative to receive anaward at Houston.During her one and one-half yearscompetition whe has won ten trophiesinnine tournaments.Jerri is from the West Lafayettecongregation of the ReformedPresbyterian Church.14 COVENANTER WITNESS

BOOKSFrom The Study Window by Rev. DavidM. Carson, Ph. D. 120 pages. Paper back$1.50. The National Reform Association,45 S. Bryant Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15202Dr. David M. Carson, a ReformedPresbyterian minister and Head of theDepartment of Political Science at GenevaCollege, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, haswritten this collection of 60 brief essaysover a period of several years. They haveappeared periodically in The ChristianStatesman, official publication of TheNational Reform Association. They dealwith a wide variety of subjects of greatmoment to the Christian and to our nation.These are easily read and quite informing.See a sample on page 8.M.W.D.TEN RULES FORCONVERTING NOBODY1. Let your supreme motive bepopularity rather than salvation.2. Study to please your congregationand to make a reputation rather than toplease God.3. Take up popular, passing, andsensational themes to draw the crowd, andavoid essential doctrines of salvation.4. Denounce sin in the abstract, butpass lightly over sins that prevail in yourcongregation.5. If asked, "Is it wrong to dance,play cards, or attend the theatre?" answervery pleasantly, "Oh, that is a matter forprivate judgement. It is not for me to sayyou shall or shall not."6. Preach on the loveliness of virtueand the glory of heaven, but not on thesinfulness of sin and the terrors of hell.7. Reprove the sins of the absent, butmake those who are present pleased withthemselves, so that they will enjoy thesermon and not go away with their feelingshurt.8. Make the impression on worldlychurch members that God is too good tosend anyone to hell, even if there is a hell.9. Preach the universal Fatherhood\ of God and the brotherhood of man so asto show that no second birth is reallyneeded.10. Do not rebuke the worldliness ofthe church, but fall in with the amusementpolicy. Instead of meeting for prayer, letthe people "sit down to eat and drink andrise up to play."Another, speaking under inspirationof the Holy Spirit, once said: "Preach theword; be instant in season, out of season;reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time willcome when they will not endure sounddoctrine; but after their own lusts shallIhey heap to themselves teachers havingitching ears; and they shall turn their earshorn the truth and shall be turned untofables. But watch thou in all things, endureafflictions, do the work of an evangelist,make full proof of thy ministry."— The Herald of Light.INTER-VARSITY CHRISTIANFELLOWSHIP'S 10th BEACHEVANGELISM PROJECTFt. Lauderdale, Florida,April 4-9,1971Walk up and down a mile-longstretch of beach at Ft. Lauderdale, Floridaany afternoon during Holy Week and everytwenty yards you could see some of the 225Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowshipstudents, recognizable by their white wristbands, intent in their conversations withthe sun-bathers. More students wereclustered around two umbrellas at whichthere were forums on various aspects ofChristianity and around the city-sponsoredbandstand. There from 2:00 p.m. untilmidnight, two Christian rock bands, theExkursions and The New Wine, played andrapped about Jesus Christ.The beaches were less crowded atnight, except for the 4,000 gathered infront of the bandstand. Under the cover ofdarkness and while the police turnedtheir backs, the sex, liquor and drug-usebecame blatantly open. Liquor wasbrought to the beach by the cases. Onefellow howled at the full moon as hefreaked out on an acid trip; another told adiscouraged I-Ver, "I don't want Jesus; Ijust want some marijuana."But Satan did not have everyone inhis grip. Some were listening. When thebreaks in the concerts came, I-V studentswho had been praying that God's powerwould triumph over the evil forces on thebeach were ready to introduce thosestudents to their Lord.One such student was Steve. He'drun away from home and been on drugssince he was 14. Invited to the Alternativecoffeehouse after a conversation on thebeach Monday night, he rapped for fourhours, and came to understand that hecould know God — who had always beenso big and abstract that Steve thought Hecouldn't touch his life — through JesusChrist. Danny Taylor, the Christian folksinger whose gracious witness andcharisma was used by the Holy Spirit tocontrol the atmosphere of the Alternative,introduced Steve Wednesday night. Theaudience became still as Steve told themthat they, too, should investigate Christand take Him as their own.The raw concentrated force of sin hitmany Christian students for the first time intheir lives. A 7-month-old Christian girlsaid, "The concerts on the beach are veryworthwhile but dangerous. Here is whereour faith is really tested and our courage isneeded." Another girl who has been aChristian a vear and who led two to commitmentto Christ during the week added,"It was easy to feel lonely and scared in thecrowd, but I just looked to the white bandsand to God for comfort. I know that Satanworked just as hard as we did, but God waswith us here."Claiming God's power, they were aninfluence for good on that beach. Steve'sstory attests to that. So do the words of apolice lieutenant. "It is a genuine pleasureto work with such a group," Lt. Brewsterreported. "They help turn the crowd frombeing a potentially trouble-making one. Iwish they could come earlier, stay outlater, and stay longer."It was at the invitation of the cityofficials of Ft. Lauderdale that I-V's PaulLittle began the beach evangelism projectin 1962, the year after the student riots.The project has grown steadily over theyears in conjunction with a committee oflocal pastors and laymen, the ChristianAction for Student Evangelism. WilliamM. York, I-V staff in Virginia directed thisyear's project and Pete Hammond,Southeast Area Director, headed up themorning training sessions. IVCF's MissionsDirector, David Howard, gave the Bibleexpositions.Two other innovations this year, inaddition to Inter-Varsity's bands being theonly city-sponsored entertainment, were"floating forums," yacht trips anddiscussions with local pastors about thechurch, and surveys the students took for aChristian sociologist investigating youngtransients' concepts of freedom. Both lednaturally to conversations about Christ.Said one student, "The people herewere so ripe. The Spirit had prepared themso that their openness was almost unbelievable.I've really gained confidence inthe power of the Holy Spirit to touch andopen men's hearts, and to give me wisdomin an intense witnessing situation."About eighty-five were touched byGod so that they desired further contactwith Christians on their campuses: half ofthese indicated that they, like Steve, hadtaken their first step of commitment toChrist. Paul Woodard, staff in Missouri,who led one of the seventeen "families" ofstudents, said that only God can score theconversions, but in his family there wasone new birth for every two Christians.REPORT OF THE RESCONFERENCE ON RACECHICAGO YMCAMarch 2-5,1971I. The mandate of this Conferencewas "to test conditions in their churchesand countries according to the norm of theWord of God as this is explained in theRES resolutions."In response to the mandate of theMAY 12, 1971 !=>

Conference, this committee proposes thatthe Conference judge:that there is among the conferees and inour churches a general acknowledgementthat racism is in conflict with the Word ofGod and therefore a sin from which menmust be called to genuine repentance andrenewed obedience.that readiness to recognize andacknowledge the presence of racistbehavior in ourselves, our churches, andour society varies considerably among theindividuals and congregations representedby our denominations. In answer toquestionnaires, few acknowledge themselvesas being racist, and manycongregations see little or no problem ofracism in their membership.that more thorough and more effectiveefforts must be made to sensitize thepeople of our churches to concrete formswhich racist attitudes and behavior take inour churches and in our society.that faith and action must be more firmlyjoined in our relationships between theraces in our churches and countries; whiletheologizing apart from deeds ofobedience is dead, action without a livingfaith in Christ and the power of the HolySpirit is vanity.and recognizing that the urgent needs ofthat, in order to reflect faithfully the love our neighbor, both within and without theof Christ, our congregations need to household of faith, continue to multiply inbecome more aware of and more actively the areas of housing, employment, andconcerned about their own moral involvementeducation; and recognizing that thesewith the injustice, oppression, physical needs cannot continue to beand suffering of their fellow human beings. neglected by the body of Christ without(adopted without dissent) compromising the credibility of herII. In response to the experience ofthis Conference and the confrontation withChristian responsibility which it has involved,we recommend:spiritual concern for the whole man, thateach congregation budget equal fundingfor both the ministry of the Word and theministry of mercy; and that in order to beThat every delegate at theRES Conference commit himself to thetask of working for racial understanding inhis area of responsibility:1. by educating himself in racial understandingthrough literature, resourcepersons, and by active participation.2. by the faithful proclamation and — orteaching of the Word asit applies to ourChristian responsibilities in racial understanding.3. by giving encouragement and leadershipin programs of education and in activitiesdesigned to improve racial understanding.(adopted by a standing vote)III. (excerpts) Believing that thechurches need suggestions for ways to actin combatting racism, the RES Conferenceon Race, through conference actiongroups, has gathered the following list ofproposals which are conveyed to thechurches and their related institutions fortheir use.Proposals regarding Christiancolleges and seminaries:that the Christian colleges, in consultationwith each other, establishminority studies programs.LOVE."that the Christian colleges, in consultationwith each other, establish a mandatorycourse designed to produce an understandingof the nature of racism, as wellas the cultural, intellectual, and religiousfactors contributing to the establishmentand continuation of racism.that «4he denominations and relatedcolleges establish and conduct programs ofrecruitment among minority groups,establish an Advisory Minority Council,employ full-time minority recruiters, andestablish a denominational minoritystudent scholarship fund.Proposals regardingdiaconal ministries:the churches'Recognizing that the ministry of the Wordwithout an accompanying ministry ofmercy, i.e., diaconal concern, is contraryto the teaching and example of our Lord,able to implement this proposal, eachcongregation sincerely reappraise its needfor any or all of the following: elaboratefacilities used part-time for worship andeducation activities, salaried musicians,luxurious parsonages, and affluent lifestyles among its members.Proposals regarding mission policiesand practices, and ministry priorities:that the mission boards and the individualcongregations of our churches re-examinetheir expenditure of funds and invest moreof their resources in areas of desperatehuman need and in work among minoritygroups, since the treatment of the poor andthe oppressed has always been a Biblicaltouchstone of God's judgment of a society.Proposals for educating suburban ornon-inner city churches:that a model be prepared for facilitatingattitude change ("mind liberation"), amodel that can be used in large groups orsmall, formal or informal, a model thatgives the Holy Spirit the freedom to accomplishthrough us His task of sanctification,a model that could be called: I"LOVING THEM INTO CHRISTIANthat all ministers be urged, in spite ofpossible opposition, to preach the wholecounsel of God regarding the rights,privileges and duties of all Christians, tothe end that believers will know theirresponsibilities towards their fellow menand will be impelled to practice trueChristian love and justice towards them.Proposals for the church facingchanging communities:that since it is our duty to sustain a minito the changing urban communities inwhich God has placed us, urbancongregations seek to establish a moreinter-congregational style of ministry,through consultation, sharing, and study ofmutual priorities for church and community,and furthermore that therespective classes or presbyteries subsidizethese inter-congregational ministries.Proposals regarding legal justice:that programs be designed to sensitizewhite churches to the injustices to whichminority groups have been subjected andfrom which majority identificationexempts whites. This can be accomplishedby: encouraging churches to inviteknowledgeable people, especially thosewho are themselves exposed to socialdisabilities, to expose the white man's longstandingtolerance of a system of justicewhich, in practice, is discriminatory andselectively oppressive. The purpose of suchpresentations would be to foster amongChristians a "holy rage" against injusticesin the land.that the above be implemented by:establishing Information and PublicizingCenters either as an official deaconalprogram or less specifically ecclesiastical,to provide information regarding the lawand one's individual rights.establishing Christian Legal Aid Service tocounsel individuals caught in unjust legalsituations.forming Political Action Committeestoward mobilizing the Christian community.RES Newsletter.16 COVENANTER WITNESS

Qsma^^^tiM* * •3LUM E LXXXVI NO. 20 MAY 19, 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 13, 1971THE BOOK OF PSALMSPSALM 23CRIMOND.C.M.^]U^rfllijlJ^HIDavid GrantP^'-' rv a_S•9- m. J.FFffi a m.1.The Lord's my Shep-herd, I'll not want; He makes me down to lieNUjJ U J I JJ J EffifggIn past-ures green; He lead-eth me The qui - et wa - ters by.t: Alifl Art A ^ ,t:.trIi2. My soul He doth restore again;And me to walk doth makeWithin the paths of righteousness,Ev'n for His own name's sake.4. A table Thou hast furnished meIn presence of my foes;My head Thou dost with oil anoint.And my cup overflows.3. Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale. 5. Goodness and mercy all my lifeYet will I fear no ill;Shall surely follow me;For Thou art with me, and Thy rod And in God's house for evermoreAnd staff me comfort still.My dwelling place shall be.THE BOOK OF PSALMS WITH MUSIC. Availablefrom the Board of Publication and Education of theReformed Presbyterian Church of N.A., "38 RebeccaAvenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15221

THE COVENANTERWITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER (Sjtt^£>T EVANGELICAL MESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Kenneth McBurneyRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.PRES YNODIC CONFERENCEJune 10-12, 1971Geneva CollegeFellowship, Theological Discussion, Recreation!— What do we mean when we say on our denominationbanner, "For Christ's Crown and Covenant"?— What is the historical and biblical basis for thof Christ's Kingship over men and nations?— How do these historic Reformed Presbyterian viewrelate to some of the concepts of Christ's Kingship whichhave been developed by some Dutch theologians and theirdisciples?These and related issues will be discussed.Speakers:Dr. Bernard Zylstra,Institute for Christian Studies, TorontoDr. Samuel Boyle, Christian GovernmentMovementDr. Robert Tweed, Geneva College$2.50 Registration Fee$3.95 Housing and Linenfmake checks payable to Geneva College)Send your pre-registranon to:Rev. John WhiteGeneva CollegeBeaver Falls, Pa. 15010This Week's Wit nessThe Way of Salvation—Basic Issue of Reformation.3Glimpses of the Religious World.4Tips for Sabbath School Teachers..5What My Children Have Taught Me..6The Christian and War7With: CY Staff Has Good Year.N.A.E. ResolutionsVietnamese Youth Visit Convention.Carrying Through (Story)Lesson HelpsNews of Foreign Missions..8.9.9.101116The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B Tweed2t WITNESS

The Way of SalvationTHE BASIC ISSUE A T THE REFORM A TIONEphesians 2:1-10 clearly teaches the doctrine ofsalvation by grace alone. This truth was of cardinal importanceat the Reformation. Luther, for example, emphasizedthat grace alone (sola gratia) saves sinners. Withthis all the Reformers agreed; they took the Scriptures astheir sole authority (sola Scriptura) and searching thoseScriptures they were convinced that salvation was bygrace alone.Grace is not a substance; it is not something infusedinto man. Grace is an attitude on the part of God,whereby for Christ's sake, and on the basis of Hisrighteousness and atoning death, the sinner is freelyforgiven, accepted as righteous in Christ and made therecipient of all the blessings of salvation. Thus the sinnerreceives the free and unmerited (so far as he is concerned)favor of God. He is saved by grace and by grace alone. Toadd anything to Christ and His redemption, be it Church,sacraments, good works, etc., is to destroy the wholeconcept of grace.This Biblical doctrine of salvation was rediscoveredat the Reformation and proclaimed with great convictionand enthusiasm. It was, and still is, radically different fromthe Roman Catholic doctrine of salvation. Rome does nothold to the principle of sola Scriptura, and not beingbound by Scripture it is not surprising to find that she hasdeparted from and contradicted Scripture at every vitalpoint. Nowhere is this more obvious than in her doctrineof salvation. Rome teaches that grace is an act of Godwhereby He moves man to respond to the truth, and thisgrace is communicated first of all through the sacramentof baptism and then through the other "sacraments" andordinances of the Church. The Council of Trent declared:"The instrumental cause of Justification is the sacramentof baptism." Rome also denies salvation by grace alone inher doctrine of meritorious works. The Council of Trent,which sought to counteract the Reformation, declared"accursed" anyone who said that good works were the giftof God and "not also the merits of him that is justified."Clearly there is a vast difference between the way ofsalvation as taught in the Bible and as taught by Rome.The basic issue at the Reformation was not the authorityof the Pope, the celibacy of priests and such like, but theway of salvation.To the vital question, "What must I do to be saved?"Rome and the Reformers gave two totally different answers.The Biblical, Christian and Protestant answer tothat question is to trust in Christ alone for salvation, and torecognize that salvation is solely by grace and is the gift ofGod. The Romanist answer to that question is to come toGod through the Church and in the way indicated by theChurch, and through the sacraments of the Churchreceive 'grace' to save your soul. This is not salvation bygrace;it is a total denial of that truth. Saving grace andmeritorious human works do not mix. It is significant thatin Acts 2:38 the Roman Catholic Douay Version makesPeter say, "Do penance, and be baptized every one of youin the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins . .." A modern Roman Catholic textbook in theologydescribes penance as a sacrament in which the penitentsinner renders atonement for his sins, and states thatpenance was at all times a necessary precondition for theforgiveness of sins. Another Roman Catholic authorityasserts: "The just man can then merit strictly eternal life,an increase of sanctifying grace and of glory in heaven."Compare and contrast with such statements, II Timothy1:9; Titus 3:5 and Galatians 2:16.Young people should clearly understand that thefundamental difference between Protestantism and thePapacy concerns the way of salvation. The difference isnot merely one of ritual or ecclesiastical organization. Thebasic difference is that we do not preach the same gospel.Once we grasp this fact we will not seek dialogue withRome, but evangelistic contact; and before there can besuch contact there must be genuine love for the individualRoman Catholic. True Christians must rise above politicaltensions and merely defensive attitudes and seek to reachRoman Catholics with the love and the truth of Christ.F.S.L. The Covenanter Witness of Scotland and IrelandBoard of Foreign MissionsAt its May meeting, the Foreign Mission Board wasunanimous in its call for the Sam Boyles to return to Japanwith an eye also toward work in Taiwan. The call will bepresented to Mr. Boyle through his Presbytery, anticipatinghis return to the field this fall.Rev. James Pennington brought encouraging newsfrom Japan in an interview with the Board. He also indicatedthat his future plans were indefinite, but hinged ona desire for graduate study in missions.Reports from the field showed that Miss Faris hadsuccessfully resumed a partial work-load at Tarumi. TheBoard also learned that Mr. Miwa, a young Japaneseengineering graduate at Higashi Suma, has expressed hisintention of entering the ministry.Guidelines are being drawn up for Miss Carol Spearto work as a mission helper in Japan during the summer.Her passage has been provided by a special CY. funddrive. The Board has also undertaken an in-depth study ofthe Biblical principles regarding the role of youth inmission work. This is to be shared with the National C. Y.Staff.Our missionaries in Cyprus have grave tensionfacing them over the government action which forbidsanyone to give religious instruction to youth of anotherreligion than the teacher.Dr. W. W. Weir has undertaken to write the GreekAmbassador to the U. N. protesting this infringement ofreligious freedom.Mr. Thomas Edgar has returned to Cyprus asprincipal of the Boys' School. The Stegalls are planning toreturn to the U. S. in July in anticipation of an addition totheir family.MAY 19, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.207 Darlington RoadBeaver Falls, Pennsylvania 15010SOCIAL-EVANGELISTIC CONCERNBible-believing Christians and churches are sensitive— when criticism is justified and when it isn't — to jibesthat they are interested in "saving souls," "pie in the sky,by and by," but not interested in hunger, poverty, ghettos,and bodily needs. There was reaction to such criticism atUrbana '70 in Samuel Escobar's "The Two-Car Gospel."Possibly he has seen some of this sensitiveness and someself-depreciating introspection, also, some of the sincerebut bandwagon flight to activism. He said (His, May 1971),"The needed change cannot come from ourselves as selfcriticsor from our outside critics. It has to come from theWord of God with the Spirit of God working through it.We need a reappraisal of the power of the contents of themessage we proclaim and of the one who sends us toproclaim it. . . ."SHIFT IN ABORTION ATTITUDESWhen young Lester Kinsolving, Episcopal ministerfrom San Francisco, testified several years ago before anArizona senate committee regarding a liberalized abortionbill, he seemed to be vieing for the yet unsurrenderedmantle of Bishop Pike. He seemed to regard mostanything that the Bible had to say as out-of-date. Hiseloquence made it appear that the real problems of unwantedchildren could be solved to the advantage ofsociety as well as unwilling mothers-to-be, by abortion onrequest.The Associated Press has circulated a large pictureof a young couple viewing a large billboard erected in NewKensington, Pennsylvania, advertising "Legal Abortions"giving telephone number and street address in New York.Yet the Supreme Court has upheld, in a 5-2 ruling, the1901 abortion law for the District of Columbia "againstclaims that its wording is so vague doctors do not knowwhich operations are permissible and which are not." Notyet settled are several cases from a half dozen states,asking whether women have an inherent right to obtain anabortion simply because they desire to end theirpregnancy.Minnesota has joined several other states (Glimpses,April 28, 1971) by rejecting in House committee, by a voteof 20-9, a liberalized abortion bill. It is reported(Christianity Today, April 23, 1971) that President Nixonoverturned a Defense Department regulation thatliberalized abortion rules in military hospitals. He stated"with unusual candor" his own views in this regard butsaid that he had acted partly because laws regulatingabortion have been the province of the states.The Maryland House of Delegates rejected by a"surprisingly wide margin (77-59) a bill that would havepermitted a physician to perform an abortion on requestup to the twentieth week of pregnancy."This seems to be a reproof to the establishmentchurches, from the common grace area of God's domain.The American Baptist Convention urged legislation in1968 that would permit abortions on request up to the 12thweek of pregnancy. An Episcopal Church resolution in1967 supported efforts to "repeal all laws concerningabortion which deny women the free and responsibleexercise of their conscience. . . ." The United MethodistChurch in 1970 urged church-related hospitals to take thelead in exceeding legal prohibitions in this field. TheUnited Presbyterian Church committee on this subjectreported in 1970 that the committee position was thatabortion should be a matter of the "careful ethical considerationof a woman, her physician, and her pastor orcounselors."SELECTIVE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR STATUSThe Supreme Court of the United States has ruled,with only Justice Wm. O. Douglas dissenting, thatexemption from military duty in "particular" wars, such asthe Vietnam conflict, is not permissible. The RES NewsExchange, in reporting this decision, quotes the ChurchHerald in the charge that the "Supreme Court decision isdiscriminatory, in that it favors the members of thepacifist or peace churches, who are opposed to all war,over against the members of other churches or nonchurchmembers whose consciences may just as honestlydirect them to refuse to participate in certain wars. . . .(This) is not honoring conscience as such, but just certainkinds of conscience, and under certain conditions."An Altedena, California youth, however (EP April17,1971), is to return home after 18 months training in theArmy in the medical corps. He requested a discharge as aconscientious objector but the Army refused because of alack of "depth of conviction required to qualify as conscientiousobjector." He filed suit in San Antonio — whatcourt is unclear in the report — stating that "God has toldme through my conscience that all killing of people is bad,. . . God has used my conscience to tell me that I mustseparate myself from the Army . . . ." This decision seemsto open the door to unlimited self determination as tomilitary service. It also calls to the fore the need forsomething more objective than one's "own conscience" asto what is right and what is wrong, for God has said in HisWord that "not all killing of people is bad." It reminds usof the young man whom Paul Little told about, in hismessage on guidance, who says to the girl of his choice,"God has told me you're to marry me." If it's really true,the girl is going to get the message through some additionalsource, affirming, not contradicting, the message.COVENANTER WITNESS

TIPS FOR SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHERSMrs. Kathryn WuthnowPrepareKnow your class members. If they are children, whatappeals to children of that age, what are their characteristics,abilities? If older students, what aboutbackground, education, interests, occupations? Pray foreach member of the class during the week. Encouragethem to pray for each other.Carefully plan each lesson keeping in mind makingthe best use of the limited time that you have in which topresent it. A professional teacher makes written lessonplans which include aims, materials, and procedure. Firststudy your lesson material until you know it, then planhow you will present it to make it come alive for the class.Plan how to get the response you want in order todevelop the theme, idea, truth you wish to bring out of thelesson. Think through your questions, write them down,watch the wording. Is the meaning clear? Does it provokethought and discussion that will lead to the goal of thelesson or the application of it? Anticipate questions thatmay arise and be prepared with an answer.Study ways to be tactful in asking questions and inacknowledging responses in class discussion. Withoutembarrassing individuals with personal remarks try tobring out truths that would be helpful in meeting theirneeds.Have any teaching aids, such as maps, pictures,charts, filmstrips, at hand, ready to be used.TeachGear the lesson presentation to the age of yourlisteners. The vocabulary used should be on their level ofcomprehension. Be enthusiastic. Look them in the eye, asyou talk, to hold their attention. Be sincere and reverentas you present the Holy Word of God in His house andexpect the Holy Spirit to apply it.Small children have a short attention span and needaction. Use words they understand and speak slowlyenough that they comprehend. Be dramatic. Let themdramatize a part of the story. Even in a small classroomthey can walk around a table or run in one spot as theyhold a card bearing the name of the character theyrepresent. You may wish to retell the story letting themMrs. Kathryn Huey Wuthnow is an elementary teacherin the Lyons, Kansas public school system. She is amember of the Sterling R. P. Church and chairman of thecongregation's Christian Education Committee.supply words or action. Even clapping by the class forright answers as questions are answered, will satisfy theirneed for movement.Cultivate the habit of carrying a Bible to class bymaking use of it in class. Little children who cannot readlike to carry a Bible to church school. Those learning toread are quite eager to find words they know in verses theteacher finds for them. The use of the Bible for "sworddrill" is enjoyed by older children as they look up versesquickly and stand to read them.In children's classes part of the hour may be used inmaking something to take home.Bulletin boards that grow with each lesson may holdinterest for any class in the children's department.Involve Your PupilsThink of suitable ways to motivate students toprepare their lessons. Giving stars may appeal to the littleones. Individual check lists or notebooks may motivateolder students. Some means of recognition or reward maybe used as a motivation for memorizing Scripture verses,Psalms, and catechism.The old adage, "You must put something into it ifyou hope to get something out of it," should be applied.Encourage each one to make some contribution to theclass lesson and to feel that his contribution was important.Brief special reports, panel discussions, contestsmay be used as a means of motivating young people.Special projects such as programs for rally day orpromotion day may involve all classes. Other specialprojects might be planned for Thanksgiving, Christmas, orNew Years. A clean-up day or work-night at the churchcould enlist the cooperative effort of all. Helping orcontributing to the support of some mission, ormissionary, might be another means of involvement. Planto give everyone an opportunity for taking someresponsibility at one time or another and give recognitionfor it.Visitation is a very important means of involvingmembers of adult classes. Opportunity for class membersto get acquainted and to have Christian fellowship asidefrom the Sabbath services is needed by all classes.As a Sabbath School teacher remember that you arenot only teaching a Bible truth by teaching this day'slesson but you are helping to develop Christian character,church leaders, congenial family members, witnesses forChrist.•••MAY i9, i97i 5

What My Children Have Taught MeMrs. Robert J. Mann *Parenthood is certainly a rewarding experience —with its deep satisfactions and frustrations, laughter andtears, times of closeness and times of hostility, peace andconfusion, relaxation and rush. It is a growing process forus all, and a priceless privilege from God.One of our responsibilities is to teach our children,and we hope they have learned some good things from us,in spite of our inadequacies. They have also been teachingus some things, although they probably don't realize it!Together, we are learning the importance of love ina family — the kind that gives and forgives. We see thegreat value of honest and open talk sessions. We haveappreciated the joys of being together — whether bikeriding, hiking, or just sitting and looking at the beauty ofthe mountains.Not all learning is pleasant or easy. Many of thethings our children have taught us have actually been thestrengthening of old truths, making them more vivid byillustrating or dramatizing them.One such truth is that human nature is basicallysinful. I had for many years known that I was selfcentered,but I somehow thought myself to be fairlypatient, kind and gentle in my relationships with others.What a shock to see my true self come to light, afterchildren entered my life! I get irritable, impatient anddemanding at times, shout in bursts of anger, and do manyother unloving things, to my shame. I have had toapologize to my children many times, and ask forgivenessfrom them and from God. I need God's strength each dayto control me.Surely other people saw those selfish traits in mewhen I was younger, but it took the pressures of daily lifeas a parent to make me see my own selfishness and pride. Iam thankful for this insight, insofar as I can experiencemore of God's grace when I am more aware of my ownweakness, and trust Him more fully. ". . .My grace issufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect inweakness" (II Cor. 12:9).My children have illustrated the sinfulness of humannature by their own behavior, too. (Just as I did to myparents!) A Christian friend told me about a discussiongroup in which a non-Christian woman expressed heropinion that people are basically good. My friend thoughtto herself, "She must not have any children, or she wouldfeel differently." That was true! Observing the natural* Mrs. Robert J. Mann, 430 Kinnikinnik Drive, ColoradoSprings. Colorado 80906, is the mother of four children.She has an R.N. degree.ways of children leads one to the conclusion that each oneis concerned primarily with his own pleasure and interests.As he grows, he is trained to modify his behavior to includethe needs of others, but even then his inwardmotives are largely selfish. (Sharing so the other childwon't tattle, doing his chores so he won't lose privileges,helping someone in hopes of being noticed and praised,etc.) Of course, we adults are guilty of such motives, too,but it seems more obvious in children.Until the Lord enters a person's life and gives himtrue love from within, the apparent goodness is onlyoutward and won't stand the test of God's standard. Youcan't hide your true self from your family, much less fromGod! "The heart is deceitful above all things, anddesperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9).Before we had our own children, we watched howparents trained and disciplined their children. It was easyto be critical, and to see their mistakes and think that wewould always take the right approach to training our own.Now — fifteen years and four children later — we feelmuch more understanding and uncritical toward otherswith family problems! Having made many mistakes withour own children, and being baffled by a variety ofsituations has made us realize that it is not as simple as weonce supposed.Children are so complex and individualized! I havebeen surprised to see the vast differences in children, evenof the same family. Each one has his own needs, interests,personality, and emotions. Answers to problems aren'tsimple, and what is good for one child may be useless foranother. Parents need so much love, patience, and understanding!For these, we turn again to our Lord for Hisstrength and grace. He knows the inner thoughts anddeepest needs of our children, and can lead us in helpingthem.Many years ago, I read a magazine article entitled,"Relationships That Speak of God." Some thoughts fromit left a lasting impression on me. The author showed howall our human relationships — parent-child, husband-wife,brother-sister, or friends — are special means of showingdifferent aspects of God's love for us. The parent-childrelationship obviously shows that God loves us as a fatherloves his child. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so theLord pitieth them that fear Him" (Psalm 103:13). He wantsto give us what is best for us, even more than we want togive good things to our children. "If ye then, being evil,know how to give good gifts unto your children, howmuch more shall your Father which is in heaven give goodthings to them that ask him?" (Matt. 7:11). Just as we mustdiscipline our children, He disciplines us for our growth.see page 166 COVENANTER WITNESS

The Christian AndMr. James L. MitchellWarChristians who reside in a nation at war face seriousproblems. Particularly is this true of young men subject tothe draft. The war in Vietnam brings the issue close toCovenanter youths and before the Church of which theyare members. In the last Synod, four questions relative tothis war were presented for consideration. These are asfollows:(1) Is the United States justified in fighting thepresent war in Vietnam?(2) Should a Covenanter man of draft age submit tobeing drafted?(3) Should a Covenanter man in the army go toSouth Vietnam if so ordered by his commanding officer?(4) Will the Church through its officers and courtsaid a member who, convinced that supporting ourcountry's actions in Vietnam would mean disobeying Godin order to obey men, disobeys the Selective Service Actor a superior officer's command?In the last Minutes of Synod, page 94, the abovequestions are listed, with explanations but without answers.Synod, however, adopted a resolution, stating "thatat the present time the question of military service duringthe Viet Nam Conflict for each man eligible for the draftmust be resolved by the individual after searching his ownconscience and prayerful consideration of the Scripturesalong with pastoral counseling."Of interest on the same page as the resolution is thedissent against Synod's decision to schedule a program byyoung people. This dissent states in part, "It is wrong toallow our young people to be confronted with a crisis ofconscience without adequate moral guidance." Since theresolution of Synod is not adequate moral guidance on themilitary issue, why was no dissent recorded against it?Synod's resolution gives the impression that it makesno moral difference whether a man resolves his problemof military service either in favor of, or against it, as longas he is conscientious, prayerful, and counsels with hispastor. What kind of counseling could a man expect froma pastor who either supported the resolution or failed torecord his dissent against it?In answering questions related to military service, it•s fundamental to establish the moral character of theUnited States. The answer to this question is as difficult tocome by as are the answers sidestepped by Synod. One istempted to think that, throughout the Church, there ismore interest in avoiding the discussion of the war issuethan in getting at the truth.Unchristian nations can expect one war afteranother until eventually they are destroyed, although theymay enjoy a form of prosperity for a time. The secondPsalm says that God dashes in pieces nations that refuse toacknowledge His Son, war being one means of thisdestruction.The Roman Empire at the time of John the Baptistwas materially prosperous, largely the result of aggressionabroad at the expense of other nations and of exploitationwithin at the expense of common people. When soldiers ofthe Empire asked John for guidance, he replied, "Doviolence to no man; neither accuse any falsely; and becontent with your wages." John, knowing that thesesoldiers had to complete their tenure, gave them counselthat would guide them for the remaining time of duty anddeter them from re-enlistment.Christ foretold the destruction of Jerusalem andcounseled His followers to avoid its terrible judgment byfleeing out of the city. In the awful devastation that befellJerusalem in 70 A.D., those who followed Christ's wordsdid not participate in the defense of Jerusalem against theaggressor and escaped the terrible fate of the city.In Old Testament times, Babylon, an aggressor,made war on Judah. Jeremiah, the prophet, through divineinspiration, counseled the Jews not to fight. Those whofought against the aggressor were killed; those whoobeyed God were saved.When righteous Lot made the mistake of trusting awicked city for protection against aggression, with theresult that he was taken prisoner, it was Abraham whowent to war to rescue him. Abraham's military action wasmotivated solely by his desire to rescue Lot. To stopaggression, as such, was far from Abraham's purpose intaking up arms. If God blessed him after this undertaking,it was tied to his noble purpose in delivering Lot fromcaptivity.God deals with nations on the basis of their moralcharacter. If a nation is unchristian, it is headed fordestruction, whether it is fighting in its own defense orprotecting a weaker nation. A Christian who conscientiouslyobjects' to the military service of anunrighteous nation has support from Scripture.As to the moral character of the United States, it ishard to get a clear-cut answer. One will point to the intentof the Founding Fathers not to reject the Christian faith,implying that the nation is Christian. Another will say thatit is Christian because it is so much better than othernations. And another will claim the nation is Christian,only lacking the Christian amendment. Historically, theCovenanter Church has held that the United States isunchristian. This is the position held here.Attention is now given to the questions presented toSvnod. "Is the I nited States justified in fighting thepresent war in Vietnam?" For the most part, the Unitedsee page 16MA V 19, 1971

CY STAFFHAS A GOOD YEARAt its last meeting, reports were most positive. Astimulating new issue of CELLAR DOOR with emphasison the family has been circulated to readers. And there ispromise of another soon to follow. The United PrayerConference materials have been distributed, and probablythe May 9 to 16 Family Week will be history when youread this.The biggest news spoke in dollars and cents! Thedrive to raise $1,000 to underwrite the cost of sending MissCarol Spear to Japan for the summer caught a tailwind andwent down the fairway and at this writing has rolled pastthe $1,800 marker. You will be hearing more of this, butmy point in this brief report is made. The C. Y. Staff hasbeen enjoying a very prosperous year! And we thank Godfor the evidence of His blessing these corporate activities.Each Staff meeting begins with Bible study. We haveworked on some Gospel presentations this year, andpresently are sharing the results of a study on Giving.Following the study, the Staff goes to prayer. Led by oneof the reps who tries to line up specific requests fromvarious congregations and presbyteries, the Staff "visits"the church at large through intercession. Then we take upthe particular projects on which we are working. Wecommend this order of business to other C. Y. groups; forbasic to the business of the Christian church is the study ofthe Word and prayer. When we work together in thisorder, we have confidence in His leading us into theprojects flowing from our study. And whether we get tothe other projects or not, we have done our best work forthe youth when we pray.•••by Rev. Ken SmithWhether it has been a result of the implementing ofthe new C. Y. Constitution with its emphasis on"fellowship," or whether it has been the direct result ofyour prayers, — or both — the C. Y. Staff has been enjoyinga very good year.Made up of representatives from the various youthconferences, the Staff finds itself in a position wherecertain limitations affect what it can do as a means ofencouraging and strengthening the C. Y. of the Church.Besides being busy with their work — in most cases asstudents — the Staff functions in the framework of thepresbyterian system, meaning among other things thattheir purpose is to act as servants to the C. Y. in adenominational capacity. They are not a substitute foreither the congregational or presbyterial groups. To thisthey have given themselves.This year three major emphases have summonedtheir attention. First, encouraging the publishing ofCELLAR DOOR, second, organizing a United PrayerConference, and third, setting up a fund to underwrite a C.Y. project denomination-wide.This year's C. Y. Staff: (1 to r) Bruce Martin—PacificCoast, Dave Coon—Covfamikoi, John McGinnis—WhiteLake, Tom Robb—Minnowa, Liz Scott—CovenantHeights, Lynne Turk—Penn-O-Cove, and Shelly Maine-Forest Park. (Since this picture Lynne has found itnecessary to resign, Jim Copeland succeeding her.)8 COVENANTER WITNESS

NAE CONVENTIONABORTION, CHRISTIAN HIGHER EDUCATION,VIET NAM WITHDRAWAL RECENT N.A.E.RESOLUTIONSLOS ANGELES, Calif.—The three-million memberNational Association of Evangelicals declared abortion tobe "morally wrong" except to safeguard the mother'shealth or in the cases of pregnancies resulting from rapeor incest, during its annual convention here April 20-22.The resolution represented one of the first collectivestatements by a conservative Protestant body on abortionin recent years. The only major Protestant churchesspeaking out on the issue have been liberally leddenominations that have favored liberalization or repealof abortion restrictions. The Roman Catholic Church hasremained opposed to abortion for any reason.In other resolutions, the convention condemnedhomosexuality, endorsed President Richard M. Nixon'stroop withdrawal program from Viet Nam, and offeredcooperation with responsible environmental solutions.In a resolution on the purpose and funding ofevangelical Christian higher education, the NAE votingbody affirmed full support of evangelical Christiancolleges and called for a Congress on Christian HigherEducation for the purpose of reinforcing the strategic roleof the evangelical Christian college in the mission of thechurch, guaranteeing its existence, and ensuring its integrity.A resolution on the Frankfurt Declaration byleading German churchmen applauded their efforts andintentions, while carefujly recognizing differences withregard to sacraments and baptism. The resolution calledfor increasingly closer fellowship.A resolution on evangelism and Key 73 urgedevangelicals to rally in the spirit of Key 73 and to pray forevery effort to reach men for Christ.On an important and far-reaching statement onparental responsibility in education, the NAE delegatesreminded "all Christian parents, legislators and educatorsthat God has given rights and responsibilities foreducation to parents. We thus assert our conviction thatlegislative safeguards for responsible pluralism ineducation must be provided. We also believe in the rightof Christian parents to establish Christian schools thateducate their children with a philosophy and pedagogyconsistent with their Christian faith." The resolution saidthe NAE will give all possible counsel and support to thosewho work to keep the focus of education in the hands ofthe parents.The group of resolutions represent some of the mostfar-reaching and significant moves of the NationalAssociation of Evangelicals in asserting its position onsocial and political matters.VIETNAMESE YOUTH LEADERS VISIT U.S. FORN.A.E. CONVENTIONLOS ANGELES, Calif.—Two top leaders of a VietNam youth social service and relief organizationheadquartered in Danang spoke to over 500 delegates ofthe National Association of Evangelicals' 29th annualconvention at a World Relief Commission luncheon heldtoday at the International Hotel.Mr. Ho Van Mat, director and president of theChristian Youth Social Service, brought greetings fromthe Christians of Viet Nam to those of the United States.He thanked the guests for helping to bring the gospel ofJesus Christ to Viet Nam through "the lives and sacrifices"of dedicated missionaries."We recognized," he said, "the love of these peopleto God and have tasted of their love for men."Mr. Nguyen Van Do, secretary-general of CYSS,reported rapid growth in the organization which beganwith seven young men in 1964 who contributed personalfunds of $5 a month, to 200 members and 400 helpers in1971 with a monthly income of $2,000. CYSS, the Vietnamesecounterpart of the World Relief Commission, nowalso administrates two high schools, an elementary school,a day-care center, two vocational schools, two ice-makingplants, a bakery and eight swine-raising operations of 700hogs. Two additional vocational schools for orphans wereturned over to CYSS by the government of Viet Nam.Plans for this year include the construction of a two-storyoffice building and chapel at Hoa Khanh and a high schoolin the delta area.Young people in the Christian Youth Social Servicedonate their summers and vacations to working at oddjobs, with the profits put into the organization's projects.Many of the youth give a week or two of their time on arotating basis for food distribution to refugees or fornecessary construction work.Sharing the platform at the luncheon was Dr.Everett S. Graffam, executive vice president of NAE'sWorld Relief Commission. He thanked the 2,000 churcheswhich contributed to WRC during the year and reportedthat the Commission was one of the first organizations toprovide relief in the Peruvian earthquake and thehurricane and tidal wave disaster in East Pakistan.Graffam said that the World Relief program in 1970touched the lives of 15,000 children in the Hoa KhanhChildren's Hospital in Viet Nam; 10,000 people a day wereinvolved in food-for-work community developmentprojects; 19,000 school children were given bread daily intheir school programs; 1,000 orphans, widows and warvictims were in \ocational rehabilitation programs daily;and se\eral hundred thousand war victims and refugeeswere given relief food.MAY i9, i97i 9

A Storu for YouthCarrying Throughby Lilian Burnett, Scarborough, OntarioAnswering the telephone, Tom heard the coach ofhis school team say, "Our new pitcher was in an accident.I'd like you to take over again.""But you kicked me off the team, Sir," Tom answeredin an offended tone of voice."You know the reason I did so, Tom," Mr. Pattersonsaid seriously. "Though you were the best pitcher wecould hope to get, we could never depend on you to be ata game or stay through. But I've learned that you'vebecome a Christian since then. So things should be different.Speaking quickly, Tom questioned, "But won't theboys wonder, Sir—I mean—about your putting me backon the team?""I'm going to tell them why I am doing so, Son; and,speaking from my Christian experience, I am telling yousomething, too. In His Savior's strength a believer cancarry through whatever God wants Him to do.""Why would God want me to play ball?" Tom asked."The important thing is not for you to pitch awinning game," Mr. Patterson answered. "It is for you tobe there and stay withit when things are hard, provingthat you're truly a changed young man."Tom was thoughtful for a moment. Then he saidquietly, "I'll be at the game and I'll stay through."When the conversation ended, Tom dialed hisfriend. "I'm pitching again," he called excitedly. "I'll beplaying on Saturday."Joe did not seem happy about the news. "We won'tbe seeing so much of each other", he replied, with a sigh.At the practice on Friday Tom met an unfriendlygroup. "Get us another pitcher!" the boys cried. "TomMorton won't stay put!" And when he continued playing,his team-mates taunted him.Tom left the field that afternoon in a discouragedmood. Coming to his street, he met his friend Joe."Remember the fishing trip my brother has beentalking about," Joe said enthusiastically. "Well, Bill justcame home and told me that tomorrow is the day. Howabout coming with us, Tom?""But the game is early tomorrow!" Tom exclaimed;his face wearing a frown.10"You've excused yourself from pitching many timesbefore. You surely can doit once again. We both enjoyfishing so much!""I like pulling in a fish much better than pitching agame of ball. But I must please my Lord Jesus; and I knowHe wants me to be at the game.""I don't understand you lately," Joe replied, walkingaway.Saturday morning Tom was nervous and his pitchingwas not good. The shouting against him began early andgraduallyit grew worse.At a time when his patience was wearing, Joe sidledup to him. "I thought I'd come, before we left, to see if youhad changed your mind," he said. Then listening to thebickering, he added: "If I were you I wouldn't stay andcater to this crowd.""I don't deserve the treatment they're giving me,"Tom told himself. Turning abruptly to his friend, he said,"I'm going with you, Joe."As he started toward Mr. Patterson, a student calledfrom the stands, "You didn't tell us, fellow, how you gotback into the game."Before Tom could answer, the team's first-basemanshouted back: "He soft-soaped the coach with somereligious talk; something about being saved from sin andcarrying through."Tom quickly told his friend that he had changed hismind. "I forgot the important thing," he said. "I must carrythrough.""Forgive me, Lord," he whispered as he ran back."And give me enough of Your own strength to stay withit."Trusting in His Savior, Tom lost his nervousness. Hispitching improved and, eventually, his team won thegame."Sorry we treated you so badly," the captain said asthe team gathered around Tom to cheer. "We knew JesusChrist could forgive sins, but we didn't believe He couldmake a fellow stick to his guns.""Your playing today was a testimony," Mr. Pattersontold him.The next morning Tom was surprised to see Joe slideinto a seat beside him at (Sabbath) School."I've come to learn about your Jesus," Joe saidquietly. "You sure must think a lot of Him to miss a goodtime to please Him."Writing his answer on paper, Tom handed it to Joe.It read: "Yes, I love the Lord Jesus because He died forme. And I'm happy because now I belong to Him, I cancarry through the things that I should do. With His help Ican be dependable!"The ShantymanCOVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of June 13iSabbath SchoolLessonFor June 13,1971THE COMING MESSIANIC KINGDOMIsaiah 2:2-4; 9:2-7; 11:1,2Comments by John K. GaultThe first Scripture of this lesson isrepeated verbatim in the prophecy ofMicah 4:1-4. Living as these prophets didover 700 years before the birth of Christ, itwas indeed a "coming MessianicKingdom." They were enabled to look intothe future and see the coming of that time.But, for people living throughout the 1975years since the birth of Christ, it cannot besaid that there is a coming MessianicKingdom because the Messianic Kingdomis already in the world. Jesus came for thepurpose of establishing His Kingdom, andon the morning of the third day followingHis death on the cross, He rose from thedead and vanquished the last great enemywhich was death. Shortly before Jesusascended to sit on the right hand of God,He said to His disciples, "All power is givenunto me in heaven and in earth." In Hisrisen state He had this power at that time;consequently the Messianic Kingdomexisted at that time and has existed in theworld ever since.1: The Messianic Kingdom for thisWorld Began During the "Last Days."Isaiah said in the second verse, "Andit shall come to pass in the last day." He didnot mean the last days before the finaljudgment of this world. He meant the "lastdays" of the old Mosaic economy and ofthe city of Jerusalem. The time of typesand symbols was drawing to a close andsoon the "Lamb of God that taketh awaythe sin of the world" was to come and offerup Himself as the perfect sacrifice. AsJesus drew His last breath on the cross, Heexclaimed, "It is finished." The old orderhad ended, and the "vail of the temple wasrent in twain." It was also the "last days"for the city of Jerusalem. In about seventyyears after the crucifixion of Christ theRoman army under Titus leveled the cityto the ground and completely destroyedthe Temple. This was the fulfillment ofwhat Jesus had said would happen, "See yenot all these things? Verily I say unto you,there shall not be left here one stone uponanother, that shall not be thrown down."(Matt. 24:2).2: There Was the Exaltation oi theChurch in the "Last Days."Isaiah said in 2:2, "And it shall cometo pass in the last days that the mountain ofthe Lord's house shall be established in thetop of the mountains, and shall be exaltedabove the hills." Fifty days following thecrucifixion of Jesus, "when the day ofPentecost was fully come, they were allwith one accord in one place. And suddenlythere came a sound from heaven asof a rushing mighty wind, and it filled allthe house where they were sitting. Andthere appeared unto them cloven tongueslike as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.And they were all filled with the HolySpirit, . And they, continuing daily withone accord in the temple, and breakingbread from house to house, did eat theirmeat with gladness and singleness of heart,praising God, and having favor with all thepeople. And the Lord added to the churchdaily such as should be saved" (Acts 2).This occasion marked the beginning of theChristian Church under the dispensation ofthe Spirit. It occurred in the city ofJerusalem, which was located on the literaltop of a mountain. Abraham saw this placewhen he went to offer his son Isaac; "onthe third day Abraham lifted up his eyes,and saw the place afar off." The Psalmistsaid in Psalm 121, "I will lift up mine eyesunto the hills, from whence cometh myhelp." The Christian Church overtops allother competitive organizations in theworld, and the Gospel has been distributedthroughout the world. The ChristianChurch is indeed the mountaintop ofcivilization and there is no hill in allsociety that is so high.3: People of Every Nation CanUnite with the Church and Enter theKingdom of Christ.This is what Isaiah said would happenduring the "last days": "All nations shallflow unto it." A stream of water which isnot confined "flows" and is not forced. Thechurch is built up in such a manner.People, upon their own volition, unite withthe church and are not forced into it. TheChristian Church embraces all nations andis not restricted to racial or geographicalboundaries. This was the way it wasorganized on the day of Pentecost. Thepeople had come together from distantlands and they wondered how it was thatthey could understand what the apostleswere saying. "And how hear we every manin our own tongue, wherein we were born?Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, andthe dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea,and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and inthe parts of Libya about Cyrene, andstrangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,Cretes and Arabians, we do hear themspeak in our tongues the wonderful worksof God" (Acts 2:8-11). Isaiah, therefore.envisioned the time when the ChristianChurch would succeed the worship of thetemple where he "saw the Lord, high andlifted up." In the Temple no Gentile wasallowed to enter, but upon the death ofChrist this discrimination was removed andall who so desired could enter the holyplace of Christ's fellowship.4: Christians, in the MessianicKingdom, Should Give to Each OtherMutual Assistance and Encouragement.The dispensation of the Spirit whichthe world is in at the present time, eversince Pentecost, can be said to be the "lastdays." The Holy Spirit is the final appealwhich God makes to sinful man. It is notstrange, therefore, that Jesus should say,"And whosoever shall speak a word againstthe Son of man, it shall be forgiven him:but unto him that blasphemeth against theHoly Spirit it shall not be forgiven." So,during these "last days" which Isaiah talksabout, "Many people shall go and say,Come ye and let us go up to the mountainof the Lord, to the house of the God ofJacob; and He will teach us of His ways,and we will walk in His paths." Christiansshould invite unbelievers to attend churchfor it is the house of God. The church is aplace of instruction. "He will teach us ofHis ways." There are two realms ofChristian living: one is to come under theinstruction of Christ, who is the greatestteacher and who said, "Learn of me," andthe other realm is the practice of what hasbeen learned. To "walk in His paths"implies that people are to make a practicalapplication of their Christian learning intheir every day experiences. Learning anddoing are complementary interests inthe Messianic Kingdom of which thechurch is a mighty fortress.5: The Church Is the Capital of theMessianic Kingdom.Isaiah said, "For out of Zion shall goforth the law, and the word of the Lordfrom Jerusalem." The old law was givenfrom Mount Sinai, but the new law of theMessianic Kingdom was given by JesusChrist. Jerusalem was the center of Hisearthly activities andit was there that Hedied and rose again. The first ChristianChurch was established in Jerusalem and ithas come to represent the spiritual Zion,which is the headquarters of all spiritualactivity. Jesus said in regard to forgiveness,MAY 19, 1971 11

"I say not unto thee until seven times, butuntil seventy times seven." He said, "Loveyour enemies" and "Seek first the kingdomof God and his righteousness." The laws ofthe church are contained in the Scripturesof the Old and New Testaments and sopeople have great inducement for going upto the "mountain of the Lord, to the houseof the God of Jacob."6: The Character of the MessianicKingdom is Justice and Peace."He shall judge among the nations,and shall rebuke many people .... nationshall not lift up sword against nation,neither shall they learn war any more."This transformation is a continuingprocess, but will be completed some timein the future."Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the DivisionJunior Topicfor June 13,1971UNIT: Missionary MindedTHE MESSAGE — MISSIONARIESOF THE REFORMATIONby Miss Martha HutchesonMemory Psalm: Psalm 67, verses 1,2,3.Memory Verse: John 3:16References: I Corinthians 15:1-4, Acts 1:8,Book, Heroes of the Faith.Review some of the missionariesdiscussed last week. What made themmissionaries? Who can be a missionary?Last week we said that a missionary isa person sent by God to tell the Gospel, asPaul said in I Cor. 1:17. Review. The"Gospel" means good news. The OldTestament missionaries told the good newsabout God their Savior. The NewTestament missionaries understood moreabout the "good news" because Jesusshowed them He was the Savior God hadsent. Our memory verse, John 3:16, tells usthis. Before Jesus left this earth Hepromised His disciples that they wouldreceive power to go and tell about Him.Acts 1:8.Paul, the greatest New Testamentmissionary, made it very clear that to besaved one must believe the good news thatJesus died for our sins, was buried and roseagain. I Cor. 15:1-4.It was exciting to see how Christ'spromise of Acts 1:8 began to work.Beginning at Jerusalem God sentmissionaries to tell the good news to allparts of the world. The early missionarieswere often just families who had to move.Everywhere they went they told theirneighbors and friends about Jesus. Some ofthe early missionaries went as far as India,Ethiopia and Spain. (Find on map anddiscuss difficulties of travel.)To make sure that His missionarieswould not forget the good news, God sawto it that the Bible was completed and puttogether. The Bible holds the good news.A sad thing began to happen. Peopleforgot about the Bible and the good news.Church people began to force others tobecome Christians by the sword. Most•church leaders taught that doing goodworks and belonging to church saved aperson instead of Jesus.The world needed the Bible so thatman could learn the good news again. SoGod raised up several missionaries:1. John Wyeliffe — 1320, England,"Morning Star of the Reformation", ascholarly Oxford educated priest. StudiedLatin Bible. Found that it contained thetrue words of God and the way ofof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."12salvation. Because of his Bible study, hewas called "The Gospel Doctor." A friendand he translated the whole Bible intoEnglish. They hired men to hand copy itand then sent men out to preach it. Godhad true missionaries again!! Aren't youglad we have the Bible in English today?2. Martin Luther — 1500, Germany.As a young scholar he discovered a wholeBible in his University Library. He wasamazed at all that it contained that he hadnever heard before. Later as a priest he wasappointed a university instructor. Hebegan to study and teach the Bible. Fromthe Bible he learned the good news ofsalvation in Christ. He was a changed man.He translated the Bible into Germanso the common people could understand it.The Bibles sold quickly. Luther was amissionary to the German people.3. John Calvin — France, 1509. Aftergraduating from law school, he experienceda sudden conversion where herealized that faith in Jesus Christ alonebrought salvation. He began to preach theBible right away. He helped a relativetranslate the Bible into French. He wasused by God to awaken people to theGospel in France, Switzerland, Scotlandand on to North America.God raised up many other men atthis time, like John Knox who preachedboldly in spite of riots and unrest that wasshaking England.Each of these men discovered theBible to be the word of God and werethrilled at the good news they found in it.They went to their own countries asmissionaries. Next week we will discoverhow God began to move people to go toother countries.Project: Complete small Bibles frommatch boxes. Have John 3:16 written onslip of paper. Place inside match boxes.Application: Children can practicetelling one another how one becomes aChristian — the good news — in their ownwords. For proof text use match box Biblewith John 3:16. Have you accepted thegood news? Have you let Jesus change yourheart? Give opportunity for discussion andresponse. God may give you the opportunityto lead a child into the Kingdom.Game: Learn missionaries of Cyprus,station and responsibilities. Review Japan.Jump-up Quiz.Use world globe, pointing outcountries and pictures of missionaries ofthe Reformation mentioned.Prayer MeetingTopicfor June 16,1971PRAYER FOR TAIWANDr. S. E. BoyleMatthew 28:18-20; Acts 16:1-40Psalms: 65:1-6, Page 155; 66:1-3,6,7, Page157; 110:1-3, Page 275; 22:9,12,14, Page 51.Reference ReadingIf the leader can secure these twobooks by Covenanter authors, havesomebody read a chapter or two and reportthe substance of the material to the prayermeeting. It will considerably helpdiscussion and prayer on this week's topic.Hoi Moon, by Miss Alice E. Robb, 1970,chapters I, II, pages 1-72.Looking Back From Sunset Land, 1898, byRev. N. R. Johnston, Chapter XLV,"Missionarry Work Among the Chinese inCalifornia," pages 446-460.Nothing would be a more suitableexpression of our church's centennialremembrance of our Covenant of 1871than the opening of a new missionary fieldin Taiwan, if the Lord continues to guidethe church to that goal.Section 5 of the Covenant of 1871:"Rejoicing that the enthroned Mediator isnot only King in Zion, but King over all theearth, and recognizing the obligation of Hiscommand to go into all the world andpreach the gospel to every creature, and toteach all nations, baptizing them in thename of the Father, of the Son, and of theHoly Ghost, and resting with faith in thepromise of His perpetual promise as thepledge of success, we hereby dedicateourselves to the great work of makingknown God's light and salvation among thenations, and to this end will labor that theChurch may be provided with an earnest,self-denying and able ministry. Profoundlyconscious of past remissness and neglect,we will henceforth, by our prayers,pecuniary contributions and personalexertions, seek the revival of pure andundefiled religion; the conversion of Jewsand Gentiles to Christ, that all men may beblessed in Him, and that all nations maycall Him blessed."COVENANTER WITNESS

The 1970 Action of SynodIt is good that this topic comesbefore the congregations for prayer onJune 16, during the 1971 meeting of Synodat Beaver Falls. The Minutes of 1970Synod, pages 48 and 102 report the actiontaken at Carleton last year:"In response to the action of Synod'srecommendations in 1968 and 1969, astudy has been made of possible work inTaiwan among the Chinese."In the past year Rev. Charles Chaohas had an opportunity to preach to a smallcongregation which he has been instructingin the Reformed faith andReformed Presbyterian principles. He hasoutlined a plan for further growth and inconsultation with Rev. S. E. Boyle anextended plan has been proposed."The Board has considered theproposed plan which includes Mr. Boylegoing to the Far East in 1971 to be a part ofthe work in Japan, if necessary, for a yearand then to Taiwan. While we have notbeen able to coordinate the whole planwhile at Carleton, there are three basicrecommendations which we present toSynod for consideration."1. That Synod authorize the Boardto proceed with plans for the opening ofwork among Chinese people in Taiwan,provided the decisions of related boardsand personnel are favorable."2. That Synod authorize the Boardto make an appeal for $25,000.00 for aperiod of two years for opening andoperating work in Taiwan."3. That Synod authorize the Boardto appeal for a minister to volunteer toserve as a missionary to the Chinese peoplein Taiwan to be on the field by 1973 and asecond by 1975."Prayer TopicsOne reason this Taiwan proposal in1971 cannot quite be handled by the Boardof Foreign Missions or the CovenanterChurch in the traditional way is thatconditions in the nations of the Far Easthave radically changed since 1895 whenour China Mission was first opened by Dr.A. I. Robb. I have a copy of the SudanInterior Mission magazine Africa Now ofthe May-June issue and notice that the leadarticle by SIM General Director, Dr.Raymond J. Davis, is entitled, "A WholeNew Ball Game." What he says of Africanmissionary efforts certainly is much moretrue of Communist China and to a lesserdegree also true in Taiwan. The day offreedom for white Americans sent out byone denomination to go into a non-Christian nation and carve out a "Mission"as a completely self-sufficient and selfgoverningenclave of foreign influence isDtetty well discredited in Asia as in Africa.We can still do it in Taiwan, but in light ofworld conditions the Covenanter Church iswasting her money if we rush into Taiwanor any other predominantly non-Christiannation without understanding the new "ballgame." Most careful planning and prayermust accompany our entry to Taiwan.Beginning with more practicalquestions of our ability as a denominationnow to take on a new foreign missionaryfield, here are the major objections.1. Man-power Shortage. It is undeniablethat we are so badly in need ofpastors at home and in fields already inoperation that to open a new field seemsimpossible if not absurd to some. Ourdenomination today is suffering from thepast disobedience of members of theCovenanter Church to keep our vow inSection 5 of the Covenant of 1871 in whichwe say, ".. we hereby dedicate ourselves tothe great work of making known God'slight and salvation among the nations, andto this end we will labor that the Churchmay be provided with an earnest, selfdenyingand able ministry."Why are there no responses to callsyear after year from the Board of ForeignMissions to young ministers needed inCyprus and Japan? The trouble goes backperhaps to two generations. YoungCovenanter parents have not been keepingthe Great Commission before theirchildren. They have failed to inspire theirchildren to value the high calling of theGospel ministry as men should. Two wholegenerations of godly homes and prayingChristian mothers must prepare themissionaries who finally say, "Here am I,Lord, send me." Sudden conversions andquick missionary volunteers are the exceptionrather than the rule. OurCovenanter homes have failed Christ.2. The problem of money. I am notgoing to speak much of this. Not thatmoney is unimportant, for it is, but ordinarilythe Synod or the Church gives theutmost attention to this matter. I think weshould seek God's will first, God's ableministers second, and then the money willcome when they are ready to go. God isnever "broke," though He withholds Hisblessing when the Church fails to dedicateherself fully to the Kingdom of God.3. Political changes are a risk. Therecent farce of Red China's invitation ofthe American ping pong team to Pekingshowed how gullible the public in Americais today. We are war-weary, ready to graspat any straw of hope that thesetroublesome problems in Vietnam and RedChina will some day fade away. Recentpresidential cooing from the White Housedove-cotes makes Christian Chineseuneasy in Taiwan. Will the United Statessell out Taiwan to the Communist wolves?The Great Commission contains no warclauses, no provisions for postponedobedience in face of Communist or otherdiabolic plots. Christ bids us to go, to doHis work, baptizing, building churches.indoctrinating and encouraging the Bodyof Christ as we are able. Wars andrevolutions may interrupt for a time theonward course of Christ's Kingdom butSatan cannot stop the Victory.4. Ecumenical considerations inTaiwan. Several Calvinist missions inTaiwan have helped form a Chinese selfgoverning"Reformed Presbyterian Churchof China" with which they all agree tocooperate rather than having each missiongo it alone. We have been approached byfriends in the Orthodox PresbyterianMission who asked what our attitudewould be to joining. Our answer was thatwe cannot fully enter into such organiccooperation in view of our Covenanterdenominational principles. We can serve inmany ways as a fraternalReformedmission.Before we rush into this Taiwan situationthis delicate matter has to be worked out.This difficulty should not be taken per se asa reason for dropping the whole thought ofa Taiwan Reformed Presbyterian Mission.The very same problem is also facing ourchurch in Japan and it will certainlycontinue to pressure our foreign missionprogram wherever we go in the future.5. Japanese members of ourChurch also must be consulted. TheJapan Christians in Kobe have as muchconcern for China as the Synod or theBoard of Foreign Missions of ourAmerican denomination has. One reasonwe anticipate spending a year in Japan is towork out this Taiwan Mission proposal inclose fellowship with the Japan Missionand the governing Japan Commission ofour Synod in Kobe. Asian Christiansultimately must evangelize China — notAmericans.These are a few realistic problemswhich Synod must face this week. We allneed to be in prayer as we think of700,000,000 Chinese people shut off fromthe Gospel by an atheistic dictatorship.Taiwan is the closest open mission field toRed China and provides the best trainingground for future missionary work on themainland. It constitutes a Macedonian call,"Come over and help us."Obstinacy is most positive when it ismost in the wrong.—Selected.Obedience to God is the most infallibleevidence of sincere and supremelove to Him.—Emmons.Little of value is accomplishedthrough the winning of an argument. AskGod to help you win souls.—Dr. WalterWilson.MAY 19, i97i 11

NOTICEPreaching for the full summer.Cambridge, Mass. Parsonage available.Contact: C. F. Millican, Clk. Session410 Woburn St., Lexington, Mass.COLLEGE HILL WILL CELEBRATEThe College Hill Congregation willcelebrate its 75th Anniversary on July 1,1971.NOTICE OF CALLOn May 9, 1971, I moderated a callby the First Phoenix Congregation whichresulted in the unanimous election of theRev. Keith E. Copeland, now serving atFour Mile R. P. Church, near Beaver, Pa.Lester E. KilpatrickNOTICEIs there a retired minister or astudent who would like to serve the Lord inCanada? The congregation of the LochielR. P. Church would like to have someonepreach for them during the summermonths. Please write to the clerk of thesession.Wm. C. JamiesonR. R. No. 3, Box 9Dolkeith, Ontario, CanadaTHE MAIL MUST GO THROUGHRev. Ken SmithDirector of Christian EducationOnce upon a time. . .or, what hashappened to our order? If you have beenexperiencing some frustration in notreceiving your orders from the Office ofthe Board of Education and Publication,DENISON, KANSAS(Rev. Kenneth McBurney, pastor)The union Thanksgiving service waswith pictures of Palestine being shown.The Pioneers met on April 22 in thechurch basement. Clarence Wings werehosts; Vida Linton and Alice Farisprovided the entertainment; and Mrs. RuthMcCrory led the devotions.Rev. James Pennington was inDenison the evening of April 25. He gavehis personal testimony and showed slidesof Japan.Quite a number attended the concertin Topeka by the Genevans. Sandra Wingis a member of the choir.Gary McCrory and David Porterreturned safely from Viet Nam and atpresent are helping at home with the springfarm work.New lights have been installed in thechurch auditorium. New paint, paper, andcarpet will come later.Ray Knowles was taken to Stormont-Vail Hospital on May 2 for observation andtreatment.Wyman Robb spent some time in thehospital recently recovering from injuriesreceived in a fall.SYRACUSE, NEW YORK(Rev. Edward Robson, pastor)We wish to give thanks to the Lordfor the way He has worked in ourcongregation during the past weeks. Dr.and Mrs. Richard Fuller, daughter MarilynFuller, Mr. Gary Vincelette, and PaulCopeland have joined our congregationrecently. We are enjoying our fellowshiptogether.Mr. Robson is leading UpstateMedical Center's Christian MedicalSociety in their meetings each month.They are currently studying Learning to Bea Man by Rev. Kenneth Smith.Mr. and Mrs. Robson have met forheld in our church the evening ofNovember 25, with Rev. Ray Applegarth,pastor of the Union Church, bringing themessage.Our Christmas program was held inthe church the evening of December 16.Various readings, skits, and music wereenjoyed by all. An exchange of gifts for thechildren followed. The congregationpresented the McBurneys with an electricclothes dryer. Rev. Mr. McBurney hadpreviously offered each family in thecongregation a Scotch pine which he hadraised.On January 3, a big snow causedschools to be closed. This was followed byextreme cold to 20 below. On February 22,we had the worst storm in years with 10 to12 inches of snow and schools were closedagain.Our annual congregational meetingand supper were held on January 15. Thefollowing officers were elected: RalphPhillips, chairman and Annetta Knowles,re-elected secretary.Delber Braum spent some time in theKU Medical Center during the middle ofJanuary. He had knee surgery.Mrs. Sadie Chestnut spent some timein the Holton Hospital, but has returned toher home.Mrs. Elva McCrory spent a week inthe Holton Hospital in March.On March 3, a new carpet was in­weekly Bible studies with three otherwe would appreciate it if you would let uscouples for over a year now. All of theseknow. We hear reports that some persons stalled in the church basement, also new couples are Christians, concerned abouthave waited in vain to get their shipment of paint and drapes.being fruitful through their lives for thematerials, and in some cases this has A farewell was held for Miss Eleanor glory of God. A beautiful fellowship hashampered the work of the Kingdom to Faris that evening. She left for Japan the developed through these studies. They aresome extent. Where we have heard about following Monday. We praise God for her now in I Corinthians.this, we have tried to check on the improvement in health and pray for An increasing number of studentsproblem. In some cases it may have been continued recovery.from Syracuse University are worshipingour oversight. But for the past six months The World Day of Prayer meeting with us each week. It is common to see theespecially we have been giving priority to was held in the Union Church on the first two or three pews filled with youngprompt handling of orders. Thus we havediscoveredtwo other possibilities:Topeka was the speaker.divided again to meet ages and needs moreevening of March 5. Mr. Dick Ayers of people. Our evening studies have been1. In some cases we have never Those attending the Presbyterial in effectively. Adults are studying Thereceived your orders.Quinter in April were Virginia McBurney, Revelation, college and career are in2. In some cases we have shipped the Kathryn Copeland, Eleanor Phillips, Genesis, high school in the Gospel of John,materials, and yet they have never arrived. Dorothy Blackwood, and Helen Hug. and juniors are studying children of theNow when we hear of a problem, we Dorothy and Helen were the delegates. Bible.can checkit out. So if you do not hear from Our spring communion began the On the weekend of March 26, Interuswithin two weeks, send us a note to that evening of April 9 with Rev. David Pattersonassisting. A community breakfast in Syracuse. Many of our families hostedVarsity held its New York regional retreateffect. This will keep us on our toes to keeporders filled; butit will also help to pick up for the men was held the morning of April students during the weekend. Thethese "blanks" when it has been someone 10. Services continued Saturday and Syracuse I. V. students who have beenelse's fault. In this way, the mail should go Sabbath. Rev. Mr. Patterson brought attending our church asked if we wouldthrough!! 14 Thank-you for your cooperation. helpful and inspiring messages.host the Sabbath noon meal at the church.Family night was held on April 14 We enjoyed meeting COVENANTER and feeding WITNESS over 30

students from campuses throughout thestate. We can see the Lord answering ourprayers for a university ministry.At our recent congregationalmeeting, we voted to continue our weeklyradio broadcast over WMHR for anotheryear. Mr. Robson has been presenting aseries of half-hour Bible studies in theGospel of Matthew. We are beginning tohear from listeners and feel that this is aworthwhile outreach program.The college and high school groupshave begun sponsoring a party a month forneighborhood children. The April Fools'Day party attracted 40 neighborhoodchildren, many of them contacted throughthe woodshop and through PaulCopeland's church-cleaning crew of neighborhoodboys. It was quite a party!We covet your prayers for us as wepray for leadership and needed funds tocontinue our programs here.HITCHCOCKMrs. Esther Dill Hitchcock, thedaughter of the Rev. and Mrs. John W.Dill, was born, March 11, 1881, atMediapolis, Iowa and departed this life onApril 30, 1971 at Sterling, Kansas. She wasa graduate of Park College, Parkville,Missouri, had taught foreign language inSterling College, worked in social welfarein eastern Kansas, and in 1958 was unitedin marriage to Rev. George C. Hitchcock.Their home was in Washington, Indiana;after his death in 1965 she made her homeat the Presbyterian Manor in Sterling.At her funeral in Sterling at herrequest, her nieces and nephews, Mr. andMrs. Maurice Reed, and Dr. and Mrs. JoeMcFarland, all of Topeka, sang Psalm 23to the tune of "Home Sweet Home" whichwas one of her favorites in family worshipin her parents' home. Esther appreciatedthe lovely things in life. She is survived bythree brothers: Arthur and Robert Dill ofSterling, and Elmer of Poughkeepsie,New York; also by three step-children andten step-grandchildren.MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY(Rev. Philip W. Martin, Pastor)The spring communion services wereconducted by the Rev. Robert Milliken.Our responsibility to God as His covenantchildren was made very plain. We aregrateful to the Newburgh congregation forsharing their pastor with us.The annual meeting of thecongregation was held, January 29. At thismeeting a motion was passed that werequest the Ad Interim Commission ofNew York Presbytery to appoint the Rev.Philip W. Martin as Stated Supply to ourcongregation for one year. The Commissionacted upon this request and we aregratified that the Martins accepted thisappointment and are now ministering inMontclair. Under their leadership anMAY 19, 1971enlarged church program is beinginaugurated. We trust that God will blessHis work and will give us direction andpurpose in this service.The Rev. Philip W. Martin and elderEdwin H. McBurney attended New YorkPresbytery at its regular spring meeting inBroomall Church, April 6, 1971.Mr. and Mrs. Edwin H. McBurneyare spending several weeks visiting theirson Wendell and family in Bloomington,Indiana.Winter trips to the southland wereenjoyed by Mrs. Kenneth Arents, Mr. andMrs. H. T. Hunter, and Mr. and Mrs. A. E.Marsters.We enjoyed having Charles Meadowwith us for three Sabbaths. He has returnedto the Air Force Base in Altus, Oklahoma.We were also glad to have Judy Linhart, J.BruceMartin and David Marsters home forthe holidays.Mrs. Orrin Ferry is at home andmaking a rapid recovery after breaking herhip early in February.GENEVA COLLEGE APPOINTSNEW ADMISSIONS DIRECTORJames R. Rudolph has been appointedDirector of Admissions at GenevaCollege, effective July 1. He has servedsince 1966 as the Chief Business Officer forRoberts Wesleyan College.A native of Kittanning, Pennsylvania,Mr. Rudolph's early career was inautomobile sales. From 1951 to 1961 heowned a dealership in Kittanning. Hecompleted his college degree in 1964 atFlorida Southern College, Lakeland,Florida, and did graduate work at theUniversity of South Florida. After twoyears of high school teaching he becameBusiness Manager Treasurer at RobertsWesleyan College.An active Christian layman withspecial interest in youth in the church, Mr.Rudolph was President of Free MethodistYouth in the Pittsburgh Conference from1955-61. In Florida he was President of theFlorida Conference Youth organization.He is currently Chairman of the Board ofDirectors of Rochester Youth for Christ.He has been a frequent delegate to theAnnual Conference of the Free MethodistChurch. Recently he was President of theAssociation of Business Officers ofEvangelical Schools.Mr. Rudolph succeeds Mr. CharlesR. McBurney, who will return to full timeteaching in the Department of PoliticalScience and Sociology. The Genevastudent body has increased from 900 toover 1300 since Mr. McBurney becameDirector of Admissions in 1961. AlsoGeneva has moved from a primarilycommunity college with 66 per cent of thestudents commuting to a residentialcampus with nearly 60 per cent living at thecollege.GENEVA CONDUCTS"EARTH WEEK" PROGRAMAn ad hoc committee for EnvironmentalResponsibility at Genevapresented a three day series of "EarthWeek" programs, April 20-22. The committeecomprising students and facultymembers of the Biology and ChemistryDepartments sponsored the program,which included local government officials,industrial representatives and a nationalauthority. The week culminated with a"Clean-Up Day" inviting involvement ofthe college community in part of theproblem.DR. HAROLD O. J. BROWNLECTURER AT GENEVADr. Harold O.J. Brown, lecturer forThe Staley Distinguished Scholar Series,presented a lecture at Geneva College April26 and 27, on the theme "The Relevance ofthe Historic Christian Thought and Institutionsfor Today's World."The lectureship was established in1969 by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F Staley,Rye, New York, in memory of theirparents. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Staleyand Judge and Mrs. H. H. Hayes, Bristol,Tennessee. They are firmly convinced thatthe message of the Christian Gospel whenproclaimed in its historic fullness is alwayscontemporary, relevant, and meaningful toany generation. Their program is presentedon tours of American campuses by lecturerswho can clearly communicate withstudents.Dr. Brown's program at Geneva isthe first in his spring tour of campusesthroughout the United States. He recentlyreturned from Yeotmall, India, where forthe past year he was visiting professor atthe Union Biblical Seminary.He is Theological Secretary of theInternational Fellowship of EvangelicalStudents, an association of conservativeProtestant Christian student organizationswhich includes Inter-Varsity ChristianFellowship. While at Harvard heministered to students at Boston's historicPark Street Church and was coach ofseveral Harvard rowing crews.He writes regularly for ChristianityToday, National Review and is editor ofThemelios, a theological quarterly. Herecently has had two books published, TheProtest of a Troubled Protestant, andChristianity and the Class Struggle.NOTICEThe Hebron Congregation, near Idana,Kansas, will celebrate its 100th Anniversaryon August 21 and 22, 1971. Aninvitation is extended to everyone to comeand help us celebrate this historic occasion.1?

Synod InformationA T GENE VA COLLEGEJune 12-18, 1971Beaver Falls. Pa. 15010Ph.412-846-5100Room and Board InformationSaturday evening supper through Friday eveningsupperRoom and Board 28.00Board Only 17.25Room Only 11.00Charge for single room request 1.00Room includes one set of bed linen, blanket, towels,and soap.Part-Time Charges:Room 1st night 2.75Room each additional night 1.60Meals Breakfast RegularLunchCafeteriaDinnerPricesNo extra charge for room Friday night, June 18, ifneeded.If any committee is planning to meet prior to Synodand needs sleeping rooms and or meeting rooms, pleaselet us know as far in advance as possible.Delegates will be met at Greater Pittsburgh Airporton Saturday, providing you notify us ahead of time. Youwill be met in the lounge near the T.W.A. desk by driverswearing a badge. If we cannot meet you at the exact timewe will inform you of the time that you will be met.Synod meetings will be in air-conditioned groundfloor lecture room of Science and Engineering Building.Open meetings will be in Old Main Chapel.Please send your requests for room and board to Mr.McConaughy immediately and include your arrival timeifyou plan to fly.War from page 7States is under the powerful influence of industrial,military, political, and religious interests, which have themoney, the unscrupulous ethics, and the common unityfor effective control. While fighting against a Communistaggressor, the United States encourages trade withCommunist aggressors in other areas. These nations aresuppliers of weapons for the enemy in Vietnam. The war ischaracterized by high profits, by excessive waste, and bymilitary strategy that indicates the sacrifice of victory onthe altar of profits. Under these circumstances, the UnitedStates is not justified in fighting in Vietnam."Should a Covenanter man of draft age submit tobeing drafted?" A draftee is required to promiseobedience to the commanding officers, according to theArticles of War, which are the draftee's supreme law in hismilitary conduct. For the man who has already taken theBible as his supreme law in all activities, it is, therefore,wrong for him to accept a human law in his militaryoperations. A Christian cannot consistently make equalpromises to obey two laws, one divine that covers allaspects of his life and another that applies to militaryactivity."Should a Covenanter man in the army go to SouthVietnamif so ordered by his commanding officer?" If theArticles of War give an officer this authority, the man,already in the service, is under his own promise to obeyand should honor his promise. However,it is wrong for aChristian to make a commitment that binds him tounknown assignments. If foreswearing is wrong for aChristian in joining a fraternal organization, why isit notalso wrong in joining the service?"Will the Church through its officers and courts aida member who, convinced that supporting our country'sactions in Vietnam would mean disobeying God in orderto obey man, disobeys the Selective Service Act or asuperior officer's command?" A member who thinks thewar is wrong becauseit is being fought in Vietnam, hasonly a geographical objection, which is hard to defend. Amember who is convinced thatit is sinful for a Christian toenter the service wherever the fighting takes place, has aconviction that no officer nor court of the Church isknown to have. There is no reason to expect the Church tooffer more aid than is indicated in the resolution of Synod.At Carleton College last August, a panel discussiongave both sides of the issue of military service. The subjectwas discussed shortly afterwards in The CovenanterWitness, with views favorable only to participation. It isconfusing to a man studying the issue, with Synod'sresolution implying that whatever position he takes, afterdue consideration, is right before God and with articles inthe Church paper suggesting that only military service hasHis approval. Can any consideration of the issue beadequate unless both sides are given equal publicity?• ••Children. from page 6"For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgethevery son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening,God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is hewhom the father chasteneth not?" (Heb. 12:7,8). Godnever forgets us, as we cannot forget our children. "Can awoman forget her sucking child, that she should not havecompassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they mayforget, yet will I not forget thee" (Isa. 49:15).Though our love for our children falls far short ofGod's perfect love, the experience of loving our childrengives us more understanding of God's love. In a familydiscussion concerning some sinful actions of people, ourdaughter asked, "God couldn't love people after they dothings like that, could He?" My husband smiled and askedher, "Do we stop loving you when you do wrong?"For these and many other reasons, we thank God forour children!«••16 COVENANTER WITNESS

• "-VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 21 MAY 26, 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 67579BIBLE LFSSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 20,1971pHSt»*5£CHIMNEY ROCK, NATIONAL HISTORICAL SITENEAR BAYARD. NEBRASKA— Union Pacific R. R. Photo

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER V EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. L. E. KilpatrickDepartment Editors:Rev. Kenneth McBurneyRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introducttoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester. Kansas 66097.CONFUCIANWith great bewildermentI observed your General Assembly.A Scotchman with a hammer stoodBehind the pulpit, looking angry.There was a Professor Rockdwelling or SomebodyWho started to make a speech when, thump!Down came the hammer on the pulpitAnd the chairman roared,"Orders of the day have arrived!"(Odd, because I never heard any orders.)The good professor just stood there with his mouth openLike rigor mortis had moved in . .Then came a flurry of motions, amendments,And amendments to amendments, substitute motions,And calls for previous questions.Motions were divided,Two men did much frantic adding.And complications multiplied.At last, exhausted, I got up and said,"Mr. Chairman, I may be Wong, but may I please askTo be subtracted?"(I merely wished to be excused.)Well, everybody laughed.The Moderator got mad,Slammed his hammer against a pulpitAnd said, "There seems to beA little Confucian here."Do you know that man was entirely right?The Old Chinese PhilosopherThe Presbyterian GuardianThis Week's WitnessGod Is Good.Astrology — Just Fun?Glimpses of the Religious World.The Peace of God.Mothers Talk about Fathers.Reformed Fellowship.Cu-Song's Forgiveness.Lesson HelpsChurch News.I Voted to Close the Church..3.34.57.910111416WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the SacramentsThe divine right of the institution of Mamaue and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. R Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

God Is GoodThe Psalmist cries out, "O taste and see that theLord is good." He had known from experience thegoodness of God in his deliverance from his fears, in theanswers to his prayers, in the deliverance by the encampingangel, in the ample provision for his physicalneeds. He wants others to experience this same joy inGod. This idea occurs very frequently in the Psalms, andwe should ourselves express it frequently.God is infinitely good. We may declare, "How greatThy goodness." There are no bounds or limits to thegoodness of God. His goodness does not depend onanything or anyone outside of Himself. It is part of Hisnature, an attribute of the divine being. There is no suchthing as increasing or decreasing the goodness of God, forit is always a perfect and absolute goodness. It is notchangeable, for God is unchangeable. His goodness iseternal, enduring forever.God is good to all His creatures. He sends rain onthe just and on the unjust. He makes the crops to grow,the seed to sprout for non-believers as for believers. Heprovides food for all. It is not always properly distributed,for men waste or hoard the produce instead of sharing it.He gives life. It is in Him that all creatures live, and move,and have their being. He sustains life. He is Lord of life.He has set the length of life of all living.From all eternity God existed. It was not necessaryfor Him to create the earth or to form creatures and manupon it. He did this as a manifestation of His goodness.When he had completed His creation and looked upon it,He saw that it was very good.Especially do we see the mercy of God and thegoodness of God in His work of salvation of man, Hisredemptive work. There was no necessity on the part ofGod to do anything for man after the fall into sin. God hadwarned him against the particular danger before, but manhad disregarded the warning and deliberately disobeyedGod. In His goodness God did not destroy man, but setforth His plan for man's redemption. It was characteristicof God's goodness that He planned everything necessaryfor this. ... In His goodness, in the fullness of time, Godsent forth His Son, who became man, lived as a man, anddied the death of the cross, after taking upon Himself thesins of men, in order to make the atonement and pay thepenalty of sin for men. We should be able to taste of God'sgoodness in our own salvation.In His great goodness God has provided variousmeans of grace for our Christian development. We have•he gift of the Holy Spirit, God Himself as our helper, inprayer, in temptations, in living and work. We have thewritten Word of God, with the Spirit as our Teacher. Godhas given the sacraments for our spiritual benefits. Hepermits us the privilege and fellowship of prayer. All ofthis is because of His goodness.The goodness of God is seen in the promise of aplace in heaven with Himself. It is a holy and happy place.It is an eternal home with Christ. We could not haveimagined such goodness.We can taste of this goodness. We can experience itin our hearts and lives. We can think upon these thingsday and night. We can enjoy the good things of Hisphysical gifts. We can have Christian assurance—assurance of His presence, of His power exercised in ourbehalf, of His boundless love, of our salvation. ThePsalmist added, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in him."—The Associate Reformed PresbyterianAstrology — Just Fun?Rev. Ralph Joseph, Pastor ofBethel and Old Bethel R. P. Churches, Sparta, IllinoisIn this country we are seeing a great deal of interestin astrology and things of this sort. We might assume thatthe interest shown by many people is just for the fun ofseeing what might happen or what they should be or do ona particular day. However, astrology in all its forms is verydangerous.The idea of consulting the stars is nothing new. Aswe look back in ancient history, whether secular orsacred, we find that people looked for help to come as aresult of the date of their births or the configurations ofthe stars. If this be true, and indeed there is much toconfirm it, then it follows that the current craze is not tobe passed over lightly as just another fad.The Bible warns us very specifically about using thestars and consulting wizards and witches concerning ourcourse of action. Why does the Bible give us a commandin no uncertain terms to have nothing to do with suchthings? The answer lies in the fact that the source of allthis is the Devil! This is nothing else than Satanic wonderswhich would deceive if possible the most devout Christian.Now this should not surprise us because the Biblealso tells us that Satan masquerades as an angel of light—afigure of speech that indicates that Satan is adept atcausing things that are wrong to appear as right or at leastharmless.Why is the interest in astrology so great today?There are many contributing factors which we do not havetime now to consider, but basically it is because man isdissatisfied with his own philosophy of life. Because hecannot live with his own concept of what life is all abouthe turns to something—anything that hopefully will fillthis longing.The One that can fill this longing—and will fillit ifwe ask Him is Jesus Christ. But the words of Jesus still holdtrue, ". . .you are unwilling to come to Me, that you mavhave life."MAY 26, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.207 Darlington RoadBeaver Falls, Pennsylvania 15010GLIMPSES AT HOMEThis is no new development in the CovenanterWitness, but it newly occurred to me to mention it. Areyou reading the excellent articles that deal with applicationof unchanging truth to current situations? Ihesitate to mention particular ones, but did you evaluatethe carefully stated principles that determine what isChristian literature? Were you able to apply them in yourown or your family's — or your class' — reading? Orperhaps did you write to Prof. Carson, suggesting how theapplication of those principles would result — for good orbad? I think he would appreciate it.Only the first article has appeared — in Arizona —of the articles on versions of Scripture. Mr. More isdealing with a basic problem that affects all Christianpeople because of the multiplicity of Scripture versionsand paraphrases on the market. He is attempting to dealwith it in a basic manner. Jay Green (Religious BookDiscount House) is attempting to update the King JamesVersion with the "King James II Version," claiming thatthe "best text was that used by Tyndale, Beza, and theKJV scholars"; this he concludes after "a pre-study encompassingmore than 1000 hours of textual criticism."(He really shouldn't have mentioned that 1000 hours. It'stoo little and he doesn't tell us whether they were all oneman's study, nor what man . It makes a difference, youknow.) However, Mr. Green has an extended book tradeoutlet, andit is quite likely that "King James II" will sellwidely.Many more recent Covenanter Witness articlescould be mentioned. Don't neglect them.AUGUSTINE, CALVIN AND LUTHER WEREWRONG"With this pretentious headline quote, EP NewsService introduces its lead item this week, announcing abook on sex published by David C. Cook PublishingCompany. That headline is about the only thing newreported in the full page item. "Straight honest talk from aChristian perspective . . . out in the open . . ." has hardlyhad its birth with this "publishing event." And while it maysell books,it seems a new low to advertise it as something"which an evangelical publisher wouldn't have dared print10 years ago." After sinking almost into oblivion a numberof years ago, through a watered down presentation of theChristian faith, apparently designed to offend no one, theDavid C. Cook Publishing Company has made a considerablecomeback, with S.S. teaching materials at least alittle improved. But this sort of use of the advertising artdoesn't inspire confidence in the product.SECOND U.P. CHURCH OF JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. LOSESThe highest court of New York has ruled that thePresbytery of Albany was properly awarded the assets ofthe former Second U.P. Church of Johnstown when thechurch seceded after a dispute relating to a change in thechurch's national policy. We are not told whether thePresbytery had invested funds in the Johnstown propertyby way of a home missions effort, or whether there mayhave been some other particular, distinguishing this casefrom the one ruled on by the U.S. Supreme Court, whichgave properties to two congregations in Atlanta. (EP)THE WARThere is no question but that the displeasure of theAmerican public is growing toward our involvement inVietnam. Yet, there is little evidence of a cohesive volumeof public opinion in support of the "get out now"movement. Not only for the Christian but also for thecitizen motivated primarily by self interest, there areconflicting considerations. There is the fate of theprisoners of war. Should we leave them there, forgetthem? There is the type and the apparent loyalties — orlack of loyalty — within the leadership of the protestefforts. That is, when arrests for violence and interferingwith the free movements of others begin, there are thosewith long records of violence who either escape arrest orare soon out on bail, if arrested, to continue their activities.Especially in the "veterans' marches" certain wellknown radical leaders, not veterans at all, were centrallyinvolved, but when the arrests started they ran. Then thereis the consideration of utter disregard for the rights andproperty of the rank and file, both of protesters and nonprotesters.This conflict of interest and purpose may be itselfpart of the judgment God is sending even now on us as anation.THE NPRF.Individuals from eight Presbyterian and Reformeddenominations met in Chicago in October 1970. Theydecided to organize "for encouragement and mutualassistance to those who seek in our time the unity of apure witness to the Word of God and the testimony ofJesus Christ in the communion appointed by Christthrough His apostles and prophets in the New Testament.Reformed doctrine and presbyterian church governmentfurnish the basis for this communion.. . ." April 15 and 16,1971, in Atlanta, Georgia, the group organized, adopted aconstitution and provided for incorporation.Membership consists of ministers and elders whosee page 164 COVENANTER WITNESS

The Peace of GodPeace in the home, peace in the world of business,peace in the world of education. We want peace. One ofthe greatest cries of our society is the cry for peace.Recently we heard the veterans of the Viet Nam wardemonstrating in Washington, D.C. for peace.Peace, where does it come from? How do we havepeace? There are many theories today about peace. Manypeople are naive enough to think that we can print theword peace on a sign, march down the street, call out forpeace, and that will bring peace. We may say how stupidand ignorant can they be.But let's look at a few of the more sophisticatedtheories for peace. Some tell us the way to peace is for theUnited States to be so strong, to have such a large supplyof weapons, that everyone will be afraid to wage war onus. This is not the peace of God, but rather it is theconclusion of evolutionary thinking that the fittest shallsurvive. As we read through Scripture and as we look athistory, we see that this is not the route to peace. WhenIsrael was destroyed she was in one of her stronger periodsmilitarily. This didn't insure her peace.There are those also who would have us deny thatthere is absolute truth. The thinking is that if there is noabsolute truth, then we won't fight over what's right andwhat's wrong. In our modern way of thinking we havethrown the thesis and antithesis out the window and wehave drawn our synthesis in which something might betrue today and gone tomorrow. We have no way, no basis,for determining what's right and what's wrong. And thehope is that people will assume "that everything isbeautiful in its own way." Scripture teaches that this leadsto everyone doing his own thing, to chaos and anarchy.Others say that the way to peace is for us all to bealike. We have got to dress alike, to think alike, to actalike. The white people tell the black community, "If youwill just wear the kind of clothes we wear, if you will dothings the way we do them, and say what we want you tosay, then we'll accept you." See what's happened here?The white people have made their own humanisticconditions for peace and said, "You must accept ourconditions for peace."We find this true in the area of labor andmanagement problems, and in the area of education—teachers and students, teachers and administrators—andeven in the church. Suppose a dozen young men came toyour church. Instead of the traditional suit and tie, theywere wearing faded bluejeans and T-shirts; instead ofwearing shoes, they were barefoot; instead of thetraditional close shave and haircut, they were wearingRev. Paul M. MartinPastor of Allegheny R. P. Church, Pittsburghlong hair and beards. How would we accept them? Butsuppose next week they came back and they had shaved,cut their hair, put on a suit and shoes. How would weaccept them? Probably now we would be happy to havethem in our homes. But the first week we might have saidwe were glad to have them, but we might have gone homeand said, "I wish they'd cut their hair; I wish they'd wear asuit; and I wish they'd wear a tie." See what we have done.We have based our peace and fellowship on what a personwears, not on the Word of God. All of these plans forpeace and any others that are proposed by our society arebased on humanism, on our own ideas of the way to obtainpeace. The Scripture teaches that these lead only toalienation and war; they do not lead to peace.In these days of alienation and war, the Christiancommunity must have and practice a radically differentform of peace. Scripture calls this peace, the peace ofGod. This is the only way of peace, whether it's in VietNam, in the Middle East, in our homes, in our communities,or wherever. The peace of God is the only peacethat leads to peace, rather than to chaos.We can take neither position—the position of theWashington establishment or of the protesting demonstrators—becausethey are both humanistic. They bothdeny the sovereignty of God. Let us look at the peace ofGod.The Principle of PeacePeace as mentioned in Scripture is not necessarilythat nice quiet feeling we have sometimes, but peace inScripture applies to a community, a group of people. Suchpeace is a gift of God that is sealed in that covenantrelationship that He has made with the Covenant community.It describes the relationship between God and HisCovenant people and creation, when the Covenant peopleare submitted to God and not in rebellion against Him. InGenesis 1 and 2 we have demonstrated the basic principleof peace. We might state the principle in this way: "Peaceis that state in which everything functions in its orderaccording to the law of God." God's creation is a creationof peace and order, not of chaos. In the first chapter wesee God calling the light and earth into existence, the sun,moon, and stars. He doesn't just throw them out there—alittle air, water, and sun all mixed together chaotically; butthey are all in order. In verse 11 He creates the earth for apurpose: "The herb yielding seed, and the fruit treevielding fruit after its kind." In verse 14 we see Himcreating the sun, moon, and stars, and for what reasons:"for seasons and for days and years. . . ." The peace ofMAY 26, 1971 5

God is demonstrated as all these things act in obedience tothat law that God has given them. In verses 26 and 28 Godcreates man for a purpose. He gives him the law that is togovern his life. In chapter 2 we see everything respondingin obedience to that law of God.The Broken PeaceIn chapter 3 we note the broken peace. Adam andEve ate of the fruit of that forbidden tree and suddenlytheir peace was gone. When they heard the voice of Godcoming, they ran to hide in the bushes. There was nolonger a state of peace; they were afraid of God. ThenGod confronts them with the sin. The alienation is not justbetween them and God, but now Adam is alienated fromEve. He said: "Why, God, it's the fault of that woman thatyou gave to me." It is also between man and the animals asEve says, "Why, it was that serpent." Peace has beenreplaced by alienation because Adam failed to obey theWord of God. God promises continued alienation as Hesays the woman will bear children in sorrow, and the manwill get his daily bread in the sweat of his brow. But noticethe promise of coming peace in verse 15: "The seed of thewoman will bruise the head of the serpent."The Limited Peace of GodThe limited peace of God is demonstrated in manyplaces throughout Scripture, but especially in Joshua 23.God delivered Israel from the waters of the Jordan. Hedelivered them from the hands of the Canaanites, and nowHe tells them how they are to live in peace. They, as acommunity, must live in obedience to God's Word. Healso warns them that to disobey that Word destroys thatpeace and their community. This obedience to God wasnot a way for them to appease the wrath of an awful God,but rather God's Word was the directive for peace. It islike a fence that guides them into the way of peace.Ignoring these standards that God had given to themwould cause them to live in chaos. God did not just givethem a few activities to add to their already busyschedule—Bible reading, going to church, and praying insome superstitious sense— but rather as they read the law,as they brought the sacrifices, as they heard the Wordexplained, they would see that directive for all of life. Itwas as they read that Word that they were told how theywere to get along with their neighbors. It also told themhow they were to wage war and to carry on their nationalaffairs. It gave directives for eating habits, for control ofdiseases, for class development, and for the use of theirland. It was as the people responded to these directivesthat they were to have the peace of God.The Pursuit of the Peace of GodThe pursuit of the peace of God is particularlydemonstrated for us in Nehemiah 1. Keep in mind that thepeace of God is the gift of God. It is not obtained throughmilitary or political supremacy, through fighting, northrough conforming to some man's standards, but it comesonly from God. When Adam sinned all mankind was castinto a state of chaos and despair and destruction. The6Covenant did not call for God to come to deliver him.Man deserved nothing but condemnation. But God, onHis own initiative, in His own love, came to Adam and allmankind in the person of Jesus Christ, bringing the gospelof peace. In Nehemiah 1, we are reminded that Israel hadsinned against God. They were alienated from God, fromeach other, from their land, for they were captives in aforeign land. Nehemiah recognized that this was notbecause the Medes and the Persians were so muchstronger than Yawheh, the God of Israel. But they were introuble because they had disobeyed God, and only Godcould bring peace out of alienation. First of all Nehemiahconfessed his sin. Alienation and fighting are to direct usto God—to our sin and to salvation. This is exactly what itdid for Nehemiah. In verses 6 and 7 he included himself asa participant in this sin. "Hear the prayer of your servant,which I pray. . .for the children of Israel your servants,and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which wehave sinned against thee, both I and my father's house."Nehemiah did not say, "Well, it wasn't my fault, soI'll waiton someone else to confess it." No, he confessed the sinhimself. The pursuit of peace begins with the confession ofsin. It is followed by repentance and repentance is alwayscoupled with obedience. The pursuit of peace is the call toquit going on in your sin, the sin of following your ownideas, your own philosophies, and to turn in obedience toGod to learn His will through the study of His Word.Peace is the gift of God; this gift comes in a conviction ofsin, which is brought through demonstrations ofalienation. This conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit leadsus to repentance and to the desire to obey Him and thisleads us into the study of His Word. This is the way wemust pursue peace.The Future Kingdom of PeaceFinally, let's look at the Kingdom of peace to whichall history points. History may be summed up this way:God created in perfect peace; this peace is destroyed bysin; history now moves toward that return to the Kingdomof peace. This is prophesied particularly in Isaiah andRevelation. The Greeks had a very interesting idea ofpeace. They thought that peace was an interlude ineverlasting war. Scripture says that war is an interlude inan everlasting peace. History is moving into that peace. InGenesis everything functions according to the law of God,and in that cataclysmic return of Jesus Christ sin is purgedand destroyed and we see a return to paradise. Paradise isthe re-creation that isn't founded on man's humanisticideas, but it's founded on the Word of God. Isaiah 11pictures that peace not only between the alienated manand God, but also the alienated creation, as he is broughtinto that perfect relationship—that unity that God hasbuilt into it. In Isaiah 2:2-5 we have the real picture of thatKingdom of peace:"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that themountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top ofthe mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; andallnations shall flow up unto it. And many people shall go and say,Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to thehouse of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways. .. "COVENANTERWITNESS

And how are we going to respond?"We will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall goforth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.And he shall judge among the nations, and shall beat theirswords into plowshares, and their spears intopruninghooks; nations shall notlift up sword againstnation, neither shall they learn war any more."corporate groups. This sin is uaually found in the desire ofpeople to rule according to their emotions or ideas ratherthan seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit through thestudy of His Holy Word. Following the confession isrepentance. This means a determined study of the Wordof God.What is our call today? I want the boys to comehome from Viet Nam, for fighting is a result of sin—butWe like to take that last verse that tells us of the end of bringing them home from Viet Nam will not solve thewar and omit the verse which tells us that we come to the problem. The call today by the church must be a call tohouse of God to be taught the Word of God.repentance, repentance from our sin of following theIn conclusion, in Psalm 34:14 we're called to depart humanist and a call to turn to God. If we are not going tofrom evil and do good, to seek peace and pursue it. We're make that call, we cannot stand anywhere else. We haveto believe that peace is the gift of God. We're called to to say nothing, or deny our commitment to the Word ofcarry this belief into activity and into obedient response, God. It's a call today for the repentance of our society.and we're called to believe that there is no peace to be We are not to say Christ will come and peace will return,found anywhere else. There is no peace in stubbornness, but we are called to seek that peace. We are not to say—in getting one's own way, in running from the situation, or Well, I hope problems blow over; God says we are to seekin compromise. There's only one way to peace and it the will of God or matters will get worse. They will go oncomes through a conviction of sin. Divisions, cliques, to chaos and destruction. Scripture makes no distinctionbitter struggles—whether it's in your family or business, or about where the fighting may be—whether it's the church,on a committee—are sign posts which point to sin. Where the business, the home, or the committee; if we don't seekthere is no peace, there is sin. This conviction must bring peace through the Word of God we are going to beconfession before God as an individual as well as in destroyed.Mothers Talk About Fathersby Lois Sibley"Well," said Helen firmly, "I will always maintainthat the husband is the moral, spiritual, and intellectualleader in the home. God made him that, beginning withthe very first family, and there is just no escaping hisresponsibility.""Maybe you're right," Ruth answered slowly. Shesipped her coffee and looked around the table to see howthe others were reacting. Some nodded in agreement,some looked quizzically at Helen, and some, she couldsee, were ready with a question. Jane got hers out first."Some men are home with their wives and children solittle these days. They spend so much time with theirwork; do you really think they have that much influence athome?""Yes, Jane, I do. I think the husband's attitude oneach of these levels, moral, spiritual, and intellectual, isgoing to set the tone and atmosphere of that home. Eventhough he may seldom be there, his attitude will bereflected in the way his family responds to his leadership."It was the weekly coffee hour-Bible study in the ElmStreet neighborhood. Seated around Ruth's dining roomtable, which was covered with coffee cups and Bibles ofvarious sizes and versions, were a group of young wivesand mothers who enjoyed each other's company. Andwho felt free to talk over some of the problems they allshared to see how the Bible could help."When the children are small," Helen continued,"they will adopt their father's attitudes without question.What is important to him will be important to them. Asthey grow, they will consider and accept or reject what hehas taught and been.""Remind me not to tell Harry how important he is,"Sue put in. They all smiled and chuckled a little at this, buteach was thinking of her own husband, and therelationships and attitudes in her own home."You know, Helen, we read in all the magazinesthese days about equal this and equal that. But you seemto be putting the husband first. Where do we wives comein?" This from Joyce, newly married and an avid reader ofmagazines on the home."Oh, I'm not trying to say wives and mothers aren'timportant, Joyce. Not at all. But I think the importance ofher work and the rewards, too, come in her ownknowledge that she is seconding, implementing, andteaching the principles that Dad, as leader, is laying downfor the family.""I hadn't thought of that," said Sue.Helen went on: "The children can easily tell ifMother is keeping them to the line Dad has made forthem; they can also tell if Mother and Dad are notworking together. Their purpose should be not just to livein harmony, but to be glorifying God and trying togetherto please Him in all that they are doing and teaching in thehome. Look back at our first family here in Genesis. Ithink you can find the responsibilities, the areas ofleadership, and who was to lead, who to be the helper,right here in the story of Adam and Eve. God made Adamfirst, gave him the responsibilities of leadership in theMAY 26, 1971

asic family unit, and Eve was to be his helper, complementingand following his leadership in the home. Youcan read here how well they did, and how poorly.""What do you think, then, about discipline?" Ruthasked. "Whose job is it? Sometimes I think my childrenhave the idea that Dad is just a big bear who comes homeat night to growl at them. I guess because I used to tell himeach day, as soon as he came in the door, all the things theboys had done wrong, and he would start yelling at them. Itry not to now, but what about discipline! Whose job isit?"They all appreciated this problem of Ruth's (itsounded so familiar!) and attacked it with gusto. Helentried to point out that this is another area where Dad mustgive the primary leadership, but that he and Mothershould be working together to teach and show thechildren right and wrong. "Above all," she said, "theremust be such an attitude of love that the child knows he isloved, even when punished. In fact, it doesn't hurt to pointout that because we love, we must punish wrongdoing. Ina small way, this is God the Father's attitude toward Hischildren.""Right!" said Laura. "And of course punishmentvaries with the offense and must be thought out carefully.Parents should agree on what punishments to use indisciplining their children.""Yes," said Helen, "there must be a togetherness asmother and father attempt to carry out the responsibilitiesGod has given them. They can make this evident in thehome by their attitude of love toward one another andtoward each of their children."Let's turn from Genesis to Ephesians, chapter 6, thefirst few verses," Helen now suggested. "I think this clearlypoints out Dad's responsibilities here, to mix the rightamount of discipline with the right amount of love, whileat the same time avoiding an abnormal amount of angerand rebellion in the children. I say abnormal because, asyou who have children know, a certain amount of angerand rebellion is normal, necessary, and even healthy.""What do you all think about TV?" Jane suddenlyasked. "What kinds of shows are good for them? Arecartoons really harmful?""I need another cup of coffee if we're going to talkabout that," Sue exclaimed, and Joyce agreed. A fewminutes were spent refilling cups, and someone went tocheck on things in the playroom, where the pre-schoolerswere keeping each other amused. "All is well," Janereported, and they settled down to resume the discussion."I think TV comes under the heading of being both amoral problem and an intellectual one," said Joyce,deciding to be brave and enter into the conversation eventhough she had no children."Ouch! How do you mean that?" Sue asked."Well, ... I think . . . (Joyce began hesitantly, butthen plunged in) . . . depending on what you watch, orwhat you let your children watch, morally it could be goodor bad. On the intellectual level, one can put all sorts ofstimulating programs in front of the children, from news,significant history both old and in the making, to .. . to . . .8well, excellent musical concerts, and the many scientificprojects that have been on, like Gemini; or a puppet showfor pure entertainment. I think if you choose carefully,your children can have a real intellectual feast right intheir own home.""I agree," said Helen, "and starting there, a fathercan share many interests with his children, and by buildingone experience on another lead them into new awarenessand curiosity about the world we live in, thus raising theirintellectual sights. Perhaps watching a science programwill be enough to start them studying maps, exploring,collecting rocks, studying the stars, or some similar thing.Dad teaches by example by showing an interest insomething they can share and enjoy doing together. Ifonly more fathers would see the importance of spendingsome time with their children, enthusiastically interestedin what their children are interested in, families would bebetter, and ultimately the fiber and structure of the wholecountry would be better!""You know, that's true, Helen. We were having anawful time with Tommy this year," Ruth began. "He is inthe fourth grade now. Don and I had to go up to the schoolto talk with his teacher a couple of times. She suggestedthat it would help Tommy tremendously if Don wouldspend more time with him, perhaps just helping with hishomework evenings. Now Don actually does spendevenings with Tommy and Joe. He helps them with theirhomework, if they need it, and is even learning to playchess with them. Can you imagine it? The boys are happiernow, show much more respect for Don, and are just betterin every way. We are all happier." The glow on Ruth's facegave evidence of this."You know, girls," said Helen, "we haven't mentionedthe most important part of father's leadership.""What's that?" Jane asked."I mean the fact that father is the spiritual leader inthe home. This is definitely the most important part of hisleadership. If he does this right and well, all the others fallin line. What he thinks about God colors what he thinksand does about everything else. A father who, first of all,leads his family to realize that God is King, and that weserve Him in all we do, can also help his family to achievelesser goals in the right perspective, thereby helping eachmember of the family to find true happiness in this worldand the next. Such a father is fulfilling his responsibility toGod and to his family in the spiritual leadership he gives inthe home.""That's a big job," said Sue reflectively."Yes, it certainly is, Sue," said Helen, turning thepages of her Bible, "but if we look into the book ofDeuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-8, and again chapter 11,beginning at verse 18, we will see where God gave just thatresponsibility to fathers when he said, through Moses, '. ..you shall therefore lay up these words of mine in yourheart and in your soul; and shall bind them as a sign uponyour hand, and they shall be as frontlets between youreyes. And you shall teach them to your children, talking ofthem when you are sitting in your house, and when youare walking by the way, and when you lie down, and whenCOVENANTERWITNESS

you rise. . . .'"Fathers must always be aware, then, of theirspiritual responsibility. It must come first, among themany things fathers are to teach their children. Whereverthey go, at home, as they walk along with their sons bytheir side, as they go to sleep thankful for God's care overthem, as they rise up to begin a new day, FIRST they mustbe the spiritual leaders in their homes, leading their littleones to love and trust the God who made them, and whosethey are.And then we mothers have to ask, Are we thespiritual examples we should be? Are we encouraging ourhusbands in their spiritual leadership as we ought to? Arewe mothers praying as we ought to for our husbands andfor our children in this regard? I think, now, that you willagree with me that the husband is the moral, intellectual,and spiritual leader in the home. What he does makes orbreaks it. Of course, if he fails, the Lord in His grace andmercy (don't forget that!) may rescue one or moremembers of that family, restore them to a right place inrelationship to Himself and the kingdom that is to come.But what joy must belong to that father who knows he isdoing what the Lord commands and wants; and who,when looking back, can take pride in the knowledge thathe did well in his responsibilities as head of the home,under Christ, his King and Lord."They sat thinking a moment, until Jane said,"Thanks, Helen, I have a lot to think about before ourmeeting next week."The others murmured in agreement before Ruthclosed their study with prayer, asking God to help them tohelp their husbands in fulfilling their tasks as leaders in thehome.Christian Home and SchooNATIONAL PRESBYTERIAN ANDREF OR MED FELL O WSHIPATLANTA—A new conservative organization ofCalvinistic teaching and ruling elders would be preparedto function as a "receiving body" or "holding body" bothfor denominations and congregations if a proposal madehere should ever be implemented in a future realignmentof churches.The National Presbyterian and ReformedFellowship, composed of individual members of some 10Presbyterian and Reformed bodies voted to "explore thelegal and practical implications" of a suggestion that thefellowship itself might become "a pole around whichdisplaced congregations as well as denominations" mightrally for a period.Ultimate objective would be a national churchprofessing the system of doctrine contained in the classicReformed confessions and functioning under apresbyterian form of government. Such a church wouldnot, however, simply be an extension of any existingdenomination, fellowship spokesmen emphasized.While no expectation of an immediate approval ofsuch an idea was voiced by any of the more than 60clergymen and laymen present from eight denominations,they did express an almost unanimous hope for aneventual united conservative witness.The NPRF is the outgrowth of several informalmeetings held since the December 1969 Atlanta rally ofPresbyterian Churchmen United (a Presbyterian USgroup). Present headquarters of the fellowship is inMiami.Those attending the meeting here were members otthe United Presbyterian Church USA, PresbyterianChurch US, Reformed Church in America, ChristianReformed Church, Associate Reformed PresbyterianChurch, Reformed Presbyterian Church EvangelicalSynod, Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and ReformedPresbyterian Church of North America.FORSAKE GODHUMANISM AND DEMONISM FLOURISHWhen God is systematically and officially excludedfrom a society, the result is a dying order in whichhumanism reigns and demonism flourishes unchecked.Dr. Robert A. Cook, a past president of the NationalAssociation of Evangelicals, which embraces some 36,000churches from 69 conservative Protestant denominationsand a service constituency of nearly 9 million, told adinner meeting of the Board of Administration that "whenwe threw prayer and the Bible out of our official life, weopened the door to occult sciences, to radical socialism,and eventually to atheistic humanism as a way of life."The president of the King's College, BriarcliffManor, New York, did not spare the church in hiscriticism of the modern scene: "In this period of the deathof a culture," he said, "education is adrift and the churchis powerless."The only answer, said Dr. Cook, is a generation ofmen who can communicate the living God to theirfellowmen. "A minister is significant only as he communicatesGod," he reminded his largely ministerialaudience.This is not accomplished by the religious formalitiesassociated with official church status, but "through thosepersonal contacts dedicated to making God real in theexperience of others," he said.For such communication, according to the speaker,there must be a right relation with one's fellow man, a lifeof prayer and a willingness to touch and lift others in thepower of God, regardless of cost."The activities of organizations such as the NAE areimportant," said Dr. Cook, "but they will be meaningful tohistorv only as the leaders project the compassion and thepower of God through their lives."This requires of evangelical Christians a priorcommitment to the authority of the Bible and to the Christof the Bible, Dr. Cook said.MAY 26, 1971 9

The Children's CornerCu-Song's ForgivenessFounded on factBy Amelia O. StottIt was a dark, starless night, and old Mr. Wong feltas if the blackness had somehow got right inside him.Against his better feelings he had overheard his new wife'sorders and got a neighbor to remove his little motherlessdaughter. He felt ashamed after the baby girl had beentaken away, he knew not where."It was better so," the neighbor said, — she wouldleave the child somewhere safe.Old Mr. Wong had lost his very young wife a.yearbefore when the baby was born, and things had gone badlywith him since. He had no relatives to keep house or takecare of the baby and felt he must marry again. His newwife, a widow, had three children of her own, and refusedto have another in the house."Get rid of that she-burden. You are far too poor tofill so many mouths. I cannot bear the sight of the child —she is weak and sickly. If I am to help you in your shop,that wretched little monkey-one must go. I cannot attendto her."Mr. Wong was sorry, but he soon Sew this new wifewould have her own way. He felt she would likely starveand ill-treat the child, who certainly was sickly andtroublesome. The neighbor woman thought it best to getrid of her, too.Still Mr. Wong felt worried that he had agreed, but itwould make him "lose face" to ask any questions, so hegave the neighbor some money and asked no questions.Cu-Song ("God's Gift"), as her dying mother hadcalled her, was gone from his home. She was notforgotten, however, by her mother's God, as she lay in thecold night air wailing feebly on the steps of the "JesusChurch Compound." Somebody awoke and listened attentively.It was Nyi Wong ("All-Goodness"), thegatekeeper, who thought he heard a starved kittenmewing outside. His kind, old heart would not let himsnuggle down in his wadded quilt, for he had the veryspirit of his loving heavenly Father for anything or anyonein trouble. "I am sure that is some poor little thing crying.Oh, well, I must see to it," and he shuffled out in his softcloth shoes and silently slipped out the great wooden baracross the compound gate, afraid of disturbing the missiondoctor and his household. Then, stooping down, hegroped around near where the faint wail was, and soonfound the baby girl wrapped up in a torn piece of matting.10"Poor little one," he whispered, holding her close."Left here by some heartless or despairing one. Oh, well,the Savior loves thee well. Had I not found thee this coldnight thou wouldest likely have perished."Tenderly the old man carried her across to theWoman's Hospital where Lu-teh ("Ruth") the night nursewas on duty. She was a young widow full of love for alllittle children, and she took this one to her kind heart."What shall we call her?" said the doctor's wife sometime after, when they saw that the baby, who had beenvery sick at first, was going to live. "You must choose, Luteh,because you have really saved her life."The nurse smiled rather sadly as she thought of theprecious baby daughter whom she had lost a year before."I should like her called Cu-Song, the Gift of God,"she said softly, and that, strange to say, was the name thatthe baby's mother had given her at birth."Name her Cu-Song," the child's own mother hadwhispered then, "that is God's gift. She would have beenthat to me. Promise me, my baby's father, to be alwaysgood to our little Cu-Song."Sister Lu-teh had adopted the little one, and thedoctor and his wife were delighted to see her comforted.Cu-Song was very happy in her new home, and grew up asweet little girl, pretty as a flower, healthy and intelligent.When she was big enough to go to the mission school sheheard the children talking of their fathers. They askedabout hers, but Cu-Song could say nothing. She eagerlyinquired about him."Is my Pang ('father') gone to live in Heaven withGod?""I know not, I cannot tell thee," said Lu-teh quietly,who was always truthful and often feared that some daysome one might come to claim the child."That is very strange," said Cu-Song, "surely thoumust know where he is?"'Ask me not, Cu-Song, I can give thee no light," andLu-teh would say nothing more.One day Dr. Smith came across from the hospitalafter talking to his patients one by one. He ever tried toget to understand them personally, so that the message ofGod's love might get right over into their hearts. Onepatient in particular puzzled him—an old man, extremelysick, who refused to believe in God's pardoning mercy.to be continuedCOVENANTER WITNESS

Sabbath SchoolLessonLesson Helps for the Week of June 20iFor June 20,1971God Requires Economic JusticeMicah 1:1; 2:1-3,8,°; 3:1-4,9-12Comments by John K. GaultEconomic justice means toguarantee to all citizens the right to sharein the production, the management, andthe distribution of the wealth of thecountry. The Constitution of the UnitedStates is supposed to do this in its preambleas it says, "We, the people of the UnitedStates, in order to form a more perfectunion, establish justice, insure domestictranquility, provide for the commondefense, promote the general welfare, andsecure the blessing of liberty to ourselvesand our posterity, do ordain and establishthis Constitution for the United States ofAmerica."The statute law of Israel wasdesigned by God and given to the peoplethrough Moses for the very purpose ofguaranteeing economic justice to all thecitizens of the land. Along with the injunctionto love God with all the heart,soul, and mind went the command to "lovethy neighbor as thyself." If people wouldlove God and also their neighbors as theBible commands there would be completeeconomic justice; and this goal can neverbe reached until people do love God andtheir neighbors as themselves.1: Micah Was Called of God.The first verse of his prophecy says,"The word of the Lord that came to Micah,the Morasthite, in the days of Jotham,Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, whichhe saw concerning Samaria andJerusalem." According to this he was anative of the village of Moresheth whichwas right near the Philistian city of Gathabout twenty-five miles southwest ofJerusalem. Micah was not only a godlyperson to begin with but he also possessedthe mental and physical abilities whichGod needed at that time. All believers inChrist should feel that they are called ofHim in their vocations of life inasmuch asthe Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with allthine heart; and lean not unto thine ownunderstanding. In all thy waysacknowledge Him, and He shall direct thypaths" (Prov. 3:5,6).2: God Is Witness Against All Formsof Injustice. (1:2,3)Micah said, "Hear, all ye people;MAT 26, 1971hearken, O earth, and all that therein is:and let the Lord God be witness againstyou, the Lord from His holy temple. Forbehold, the Lord cometh forth out of Hisplace, and will come down and tread uponthe high places of the earth." God was soonto call the wicked unto judgment, implyingthat He was holding court and was going tobring the evil doers to trial. God, throughHis prophet Micah, was the witness againstall the injustices which the rich had perpetrated.A witness against any indictedperson must have seen the crime committed,or must have accurate knowledgeof certain elements bearing on the case. Ahandwriting expert must have certaincredentials which give him the authority tobe a witness in a case of forgery. In all theacts of injustice committed by the peopleof Micah's day, God saw the acts committed,and also by His position in theuniverse, He had accurate knowledge of allthe elements bearing on the great trial.God's testimony is, therefore, always thetruth about every circumstance. Upon thebasis of God's witness against injusticeboth during the time of Micah and at thepresent time, "He will come down, andtread upon the high places of the earth."3: The Injustice That God's WitnessedWas Plotted in Bed. (2:1)Micah said of this, "Woe to them thatdevise iniquity, and work evil upon theirbeds! when the morning is light, theypractice it, because it is in the power oftheir hand." This shows the cunningcraftiness of their evil; it was by soberdesign. They planned it out while theywere in bed and could not sleep becausetheir minds were so active concerning it. Inthe morning they proceeded to put theirevil plans into action and they had it intheir power to do it.4: The Rich, by Force, Deprived thePoor of Their Homes and of TheirInheritance. (2:2)The form of injustice is describedhere as the prophet said, "And they covetfields, and take them by violence; andhouses, and take them away: so theyoppress a man and his house, even a manand his heritage." It sometimes happenedthat the land of poor peasants becameindentured through debt and so the richwould take the poor man's home. The richalso disregarded the law of inheritancewhich required that all land which hadbeen sold for debt must be returned to theoriginal owner in the year of Jubilee, whichcame around every fiftieth year. InLeviticus 25:23,24it was said, "The landshall not be sold in perpetuity: for the landis Mine; for ye are strangers and sojournerswith Me. And in all the land of yourpossession ye shall grant a redemption forthe land." The land could be redeemed atany time by the debtor or the nearestrelative but in the year of Jubilee the landmust be returned to the original owner orhis heir. The purpose of this law was toremind the people that the land belongedto God and gaining a monopoly in theownership of land was strictly forbidden.But the rich landowners of Israel andJudah had, in their greed, beendisregarding this ancient agrarian law andtherefore they were slated for destruction.5: The Oppression of the Poor WasEspecially Severe. (2:8,9; 3:2,3)It had come to the point when the.rich would even appropriate the clothingof the poor and the women and childrenwould be dispossessed of their comfortablehomes. In 2:8,9it is said, "Even of late Mypeople is risen up as an enemy: ye pull offthe robe with the garment from them thatpass by securely as men averse from war.The women of My people have ye cast outfrom their pleasant houses; from theirchildren have ye taken away My gloryforever." The description of this oppressionis so vivid that one can almost seethe poor people on the verge of starvationwith their cheek bones standing out in boldrelief as is shown in 3:2,3, "Who hate thegood and love the evil; who pluck off theirskin from off them, and their flesh from offtheir bones; who also eat the flesh of Mypeople, and flay their skin from off them;and they break their bones, and chop themin pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh withinthe caldron." This is not a picture ofcannabalism but it amounted to about thesame. The rich, in defrauding the poor,caused them to starve while they got fatterand fatter on the food from their ill-gottenwealth. Because of this oppression of thepoor the oppressors might cry unto theLord during the coming judgment but Hewould not hear them. In 3:4 this is said,"Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but Hewill not hear them: He will even hide Hisface from them at that time, as they havebehaved themselves ill in their doings."6: Even Some of the Prophets WereResponsible for the Oppression. (3:5,6)Micah said concerning them, "Thussaith the Lord concerning the prophetsthat make My people err, that bite withtheir teeth, and cry, 'Peace'; and he thatputteth not into their mouths, they evenprepare war against him. Therefore nightII

shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a humble shoemaker, but he read andvision; and it shall be dark unto you, thatye shall not divine; and the sun shall godown over the prophets, and the day shallbe dark over them." The prophets weresupposed to speak for God but instead ofdoing that they would say "peace" to themstudied as he mended shoes. He read aboutthose in China, India, and other lands whohad not heard of Jesus. As a preacher, heemphasized the need of his Baptist Churchto send missionaries. At first the churcheswere not interested, but Carey proved towho would complain about the conditions, them through the Scriptures that theunless they were bribed with plenty offood. The night of judgment would be darkchurch is responsible to send missionaries.We know this from our study of Paul infor those prophets who took the side of the Acts 13:1,2.oppressors.Carey and his family went as7: The Officials who Were Supposedto Administer Justice Took Bribes.In 3:11,12 the prophet said, "Themissionaries to Bengal, India. There heworked hard translating and preaching. Healso had to earn a living because theheads thereof judge for reward, and the church did not send enough money.priests thereof teach for hire.... Therefore "Gradually the churches woke up andshall Zion for your sake be plowed as a started to send more missionaries andfield, and Jerusalem shall become heaps." money."Lesson based on International Sunday School One pioneer missionary who wentLessons: the International Bible Lessons for out from Scotland was David Livingstone.Christian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Division He went to Africa in 1840. The first time heof Christian Education, National Council of Churches stood to preach in England he forgot whatof Christ in the U.S.A."he had to say, and ran out of the chapel.Years later he preached boldly to manyJunior TopicFor June 20,1971UNIT: MISSIONARY MINDEDThe Money — Pioneer MissionariesBy Miss Martha HutchesonMemory Psalm: Psalm 67:1,2,3 p. 161.Psalms: 42:4,5,6, p. 107; Ps. 126:1-4, p. 321.Memory Verse: Luke 6:38, "Give and itshall be given unto you."Materials: 1. World globe. 2. Globe moneybank for offering. 3. Pictures of countriesand peoples mentioned.Review: Ask for names studied lastweek. What did these men discover in theBible that changed their lives? Let themtalk, emphasizing the message of the goodnews.After the Christians in England,Europe, and America had discovered thegood news, some wanted to tell others.One of the first foreign missionariesdid not go to a foreign country. His homewas in Connecticut. He went as amissionary to the Indians in Pennsylvaniawho had never heard about Jesus. Hisname was David Brainerd. David was bornin America in 1718. The white man wasfighting the Indians and taking land awayfrom them. David had a deep concern forthe heathen that had not heard the goodnews. After he became a preacher, he wentto live and preach to the Indians. He rodehorseback. Many of the Indians hated himbecause he was the same color as the whitemen who were taking their land. Some ofthe Indians heard and believed. Davidwrote a diary about his work.One of the men who read David'sdiary was William Carey. William was bornin England in 1761. At age 18, he came toknow Jesus as his personal Savior. He was a12African chiefs, a few of whom believed.About this time God was moving inour church to encourage us to open upforeign missionary work. The first permanentmission work was started in Syria.Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Dodds and Mr. and Mrs.Joseph Beattie were the first to go. Mr.Dodds settled in one village where he wasliterally thrown out of town by the priestsand mobs. After months of hardshipseeking a place to settle, God led theseearly missionaries to Latakia, Syria. Thework grew and spread to villages and townsaround, including Mersine, Turkey.The missionaries knew the need toget the Gospel out. They knew that it costmoney and people. One of our earlymissionaries in Mersine, Dr. DavidMetheny, gave generously of his ownmoney, $5000, to start our mission work inChina.Another pioneer missionary wasHudson Taylor who went to China. Hismission board was not faithful in sendinghim money, and this made him realize hisdependence on God. One time he wascaught at night in a large Chinese city. Hewas dressed in Chinese clothes, but no onewould give him a place to stay becausethey knew he was a foreigner. He spent thenight in the street fighting off two thieves.He stayed on in China to found the ChinaInland Mission which reached all theprovinces of China.We must support our missionaries asthe early church, Acts 13, and pioneermissionaries did. Our memory verse tells usthat as we give we will receive rewardsfrom God. Luke 6:38. Tonight we can prayand give our money to God. Emphasizegiving to God from their own money.Special prayer time: For nationalChristian leaders: Rev. Toshio Masunaga,Mr. C. C. Christou, Rev. Khalil Awad. ForChristians under persecution in China,Syria. For our missionaries.Money projects: Discuss needs, pray,and let Juniors decide how much they wantto give. They might want to set a goal and ameans of arriving at this goal.Matching Quiz: Add Latakia, Syria.Rev. Khalil Awad, pastor; Adeb Awad,young man — young people's work;Adebah Awad, school work. China: TakHing, Loting — towns; Chinese Christians.Prayer MeetingTopicfor June 23,1971by Lloyd CopelandScripture reading: II Chronicles 6:22-42 and related verses on prayer.This is the second in a series of threeprayer meeting topics on prayer for yourown congregation. The last time weconcentrated mainly on our ordained menand the Sabbath School, with mention ofother groups. This time we will concentratemainly on our young people asthey are involved in their youth groups,summer conferences, and the ArmedForces.The youth of today are the adults oftomorrow. The Proverbs tell us: "Train upa child in the way he should go and whenhe is old, he will not depart from it."Pray for those in the junior groupsthat they may learn to know Him throughthe Bible stories and other helps theirsponsor uses. Jesus loved the littlechildren; so, let us pray that they may learnto love Him.Our junior high boys and girls are ina difficult age. Pray that they may adjust tothe difficulty of growing up. May we asadults teach them to respect their elders, togrow in their faith, and in their relation toothers. This is the age at which they learnto apply Bible truths to their lives.Pray for the CY. group. The temptationsof youth are so great. They want tobe adults, but they are not quite ready forall those responsibilities. May we be givenwisdom to train them so they will be readyto assume the duties of adults when oldenough.Pray that God will raise up peoplefrom this group to answer His call to fulltimeChristian service. Pray that they willseek to know God's will for their lives.Pray that God will guide them intheir association with the opposite sex.Pray that they may seek God's help infinding a Christian mate.Pray for their sponsors. They have adifficult task guiding the youth. Thesepeople must live consistent Christian lives,for they are under constant observation.COVENANTER WITNESS

Many of this age group are in theArmed Forces. Many are away from homefor the first time; many are in places ofdanger. Pray for their safety and that theywill be faithful to God in their dailyassociation with other G.I.'s.The summer conferences will bestarting soon. We need to encourage ouryouth to attend. Pray for a mighty workingof the Holy Spirit in them at the camp.Pray for the officers, speakers, counselors,and others whose responsibility it is toguide them.AVAILABLE Psalm record...God'sWord, The Psalms written to music. IWill Thee Praise...Praise Waits forThee....Scottish Records (The Psalms) LNo. 1 through L No. 2. All these recordsare beautiful and should be in yourhome. Price $3.00 to $3.50.ARE YOU WITNESSING? If you areunable to speak yourself for Christ andwould like to...Howabout using tracts?Tom Joseph has an excellent tract thathe wrote himself, titled "God's Wordand YOU." Available through the BlueBanner Book Store, 703 Fort Street,Box 427, Hays, Ks. 67601. 50 for $1.00.WHEN THE STARSSHONE AT NOONBy R. Frank JohnsRichard was a laborer, extremelyhandy at many jobs, but he did one jobwith the skill of an expert.He was a well-digger.Scoffing at, and refusing the use ofdivining rods or hazel branches to locatewater, he preferred a study of land contours.With unerring accuracy he determinedthe location for a well.It was a pick and shovel job all theway, and beyond the depth where the earthcould be tossed from the deepening circle,bucket and windlass became the method ofraising the clay to the ground level.On an occasion of sinking a well,came the noon hour. With one foot in thebucket and seated upon its rim, graspingthe rope attached, he was brought up bythe man at the windlass from a depth ofthirty feet to the top of the well.As he stepped onto the windlassplatform his first comment was, "My, howbright the stars are today!"His attendant considered him and hisstatement decidedly queer, for it was abright day and no stars were visible.A quick explanation proved him tobe correct, as the attendant discovered forhimself while descending to the depth ofthe well. The stars were really shining atnoon.MAY 26, 1971This was the reason: from that thirtyfoot depth in a circle of about four feet indiameter, daylight was excluded and theheavens were made visible.How little do we realize, when in thedepths of despair and walled in by tryingcircumstances, that by looking towardheaven we may see the Light that illuminesour darkness. It is only when we are withinthe circle of God's love we can realize thateven at the darkest moment there is lightfrom above. Indeed, when our eyes areturned toward Jesus Christ, in whom islight and life and we look into His lovelyface, the things of earth will grow dim andthe radiance of light supernal will gladdenour gaze. Having so looked, we can nolonger find complete satisfaction even inlife's most luminous hours. For us a greaterlight and clearer revelation of the Light hasbeen shed abroad in our hearts.When, from what seems an abysmaldarkness, we see the Light of the world itwill be for us as though the stars shone atnoon.The ShantymanDUST OFF YOUR PREJUDICESThe late Jerome P. Fleishman oncewrote in The Walker Log that he liked thestory about the little girl who could notdust the furniture to suit her grandmother,and grandmother made her do it again —once, twice, three times, and still was notsatisfied.Finally the child looked up and said,"Grandmother, that dust is not on thefurniture;it must be on your glasses!"Sunshine MagazineTHE BIBLE A LAMPThe Psalmist in that matchless Psalmevaluating the Bible said, "Thy word is alamp unto my feet, and a light unto mypath." This assumes that we are goingsomewhere and that the way is dark andunknown by experience. We have goneaway from God and without Christ we arein the kingdom of darkness. But God hasgiven us the Word of God to guide us backto God, who is the Light. The Bible notonly shows us where we are but also pointsthe way out of our present situation, whichseems so hopeless and dark. It does notactually save us, but it does point us to theonly Savior, Jesus Christ, who does save allwho trust in Him. No more do we have towalk in the dark. We find Christ and placeour hand in His, and He leads us to a betterlife in this world and to our heavenly home.The Bible is a dependable light. It isthe authoritative Word of God. In writingit, holy men of God spoke as they weremoved of the Holy Spirit. "All Scripture isgiven by inspiration of God, and isprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, forcorrection, for instruction inrighteousness: that the man of God may beperfect, thoroughly furnished unto all goodworks." It has hundreds of preciouspromises. They are conditional, but whenwe fulfill the conditions, we can trust everyone of them.The Bible lays bare the heart of man."For the word of God is quick, andpowerful, and sharper than any two-edgedsword, piercing even to the dividingasunder of soul and spirit, and of the jointsand marrow, and is a dis^erner of thethoughts and intents of the heart. Neither isthere any creature that is not manifest inhis sight: but all things are naked and openunto the eyes of him with whom we have todo." If we want to understand ourselves letus study the Word. It will enlighten us ofour deepest thoughts, even the secret sins.No one now living can tell frompersonal experience what the grave is like,nor what is beyond. But the Bible gives usthe truth, which shines in the tomb andtells us what is beyond. No other bookdoes. Physically the body is at rest,awaiting the resurrection. Jesus called it asleep. For the soul there is no grave. Thesoul goes immediately to its place.Associate Reformed PresbyterianGENEVA COLLEGE APPOINTSNEW ADMISSIONS DIRECTORJames R. Rudolph has been appointedDirector of Admissions at GenevaCollege, effective July 1. He has servedsince 1966 as the Chief Business Officer forRoberts Wesleyan College.A native of Kittanning, Pennsylvania,Mr. Rudolph's early career was inautomobile sales. From 1951 to 1961 heowned a dealership in Kittanning. Hecompleted his college degree in 1964 atFlorida Southern College, Lakeland,Florida, and did graduate work at theUniversity of South Florida. After twoyears of high school teaching he becameBusiness Manager Treasurer at RobertsWesleyan College.An active Christian layman withspecial interest in youth in the church, Mr.Rudolph was President of Free MethodistYouth in the Pittsburgh Conference from1955-61. In Florida he was President of theFlorida Conference Youth organization.He is currently Chairman of the Board ofDirectors of Rochester Youth for Christ.He has been a frequent delegate to theAnnual Conference of the Free MethodistChurch. Recendy he was President of theAssociation of Business Officers ofEvangelical Schools.Mr. Rudolph succeeds Mr. CharlesR. McBurney, who will return to full timeteaching in the Department of PoliticalScience and Sociology. The Genevastudent body has increased from 900 toover 1300 since Mr. McBurney becameDirector of Admissions in 1961.13

NOTICEPreaching for the full summer.Cambridge, Mass. Parsonage available.Contact: C. F. Millican, Clk. Session410 Woburn St., Lexington, Mass.COLLEGE HILL WILL CELEBRATEThe College Hill Congregation willcelebrate its 75th Anniversary on July 1,1971.NOTICEIs there a retired minister or astudent who would like to serve the Lord inCanada? The congregation of the LochielR. P. Church would like to have someonepreach for them during the summermonths. Please write to the clerk of thesession.Wm. C. JamiesonR. R. No. 3, Box 9Dolkeith, Ontario, CanadaNOTICEThe Hebron Congregation, near Idana,Kansas, will celebrate its 100th Anniversaryon August 21 and 22, 1971. Aninvitation is extended to everyone to comeand help us celebrate this historic occasion.MR. CLAUDE L. SAYLORMr. Claude L. Saylor of the SantaAna congregation, passed from this life tohis heavenly home, on March 20, 1971, atthe age of 85. He had been a long-timeresident of Medford, Oregon, where hewas co-owner of a barber shop. Since hisretirement in 1963 he had been a residentof Santa Ana, California where he joinedthe Reformed Presbyterian Church.The congregation extends sympathyto his wife, Mrs. Mae Saylor, his daughter,Mrs. Bertha Stearns, a grandson, Dr. F. C.Stearns, two great-grandchildren, a stepdaughter and a son, Mrs. Marjorie Waitesand Mr. Robert Woodside, and a stepgrandson, Donald Waites.Mr. Saylor was a very happyChristian and a good friend to all whoknew him. He was a faithful attendant inthe Sabbath school and church services.His presence will be much missed.The closing words of Psalm 17 are afitting tribute to the life of Mr. ClaudeSaylor: "As for me, I will behold thy face inElder Samuel R. Marshall, on April 28,1971. Mr. Marshall was our faithful Clerkof Session and member for many years. Hewas hospitalized on April 10, following aheart attack; he was in the coronary unitabout eight days and then returned homeon April 26. He was apparently making agood recovery but on April 28, about 7:00A.M., he passed away quietly in his sleep athis home.Mr. Marshall leaves his wife,Margaret; two sons, Kenneth and Gordonand their families; two sisters, MissKathryn Marshall and Mrs. AnnabelleAtchison.Mrs. Marshall and her son, Kenneth,are at present in Iowa where the remainswill be interred.IOWA WOMEN'SPRESBYTERIAL CONVENTIONThe eighty-first annual convention ofthe Iowa Women's Presbyterial MissionarySociety was called to order, on April 14,1971, at the Reformed Presbyterian churchin Washington, Iowa. Dr. G. M. Robb ledthe morning devotions using the themefrom John 14:6, "Jesus Christ — the Way."Mrs. T. E. Cummings, presbyterialpresident, gave a thoughtful andchallenging message to the women. Mrs.Ralph Wilson, Washington, welcomed usand Mrs. David Armstrong, Morning Sun,responded. We were privileged to heargreetings from the Synodical president,Mrs. Kermit Edgar. Rev. and Mrs. MelvilleMartin brought us word of the Home andits members.We were reminded of the workaccomplished this past year and challengedto meet the goals for the new year as thesuperintendents gave their recommendations.New officers and superintendentselected are as follows: Mrs. Ralph Howell,president; Mrs. Basil McBee, vicepresident; Mrs. Robert McCracken,recording secretary; Mrs. WylieKilpatrick, corresponding secretary; Mrs.Bert Gregory, treasurer; Mrs. G. M. Robb,foreign missions; Mrs. Ralph Wilson,Washington, home missions; Mrs. EdwardRice, Jr., literature and missions; Mrs.Ralph McDonald, temperance; Mrs. JohnSkubal, thank offering; Mrs. Williamrighteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I Baird, young women's; and Mrs. Ivaawake, with thy likeness."McElhinney, historian and librarian.Mrs. Robert McCracken led theSAMUEL R. MARSHALLafternoon devotionals on "Jesus Christ —The Los Angeles congregation has the Truth." Then she directed foursustained a great loss in the passing of discussion groups that considered ways to14present the Truth, according to God'sWord. Group spokesmen then shared ideaswith all of the women.The highlight of the afternoon andevening meetings was the messagesbrought to us by Rev. James Pennington.Mrs. William Cosgrove led in prayer forour home missions and Mrs. G. M. Robb,Mrs. Maurice Hutcheson and Mrs. RobertBaird for our foreign missions.Rev. Ray Blair led our thoughts to"Jesus Christ — the Life" for our eveningdevotions. Rev. Robert McCracken offeredthe dedicatory prayer following theintroduction of the new officers and ourconvention closed with the benediction byRev. Ray Blair.MIDWEST WOMEN'SPRESBYTERIAL CONVENTIONThe fifty-fourth annual Conventionof the Midwest Presbyterial (formerlyKansas Presbyterial) Women's MissionarySociety of the Reformed PresbyterianChurch met at the Quinter, KansasChurch, April 6-7, 1971. "Jehovah, OurCovenant God" was the Conventiontheme, using Jeremiah 50:5b as the versef"Come, and let us join ourselves to theLord in a perpetual covenant that shall notbe forgotten." Mrs. Wilber Wilkeycheerfully led us in each Psalm session withthe Convention Psalm 25:7-12, page 59.The officers were Mrs. Waldo Stevenson,president; Mrs. Clyde Goodin, first vicepresident; Mrs. John Scott, second vicepresident and program chairman; Mrs.Kenneth McBurney, recording secretary;Mrs. James Humphreys, correspondingsecretary; Mrs. W. O. Martin, treasurer;Mrs. John O'Neill, assistant treasurer. Mrs.Max Mann was in charge of the CourtesyCommittee. All the Quinter womenworked hard to provide all our needs andmake us feel welcome. We thank them.Mrs. Waldo Stevenson ably presidedover all the sessions. Mrs. John O'Neillled the prayer room services each day,with many participating. Mrs. RaymondHemphill, assisted by Mrs. Will Dunn, gavewell-prepared, informative, and spirituallydeep Bible studies about Jehovah and Hisrelationships to us, including "Jehovah:Will Provide; Our Peace; Our Banner;That Sanctifieth You; Our Righteousness;and Jehovah Is There." Lively discussiongroups followed, led by able women.SHARON ANNIVERSARYSharon Congregation is expectingmany of you to attend the 125th anniversaryobservance on July 17 and 18.If you will be coming to this area byplane or train, Mr. and Mrs. MilfordHays or Mr. and Mrs. Earl Berry (bothMorning Sun addresses) will arrange tomeet you and take you to your host andhostess.COVENANTERWITNESS

Mrs. Lou Wilkey led the prayer forhome missions. Information and specificprayer requests were given by Mrs.Howard Elliott for Selma, Mrs. WalterBates for Albuquerque, Mrs. RobertMcFarland for the Indian Mission, Mrs.James Humphreys for Chester, Arkansas,Mrs. G. I. Williamson for Westminster,Colorado, Mrs. Wilbur More for ReformedPresbyterian Home, Mrs. Cloyce Beard forthe Seminary, and Mrs. Robert Cadoth forthe Lawrence congregation. Rev. MelvilleMartin gave us up-to-date information onthe Home, where the elderly go to live, notto die. Prayers, gifts, and letters are muchappreciated.MAY 26, 1971where people are LIVING the Christianlife. Books of Paul and James are in perfectharmony, for good works will naturallyfollow conversion and obedience. Pray formore courage, boldness, and moreworkers.Mrs. James Hatfield, president ofKansas WCTU, gave information on theactivities and projects available throughWCTU. Money and time are spent alertingyouth and adults of the drug dangers,especially beverage alcohol. U. S. A. willhost the WCTU World Convention inChicago, July 28-August 4. Young women— GET INVOLVED in this challengingwork to protect home life!Officers, superintendents andcommittees did good work. Theautobiography of Mrs. Jeanette Li, HisGrace Is Sufficient, the book on whicnMiss Rose Huston collaborated, will beavailable in September. Our newPresbyterial Project for 1971-72 isWestminster, Colorado. The next Conventionwill meet in Topeka in 1972.DR. E. P. CLOWNEYAT GENEVADr. Edmund P. Clowney, president ofWestminster Theological Seminary,Philadelphia, was the guest preacher, May2, at the Geneva Sabbath evening Convocation.Speaking on the subject "DoesChrist Change?", he took his text fromHebrews 13:8. From the Epistle to theHebrews he presented Christ as God's finalcoat and chopped that wood. He alsocarriedit into the kitchen. There a servantgirl recognized him, and later told hermistress of his identity.The next morning the white womanwent to Professor Washington's office andapologized, saving, "I did not know it wasyou 1 put to work.""It's entirely all right, madam," thegreat Negro replied; "I like to work, andI'm delighted to do favors for my friends."His simple act won this woman'sadmiration, and she persuaded wealthyacquaintances to give thousands of dollarsto the school.Sunshine Magazine"I'VE SEEN THE EFFECTS"When the nationally knowncolumnist Cedric Adams was writing hisregular feature, "In This Corner," for theMinneapolis Star, he interviewed Mrs.Douglas Rigg, wife of the warden of theMinnesota State Penitentiary at Stillwater.Noticing that she didn't drink at thetime of the interview, Adams asked, "Don'tyou ever touch the stuff?""No, I never have," she replied. "Inmy twenty-three years around prisons I'veseen the damaging effects of liquor, andithas become something that I don't everwant to have anything to do with. I'd guessthat 80 to 90 percent of the men who arebehind bars today could trace their beingwhere they are to the effects of liquor, inpart at least."The Kansas IssueMrs. Joe Copeland presented variousnew books available from the Blue Banner communication (Prophet), our presentBook Store, and told of interesting contactsmade there. She and her husband (King).Paul Harvey, in The King's Business:intercessor (Priest) and our ultimate power WHAT ONCE WAS WRONG STILL ISrequest prayer for success and God's glory Dr. Clowney is the originator of "Nobody disputes the fact of ourin the four weekly Bible study groups they "Eutychus." a regular satirical column in nation's moral decay, but there is muchlead with students, men, women, and Christianity Today. Among books he has dispute about what should be done aboutforeign students.published are Biblical Theology and it. Most every newspaper, broadcast,Rev. J. Paul McCracken, our keynote Preaching and Called to the Ministry. He magazine, and law enforcement bulletinspeaker, challenged us to go to the recently took part in a nation-wide seminar headlines the degeneracy of thePharaohs of our age and demand, "Let my program sponsored by the National generation.people go." We need to use action and Association of Evangelicals concerning the "Not everybody wants to call sin, sin.voice. Jesus HAS the power for us. "Relevancy of the Church for the Some callit 'mischief,' 'delinquency,' orRev. James Pennington of our Japan Twentieth Century."'rebellion.' And hardly anybody can agreeMission showed slides and told of thewhere we should draw the line.power of the Holy Spirit at work in the"Yet moral law is very specific to any"THAT ISN'T MY WORK!"Japanese homes where prayer is specificreader of God's Word. You can ignore thatand results are expected and received.Word, or deny it. You can argue it, deridePersonal witness is more important thanToo often we hear workers exclaim, "That it, poke fun at it. . . . But when you havisn't my work!" when there is somethingchurch service in reaching the lost. Adone your worst, the Word isstill there.before them that needs doing. Smartharvest is promised in the Bible — where"There is explicit Bible law whichworkers do what they can at any time andare the laborers? Mrs. Wyley Caskey ledcondemns: a child rebelling against hisin any place. By doing that, they set looseprayer for foreign missions.parents . . . students riotingto disrupt theforces that help them in their endeavorsMr. T. M. Edgar from Cyprus,work of a university ... a social agitatorand their promotion.encouraging 'civil disobedience' . . .challenged us to walk the Damascus Road,the Jerusalem Road, and the Jericho Road.Booker T. Washington, according to adopting personal dress and habits which"The just shall LIVE by faith." Have youThe Penn-Trail, shortly after he had taken are dirty, dishevelled, repulsive havingever seen a half-dead student? Unpreparedcharge of the Tuskegee Institute in a beer bust. . . having a sex orgy.~ lounging — dead — intellectually?Alabama, passed the house of a local rich "These offenses are not new; they areEveryday Christians are like that — theywhite family. The woman of the house, not specifically defined in the Bible. And thedon't grow, aren't living, are justknowing Mr. Washington by sight, called laws against them have not changed. Whatlukewarm. Repent by getting out andout to him to chop some wood.once was right still is. What once wasProfessor Washington took off his wrong still is."witnessing. There is no generation gap15

I Voted To Close The ChurchLast Sabbath I voted to close the church; not intentionally,nor maliciously, perhaps but carelessly,thoughtlessly, lazily, indifferently, I voted. I voted to closeits doors that its witness and its testimony might bestopped. I voted to close the open Bible on its pulpit—theBible that had been given us by years of struggle and bythe blood of martyrs who died that we might haveit toread. I voted for our minister to stop preaching theglorious truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I voted thatthe children of the Sabbath School no longerlift their tinyvoices in singing:"The Lord's my shepherd;I'll not want."I voted for the voice of the choir and of thecongregation to be stilled, and that they no longer sing inunited praise:"Long as the sun His name shall last.It shall endure through ages all;And men shallstill in Him be blessed,Blessed all the nations shall Him call."I voted for every missionary of the Church to becalled home, every native worker supported by the churchto stop preaching, every hospital, every school and everydispensary in its foreign missionary fields to close. I votedthat its colleges close their doors and no longer bother totrain its youth for Christian service. I voted for everyhome missionary project to be abandoned, every influencefor good and right and for truth in our communityto be curtailed and finally stopped. I voted for thedarkness of superstition, the degrading influence of sin,the blight of ignorance and the curse of selfish greed onceagain to settle their damning load on the shoulders of analready overburdened world.I voted all this, I say, and more, too—things that thehuman mind cannot grasp and the human mind cannotfind words to express. Carelessly, thoughtlessly, lazily,indifferently, I voted.For, you see, I could have gone and I should havegone, but I didn't. I stayed away from church last Sabbath.The Covenanter"A witness for God is one who knows God, andsimply tells what he knows. It requires no elaboratestatement, no high degree of education. Any body whoknows the Word and knows Christ and knows the Spirit,and, out of a full heart, even with a stammering tongue,speaks of what he knows, is a witness for God."Glimpses from page 4subscribe to the stated purpose and to the ReformeConfessions. The name chosen is the NationalPresbyterian and Reformed Fellowship. Denominations ofthe participants involved are Orthodox Presbyterian,Reformed Presbyterian Evangelical Synod, AssociateReformed Presbyterian, Christian Reformed, ReformedChurch of America, Presbyterian U.S. (Southern), UnitedPresbyterian U.S.A., and the Reformed PresbyterianChurch (Covenanter)."LAST DAYS OF THE LATE, GREAT SYNOD OFMISSOURI"So writes John W. Montgomery in ChristianityToday (the editor disclaims that he necessarily agrees withthis judgment) concerning the Lutheran Church, MissouriSynod, that 20th Century "bastion of orthodoxy." Helistsas some of the reasons for the deterioration, "overreactionto the ghetto-like ingrownness of the synod'searly days," placing "loyalty to the organization anditsofficialdom above virtually all other values," and the"untouchable role of professors at the seminaries,teachers' colleges and other educational institutions of thechurch."Montgomery concludes, "In order not to presideover the demise of the Missouri Synod, President Preushas but a few months to move beyond translatingChemnitz (Preus, a Ph.D. in classics, has published "amassive translation of seventeenth-century dogmaticianChemnitz's" work) to reincarnating him. He has ourprayers."SufficiencyOur days can hold no terror, death no dread,When confidence in God inspires our heart;From doubt and shrinking we can blithely partWhen words of peace His gentle voice has said.His wisdom and His love are broadly spreadO'er all creation. Yet the plainest chart,More precious than all trade of earthly mart,Is that eternal Word whose graces shedA light undimmed as age succeeds to age.Christ's voice, God's Word, speak to a world withinWhere hungry longings ask for more than earthCan body forth from her grey heritage;He who is strong in God and freed from sinHas witness in himself of second birth.16T. Pitta wayCOOL, COLORFUL COLORADOINVITES YOU TO THE ROCKIES'CO VENANT HEIGHTS FA MIL Y CONFERENCEJuly 12-18, 1971Under the auspices of Midwest PresbyterySPEAKERSJim Pennington, Robert McFarlandJ. Paul McCracken and Mel VosFor registration write:Rev. E. Raymond Hemphill1505 Tenth Ave., Greeley, Colo. 80631COVENANTER WITNESS

Gtfenrtrite.VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 22 JUNE 2, 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 675"9BIRLF1 F.SSONS FOR THF W11K OF JUNE 27, 1971"^Vi't lit-'* ,,M "I- * *BETHEL REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHSPARTA. ILLINOISRev. Ralph Joseph. PastorMISSIONARY NUMBER

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER » EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Department Editors:Re\. Kenneth SmithRev. Kenneth McBurneyRev. L.E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.A Message From a Missionary"You prayed for me.You did not know my need.Or that my heart was very sore indeed,Or that I had a fear I could not quell.You sensed that with me all was not quite well,And so. you prayed for me.My path had seemed so black,And yet I knew there was no turning back;And down the long, dark road a light showed clearBecause you prayed for me.And as vour prayer, like incense sweet, did soar,God did, in love, on me a blessing pourThe day you prayed for me."—Author UnknownSUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, S5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, S5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, "58.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer— SI.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 1 5c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A.. 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in II. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester. Kansas 66097.This Week's WitnessPutting Trust to Work.Glimpses of the Religious WorldMissionary Letter: Oreta EverettAn Observation.1971 Summer Training ProgramsMissionary Work in Ethiopia.Cu-Song's Forgiveness — Puzzle.Lesson HelpsChurch NewsThis and That in W.M.S.Come to the Working Party.34A.6.7.810111416WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the SacramentsThe divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. H Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

Putting Trust To Workby T. Frederick KingThe writer of this article has been a tither for manyyears. My wife and I began our married life not only in anearthly partnership, but also in a sacred partnership withGod. Down through the years we have not only faithfullypaid the tenth, we have given more. Now we are nearingretirement. Like many others, we had to face thoseinevitable questions: What to do? Where to go? Out of ameager preacher's salary we had managed to save a little,but it was such a little that about the best that could besaid was that we were not in debt, and we had somethingfor the proverbial rainy day. To buy a home seemed utterlyimpossible. It would take a miracle — and thensuddenly it happened. The miracle did come to pass. In amost unexpected way the home was provided. And now,when we finally come to the place of retirement, we canonlv say. "Great is Thy faithfulness."As we thought of the wonder of it all, there is a deeprelationship between tithing and trust in God. Actually,tithing is putting trust to work. Tithing is acting on theprinciple that God is faithful. When we invest in God'swork we are daring to say, He will never leave me norforsake me. How do we learn to trust? How do we acquirefaith? We learn trust by making the venture in trust. Weacquire faith by daring to step out on the promises. Thereis no other way to learn trust and faith. In these things welearn by doing. We must act. Now tithing is one of theways in which we act. When we know with a deepassurance that God will never leave nor forsake us, thenwe can give gladly, we can give hilariously. For God willnever abandon His servants who have been faithful toHim.What happens to old preachers? What happens toGod's servants when they get old, whether they bepreachers or laymen? If they have been faithful, thensomehow God provides the three requisites — food,clothing, shelter — and having these, we can be content.In making the above statements, we are not trying tobring this matter of tithing down to the level of a merelong-term investment. Tithing, we believe, is a sacredobligation — it is a divine requirement. But at the sametime, God is not a hard taskmaster, demanding His "poundof flesh,"regardless of the results to us. God cares for Hischildren, and it is for our spiritual good that He asks thetithe. Our faith is not complete until we give unto Godwhat He requires of us, and that is the tenth as a minimum.By doing this, we are compelled by the act of parting withour money to learn lessons of faith and trust. For trust isnot something that can be learned theoretically. We canonly trust as we dare to trust. A little child will jump whenthe father is there waiting to catch him. We, too, can makethe leap in faith, knowing that God is there, and His armswill always be round about us.This whole transaction, therefore, is deeply personal.It is a partnership and a contract between God andus, and because the contract is personal, the blessings willbe personal, too. And let us not minimize these blessings— they are very real. Out of the lessons of faith and trustabout which we have been thinking, there comes thepriceless blessing of joyous confidence in God. When thisconfidence is real, it gives us a deep inner source ofstrength. It gives us new personalities — radiant personalities.Confidence does something to us. It enables usto meet life triumphantly. No matter what happens, God isthere, and with Him there is victory. There is much inmodern life to depress us; but the child of God can gothrough life with a song in his heart, and a vision of victoryever before him, for he is in partnership with the almightyGod, and that is all that we need.I am glad that I am a tither.The Free MethodistThis and That. from page 16Ask God to show you the plan He has made for you,and ask Him also to enable you to fit into His plan. That isthe way of blessing and the way of spiritual progress.The work. All the materials and all the workmanship, allthe weaving and the spinning, all the woodwork, all theneedlework must be The Best Ever, because it was forGod.What a lesson for us to-day! Do we not sometimesoffer God our second best? Service which is half-hearted?Perhaps you take a Sabbath school class, but your heart isnot in it. You don't look upon every boy and girl as a childto be won for the Lord Jesus! You may even be a leader insome Christian organization in your church or chapel butyou never speak of the salvation which Jesus died on theCross to purchase. You may be a keen member of yourworking party, but you work for your church or chapel,not really for the Lord Jesus! So let us examine ourselvesand lay our so-called service for God alongside thestandard set by the members of this first working party;ask God to forgive our failure and half-heartedness and tohelp us henceforth to give our Best in the service of Himwho gave His all for us.IV. The Heads of the Ministry of WorksThe General Director was Moses himself. Hereceived all the patterns, all the instructions, and all thedetails from God.A man called Bezaleel came next. Notice veryspecially that he was filled with the Spirit of God for verypractical work. He was the chief Lapidary, and he alsoworked in gold, silver, and brass. He was a skilledengraver, and specialized also in wood carving.see page 9JUNE 2, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldCAPITAL PUNISHMENTWhile the U.S. Supreme Court has refused todeclare unconstitutional the death penalty, a UnitedNations agency, the Social Committee of the Economicand Social Council is encouraging the progressiverestriction of the number of offenses for which capitalpunishment might be imposed, with a view to thedesirability of abolishing this punishment in all countries.The 27-member committee, voted 21 in favor of such astand, with 5 abstentions. Also the Illinois House JudiciaryCommittee approved a "moratorium on the deathpenalty," but State Representative Raymond Ewell, Negrofrom Chicago refused to support the motion. His cannyobservation: "I realize that most of those who would facethe death penalty are poor and black and friendless. I alsorealize that most of the victims are poor and black andfriendless."Rev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.207 Darlington RoadBeaver Falls. Pennsylvania 15010"INFALLIBILITY" OF THE CHURCH (ROMAN)Roman Catholic historian Hans Kung has been acritic, with constructive criticism, I'm sure he intends, ofthe Roman Catholic Church for some years. He isrespected by scholars within that communion and outsideit. Many Protestant writers have wondered how long hewould be accorded the honor of the Roman Church itself,and his challenge of the church's "infallibility" has broughtforth strong reaction. The tensions are at bottom the sameas those faced by Martin Luther and the reformers. Withthe membership of the church far more widely informedand able to read the Bible, and with the Roman Churchholding less political power among the nations of theworld, it is evident that future development is far frombeing predictible. There just cannot be two "supremeauthorities," the Bible AND tradition.In Tradition: Old and New, by F.F. Bruce, a Britishevangelical of Plymouth Brethren background, we arereminded that Protestants are governed by tradition to adegree far greater than we realize when we object toRoman Catholic "tradition," (such as "papal infallibility,"prayers to "saints," "immaculate conception," and the"assumption" of Mary). We are ahead in our search forcorrectness of doctrine, and in our efforts to live by theWord, to acknowledge that we cannot avoid being influencedby tradition, also that tradition is not necessarilybad because it is tradition. We do need to be very severein seeking always to make tradition subject to the Word —and not vice versa.RADICAL PROPOSAL: DROP THE "REV."EP reports that the United Presbyterian GeneralAssembly will be overtured, May 17-26, to drop "the titlereverend' from official usage." The question that occursto me: How "official" is such usage? Is it not a custom ortradition? To drop a tradition is often more difficult thanto alter a doctrine. Also before the General Assembly isanother ambitious proposal, that of "putting all clergymenon the same salary base."PORNOGRAPHY, LOCAL LEVELSuperior Court Judge Howard V. Peterson, afterviewing a film seized from a downtown theater in Phoenix,ruled it obscene and ordered it destroyed. (The cityprosecutor asked that the order for the film to bedestroyed, be stayed, as it was needed in evidence whencriminal charges are filed against the owners.) Petersonsaid the nation's federal courts "have spun a ratherhopeless web of confusion on the law relating to obscenity,"but that until the higher courts take a definitestand on the issue, he "will continue to believe that thelaws of this land demand a reasonable standard of decencyon matters involving sex."The dubious plea that attention to pornography isinconsistent when there are matters of such grave socialimportance as the war and poverty, have thrown somewho no doubt honestly favor decency, into the camp of itsdetractors. Actually, pornography spawns and aggravatessocial evils.LIQUOR CONSUMPTION IN IRELANDThe popular conception of the Irish in the secularpress, with regard to liquor consumption, is that it issomething to be gloried in, boasted about. But one SouthIreland Roman Catholic cleric has made bold to declarewhat almost sounds like cliches to many others. CardinalConway says, as reported by Christianity Today, "Theperson with young blood in his veins who needs artificialstimulants to enjoy life has surely something wrong withhim, and it is certainly a topsy-turvy world which regardsit as a sign of courage to yield to pressure to take suchstimulants." He says the church will not "pussyfoot" onthis issue.At the same time, at St Mary's Hospital,Castleblaney, County Monaghan, the country's firsthospital bar has just opened with nuns tending bar. •••ON GOD'S LOVEJohn Calvin: "Christ brought life, because the HeavenlyFather loves the human race, and wishes that they shouldnot perish."Dr. J. C. Ryle: "The word love spoken of in John 3:16 isthat love of pity and compassion with which God regardsall His creatures, and specially regards mankind. It is alove unquestionably distinct and separate from the speciallove with which God regards His saints."•••4 COVENANTER WITNESS

News From Our Mission FieldsKobe Shi 658May 10, 1971Dear Friends in Christ,We give thanks to our living Father for His patiencewith us, as well as giving us the opportunity for workingwith Him in His Kingdom.Recently prayer has been asked in behalf of theyoung people, especially for Mr. Muto and Mr. Miwa, thatthey might each know the Lord's will for them and theirplace of service. We thank you for your love andwillingness to pray for these. Give thanks to the Lord forHis leading Mr. Miwa and giving him the assurance of theLord's calling him into the Lord's service. Continue topray as the Lord prepares him further for this service.Some of you have been praying also with me for mystudent, Miss Tokizane, who for so long promised to cometo the service on Sabbath, but when Sabbath would comeshe didn't. Now praise the Lord that she did start in mid-April and has continued each Sabbath since, not onlyattending the worship service but also the Sabbath SchoolBible study.Miss Tokizane plans to attend the communionpreparatory service as well as the trip all the way toHigashi Suma on Sabbath, May 16, to witness our observanceof the Lord's Supper and to fellowship in theworship of that morning. Although the interest to attendthese two services is in part curiosity, having never seen abaptism nor the Lord's Supper, yet the Holy Spirit is ableto turn this curiosity into a conviction of her sinfulnessand need of the atonement of Christ. To this end I prayand that her heart will respond by believing Jesus Christ asher Savior and Lord. Please pray with me.When the new school year started in April and theclass which I teach at the Kobe Women's PharmaceuticalCollege began again, on that first day I found some boys inthe class. These boys on the recommendation of the girls,asked me to come teach them. So now each Saturdayafternoon after finishing the class with the girls, I teachthese young men of the Kobe Mercantile MarineAcademy, who have requested only Bible, no Englishconversation. Pray with me that the Holy Spirit will usethe teaching of the Word to brillg forth ones who will givethemselves wholeheartedly to tne Lord Jesus Christ.From this month, tomorrow, our women's studygroup at Keiyaku will be meeting on three Tuesdaymornings out of the month, rather than the former two.On the first and third days the basis of study will be theJapanese translation of Mrs. Catherine Vos' book, TheChild's Story Bible. On the in-between week either acooking lesson or handcraft will be the activity of themorning. Invitations have been given out in the neighborhoodwith the hope of interesting more women injoining this fellowship. You also come and join us throughyour prayers.Pray for the young people who have started makingplans for their annual August conference. Pray forguidance of the Lord in selecting a theme and working itout so that each might grow in faith and that the programmay also magnify the name of Christ Jesus to the nonbelieverswho will be in attendance also.Recently during "Golden Week," the last of Apriland first few days of May, the young people planned amountain hike for one of the national holidays. However,due to rain, the hike became an all day social and spiritualfellowship time at the Keiyaku House in Okamoto. A partof the original plan was that the young people would cooktheir meal on Mt. Maya. With the change of plans, thecooks also changed. Talking it over, it was concludednevertheless that the "young people" do the cooking andkitchen work. Who were these cooks? Ruth Spear,Eleanor Faris, Mrs. Nitta, and Oreta Everett!Also during "Golden Week" the Keiyaku S.S.children had their annual picnic. The weather wasbeautiful for them, and all reported having had an enjoyableday.On June 2, the Tarumi congregation will be having aMoody film and evangelistic service. Prayer and plans areunderway now. Although when you will be reading thisthe service will be over, yet you can pray that the seedsown that night might grow in the hearts of those whoattended.We also appreciate your prayer support concerningthe preparation of the Psalter for publication. We aresorry to report thatit still hasn't made it to the printer, butsome pages, I understand, are ready. Please continue topray for those on the committee who have given muchtime for this freewill work of the Lord. Pray that theymight have the wisdom and leading of the Lord, as well asspecial strength and energy. We all know our humanweakness toward discouragement, so pray for the committeemembers that though they have worked hard formany years that they will not be tempted to get "bogged"down.Those of you who know Mrs. Nakamura will besorry to know that she has been in the hospital since earlyMarch. She is not confined to bed, so keeps active eventhere. Pray for healing and the Lord's blessing. She ishopeful that she may be able to be out for the communionservice, if her tests prove to be all right. Her son, duringthe "Golden Week" holiday, spent a week's vacation inHongkong and Taiwan."Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it withan attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time forJUNE 2, 1971 5

us as well, that God may open up to us a door for theword, so that we may speak forth the mystery ofChrist " Remember we would like to hear from you, so"you too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and shareyour joy with (us)." It is joy for us to be able to prayconcerning your needs, too.In Christ's love,Oreta EverettSince leaving the New York congregation andcoming to the Home I have gained perspective in anjweringsome questions I have often raised: Why, or how,has the New York congregation become so easily and socompletely integrated?There are no doubt several reasons or answers but Iwill mention two. First, several years ago when many ofthe congregation began to move thither and yon to thesuburbs, the congregation voted to stay where we werebecause no other location would be more central.Second, was the presence, in our midst since 1947,of Miss Georgia Smith, a graduate from our KnoxAcademy in 1933, who with her sister came to New YorkCity in 1941. During their six years in New York beforethey found the church, they worked as nurses in MontefioreHospital, having graduated in nursing fromTuskegee Institute before they came north.Miss Ethel Smith entered the army as a nurse in1945 and Miss Georgia enrolled in college at New YorkUniversity for elementary education. A teacher thereadvised her to drop planning to be a teacher and studysociology to be a social worker. Georgia did not give upbut entered Mills College on 5th Avenue in New York andgot her B. S. degree. She did her practice teaching in aCatholic school in Manhattan. She applied for substituteteacher at P.S. 51 after they moved to 1415 Stebbins Streetin East Bronx, New York City.By this time her mother and brother were living withthem in New York. It was there I first visited in theirhome. Georgia was preparing for her State Boardexaminations to become a regular teacher then. She hadmany obstacles to overcome but she persisted quietly.While she waited she returned to New York Universityand received her Master's degree in Education. She taughtin the Kindergarten Department of P. S. 51 for twelveyears or more. Only two were on a permanent basis.All this time she regularly appeared at our church.We were in need of a primary class teacher when ourregular teacher moved away. Georgia agreed to fill-in anddid such a good job of holding the interest of the childrenshe became the regular teacher of the class. Soon we hadto divide the class and she took the kindergarten group.She was always there on time and the children, white andblack, were eager to be with her. She was a very quiet girlbut very efficient as a teacher of children. Her voice wascalm but had a certain timbre and sweet quality that attractedchildren especially. She never raised her voiceabove its usual tone. You had to get quiet to hear what shehad to say, and it was always interesting.6An ObservationBy Lola Weir *She was secretary of the congregation for severalyears. She could always be depended upon to do her shareif given any responsibility. No one ever thought about hercolor, she blended in so quietly and efficiently. She wasinvited into our homes in the congregation but was veryloath to accept the invitations for fear she was intruding.She was a lovely, sweet Christian character.Years later she and her sister bought a nice house inMount Vernon just above the Bronx where the church islocated. Georgia and her mother were both members ofthe church until their deaths. Both are buried in our littlechurch cemetery in Bronxville.Gradually throughout these twenty-five years, moreand more Negro people have come to live near thechurch. We have had a few families whose children cameto our Sabbath School all these years. One family had fivechildren who came through the years. Three of thosechildren are now members of the congregation. One boyreceived his bar and pin for perfect Sabbath School attendance.Now in 1971 there are still more Negro familiesliving in that section of the Bronx near the church. Manychildren and adults come to our Sabbath School andchurch services; some come occasionally, some comeregularly; some ask to join, some do not. Several adultsand youths have joined the church.We prayed and worked more than two years beforewe got a pastor to come to us after Dr. J. R. Patterson'sdeath. Now we have God's choice, doing God's work, inGod's place, in the person of Rev. George Price andfamily. The congregation is healthily integrated provingall God's children can help each other with profit.After the Smiths moved to Mt. Vernon, Georgia onher own initiative used to get up early Sabbath morning,take the bus and subway to her school neighborhood,gather up all the children she could — many of whomwere Puerto Rican — and bring them to Sabbath Schoolwith her by bus. Once she had ten. Then she would takethem home by the same route. Sometimes there would bea car at the church that would help her get the childrenhome, but sometimes not. She never tired of doing God'swork. Is it any wonder that after ten years of such anexample the congregation became color blind? «••* Miss Lola Weir, a native of Winchester, Kansas, wasfor many years a missionary teacher in Cyprus. Morerecently she was a city missionary in New York City. Nowshe is a resident of the Reformed Presbyterian Home, 2344Perrysville Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15214.COVENANTER WITNESS

1971 SummerTrainingProgramBy Rev. Ken SmithIn his most recent book THE CHURCH AT THEEND OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, Dr. FrancisSchaeffer speaks of "form and freedom." The distinctionhe makes will challenge Covenanters to think; andwhether we agree with all of his conclusions or not, wemust recognize the soundness of the concept.S.T.P. would, in the framework of Schaeffer'spremise, come under the category of freedom. There aresome things which the Word of God commands whichmust at all times characterize the form of the church. Butthere are those aspects of its life and ministry which canand do change. Problem is when persons forget which iswhich.With that rather formal introduction, I would like toannounce that Synod's Board of Education andPublication will not be sponsoring a denominationalSummer Training Program this year. Instead, the Boardencourages congregations, pastors and sessions, toconsider providing a special opportunity for personsdesiring such specialized training in Christian life andservice. The "summer" season also comes in the area offreedom; for training such as this can come any time. Wejust gravitated to this time since it coincided with theavailability of students for whom the programs weregenerally designed. But we are aware of the fact that somecongregations already provide personalized trainingthroughout the year. The Board therefore feels that it istime to refer S.T.P. back to congregations where help of'his kind should come. It really belongs under thesupervision of the Session.And at this point I have introduced form. God hasnot made it optional whether Sessions take the oversightover their flocks. And difficult as it may seem, this includescollegians and servicemen. Neither has God notmade optional the whole matter of training in Christiangrowth and service which becomes the responsibility ofeveryone who has named the name of Christ as his own. Inother words, what S.T.P. has been trying to do in principleis not a matter of freedom. Furthermore who must takeresponsibility for it cannot be termed a matter of freedomeither. That is the reason persons attending S.T.P. in thepast have been required to present a recommendationsigned by their Session.This year Synod's Board does not just step out of thepicture, but steps out so others can step in. Last summerwe set up our Program in Pittsburgh with thiscongregational context in mind. God prospered theprogram, and we encourage this context as having manypractical advantages, especially in the light of the needs ofpresent-day youth. We are not suggesting that the onlypersons in such a program should all be from thatcongregation. Here again there can be freedom, and somenew Christians looking for this kind of help have nocongregation to which to turn. (We majored last summerin inviting persons from Reformed Presbyterianbackgrounds. God gave us persons from manydenominations, some of whom are now being led to unitewith our denomination.) So the Board should not be interpretedas saying that the need for such a program nolonger exists. It is saying that need is so greatit can only bemet by many churches getting involved, and it can in ouropinion be done best on the congregation level.The Board stands by with some guidelines for settingup such a program, actual materials that can be used, andeven personal help for those who want it. We make thisdecision to encourage the true form of the church, andwith the freedom to do so.•••Thinking through on a Christian approach to "work", 1970S.T.P. L to R: Bessie Morrow, Gail Spencer, DonnaBriscoe, Ken Olmstead, and Ron Homa.JUNE 2, 1971 7

MISSION A R Y WORK IN ETHIOPIALaborers TogetherRev. Hugh J. Blair, Ph.D.of Irish Foreign Mission BoardThanks to the information which we have receivedfrom our missionaries, through their letters, and by theirvisits home, we have gained considerable knowledge ofthe work which they are doing in Makale and Sheket.Earlier, while the Foreign Mission Board wasstill lookinginto the possibility of work in a new field, the deputationwhich we sent to Ethiopia came back with much helpfulinformation about the country and its needs. The Churchstill owes a great debt to Miss Gardner, Dr. Guthrie, andDr. Loughridge for their preliminary investigation andreport. Now that we have been working for some years inEthiopia, in the places to which God has called us,it isperhaps good for us to be reminded of the work that isbeing done by other missionary societies and in otherparts of the country. That is what this sketch of missionarywork in Ethiopia sets out to do.BRETHREN IN THE LORDWhen we first considered going to Ethiopia, theForeign Mission Board had a meeting with Mr. JohnFlynn, a Brethren missionary, who gave us much helpfuladvice and encouraged us to commence work in Ethiopia.He showed us how effectively mission work could be doneby a small mission and a small number of missionaries.The work which Mr. Flynn is leading in Bati is very likethe work which we are doing in Sheket, with a specialemphasis on medical work through a clinic and someschool work: both clinic and school are a means ofreaching the people with the Gospel.Mr. Flynn's colleagues, Mr. and Mrs. McQuoid,from Belfast, are working in Addis Ababa, chiefly amongyoung people, and were considering the possibility ofproviding a correspondence course through which youngpeople in many parts of Ethiopia might be givensystematic Christian teaching.SUDAN INTERIOR MISSIONThe largest missionary society in Ethiopia is theSudan Interior Mission, which has been a great help to ourmissionaries since the beginning of our enterprise. TheS.I.M.'s work, which began in a very small way under theleadership of Dr. Tom Lambie just after the first worldwar, has grown amazingly in the past 50 years. Again andagain in its history the guiding hand of God has beenclearly seen. At an early stage even a small black beetlewas used by God to win the interest and support of theman who as Emperor would give great help to the S.I.M.Dr. Lambie tells the story: "One night we were awakenedfrom a sound slumber by the noise of loud knocking onthe outside gate. His Excellency Ras Nado, with fiftyarmed men, was announced and shown upstairsFortunately I had an ear speculum and head mirror withme, and discovered a small black beetle, which I was ableto extract without much difficulty, and I put it into a smallglass vial to let him examine it. He passedit to his soldierswho solemnly assured him that it was a wood-boringbeetle and thatif the hakin (doctor) had not takenit out,itwould have bored through his head and killed him! I hadto tell him that this was not true, but the soldiers inferredthat, although I might know how to take them out, Icertainly did not know the nature of the pest."He chose to believe them rather than me, andwrote a letter to the Regent, His Majesty Ras Tafari (laterEmperor Haile Sellassie), saying that Dr. Lambie hadsaved his life . . . which had the happy result of gaining usaccess to His Majesty a month later."The S.I.M., like most of the missionary societies inEthiopia, has educational and medical work, used not asan end in themselves, but as a channel of evangelism. Ithas also a large publishing program, both of literature andtape-recordings for literary purposes. We are using someof their materials, as well as good literacy material fromother sources.It seems that educational and medical work hasbeen deliberately kept on a small scale, so that the balanceis weighted towards evangelism, and the danger ofbecoming over-institutionalized has been avoided. Somesocieties, e.g. the Swiss Evangelical Mission in Adiqualaand the S.I.M. in Mai Chow and elsewhere, use nationalteachers almost exclusively in their schools, with generalsupervision from the missionaries.REFORMED CO-OPERATIONThe Orthodox Presbyterian (American Evangelical)Mission in Ghinda has a small hospital, built and equippedby the O.P. Church in America, with help from somecongregations of the Christian Reformed Church inAmerica. They have two doctors (one from the DutchReformed Church), and a national nursing staff, whichnow includes Emmaha, who gave outstanding service toour mission in Sheket.INTERNATIONAL AIDThe Swiss Evangelical Mission have a large school inAdiquala (400 pupils, including some boarders), built withfunds from an organization like Christian Aid. SwedishAid, while not a missionary society, provides schools, tobe staffed by Ethiopian teachers, in towns where the localspay half the cost of erection. There is an opportunity herefor Christian Ethiopian teachers to bear an effectivewitness.FROM THE INSIDEThe policy of the Bible Churchman's MissionaryCOVENANTER WITNESS

Society, a small mission, is interesting in that it, like theLutheran Mission, seeks to work within the EthiopianOrthodox Church. Mr. Stokes teaches the Amharic Bibleand Homiletics to student priests in Addis Ababa, and Mr.Roger Cowley has been appointed to teach the Bible in anew theological college in Makale. There may be somedifficulties involved in this policy, but there is no doubtthat there is a real desire among many priests of theEthiopian Orthodox Church to study the Word of God.We must never forget that that Word is "quick andpowerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword ..."All societies stress the importance of languagestudy. B.C.M.S. insists on two years' language study beforemissionary work is commenced. During the first year themissionary is placed in an Amharic-speaking area withpossibly the help of an informant; in the second year hegoes around the country learning its culture as well ashaving continuing language practice. Judged by the resultswhich are achieved, this is a most successful method.AN OPEN DOORThe Red Sea Mission Team has been working for anumber of years among the nomad Danakil people. Oneof their missionaries, Miss Enid Parker, a gifted linguist,was of great help to Miss Norma Gill in her study of theDanakil language. This mission has been invited to sendmissionaries into the Yemen, where the Government,anxious to have Christian influences instead of Communistones, has offered schools and hospitals, if the Mission cansupply teachers, doctors and nurses, with unrestrictedopportunity to preach the Gospel.This and That. from page 3Then there was Aholiab. He seems to have beenDirector of his own department, that of soft furnishings.He is specially mentioned as a skilled weaver and embroiderer.Aholiab's name is also linked with that ofBezaleel as being "filled with wisdom" for the work entrustedto him. He was also similarly endued with theSpirit of God to teach others to be skilled weavers andembroiderers.Sometimes people draw a rather hard and fast linebetween what they call "work for God" — "spiritual work"— and the work of the housewife, of the homemaker, ofthe worker in the essential and practical side of daily life.I find no such distinction here! And I am quite surethatit is contrary both to the Word of God and the will ofGod. Those early workers were equipped by the Spirit ofGod for "all manner of work, any work." And so may youand I be, and should be. How greatly we need thepresence and the power ot the Holy Spirit of God in theordinary duties and the daily work of our homes.V. The Completed WorkThere came a day when this house for God, theTabernacle as it was called, was finished, furnished, andequipped for its high and sacred destiny.Then we read that Moses, the General Director,inspected and examined it all, and that he was completelyCHURCH BORN AT MIDNIGHTOne of the most amazing stories in modernmissionary history is set in the mountains of southwestEthiopia. S.I.M. missionaries had been working there fornearly ten years, and had fewer than 100 converts to showfor their work. Then came the Italian invasion, and itseemed that the flickering flame of the church mustinevitably be put out. But, on the contrary, revival brokeout in the tiny national church, and though the church wastested to the depths by ferocious persecution during thedays of the Italian occupation and after, the fire of revivalhas burned ever brighter. Where there were in 1938 fouror five small churches, in 1968 there were about 1500. Lastyear, in the province of Wallamo alone, there were 7000new members received into the church on profession oftheir faith. Part of the story has been thrillingly told byRaymond J. Davis in Fire on the Mountains, and a fullaccount is promised in a book being written by Dr. PeterCotterell, S.I.M., Director of leadership training. Nothingcan adequately explain the way in which a tiny spark wasfanned to a mighty conflagration, except that God's windblows where it chooses. But here is a wonderful exampleof a truly indigenous church, which has grown toremarkable strength by the working of God's mightypower. Can we not believe that what God has done insouthwest Ethiopia He can do elsewhere, includingMakale and Sheket? Must we not continue to pray that, bywhomsoever the seed is sown and watered, He will givethe increase, so that he who sows and he who reaps mayrejoice together?•••The Covenanter Witness of Scotland and Irelandsatisfied with all the work that this organized and competentworking party had accomplished.So God was pleased to dwell in His tabernacle andto manifest His Presence among His people by day and bynight.G. R. Harding Wood, used by permission of LutterwExerptsfrom THE BIBLE SPEAKS TO WOMEN by Mrs.Press, London, England•••COOL, COLORFUL COLORADOINVITES YOU TO THE ROCKIES!CO VENANT HEIGHTS FA MIL Y CONFERENCEJuly 12-18,1971Under the auspices of Midwest PresbyterySPEAKERSJim Pennington. Robert McFarlandJ. Paul McCracken and Mel VosFor registration write:Rev. E. Raymond Hemphill1505 Tenth Ave., Greeley, Colo. 80631JUNE 2, 1971 9

The Children's CornerCu-Song's ForgivenessBy Amelia O. Stottcontinued"I cannot believe thy God can forgive me, because Ilistened to a bad woman's words and cast forth the child ofa dying mother. She made me promise always to keep andcare for the little one. She, too, loved the God whom youworship. I broke my word, I cast out my motherless child,and I have been bitterly punished. Today I am homeless,ruined, a poor beggar in the streets, because of the wickedone who made me sin beyond forgiveness."Dr. Smith knew how superstitious the Chinese areabout promises given to the dying, and he felt very sorryfor the old man in his grief."He does look so hopeless," he remarked. "It is avery sad case, for he cannot get better."Mrs. Smith was indeed sorry, for she, too, had triedto talk to the old man in vain. She spoke of him to Lu-teh,that she might join them in praying for him."I will go over and take Du-Song, Teaching Sister,"she said. "There he is sitting in the darkest corner of theveranda. He has such a dreadfully sad face, but Cu-Songcan make manv patients smile."They went across the compound together, and thelittle girl ran quickly toward the bowed figure and lookedup at him with her winning smile. Suddenly the old manjumped to his feet and snatched her in his arms, crushingher so tightly that Lu-teh was frightened. She cried, "Cu-Song," anxiously, but the old man interrupted her:I-yah, i-yah, my Cu-Song," he cried, "yes, yes, mown precious little girl whom the neighbor took away tenyears ago. I knew not where she was left, but truly thismust be my child; God is merciful. Now I can believe hewill forgive my sins, because I have found the little one forwhom I have grieved all these years."Cu-Song gazed at him in wonder, but something inthe old man's face touched her heart."It is my father," she cried. "Oh, Mother, he hascome at last!" And soit was, for though Mr. Wong did notlive very long after his joyful discoveryit made him veryhappy. He insisted on telling Cu-Song the whole story oneday, and then he asked eagerly."Does my little Cu-Song forgive her father?""Truly, truly!"'said the child. "Heavenly Father is sogood and kind to me. He gave me Mother Lu-teh, insteadof the cruel one who refused to keep me. Oh, how I wantto grow big very quickly that I may tell every one that GodThe Sunday School TimesAcross:A Crossword Puzzle1. The king's prime minister and Mordecai'senemy Esther 33. A king who showed mercy to the one who would havetaken his throne 1 Kings 17. Abraham provided Hagar with this when sending heraway Genesis 2111. Samuel's home city 1 Samuel 7sIIIS6 ^•712. Lot pitched his tent towards this wicked city GeneSts T313. This man's life still speaks to us Hebrews 1114. Paul knew he must visit this city Acts 19Down:2. The prophet, buried by God, who spoke to Jesus Christ on earth Deuteronomy 34 and Mark 94. A large sea port Naham 35. A city of Lycia where Paul changed ships Acts 276. Benaiah slew two lionlike men of this country 2 Samuel 237. Elijah proved to the people that this god could not hear them 1 Kings 188. As Peter knocked at this, a girl came to see who was there Acts 129. Another name for Esau Genesis 2510. Where Elkanah and Hannah went after Eli's blessing 1 Samuel 21 COVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of June 27—*Sabbath SchoolLessonFor June 27,1971God Requires Personal RighteousnessMicah 6:1-4,6-8; 7:18-20Comments by John K. GaultPersonal righteousness has been theprime requisite in the whole government ofGod. Obedience to His revealed will is themeans whereby this desirable state can beaccomplished, and it is faith in Christ thatleads people to obey. In Hebrews 11:4 it issaid, "By faith Abel offered unto God amore excellent sacrifice than Cain, bywhich he obtained witness that he wasrighteous, God testifying of his gifts: andbyit he being dead yet speaketh." Personalrighteousness, such as Abel possessed,consisted of exemplary conduct andsincerity of heart. The prophet Micahsought to bring about the development ofpersonal righteousness in the lives of thepeople of Israel, the northern kingdom,against which he was sent to prophesy.1: God Will Be Heard.He will be heard in one way oranother but He will be heard. It is requiredin a court trial that the defendant bepresent to hear the charges which arebrought against him. If he refuses to bepresent he can be cited for "contempt ofcourt." In the lesson before us, God spokethrough Micah with the voice of authority,saying, "Hear ye now." If they would notlisten to this voice coming from theprophet, then God would speak to themwith a different kind of a voice, namely,the voice of judgment which they would becompelled to hear and they would not likeit. God continues to speak to the peopleand nations of the world, saying, "Hear yenow," and it is listen now and repent oreventually hear the doom sounding announcingdestruction. The Psalmist says in29:4,10, "The voice of the Lord ispowerful; the voice of the Lord is full ofmajesty. . . .The Lord sitteth upon theflood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever."2: The Unchanging Mountains andHills Witness Against Sinful Man.Micah said in verses 1 and 2, "Arise,contend thou before the mountains, and letthe hills hear thy voice. Hear ye, Omountains, and ye strong foundations ofthe earth: for the Lord hath a controversywith His people, and He will plead withIsrael." The mountains and the hills stoodin their majesty and they did not changeJUNE 2, 1971from one generation to another. They didnot utter any word of complaint but as theywere at the time of creation so they werethousands of years later. On the farm of myboyhood home in Iowa there were two hillsin the pasture called "the west hill" and the"east hill." After an absence of over fortyyears I visited the old farm again. Thehouse, barn, and other buildings had beenradically changed so that I would not haverecognized them as my former home. Butone thing had not changed and that was thecontour of the land. There were the twohills, the "west hill and the east hill", just asthey had been fifty years before. Themountains and hills of Israel did notchange and they had obeyed the voice ofGod from one generation to another. Theywere solid and secure with their peakspointing toward heaven. They could beseen from a distance of many miles andthus were guides to travelers crossing theplains. So, Israel was challenged to"contend thou before the mountains" andlearn from them that God was the Lordwho was to be obeyed. The people ofAmerica could, likewise, learn from themountains and hills which abound in theland.3: God Has Instituted Legal SuitAgainst Rebellious People and Nations.In verse 2 the prophet said, "TheLord hath a controversy with His people,"God is the judge of all the earth and thedestiny of men and nations is controlled byHim. When Abraham interceded for therighteous in the doomed city of Sodom hesaid unto God, "That be far from thee todo after this manner, to slay the righteouswith the wicked: . . . Shall not the Judge ofall the earth do right?" God's controversyis different from that which often arisesamong people. If people have a seriousdispute with one of their own fellows theymust seek justice in a court of law before ajudge and jury. God, however, is judge,jury, and executioner, all in one and all thefacts of the case are all well-known untoHim. In the civil court of the land justice isthe principal objective and rarely is mercyshown to those who have committed acrime. In God's court wherein Israel wascited Micah said of God, "And He willplead with Israel." God is a judge of greatmercy and He will plead with offenders tocease from their transgressions and He willpardon them.4: Israel was Challenged to TestilyAgainst God.God said to them through Micah: "Omy people, what have I done unto thee?and wherein have I wearied thee? testifyagainst Me. For I brought thee up out ofthe land of Egypt, and redeemed thee outof the house of servants: and I sent beforethee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam." Thegreatest event in the whole history of Israelbefore the coming of Christ was theirdeliverance from the bondage of Egypt. Itwas God who provided their sustenance asthey wandered in the wilderness and it wasGod who enabled them to overcome theirenemies and enter the Promised Land.There was nothing in all that God haddone for them which could be construedas an act of injustice. All which had beendone was of a beneficent character. If theyhad a complaint to make, "let the hills hearthy voice."5: The Futility of Trying to PleaseGod with a Lavish Display of ReligiousZeal.The prophet Micah asked of thepeople several rhetorical questions,"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord,and bow myself before the high God? ShallI come before Him with burnt offerings,with calves of a year old? Will the Lord bepleased with thousands of rams, or with tenthousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give myfirstborn for my transgression, the fruit ofmy body for the sin of my soul?" Theserepresent great religious efforts requiringsacrifice and work. But these acts were alloutward performances. Jesus found muchfault with the Pharisees to whom He said,"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint andanise and cummin, and have omitted theweightier matters of the law, judgment,mercy, and faith: these ought ye to havedone, and not to leave the other undone."God is never pleased with mere formalitywithout sincerity in religion and religiousacts must be in accord with God's law aswell. Offering one's firstborn in sacrificewas what the heathen nations did and suchacts were strictly forbidden to the childrenof Israel.6: The Basic Elements In PleasingGod Were Justice, Mercy and Humility.This Micah stated positively in 6:8,"He hath showed thee, O man, what isgood, and what doth the Lord require ofthee, but to do justly, and to love mercy,and to walk humbly with thy God." Thesequalities of character had been missingfrom the people and the rulers of Israel.These are vital elements of good characterand they are needed as much today as theywere in the davs of Micah.II

7: Personal Righteousness Wins thePardon of God.Micah brought his treatise to a closewith such a declaration as he said injumped out and ran up to the door with aheart-shaped box. In the box were penniesand nickels which this poor mission boyhad been saving to give to God's work.7:18,19, "Who is a God like unto thee, that God wants cheerful givers who havepardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the learned to give out of their allowance andtransgression of the remnant of His small amounts of money to God. Matt.inheritance? He retaineth not His anger for 10:8.ever, because He delighteth in mercy. He One of our home missions is Selma,will turn again, He will have compassion Alabama where Rev. and Mrs. Claude C.upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Brown are workers. Mrs. Brown has sharedthou wilt cast all their sins into the depth of how God was faithful to prepare her forthe sea." This promise was fulfilled when her missionary work. When she was athe "remnant" of Israel was permitted to young girl ready for college, she applied toreturn to the land of their fathers during a college but had only ten dollars. Godthe time of Zerubbabel, Nehemiah and provided a job and a scholarship to coverEzra; and those of their progeny who came the first year. Every year arrived withoutto believe in Christ had all their sins "cast money for college; but each year Godinto the depth of the sea." When God opened the door through work and onceforgives people their sins are remembered through the President of the United States,no more by Him.to whom she had written for help. Be sure"Lesson based on International Sunday School that whatever God asks you to do, He willLessons: the International Bible Lessons for open the way to do it.Christian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Division Mention work of other home missionof Christian Education, National Council of Churches fields: include new congregations. Theseare opportunities today.II. Foreign Field:of Christ in the U.S.A."Junior TopicFor June 27,1971UNIT: MISSIONARY MINDEDThe Movement — Our Missions TodayBy Miss Martha HutchesonMemory Psalm: Psalm 67:1,2,3.Memory Verse: Matthew 10:8, ". . .Freelyye have received, freely give."Reference: Romans 1:14-16.Emphasis — Personal involvement, prayer,willingness to be a missionary.This lesson is centered around themission work of our Church today, at homeand abroad. Other evangelical movementswill also be considered. The teacher shouldrefer to Uniform Program of the W.M.S.for list of missionaries, areas of service andprayer needs, etc. The following commentswill be additional information to theUniform Program. Seek to add currentinformation.Review: Who is a missionary? Aperson sent by God through His churchwith the message of Good News. Reviewmemory verses: I Cor. 1:17, John 3:16,Luke 6:38. We have seen that men calledby God and filled with the Holy Spiritcould overcome obstacles to preach thegood news. These men needed the churchbehind them.What is God's church doing today tosend out missionaries? Matt. 10:8.I. Home Missions:Our American cities are one of themost needy mission fields. Many of ourcities have city union missions. The KansasCity Mission was in need of a garage in1968. After Valentines Day a car drove up12 in front of the Mission. A little boyJapan.Rev. Gene Spear shares how Godbegan to direct him to Japan. He heard hisfamily pray for the missionaries of ourchurch. When he was seven he heard Rev.Sam Boyle of our China mission speak.Rev. Mr. Boyle impressed him, maybebecause he looked Chinese himself!! Laterwhile in the Navy, Mr. Spear saw countrieswhich needed the Gospel. Now thethoughts of Japan did not seem so far away.In seminary God impressed upon Mr.Spear the needs of Japan until he understoodGod wanted him to go.I hope you have learned the names ofthe Spear children: Carol, Bruce, MaryJane, Joyce, and Bonnie. They serve asmissionaries, too. Mr. Spear said they havestarted two or three Sabbath schoolsduring their years in Japan. Each time theirchildren's friends are the first to come.They can be missionaries to older people,too. When the Spears first moved toOkamoto, they noticed an old man about ablock away from their house. His face wasexpressionless. They spoke to him, butthere was no response. One of the childrenkept greeting him regularly till finally hestarted to answer and then to talk a little.He has said he wanted to die happy, and isnow reading the New Testament. Let's prayfor this man and the Spear children. Praythat juniors all over our Church will cometo know Jesus as their Savior and work asmissionaries telling others about Jesus.Pray.Take time for sharing any opportunitiesthey have had to tell othersabout Jesus or invite friends to church.This was an assignment given in the firstlesson of unit.Continue discussions of missionariesand mission work in Japan. One Japanesecouple from our church went asmissionaries to Southeast Asia.Pray: For the friends they have beenwitnessing to and the witness in Japan.Cyprus.Winnie Wilson Nelson tells us thathaving Christian parents who were interestedin missions helped prepare her toanswer God's call to Cyprus. If we haveChristian parents that help us do God's willlet's thank God for them; if not let's prayfor our parents.Pray.The missionaries in Cyprus are verymuch encouraged by the response of manystudents to study the Word of God. Eventhough the government has passed lawshindering the teaching and preaching ofthe Gospel, God is still working in thehearts and lives of many people He iscalling and has called to Himself. Let uspray that God might continue to keep thedoor open for the spreading of His Word.Mention all the missionaries inCyprus and their work. Ron and KathyStegall and Dan Copeland will be leavingthe island soon to return to the States.Those remaining will need our support asthey face the pressures of living andworking in a foreign land.Pray.Today God is asking girls and boysfrom all over the world who know Him tostand out as His missionaries. Every churchin the world has an obligation to sendmissionaries. Show pictures from firstlesson (Negro, Caucasion, Indian, etc.) ofmany kinds of people. All can bemissionaries. Wouldn't it be thrilling if Godasked you to be a foreign missionary?Pray — considering willingness tofollow God's call on their life.Project suggestions: The childrenmight be interested in adopting one of themissionaries as their special missionary towrite to and pray for during the year.Personal contact is very important forjuniors.Home Mission project: Set up a goal.Example: give children's tracts to friends,etc.Prayer MeetingTopicFor June 30,1971FAMILY NIGHT SUPPERW.M.S. TOPICJuly 1971Mrs. Louis D. HutmireEast Pittsburgh New WorkPsalm 24:2,3 page 56.COVENANTER WITNESS

Scripture: I Samuel 16:7; Matthew 5:8.A study based on chapter 10 of D. MartynLloyd-Jones' Studies in the Sermon on theMount, Volume I, BLESSED ARE THEPURE IN HEART.Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that thegospel of Jesus Christ, in all its emphasis,concerns the heart. The heart includes notonly our affections and emotions, but alsothe mind and the will. The whole man, inall his feelings, thoughts, purposes, anddeterminations, is the heart.What does Jeremiah 17:9 tell aboutthe condition of the heart?How did the heart come to be in suchwretched condition? Romans 5:12.Will education or improved environmentchange the heart? John 3:3.Read Psalm 86:11. The pure heart isone that is single, not divided in itsdevotion. It is cleansed and like unto ChristHimself. Dr. Lloyd-Jones stresses the needfor the preaching of "holiness, withoutwhich no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews12:14). He is distressed that some peopleobject to the preaching of holiness, whenits object, indeed the whole object ofChristianity, is to bring us to see God.Reality for the Christian is to see"Him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27).Can you think of several ways in which wesee God in this life? But some day we shallsee Him face to face! Is this the supremehope and aim of your life? Read I John3:2,3. What admonition is given here tothose who would see God?Can I purify my own heart?Philippians 2:13. What is my responsibility?James 4:8; Romans 8:13. Do Irealize and mourn about the impurity ofmy heart?Pray together Psalm 51.LORD'S DAY REFLECTIONSR. K. ATCHISONHE STOLE THEIR HEARTSII Samuel 15:6 — "So Absalom stole thehearts of the men of Israel."There is no more despicable trait inj character than that of perfidy. There isnothing sadder in its common sequences. Itis something that men of good purposecannot forget, and that causes men of evilmind to lose the little respect they mayhave held for its perpetrator.Surely David the king had fallenupon evil days. His kingdom was in a stateof revolution. Many of his subjects were inopen rebellion, and multitudes weresulking secretly in their tents. The saddestI of all was the fact that his own householdl was against him, and plotting for hisdownfall.We have some respect for an openfighter, but none for the man whosemethods will not bear the light of day.Absalom adopted the latter. He stood inthe way of the gate in the very earlymorning, and was ready with his sympathyfor the multitude of grieved ones whopassed through, no matter what theirtroubles might be. He told them what anunfortunate thing it was that he was not ina position to render the aid he would like,and what he would do if he were elevatedto a position of authority. "Oh that I weremade judge over the land, that every manwhich hath any suit or cause might comeunto me, and I would do him justice!" SoAbsalom stole the hearts of the men ofIsrael! It is a story of tragedy. Sorrowmarks every step of its progress, pathosand woe form a wake to its conclusion. Abroken-hearted king, whose paternal loveabides, utters the plaintive cry: "WouldGod I had died for thee, O Absalom, myson, my son!"But the one thing we cannot forget inthis sad story is the subtilty, the falseness,the perfidy of this young man, who wouldundermine constituted authority by suchmethods as he employed. And when thatauthority was his father's, our condemnationis justly multiplied. It is in KingLear that we read:"How sharper than a serpent'stooth, it isTo have a thankless child."And surely the wisdom of this statementwas verified long before the bard of Avonever wrote, in the bitter grief of David overthe unholy ambition of Absalom.We have our own lesson to learn. Letfairness characterize our acts, and let ourends be gained without resorting toduplicity. If we cannot reach the heights towhich we aspire by being true to our fellowmen, let the rewards be given to those whoare more worthy to enjoy them.MOTHERII Timothy 1:5 — "When I call toremembrance the unfeigned faith that is inthee, which dwelt first in thy grandmotherLois, and thy mother Eunice."There is no sweeter word than this.We hang it in the chambers of memory,and lisp it lovingly in our mature years asthe child does in the morning time of life.There has been much said and writtenabout the influence of womanhood in theprogress of civilization, but no one canhave the temerity to say that the subjecthas been overdone. It confronts us onevery page of history. The influence of themother is usually found somewhere inevery conquest of her sons. She hassupplied the urge that has given man hisimpetus. The familiar words of WilliamRoss Wallace tell us who it is that rules theworld:"They say that man is mighty,He governs land and seaHe wields a mighty scepterO'er lesser powers that be;But a mightier power and strongerMan from his throne has hurled,For the hand that rocks the cradleIs the hand that rules the world."Paul gives a good deal of the creditfor the strong, unfeigned faith of Timothyto his maternal forebears. We owe much tothose who plant the graces in our hearts —we mean here the human instrumentalities— and among all these there is nonecomparable to a godly mother. Paul admiredTimothy. He loved him. But he wasnot blind to the fact that Timothy had arich heritage, and was a fit receptacle forthe grace of God because of the highcharacter upon which his life was built.Faith is a divine gift, but the human heart,like fertile soil, is often made ready byhuman hands.Benjamin West was a great painter.When his pictures finally graced the wallsof a great gallery, someone spoke words ofcongratulation and received the reply. "Isucceeded because my mother praised mewhen my drawings were crude. It was shewho bade me go on." Abraham Lincolnsaid, "All I am I owe to my angel mother."So we might go on. History is full ofits tributes, both direct and implied, to theinfluence of motherhood in the marchmind. Here and there in the Word of Godher love and influence shine with effulgence.Looking back to Calvary we findthe word exalted by the Redeemer whenHe committed His mother to the care ofthe beloved disciple.JOY AND PEACERomans 15:13 — "Now the God of hopefillyou with all joy and peace in believing."Genuine happiness always holdsamong its elements joy and peace. Thesweet consulations of Christian experienceinclude the same ingredients — joy in theLord Jesus Christ, and peace of conscience-fruitsof the Spirit. There may bean outward manifestation of joy the sourceof which is superficial, but it is a permanentquality only when peace reigns inthe soul. This prayer of the apostle unfoldsthis spiritual security in all its richness. Joyand peace are in this benediction of his asinseparable qualities. What a wonderfulverse it is! Hope, joy, peace, all of thempossessions whose value cannot bemeasured!Paul here makes use of a title notaltogether common — the God of hope.That is, He is the God of our hope.Revelation — the Word of God — opensup this hope to us. God's Word has beencalled the window of the soul, for withoutit we could have neither hope, nor joy, norpeace, nor could we indeed form anyconception of the mercy and love whichthe title implies. If we read the fourth verseof this chapter, we shall discover that Godsee page 15IUNE 2. 197113

MRS. ESTHER DILL HITCHCOCKThe Sterling Women's MissionarySociety wishes to pay loving tribute to thememory of Mrs. Esther Dill Hitchcock whopassed away, April 30, 1971, at the age of90. She was born in Mediapolis, Iowa andwas married to George C. Hitchcock in1958 in Sterling. He died in December of1965.Mrs. Hitchcock was a graduate ofPark College in Parkville, Missouri and atone time taught foreign languages inSterling College. Later years she worked inthe social welfare office in JeffersonCounty.Mrs. Hitchcock was a member of theSterling congregation and the Women'sMissionary Society and, as long as she wasable, was faithful in attendance. She willlong be remembered for her graciousnessand friendliness. Rev. Paul Faris very aptlyused "Whatsoever things are lovely, thinkon these things" for the subject of themessage given at the memorial service.These words truly describe the kind of aperson she was.Mrs. Hitchcock is survived by threebrothers: Arthur and Robert J. Dill ofSterling, and Elmer R. of Poughkeepsie,New York; a step-son, two step-daughters,and ten step-grandchildren.II Timothy 4:8: "Henceforth there islaid up for me a crown of righteousness,which the Lord, the righteous judge, shallgive me at that day."NEW ADDRESSRev. E. Clark Copeland5205 Fawn Haven DriveGibsonia, Pa. 15044LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA(Rev. Bruce Stewart, pastor)Tommie and Fern Kerr wereremarried on March 5 in an informalservice at the home of the bride's brother,Lloyd Chambers, of Ventura, California!We rejoice in this happy event.The World Day of Prayer was observedat the home of Dr. and Mrs. FrancisBuck and was a very helpful experience forthose attending.The Rev. James Penningtonpreached on March 7 and spoke on March26 as he shared the progress of our work inJapan.Miss Eleanor Faris stopped off in LosAngeles with Miss Kathryn Marshall onMarch 8 and 9. Some of our folks were ableto visit her and saw her off at the airport enroute to Japan.14Miss Patsy Boyle left for L'Abri,Switzerland, March 27, where she willstudy with Dr. Francis Shaeffer for aboutthree months. A farewell fellowship wasplanned by our youth at the Stewarts. Weshall miss Patsy very much.Elder Donald Birdsall has undergonesurgery on his feet but is now able to beback at work,still limping a little though.Marc Tuminello, one of our youth, had atonsilectomy but he is now recovered andback to school. Mr. George Chambers isnow home from a stay of eleven days at thehospital where he was treated for perniciousanemia. He is recoveringsatisfactorily at home. Mrs. FosterChambers had surgery on her hand April26 and she is now at home and recoveringnicely.The Youth Conferette at Sequoiaover Easter vacation was a great experiencefor about 55 who attended fromSeattle to Santa Ana. A high light was thepresentation and discussion of the Creationand the Flood.Dr. Howard Elliott was a welcomeguest in our pulpit and was our Communionassistant on April 18. His messageswere challenging and helpful, and appreciated.New members at this time wereSarah Birdsall, Robert Buck, and PriscillaLuther. Each gave his personal testimonyof his faith to the Session.We express sympathy to the Zimmerlefamily in the death of Joe's nephew,Rene, killed in Viet Nam, April 16, and tothe Marshall family in the sudden death ofElder Samuel R. Marshall, April 28.NOTICEPreaching for the full summer.Cambridge, Mass. Parsonage available.Contact: C. F. Millican, Clk. Session410 Woburn St., Lexington, Mass.COLLEGE HILL WILL CELEBRATEThe College Hill Congregation willcelebrate its 75th Anniversary on July 1,1971.NOTICEIs there a retired minister or astudent who would like to serve the Lord inCanada? The congregation of the LochielR. P. Church would like to have someonepreach for them during the summermonths. Please write to the clerk of thesession.Wm. C. JamiesonR. R. No. 3, Box 9Dolkeith, Ontario, CanadaN.A.E. CONVENTIONLOS ANGELES, Calif. — The NationalAssociation of Evangelicals closed out its29th annual convention, April 23, as acrowd of nearly 3,000 packed into theHollywood Palladium to hear Dr. BillyGraham.The world's best known evangelistcalled for a "new international, evangelicalfellowship, under youthful, energetic,intellectual, and visionary leadership."Speaking of the "special demands ofthese days." Dr. Graham said that extraordinarysteps must be taken by"dedicated evangelical Christians" to takeadvantage of tides of sentiment that noware running in support of historic BiblicalChristianity.The 52-year-old evangelist drewabout 15 rounds of applause as he touchedon subjects of evangelism, "Jesus Freaks,"spiritual awakenings, social concern,Christian demonstration, Bible teaching,and prayer. He noted that the surgingevangelical movements of the world maybe ushering in one of "God's springtimes"just before a world-wide revival, and hepointed out the increasing dangers ofSatanic activity. Graham urged theevangelical leaders to "take the ball andget in step with God."The Thursday night meetingclimaxed a heavily scheduled three-dayprogram of activities for the 1,250registered delegates and visitors that beganApril 20. They had choices of 60workshops and seminars, even luncheonsand a dinner, in addition to six majorassemblies and a daily Bible hour.The national body of evangelicalleaders, in adopting a series of resolutionson abortion, homosexuality, Viet Nam, theFrankfurt Declaration, Key 73, environmentand ecology, and highereducation, declared abortion to be"morally wrong" except to safeguard themother's health or in the cases ofpregnancies resulting from rape or incest.The resolution on abortionrepresents one of the first collectivestatements on the subject by a conservativeProtestant body in recent years."IS THERE ANY PLACE YOU'DRATHER BE?" asks one bit of Ontarioprovincial publicity. That's preciselywhat our Almonte congregation asksyou, our brethren, this summer. Desirea remote lake for fishing? Tourist attractions?History? Furnished or roughcamping? A Covenanter church'sservice and worship? Christianhospitality? Write to us TODAY —"Look-out and Reform Committee", c/oMiss Jeanette Waddell, R.R. No. 2,Almonte, Ontario, CANADA.COVENANTER WITNESS

The resolutions condemnedhomosexuality, endorsed PresidentRichard M. Nixon's program of troop withdrawalfrom Viet Nam, and offeredcooperation with responsible environmentalsolutions.About 700 people heard Dr. J. SidlowBaxter each afternoon in Bible study,speaking on the topic of Christ as the Lambof God. In expert and thorough fashion thefamous 80-year-old Bible teacher andauthor captivated Ms audience withscholarship and wit.Mr. Seth Rohrer was named 1971Layman of the Year Wednesday night in anannual presentation. The president ofEvangelical Church Builders Corporationand longtime leader in NAE activity hasbeen an active participant in the localchurch for 40 years.The presidents of five, large Christianyouth organizations made a rare jointappearance during a special session forcollege and university students. Theyincluded Bill Star of Young Life, LomeSanny of The Navigators, Dr. Bill Bright ofCampus Crusade, Dr. John Alexander ofInter-Varsity Fellowship, and Dr. SamWolgemuth of Youth For Christ.Speaking on topics about youth andthe problems of drugs during the SocialConcerns Commission session was Dr.John Broger, executive director of theArmed Forces Education and InformationalServices.A news conference with Graham,Dr. Hudson T. Armerding, and Dr. ClydeW. Taylor was held Wednesday morning.Graham, with usual expertise, fieldedreligious and political questions from aphalanx of newsmen. Graham said inresponse to a question about the JesusPeople, "I'm for anything that promotesthe gospel of Jesus Christ." The conferencewas at the International Hotel where thethree-day convention took place.In his keynote address on Tuesdaymorning, NAE President Hudson T. Armerdingsaid that "it is necessary tosummon today's generation to perceive ofJesus Christ not only as Savior but also asLord in the fullest sense of the term." Thepresident of Wheaton College said that theyielding of one's supposed sovereign will toGod's absolute jurisdiction does not meana regimentation for believers, but is merelythe exercising of voluntarism. The principlecould be applied, Armerding said, toeducation. He called for voluntaryeducation during the last two years of highschool.The opening session of the conventionalso saw the introduction of amajor position paper on the conventionAeme, "Jesus Christ — Lord of All."In one of the luncheons on the lastday. the executive director of the NationalAssociation of Christian Schools told 70^NE 2, 1971ministers, educators and parents that onlyfive percent of the teachers presentlyreplacing retiring ones in the public schoolare committed to Christian values. Dr.John F. Blanchard urged the evangelicalleaders to become a driving force behindthe scenes of the educational community.Dr. Billy Melvin, executive directorof NAE, in a report during the closingsession at the Hollywood PalladiumThursday night, summarized highlightingaccomplishments of NAE's four affiliatesand eleven commissions. He encouragedthe evangelical leadership to re-dedicatetheir efforts to Jesus Christ, asking Hisdirectives in human efforts, proclaimingHim Lord of every area of life.The National Association ofEvangelicals has 38,000 churches from 69denominations. Its 30th annual conventionwill be held in St. Louis, April 11-13, 1972.The need is always present for theguidance that assures safety for theJoy and Peace... .from page 13spiritual traveler. Robert Cawdray says,"As a stone cast up into the air cannot gohas been the source of hope to His people any higher, neither yet there abide whensince the first ray of light found its way into the power of the hurler ceaseth to drive it;darkness of human misery. God is theobject of our hope. When we say witheven so, seeing our corrupt nature can godownward only, and the devil, the worldDavid, "Then will I go to God's altar, untoGod my exceeding joy,"it is hope thatimpels us. When Isaiah, the seer, exclaims,"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soulshall be joyful in my God," what isit buthope that urges him on?The blessings for which the apostlepleads have their source in the God ofhope. He asks that we may be filled withjoy and peace. There are times when wemay be denied the things we crave. Thebody may be weakened and strongnourishment would even imperil our livesbut there are to be no measured portionshere. The prayer is that we may be filled,satisfied with abundance. "Thou wilt keephim in perfect peace whose mind is stayedon thee, because he trusteth in thee."Joy and peace come throughbelieving. Faith is the gift of God. No mancan lay hold upon the eternal mysterythrough his own strength. No child of Godwill rely upon his own merits for the favorof God, but rejoicing in the blessings of Hisprovidence and love, and reflecting on Hisgifts — joy and peace — will trace themback step by step to the God of hope whohath so graciously bestowed them.IN PATHS DIVINEPsalm 17:5 — "Hold up my goings in thypaths, that my footsteps slip not."It is a plaintive prayer, wrung from aheart saddened and despondent because ofpersecuting foes. Init are unfolded a senseof human weakness, a confidence in Divinepower, and the assurance that all will yetbe well. Between the lines we seem to readof an indication to pursue a very differentcourse. A spirit of revenge, with adisposition to retaliate in like measure,would be altogether in harmony with theusual course of nature. An eye for an eyeand a tooth for a tooth is a principle firmlyengrafted in the natural heart. But this is anappeal to God to open up to a sorrowfuland tried man, the paths that will lead toworthy vindication rather than to openshame.He makes his appeal to God, who isthe author of his being. Init there is anacknowledgement of human fallibility.One pursuing his own way, and actingupon his own inclinations, is very likely tofind "human" paths for his own feet ratherthan the ways of God. The psalmist wouldmake sure that his steps shall not deviatefrom the way his Heavenly Father wouldhave him go.It is not in man to direct his steps.and the flesh, driveth to the same way; howcan we proceed further in virtue, or standtherein when we are tempted, if ourmerciful God do not from time to time,govern and guide us?"So that my footsteps slip not." If oneshould follow the devices of his own heart,there could be but one issue. But with Godas the guide there can be no failure. TheSpirit of God is an unerring monitor. Hewho listens to the Divine voice cannotmistake his way. His pathway is marked,and his footsteps are sure. He is in companywith One whose guidance will leadwhere there will be openings to the widefields of contentment, peace, and hope.The Associate PresbyterianEVANGELISMThe gospel offer is to nations asdirectly as to individuals; it is not aquestion of "primarily" and "secondarily."Perhaps only Covenanters can implementthat evangel.Dr. Arthur W. CalhounSHARON ANNIVERSARYSharon Congregation is expectingmany of you to attend the 125th anniversaryobservance on July 17 and 18.If you will be coming to this area byplane or train, Mr. and Mrs. MilfordHays or Mr. and Mrs. Earl Berry (bothMorning Sun addresses) will arrange tomeet you and take you to your host andhostess.

Some This and That in IS.misery in the land of Egypt. In the wilderness of Sinai theyremained for forty years, sometimes moving, sometimesCome to the Working Party stationary, guided, fed, and provided for by God Himself.A great offering was to be brought to God by thepeople, in gold, silver, brass, precious stones, wood, andIn 1964, when Maureen Wright, Mrs. J. Renwick Wright, materials of every kind. God willed to have His own tentand I were as yet "pen pals, " having never met, she sent or Tabernacle and He purposed to dwell in the midst ofme a book entitled, THE BIBLE SPEAKS TO WOMEN, His people.by Mrs. G. R. Harding Wood. These Bible messages are all This was a most gracious and wonderful condescensionof God, but it is still more amazing andfine, and this one I want to share with all of you.Winifred Elliott, Editor wonderful that God seeks a home today in the heart ofevery man or woman, boy or girl who will open the heart'sIn connection with this message, please read Exodus door 25:1- and admit His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as Savior9; 35; 36:5-8; 38:8; 39:43; 40:34-38; Rev. 3:20and Lord.It is quite possible that most of us women are orhave been at some time members of a Working Party.Almost certainly there has been a Working Party at yourchurch or chapel, probably to prepare for the Annual Saleof Work. Perhaps you belong to some Working Partywhich sews and knits for the overseas mission in whichyou are specially interested.The members of a working party are mostly women,but not always. Sometimes husbands and brothers join theworking party in the evenings and take their share inwinding bandages for some hospital or medical mission. Ihave known men who were expert knitters, and I haveseen really beautiful embroidery done by men, too.All kinds of workers are useful: some are clever atcutting out and fixing; they are specially welcome! It is areal gift to be a good "cutter-out," so that preciousmaterial is not wasted. Some do "skilled" work; men'sshirts and complicated garments! Some preside at thesewing machine, some do really delicate work andbeautiful embroidery, while some who are poor sewers,like myself, ask for "something with plain hemmingplease." Sometimes a willing worker with more zeal thanknowledge makes dreadful mistakes and some experiencedand patient lady takesit home, unpicksit alland "rights the wrong." As the working party closes,probably quite a number of ladies will say, "I'll take thishome and finishit there," and in that way the workingparty spreads into ever so many homes.Now, how did working parties begin, and where andwhen was the first one? I venture to think that we shallhave to go a long way back to find it, but surely thewonderful working party we read of in Exodus 35 must bethe very first? "That is strange," you say. "Who everwould think of finding anything about a working party inthe book of Exodus!" Come with me and let us find out allabout it./. The Occasion of the First Working PartyThe early chapters of the book of Exodus tell us theamazing story of the way that God delivered His chosenpeople, the Children of Israel, out of their bondage and//. The Workers and Their QualificationsThe members who were invited to join this greatworking party had to have three essential qualifications.First they were to beWilling-hearted. There was to be no forced labor, butgrand willingness to give — time, energy, interest, money,materials — even to the sacrifice (in the case of thewomen) of their much-prized personal possession, theirlooking-glasses. These were mirrors of burnished bronze.Even these treasures were gladly placed in the offertory.And just see how those people gave! What an offertory!Has there ever been one likeit since?There would be no deficits in Christian work; nooverdrafts in missionary societies; no underpaid ministers,Christian workers or missionaries; no shortage of funds forGod's work, if Christian people gave in anything like thesame way today! Secondly, they were to beWise hearted. Literally this appears to mean "those whohad sufficient skill" in any special direction. Those whocould weave and spin did that; some were engravers, somewere designers, some excelled in wood carving, someworked beautiful embroidery. Each one gifted withspecial skill or ability worked in his or her own line. Somewove the materials, and others made the curtains, coversand hangings for the wonderful tent where God woulddwell. Thirdly, they were to beWarm hearted. Notice how often we are told that "all,""everyone," worked. Soit was a united effort, and as theywere workers whose "heart stirred them up," we maysurely conclude that they were warm-hearted!Such giving, such working, such unity, such willing,wise, warm-heartedness could spring only from hearts fullof love to God, gratitude to Him and joy in His service.For ourselves,it is good to remember that all reallasting work for God must be heart service.///. The Two Essentials, In Workers and In WorkIn the workers. Absolute obedience in carrying out everydirection, great and small. No one chose his or her ownpattern, color scheme, or design.see page 316 COVENANTER WITNESS

(ptfettrtife.VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 23 JUNE 9. 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 4, 1971REV. JOHN O. EDGAR,D.D.Retiring Moderator of Synod

THE COVENANTER WITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER T EVANGELICAL fflESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. L. E. KilpatrickDepartment Editors:Rev. Kenneth McBurneyRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introductoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.His Choice Or Ours?I would like to do something great, but God mayappoint something little, and grace in doing that cheerfullymay be greater in His sight. Elisha was ploughing, notdreaming, when Elijah brought God's message. Peter andAndrew were fishing, and James and John were mendingtheir nets. "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithfulalso in much" (Luke 16:10). If we are glorifying God inthat which He appoints today, we may be fitted forsomething more tomorrow. But we are not to livetomorrow today.SelectedThis Week's WitnessThe Origin and Principles of the Reformed PresbyteriChurch 3Glimpses of the Religious World .4Christian Victory. 5The Spark That Shall Not Be Quenched 6Seminary Library Addition Dedication 8Lesson Helps. 11Church News 14Protected Yet Exposed 16WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

The Origin and Principlesof the Reformed Presbyterian Church"In no other country in the world was the Reformationso complete or so thorough as in Scotland."With these words Dr. Renwick summarizes for usthat whole movement which had its beginnings evenbefore the Reformation in Europe, and became nationallyeffective during the periods known in Scottish history asthe First and Second Reformation (1528(60)—1567;1637—1651).For us who cherish the history of this period, it issufficient merely to recall the names of those who werethe founding fathers of the faith in those epoch-makingdays: Patrick Hamilton, George Wishart, John Knox,Andrew Melville, John Forbes, John Welsh, among othersin Scotland; and the names of Cunningham, Blair,Hamilton, Dunbar, Livingstone, in Northern Ireland.Though we mention names, it must be rememberedthat the Scottish Reformation was not merely a reformationby individuals. Individuals and great leaders therewere, but their teaching and principles were accepted bythe masses and leavened the whole of society. And thisgives the Scottish Reformation quite a different character,from that of England, e.g., where the Reformed religionwas imposed upon the people by the civil rulers withoutreally moving the people as a whole. In Scotland thecommon people accepted Reformation truths gladly forthemselves, and thus Renwick can describe the Reformationthere as "complete and thorough."Seen from this point of view, then, it is understandablethat the Scottish Reformation should be a"Covenanted" Reformation. This means that the people,not only as a church but also as a nation, with Israel fortheir example, entered into solemn covenant with God,faithfully to observe all that His Word required of them asa Christian nation as well as Church.The first noteworthy covenant was the drawing up ofthe National Covenant of Scotland in 1581, which wassworn and subscribed by the King and his household, andlater by people of all ranks throughout the landSolemn though his oath was, the King sho-tlv afterrepudiated the Covenant, and by word and deed tookactive steps to make Scotland a nation of covenantbreakers,and thus return the whole nation back to thespiritual darkness from which they had so recently beendelivered.No better was the policy pursued by Charles I.The measures taken to enforce that King's wishesended in popular revolt, and the National Covenant wasagain taken up, added to, and sworn and subscribed by noless than 60,000 people, on February 28, 1638, inGreyfriar's Churchyard. This was the inauguration of theSecond Reformation.Another memorable Covenant document subscribedby Rev. Arnold Palmerto, not only by Scotland, but by England and Ireland also,was the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643.This document was approved by the populace as awhole; a fact made plain by the opening words. "WeNoblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens,Burgesses, Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of allsorts ... all subscribe, and each one of us for himself, withour hands lifted up to the most high God, do swear. . ."and then follow the solemn God-honoring obligationsunder which the people placed themselves, with the desirethat the Divine Response would be, that "the Lord maydelight to dwell in the midst of us."The Solemn League and Covenant was again swornby all Scotland in 1648, by Parliament in 1649, and twicesubscribed to by Charles II in hypocritical fashion, in 1650and 1651.From this it is plain why stress has been laid uponthe fact that the Scottish Reformation was a "Covenanted"Reformation, with the nation as a whole entering intosolemn covenant with God, binding itself to regard thisCovenant as a perpetual obligation. Consequently thisperiod of enthusiasm and first love for the Lord has beenrecognized as the period of the Scottish Church's greatestpurity.You notice then, that we make a distinction betweenthe era of the First and Second Reformation and theperiod that follows; for in the former we have to do with aCovenanted Nation and Church, but in the days thatfollow there is a National Church that grows progressivelyunfaithful to its solemn Covenants, and concurrent withthis the emergence of a faithful remnant.The defection was consequent upon the accession ofCharles II. For that King, had taken solemn oath tosupport and defend the Presbyterian Church of Scotland,and upon the National Covenant and the Solemn Leagueand Covenant being produced and read, the Kingsolemnly swore to them. But no sooner was the thronesecure than he determined to overthrow and undo thewhole work of Reformation in State and Church that hehad so solemnly sworn to support.The first step taken to realize his aim was the passingof the Act of Supremacy; by this the King was constitutedas supreme judge in all matters civil and ecclesiastical.Next he added the Oath of Allegiance, which declaredthat it was an act of treason to deny the King's supremacyin Church and State. Charles crowning act of treacherywas the passing of the Act Recissory, which condemned asrebellion and treason all the steps taken from 1638 to 1650for the reformation of religion, and the National Covenantand the Solemn League and Covenant were condemned asunlawful oaths.see page 5JUNE 9, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.207 Darlington RoadBeaver Falls, Pennsylvania 15010THEY NEVER LEARNThe ecumenical cause has been harmed by thecontroversy which arose out of the World Council ofChurches' recent decision to give financial help to"freedom movements" in Africa. Admitting this recently,the World Council's General Secretary, Dr. EugeneCarson Blake, added that some people inside and outsidethe churches had separated themselves and their churchesfrom the Council. Ecumenical enterprises and persons hadbeen put under new pressures, not only in South Africaand Rhodesia, but also to some extent in nations such asPortugal, Ireland, Greece, Britain, Germany.Nonetheless, he believed that the Council's decision hadbeen right.Once again we see the sheer arrogance with whichthe World Council expects all churches and their membersto follow its lead unquestionably. We see too an utterlack of humility — never does the World Council suggestthat its critics may possibly be right. By this timeit shouldbe obvious to all that the Council has long since abandonedthe saving Gospel of Christ for a purely secularprogram.—The Churchman's MagazinePALAU CRUSADE DRAWS 128,000GUATEMALANSGUATEMALA CITY (EP) — The largest crowdever to assemble in the National Olympic Gymnasiumhere — 12,000 people — gathered, March 28, on theclosing night to hear Argentine Evangelist Luis Palau.The three-week Guatemala '71 Crusade drew anaggregate audience of 128,000 people, put the Gospel on19 live one-hour TV programs, and enjoyed large andunexpected news coverage.Col. Carlos Arana Osorio, president of the Republicof Guatemala, gave Evangelist Luis Palau a 25-minuteinterview and accepted a copy of a Spanish Bible. Teamsoloist was Bruce Woodman and Dr. D. James Kennedy,minister of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church of Ft.Lauderdale, Florida, was the featured teacher at a schoolfor evangelism during the meetings.WITCHCRAFT EXPECTED TO FILL RELIGIOUSVOID'PHILADELPHIA (EP) — Witches are everywhere,says Susan Roberts, whose book Witches U.S.A. has justappeared. "Like other religions, witchcraft attractshousewives, engineers, truck drivers, people from almostevery profession — including a surprisingly large numberof men in the military."The witches I know are generally very hard coremain line conservatives," she said. "I even know a couplewho belong to the John Birch Society."Simply defined witchcraft was explained as "anancient polytheistic religion with a dual worship of godsand goddesses."Miss Roberts predicted witchcraft is going to be bigin the '70s. "If you have studied the occult, you know thisis the Age of Aquarius," she said. "Things go in 2025 yearcycles, and the Christian cycle is just about ended. Therewill be this religious void to be filled, and witchcraft iswaiting."TO PRODUCE A FILM ON PRAYERRosalind Rinker, well-known author of books on theprocess of prayer, spent five days in Newton, Kansasrecently to make arrangements for a film, Lord, Teach Usto Pray. She is writing a script for the full-color production.The film will be a teaching device on conversationalprayer, Miss Rinker's name for small-group prayer.Miss Rinker feels that she has been called by God toteach people to pray together. For the past ten years shehas traveled around the country, conducting workshopson prayer.—The MennoniteSPLINTERING EFFECT SEEN IN CHURCH UNIONSAN DIEGO (EP) — Do denominational mergers ofrecent years really represent growing AmericanProtestant solidarity? Quite the opposite, according to theRev. Gordon Melton, research director, Institute for theStudy of American Religion.The researcher has shown that each union hasproduced splinter groups that are helping to build a "silentmajority" or ruggedly individualistic, isolated religiousbodies. There are at least 800 small religious bodies in thiscountry, according to Melton, and the number is growing.He has concluded that the religious groups calling for thegreatest personal theological commitment and involvingthe least social action are the most flourishing.HOW MUCH SHALL I GIVE?Give as you would if an angelAwaited your gift at the door;Give as you would if tomorrowFound you where giving was o'er.Give as you would to the MasterIf you met His loving look;Give as you would of your substanceIf His hand the offering took.4 COVENANTER WITNESS

Christian VictoryThe Christian may not always be conscious of livinga victorious life, and may not always do so. He is aware ofhaving a continuous conflict. We are clearly told that wewrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,against powers, against the rulers of darkness ofthis world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, andthat it is necessary to take on the whole armor of God inorder to stand against the wiles of the devil. But we do notwar in our own strength. The apostle exulted, "Thanks beto God, which giveth us the victory through our LordJesus Christ."In Christ the Christian has the victory over temptations.Without Him one is sure to be overcome. Even inhis state of holiness Adam was tempted. He could havehad the victory, but he did not. In our fallen state we aregreatly weakened. But in Christ we can resist the devil andhe will flee from us. The devils were subject to theapostles in the name of Christ. We should take the shieldof faith in order that we may be able to quench all the fierydarts of the wicked.We can have the victory over fear. To Jairus Jesussaid, when he had heard that his daughter was dead, "Fearnot; only believe." Jesus said to the fearful disciples on thelake, "It is I; be not afraid." We have the promise of God,"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for Iam thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand ofrighteousness."One of the difficult enemies of that which is highestand best in our lives is self. I suppose all of us havesomething of a selfish streak in us. We like to be praised.We like to indulge our appetites. We like to increase ourown prestige, and some of us use questionable methods todo so. Some likewise are not careful to increase theirwealth by lawful means. In Christ it is possible for us toovercome this selfishness, to place Him on the throne ofour hearts, to subject ourselves to His will, to have thevictory over self and selfishness.Only Christ Himself can give us the victory overdeath and the grave. He broke the bonds of death, comingfrom the grave in the resurrection. No longer do we needto fear death as a believer in Christ, for we have Hispromise, "I will raise him up in the last day." We have aglorious prospect of eternal life for the whole man, as wellas for the soul, which never dies. Through faith we arejoined to Christ who overcame the world, Satan, sin,death and the grave.Associate Reformed PresbyterianThe Origin of Church and Principles. .from page 3These measures, aided by persecution and oppression,made Charles feel confident that he had bothChurch and nation well on the way back to their previousbondage and spiritual depression.It is against this dark background that the faithful ofthe Covenant are thrown in bold relief; and it is because ofthis faithful remnant that there still survives a legitimatedescendant of that first Covenanted Church of Scotland.It is upon constitutional grounds, then, thatCameron, Cargill, and their followers opposed Charles, forthey recognized that the fickle King had forfeited all rightto their allegiance. They could not at one and the sametime affirm the principles of the Reformation and own theauthority of a king who trampled those same principlesunderfoot in violation of oaths, affirmed and reaffirmedby him.This is the conclusion of McClintock and Strong'sEncyclopedia, "They renounced their allegiance notbecause the sovereign was an infidel, or differed fromthem in matters of religion but solely and exclusivelybecause he had broken a civil compact entered intobetween him and his Scottish subjects on receiving thecrown and confirmed by a solemn religious vow. By hisown deliberate deeds the traitorous monarch had forfeitedhis right to rule before they had renounced theirobligation to obey. Such were the simple grounds onwhich Cameron, Cargill, Renwick, and their followersconsidered themselves justified in disowning the authorityof the King, and bearing arms against him as a usurper tothe throne and a traitor to the country."The fearless avowal of their principles, and theiractive opposition brought upon the Covenanters thespecial vengeance of the Government. Their leadersperished one after another, and the cause was leftleaderless — yet through societies its unity and existencewas maintained.But after the darkness comes the dawn, and theRevolution Settlement of 1688 heralded the dawn.The Society folk did not stand aloof from thenation's welcome of William as deliverer; but they objectedto the Revolution Settlement as being defective inmany ways. The following points will show, that to beconsistent, dissent was the only possible course.(a) The Covenant, instead of being recognized andadopted, was not even owned; and the King took oathsthat plainly contradicted it.(b) The Revolution Church surrendered herspiritual independence to the State.(c) The Church admitted to her ranks, men with noright to be office bearers.(d) Great laxity was shown in matters of doctrineand discipline.So the Societies remained outside the EstablishedChurch and faithful to their principles. This broughtfurther decimation to their ranks. Three of their ministersdeserted them, and they were left without stated ministryor separate organization as a Church. Then John Mc­Millan and John McNeil came to share their yoke andreproach. In 1743 Thomas Nairn joined them — and nowthat there were two ministers, the first presbytery wasformed, under the name of the Reformed Presbytery.Thus briefly we sketch the origin and existence ofthe Reformed Presbyterian Church.The Covenanter Witness of Scotland and IrelandJUNE 9, 1971 5

Retiring Moderator's SermonIsaiah 42:1-4The Spark That ShallNot Be QuenchedRev. John O. Edgar, D. D.,Pastor of Southfield, Michigan R. P. ChurchDuring the past decade, there have been hundredsof dropouts from the ministry. According to a recentGallup Poll, four out of every ten clergymen in thiscountry say they would like to quit the church. Some ofthe reasons they have given for their thoughts of quittingare (1) Inability to communicate withpeople; (2) Lack of interest and devotion among themembers of their congregations; (3) That the church isirrelevant in the modern world; (4) Because the wagesare too low. This attitude which is found within the ranksof the clergy is also to be found among the laity, for allaround us there are people who are dropping out andcopping out, for they feel that the church is not relevant inour times.Perhaps there has been no more critical period inthe history of the church since the Reformation, than thatwhich exists in the world today. Truly, we live in times ofgreat trouble. One needs only to read the newspapers tobe discouraged. There is the ever present problem ofincreasing crime, our nation's involvement in Vietnam,student unrest, the increase of drug addiction, brokenhomes, the new morality, racial tensions, and the pollutionof the environment. We could mention an almost endlesslist of things which we consider to be wrong in our society.Because evils have continued to multiply, there arechurches which have largely given up on preaching thegospel and have launched upon a program of social involvement.There are those who are much more interestedin cleaning empty cans and bottles from the nation'sroadsides, than in cleaning up the hearts of sinful men.Discouragement is no new phenomenon for thechurch. The problems we are facing today are differentfrom those encountered by past generations, but the basicproblem of sin remains the same. Our fathers faceddiscouragements in Scotland three hundred years ago, andbefore that time there was the period known as the DarkAges. Still farther back, we find the discouragements thatconfronted the early Christians as they faced the pagancultures of Greece and Rome. And beyond that we maygo to the days of the Prophet Isaiah, who was called towarn Israel and Judah of the judgments of God, whichmust surely come because of sin.In no uncertain terms Isaiah denounces the evils ofhis day. In 5:20-23 we read, "Woe unto them that call evilgood, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and lightfor darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet forbitter! Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes andprudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mightyto drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink!which justify the wicked for reward, and take away therighteousness of the righteous from him!" The first part ofIsaiah's prophecy warns of the judgments which are aboutto fall upon Israel and Judah and their neighbors. But aswe come to the latter part of the book, we find a new tone.It is a message which shows the love and tenderness ofGod, who in His providence will send His Son, JesusChrist, who is referred to by Isaiah as "My Servant."This message of hope is set forth in the passagebefore us. "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mineelect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spiritupon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. . .. He shall not fail nor be discouraged,till he have setjudgment in the earth." It is interesting to note that thistruth is set forth through the use of negatives. "He shallnot cry, norlift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in thestreet." He will not quench smoking flax; He will notbreak a bruised reed; He will not fail nor be discouraged.In considering our topic this evening, we wish to set forththese objectives in positive terms./. HE WILL COME IN MEEKNESS"He shall not cry, . . .nor cause His voice to bein the street."There can be no doubt regarding the identity of the"servant" to whom Isaiah refers. There are times whenIsaiah uses the term "servant" as it applied to Israel, andhe also usesit when he writes of Cyrus, who is called "theservant of God." But in this passageit can refer to noneother than the Lord Jesus Christ. This "servant" is picturedas having Divine approval. . . "mine elect, in whom mysoul delighteth. . . .1 have put my Spirit upon Him." It isalso significant that Matthew (12:18-20) cites this passageand appliesit directly to Christ. These words look forwardto the day when the voice from heaven would sound forthat the baptism, "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I amwell pleased."In considering the statement, "He shaH not cry, norcause his voice to be heard in the street," we see thenature of His kingdom set forth. He will not come as an6 COVENANTER WITNESS

earthly prince, in a regal procession, with marchingsoldiers, and preceded by heralds who will announce Hiscoming with a blare of trumpets. Instead, He came intoJerusalem riding upon an ass. He made no pronouncementconcerning Himself, but the people spread their garmentsand palm branches in the street and cried out, "Blessed ishe that cometh in the name of the Lord." It is in this spiritthat His kingdom is going forth in the world today.//. HE WILL SUPPORT THOSE WHO AREWEAK OR BRUISED"A bruised reed He will not break."Here is the picture of a slender bulrush growing in amarsh. Its sides have been crushed by the passing winds,or perhaps bent by the foot of an animal. The head ishanging by a slender thread, butit is not broken from thestem. This metaphor suggests the solemn thought thatwith all the bruises the human race has suffered becauseof sin, it will not be cut off from God. The claws of sinhave never been so securely fixed in any man that hecannot be set free by the atoning work of Christ.As we look out upon our 20th century culture withits imperfections, we realize that we are bruised reeds, butwe are not without hope, for God's faithful "Servant" isable to restore. Did you ever watch a gardener as he tendsa broken plant? Supports may be placed about the injuredstem, and the branch may be severely pruned, but in thecourse of time the healing processes of nature do theirwork and the plant is restored.Another thought that may be suggested concernsthose who are crushed and broken by sin, and who feelthat they are without hope. In Psalm 51, which is thegreatest of the penitential Psalms, David declares, "Thesacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and acontrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." The Hebrewword that is translated "broken" is one which suggestssomething which has been crushed and pulverized in amortar. It suggests the depth of feeling which the Psalmistexperienced, but even though he had been broken orcrushed, he had the assurance of the healing power ofGod.When our Lord began His ministry, He came to thesynagogue in Capernaum and was invited to read from theScriptures. The passage which He chose was Isaiah 61,"He hath sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to preachdeliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to theblind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." He came toMatthew the publican, to Mary Magdalene, and to Paulthe persecutor, men and women who were crushed andbroken by sin. He did not cast them off, but healed all whowere willing to come to Him. Today, He looks down uponaweary, sin-sick world, a world from which He might turnaway in His wrath, but instead He comes bringing healingto those who are crushed and bruised.///. HE WILL REVIVE A DIM LIGHT OFTRUTH"Smoking flax he will not quench."The smoking flax pictures an ancient oil lamp with aJUNE 9, 1971wick made of flax. The oil in the lamp was exhausted, butthe flax wick continued to smoke from a tiny spark. Thismeans that wherever the Lord finds in men a little light,He will not extinguish it, but will provide the oil of theSpirit that the spark may revive and spring into flame.Maclaren, in commenting on this passage says, "There isno man out of hell but has in him something that needs tobe brought to sovereign power in his life, in order to makehim a light in the world."Through the centuries which preceded theReformation, the dim light of the gospel might have beencompared to "smoking flax." Because of the apostasy thatprevailed, God might have extinguished the feeble spark.But instead, He raised up Luther, Calvin, Knox, andothers, who became as flames, and who in turn were ableto revive the light in other men of their generation. As welook upon the world today, we become discouraged anddisheartened by the clouds of darkness in the skies. Wesee churches which once stood for the Inspiration ofScripture and the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, turningfrom these basic truths. However, in the midst of thisdarkness, there are evangelical groups whichstill proclaimthe eternal hope for men, through the atonement of JesusChrist. They may be likened to the "smoking flax" which isnot quenched.We believeit is significant that at a time when manyof the large churches, which are noted for their liberalism,are reporting substantial losses in membership, there areat the same time, evangelical churches which arereporting increases. When we read history, we find thatthis is the very thing which has been going on since theestablishing of the New Testament church. The years ofpersecution in Scotland were dark days for theCovenanters, and the "smoking flax" was almost quenched,but God causedit to be revived. From Scotland thisflame was transplanted to the New World and we find theestablishment of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Foralmost 200 yearsit has been standing for the truth of God'sWord. But as we look at the stature of our church in theworld today,it sometimes appears that we are but a dimlyburning flax. However, we have the assurance that thelight shall not be quenched. We believe that Godstill has apurpose for the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and thatshe will be used in the days ahead.IV. HE SHALL BRLNG FORTH JUDGMENT ANDJUSTICE IN THE EARTHIn verse 1, we have the promise, "He shall bringforth justice to the Gentiles"; in verse 3, "He shall bringforth judgment unto truth"; in verse 4, "till He have setjudgment in the earth." These statements may be interpretedas applying to the gospel asit goes forth in manyforms and in all parts of the earth. They are positive affirmationsthat the gospel will succeed in the world. It isthe same concept as that which is set forth in Psalm 72,"Give the king Thy judgments, O God, and Thyrighteousness to the king's son. He shall judge Thy peoplewith righteousness, and Thy poor with judgment. . .menshall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed."see page 107

(DIBIB MHW&®®a^ra(D^On January 23, 1971, the Seminary Boardinvited the friends of the Seminary to join in athanksgiving service to God, and to dedicate thenew addition to the Seminary building.The new library wing, consisting of two floorsfor book-stacks, and a librarian's office, will providespace for up to 43,000 books and periodicals. Areference-room and a special-collections room are apart of the older Seminary building.Mr. Arthur Kuschke, Jr., Head-librarian atWestminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia,delivered the dedicatory address, "Truth and theTheological Library." The dedicatory prayer was ledby Rev. J. Renwick Wright, D.D., member of theBoard of Superintendents.Miss JoAnne Luther, a Geneva graduate, witha Master of Library Science degree from SyracuseUniversity, is full-time librarian.A Seminary must be more than a library. It is acommunity of students under the commission ofChrist to "study . . .(as) workmen that need not beashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." (IITim. 2:15) The Apostle on one occasion remindedhis friend Timothy of the importance he attached tosome of the tools of his work. "When you come . . .bring with you the books but especially theparchments." (II Tim. 3:13)WM Reformed prcsbgtenan theological £eminarg ^ ——^___^7418 PENN AVENUEPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15208Outside view of Library wi

William and Pitsa Sterrett'IFalk and Jack Delivuk welcome our neighborsStudious GeorgeMcEwenProfessor Wayne R. SpearSeminary dedication receptionJo Anne Luther, LibrarianPhilip Beard and friends from the HomeStair to second-floor library, and Librarian's office.Arthur W. Kuschke, Jr.Dedicatory AddressA conducted tour of the stacks

Moderator's Sermon. from page 7This is the thing that is taking place in the midst ofall the gloom and discouragement that we behold in theworld today. In spite of all the opposition and all the doubtand apostasy, the Kingdom of God is going forth untovictory. While there are indications that many are turningfrom the truth, there are at the same time reports ofprogress which^the gospel is making in parts of the worldwhich have been considered backward and uncivilized. Itis significant that a secular news magazine, U. S. News andWorld Report (December 28, 1970) reports that largenumbers of people in Africa are becoming Christians. Thisis confirmed by an article in Eternity (November, 1970). Inthe report of an interview with Dr. Arthur F. Glasser,Dean of Fuller Seminary, he states, "It was estimatedrecently that if Christianity continues to grow at itspresent rate in Africa, 45 percent of its population will beChristian by the year 2000. . . .Or consider Brazil. There,Protestantism has been growing 11.3 percent per year forseveral years. In Latin America as a whole, the Protestantchurch has grown from two million to 20 million sinceWorld War II And in Korea, in the seven years afterthe Korean conflict ended, the Church grew more thanithad in the previous 60 years. In South India, in Taiwan,and of course, in Indonesia, the same fantastic growth hasbeen taking place." It may be that the civilization whichwe know in North America today will pass into oblivionbecause of wickedness, but when we consider the spreadof the gospel in other parts of the world, we have reason tohope. It is not unreasonable to think that a generationfrom now, Christian missionaries may be coming to NorthAmerica from Africa. The promise of our text isreassuring, forit declares that the islands will await thecoming of His Word. Even the most remote places in theworld will not be forgotten.V. HIS MISSION IS DESTINED TO SUCCEED"He shall not fail nor be discouraged."The project of bringing the world to Christ is so vastthat men despair ofit ever being accomplished. It is interestingto note that the root of the Hebrew wordtranslated "smoking" or "dimly burning" in verse 3 is alsoused in verse 4 whereit is translated "fail." It might beparaphrased to read, "He shall not burn dimly, untiljustice is established in the earth." Also, the word translated"discouraged" is translated "suppressed" in theBerkeley version. This is the equivalent of saying thatthere is nothing that can stay His progress in the establishmentof His kingdom. We cannot know all the details ofthe coming success of the gospel, whether vast numbers ofpeople will be converted, and righteousness shall encompassthe earth, or whether Christ will come injudgment, bringing all things in subjection to Him. Butthere can be no doubt as to the final outcome of thestruggle, and the ultimate success of the Kingdom of Godin the world.It is related that John Knox once wrote a letter tothe queen's secretary that told of the misfortunes whichhad befallen the Reformation in Scotland. He summed upthe matter by saying, "Disaster stares us in the face." Butin the same letter he concluded by saying, "The cause ofGod never looked better, for we are now completely atHis mercy." This must be the spirit in which the Christianfaces the world today. Can we as a church say with JohnKnox that we "are completely at His mercy"? We need tobe aware that often in the history of the church thegreatest advances of the cause of Christ have followeddays of darkest gloom.About 25 years ago when I was pastor of the LakeReno congregation, I was invited to assist with communionat Bloomington, Indiana. At that time, Dr. HarryJellema, a member of the Christian Reformed Church, washead of the Philosophy Department at Indiana University,and faithfully attended the services at our church. OnMonday following communion, I went over to theUniversity and sat in one of his classes. At the end of theclass, I paused to visit with Dr. Jellema. He asked aboutmy work, and I must have related some of the difficultieswe were facing and expressed some discouragement, for Istill remember his reply. "When you are discouraged,remember that it is because there are problems atGlenwood, Minnesota and God has placed you there forthe purpose of solving them." I have never forgotten thosewords, and often in the years which have followed, I haveremembered them and received new courage for the task.It is in that spirit that I speak to you tonight. If the waybefore us seems difficult, let us remember that God hasplaced us where we are that we may find answers to theproblems.Every year when we come to Synod, we becomeaware of problems and are dismayed by the magnitude ofour task. I must confess that some years I have gone homefrom Synod discouraged becauseit appeared that we weremaking so little progress. But let us remember thatit is notfor us to measure the progress of the Kingdom. It may bethat our particular task is to be the "smoking flax" thatshall not be quenched. God can take our witness, as feebleasit may be, and useit for His glory. Our Lord neverpromised His disciples that the way would be easy, for Hesaid, "Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves."But He also instructed John to write to the church atPergamos and say, "To him that overcometh will I give thehidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in thestone a new name written" (Revelation 2:17).When we read of the discouragements and persecutionswhich the Apostle Paul faced,it would seemthat if anyone ever had reason to be discouraged,it washe. But in spite of all that he had passed through, and ofthe ominous future which lay before him, he wasstill ableto write to the Church at Corinth, (II Corinthians 4:8-10)"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we areperplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken;cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearingabout in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the lifealso of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." Withthat spirit of confidence, let us face the tasks before us,remembering the promise that "smoking flax He shall notquench." ..,10 COVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of July 4iSabbath SchoolLessonFor July 4,1971SET FREE TO SERVEDeut. 6:20-25; Gal. 5:13-26Comments by lohn K. GaultThe more laws a person chooses toobey the freer does he become. This is truein the physical, or natural world. Everyscientific invention operates according tocertain natural laws. As a result of this,certain scientific geniuses as Whitney,Fulton, McCormick, Ford, Marconi,Wright, Bell and many others have beenable to harness the laws governing theirmachines, and society has benefited ininnumerable ways. People are much freertoday, because they can drive anautomobile at sixty miles per hour, thanthey were seventy years ago when theyrode in horse-drawn carriages. Thedevelopment of the airplane has broughtmechanical freedom to millions of peopleevery day to fly all over the world. Anyviolation of the laws governing theoperation of modern machines can proveto be disastrous according to the worldlyforce to which they are exposed.The same principle holds true in thespiritual realm of life. The more of God'slaws one obeys the freer he becomes.God's law regulates the worship of aperson, a province which is untouched bythe civil or natural laws of man. God's lawscontrol what a person is thinking about. Nocivil law can apprehend a person simplybecause he is thinking evil, but the Biblesays, "As he thinketh in his heart so is he."The real character of a person is determinedby the kind of thoughts he is harboringin his mind and heart. A convictwho has escaped from prison is not free.The weight of the original sentence is uponhim and the imminent possibility ofrecapture is ever with him. Sin hasdeprived people of their freedom. There isno possible way in which they can regaintheir freedom save through Him whopromises to place His own perfectrighteousness to their insolvent account, ifthey will repent, "If the Son therefore shallmake you free, ye shall be free indeed."1: Parents Should Pass God'sFreedom to their ChildrenThis obligation is stated inDeuteronomy 6:20, "And when thy sonasketh thee in time to come, saying, Whatmean the testimonies, and the statutes, andthe judgments which the Lord our Godhath commanded you? Then thou shalt sayunto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmenin Egypt, and the Lord brought us out ofEgypt with a mighty hand" —. Three formsof God's laws are mentioned in thisquestion which a son would possibly ask ofhis parent. The first is called testimoniesand this referred to what the prophetstestified against the people for their wrongdoing.It is the function of a good witnessto testify in a suit of law. The statuteswhich a son would possibly ask aboutreferred to the written code of laws. Inevery well-organized government there iswhat is called the statute law or, in otherwords, "the law which has been writtendown and which can be referred to fromone generation to another." Then therewere the judgments which the son mightask about. These were the penalties inflictedupon evil-doers and which served asa warning that more and greater penaltieswere to follow.2: People Have Been Made Free by a"Mighty Hand."There were many circumstances inconnection with Israel's deliverance fromEgypt, which only God could accomplish.Pharaoh and Egypt had found that theslave labor of Israel was quite an asset tothat nation's economy. Ten awful plagues,the last and most devastating of which, wasthe slaying of the first-born, were requiredto convince Pharaoh that he should permitthe people of Israel to leave the country.Israel, herself, had no "mighty hand" tobring about this deliverance. The Red Seaand the oncoming chariots of Egypt's armyposed as insurmountable barriers to thesuccess of the project. There was nohuman strength which could be availablein such crises. It was the "mighty hand" ofGod which could part the waters of the seato permit Israel to pass through and bringthem back to engulf the chariots of Egypt.Their troubles were by no means overwhen they had crossed the Red Sea.Because of their lack of faith they had towander about forty years in the wildernessbut during all that time the "mighty hand"of God provided them with food to eat andwater to drink. Concerning their clothingGod reminded them in the words, "Yourclothes are not waxen old upon you, andthy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot."3: God Gave All the Land of Canaanto Israel in Order That the People MightBe Free to Serve Him.In Psalm 105:43-45 it is said, "And Hebrought forth His people with joy, and Hischosen with gladness: and He gave themthe lands of the heathen: and theyinherited the labor of the people; that theymight observe His statutes, and keep Hislaws." And in Psalm 44:3 this same thoughtis presented. "For they got not the land inpossession by their own sword, neither didtheir own arm save them: but Thy righthand, and Thine arm, and the light of Thycountenance, because Thou hadst a favorunto them." If Israel was to serve God andfulfill the terms of the covenant given toAbraham, it was necessary that they beindependent of all other nations in whichthe people worshiped idols. Israel wasreminded again and again that it was Godwho gave them the land to live in as long asthey would obey His commandments, inorder that "He might preserve us alive" andthat "it shall be our righteousness, if weobserve to do all these commandments."Israel was "set free to serve God" and thusto fulfill her destiny in the kingdom ofGod.4: The Privilege of Freedom ShouldNot Be Abused.This is what Paul said to theGalatians in 5:13: "For, brethren, ye havebeen called unto liberty; only use notliberty for an occasion to the flesh." TheApostle is here speaking against therequirement of circumcism. He said inverses 3 and 4, "For I testify again to everyman that is circumcised, that he is debtorto do the whole law. Christ is become of noeffect unto you, whosoever of you arejustified by the law; ye are fallen fromgrace." The new converts to Christ werefreed from this old ceremonial law whichtook effect upon the flesh. This was aliberty which they had not enjoyed before.But they were not to think that thisfreedom gave them license to gratify thedesires of the flesh in many other ways. Inverse 17 he said, "For the flesh lustethagainst the Spirit, and the Spirit against theflesh: and these are contrary the one to theother: so that ye cannot do the things thatye would." The first parents in the Gardenof Eden were left to the freedom of theirown wills but they abused their God-givenprivilege and "lusted" after the flesh whichappealed to their sight and taste. The devilmakes great use of the "lusts of the flesh."The American people have liberty whichhas been grossly abused; consequentlythere is pornography, alcoholism, narcoticaddiction, and many other evils.5: Love Is the Fulfillment of God'sLaw Which Gives Real Freedom.Paul said to the Galatians, "By loveJUNE 9, 1971 11

serve one another. For all the law is intermediate a Bible study drill will accompanyeach lesson. If your facilities do lily. This doesn't mean we shouldn't takebraids, we still cannot compare with thefulfilled in one word, even in this: thoushalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Love for not permit handwork, Psalm 136:1-9,26 care of our bodies and keep them cleanGod and love for people are the two could be used for memorization as a choral and attractively clothed. But rather, wefoundation stones of a well-ordered reading — the intermediate saying the first should not be overly pleased or concernedsociety. If people would bind themselves phrase and the reply by the primary. with our appearance. We must rememberby the law of love there would be no morethat God will provide for us according tostrikes which disrupt the nation's economy.Lesson Number I Nature's Lessonsour needs.6: There Are Two Kinds of Living inMemory Psalm: Psalm 148.One of God's most reassuringthe World.Memory Verse: Psalm 8:3,4.promises to His people was given to NoahIt is the privilege of people to chooseScripture: Psalm 8:3,4; Matt. 6:28; 13:31;when the flood waters had dried up and thewhich one. Paul gives a list of the "works ofMark 4:28; 13:28; Gen. 8:22.ark had come to rest on Mt. Ararat. Youthe flesh" which are "adultery, fornication,Do you like to go on a hike throughremember in that story God had destroyeduncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry,fields and woods in the fall? Have you everthe world He had made because the earthwitchcraft, hatred, strife, seditions, heresies,envyings, murders, drunkenness,raked up a big pile of leaves and thenwas corrupt and filled with violence. Thejumped into them? Do you think it's fun topromise He made to Noah in Gen. 8:22 wasrevefiings, and such like, of the which I tellgo sliding down a snow bank on a saucer?"While the earth remaineth, seedtime andyou before, as I have told you in time past,Or maybe you like to run out into theharvest, and cold and heat, and summerthat they which do such things shall notwaves at the shore? If you have done theseand winter, and day and night shall notinherit the kingdom of God." There arethings, then you have enjoyed one of God'scease." To seal His promise He placed inmillions of Americans who have chosen toprecious gifts to His children — Nature.the sky a symbol of His covenant — thelive for some, or all, of these "works of theHave you ever looked up at the skybeautiful rainbow. When we go to bed atflesh." But there is the other way in whichon a warm summer's night and tried tonight we do not have to worry aboutpeople can choose to live, and that iscount the stars as they appear? First, it'swhether the sun will come up the nextexpressed by Paul in Galatians 5:16,22-25.easy — then suddenly, you can't count fastmorning or whether the snow will really"Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfilenough! For thousands of years peoplemelt away and grass will again cover thethe lusts of the flesh.... But the fruit of thehave been trying to number or count thebare brown spots. We do not have toSpirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,stars. Before telescopes were made, it wasconcern ourselves when we plant applegendeness, goodness, faith, meekness,thought there were about 3,000 starsseeds that peanuts will come up. Wetemperance: against such there is no law.altogether but today, with our giant lensesdepend upon the seasons to change and theAnd they that are Christ's have crucifiedand radio telescopes, we are told byrain to turn to snow — yet none of thesethe flesh with the affections and lusts. If weastronomers that there may be billions ofthings can occur without the working oflive in the Spirit, let us also walk in thestars and that they are of a tremendousGod's hands.Spirit."size. "When I consider the heavens, theLet us read again the verses we areThis day is another anniversary of thework of Thy fingers, the moon and thestudying tonight. What special lesson doesattainment of our Nation's freedom. Godstars which Thou hast ordained. What iseach verse have for you? First, wegave us this freedom that we might serveman that Thou art mindful of him and theremember that the God who made heavenHim. It is the supreme duty of the Unitedson of man, that Thou visitest him?" (Psalmand earth, the stars and the sun, and moon,States of America to acknowledge the One8:3,4) Read carefully this verse. How muchloves us and offers us the joy of being Hiswho has set the nation free.effort did it take for God to make thechildren. Second, we must learn to"Lesson based on International Sunday Schoolheavens and the stars? Did He use all Hisrecognize what is important for us in ourLessons: the International Bible Lessons formight? No, the verse says, "the work of ThyChristian life. Finally, in the last verses, weChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionfingers." It's easy for us to pick up a jackhave seen the continuity of God's plan forof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesball with just our fingers or maybe a tennisHis creation.of Christ in the U.S.A."ball but not many of us can pick up aQuestions:basketball with the fingers of one hand.1. How do we depend upon nature toJunior TopicThis shows us how great our God is. Canprovide our daily needs?you remember any other time God usedForIuly4,19712. How can understanding what the BibleHis fingers in a special way? (Ex. 31:18)Unit: God's Gift of Natureteaches about creation deepen our belief inAnother example of God's great planNATURE'S LESSONSman's divine origin?is in the plants and trees He has placed onBy Mrs. Robert McElroyActivity:this earth. God has given us a great manyIntroduction:During the next four weeks we wantthings to make our life here more enjoyableand more beautiful. Do you thinkDuring the coming four weeks ourto discover all we can about the plants,study will concern God's Gift of Nature.animals, trees, and foods that are mentionedin the Bible. This week we'll beginyou could make a flower? No, not a paperYou will want to collect pictures toone — a real flower. Why not? Do flowersillustrate the topics we will be studying:with animals. If you come to an animal yougrow by themselves? No, flowers aren'tNature's Lessons, Nature's Beauty anddon't know, look it up in your Bible dictionary.You may want to illustrate eachable to do anything by themselves. OurPraise, Nature's Mysteries, and Nature'sHeavenly Father makes them grow. ReadRevelation. These pictures should cover averse with a sketch of the animal that isMatt. 6:28. "And why take ye thought forvariety of plant and animal subjects.mentioned. Use the references given belowraiment? Consider the lilies of the field,Filmstrips on nature could possibly befor a start. See how many different animalshow they grow; they toil not, neither doborrowed from public libraries. Theyour group can find. You may find otherthey spin." This verse and the two thatprimary leader may wish to select a verse,references in your Bible concordance or infollow remind us that we are not able toprint it on a sheet of manilla paper, andthe back of the NEW CHAINmake ourselves taller or more beautifulhave the children illustrate or cut picturesREFERENCE BIBLE. I Kings 10:22; Lev.than we were yesterday. No matter howwhich are related to the verse. For the11:29,30; Ps. 32:9; Prov. 30:31; Job 7:12;hard we may try to make ourselves12 Job 39:13; Psa. 104:17; Job 8:14; Prov. 6:6;beautiful by new clothes, curly hair, orCOVENANTER WITNESSJud. 16:8; Ex. 8:21.

Prayer MeetingTopicFor July 7SOLOMON'S PRAYERI Kings 3: 5-15Rev. Robert W. McMillanSolomon was the son of KingDavid. His mother was Bathsheba, and hewas reared under the tutelage of Nathanthe Prophet. He provides a study incontrasts. In one place we read, "And theLord loved him" (II Sam. 12:24). Inanother place — "Nevertheless even himdid outlandish women cause to sin" (Neh.13:26).The Lord appeared to Solomon earlyin his reign in a dream: "Ask what I shallgive thee." Solomon's request was humble:"Give thy servant an understanding heartto judge thy people." This reply pleasedGod. He had asked for what God was mostwilling to give. Much of what we read ofSolomon exemplifies this divinelybestowed wisdom. Beginning with hisjudgment in the case of the two harlotscontesting for the same child (vv. 16-28),Solomon demonstrated his skill as a poet,teacher, botanist, horticulturalist,zoologist, musician, architect — in fact, itwould be hard to think of a field ofknowledge in which Solomon did notdistinguish himself.But what a paradox! There appearsin this clever, divinely-gifted king,examples of outrageous folly. Chief amongthese would be his policy of cementingalliances with neighboring nations byadding princesses to his harem, untilSolomon had "seven hundred wives andthree hundred concubines" (I Kings 11:3).What quarreling and grief that harem musthave spawned! In time, the "wisest fool"became a tyrant. It was his son,Rehoboam, who uttered the dictum: "Myfather did lade you with a heavy yoke, Iwill add to your yoke; my father hathchastised you with whips, but I will chastiseyou with scorpions" (I Kings 12:11).As you discuss the topic, younaturally will ask how to reconcileSolomon's humble prayer with his subsequentsin and folly. In seeking to answerthis question, you may find these questionshelpful.1. What, specifically, did Solomonrequest? Even in the midst of his folly, wasthis gift ever lost? (v. 9)2. To what extent are God's promisesconditional? (v. 14)3. Those "1000 wives" — did theyserve Solomon's lust or his politics? Wouldhe have recognized them if he met them onthe street?4 How does the Book of Ecclesiastesindicate that Solomon repented of his sinsIUNE 9, 1971before he died? (Eccl. 12:13,14)5. What petitions may we make atthis meeting that we may be sure willplease the Lord? (v. 10)(Note: You, as the capable leader, maychoose Psalms and parallel references asdesired.)LORD'S DAY REFLECTIONSBy R.K. AtchisonTHE SECRET OF STRENGTHI Kings 2:2 — "Be thou strong thereforeand shew thyself a man."A great king was drawingnear the end of his earthlypilgrimage. His life had beencharacterized by an almost infinite varietyof experiences. His pathway had led all theway from shepherd hills and valleys to thethrone of a great kingdom. He knew whatit was to hear the adulation of men; heknew what it was to feel their scorn. Butnow all this was past. The days of gladnessand of sorrow were almost spent, and likemany another his highest hopes, so far asthis life is concerned, were centered inthose nearest to him.Solomon, his son, had been crownedking. The aged father called him into hispresence to speak words that surely musthave indelibly impressed themselves on hisheart. "Be strong and shew thyself a man."It is a sentiment that might well be incorporatedin the ethics of any aspiringsoul, but is especially addressed to theyoung, such as Solomon was, in formativedays, when traits of character are beingplanted and established.The poet Keats said:Where soil is, men growWhether to weeds or flowers.And if this philosophy is correct, which isopen to question, it is vitally important thatthis life should be so directed that the fruitsshall be for the betterment of his fellowsand the honor of his God.It was this same father who nowaddresses his son, who asked the question,"By what means shall a young man cleansehis way?" And if you will observe closelyyou will discover a very great similaritybetween the answer he there gives to hisown question, and the simple rules heproposes for Solomon's guidance now. The"code of honor" is not new, nor was it neweven in the time of David. The ways,statutes, commandments, judgments andtestimonies of God "as it is written in thelaw of Moses."The same principles of life applytoday. Real success is a deep-groundedthing. It is not measured by the coin of therealm. Real manhood has the same underpinningthat it had when Solomonlistened to his kingly father, indeed thesame as when Moses talked with God."The fear of the Lord is the beginning ofwisdom," and byit strength of charactermust be measured. Associate PresbyterianHEAVEN'S ARCHITECTWhile Michelangelo, the famoussculptor, was working on what became hismaster piece, a friend dropped in.Michelangelo showed Turn his work.A few months later, his friendhappened to call again. The friend asked,in great surprise, "Why have you done nomore work on that statue since I was lasthere?""No work! Don't you see? Here Ihave given a better form to his arm. ThereI have shaded more. Here I have given thisside of his face more expression." Hementioned a few other seemingly minorthings, trying to point out to his friend thework he had done."Yes," said his friend, "but those areonly trifles.""Trifles? True, they are trifles,"added Michelangelo. "But trifles makeperfection, and perfection is no trifle."So it is with the work of heaven'sgreat Architect, the Holy Spirit, uponGod's living stones — the Christians. Theynow are being fitted for God's spiritualhouse, or temple. But, oh, how painfullyslow the process sometimes appears!Nevertheless, as truly asMichelangelo gained his end, so surely willthe Holy Spirit bring about the consummationof God's plan. Every stone willfit into its place. The temple, more gloriousthan Solomon's, will have been reared tothe praise of His glory whose name it bears.R. B. Musselman, Sr."AS THY DAYS"When I was a little boy, I helped mymother store away apples. I put my littlearms around ever so many of them andtried to carry them. I managed for a step ortwo. Then out fell one, and another, andtwo or three more,till they were all rollingaround on the floor. Mother laughed. Sheput my tiny hands tightly around one appleand told me to carry that and then bringanother.Do not try to put your arms around ayear or even a week. Say, "Here is anotherday begun. Lord, help me to live it forThee. Give me just for today the help,patience, diligence, wisdom, tact, and thestrength that I need."—H. P. BarkerSHARON ANNIVERSARYSharon Congregation is expectingmany of you to attend the 125th anniversaryobservance on July 17 and 18.If you will be coming to this area byplane or train, Mr. and Mrs. MilfordHays or Mr. and Mrs. Earl Berry (bothMorning Sun addresses) will arrange tomeet you and take you to your host andhostess.13

NOTICEPreaching for the full summer.Cambridge, Mass. Parsonage available.Contact: C. F. Millican, Clk. Session410 Woburn St., Lexington, Mass.COLLEGE HILL WILL CELEBRATEThe College Hill Congregation willcelebrate its 75th Anniversary on July 1,1971.NOTICEIs there a retired minister or astudent who would like to serve the Lord inCanada? The congregation of the LochielR. P. Church would like to have someonepreach for them during the summermonths. Please write to the clerk of thesession.Wm. C. JamiesonR. R. No. 3, Box 9Dolkeith, Ontario, CanadaPENN-O-COVEFAMILY CONFERENCEYou are invited to PittsburghPresbytery's family conference, August 14-20. It will be held at Laurelville MennoniteChurch Center, Laurelville, Pa. east ofPittsburgh. Dr. Robert Raybum ofCovenant Theological Seminary is thespeaker each evening. The Costs are:$42.00 for adults, $34.50 for junior highsthrough college, $25.00 for 8 yrs. throughthose entering 6th grade, $20.00 for 2 yrs.-8yrs., $3.00 for those under 2 yrs., and$15.00 for campsites. Plan to come, relax,study the Word of God, play games, andfellowship with God's people. See youthere!NOTICEThe Hebron Congregation, near Idana,Kansas, will celebrate its 100th Anniversaryon August 21 and 22, 1971. Aninvitation is extended to everyone to comeand help us celebrate this historic occasion.ROBERT WENDELL SPEERThe Greeley Session desires toexpress a tribute and memorial to RobertWendell Speer who was a faithful andconsecrated member of the session for thepast 13 years and passed to his heavenlyhome on April 22, 1971.Mr. Speer was born near New Castle,Pennsylvania, on August 2,1884. He joinedthe Reformed Presbyterian Church in thatcity but moved to Greeley in 1906 and wasa charter member of the Greeleycongregation, which was organized in1907. He was elected as a deacon of thecongregation a short time later and serveduntil 1913 when he and Mrs. Speer movedto Kansas City. At his retirement from asuccessful life as a carpenter and contractorhe and Mrs. Speer moved back toGreeley and rejoined the congregation onNovember 20, 1941. Because of his richexperience and his devotion to our Savior,he was elected as an elder, February 23,1958.As fellow members of the session wecountit a privilege to have been associatedwith him in the work, but most of all in theprayer part of our meetings for Wendellwas most sincere and dedicated in hisprayers. He was especially concerned forthe youth and young married couples ofthe church and made many personal callson them to encourage their attendance atthe worship services. He was so kind andconsiderate to all of us in all of ourdeliberations and contacts. We thank ourHeavenly Father for the privilege ofknowing and working with Robert WendellSpeer. A true Christian does not have to beeulogized; "Their works do follow them."—The Greeley SessionNOTICEChange of address July 1, 1971Rev. Robert A. HenningOakdale, Illinois 62268All correspondence for the Board ofForeign Missions should be sent to thisaddress, since I will continue as theExecutive Secretary.R. A. HenningFRESNO, CALIFORNIA(Pastor, Rev. Bruce Hemphill)The Fresno young people invitedother young people from the Pacific CoastPresbytery to a "Retreat" at MountSamson Camp, about 1 Vi hours drive fromFresno, near Sequoia National Park. It washeld during spring vacation, from theevening of April 7 through Saturdaymorning April 10. It was a "cool" successwith 46 young people from Los Angeles,Santa Ana, Walnut, and Fresno inCalifornia, and from Seattle, Washington.Ministers attending were camp manager,Bruce Hemphill, Bruce Stewart of LosAngeles, Ray McCracken of Walnut, andRobert McMillan of Seattle. Excellentmeals were prepared by Frances Moore,camp cook.The main topic considered was"Creation versus Evolution," with guestspeaker Kelly Seagraves, assistant directorof the Creation Research Center of SanDiego, California. Janice Keys of SantaAna and Lee Barclay of Seattle wereprecentors. Special events were a party onFriday night, camp fires, a rideto DelilahLook-Out in Sequoia National Park onenight, and a hike one afternoon.A new daughter, Christene Helene,was born to Alex and Linda Glaros of Lodi,California on January 26, 1971. She wasbaptised on May 9.Our pastor and his family attendedPacific Coast Presbytery in Seattle,Washington in February, and also witnessedthe dedication of the new Seattlechurch building. Rev. Bruce Hemphill alsoassisted in communion services there onMay 2. Rev. Glenn McFarland of SantaAna, and Rev. D. Ray McCracken made abrief stop-over here following Presbyteryand spoke to us while here. We werepleased to see Jim Pennington again onMarch 21. He preached for us and alsobrought our Thank Offering message onthe work in Japan.Our pastor conducted our communionservices on May 16, unassisted.The communion season was closed onSabbath evening with a discussion on thetopic, "Looking Back and LookingAhead," and several gave testimonies onthe way that the Lord was working in theirlives.The young people have held severalsocials, including a progressive dinner, ahay ride, and supper at the Bill Copelandhome, and they held a "Wagon Wheels"spaghetti dinner on March 5 to help earnmoney toward the expenses of the springvacation retreat. The annual Mother-Daughter Banquet was held, May 7, at aHappy Steak Restaurant. A high light ofthe event was a contest where the teenagedaughters had written essays on "Why ILove My Mother." Susie Copeland was theprize winner.Our graduates this year are DonnaGileo and Kathy Gouge from high schooland Cheryl Copeland from grade school.BEAVER COUNTYCHRISTIAN SCHOOL NEWSLETTER209 Darlington RoadBeaver Falls, Pa. 15010TWO ANNUALASSOCIATION MEETINGSOur first meeting was held, April 26,with 15 members present. A continuedmeeting was held, May 18, with 28 present.The proposed budget of $34,395 wasapproved. The board was instructed to hirea third teacher, with the addition of 7thgrade next year.SPEAKERS AVAILABLEWe have ready, willing, and ablepeople to present the Christian School andits philosophy to any groups. Schedule aprogram for your church, couples club,men, women, or youth groups. Contact14 Richard Gordon.COVENANTER WITNESS

SCHOOL NEWSGrades 4,5,6 — On Friday May 1 wevisited the Merrick Art Gallery in NewBrighton to see a collection of paintings byMrs. Betty Douglas, professor at GenevaCollege. Mrs. David Carson helped usappreciate what we saw. We are beginningwork on science projects dealing withareas we have been covering in the last sixweeks.Sixth graders are beginning to collecttheir writings from the year in hopes of apublication date before school is out.TESTING PROGRAMThe students were tested last weekwith the Metropolitan Achievement Test.This test is aimed at determining thedevelopment of learning skills.IN DEBTWe still have not been able to repayour $500 loan. As our expenses have increasedthis year, our contributions havenot increased to meet the added financialneeds. Pray for our financial needs andplans for the coming year.CHRISTIANSFOR EDUCATIONAL JUSTICETwo forms are given for you toconsider. One is a form you can use to payyour school tax under protest. Rev. JoelNederhood has been doing this for the pastthree years. Modify this form to meet yourneeds.The other is a resolution of C.E.J.This resolution was presented at theAnnual Association Meeting on May 18,1971. It was decided to have a separatemeeting to discuss it. We urgently need totake this kind of action. You do not needto have children in school to participate.TO:MR. OR MRS.SCHOOL TAX COLLECTOR FORAND SCHOOL BOARD.RE:PARCEL No.TAXTHIS WILL ADVISE YOU THAT THEUNDERSIGNED IS ARE PAYING THECAPTIONED TAX UNDER PROTEST.We protest being taxed to supportthe State educational system which,consciously or not, teaches the religion ofhumanism which has no consistent orviable moral foundation and is destructiveof the Christian life style which we desirefor our children. Further we protest themonopolization of our tax funds by thissystem in religious discrimination againstChristian School to which our taxfunds should be paid.This protest is lodged by us asChristian parents who believe we must, tobe faithful to Jesus Christ, raise ourchildren under His nurture and admonitionin a Christian philosophy of instruction.Further, we protest yourdiscriminatory educational and taxingpolicy as being contrary to the U. S.Constitution, First Amendment, in that itconstitutes, first, an establishment of thereligion of Secular Humanism contrary tothe holding of ABINGDON vs. SCHEMPP,374 U.S. 203 (1963) at p. 225, and, second,constitutes an inhibition of our freedom ofreligion contrary to the holding of PIERCEvs. SOCIETY OF SISTERS 268 U.S. 510(1925) and EVERSON vs. BOARD OFEDUCATION OF EWING TOWNSHIPet. al., 330 U.S. 1 (1947) at p. 15, 16.We believe that this inequitableallocation of public welfare moniesviolates the principle of religious freedomagainst the consciences of persons whohave religious scruples against the religionof secularism as established in stateeducation. If continued, this practice willbe damaging to education in general, toour county, state, and our great nation.Please acknowledge your receipt andnotice of this protest.Respectfully submitted,RESOLUTIONWHEREAS Scripture commands us tohonor the authority of civil government asordained by God, Christians forEducational Justice ( CEJ ) acknowledgesfor itself and its members, its duty to obeyand honor lawful civil authority, to paytaxes, and to seek to serve as useful andproductive citizens of their respectivecommunities.WHEREAS Scripture having commandedus to raise our children in the nurture andadmonition of the Lord; to give ultimatesupremacy and honor to Jesus Christ in allthings, we have formed CEJ to provide aChrist-centered education for our children.WHEREAS The public school system hasestablished primarily the religion of secularhumanism as the guiding basis forcurriculum and education in state controlledschools.WHEREAS Under current laws Christiansof CEJ are compelled to support with theirschool taxes said public school system inviolation of their consciences and inprejudice to the ecomomic supportnecessary to the proper operation ofChristian schools.NOW THEREFORE:The members of CEJ resolve to henceforthpay their public school taxes under protestand seek of the government by all lawfulmeans equitable and just tax treatment forthemselves and their fellow citizens.A2 % %Ji^5;SYTT when you prepare >^A your will ... Ajj ... consider jjJ[ Geneva College JiGeneva's view of education restsupon the historic Christian faith containedin Scripture. The WestminsterConfession of Faith of mid 17thcentury has served as the basis ofeducation for over a century. Studentsexplore the implications of the sovereighntyof Jesus Christ over all Hiscreation.Geneva is our College and is worthyof our consideration. Would you liketo know more about how you cansupport Geneva? Send the coupon to:Mr. Charles O'DataVice President for DevelopmentGENEVA COLLEGEBeaver Falls, Pa 15010YES,tell me about Geneva College I wouldlike a copy of Geneva's Foundational Conceptsof Chnstian Education.''Also send me literature about _ annuties(up to 9% returns) how to prepana will.NAMEADOflESSW_ 10QcmSTATE Z*>IUNE 9, 1971

Protected Yet ExposedMartin Broadview, homeward bound from thecleaner's on a Saturday morning, paused in his walk besidethe white picket fence of his neighbor, Peter Sharp.Martin's glance had hurdled the pickets and swept acrossthe leaf-littered flower beds to light on the bent back ofPeter, busy digging up his dahlia and gladiola bulbs forwinter storage."Good morning, Peter," he called. "Keeping yourgreen thumb in condition?""Hello, Martin," came the quick response. "No, it's abrown thumb this time. To paraphrase the poet, The bulbthat's dug and stored away lives to bloom another day.Come on over a minute; I want to talk to you."Unlatching the gate, Martin laid his paper-encasedcleaning on the rose-arbor seat and sat down beside Peteron the casement curbing of the barbecue. Longacquaintance and a common faith had put the men oneasy terms."What's on your mind, Peter?""I'm still thinking about sending our children to theChristian school. Have you considered it any further sincewe talked last?""Yes, Mary and I talked it over, but it looks likeoverprotection to us. Our youngsters have to meet theworld sometime, and they may as well learn how to do itnow.""Well, the Bible says there is a time for everything; atime to do things and a time not to do them. Isn't itpossible that there is a time to protect children as well as atime to expose them? We don't send them over to theneighbor's house when his child has diphtheria; we sendthem to the doctor to get a preventive. I don't leave thesebulbs in the ground all winter just to show how hardy theyare; a good many of them wouldn't pull through. You startyour tomato seeds inside the house- or under glass justbecause they need to be sheltered while they are tender.And we gave up sending raw recruits to war a long timeago. Thorough training under controlled conditionsproved far more effective preparation for the battlefield."Now it seems to me the same principle holds fortraining our children. Their minds are pliable, receptive,and easily influenced. The Lord has made them that way— long on imagination but short on reasoning power.They can't even see, to say nothing of bringing home foryou to answer, the godless, secular view of life that insubtle ways is constantly handed to them in theschoolroom. I don't mean that they are taught atheism inso many words, but their whole education begins and endsin man—in themselves. They simply get spiritual frostbitewithout realizing it. And the application of spiritualwarmth in family worship and church, indispensable as16these are, may be no more a cure for that than a placebeside the hot radiator is for a frostbitten plant. Wewouldn't send our soldiers to be trained by the Communists;and if we expect our children to fight against anungodly world, I'm beginning to think we had better notsend them to the world for their education."Martin stared at the sticks he had been playing withwhile Peter talked."No, Peter," he said finally. "It still strikes me thatthe Christian school is too secluded. My youngsters haveto brush elbows with the world. I don't want themsheltered. Let them stand out in the storm and growstrong."Peter's face grew quizzical."Do you know, Martin, who I think are reallysheltered?" he asked. "They are the children who aregoing to secular schools. There they are, right at thegrowing stage in their lives, when they need all the sunshinefor mind and heart that they can absorb, and theyare put into a classroom that is as thoroughly "blackedout" and as hermetically sealed off from the sunshine andfresh air of God's truth as the laws regarding separation ofchurch and state can make it. Let's remember that God'struth is found in His creation and in history as well as inthe Bible, and that any attempt to educate a child withoutgiving him that realization is robbing the child of the mostpriceless treasure we can give him—the knowledge ofGod in Christ.""In that sense, Martin," continued Peter, "I don'twant my children sheltered either. I don't want themsheltered from instruction which puts God at the center ofevery part of life and leads the child to see the glory ofGod in every subject and in all of life. That sounds likespiritual sunlight and good air for a tender plant. I don'twant to deny it to my children and see them grow up sicklywhite like the weeds under our porch. They'll get enoughcontact with the world as they mature. Putting them intoitnow for the training of their minds and souls sounds to melike planting these young bulbs outdoors in the wintertime.""That's a new approach," said Martin. "You musthave been thinking a lot about this. Say, I've got to gethome with these clothes, butI'll see you tomorrow.""All right," answered Peter. "Don't forget thatyou're sheltering those clean clothes pretty carefullytillit's time to let them come into contact with their world."—Albert E. Greene, Jr.Cono Christian School NewsI am much afraid that the universities and schoolswill prove to be the gates of hell, unless they diligentlylabor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engravingthem in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place hischild where the Scriptures do not reign paramount.—MARTIN LUTHERCOVENANTER WITNESS

G^^^{^^Wlte ii-OLUME LXXXVI NO. 24 JUNE 16, 1971 STERLING. KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 11, 1971BIBLE VERSES ON GOD'S SOVEREIGNTYKnow therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord He isGod in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.Deuteronomy 4:39.Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and thevictory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and the earth is Thine;Thine is the kingdom; O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Bothriches and honor come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand ispower and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength untoall. I Chronicles 29:11,12.For the kingdom is the Lord's and He is the governor among the nations.Psalm 22:28.The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King forever. Psalm29:10.For the Lord most high is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth.Psalm 47:2.That men may know that Thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art themost high over all the earth. Psalm 83:18.Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven, and in the earth, inthe seas, and in all deep places. Psalm 135:6.For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalm 95:3.The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom rulethover all. Psalm 103:19.And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doethaccording to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of theearth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou? Daniel4:35.The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: Heturnethit whithersoever He will. Proverbs 21:1.By Me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By Me princes rule, andnobles, even all the judges of the earth. Proverbs 8:15,16.And I heard asit were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice ofmany waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for theLord God omnipotent reigneth. Revelation 19:6.

THE COVENANTERWITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER * EVANGELICAL CRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 6757aPrinted each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Kenneth McBurneyRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GauliMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introducttoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.CALL OF HOMEMISSION BOARD"There are vacant congregations in the churchwithout spiritual oversight in the Lord. There are alsomature, capable men in good physical health who haveretired or are approaching retirement age. It is the hope ofthe Board of Home Missions and Church Extension thatsome of these mature, able men might spend time intraining at the Seminary and go out to do the work of astated supply in some of the vacant congregations. If anyare interested, write the Corresponding Secretary of theBoard, Mrs. Charles McKissock, 114 N. Harleston Drive,Pittsburgh, Penna. 15237. Please do so immediately thatplans can be made for this training,if there are candidates.The Board is hopeful that some may be interested.The Seminary work will be in Homiletics, Theology andpastoral work."This Week's WitnessHow to Read a Christian Book.. .3Glimpses of the Religious World . 4Instead of Their Fathers. .5The Queen of Virtues: Humility.. .6Bankrupt Humanism and Vital Christianity . .7The Gospel in the Mosaic Economy. .8Harder Than Painting a Fence. . 10Lesson Helps. .11China "Open Door" Project Triggers Many Firsts. .13Church News. 14WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers lo honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

How To ReadA Christian Bookby Rev. A. W. TozerWhen I was a very young man 1 tried to develop mychest by taking deep breathing exercises. I didn't read upon the subject. I just walked along, inhaled all my lungswould hold, retained it a reasonable length of time,exhaled and repeated. That is all there was to it and itworked wonderfully. I felt good and stayed healthy.Then one day I ran across a book on scientificbreathing. That was the end of my exercises and, I almostfelt, the end of my breathing, too. What had been an easyand natural thing now became a burden. I became selfconsciousand uneasy and before long I gave the wholething up as a bad job. I haven't had much interest in deepbreathing since that time. I might have had a barrel chesttoday but for that scientific book. I often wish I had neverseen it.These are the days of the professional adviser. Youcan get advice now on how to do almost everything: howto think, how to eat, how to stand, how to walk, how tosleep, how to get out of bed, how to brush your teeth, howto smile, and how to shake hands with vour castor. In aneffort to make these easier, the professional counselorshave complicated them so badly that they are now difficultbeyond belief. Some things should just be let alone.This article is called, "How to Read a ChristianBook," but any average citizen should be able to accomplishthat simple task without help from me. If hecannot, then the book will not do him any good anyway.lust open the book, hold it at a fair distance from the eyesand concentrate on what is printed there.Ignore the speed jockeys and the meddlers who tryto make two books grow where one grew before. Yourproblem is not how many books you read but what booksyou read and how you approach them. A book is half readwhen you get into the mood for it, and that is the matter Iwant to deal with here. That and the kind of book youchoose; the "how" of it will come naturally.Be sure the book you select is worth reading.Fortunately some of our publishing houses have plungedin and reprinted a fine line of the great religious works ofpast generations. I understand that they are not sellingtoo well, but at least they are now available. Stay awayfrom the religious books that specialise in bright jacketsand offer to "thrill" you. The thin thread ofevangelicalism that runs through them cannot disguisethem completely. They're written to sell and the taint ofcommercialism is upon them.After you have made your careful selection, try toget into the right mood to appreciate the book. Poorreligious books are written down to bring us up. Theynever do this. The whole philosophy is false.A great book never comes down, it draws us up to itsown level. It cannot be skimmed like a novel. It demandsattention, and attention requires brain sweat. If you arenot willing to come aside from the noise and press of theworld to give your heart to the good book, you will neverknow the treasure it contains. The wise reader is aprospector. He gives himself to his search for gold. Hedoesn't find it everywhere he looks, but when he does it isworth all his labor.To get the benefit of the good book we must readactively instead of passively. We must co-operate with thewriter. Medicine in the bottle never cures anyone even ifbe the very elixir of life itself; truth left in the book nevernelps anyone either. Truth must be received into the lifeby moral ingestion.Unlike things cannot understand each other. Thereader must have some spiritual affinity with the writer orthere can be no communication. Consequently we mustpray for minds worthy to think the thoughts of the greatspiritual giants after them. Sometimes we shy away from areligious classic (including the Bible) with the excuse thatwe are not intellectually capable of understanding it.Usually, however, the trouble is not with our mindsbut with our hearts. A pure heart will find treasure wherea carnal soul sees ashes.Cultivate the meditative mood. Exclusive preoccupationwith reading matter that requires no concentrationhas gone far to create in church circles areligious mentality incapable of understanding truespiritual concepts. Children require stories andillustrations to enable them to grasp an idea or a series ofideas, but the further we move toward intellectualauthority the less need we feel for all these childhoodhelps.The measure of a great mind is its ability to thinkabstractly. The mark of a great Christian heart is its abilityto receive pure truth without the aid of symbols or stories.The most highly abstract thinking deals with God and ourrelation to Him. In its higher reaches Christian theology isalmost pure metaphysics. The mind debauched by excessiveamounts of Christian fiction and religious entertainmentwill fall far short of grasping New Testamenttruth.That's why we must seriously cultivate the art ofmeditation. One book read with meditation will do usmore good than twenty that we race through without it.Resist the temptation to finish the book. If the first pagesets up a train of thought and carries us far from the bookitself, so much the better, provided we are in charge of thetrain. Mere wool gathering is of no value and can actuallybecome mental vice. But the reverent and disciplinedmind will use the great book as a ramp from which to takeoff. That, after all, is the true use of the book.Listen to the wise and grave counsel of Thomas aKempis: "All men naturally desire knowledge; but whatavaileth knowledge without the fear of God? If I understoodall things in the world, and had not love, whatwould it avail me in the sight of God, who will judge meaccording to my deeds?. . . If thou knowest the wholeBible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers,what would it profit thee without the love of God andwithout grace?"JUNE 16, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.207 Darlington RoadBeaver Falls, Pennsylvania 15010MISSISSIPPI LA W REPEALEDMississippi's law against teaching evolution in publicschools — the last of several such state laws — has beenrepealed by the state's supreme court.The Mississippi court, noting a decision by the U.S.Supreme Court in 1968 holding unconstitutional the antievolutionlaw in Arkansas, declared that "for all practicalpurposes," the decision also applied to Mississippi.A REALIGNMENT OF PRESBYTERIANS?Atlanta—Leaders of three independentconservative groups within the Presbyterian Church US(Southern) have issued an appeal for the realignment ofAmerican Presbyterianism.Executive committees of Presbyterian ChurchmenUnited, Concerned Presbyterians, and the PresbyterianJournal called for a creation of a "fervently evangelisticchurch, faithful to the Bible, the Reformed faith, andPresbyterian polity."The document, released after the meeting here,opposed current plans for uniting Southern Presbyterianswith the United Presbyterian Church USA and theproposed nine-denomination Church of Christ Uniting(COCU).PRIORITIES IN SPENDINGAccording to Evangelical Press News Service, in1968 people of the United States spent $130 million formissions. For every dollar spent to carry the Gospel, theyalso spent $231 for gambling, $154 for crime, $69 forliquor, $38.50 for house pets, and $1.35 for dog food.SIDELIGHTS ON DRUG ABUSEIn 1970 New York City police reported one druginducedsuicide every two days.According to a Food and Drug AdministrationBureau of Drug Abuse Control survey of LSD users, 13percent reacted with overwhelming panic, 12.3 percentshowed violent tendencies or committed violent acts, 8.6percent showed homicidal or suicidal behavior characteristics,15 percent required hospitalization for psychotictreatment.Heroin users get hooked. The average addict needsfrom $15 to $100 per day to satisfy his cravings. Andhaving lost the ability to keep steady, good-paying work,the addict turns to crime. To support a $15-a-day habit,requires stealing S18,000 worth of resalable goods per year.From WIN Magazine.DIM VIEW OF CARBON DATINGCaldwell, Idaho (EP) — It is doubtful thatradioactive decay systems, such as Carbon-14 uranium tolead, potassium to argon will continue to be used to date4the age of things.So writes a chemist in the February Bible-ScienceNewsletter. Dr. Earl Hallonquist, of Vancouver, B.C., savthat the Keilor skull is supposed to be 200,000 to 300,00years old, and yet Carbon-14 claimsit is only 8,500 yearsold, and that "they are having trouble with Carbon-14dating because they find that even today the ratio betweenCarbon-12 and Carbon-14 are not constant — off as muchas a third."CHURCH MEMBERSHIP UP SLIGHTLYNew York (EP) — Membership in churches of theUnited States is holding its own, but barely. An annualtally according to the 1971 edition of the Yearbook ofAmerican Churches, shows that membership of 230 U.S.church bodies rose 35,348 to an all-time high of128,505,084.However the rise did not keep pace with thepopulation rise of1.1 percent. Gain in church membershiprepresented an increase of only .03 percent. Previousyear's gain was 1.6 percentBIBLE READING RISING IN U.S.New York (EP) — More citizens in the United Statesare reading the Bible, according to a report by theAmerican Bible Society.A subsidized offer of a Bible for $1, which rannationally in public service radio spots and print advertisements,had resulted in requests for more than 17,500Bibles, the Society says.In 1971 Daily Bible Reading plan, titled "One World— One Book," has totaled nearly two million copies soldor given away, more than twice the number supplied lastyear.JOE BASS CHALLENGES SOVIETS TO ACCEPT 2MILLION BIBLESLondon (EP) — During an interview aired by theBritish Broadcasting Company, the president of the U.S.based Underground Evangelism, challenged the"enlightened, cultured Soviet Union " to accept a gift oftwo million Bibles, if its touted freedom of religion isindeed a fact.L. Joe Bass, whose challenge to the Communists waspicked up in the Manchester Guardian and the LondonTelegraph, said the Bibles would contain nothing but aplain cover and Scriptural text from Genesis toRevelation."There would be no anti-Soviet statementwhatever," he said, "and we would ask for a guarantee thatthe Russian Bibles would be distributed freely and that noSee Page 9COVENANTER WITNESS

Instead Of Their FathersRev. John McMillanPastor of Coldenham, New York R.P. ChurchThe time had come for the Patriarch Jacob to die,and for his sons to replace him as princes in the covenantcommunity on earth. Reuben was the Patriarch's firstborn.Already in his career there had been flashes ofbrilliance — evidences that he was facing his responsibilitiesas eldest son and eldest brother. Once during abitter family feud he carefully planned to protect onebrother from the fury of the others; and he wept when hisplan failed. On another occasion he offered his father hisown two sons as surety that he would safeguard the life ofhis youngest brother, Benjamin.Yet when the time fully came for Reuben to standand live as a prince of the house of Israel, his characterwas marred by a basic streak of instability. It stood as aserious stumblingblock to excellence in his adult life."Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel" (Genesis 49:4).The Bible does not excuse Reuben for his instability.On the other hand, neither does it hide the handicapswhich were a part of Reuben's family background. God'sWord- strongly enjoins husbands to love their wives —even as their own bodies. Yet Reuben had a mother whofelt keenly her husband's failure to love her. How mucheffect this would have on Reuben's development as theoldest son of that marriage we cannot say.This familiar illustration from Old Testament historyshows some of the realities of preparing sons eventually to"rule" in the stead of their fathers. This may not be aprecise and physical descendency. In Isaiah 56:6 Godmakes a beautiful promise to the "Son of the Stranger"who takes hold of God's covenant, who loves His name,and keeps His day, and joins himself to the Lord to serveHim. Psalm 45 assures us that the King, Jesus the Christ,will have a spiritual progeny, a godly seed who will makeHis name live from generation to generation. There is noquestion, however, as to the primary responsibility thatrests on parents to train their own children to replacethem — as adults who serve the Lord.A son in the process of growing up should have twooutstanding questions to ask concerning his parents' faithand worship: First, How important is it? and second,What does it mean? (These two questions are suggestedby a study of Deuteronomy 6.) He spends his formativeyears watching his parents, separately and together, asthey answer the first question. He watches their faith inGod within the context of their total lives. He notices thetimes they worship, and the spirit in which they approachit. Moses does not put this first question into words, orsuggest that it will be asked verbally. It does not need tobe.The question of meaning, however, is pictured as astraightforward, verbal question from son to father: "Andwhen thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying. Whatmean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments,which the Lord our God hath commanded you? Thenthou shalt say unto they son . . ." (Deut. 6:20,21). Thisquestion may come up naturally at unexpected moments,or particularly in connection with the Lord's Supper, orsome other specific part of the life of faith.When it comes.it must be answered in terms of God Himself — thegreatness of His power and the grace of His redemption.Obedience gradually fades where the meaning — the realsense of it — has never been grasped; where there may bereligious rules and forms in abundance, but the Gospelitself has been omitted. The power and grace which thelittle Hebrew boy "witnessed" in the Passover thecovenant child today must see preeminently in the birth,life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Finally, the youngster who one day must be toughand responsible enough to take an adult's place in a realworld needs now to be comforted. I mean it. He can welldo without pampering and mollycoddling, but throughoutthose early years he is in sore need of comforting. Heshould discover while he is growing up that real disciplineand genuine comfort both come from the same source —a wise father and mother, and, over them, a just and lovingGod. If a fellow is not going to flinch and run in the faceof the hardness and meanness and disappointments of theworld, he must be established in the assurance of anenduring source of comfort. (II Cor. 1:3,4)•••To get we must give, to accumulate we must scatter;to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy;and in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seekspiritual good of others.—Charles H. SpurgeonElizabeth Barrett Browning once questionedCharles Kingsley, "What is the secret of your life? Tell methat I may make mine beautiful, too."Kingsley replied, "I have a friend."An Indianapolis, Indiana automobile dealer placesa New Testament in the glove compartment of every newor used car he sells. During a period of a little over nineyears he has given out more than 7,000 New Testaments inthis way and has received letters of appreciation from allover the United States.IUNE 16, 1971 5

The Queen Of Virtues: HumilityAmong the essential components of godly characterhumility ranks near the top. "What doth the Lord requireof thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walkhumbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8).In order to be clear as to the meaning, we find this asa dictionary paraphrase: To be "humble" in the favorablesense is to have or show a consciousness of one's defectsor shortcomings; not proud, not self-assertive. In anunfavorable light, to be "humble" is to show an almostabject lack of self-respect. Thus we takeit there is a falsehumility, a perversion of the true virtue.There are several ways of approach to this topic; forthis article we have chosen the Biblical approach. Whatdoes the Word reveal concerning humility?Rev. Waldo MitchelPastor of Walton, New York R. P. Churchgaining honor for one's self.For one thing, humility is a duty, an obligation, forthe Christian. We are commanded to be humble,to cultivate humility. Peter was addressing members of thechurch, the flock of God, when he wrote: "Be clothedwith humility. . . .Humble yourselves therefore under themighty hand of God" (I Peter 5:5,6). Similarly Paul wroteto believers: "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, . .. . humbleness of mind" (Col. 3:12).The fact that in the Bible such commands aredirected to Christians shows that this is a God-implantedand Spirit-nutured virtue. By nature man is nothumble; quite the opposite. We cannot cultivate humilityof ourselves, by simply telling ourselves to be humble, tobehave that way. One must first experience regeneration.The Holy Spirit must have created a clean heart withinhim (Psalm 51:10). He must have knelt at the foot of thecross and surrendered his whole heart to Christ. Then theHoly Spirit will live within one's heart and will develop thisChristian grace as well as the others.God works with men, He governs and shapes theirexperiences, in order to bring forth in them humility. Thisis part of His purpose in His "works of providence."Moses, who knew more of the meaning of humility thanmost men, spoke to Israel after their forty years in thewilderness. He said: "Thou shalt remember all the waywhich the Lord. . .led thee. . .to humble thee. . " Then hespecified what he meant: "He. . . suffered thee to hunger,and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neitherdid thy fathers know" (Deut. 8:2,3). First, He allowedthem to suffer hunger to remind them of their frailty andmortality, then He sent manna, the source and nature ofwhich they could not understand, except thatit came fromGod. All this was designed to teach them the wisdom,greatness, and all-sufficiency of God in order that theymight humble themselves before Him. Can we not recallsome of our experiences over the years that were designedby God to teach us humility? How well have we learnedHis lessons?Humility in the Bible is often presented as a necessaryqualification for honor. More than once in Proverbs weread: "Before honor is humility" (15:33). When Christ'sdisciples were seeking greatness in the kingdom He calleda child and set him before them and said: "Whosoever...shall humble himself as this little child, the same isgreatest in the kingdom.. ." (Matt. 18:4). At another timeHe declared: "He that shall humble himself shaft" beexalted"(Matt. 23:12). "Humble yourselves in the sight ofthe Lord and he shalllift you up" (James 4:10). It becomesclear doesit not, that the way to true greatness and honoris downward, the downward way of humility? Butit mustbe a genuine humility, nothing pretended, no scheme forWhen men sin, especially by pride, they shall beforcibly humbled by God. "Pride goeth before destruction..." (Prov. 16:18). "The mighty man shall be humbled,and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled" (Isa. 5:15)."The haughty shall be humbled" (10:33). Proud, arrogantmen may go on for a long time pursuing and achievingtheir ends. Yet at length, unless they repent, God willhumble them, either by providence or on the Day ofJudgment.On the other hand, God promises mercy to thehumble. "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him alsothat is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spiritof the humble" (Isa. 57:15). Examples of divine mercy tothe humble are seen in Biblical records of Josiah (n Kings22:19,20); Solomon, as a young and God-fearing man (IIChron. 7:14); Hezekiah (II Chron. 32:26); and Manasseh(II Chron. 33:12,13). James sums it up thus: "Godresisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."(4:6).How do we measure up in the practice of humility?This is not a popular trait in our time. Ii we follow thepattern of many, we shall not excel in humility, nor evenstrive for that. Do we accept responsibility in the churchwith grace? Are we willing to do the nitty-gritty work on acommittee, or in personal evangelism, even when we hadhoped to be chosen to office, or at least become chairman?Are we willing to do the humble tasks within theparish rather than write for publication (!) or serve on aboard of committee of Synod? (Not that these may not beperformed humbly if one is called to them). The testcomes to us all: Shall we, or shall we not, seek great thingfor ourselves?In closing I wish to recall the final sentence of atribute to a former minister of the Church. "He did notforsake the truth to gain favor with men or to gain a higherposition, for he knew there was no higher position than tobe a worker together with Christ."6 COVENANTER WITNESS

Only dynamic Christian faith and Action Can Occupy theVacuum left by bankrupt HumanismBankrupt Humanismand Vital ChristianityH. EVAN RUNNER, TH. D.Since the renaissance, the faith of humanism hasoccupied the commanding position in Western life andthought. It has largely determined the structure andnature of our institutions, of how we live and thinktogether in communities. But today humanism is virtuallybankrupt.Things appear to have arrived at some sort of astandstill, and men flounder helplessly about. For sometime now, in the world of the theatre, of politics, ofeducation, of the arts, the words heard most frequentlyare: crisis, malaise, loss of meaning, lack of direction. Injust about every sphere of life one can hear the questionrepeatedly being asked, "Where do we go from here?"But an answer is not forthcoming."As a result of the collapse of the humanistic faiththere is at the moment no distinctive "faith" possessingsufficient historical power to give drive and direction toour civilization. A vacuum has arisen in the Westernworld—a vacuum of conviction as to the way to meaning.The noticeable flight to Hindu and Buddhist ways ofthinking and to nihilism constitutes ample evidence of theexistence of this vacuum.Humanism began with the assertion that man is Lordin the world. This assertion did not carry the scripturalmeaning of the central position of man in the cosmos (e.g.Psalm 8) under the sovereign rule of God. On the contrary,it was a very straightforward assertion of theultimate lordship of man. Man is cock-o'-the-walk.The absolute freedom of man, of the human spirit, hasalways been the cry of humanism.Christianity, on the other hand, repudiates thehumanistic concept of freedom. From a Christianviewpoint freedom is not freedom from the Divine morallaw. Man is subject to the divine law-order—the law putinto the cosmos by God when He called it into being.Thus, man was created to rely upon, and to be directed by,the Word of God.(The author is Professor of Philosophy at Calvin College.His best known books are "The Relation of the Bible toLearning," "Scriptural Religion" and "Political Task.")We find ourselves at one of the historic turningpoints of mankind's journey through time.Today, in our Western world, there will either be aquickening of Christian faith to sense the religious unity ofman's life in the world, or there will follow the lastremaining steps, almost imperceptible in their advance, toa thoroughly secular way of life in which there is no placefor the Good Shepherd's voice.It is not possible in the twentieth century forChristians to make a good confession only within thesecure shadows of the institutional church. There is moreto Christianity than giving our assent to this or that, moreor less orderly body of theological judgments. To beChristian is to live whole human lives by the light of God'sWord and with the aid of His Spirit.Such vital Christian faith and life exhibiting themighty power of God in human affairs can and mustoccupy the vacuum in the human spirit left by the collapseof humanism.Christian CynosureA LAYMANSPEAKS"The trend today is to lose men in methods. Godwants men, not methods. Men are God's methods. He islooking for better men, not better methods. The Churchdoesn't need new things, novel things, organizations, butmen whom the Holy Ghost can use; otherwise, all isconfusion. Preaching (or teaching) is not the performanceof an hour. It is the outflow of the Holy Spirit in the life ofthe preacher."From the pen of:The late H. EARL EAVEYAt the time of writing:Bank PresidentPresident of Wholesale-Retail Food ChainMember of Board of Trustees, Moody Bible InstituteJUNE 16, 1971 7

THE GOSPEL IN THE MOSAIC ECONOMY —The Perfect High Priestby Pastor Stuart Fowler,of The People's Church, Macleod,Victoria, AustraliaThe High Priest under the Levitical order wasbounded by ceremonial restrictions and precepts clearlydesigned to signify his separation from all defilement.He must be physically perfect, without blemish; hemust marry none but a pure virgin of pure Hebrewdescent; he must not defile himself by contact with thedead, not even for his own father or mother; he must notparticipate in any way in the customary practicesassociated with mourning; in short, ceremonially he wasto be distinguished by a purity and holiness above allothers (Lev. 21:10-24).SPECIAL PREPARATIONYet, when he came to perform the ritual of the Dayof Atonement this purity was not deemed sufficient. Forthat occasion he was required to "bathe his flesh in water"before putting on the holy garments. This was an unusualprovision. In the everyday ritual of the sanctuary thepriest was required to wash his hands and feet beforeofficiating, but this washing of the High Priest on the Dayof Atonement included his whole body, and not only hishands and feet (Lev. 8:6, 7; 16:4).Further, before he was considered fit to begin hisministry on that day he must offer a sin offering forhimself and his house. Normally the sin offering was usedwhen there was specific sin that required cleansing. Forthe High Priest on the Day of Atonement a sin offeringwas required regardless of any knowledge of specific sin.Only after this had been offered was he fit to proceed withthe priestly ministry of that solemn day (Lev. 16:6, 11-15).Thus, as plainly as it was possible to do so with aninherently sinful creature, the ritual of the Day ofAtonement set forth the necessity of the priest who shouldmake atonement for the people being himself without sin.Only by means of a priesthood free of all the defilementsresulting from sin could man's sin be atoned.We deliberately refrain from speaking of the HighPriest being represented to Israel on the Day ofAtonement as sinless. We prefer to speak of his absoluteceremonial purity, since he was, by nature, a child ofAdam sharing the common guilt and corruption of Adam'srace which could never be purged by any amount ofceremonial cleansing. However, this absolute ceremonialpurity of the High Priest was sufficient to convey to everybelieving Israelite the essential truth that sin can be takenaway only by the mediation of a priest who is himselfwithout sin.8Doubtless the precise manner in which God shouldultimately accomplish what was thus plainly revealed inthe shadows of the Levitical ritual was not altogetherclear, yet, there can be no doubt that every Old Testamentbeliever knew, by faith, that God would make just suchprovision as He showed was needed. To us it is plain thatthis high Divine requirement for the High Priest,foreshadowed in Aaron, has met its perfect fulfillment inour Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle and High Priest of ourprofession.ABSOLUTELY SINLESSIt is an essential part of His qualification to be ourHigh Priest that He is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separatefrom sinners, and made higher than the heavens" (Heb.7:26). If we would not destroy the very foundations of oursalvation it is essential that we maintain undiluted thisconfession as to the absolute sinlessness of our Lord.To have any real redemptive meaning our confessionmust go beyond the mere external fact that theChrist did not sin. We can do justice to the Scripturalevidence only by maintaining that sin was utterly contraryto His whole nature. Other men are conceived, withoutexception, in sin and are shapen in iniquity (Ps. 51:5). TheChrist, by contrast, from the first instant of His conceptionin the womb of the virgin was wholly free of any germ orseed of sin. Thus, not only as regards His every outwardact, but equally as regards His whole inner nature He was,in the most absolute sense, without sin (I Peter 2:22; 2 Cor.5:21; 1 John 3:5). The human nature assumed by theeternal Son in the incarnation was in every respect likethat of every child of Adam with this one important andnecessary exception that it was wholly free of any taint ofsin (Heb. 2:16-18; 4:15).Only thus could there be a true union of the divineand human natures in one Person, since it is impossiblethat God should be made a party to sin, even in a germinalform; only thus could the Christ represent a sinful race inthe presence of God, for it was impossible that one inwhom is any spot of sin should enjoy the favor of eternalholiness; and only thus could He offer Himself an acceptableransom for many, since any defilement of sinmust so reduce the value of the sacrifice as to make it aworthless offering.UNSOLICITED MEDIATIONEvery action of the High Priest on the Day ofAtonement was an act of mediation on behalf of theCOVENANTER WITNESS

covenant people, yet this mediation was not undertaken attheir request nor did it require their consent. In otheroccasions, when the subjective aspect of salvation was inview, the sinner laid claim to the mediation of the prieston his behalf. On this occasion the mediation of the HighPriest was effected on behalf of all the covenant peoplewithout any expression of desire for such mediation ontheir part (Lev. 16:15,16,33,34).In this way it was made plain that salvation is everinitiated by God. God has not redeemed sinners becausethey cried to Him for redemption; nor has He provided aMediator in answer to man's prayer. All that we see takingplace in time is the outworking of the eternal covenant ofredemption in which, by a solemn contract between thePersons of the Godhead, the redemption of sinners issecured. The provision of Christ as Mediator is not God'sresponse to man's cry but God's provision for man's needbefore man knew how to cry. Scripture tells us that "whilewe were yet sinners we were reconciled to God by thedeath of His Son" (Rom. 5:8-10; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 1:2).In the light of this fact all idea of human merit is shutout and every ground for man's boasting is excluded in thesalvation of sinners. The sole fountain of man's redemptionis in God alone. The redeemed, made perfect in glory,have but one theme they love to sing; it is to extol thevirtues and glories and grace of the Triune God. Theredeemed on earth are ever nearest that heavenly perfectionwhen this same theme most completely dominatestheir life (Rev. 4:5; 2 Cor. 10:31; 1 Pet. 2:9).AWFUL LONELINESSIt is impossible to pass from the consideration of theHigh Priest without noticing his loneliness in the ritual ofthe Day of Atonement. No man other than the High Priestmight approach the sanctuary while this ritual was inprogress. None of his fellows were permitted to assist himor even to stand by him while he ministered. He mustaccomplish his appointed task utterly alone (Lev. 16:17).As this fact must have reinforced to every believer inancient Israel in the most solemn manner the impossibilityof the sinner having any share in procuring his ownredemption, so to us it points most plainly to the awfulloneliness of our great High Priest when He effected ourredemption.Even during His earthly life there were times whenthis loneliness was suggested. As when His own motherfailed to appreciate fully the character of His mission; orwhen, after many of His once eager followers had desertedHim, He turned to the Twelve and said, "Will ye also goaway?"; or again when, under the very shadow of theagony of the cross, in the upper room, even the Twelvewere wholly absorbed with their own petty, personalambitions, oblivious of the mighty event that was about totake place (Luke 2:49,50; John 6:67, Luke 22:24-34).So we move on to the garden of Gethsemane wherewe behold our Mediator in lonely agony with none tosuccor or support Him as He prepared Himself for themighty task that lay before Him. Yet, it is only at Calvaryitself that we see the awful climax of that loneliness whichour High Priest endured for sinners.JUNE 16, 1971Here, not only was He forsaken of men, but the veryangels of glory must needs stand afar off while thecommon Roman cross became a sacred altar, as the HighPriest, God's Anointed, offered His own life a ransom formany. As an outward token of this loneliness the very lightof heaven was shut off, until finally, out of the midst of theunnatural darkness there rang from that grand altar of theages the cry expressive of the ultimate in loneliness, "MyGod, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matt.26:56; 1 Peter 1:11,12; Matt. 27:45,46).Thus we recognize that His utter loneliness is asnecessary an element in the work of atonement effectedby the one and only perfect High Priest as is His realhumiliation, His absolute sinlessness, and His Divinelyappointed mediation, and that, in shadow, all theseelements were taught to Israel under the Old Testament inthe solemn services of the yearly Day of Atonement.ADORING WONDERIf we ask why such perfection, such abasement, andsuch suffering were necessary in the Mediator, we can findno better answer than that given by the prophet Isaiah,"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruisedfor our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was uponHim . . . for the transgression of my people was Hestricken . . . and He bear the sin of many, and made intercessionfor the transgressors" (Isa. 53:5,8,12). Man's sin,yes, my sin, is so great and its guilt so awful that nothingless could by any means procure man's redemption.Hard indeed must be the heart that can contemplatesuch a matchless demonstration of love toward the utterlyundeserving, without being moved to fall prostrate inadoring wonder before such a perfect Mediator whilecrying from the depths of the soul, "My Lord and myGod."Evangelical ActionA Pointer from the HodgesMen are religious kings. Religion can't be got rid ofby seeking to ignore it. A man, after taking some liquorperhaps may go hopping round and declaring, "I'll have nogravity;" but he need not expect to get rid of the laws ofgravitation. As little need our legislators attempt to putaway religion. We have a right to insist that they shall nottry. I would not consent to be hanged by a jury with anatheist sitting in it. It would be much more comfortable tobe hanged by a jury of good Presbyterians!—Charles and A. A. HodgeGlimpses from page 4one requesting a copy would be registered." A registeredBible, Bass said, is a revocable Bible."It's an ignominious situation when a nation socultured and enlightened as the Soviet Union wouldprevent its people from having a copy of one of the mostinfluential books in history," Bass said.9

A Story for YouthHarder ThanPainting A FenceBy Lilian Burnett, Scarborough, OntarioPAUL WAS UNHAPPY as he pulled his paint brushalong the board fence."I would like you to finishit by tomorrow night," hisfather had told him at breakfast.Paul did not dislike the painting. What was makingthe job hard was the teasing of the people who walkedpast.Paul worked for a few minutes longer. Then an oldgentleman, in passing, made a remark that annoyed him."So you're another Tom Sawyer, Son. See that you do thejob well."This was not the first one who had likened him toMark Twain's famous hero who had had to paint a fencefor his aunt. Picking up his paint bucket, Paul walkedback to the house. He would get up early tomorrowmorning and finish the job before many people were out.After painting for two hours next morning, Paul wasvery pleased. He nearly had the job done.He gave a faint "Hi!" in reply to the milkman'sfriendly greeting. And then, "Keep working, TomSawyer!" the man called in a cheerful tone.Paul was too tired to think. Dipping his brush intothe paint again, he threw it directly in the young man'sface. Then, frightened when he saw the paint splattering,he ran.As he ran Paul remembered that he belonged to theLord Jesus. And, knowing that he had done somethingwrong, he stopped and turned back. He was surprised tosee that the milkman was not chasing him, but waswalking back to his truck.Paul started after him. But by the time he hadalmost reached him, the truck was moving. The mancalled back to him, "It's all right, Son. I guess I provokedyou."Paul knew the truck would soon be returning thesame way. So, he waited. He waved to the man to stop."I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry," Paul saidsimply. "And I wondered why you didn't come after me?"he couldn't help adding.10The milkman spoke kindly again. "Well, you see,I'm a Christian," he said. "And I'm not too old toremember that a boy gets a lot of teasing when he's tryingto paint a fence.""I belong to Jesus Christ, too," Paul told him. "ButI'm tired of all the wisecracks about Tom Sawyer.""There are times when we all have to do things wedon't want to do," the young man said. "To tell you thetruth, I didn't want to be a milkman."Paul looked at him quickly. He thought anybodywould like to drive a milk truck."After my dad died," the young man continued, "Ihad to take this job to help the family. I found it hard atfirst because I was afraid of meeting new people. I wasunhappy until I learned that Jesus had donesomething as hard as dying on the cross for my sins. ThenI became a happy milkman, helping many people on myroute and telling them about the Lord Jesus."As the man drove away, Paul thought about what hehad said. "But you don't get teased about being a milkman,"he told himself.When he came home from school that day, Pauldidn't know how he could finish painting that fence. Hewalked into his room and facing him was a small bookcase.Running toit angrily, he pulled the book TomSawyer from its place, and threw it on the floor. Butimmediately he was sorry."Forgive me, Lord, and please help me," he prayed.And he hurried to get his brush and paint bucket.When some children came along, trying to kick thepaint bucket over, Paul thought of Jesus Christ dying onthe cross. When he saw a group of older boys and girlswho had teased him yesterday, he prayed for courage.Approaching the leader in a friendly manner, hesaid: "Well, Gus, what'll you give me to let you do someof it?"Gus drew back. And as Paul went calmly from oneto the other, smiling and offering to let them paint, thegirls turned up their noses and walked away. When theboys saw that their teasing no longer bothered him, theysoon followed.When the same old gentleman walked past, Paul wassinging."I'm sure the boy in the story was never in such highspirits as you are," the old man said."Perhaps he didn't know that the Lord Jesus washappy to do something for us that was harder thanpainting a fence," Paul said with a mysterious smile as hefinished the last board.The ShantymanCOVENANTER WITNESS

Lesson Helps for the Week of July 11Sabbath SchoolLessonForJulyll,1971GOD, THE CHRISTIAN,AND GOVERNMENTIndges 9:8-15, Jer. 1:9,10,17-19;Mark 10:43-45; Romans 13:1-7Comments by John K. GaultIn answer to question 4 of theShorter Catechism, "What is God?" weread, "God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, andunchangeable, in His being, wisdom,power, holiness, justice, goodness, andtruth." A Christian is one who makes the"acknowledgement that the Scriptures ofthe Old and New Testaments are the Wordof God and the only infallible rule of faithand life."And second,"an acknowledgmentthat the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of Godand the only Redeemer of men; togetherwith a personal acceptance of Him asSavior and Lord."In chapter 29 of the Testimony it issaid, first, "Civil government is an ordinanceof God. Man by creation is apolitical being, to whom government isnatural and necessary. As no particularform of government is prescribed in theWord of God, any form,if adequate, isproper; yet always with the proviso that itshall duly acknowledge the authority ofGod, and conduct its affairs so as toconserve the rights of men." Second:"Sovereignty belongs to Almighty Godalone, who has committed all authority toHis Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.It is the duty of every nation, in setting upits government, to acknowledge theauthority of Christ, and to enter intocovenant with Him as its King and Savior."1: Men Who Obey God's CommandmentsShould Be Chosen to RuleOver People.This thought is presented in Judges8:30-35;-9. Gideon was one of the judges ofIsrael, who delivered Israel from theoppression of the Midianites. Gideon hadmany wives by whom he begat seventysons. He also had one son by a maidservantwho lived in Shechem, and his name wasAbimelech. When Gideon had deliveredIsrael from the Midianites Israel desiredhim to be their ruler, as they said, "Rulethou over us, both thou, and thy son, andthy son's son also: for thou hast deliveredus from the hand of Midian. And Gideonsaid unto them, I will not rule over you,neither shall my son rule over you: theLord shall rule over you." They wantedGideon to establish a family dynasty overthem. But after Gideon died the childrenof Israel again went after an idol whichthey called Baalberith and they also ceasedto regard the family of Gideon who haddone so much for them.It was then that Abimelech, the sonof the maidservant, came to his mother'sfolks in Shechem and he said to them,"Whether is better for you, either that allthe sons of Jerubbaal (Gideon), which arethreescore and ten persons, reign over you,or that one reign over you? remember alsothat I am your bone and your flesh." So allof his mother's folks in Shechem decidedto follow Abimelech and they gave himseventy "pieces of silver out of the house ofBaal-berith," with which he hired a largecrowd of "vain and light persons."Abimelech and his gang of hoodlums thenwent and murdered 69 of the seventy sonsof Gideon. One only, named Jotham, hidhimself and thus saved his life. All the menof Shechem and of the fortress of Millothen rallied around Abimelech to makehim king.When Jotham heard what the peopleof Shechem had done he went to the top ofMount Gerizim at the foot of which wasthe village of Shechem, and he called tothem: "Hearken unto me, ye men ofShechem, that God may hearken unto you.The trees went forth on a time to anoint aking over them; and they said unto theolive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olivetree said unto them, Should I leave myfatness, wherewith by me they honor Godand man, and go to be promoted over thetrees? And the tree said unto them, ShouldI forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit,and go to be promoted over the trees?Then said the trees unto the vine, Comethou and reign over us. And the vine saidunto them, Should I leave my wine, whichcheereth God and man, and go to bepromoted over the trees? Then said all thetrees unto the bramble, Come thou andreign over us. And the bramble said untothe trees, If in truth ye anoint me king overyou, then come and put your trust in myshadow: andif not let fire come out of thebramble, and devour the cedars ofLebanon."Now thereforeif ye have done trulyand sincerely, in that ye have madeAbimelech king, andif ye have dealt wellwith Jerubbaal and his house, and havedone unto him according to the deservingof his hands;.. .Butif not, let fire come outfrom Abimelech, and devour the men ofShechem, and the house of Millo; and letfire come out from the men of Shechem,and from the house of Millo, and devourAbimelech. And Jotham ran away."This was a parable and a curse whichJotham declared against the men ofShechem and Abimelech. Events shortlyarose just as Jotham had predicted.Trouble arose between the men ofShechem and Abimelech and he burntthem alive. He then made an attack againstThebez and captured it, but the people ofThebez retreated into a strong tower. AsAbimelech was preparing to burn the doora woman hurled a piece of a millstonewhich struck Abimelech on the headbreaking his skull. As he was about to diehe commanded his armorbearer to kill himwith his sword lestit be said, "A womanslew him." This parable uttered by Jothamillustrates the wrong that is done whenpeople select a wicked ruler and chooseone by the wrong method. David said in 2Samuel 23:3, "He that ruleth over menmust be just, ruling in the fear of God."2: A Ruler's Work Is OftenDestructive as well as Constructive.This fact is portrayed in Jeremiah1:9,10. Now Jeremiah was a prophet and nota civil ruler. But he was the spiritual rulerover the nation and that which he saidwould happen to the country did surelyhappen. Upon his commission God said tohim, "See, I have this day set thee over thenations and over the kingdoms, to root out,and to plant." Jeremiah, therefore, was auniversal ruler, for God had set him overall the nations and kingdoms of the earth.He was commissioned to eradicate fromthe land all that was evil and he was to"build and to plant" all that was good. Civilrulers very often fail in each of these twocategories. In the United States, today,there is much to eradicate and there ismuch to initiate.3: A Christian Should Denounce theNation's Sins and Be Unafraid.God told the youthful and inexperiencedJeremiah to take such an attitudebefore the wicked people and kingsof Judah. He said, "Thou therefore gird upthy loins, and arise and speak unto them allthat I command thee: be not dismayed attheir faces, lest I confound thee beforethem. For, behold, I have made thee thisday a defenced city and an iron pillar, andbrasen walls against the whole land, againstJUNE 16. 1971II

the kings of Judah, against the princes In the Holy Land there was nothereof, and against the people of the snow—rather a rainy season. But when theland." Jeremiah was a real patriot whoendeavored to have his country do the willof God. This attitude will invoke the bittercold rains stopped, the flowers again cameto life.If you live in the north where snowopposition of the forces of covers the ground from December tounrighteousness but God is able topreserve His people in every emmergency.4: The Way to Be Great Is Throughthe Role of a Servant.Jesus said this truth in Mark 10:42-44.The disciples were much displeased withtwo of their number, James and John,because they asked of Jesus that they mightsit, "one on Thy right hand, and the otheron Thy left hand, in Thy glory." "Jesuscalled them to Him, and saith unto them,Ye know that they which are accounted torule over the Gentiles exercise lordshipover them; and their great ones exerciseauthority upon them. But so shall it not beamong you: but whosoever will be greatamong you, shall be your minister." Oneshould not seek high office in either churchMarch, the first yellow crocus that sticksits head through the snow thrills you andreminds you of the beauty of nature. Thoseof .you who live in the South find pleasurein the blooming of tulip trees and giantmagnolias. All winter long, the flowershave been dormant waiting for God's call.Next our text mentions that spring isa time of the singing of birds. During thelong winter the birds that do not migrateare busy searching for food. The birds whodepend upon insects for food must follownature's call to warmer climates in order tosurvive. But with the advent of spring thebirds return to their home to raise theiryoung. Even birds have a place in God'splan. The phrase,"the voice of the turtle,"does not refer to the reptile but rather toor state for the sake of adulation but for the turtledoves which is a species ofservice to God."Lesson based on International Sunday Schoolpigeons common to Palestine. They are amigratory bird leaving in the fall andLessons: the International Bible Lessons for returning in March. The fig tree begins toChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Division bear fruit and blossoms before any leavesof Christian Education, National Council of Churches appear. In the Holy Land this is a sign ofof Christ in the U.S.A."spring.This beautiful passage of ScriptureJunior Topicteaches us that in our lives during aspiritual winter we can be dead in sin butForIulyll,1971with the coming of spring, our acceptanceUnit: God's Gift of Natureof Christ as our Savior, we are born again.NATURE'S BEAUTY AND PRAISEThe second part of our lesson tonightMrs. Robert McElroyis on praise. Our memory Psalm for thisMemory Psalm: Psalm 148.unit is Psalm 148. So let us study this PsalmMemory Verse: Song of Solomon 2:10-13, carefully.Scripture: Matt. 6:28,29; Song of Solomon What is praise? How can we praise2:10-13; Psalm 148.God? Who should praise Him? WhenLast week we studied some of the should we praise Him? Study Psalm 148 tolessons of nature. We were reminded of thestrength, glory, and majesty of the thingsHe has made. Another of nature's lessonsfind the answers to these questions.Psalm 148 begins with the words,"Praise ye the Lord," as do all of thewas not to covet fine clothing nor to be Psalms from 146 through 150. These are theproud of it, but rather, to depend uponGod in His wisdom to care for our needs.Psalms of praise. Our dictionary tells usthat praise means "to glorify God, expeciallyTonight we will be thinkingin song; to worship." We com­of nature's beauty and praise. monly use the words, "Praise the Lord," toRead together the Scripture reference: mean sing Psalms to His glory. But praiseSong of Solomon 2:10-13. This is a means more than this. We need to praisebeautiful description "of one of nature'smost glorious acts. It is a promise thatGod in thought, in word, and in deed. Wemust back up our praise with actions thatwhen winter comes—spring is not far praise the Lord.behind. Look out your window. Does snow In the first six verses, there is a callcover the ground or is rain making patterns for heavenly beings to praise God—angels,on the windowpane?It matters not whetheryou are living in New York or Californiaand heavenly hosts. Then the stars, moon,and sun, all creations of God's hands arethe spring season beckons to you told to praise Him. Think about that athroughout the dark winter days.The Bible tells us that the winter dayswill pass—they won't last forever. Besides,spring would not be so wonderful andpleasant if it did not follow winter.12minute. How is it possible for these thingsto praise God?Read the remainder of the Psalm andnote the great variety of animals andhuman beings that are mentioned. All ofthese are things of this world. There is nocreature too important to praise God andneither is there any creature too unimportant.Not only should kings and princesand judges praise God, but also youngmen, young girls, old men, and children.Children just like you are called upon topraise God. We must remember that eachof us—no matter how quick or how slow,no matter whether we are leaders orfollowers—is precious to God and each ofus has a place in His plan."Let them praise the name of theLord: for His name alone is excellent; Hisglory is above the earth and heaven. . .Praise ye the Lord."Questions:1. What are the signs of spring in yourarea of the country? Is it the fig treebearing fruit?2. What are some of the mostbeautiful things in nature you have seen?3. How can each of us show morepraise to God?Activity:Howmany different animals wereyou able to find last week in the Bible?What new ones did you find during theweek? Perhaps you can share thereferences for these "new-found" animals.Tonight we are going on a differentsafari. We are looking for flowers andplants. Remember the kinds of climate theHoly Land has, then start looking.Yotimight begin with these: Ex. 9:31; Gen.41:49; Numbers 13:23; Amos 8:1; I Kings5:11; II Samuel 23:11; Numbers 17:8; Isaiah35:1; I Kings 4:33.Next week we'll be looking-for trees.Prayer MeetingTopicforluly 14,1971PRAYER FOR CONFERENCESMr. Sam WilkeyAs we are well into the summer,many are expectantly looking forward to asummer conference or conferences. Infact, as can be seen below, CovenantHeights has already been in session for acouple of days. Tonight we are to considerespecially our summer conferences inprayer.The leader might consider, amongothers, these objectives or values of oursummer conferences: Spiritual refreshmentMatt. 11:28-30; Relaxation -Eph.5:16; Fellowship - Mai. 3:16; Phil. 1:3,5;I John 1:7; Prov. 27:17; Opportunity forservice -1 Cor. 15: 58; I Thess. 2:8; Judges5:2.Perhaps different ones canremember theme Psalms from differentconferences which the leader can use forPsalms to be sung during the meeting inpraise of God.It may be of value to have individualsCOVENANTER WITNESS

share briefly what conferences have meantto them; how God has used conferences intheir lives.Be sure to leave much time forprayer and remember the following inregard to the conferences:1. Give thanks to God for manypeople who are giving their time and laborto make conferences a reality. Also praythat God will guide the leaders to thepeople to carry out various tasks for whichno one has been found yet.2. The Foreign Mission Board hasrequested that the conferences placebefore the conferees our foreign missionprogram and its needs. Pray that God willuse this.3. Pray for those responsible for theprograms including CY. officers, CY.secretaries, junior leaders, junior highleaders, and adult leaders.4. Pray that God will guide thespeakers and use them as they direct us tothe Scriptures and show their applications.The names of some are below.5. Pray that God will give thecounselors a real concern for the wholewelfare of the conferees and give themwisdom in dealing with their needs.6. Pray for those responsible for thephysical welfare of the people at theconferences such as the camp managers,treasurers, and cooks.7. Pray that many might be able toattend.8. Pray that God will enable manyof the unsaved to respond in repentanceand faith to the Gospel. Pray that theChristians may grow in their Christianlives.9. Pray for and promote thefollowing conferences:COVENANT HEIGHTSJuly 12-18 Estes Park, Colo.General Theme: Abiding With ChristSpeakers: Jim Pennington, Paul Mc­Cracken, Mel Vos, Bob McFarlands andSam ChestnutsCOVFAMIKOIAugust 7-13 Covenant CollegeGeneral Theme: Col. 2:6Special Features: Dr. Jay Adams, Adultprogram to stress the family unitFOREST PARKAugust 9-16 Topeka, KansasGeneral Theme: The Christian Family inToday's WorldSpeakers: Jack White, Marion McFarlandPENN-O-COVEAugust 14-20 Laurelville, Pa.General Theme: Is the Church Necessary?Special Features: Dr. Robert Rayburn,President of Covenant TheologicalSeminary; Adults to study the familyIOWA (MINI CAMP)August 20-24 Lake Darling Youth CampSpecial Features: Family emphasis overthe weekend. Major attention on juniorIUNE 16, 1971age the other two days.WHITE LAKEJunior Camp Aug. 17-27, Senior CampAug. 27-Sept. 6, White Lake, N.Y.General Theme: The Christian's Involvementin the WorldSpeaker: Robert MillikenPACIFIC COASTAugust 14-21 Camp Good News, Prescott,ArizonaMind of Christ (Book of Ephesians)Speakers: Ministers of the Presbytery.CHINA "OPEN DOOR"PROJECT TRIGGERSMANY "FIRSTS""This is the first time an AsianGovernment has permitted a nongovernmentalprivate agency to operatewith such massive power.""The cooperation and interest of theSouth Korean Government is beyondexpectations.""Here is the first project of this magnitudein the 25-year history of FEBC.""There has not been launched such amajor plan for saturating Red China withthe Gospel since the Communist take-overmore than twenty years ago.""Three veteran broadcasters join inan effort to help FEBC raise funds for theOpen Door Project.This must be a 'first' infund raising for an overseas radio project.These and other comments reflectcurrent developments as the Open DoorProject moves ahead with unusual speed.Far East Broadcasting Company President,Bob Bowman, declares: "When I ponderall the events during these few months ofOpen Door emphasis, I am convinced thatGod will use radio to make a significantGospel impact in Red China. I am amazedand thrilled to see God move the hearts ofpeople everywhere. These are excitingdays for missionary radio."Formal activity began on the Projectaround the first of this year. Since that timeall negotiations with the Government ofSouth Korea have been completed tosecure the broadcast license for a 250,000watt medium wave facility. Broadcast siteis Cheju Island, located off the coast ofSouth Korea. All land purchases werearranged in record time, and by the timepayment was due, enough funds hadalready been designated to pay in cash thenearly $60,000.A facility similar in size and purposewill operate from the Island of Luzon in thePhilippines. This station will also beamdirectly into Red China as well as to anumber of other Asian countries includingVietnam.Equipment is now being located andprepared for shipment. One purchase ofmore than $90,000 worth of excellent usedradio equipment was located at a cost ofjust $3,500. Provision like this has causedsome individuals to label the Open DoorProject as "God's Miracle of 1972."Both stations are to be in operationby March of next year.Whileit is difficult to know just whattakes place behind the Bamboo Curtain,there is substantial evidence to favor thisradio approach for Gospel saturation. RedChina is filled with medium wave radioreceivers. Some estimates say there is aradio or loud speaker for every eight ornine persons in the country.Research by secular press agencies inHong Kong report a growing restlessness inRed China among young people. Theyseem to have an unusual desire to knowabout life beyond their borders. Thoughthey must listen secretly, they are anxiousto hear broadcasts from outside thecountry. FEBC has been operating a100,000 facility, KSBU, from Okinawasince 1960. While this station is directedto the China mainland and is being heardthere, the Open Door Project is by far thelargest attempt to literally saturate thecountry with Christian programming.Each of the two new stations willoperate with 250,000 watts of power. Bycomparison, this is five times greater thanthe largest medium wave station allowed inthe United States.Unusual financial support hasalready developed for this endeavor.About 20 per cent of the one milliondollars was in hand by May of this year.Churches, families, individuals, Christianbroadcasters and missionary organizationsare involving themselves in this opportunity.The 800 million people of Red Chinamay know nothing of the Open DoorProject. God knows, however, thatthrough the faithfulness of His children,many of these Chinese will hear the Gospelmessage through radio—beginning in lessthan one year.Exciting missionary activity is whatthe Open Door Project is all about!WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST?Youth: Too happy to think—timeyet.Manhood: Too busy to think—moregold.Prime: Too anxious to think—worry.Declining Years: Too aged tothink—old hearts harder to get.Dying Bed: Too ill to think—weak,suffering alone.Death: Too late to think—the spirithas flown.Eternity: Forever to think—God'smercy past. Into hell I am righteouslycast,forever to weep my doom.—Author Unknown13

JUNE SUBSCRIPTIONHONOR ROLLPark City in Wichita.SERVICEMAN'S NEW ADDRESSLt. T. M. Hutcheson, Jr.910 Newport ManorBateman & Carroll AvenuesNewport, Rhode Island 02840DAVID ARMSTRONGRECEIVES DEGREETrinity Evangelical Divinity Schoolin Deerfield, Illinois has announced thatDavid R. Armstrong, former pastor of theFirst Beaver Falls Reformed PresbyterianChurch, was graduated on June 4, 1971,Summa cum Laude, with the Master ofArts in Christian Education degree. Dr.Wilbur M. Smith, professor emeritus ofEnglish Bible at Trinity presented thecommencement address to the ninetysevengraduates.Rev. David Armstrong is Synod'sDirector of Christian Education elect. Hewill assume his official duties in the officein Pittsburgh, July 1.STERLING, KANSAS(Rev. Paul Faris, pastor)Homemade ice cream and cake wereserved Friday evening, March 5, whenGeorge Henning and Dave Fenchelshowed slides and told us about GenevaCollege.This meeting was well attended inthe church banquet room.Rev. M.W. Dougherty, D.D. and Dr.Dale Snyder, professor at Sterling College,preached for us March 21, 28, and April 4while our pastor was away in the easternstates.A weekly communicants' class washeld during the months of March and Aprilby Rev. Mr. Faris.Mrs. Velma Dougherty introducedour guest speaker at the March WMSmeeting held at the country home of Mrs.Gail Wilkey. Our guest, Mrs. WaldoStevenson of Eskridge, the president of theMidwest Presbyterial, showed slides andtold of some of the work of the VillageMissions. Her daughter Doris and husband,Rev. Howard Spear, are in this type ofwork at Shelton, Washington. Mrs. WillisEdgar led devotions on "Blessed are theythat mourn." There was a good attendancein spite of the windy, cold day with occasionalsnow which caused the electricityto go off.We were privileged to have theGenevans here on Tuesday, March 30.14They gave their concert in Spencer Hall onthe Sterling College campus. The membersenjoyed eating supper at the collegecafeteria. Following the concert the WMSsponsored a reception at the church and aget-acquainted time was held. The flu bugseemed to be starting among the choirgroup and several were quite ill. In fact,one boy had to stay over and Rev. Mr.Faris took him to Topeka later to catch upwith the group.Thomas Edgar from Cyprus wasour speaker, Friday, April 2, at our Schoolof Missions. A covered dish supper washeld in his honor attended by many friendsand relatives. Mrs. Quentin Kilgore actedas chairman of the meeting in the absenceof Mrs. Wilber Wilkey, our MissionsSuperintendent.Mr. and Mrs. Wilber Wilkey haveannounced the engagement of theirdaughter, Sheila, to Mr. Robert J. Steenbockof Clay Center, Kansas. The brideelect teaches fifth grade at Clay Center.Mr. Steenbock owns and operates PrintzRCA TV in Clay Center. The wedding isto be July 17.Nine members of our WMS attendedthe Midwest Women's PresbyterialConvention, which was held, April 6 and 7.at Quinter, Kansas. Those attending wereMesdames Robert McCrory, Willis Edgar,Lou Wilkey, Wylie Dougherty, WilberWilkey, John Scott, James Humphreys,Reah Mathews and Miss Elda Patton.Our April 15th WMS was held in theevening at the home of our vice-president,Mrs. Quentin Kilgore. Mrs. Robert Mc­Crory led devotionals on "Blessed are themeek." Miss Elda Patton presented themission study, "Work Among the Jews."The members who attended the MidwestPresbyterial at Quinter gave the impressionswhich they had received.Mr. and Mrs. Eldo McFarland leftthe last of March for a three weeks tripthrough the east. They visited a cousin andfamily at Virginia Beach, Virginia and atNorfolk, Virginia visited their son, Marlin,his wife Paula, and met their new granddaughter,Kara Dawn.We were all surprised, Sabbathmorning, April 25 when our pastor announcedthe engagement of their daughterEileen to Mr. Larry Falk of Clarinda, Iowa.We wish the best for them as they makeplans for their wedding and the establishmentof a new Christian home.Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCrory wereone of five Kansas farm couples that werehonored at a banquet at the Kansas StateUniversity campus in Manhattan on April2. They were named Kansas MasterFarmer and Master Farm Homemaker for1970.We are sorry to report one of ourmembers, Mrs. Sam Milligan, has beenseriously ill in the Sterling hospital. Nowshe is back again at the SterlingPresbyterian Manor.Mrs. Esther Dill Hitchcock, 90, died,April 30, following two weeks in theSterling hospital. Her husband, Rev.George Hitchcock, died in December 1965.Services were held. May 1, in the Sterlingfuneral home by her pastor, Rev. PaulFaris and burial was at Sterling. Robert Dillof our congregation is a brother. We willmiss Esther's cheerfulness and happylaughter. Even though she had a hearingloss most of her life and in recent years hersight was failing, she was known as ourlocal poetess as she wrote appropriateverse for many of our church events.ln April, the CY held a spaghettisupper for the congregation. Harry Wilkeyhas been the sponsor of this group this pastwinter. Following the supper, Rev. WylieDougherty led prayer meeting.Mr. and Mrs. Willis Edgar visitedtheir son Robert Edgar and family atColby, Kansas in April. They were presentto see their grandson, Alan, receive hisEagle Scout Award.The congregation held a dinner atthe church on Wednesday, Mayl2,in honorof our school graduates. Shirley Blakewrote a ballad using the name of eachsenior, which the congregation used to singto the graduates. Doris Tener and IrenaKilgore wrote a short story about thegraduates, using a play-on-words by usingthe last name of each senior. Our honoredgraduates were 8th grade: Patty Blake andRobert Humphreys; high school: LindaBlake, Robert Royer, Greig Massey, KarlWhite, and Roger Tener; college: MarshaBeard, Rosalie Piper, Daryl Nuss, DavidFaris, and Philip McCrory.CTA 2 Marlin McFarland and familyarrived, May 4, to spend two weeks visitinghis parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eldo McFarland,and other friends and relatives. While herethey attended the Alumni Banquet atSterling College during Commencementweek. They left, May 21, for Granger,Washington to visit Paula's parents beforeleaving in June from Travis AFB inCalifornia to his new Navy CommandStation in Guam.Rev. Jerrold Milroy, from Hetherton,Michigan was our guest minister duringour communion season in May. Mrs.Milroy, and sons, Jeff and Craig accompaniedhim. While here they wereguests in the home of Rev. and Mrs. PaulFaris and were invited guests for meals inthe homes of COVENANTER the congregation. WITNESS

We welcome the following youngpeople as new communicant members ofour church: Deanne Fountain, BarbaraKilgore, Connie Kilgore, Janie Humphreys,Robert Humphreys, and Eddie Wilkey.This followed many weeks of "Bible studyclasses.Kara Dawn, four-month-old daughterof Mr. and Mrs. Marlin McFarland,received the sacrament of baptism as acovenant child at the evening worshipservice on May 9, by their pastor, Rev.Paul Faris.Mr. and Mrs. Willis Edgar attendedthe Kansas State University graduation atManhattan when their granddaughter,Nancy Edgar, daughter of Robert Edgars,graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S.Degree in Education-English Department.Only six graduates out of almost threethousand received this honor. Mr. andMrs. Dean Fountain and family and MissLulu Tippin also attended.Miss Blanche McCrea, from ourHome in Pittsburgh; has been a houseguest of Mrs. Reah Mathews and Miss EldaPatton, while attending Sterling CollegeCommencement week. She was here toattend the reunion of the graduating classof 1921, which was also honored at theAlumni Banquet as the Golden Age Class.Our pastor. Rev. Paul Faris hasannounced his resignation to accept apastorate at Lisbon, New York. Mrs. Faris,a registered nurse, has also resigned herposition at thje local hospital. It will be abusy summer for the Farises as their sonDavid, graduates on June 8 from GenevaCollege with a degree in Business Administration,and will be married to JerriLong, in Lafayette, Indiana on July 10.Daughter, Eileen, is to be married to Mr.Larry Falk, July 30. The Farises plan tomove early in July. His 14 years hererepresent a record of tenure at the SterlingR.P. Church. Their labor and willingparticipation in community and churchaffairs will be missed by their many friendsand neighbors.Dr. Roy Adams, head of theChemistry Department at Geneva College,was a guest speaker during our morningservice, May 16. Dr. Adams and familywere here to attend the Sterling CollegeAlumni Banquet where he received anAward for Outstanding Achievement in hisrespective field of chemistry. Dr. Adamswas 1940 graduate of Sterling College. Hisparents were also Sterling graduates.The CY held a Polaroid CameraScavanger Hunt and picnic at the SterlingLake for their May party under thedirection of their sponsor, Harry Wilkey.The young people were divided into threegroups to go in three cars to take picturesat certain places, with certain people, andunder set rules. Harry Wilkey was judge ofthe winning group. A good time was enjoyedeven if they did take turns sitting inthe police car with our local policeman—just for a picture! ,Mr. and Mrs. Joe McFarland, Bill,Kathy, and Matt from Topeka werewelcome visitors of our church on May 16.They were _guests of her father. Mr.Robert Dill of the Presbyterian Manor.Mr. and Mrs. Van Wilkey and babydaughter were surprised by a group fromthe church who paid a late evening call andleft a Welcome Home Gift for them. Vanand his family are making iheir home inSterling following his military service in theAirforce and tour of duty in Vietnam. Vanis the son of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Wilkey.ORLANDO, FLORIDARev. lames Wright, MinisterOn New Year's Eve we gathered atthe Church for an evening of entertainmentand fun. After a short programa Christian movie was enjoyed by all.We have enjoyed the fellowship ofmany friends this winter. Mrs. W.R.Whiteof Almonte, Canada, did not arrive untilJanuary because of the illness of her sister,Mrs. Morton. The Misses Sarah andDeborah Archer of our Broomall, PennsylvaniaChurch spent part of Decemberand January in Bradenton, Florida withtheir brother, coming up on Sabbath toworship with us. In February they movedhere and stayed with Mrs. W.M. Robb. Weenjoyed their fellowship. Mrs. BethZimmerman of Enid, Oklahoma spent twomonths with her nieces, Nanna Terry andClaraBell Worsham.Visitors who were here for a Sabbathwere Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Caskey, Artesia,New Mexico; Donald White, Vinita,Oklahoma; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Chestnut,Leesburg, Georgia; Mr. and Mrs. FosterMcClintock and Mr. and Mrs. VirgilStone, Sr. of Bloomington, Indiana; Dr.and Mrs. P. D. McCracken of Gibsonia,Pennsylvania; Mr. and Mrs. BruceBackensto of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Joseph, Hopkington,Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Long and family,Lafayette, Indiana; Mrs. K. V. Arents.Montclair, New York; Mr. and Mrs. JackMorton, Almonte, Canada; Mrs. and Mrs.Don Mulliniux, Indianapolis, Indiana andhis parents of Port Orange, Florida; Mr.and Mrs. George Henning and Mr. andMrs. David Fenchel, J. W. Patterson,Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; and PaulCopeland, Syracuse, New York.This nas been a cold winter,especially for Florida. Freezing temperaturesoccurred on January 20 and 21causing damage to our citrus, both fruitand trees. Many of our members who owngroves suffered damage, especially to theyoung trees. We had frost again inFebruary but not cold enough to damagethe groves; however,it did hurt some ofthe vegetable crops. We had a cold, dryspring but are thankful that aroundOrlando we had a good rain the first weekin April and again the middle of May, thussparing us from too much dry weatherdamage.Bob Terry, who had been stationedin Vietnam for almost a year, returnedhome in January. We are thankful for hissafe return and glad that he has found workin Orlando so that he and his family canworship with us.James Tacey entered the Navy inJanuary and was stationed at Orlando forhis basic training. He finished his basic andis now stationed at Gulfport, Mississippi.Byron Vogt is stationed on the USSEnterprise and will be sailing around June20 for six months.Our minister. Rev. James Wright, ispreaching a series of sermons on "TheSermon on the Mount." These messagesare interesting, enlightening, helpful, andapplicable to our daily living.Rev. Mr. Wright's parents, Dr. andMrs. R. P. Wright, of Kansas City, spent aweek with their son and daughter-in-law.Mrs. Wright's parents spent a short timewith them.We are happy that Mrs. DorothyVogt, who had surgery, is almost well againand able to be in her regular place at ourservices.A combination fellowship supper andspring thank offering meeting was held atthe church on Friday, February 19. Ourspeaker was Mr. T. M. Edgar from ourMission in Cyprus. He gave an interestingtalk bringing us up-to-date on the happeningsand events in Cyprus.Mr. and Mrs. George Dube and theirseven children of Wauchula, Florida havebeen coming to our services since the earlypart of January. On May 9, Mrs. Dubejoined our church. We welcome her andher family into our fellowship.Mr. Joe Worsham, who is teaching inRochester, Pennsylvania, and his fiancee,Miss Donna Kubitz, of Beaver Falls, werehere during Easter vacation. They plan anearly June wedding.Mr. and Mrs. Roy Leino, their twolittle girls, and an exchange student fromHetherton, Michigan were here duringEaster vacation. They spent part of theirtime in the W.E. Dill home and part inMelbourne with Jay and Mary Worsham.Our spring communion was held onMay 9 with Rev. Jack White, Dean ofReligious Services, Geneva College, as ourassistant. Rev. Mr. White preached onThursday and Friday evenings as well as onSabbath. His messages, centered around"faith," were interesting and an inspirationto all of us.JUNE 16, 197115

Mr. and Mrs. Andy Patton of VeroBeach and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Robinsonof Palm Beach, worshiped with us oncommunion Sabbath. We are always happyto see these friends and welcome them toour services.Rev. Kenneth Smith, who was in theSouth, came down to Orlando on Wednesday,May 19. He spoke to us at prayermeeting, telling us of his work, why he wasgoing to Ireland and giving us interestingand stimulating thoughts about our presentworld situation. We enjoyed seeing himeven for a short time.AVOIDING SPIRITUAL MYOPIATwo factors, composition andperspective, enter into our understandingor perception of any situation. Perspectivehas to do with arrangement of theelements, particularly those which areplaced in the foreground and emphasized,and those which are placed in thebackground and de-emphasized.One advantage of studying history isthatit provides perspective for evaluatingcurrent events.The story is told of a rock-ribbed MaineRepublican who was deeply concernedduring the famous election of 1896 lest the"radical," free-silver advocate, WilliamJennings Bryan, might be elected presidentand the nation led to disaster.It so happened that the Republicanwas a guide and was leading a party ofscientists on a trip through a wildernessarea of northern Maine. One eveningaround the campfire, a geologist wastelling of the millions of years that hadcome and gone throughout the geologicaleras.Suddenly the guide, unable torestrain himself as the vast vistas of theages unrolled before him, blurted out,"Well, I guessit doesn't make too muchdifference whether Bryan is elected ornot!"Exactly! Perspective made thedifference.One of the evidences of growth inChristian maturity is the cultivation of thedivine perspective. Concerning this, theApostle Paul declared, "We are askingGod that you may see things, asit were,from his point of view by being givenspiritual insight and understanding" (Col.1:9, Phillips).Dr. J. B. Chapman occasionallycommented on the fact that the saintsalways have a faraway look in their eyes.They are not living merely for this life'sshort days. They perceive life and they livewith eternity's values in view. Suchspiritual perspective has great value increative meeting with the problems andfrustrations of everyday living.16Consider this unusually helpful andchallenging statement by Dr. Chapman:"Since God is eternal and I am immortal Ican wait. If others are chosen in thecurrent elections, there is still plenty oftime for me. If others push in and get theirhire, I can wait until my inheritance isgiven. There are too many tomorrows forme to accept as final any slight or failure ordefeat that may come today."To cultivate the divine perspectivewill help us recognize and hold to thosevalues which ultimately matter most andwill endure forever. We will be able to linkour little lives to the great ongoing purposesof the eternal God. The result will becourage and confidence in every testingsituation.In the dramatic episode recorded inII Kings 6:15-17, Elisha's servant sufferedfrom spiritual myopia, or nearsightedness.Elisha diagnosed the condition, and heprayed that the servant's spiritual eyesmight be opened. The prayer was answered,and the young man saw things, asitwere, from God's point of view by beinggiven spiritual insight and understanding.The divine perspective was a key toradiant, victorious living for him. It will befor you and me, too.—Paul T. Culbertsonin Gospel HeraldYOUR LAST DAY ON EARTHA woman once asked Wesley,"Supposing that you knew that you were todie at twelve o'clock tomorrow night, howwould you spend the intervening time?""How, madam," he replied, "Why just as Iintend to spendit now. I should preach thisevening at Glouchester, and again at tentomorrow morning; after that I should rideto Tewksbury, preach in the afternoon,and meet the societies in the evening. Ishould then repair to friend Martin'shouse, who expects to entertain me,converse and pray with the family as usual,retire to my room at ten o'clock, commendmyself to my Heavenly Father, lie down torest, and wake up in glory." What wouldYOU do?—SelectedNOTICEChange of address July 1, 1971Rev. Robert A. HenningOakdale, Illinois 62268All correspondence for the Board ofForeign Missions should be sent to thisaddress, since I will continue as theExecutive Secretary.R. A. HenningCOVFAMIKOI FAMILY CONFERENCECovenant CollegeLookout Mountain, Tenn.August 7-13, 1971Theme: "Walk Ye In Him "Featured Speaker (Aug. 10-12): Dr. JayWestminster Theological SeminaryRates:Adults (2 per room)Youth (Dormitory rooms)Children (5-12)Children under 5Registration and insurance fee:($3.50 after August 1st)Adams$48.0034.0024.00Free$3.00For registration forms or more information, write or call:Bill Finley508 N. James St.Sparta, 111. 62286Tel. 618-443-2844COVENANTER WITNESS

VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 25 JUNE 23, 1971 STERLING, KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 18, 1971COLDENHAM REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHCOLDENHAM, NEW YORKRev. John M. McMillan, Pastor

THE COVENANTERWITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER » EVANGELICAL WESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.>1Z5 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Kenneth McBurneyRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introducttoryoffer— $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R. P. Church — $3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.We BelongTogether.Christians united in Christ are strongThere is strength in fellowshipBelonging to Christ, Christians alsobelong to each other. And theirfellowship based on common faithand commitment, identifies them. Theworld knows those who are Christ'sby the manner of their lovefor each other.The National Association ofEvangelicals provides such fellowshipand identity. For over a quartercentury committed evangelicals havefound in NAE a way of cooperationwithout compromiseIf you share our commitment, whynot share our fellowship? To be trulyChristian need us we need you—and youJoin us in our fellowship.l• I wish to share in your fellowshipEnclosed is $10 for my individual membe r ship• Please send information on local church membershipin the Association,NAME .ADDRESS.CITY. .STATE. .ZIP .Mail lo National Association of Evangelicals Wheaton III 60)87ndividual membership (SI0 per year) entitles to tree subscription to Action magazineThis Week's WitnessThe Rest We Need.Glimpses of the Religious World.The Joy of a Broken Heart.Another View of Urbana.A Wonderful Promise.The Importance of Creation Study..Once a Witch Doctor..3. 4.5.6..7..8.10WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.The Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Faith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Salvation by Grace.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Gospel Call and Election.The Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenas the destiny of the saved.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believein Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church.That terms of membership or communion are essential to thewelfare of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andpreserve the purity of the Church.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theLord Jesus Christ.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notto be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The duty of nations and their civil rulers lo honor Christ asKing of Kings and Lord of Lords.That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allgovernmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That the Covenants of the past are still binding.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

The Rest We NeedThe Rev. Joel H. Nederhood, D.D.Radio Minister, Christian Reformed ChurchOne of the primary rules for finding lost things isthat you first empty your mind of any preconceived ideas.One of the main causes for failing to find something youare looking for is that you have a certain preconceivedidea about what it must look like or about where it mustbe.This simple rule applies, too, when you look forwhat is wrong with our world. We must also get rid ofpreconceived ideas when we look for what is wrong withour lives. For when we start looking around for answers tosome of our deepest uncertainties, we also tend to do ourlooking with certain preconceived ideas in our minds.Today, for example, when high taxes keep rocking us backon our heels and inflation continues its upward spiral andthe general world situation seems to be getting worseinstead of better, we tend to think that the trouble must liesomewhere in Washington, or Paris, or Hanoi, or London,or Moscow. We are quite sure that many of our ownpersonal problems must somehow be related to the factthat some of the important people in our world arebungling things up so badly. Everyone assumes this, andour mass media support this assumption by reporting thegreat events that happen on high levels. When we look forreasons why so many things are going wrong in our world,we look only in certain places, and then, at only certainpeople.If you are willing to admit that the cause of much ofwhat is wrong with our lives and what is wrong in ourworld just might be caused by something very few of ushave ever thought of, I have something that will interestyou, I think. On the other hand, if you insist that the onlyplace to look if we want to know the source of ourtroubles is at our leaders and at economic systems andpolitical systems, you might as well not listen to what Ihave to say. But if you are willing to admit that the causejust might well lie in some unexpected place, and be aquite unexpected matter, there is something I think weshould consider. It is found in the Bible, that highlyrespected, but universally ignored book. What is more, itis found in that part of the Bible we often call the TenCommandments, and that is a part of the Bible men havenot shown very much interest in lately. What is more, it isthe fourth commandment that provides a clue to what iswrong with our times, and that makes this thing I want tobring up, about the last thing anyone is thinking about. Itis due to our own hard work and our own hard play. Ourhappiness depends upon God, first, last, and always. Hewill take care of us.This is why those who insist that Sabbath is their dayto do with as they please become people who are nervousand desperate when it comes to their own welfare.Because they think their welfare depends upon theirefforts, they become selfish, and, if they can get away withit, they will resort to dishonesty in order to insure theirown economic well-being. So then, today the great nationsof the world are in economic difficulty. In many of themwelfare roles are swelling and there is corruption andcrime. In many instances business practices are designedto enrich business people with no regard to providing areal service to society. Thus, the attitudes that makepeople forget God's holy day finally pervert all of humanlife and sow injustice everywhere.When it comes right down to it, we should knowbetter than to put our trust in our own efforts for our ownsalvation and well-being. We all know that no matter howhard we try, we are not going to be able to escape tragedyand disappointment. As the saying goes, "We will not getout of this world alive." Furthermore, we not only knowour own limitations better now than ever before, but wehave a revelation of God's sufficiency that is overwhelming.When God gave the Israelites the commandmentabout the day of rest, He reminded them of Hisgreat work of creation. Now, in addition to God's creativework, we know of His salvation work in Jesus Christ Hisonly begotten Son. The Creator God is also the SaviorGod in Jesus, and there is absolutely no reason to doubtthat He will take care of them throughout this life. "Cometo me, all who labor and are heavyladen, and I will giveyou rest" (Matthew 11:28). And Jesus promises eternal lifeto all those who believe in Him. He said, "For this is thewill of my Father, that every one who sees the Son andbelieves in Him should have eternal life; and I will raisehim up at the last day." (John 6:40)Now that God has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ,it is so foolish to go on living as if everything dependedupon our efforts and you couldn't possibly take time to seta day aside each week for worship and for rest from yourordinary work and your ordinary play. But men keepsaying that the day of rest is their day to use as they please.Why, in some cases churches are willing to rescheduletheir services so that the people can have the entireSabbath to pursue their own pleasure. How utterlyridiculous!When most everybody today is desecrating the dayof the Lord and using it for his own selfish purposes, it isno wonder really that there is such a breakdown of basichuman qualities like love and compassion and fairness. Ifyou are forgetting to keep the Lord's rest day, it is nowonder really that life seems so flat and tasteless anddisappointing to you.What more can you expect? If youSee Page 16J UNE 23, 1971

Glimpses oi the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.207 Darlington RoadBeaver Falls, Pennsylvania 15010"HAIR"This subject may not warrant the time and space,but, on the other hand, the importance that some in ourgeneration attach to it, makes it a matter that has to beconsidered.Hair style for men, like neckties—wide, narrow, ornone, is a matter of personal preference. If a man wants towear his hair long, Afro or crew cut, that's up to him. (Hisparents' wishes, as long as he is in his minority, should behonored, of course.) If his hair style keeps him fromgetting a job, and he thinks his hair style is more importantthan the job, that's his privilege. But what we are witnessing,is those, who, when the job is denied on accountof the hair, complain of prejudice and discrimination, andlook for a shoulder to cry on. If one wants to be radical, adissenter, a non-contormist, he should be willing to paythe price as well as to enjoy the prestige, otherwise hisnon-conformity is a cheap product to start with, and eventhat, paid for by some one else.There are, then, some other factors besides personalpreference that enter the picture of male hair style. Somewith individualistic tastes, when their hair prevents themfrom getting a job, rather than cut their hair, will live offthe family, and when that wears out, they'll go on the bum,and complain bitterly about "unfairness." They say, "Hairdoesn't alter my ability to do the job." Perhaps the man'sopinion who pays the wages should also be considered onthat question. His reasons may be valid or they maynot, but they're his. One reason often given is that longhair is a symbol of the drug culture. Maybe that's truetoday, maybe not. Those who have held that opinion hadtheir evidence which they considered valid. Maybe it was.Mabye it wasn't. But not all such people can be written offas unreasonable.In defense of long hair some will say, "Jesus had longhair." (Maybe He did.) If so it is likely that long hair at thattime was commonplace. We see no evidence that Jesusflouted custom, unless He had a moral or religious reason.Now anyone who wants to wear his hair long is certainlyfree to do so, but a real moral question remains with somepeople: "Is it rightto adopt a custom that is considered bymany people in our society, to be a symbol of irresponsibleliving and drug indulgence?" Bill Pannell, said inanother connection, "How long are we Christians going tolet a secular society on its way to hell set our standards forus?" That "secular society" may be either the new trend orthe old custom.If one can satisfy himself that he is doing nothingwrong in keeping his hair long, and he is willing, withoutindulging in self pity, to bear whatever disapproval he mayencounter without whimpering, more power to him.It must be admitted that there seems to be a certainreal though devilish, delight to be attained, even byChristians, in doing something not wrong per se, but nonconforming,and getting reproved for it by the elder saints,if one is able to demonstrate his Christian faith andconduct, and so make the reprover ashamed. Maybe hairstyle falls into this category.The early Christians were radical in the basic senseof that word, but I've seen no evidence that they attainedthat reputation by artificial attention getting means. Nor isthere evidence that they complained of the prejudiceagainst them because they were of the sect of theNazarenes. Rather, they went about their business ofearning a living, testifying of the good news of JesusChrist; they labored "working with their hands; beingreviled (they) bless(ed); being persecuted (they) sufferedit" (I Cor. 4:12,13).Long hair certainly isn't immoral; Samson and theNazarites were commanded not to cut their hair. PossiblyJohn the Baptist was one of them ("he shall drink neitherwine or strong drink," one of the requirements for theNazarites). Absalom, no credit to him, had long hair. Sodid Samson and Samuel. For whatever reason, Paul said itwas a shame for a man to have long hair (I Cor. 11:14).Hair styles, because of adoption by certain militantgroups, may have moral implications that reach farbeyond mere personal preference or custom. Thereported purveyors of smut, filth, and drug promotion,who are exhibiting the stage production "Hair" all acrossthe country, weren't lacking in show business know-how inmany aspects of their opproprious and illicit traffic.Possibly they exercised some diabolical insight in thenaming of their production.On a more existential note, male hair styles, acrossthe social spectrum and across the geographical spectrum,are changing, and what the outcome is to be, is anybody'sguess. Like some other changes, this can be traumatic. Itmay be as explosive as the matter of women's skirts. Itdoesn't admit of easy definition as to what is proper andwhat is improper for a Christian, but also, like the matterof women's skirts, it is not a matter of indifference, forPaul directs, regarding women's dress, "that women adornthemselves in modest apparel" (I Tim. 2:9).So, if the Lord has blessed you with hair, and it is amatter of overriding moral principle and personal integritysufficient to outweigh other considerationswith you, let it grow long—or short, curl it, crop it, rat it,mat it, tat it, part it, dye it, braid it—but wash it.4 COVENANTER WITNESS

The Joy Of A Broken HeartRev. RobertPastor of MarionSomething doesn't sound right about that title. Abroken heart suggests pain, sorrow, and hurt, not joy. Wewant joy. We like to feel joy, but we don't like to feel abroken heart. We try to avoid unpleasant things, and abroken heart has the sound of unpleasantness. Yet theBible says in Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are abroken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thouwilt not despise." Does that mean that God wants us tohave broken hearts? Yes it does, because only through a'broken heart' can we find fullness of joy. It's a paradox,but it's true.David knew what he was talking about when hewrote these words, because he had been through it. Davidwas a good man, but in a moment of weakness he fell intogreat sin. His sin compounded as he tried to cover it up.David knew the problem and irritation of a guilty conscience.It hung like a dull grey cloud over his life for awhole year as these sins lay hidden within his own heart.We know the feeling, because we're like David ourselves.We know the right way but we often fall before temptation,and then covering our sins, our world turnsgrey, and we exist from day to day in a lack-luster kind oflife. In that state, real joy is impossible. David, by God'sgrace, found the answer, and he reveals that answer in the51st Psalm. It can be summarized in three words: Hurt,Healed, Happy.HURTThat David was bothered by his sins is evident fromseveral Scriptures, but he didn't really hurt enough to doanything about it. His conscience spoke to him about hissins, butit wasn't such a problem that he couldn't live withit. And he did live with it. So God sent Nathan the prophetto aggravate the problem, and to increase the pressure onDavid's conscience. Nathan prepared his little story todeliberately hit David where it hurt. He pointed out agrievous sin, and then said, "Thou art the man." And it didhurt. David saw that his sins had been a "slap in the face"to God, the God whom he claimed to honor. As therealization of this swept over him, it broke his heart."Against Thee, Thee only have I sinned, and done this evilin Thy sight." (V. 4). He was hurting.To experience that kind of hurt is not pleasant, butit's the only road to cleansing. The surgeon may have tocut deep to remove the diseased portion, but it's the onlyway to restore to good health. No pastor likes to hurt hispeople by exposing sin for what it is, but to leave sin thereis even worse. The Apostle Paul "hurt" the Corinthians inhis first letter to them. And later he writes: (II Cor. 7) "Foralthough my letter had hurt you I don't regret it now ( as Idid, I must confess, at one time). I can see that the letterMcCrackenIowa R.P. Chruchdid upset you, though only for a time, and now I am glad Isent it, not because I want to hurt you but because it madeyou grieve for things that were wrong."(Phillips).Sin is serious business and we need to grieve over it.We need to come under deep conviction. The more wehurt over sin, the greater will be the joy when true healingand forgiveness come through Christ.HEALEDWhen our sins are exposed, and we truly hurt overthem, then we will cry out to God as David did; "Washme," "Cleanse me," Deliver me. . . ." Here is the spirit oftrue repentance. When there is a grief and hatred of oursins, then there will be a turning from them unto God.And herein lies healing. Christ said, "Him that cometh toMe, I will in no wise cast out." "When we confess our sins,He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanseus from all unrighteousness." Here is relief! The burden isimmediately lifted; the hurt is gone. What a change takesplace. I've known people whose appearance changed. Thelines in their face soften, the eyes brighten, the bodystraightens, tense muscles relax. Their life has a new poise.Sin is the trouble-maker in all our affairs, and whatever ittakes to be rid of sin, even though it may hurt in theprocess, is good, and it brings healing and happiness.Now let us make clear that it is not just sorrow orrepentance alone that brings healing, nor is it even theconfession of sin. Healing comes from Jesus Christ, andfrom Him alone. Without His atoning death on the Cross,there could be no healing. He took the guilt on Himself,and therefore He can lift that burden from us. The hurtwill bring us to Him, but He alone can heal.In the story of Pilgrim 's Progress, the burden wasnot removed from Pilgrim's back until he came up to theCross. Then the burden loosed from off his shoulders, itfell from off his back, it tumbled into the mouth of thesepulcher, and he saw it no more. Then, Bunyan continues,"Christian was glad and lightsome, and said with amerry heart, 'He hath given me rest by His sorrow, andlife by His death'."HAPPYHealing brings happiness. David had not been ablereally to laugh for a whole year, but finally when he admittedhis guilt, and the whole thing came pouring out, hisjoy returned. It is here that our title makes sense: The Joyof a Broken Heart. When the sin that breaks our hearts isconfessed and forgiven, happiness sweeps over us like aflood. Some of the kids that are finding Christ afterseeking escape through other things like drugs, tell us thatforgiveness in Christ is the "greatest high in the world."They know finally what real joy is.See Page 16J UNE 23, 1971 5

Another ViewAbout UrbanaDear EditorAfter reading "Sabotage at Urbana" by EugeneRubingh, and "Evangelism and the A.A.C.S." by RaymondJoseph (April 21, 1971 COVENANTER WITNESS), Iwondered if the writers were describing the same schoolof philosophy with which I am acquainted. Having been tothe Urbana Conference, visited the Christian Institute inToronto, and participated in several AACS (Associationfor the Advancement of Christian Studies) conferences, Iwould like to submit a different view. Both of the abovegentlemen have, in my opinion, missed the central thrustof VANGUARD'S "antics" at Urbana.Mr. Rubingh has misrepresented VANLrUARD tosay that the AACS advocates societal evangelization andthen individual evangelization. The whole point of theVANGUARD Urbana issues was that there should be nodichotomy at all in evangelization no societal and, orindividual dualism. From their "Law-Idea" perspective,evangelism should speak to the totality of man. (The Law-Idea philosophy is a Christian philosophy founded in theNetherlands and being developed by the Christian Institute,which emphasizes the sovereignty of God in allaspects of life.) Mr. Joseph shares Mr. Rubingh's feelingthat the AACS wants social and then individual change. Idid not read that at Urbana, nor do I now upon rereadingthose particular VANGUARD issues. Their position wasput forth rather clearly, I think, despite the academicterminology.Nowhere does VANGUARD support overthrowingexisting structures by violence or force. In fact, theypromote separation from but co-belligerence withhumanistic institutions, much as we Covenanters havedone in the area of politics. And I must disagree as to thetactics used and impact made by VANGUARD at Urbana.As I traveled around campus, I was able to observeVANGUARD'S peaceful distribution of material and tohear comments of students. It was largely the IVCF (Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship) administration that reactednegatively to VANGUARD'S critique. VANGUARDpublicly offered to meet with IVCF personnel when theyrealized they were coming across too strongly and beingmisunderstood. As far as I know, no action was taken. Thestudents were typically either interested in the new, orapathetic.For those interested, I would recommed an article"The VANGUARD at Urbana", (February 1971,VANGUARD) in which they evaluate their own presenceat Urbana. More general, perhaps, is this statement from aquestion and answer pamphlet, "The AACS in theChristian Community":Q. Why is there so much controversy and confusionassociated with the AACS?A. To be honest about it, ^we really aren't completelysure. Some say it is our tactics; some say it s ourarrogance; some say it's our personalities; some say it'sour foolishness in trying to stuff ideas down people'sthroats. There is, no doubt, a measure of truth in all thesecharges. Quite frankly we aren't all that hot at "Madisonavenue" public relations: we try to say exactly what wethink—not what will sound good in the community. Manytimes the quite unvarnished and unmanipulated truthabout a situation is presented, and, in our world of PRmen, that can be quite a jolt to the common man. Somepeople misinterpret this openness; our trying to presentthings as we really see them—as a careless arrogance inpresenting our ideas and viewpoint. We accept otherpeople's questions as honest, sincere, and we try to answerthem honestly. We recognize that some of us have strongpersonalities, and we are aware of the danger that thesepersonalities may get in the way of the Lord's work. Inshort, we recognize that we make mistakes and ask theforgiveness of brothers whom we've offended. However,our mistakes ought not to be used as excuses for peoplenot honestly considering important issues.We wonder if it is not the position which theAssociation has taken on basic issues rather than our wayof raising issues which leads to controversy. For example,we state—consistent, we believe, with Scripture—that theChurch as the whole Body of Christ is wider than thechurch institute. We emphasize the coming of Christ'sKingdom among us, and this has led some to think we areUtopian. But despite the presence of sin among us, webelieve deeply that our work in this world depends onunderstanding Christ as King, and ourselves as ambassadorsof His Kingdom. It should be understood thatwe do not stand primarily for organizations as such, butfor Christ's lordship over life in a differentiated (complex,interwoven) society. If we limit Christ's preeminence toinstitutional church, or to school, or to home, or to allthree, we make His Good News of no effect for such areasof life as politics and business. We believe such a stance tobe contrary to Biblical teaching. As a growing number ofbelievers affirm these basics, there is bound to be reactionfrom those who feel uneasy or threatened by our concernfor "total Christianity." This uneasiness is often expressedby condemning those who raise the issues instead ofopenly discussing those issues.The "Law-Idea" school has recently been the subjectof much harsh criticism hardly fitting the ideal of intra-Christain love. The VANGUARD people feel driven bythe Spirit to criticize the world around them — philosophyis the "janitor" of the sciences. And even though theydisagreed with some of the ideas at Urbana, they did feelthey were a part of the "thousands of Christ-believingstudents in North America who are ready to go wherevertheir Lord wants to send them." They do not claim to haveall the answers, and I have never met Christians morewilling to discuss in their search for truth. "Come now andlet us reason together, saith the Lord."Renwick AdamsJuniorGeneva College6 COVENANTER WITNESS

"For He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsakethee." — Hebrews 13:5.A Wonderful PromiseBy Rev. Wm.It is interesting to note the context in which thispromise occurs. In the opening part of the verse we have awarning against covetousness and an exhortation tocontentment.Contentment is a wonderful blessing. Withoutit wecan never really be happy no matter how much we mayhave. We should all seek, like Paul to learn in whatsoeverstate we are therewith to be content.We have the secret of real contentment in our text.After exhorting his readers to be content, the writer goeson "for He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsakethee."This promise of our text occurs quite often in theOld Testament in slightly different forms. To Jacob atBethel God said: "Behold I am with thee, and will keepthee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring theeagain into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I havedone that which I have spoken to thee of." In the desertGod said to Moses: "Certainly I will be with thee." ToJoshua he said: "As I was with Moses, so I will be withthee: I will not fail thee nor forsake thee." These OldTestament promises are for New Testament saints as well.So the promise is repeated here, not only for the benefit ofthe original readers of this letter, but for our benefit aswell.Note and remember thatit is God's promise. "Hehath said." The fact thatit is God's promise means thatitis sure. Not one word which He has spoken can ever fall tothe ground. He is the God "who cannot lie." "Heaven andearth may pass away," said the Lord Jesus Christ, "but Mywords shall not pass away."It is a wonderful promise. It is the promise of apresence./. It is a Divine Presence that is here promised. Eventhe presence of a mere human companion often means alot; how much more should the Divine Presence mean tous. We have already seen that the speaker here isGod Himself and He says: "I will never leave thee." He isthe great "I Am." That, you remember, was the name bywhich He revealed Himself to Moses when He promised tobe with him. So the presence promised here is thePresence of the great I Am—the Eternal God—God overall blessed for ever—omnipotent and omnipresent—without beginning of days or end of life—the One withwhom is no variableness nor shadow caused by turning.This Eternal God, although so exalted, hasnevertheless drawn near to us in His Divine Son, the LordJesus Christ, who became bone of our bone and flesh ofour flesh that He might in our nature obey the law whichwe had broken and endure its penalty in our stead andmight in short become Immanuel—God with us. TheDivine Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, is our SaviorWNE 23, 1971Young, B.A.from sin and our Divine Friend and Companion alonglife's way. He to whom all power has been given in heavenand on earth says to all His believing people: "Lo I amwith you always, even unto the end of the world."//. It is a Real Presence that is promised. We oftenhear about the "real presence" in connection with theLord's Supper. There is a real Presence in the Lord'sSupper, not in the sense in which the Roman Catholicssay—not in the sense that the bread and the wine arechanged into the actual body and blood of Christ—but inthe sense of a real spiritual Presence. The Presence of theLord Jesus Christ has been and is very real to His people asthey meet around His Table.The Lord Jesus Christ is present with us not onlywhen we meet around His Table, but whenever andwherever we meet in His name. "Where two or three aregathered together in My name there am I in the midst."He is present also with every individual believerwherever he or she may be. The earth is the Lord's and thefullness thereof and so wherever the believing heart turnsto the Lord Jesus Christ, there in very deed He dwells. Wehave a real Divine Presence with us day by day. Webecome conscious of that Presence by faith as the HolySpirit takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto usand opens our heart to the Savior.///. It is a quickening Presence that ispromised. It is evident from the context that the Lord ispresent not to minister to indolence or to excuse fromwatchfulness and prayer, but to quicken and inspire and tomake us bold and courageous. In the verse following ourtext the writer says: "So that we may boldly say, The Lordis my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do untome."Sometimes the presence of a person unnerves us andfills our heart with fear, but the Lord's Presence has thevery opposite effect. It had a quickening and inspiringeffect on men like Jacob, Moses and Joshua. In II Timothy4: 17, Paul writes: "Notwithstanding the Lord stood withme, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching mightbe fully known and that all the Gentiles might hear." Weall believe the Lord was with Martin Luther when he madehis noble stand at the Diet of Worms, but we believe theLord was also with him during his lonely confinement inthe castle of Wartburg, enabling him not only to endurepatiently but to persevere in his important work ofstudying and translating God's Word. God was with JohnBunyan in Bedford gaol and enabled him to write "ThePilgrim's Progress" which has been a means of blessing toso many burdened souls. Sir Ernest Shackleton testified tothe Presence of the risenChrist with him and his party inSee Page 16

The Importance Of Creation StudyJohn W. Klotz, B.D., Ph.D.Prof, of Biology, Concordia Senior CollegeFort Wayne, IndianaWhy is the doctrine of creation important? Isn't ittrue that the only really important doctrine is redemption?Isn't it true that the Bible's orientation is primarilyspiritual, not physical? Why make so much of somethingthat seems to be more in the realm of the scientist than inthe realm of the theologian. Isn't it quite possible for anevolutionist to believe in Christ and be saved?/. THE TEACHINGS OF SCRIPTUREFORMA UNITTo the last of these three questions we shall answer"Yes." But we shall also insist that the doctrine ofcreation Is Important because what Scripture teaches is anorganic whole and cannot be fragmented. It is like a wheelwith spokes radiating out from the central doctrine ofjustification. Thus creation, the fall, redemption, eternallife are all linked together. The doctrine of Creationteaches us that man was created perfect, sinless. We needto know this in order that we do not blame God for ourwickedness. We need to know that we were createdperfect in order to appreciate God's love which not onlyredeemed us but redeemed us from a state into which ourfirst parents had fallen from that original perfection. Weneed to know the doctrine of Creation in order to understandthe perfection which God is preparing for usafter this life. The teachings of the Scripture form a unit.An attack on one is an attack on all. Once we have begunto deny one doctrine we are tempted to deny the others. Ifwe reject the story of creation in a state of perfection andbelieve instead that we have developed from the anthropoid,then redemption is something that God owes us,since our being in the state of sin is the result of bringingus up from the anthropoid. Then sin is His fault becausewe have risen so far above the jungle and the barnyard.//. CREA TION IS MENTIONED REPEA TEDL YIN SCRIPTUREThe doctrine of Creation is not an obscure doctrine,nor is it one which "is hard to understand which they thatare unlearned and unstable wrest unto their owndestruction"(II Peter 3:16). There are over 65 passages inthe Old and New Testaments which refer to this doctrine.Many of these, it is true, speak of God as the Creatorwithout referring in detail to the method of creation, andtheistic evolutionists are wont to say that they can beinterpreted in the light of theistic evolution as well as inthe light of special creation. Yet all of these are writtenagainst the background of Genesis 1 and 2 and presupposeit. They take for granted the details mentioned there. OurSavior refers to the Genesis account: St. Paul buildsNewTestament doctrine on it. The repeated references tocreation in the Scriptures show us how important the Holy8Spirit thought it to be.///. MAN'S RELA TION SHIP TO GOD DEPENDSON THE DOCTRINE OF THE CREA TIONRepeatedly Scripture emphasizes the Creator-Creature relationship. We owe God honor and worshipbecause He created us. More than that, we owe Godobedience for that same reason. Christianity is anauthoritarian religion. When God speaks, man is to obey.He isn't to argue with God, he isn't to question Hiswisdom, he isn't to suggest some alternative, but he is toobey. The Ten Commandments are binding on all men notbecause they are the socially acceptable way of living butbecause they are the commandments of the Creator.When God says, "Thou shalt not steal," I am to obey Him.I am not to question His authority or His motives. I am notto suggest that He is an ally of the propertied classes,permitting Himself to be used in promoting their ends. Iam not to argue that in a purely socialistic society this sortof commandment will no longer be needed. God theCreator has spoken and I the creature must obey.Similarly, when God says: "Thou shalt not commitadultery," I must obey. I cannot argue that this commandmentis given only to protect the home and societyand that when these are not harmed it may be broken. Icannot argue that adultery is wrong only when there isdanger of pregnancy and that the development of moderncontraceptives has made premarital and postmarital faithfulnessunnecessary. God, the Creator, has spoken and Imust obey.IV. THE DOCTRINE OF CREA TION ISINTIMA TEL Y RELA TED TO SUPER-NATURALISMThe Bible assumes the existence of the supernatural,and the doctrine of Creation is an important part of thisassumption. The Bible is not materialistic and mechanisticin its orientation. Itproclaims an all-powerful God who hascreated every material thing and who has established allthe natural laws which govern the universe. This God isboth immanent and transcendent. He is in the world, for inHim we live and move and have our being, Acts 17:28. ButHe is not a part of the world. He is a personal God,separate from these things which he has fashioned andmade.The scientist does not deal with the supernatural. Itis outside the realm of those things with which he concernshimself. He has deliberately limited himself to thosethings which can be touched and felt and handled. Heseeks explanations which are in keeping with the naturallaws which God has set up. While some scientists haveCOVENANTER WITNESS

denied the reality of those things which cannot bemeasured, scienceitself does not. The scientist has foundthis approach fruitful. By limiting himself to a study of thenatural laws which God has set up, he has gained aconsiderable measure of control over the universe whichGod has created. But we should recognize that he doeslimit himself to a study of the laws which God has set upwithout attempting to study the God who set them up.It is interesting to note that one of the earliestclashes between religion and science did not deal with thedoctrine of Creation but rather with the doctrine ofPreservation. The man who is responsible for much of themechanism and materialism of science today was IsaacNewton, one of the greatest scientific geniuses of all times.Living in the 17th century, one of the greatest scientificcenturies of all times, he was a contemporary of Boyle,Hooke, Wren, and the founders of the Royal Society. Allof these men were devout, pious, and deeply religious.Indeed many 20th century historians of science find itdifficult to accept their religious orientation at face valueand suggest it was a cover-up, that they did not reallyaccept God and Christ but because of the nature of thetimes had to pay lip service to Christianity. Reading thewritings of such men as Boyle and Newton leaves no doubtas to their sincerity. They were indeed deeply religiousmen.At the same time we ought to recognize thatNewton's system whereby the universe became a machineand his denials of the role of God as preserver laid thefoundation for much of the mechanism and materialismwhich characterizes modern science. Newton believedthat the age of miracles was past. He accepted the Old andNew Testament accounts of miracles, but he believed theyno longer occurred. He believed that God now workedthrough the natural laws which He had established.Newton's God was a watchmaker God, a God who hadfitted all the wheels together and had started it runningbut who had now withdrawn completely. In other words,God had now abdicted in His role as preserver, God wastranscendent, but no longer immanent.It was an extension of Newton's ideas that led tocausal determinism and led to ideas such as those ofLaPlace who believed that if there were a supernaturalbeing capable of knowing all cause and effect relationshipsand capable of analyzing all of them, he could withconfidence reconstruct every event even of the remotepast and predict every event of the future. LaPlace talkedabout a Supernatural Being. However, it was not long untilothers came along and applied Occam's razor to thesystem. Since God was not needed in the system—itfunctioned by the natural laws He had established, Hecould be eliminated. This was the strict causal determinismwhich prevailed until the beginning of the 20thcentury.At the turn of the century, causal determinismreceived a death blow from which it never recovered. Thiswas the principle of indeterminism introduced byHeisenberg. Heisenberg's principle applies only on thesubatomic level. He learned that it is impossible to predictboth the position and the velocity of an electron. Thismeant that strict causal determinism would not work onthe subatomic level. It was Heisenberg's position that theuniverse is indeterministic and his position was shared byEddington. Others, such as Einstein, insisted that theuniverse is deterministic but we simply cannot demonstrateit.While it is true that indeterminism can bedemonstrated only on the subatomic level, certainly it isfair to suggest that from a philosophical standpoint it mayapply on other levels as well. This, once more, leavesroom for God. If things are not so exactly predeterminedby cause and effect relationships, perhaps there is a rolefor God after all. Thus supernaturalism may not be sooutmoded after all. It is interesting to note that while strictcausal determinism has been abandoned in physics, a sortof determinism and a dependence on strict cause andeffect relationships is still the basis of much of thereasoning in biology. Indeed it is this mechanisticdeterminism that is the basis for evolution. Living thingsdevelop through natural laws by cause and effectrelationships. Theistic evolutionists claim that God isbehind the process, but to most of them He is thewatchmaker God of Newton who is transcendent butno longer immanent.Cause and effect is also widespread in the socialsciences. Man is both the product of and the victim of hisenvironment. He is the helpless pawn of forces outsidehimself. This does away with human responsibliity in themoral realm. Man cannot be responsible if his actions arethe consequences of environmental stimuli.Strict causal determinism in any area is a gloomyphilosophy. Man is helpless. He cannot alter his environmentand he cannot control his actions. He is acomplete automaton.V. THE DOCTRINE OF CREA TIONPOSTULATES AN ABSOLUTE GODOne of the most significant developments of 20thcentury physics is the theory of relativity developed byEinstein, while indeterminism has probably beenfavorable philosophically to organized religion, relativityhas not. Einstein believed that the only constant or absoluteis the speed of light. Everything else is relative.Time is relative. As the speed of an object increases andapproaches the speed of light, time slows down for thatobject. Its length decreases and its mass increases. Thushis theory is considered to have destroyed the concept ofabsolutes. Actually, you and I are committed to the ideaof absolutes. The God whom we worship is the Absolute.He is not relatively wise. He is omnicient. He is notrelatively powerful; He is omnipotent. It is of His omnipotencethat the doctrine of Creation speaks. Whyshouldn't God cause the earth to appear as the Genesisaccount reports? He is all powerful. He doesn't need aprocess of development. He doesn't need to make thingsin steps. Our God is an absolute God. He speaks and it isdone. It is because He is the absolute God that we oweHim respect and homage.(To Be Continued)JUNE 23, 1971 9

Once aWitch DoctorNow aRadiant ServantOf Christby Inga Brunvaer, Evelyn SodrenY o u WOULDN'T KNOW IT—but DeborahMtombeni, the tall womanwith the radiant face, was once a witchdoctor. Now she is a joyous, enthusiasticChristian who serves God withall her heart and soul.But maybe you would know it—becauseher voice will always be huskyand cracked from the loud shoutingused in the weird rituals. Besides, shespeaks freely of those days when shewas a slave of Satan. She says:"For years I served the devil, butnow I serve my Jesus. I want to workfor Him and sing for Him. When Iserved the devil, I served him with mywhole body. But now that I am saved,I want to serve the Lord with all thatis within me." Her face shines with thelight of heaven when she tells what theLord has done for her, and well itmight.South Africaleave her lucrative profession, but Deborahprayed and finally got his consent.She asked us to help her burn allthe things pertaining to her work aswitch doctor.The service in her hut began aftershe had brought in all the paraphernaliaof her profession, includingthese: a skirt made of baboon skins,one goat skin to be worn in front andfastened around the neck, animal tailsto be hung on the arms, a tail of a wildbeast to hold in the hand when dancing,other tails and feathers for headgear,horns of wild bucks and goats tohang around the neck, a spear, a rod,and a straw bag full of bones fromdifferent animals.With all this in front of us, weprayed, sang, and preached. Then afire was built outside and all the articlescarried out. While Christians sang,Deborahthrew all her witch doctorDeborah was converted to Christ ata meeting in her kraal in 1953. Atequipment into the fire.This had been her only means offirst her husband refused to let her income, but when she began to raiseEven when she carries pawpaws or otherproduce to market, Deborah Mtombeni,former witch doctor (I.), takes withher the Bible she is learning to read.pumpkins and sell them, her harvestwas so great that she had more thanenough.From that time on, Deborah hasgrown in grace and in the knowledgeof the Lord. Visiting kraals, testifyingfor the Lord, has been her greatestjoy. Others have been saved and regularSabbath services are held in herhome. When no one else can come tospeak from the Bible, Deborah is theleader and preacher. Although she cannotread, she has been called to a MethodistHospital at Ubombo for a weekor two at a time to speak to the patientsand have devotions with them.She says: "I was bound by Satan.I will never go back, no never! Godhas even now opened my eyes so I ambeginning to read the Bible. [One ofher children is teaching her to read.]When I go to hoe in the fields, I carrymy Bible on my head and read it whenI sit alone. I have seen Him! I haveheard Him! May the Lord be praised!'THE MISSIONARYBROADCASTER10 COVENANTER WITNESS

Sabbath SchoolLessonForJulyl8,1971GOD, THE CHRISTIAN,AND CIVIL LAWDeut. 16:18-20; 17:8-1 l;Daniel 6;Acts 4:13-20; I Peter 2:13-17Lesson Helps for the Week of July 18Comments by John K. GaultThere is an intimate connectionbetween God, the Christian and civil law.God, of course, is the supreme Ruler of thewhole universe. He is complete, and inevery sense, sovereign. The Christian, if heis sincere, endeavors to do the will of Godin every activity of life. Civil government,as we learned last Sabbath, is an ordinanceof God, and therefore is to be respectedand obeyed. Blackstone, the famousEnglish jurist said in his Commentaries onLaw, "Law is a rule of civil conductcommanding what is right and prohibitingwhat is wrong." Jesus showed the reality ofthis relationship in His contest with thePharisees and the Herodians who sought tohave Him incriminate Himself, as theysaid, "Master, we know that Thou art true,and teachest the way of God in truth,neither carest Thou for any man: for Thouregardest not the person of man. Tell ustherefore, what thinkest Thou? Is itlawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?But Jesus perceived their wickedness, andsaid, Why tempt ye Me, ye hypocrites?Show Me the tribute money, and theybrought unto Him a penny. And He saidunto them, Whose is this image andsuperscription? They say unto Him,Caesar's. Then saith He unto them, Rendertherefore unto Caesar the things which areCaesar's and unto God the things that areGod's."1: God Directed Israel to Establish aGovernment of Law.In Deuteronomy 16:18, Moses,speaking for God, said, "Judges and officersshalt thou make in all thy gates,which the Lord thy God giveth thee,throughout thy tribes." Moses is soon todie "on Nebo's lonely mountain" and so hemade provision for a system ofrepresentative government. He told thepeople to "make judges and officers" andthat would imply that they were to vote onthem. They were to have a democracyunder God, who had told them to "love thyneighbor as thyself."2: The Civil Law Was to Be AdministeredImpartially.(Deut. 16:18,20)The government officials weredirected to "judge the people with justjudgment" and "That which is altogetherjust shalt thou follow, that thou mayestlive, and inherit the land which the Lordthy God giveth thee." The punishmentdecreed for violation of a law must be thesame for all persons whether they be richor poor. And the advantages of a law mustbe available to all persons who are eligibleregardless of race, color, or religion.3: The Intent of the Law Was Not toBe Changed. (Deut. 16:19)Moses said, "Thou shalt not wrestjudgment." The law was to be administeredin the same way at all times. To "wrest"means to change or twist. To apply a law toa situation whereit was not supposed to beapplied would be "wresting" that law. Jesushad such a situation to contend with whileHe was in the world. Quoting Moses, Jesussaid in Mark 7:10-12,"Honor thy father andthy mother; and whoso curseth father andmother, let him die the death: but ye say,ifa man shall say to his father or mother, it isCorban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoeverthou mightest be profited by me; he shallbe free. And ye suffer him no more to doought for his father or his mother." In thisway the law that a son should care for hisindigent parents was wrested. He escapedresponsibility to his parents and nothingwas done to him because he had made thevow of "Corban" to give a gift to God, butneither God nor his parents received thegift. The intent of a law must not bechanged so as to suit a certain situation.4: It Was the Law that People Wereto Abstain from any Form of IdolatryMoses said, for God, "Thou shalt notplant thee a grove of any trees near untothe altar of the Lord thy God, which thoushalt make thee. Neither shalt thou set theeup any image; which the Lord thy Godhateth." In verse 21 grove is said to be amistranslation and it really is, in theoriginal, "Asherah" which was the nameof a female goddess of fertility. No imagenor likeness was to be set up in any vicinityof the altar of God, in order that the peoplemight not be tempted to worship the imageand in order that monotheism might beestablished in the land. The law was givenfrom Mount Sinai: "Thou shalt have noother gods before me" and "Thou shalt notmake unto thee any graven image, or anylikeness of any thing: thou shalt not bowdown thyself to them, nor serve them: for Ithe Lord thy God am a jealous God."5: The Will of God Should Be Soughtin the Administration of Law.There might be times when it wasimpossible to arrive at a satisfactorysolution to a judicial problem. Moses tookaccount of such a situation and madeprovision for it.He said in 17:8-11, "If therearise a matter too hard for thee injudgment, between blood and blood,between plea and plea, and between strokeand stroke, being matters of controversywithin thy gates: then shalt thou arise,and get thee up into the place which theLord thy God shall choose; and thou shaltcome unto the priests, Levites, and untothe judge that shall be in those days, andenquire; and they shall show thee thesentence of judgment: and thou shalt doaccording to the sentence, which they ofthat place which the Lord shall chooseshall show thee; and thou shalt observe todo according to all that they inform thee."So, when all human efforts failed to adjudicatea matter they were to make adirect appeal to God through the priests.The picture here is that of a fight betweentwo men, in which blows are exchangedand blood is shed. They each accuse theother of having instituted the wrong. Theofficials at the gate cannot tell who is toblame and who isn't. So, they take thematter to the priests beside the altar andthey make the decision which both of thecontending parties are to abide by. Everycourt trial should be opened with prayer toGod and every jury should begin itsdeliberations with prayer to God.6: Christians Make Better PublicOfficials.This fact is shown in Daniel 6. Dariusthe Mede who had become king ofChaldea, appointed 120 princes who wereto rule over tne "whole realm." Threechief officers of whom Daniel was the first,were appointed to high positions amongthe 120. Of Danielit is said in 6:3, "Thenthis Daniel was preferred above thepresidents and princes, because an excellentspirit was in him." Daniel wascapable and efficient because he believedin God and he endeavored to do rightbefore Him.7: God's People May Be PersecutedBecause of their Good Conduct.This was true in the case of bothDaniel and Joseph. The other officials ofthe realm became very angry and jealousbecause Daniel had received suchpreferential treatment. "They sought tofind occasion against Daniel concerningthe kingdom; but they could find noneoccasion nor fault." In order to haveDaniel disposed of they arranged a decreewhich read, "Whosoever shall ask aJUNE 23, 1971 11

petition of any God or man for thirty days,save of thee, 0 king, he shall be cast intothe den of lions." King Darius, withoutthinking, signed the decree.8: Christians Should Continue theirChristian Practices even under Threat ofDeath.This was what Daniel did and thiswas what Peter and John did when theywere threatened. They said to their accusers,"Whether it be rightin the sight ofGod to hearken unto you more than untoGod, judge ye. For we cannot but speakthe things which we have seen and heard.Daniel continued to pray to God threetimes a day with his window openedtoward Jerusalem.9: God Intervened to Save Daniel'sLife.He said to the king early in themorning, "My God hath sent His angel,and shut the lions' mouths.""Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the U.S.A."Junior TopicFor July 18,1971NATURE'S MYSTERIESby Mrs. Robert McElroyMemory Psalm: Psalm 148.Memory Verse: John 3:8.Scripture: Psalm 139:15-17; Eccl. 11:5; Mark4:26,27; John 3:8.Before we begin our study tonight,let us review what we have learned so farabout God's gift of nature. We recall thelessons we are taught through and bynature. We cannot help but remember thebeauty of nature as we look around us atthe creations of God's hands. Finally, weread that all God's creatures in heaven andon earth are to praise God. Tonight we arethinking about "Nature's Mysteries."Do you enjoy reading mysteries?Most children do. Some are so exciting youcannot put the book down until you havefound out for yourself the answer to theproblem. As we consider nature, it seemsto me to be filled with mysteries. OurScripture for tonight brings to mindmysteries which we, as ordinary people,are not able to understand.What is a mystery? Is a mystery thesame as a secret? No, I don't think they arethe same. First of all, a mystery is a hiddenor unknown fact about something we don'tunderstand. We may not understandbecause we haven't correctly put the cluestogether or we may not be ready to understand.A secret is just somethingunknown to others.Many of the workings of nature aremysteries to us. We know what we expect12to happen but we don't know why they do.We depend on nature to act and re-act incertain ways. For example, a farmer Tcnowshe should plant most of his crops in thespring when danger of frost is past. Whenthe seeds are planted, he depends on theseed to sprout and push up through thesoil. He waits for rain and sunlight toprovide the seed with the things it needs.But why does the seed sprout? Whydo some seeds push themselves upthrough the crust of the soil and otherspush up new sprouts? This is one ofnature's mysteries. Read Mark 4:27.When a seed is planted it seems to be lostand buried but it soon makes its presenceknown. A field may be brown and lifelessone day and tinted with green the next. Atime lapse camera could take pictures ofthis happening so we could see it, but wewould still not know howit worked. Thisnoiseless change continues until the plantreaches maturity.In our lives we may be lost andburied in our daily work. But when theseed of the gospel enters our heart achange takes place. Christians are likegrowing plants: when we study our Biblesand pray we give the gospel seed the foodand strengthit needs to grow. As we growin our spiritual lives it is possible for othersto see the change in us.Another of the mysteries of nature isyou. When you were very small perhapsyou learned the finger play:"God made the green, green, grass.God made the sky so blue,God made the birds that sing,And (name) God made you."Our bodies are marvelous creations. Yourbody can grow;it can turn food into fuel; itcan repair or mend a broken part. Noengine or computer scientists have beenable to make can compare with thecomplex machine of the human body. Justas an inventor knows and is able to explainthe working of his invention so is ourCreator. Yet it remains a mystery to usbecause God has not revealed the mysteryto us. Just as the farmer depended on theseed to sprout, so we depend on our bodiesto grow and develop in a given pattern.The first question in the Children'sCatechism is "Who made you?"and the third is "Why did God make youand all things?" Yes, God did make us andHe did so for His own glory. God made youfor a purpose. It was part of His plan thatyou were born. Yet God gave each of ussomething else that made us different fromother animals. He gave us souls. We knowwe have souls because we can think aboutGod and the world to come. But we don'tknow how the soul enters our body or howit operates. Eccl. 11:5,6. Even as theworking of our body is a mystery evenmore so is the working of our soul. Weknow we are the work of God and we mustdepend on Him.Our last Scripture is John 3:8.Christine Rose^Ui wrote a poem you mayhave learned at school that began?"Who has seen the wind?Neither you nor I.But when the trees hang down theirheadsThe wind is passing by.It is true we can't see the wind but we cansee what it does. A farmer may depend onthe strength of the wind to turn the millthat raises water from below the groundlevel. Or a sailor may depend on the windtofill the sails and move his boat. Or youmay depend on the sea breezes to coolyour home. The Spirit of God is similar tothe wind. We are unable to see the windbut we are able to see what it can do. TheSpirit of God is powerful but the way Heworks is a mystery to us.These are only three of the mysteriesof nature—the sprouting and growth of theplants, the creation of human beings withsouls, and the ways of the wind. There aremany others. What causes a lowlycaterpillar to turn into a beautiful monarchbutterfly? Why can birds fly? Why doducks know how to swim without everbeing taught?These are only mysteries to us. ToGod who made everything, there is nomystery and, perhaps, when we are readyto understnd, God will reveal the unknownto us.Questions:1. What do you think is nature'sgreatest mystery? Why?2. How can we ready ourselves tounderstand these mysteries? (See n Tim.2:15)Activity:For our Bible study tonight we aregoing to see how many different kinds oftrees are mentioned in the Bible. Whatkind of seeds do trees grow from? Can youthink of any seeds of trees you eat? Howabout coconuts or (Numbers 17:8)? Psalm52:8? II Sam. 5:23? How many more canyou find? Prov. 7:17;I Kings 4:33; Gen.35:4; Isa. 41:19; Jud. 9:10; Job. 40:22.Prayer MeetingTopicfor!uly21,1971PRAYER FOR THEIRISH REFORMEDPRESBYTERIAN CHURCHBy Rev. I. Renwick Wright, D.D.Suggested Psalms: 50:1-6, p. 127; 85:4-8,207; 110:1-3, p. 275.Scripture Readings: Isaiah 49:1-12; Acts1:1-11.TheCOVENANTER WITNESSChurch in Ireland has forty

congregations. They are under, fivepresbyteries: Northern, Southern, Eastern,Western, and Australian. Most of thecongregations are concentrated in thenorthern part of the island. The AustralianPresbytery has two congregations under itscare, Geelong and McKinnon (Melbourne)with an outreach work at Frankstown.There are approximately 3500 members inthe denomination, a figure which has heldpretty steady since the beginning of thecentury. Many of the congregations are inrural districts and are sited close togetherby American standards, 10 or 15 milesapart. This makes for close fellowship.All through their history there hasbeen a close bond between the Irish andAmerican branches of the Church, and thishas meant a similarity in outlook andmethods of working, even though thedistance separating them was enormous forover 150 years. (It is only a seven-hourjourney now.) Congregational ways ofworking are very alike. Much emphasis isput on the preaching of the Word in theIrish Church, and great care is taken thather ministers be as well trained as possible.(There aren't enough students for theministry to meet the growing need, especiallyfor outreach, at the presentmoment.) Christian education is put at theforefront. Most congregations enter theirchildren for a Sabbath School examinationconducted in November of each year bySynod's Committe on the Instruction of theYoung. The matter of establishing adefinite adult Christian education programis under active consideration, (In manyinstances part of the Wednesday nightprayer meeting is devoted to detailed,deeper, Bible study conducted by thepastor.) The C.Y.P.U. is workingenergetically in many areas;it is led by anExecutive Committee corresponding toour National Staff, which is in turnresponsible to one of Synod's committees.As happens in every part of the Christianworld much of the effort for missions isconducted by the Women's MissionarySocieties, but men are being drawn intothis aspect of the work more and more.Each congregation is expected to makespecial evangelistic efforts from time totime, and these often take the form ofpreaching campaigns. There is an increasingemphasis on personal witness, forexample, several ladies in Belfast areopening their homes for morning coffeepartiesat which the Word is studied withtheir non-Christian neighbors.The Church as a whole is becomingmore and more conscious of its responsibilityto reach out.In Northern Ireland practicallyeveryone has some connection with somedenomination, even though some of themdon't attend church. But in spite of this,individual congregations make strongefforts to bring them in. At a presbyterylevel there are Elders Fellowships at whichelders meet for mutual encouragement andtraining. The Eastern Presbytery has anactive outreach committee which isrecommending the establishing of a newwork to the north of Belfast. (Ron andCarolyn Homa worked with this committeewhile they were in Ireland.) At Synod levelthe Committee on Evangelism and ChurchExtension has supported an evangelist forseveral years. Rev. Kenneth Smith is takingover this work for one year, starting thissummer. This committee supports anoutreach work in a housing estate calledCastleroe, and is ultimately responsible forthe church camps which are held for youngpeople in Portrush at the beginning ofAugust, and for the evangelistic campaignheld in Cork every year by the C.Y.P.U.Cork is one of the most Roman Catholiccities in Ireland. Evangelistic work there ismuch easier now.Under Synod the Irish Mission Boardsupports four colporteurs (missionaries)working in different parts of the island. Mr.Thomas Beck is in Dublin; Mr. and Mrs.Thomas McKee in Cork; Mr. and Mrs.James Anderson in Galway; and Mr. andMrs. Joseph Kerr in County Donegal.Foreign mission work is supervisedby a board consisting of members fromboth the Scottish and Irish Churches,responsible to both Synods. Work is nowconcentrated in Ethiopia. Mission stationshave been established in the Tigreprovince, with the permission and supportof the Ethiopian government, one inMakale, and another in Sheket. Otherareas, such as Araghure, are visitedperiodically. The door is wide open inEthiopia at the present time. It may notremain open, so the need is very great forconcentrated effort now. Moremissionaries are urgently needed, and themeans to support them. Perhaps thegreatest need is for a teacher to help trainnational teachers.The troubled state of NorthernIreland has made some difficulty for theChurch, but its work has not been undulyhindered. This situation needs muchprayer.Items for Prayer:1. that individual congregations bealive to the needs and opportunities intheir own areas.2. that revision of the Christianeducation program be in accordance withthe mind of the Spirit.3. that the personal witness ofmembers become more effective throughtheir increasing maturity in the Faith.4. that continued guidance be givento the Eastern Presbytery in its plans foroutreach.5. that the new work at Castleroeincrease in scope.6. that Christians left behind inSyria, Turkey, and Lebanon continuefaithful.7. that guidance be given to theForeign Mission Board, to the FieldCouncil and to individual missionaries rethe work in Ethiopia.8. that more missionaries be sent toEthiopia.9. that a third minister be sent toAustralia.10. that Divine blessing rest uponRev. Kenneth G. Smith, his wife, andfamily as they minister to the Irish Churchthis year.11. that God call more students to theministry, and continue to guide the staff ofthe Theological Hall in their training.12. that the present situation inIreland help rather than hinder the work ofthe colporteurs and the Church in general.13. that the summer camps andconferences make a strong impact forChrist upon young people.14. that definite guidance be given tothe Committe on Evangelism and ChurchExtension as it plans for an internationalconference next year.Quinter.... from page 15Medical School; Mrs. Sharon Feltis, FortHays State; Daryl Nuss, Sterling College;Leland Mann, Colby Junior College; BobMcWilliams, Tom McElroy, CynthiaGraham, Ron Graham, Marsha Maxwellfrom high school; Joey Graham, DonnaMann, and Roger Mann from eighth grade.Mr. and Mrs. Sam Wilkey andchildren of Wichita worshiped with us oneSabbath recently.Daryl Nuss has been elected to Who'sWho of American Colleges. He shared withus at a recent morning service how Godhas called him into the ministry of CampusCrusade which he is entering for full timeappointment in July.Dr. Bob Gross and Mrs. ElizabethGross of San Diego and Earl McClelland ofStudley, Kansas, attended church serviceson April 11. Earl and wife had beenhonored at an Open House on April 10 onthe occasion of their sixtieth weddinganniversary. Several from Quinter attendedthe event. Earl and Martha wereactive members in the Quintercongregation before moving to Studley anumber of years ago. Mrs. Gross is Earl'ssister.Miss Marie Wright spent several daysin New Mexico. She was a special guest atthe banquet and graduation exercises atChuska Indian School, Tohatchi, NewMexico, on May 27 and 28, and enjoyedrenewing friendships with students,faculty, and friends in that area.We praise God for fine rains and apromising outlook for harvest.JUNE 23, 19T 13

MRS. SAMUEL E. GREERMrs. Samuel E. Greer (Lela LoisMcElhinney) was called to her heavenlyhome suddenly on April 17, from theShawley Nursing Home, Youngstown,Pennsylvania where she had resided sinceNovember of 1968.Dr. S. Bruce Willson, assisted by Dr.David M. Carson, conducted a service onMonday evening, April 19, in the ReformedPresbyterian Church in New Alexandria,her church home after leaving Philadelphiain 1962. On Wednesday afternoon, April21, Dr. G. M. Robb officiated at a servicein the Sharon Reformed PresbyterianChurch near Morning Sun, Iowa, afterwhich she was laid to rest beside her latehusband in the Sharon Cemetery.She is survived by a daughter, Mrs.Kermit S. (Martha) Edgar of NewAlexandria and by a son, Robert T. Greerof Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; by twogranddaughters and two grandsons andone great grandson.Mrs. Greer was born in Morning Sun,Iowa, November 20, 1883, the daughter ofSamuel E. and Martha Faris McElhinney.Her grandfather was one of the founders ofthe Sharon congregation in 1846. On May6, 1908, she was united in marriage to Rev.Samuel E. Greer, D. D. and together theyserved in pastorates at Tabor, Kansas;Washington, Iowa;Denver, Colorado; andthe 1st Church of the Covenanters inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, until his deathin 1952. During the ten years following, shetraveled over the State of Pennsylvaniateaching "Alcohol Education" in the healthclasses and assemblies of both elementaryand high schools, speaking to more than160,000 of our youth. Mrs. Greer was amember of the Gospel Illustrators Leaguein Philadelphia, and was one of thepioneers in the use of the flannelgraphmethod of teaching. She served aspresident of the Women's SynodicalMissionary Society during 1939-1940, andfor several years was a member of theSynodical Quartet. She loved her Lord,and continues to serve Him and praise Himin His Church Triumphant.NOTE OF THANKSThe Kermit S. Edgar family and theRobert T. Greer family wish toacknowledge and express our thanks forthe memorial gifts and the many othertributes to her memory and expressions ofsympathy to her family, in the passing ofour mother, Mrs. Samuel E. Greer.14MISS MARTHA IRENE TAGGARTThe Women's Missionary Society ofthe Topeka congregation wishes to expressits sadness in the home-going of MarthaTaggart who was in our fellowship most ofher lifetime. Martha was the oldestdaughter of Dr. and Mrs. D. RaymondTaggart, and was born in Hong Kong whenthey were in the missionary service of ourchurch in South China.Returning to the United States withher parents at a young age, she grew upwith her two younger sisters, Ruth andEsther, in the city of Topeka, Kansaswhere her father served as pastor of theCovenanter Church, and later as editor ofThe Covenanter Witness. Marthagraduated from Geneva College, andtaught school in both Canonsburg, Pennsylvaniaand Lyons, Kansas. She was alsovery happy in her own home where sheassisted her father in his work byproofreading, and later was companion toher mother after her father's death.Martha's thoughtfulness of otherswas shown in her volunteer work amongthe handicapped persons in Topeka, inhelping with the day nursery care of preschoolchildren, and in Sabbath Schoolteaching.After her mother's death, Marthaespecially found the necessity of seeking torely upon God for comfort and sustaininggrace. Many cares and anxieties burdenedher heart, as she faced the loneliness ofhome and work without her loved onesnear. In January, 1971, her sister Esther,Mrs. James Burrow, of Estes Park died.The heavenly Father understood Martha'sneeds in this new bereavement, and helpedher to meet each one step by step. Twomonths later, on March 19, 1971, Marthaherself was taken by death. "Thou shaltguide me with thy counsel, and afterwardreceive me to glory" (Psalm 73:24).MEMORIAL TOSAMUEL R. MARSHALLThe members of Session and of theFirst Reformed Presbyterian Church of LosAngeles wish to express their sorrow in thepassing of our dearly beloved fellowChristian, Mr. Samuel R. Marshall.He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,October 25, 1891, and spent a fewyears of his early life there. When he wasstill young the family moved to MorningSun, Iowa, where he joined the ReformedPresbyterian Church.He and the family came to LosAngeles in 1925, and they all becamemembers of the church here with us. In1927 Samuel married Miss MargaretHartshorn of Trae^ Iowa. Two sons,Kenneth Bruce and Gordon Lyle, wereborn to them.Samuel was elected elder and servedvery faithfully as Clerk of Session in theR.P. Church of Los Angeles, for some 20years. The Master called him to hisheavenly home, apparently during theearly hours of Thursday, April 29, 1971. Heis survived by his wife Margaret, his twosons and three grandchildren, also twosisters, Kathryn Marshall and AnnabelleMarshall Atchison. A memorial servicewas held, May 1, 1971. Interment was inTraer, Iowa.We do not mourn as those who haveno hope! We rejoice that our dear friendand fellow-laborer has won the victory andhas answered the Master'a call to occupythe place He has prepared for Samuel! Welive in the fond hope that we shall all beready to answer the Master's call and go tojoin all those who have gone before!QUINTER, KANSAS(Rev. Robert McFarland, pastor)Jenda Lee, Maria Jo, and CurtisLeroy, children of Mr. and Mrs. Vernoni Bender, received the sacrament of baptism,on January 24, and were welcomed toour roll of baptized members.Mr. and Mrs. Chester Chestnut arethe parents of a new daughter, HeatherMarie, born on February 8. A showerhonoring Heather was held at the JamesMann home, on February 27, with Mrs.James Mann and Mrs. Max Mann ashostesses.The Juniors enjoyed a Valentineparty at the church on February 13.Dave Fenchel and George Henning,representing Geneva College, spoke to usat our church services on March 7. Theywere guests at a young people's gettogetherheld at the Laverne Maxwellhome on March 6.Ron Graham, Linda Wylie, MarshaMaxwell, Erroll Roberts, and CynthiaGraham accompanied our pastor on a tripto Geneva College, March 22-29. Rev. Mr.McFarland conducted communion servicesat Marion, Iowa, on March 28. Ouryoung people shared their personaltestimonies as part of the preparatoryservices.Several special work days atthe church by members and friends of thechurch resulted in needed improvementsto the church basement. The improvementsincluded new lighting anddrapes, painting, new formica sink toparea, and new double stainless steel sinkplus the general spring housecleaning ofthe church.Our pastor was a delegate to andattended the Reformed Ecumenical SynodCOVENANTER WITNESS

that met in Chicago, March 2-5, to considerthe race problem.Tom Forman and Miss NancyVander Schaaf of Toronto, Canada, camefor a ten-day visit in the home of Mr. andMrs. R. W. McBurney. Mrs. McBurneywas hostess at an Open House honoringNancy on March 23.Mr. and Mrs. Neal Mann and Bartspent two weeks visiting his parents andother relatives in Quinter. Neal is a firstpilot in the Air Force and is stationed atCharleston, South Carolina.Other visitors in the homes ofrelatives who have attended our Sabbathservices on duTerent occasions include:Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bender of Wakeeney,Kans.; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur More and sonsof Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. Terry Wichmanof Wichita; Mr. and Mrs. KennethGraham and family, Aurora, Colorado;Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mann and childrenfrom Colorado Springs; Mr. and Mrs.Warnock Bailey, Renwick Bailey, Tammyand Sue Bailey of Greeley; Mr. and Mrs.Alden Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson,Mrs. Lloyd McElroy of Topeka; Mr. andMrs. Clyde Goodin from Hebron; LymanWhite, Rev. and Mrs. June McElroy, Mr.and Mrs. Greg Adams and Jeffrey ofDenver; Mr. and Mrs. Don McWilliamsand sons, Sharon Springs, Kansas; Mr. andMrs. Frank Jannuzi, Nutley, New Jersey;Ray Forman of Los Angeles.The Genevans presented theirconcert in the high school auditorium onApril 1 and were overnight guests in ourhomes.Midwest Presbyterial met in ourchurch, April 6 and 7. Featured speakerswere Rev. J. Paul McCracken, Rev.Melville Martin, Rev. James Penningtonand Mr. Thomas Edgar.Rev. Ray Blair of Washington, Iowa,was our communion assistant, April9, 10, and 11. His inspiring messages wereappreciated by all.Lewis Bailey spent several days inGreeley visiting his brother Fred and wifeand other relatives.Our pastor spoke at the Inter-VarsityFellowship meeting at Fort Hays Collegeon April 13.Mr. and Mrs. R. W. McBurney, Mrs.Ethel Chestnut, John Forman, Ray Forman,and Wayne Copeland attended thewedding of Miss Nancy Vander Schaaf andTom Forman on Saturday, May 1, at theImmanuel Christian Reformed Church,Ontario, Canada. We extendcongratulations to Tom and Nancy.Amy Graham, eighteen-month olddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Graham,was the victim of a rabid skunk whileplaying in the yard at their farm home. Shereceived the series of rabies shots and hashad no noticeable ill effects.JUNE 23, 1971NEW YOR]PRESBYTERIAThe forty-eighth annual conventionof the New York Women's PresbyterialMissionary Society was held in theColdenham and Newburgh Churches onMay 12 and 13. The convention theme was"Ye shall be My Witnesses"(Acts 1:8) andthe convention Psalm was Psalm 22, page51.On May 12, at 6:30 P.M., delegatesand friends were guests of the Coldenhamand Newburgh Societies for dinner.At 7:45 P.M., the convention wascalled to order by the President, MissElisabeth Henderson. For devotions MissHenderson used the topic: "Witnessing atHome and Locally."A very interesting pantomime,"Nameless Women of the Bible" was givenby the Coldenham Society.The Coldenham and Newburghyouth groups gave a very fine presentationentitled, "The Generation Gap as seenthrough the 78th Psalm."Mrs. C. F. Millican gave a briefreview of the books on display.After the singing of the conventionPsalm Rev. John McMillian pronouncedthe benediction.On Thursday morning, Mrs. WaldoMitchel conducted devotions and Biblestudy on the topic: "Witnessing in ourCountry," John 1:1-18 and 1 John 1:1-2:2.Mrs. Mitchel went over the Scriptureportion verse by verse and then divided thecompany into four groups for discussion.The morning business session wasopened with prayer by Miss Henderson.Greetings from Mrs. Kermit S.Edgar, Synodical President, were read.Roll call was answered by elevensocieties giving a Scripture verse onwitnessing. There were 57 delegatespresent.Reports of officers and superintendentswere read and accepted.After prayer for the Church, led byMrs. Wendell Spear, and prayer for theNation, led by Mrs. John Ramsey, themeeting adjourned for luncheon in theLee Craig (age 80) passed away at hishome on May 11. He had been in failinghealth for some time. His wife (Georgia)preceded him in death last October.Mr. and Mrs. James Mann returnedhome on May 15 from visiting their sonsNeal and Jay. Neal and family reside inSummerville, South Carolina; Jay and wifeare teachers at Tiffin, Ohio.Mr. and Mrs. R. W. McBurney, Mrs.Ethel Chestnut, Mrs. Calvin Chestnut, Mr.and Mrs. Sam Chestnut, Kathy and Kevinattended graduation exercises at theUniversity of Kansas where John FormanWOMEN'SCONVENTIONColdenham Church.The afternoon meeting was openedwith prayer for home missions, led by Mrs.W. R. White, and prayer for foreignmissions, led by Mrs. Walter Somers.A combined devotional andmemorial service was conducted by Mrs.Margaret Smyth on the topic, "Witnessingto the Ends of the Earth," using variousportions of Scripture. Tributes were readfor eleven members who have gone on tohigher service.The Presbyterial was invited to holdthe 1972 Convention in Lisbon, New Yorkand the invitation was accepted withthanks.The following officers were elected:Vice President, Mrs. Charles Sterrett;Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. HartleyRussell to serve for two years; President,Mrs. Philip Martin; Recording Secretary,Mrs. Harold Harrington; AssistantTreasurer, Mrs. Robert Ashleigh to servefor one year.At 6:30 P.M. dinner was served in theFirst United Methodist Church ofNewburgh.The evening meeting was opened inthe Newburgh Church with a praise serviceled by Mrs. Hartley Russell.The speaker of the evening was Mr.William Milliken representing Young Lifeon the Lower East Side New York. He toldof the work that is being carried on in thatlocality and of the great need that exists.Miss Henderson expressed thethanks of the Presbyterial to Mr. Millikenfor his excellent talk and also to the womenof Coldenham and Newburgh for theirhospitality.After the singing of the conventionPsalm and the pronouncing of thebenediction by Rev. Robert Milliken themeeting adjourned.All went home thankful to God forthe fine time of Christian fellowship.Sarah C. ArcherRecording Secretary Pro tern.received a Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr.Forman has been accepted for an internshipat Good Samaritan Hospital inLos Angeles.Those who have been hospitalized atvarious times in recent weeks include Mrs.Austin Mann, Mrs. Royce Chestnut, Mrs.Hobart Haney, Mr. and Mrs. WalterIkenberry, Mrs. Laverne Maxwell, andMrs. Ruth Mann. All have resumed theirnormal duties now except Mrs. RuthMann, who was transferred to AsburyHospital in Salina where she underwentsurgery on May 18.Congratulations to our 1971graduates! They are Ron Homa from ourSeminary in Ireland; John Forman, K. U.See Page 1315

Rest We Need. from page 3insist on living as if your happiness depends upon whatyou do and how much you play, then God is just going toabandon you finally to your foolish delusions. It is boundto happen.If you are looking for the causes of modern decayand degeneracy, don't look just at the world capitals—atthe big places where big people make big decisions. Lookinto the law of God. Look at the fourth commandment.One of the reasons there is so little tranquility and peacetoday is that man has failed to put his trust in God. Hetrusts himself alone and shows that by refusing to keepGod's day holy. That is one of the reasons your life is soshaky and disappointing, too. You are living at the samehectic pace seven days a week, and desecrating the day ofrest God has commanded you to keep.God comes to you now in the Lord Jesus Christ, Hisonly begotten Son. Don't be so frantic about making aliving and having fun. Don't worry about the day of death.Put your trust in Jesus. He will take care of you and makeyour life significant and your death a moment of victory.Express your trust in the Lord by making every Sabbath aday of rest, devoted to your Savior. The rewards Godgives those who honor Him are unimaginably great.Joy of a Broken Heart. from page 5The gloom and misery of our world is reflected inmuch of the popular music of our day, but in a few this ischanging. One of the top songs, as these words, are beingwritten, is "Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man fromGalilee." That song has more hope. Christ makes thedifference.There are easier roads to follow, than the road of abroken heart, but every other road is a dead end. The RichYoung Ruler thought he knew a better road, but thetestimony concerning him is "He went away sorrowful.. . ."If you want a really happy life, there is only one way:The way of the Broken Heart. Your heart must feel deeplythe injury that you have done to God, and then bring that"hurt" to Christ for healing. You can know that joy today.Just "Put your hand in the hand of the Man from Galilee."A Wonderful Promise. from page 7their lonely and dangerous journey, cheering and encouragingthem. This Divine Presence is our highest inspirationtoday also. The highest inspiration of theChristian comes from our Divine Lord, who is ever presentin our heart by His Holy Spirit—guiding, comforting, inspiringand driving away all fear.IV. It is a Sufficient Presence that is promised. Weare, at best, frail, sinful creatures. Our need is very great,but there is in Christ a sufficiency to meet all our need."My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is madeperfect in weakness." "My God shall supply all your needaccording to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." "Ye arecomplete in Him."V. Finally, the presence promised in our text is aContinual Presence. "I will never leave thee." Otherfriends do leave us. Some may even forsake us when theycould be with us. Even the most faithful of earthly friendscan't always be with us. The time comes when they have toleave us or we have to leave them. Children havesometimes got to leave their parents to pursue theireducation and career. The time comes when parents haveto leave their children. But to all His believing people theLord says: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Hemay sometimes in His sovereign love and grace withdrawHis presence from us for a time, but it is only in order thatour desires after Him may be increased and that we mayeventually be drawn nearer to Him. Even when we cometo the valley of the shadow of death, we are still assuredof His Presence, We can sing:"Yea though I walk in death's dark vale,Yet will I fear none illFor thou art with me, and thy rodAnd staff, me comfort still."Death itself can't separate us from Him. It meansgoing to be forever with the Lord.All of us, at some time or other, have known or willknow the deepest sorrows that human heart can know. Atsuch times and in such experiences this promise exercisesits healing influence. We shall all need the solace of thispromise one day even if we are not conscious of our needof it at the present moment.Let us then think of it now that we may have thesolace of it when we need it most. May we by faith claimthe promised Presence. May we be able to say:"Nevertheless continually,O Lord, I am with thee:Thou dost me hold by my right hand and stillupholdest me.Thou, with thy counsel, while I live, wilt me conductand guide;And to thy glory afterward receive me to abide."Reformed Presbyterian WitnessCOOL, COLORFUL COLORADOINVITES YOU TO THE ROCKIES!CO VENANT HEIGHTS FA MIL Y CONFERENCEJuly 12-18,1971Under the auspices of Midwest PresbyterySPEAKERSJim Pennington, Robert McFarlandJ. Paul McCracken and Mel VosFor registration write:Rev. E. Raymond Hemphill1505 Tenth Ave., Greeley, Colo. 8063116 COVENANTER WITNESS

!•••;-•Ov^tttWtfeiMl/iteu.fOK.CoW7VOLUME LXXXVI NO. 26 JUNE 30, 1971 STERLING. KANSAS 67579BIBLE LESSONS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 25, 1971PSALM 23 is closely connected to the Psalms thatprecede and follow it. Psalm 22 is the Psalm of the cross ofChrist, the Good Shepherd who cares for the sheep (cf.John 10:11). Psalm 23 is the Psalm of the Great Shepherdwho cares for the sheep (cf. Heb. 13:20). Psalm 24 is thePsalm of the Chief Shepherd who is coming again for Hissheep (cf. I Pet. 5:4)."The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Ps.23:1). Being the personal possession of the Lord assuresthe believer of the following blessings:Psalm Twenty-ThreeBy Earl Play footI shall not want rest. "He maketh me to lie down ingreen pastures" (Ps. 23:2a). "Come unto Me, all ye thatlabor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt.11:28)./ shall not want drink. "He leadeth me beside thestill waters" (Ps. 23:2b). "If any man thirst, let him comeunto Me, and drink" (John 7:37).I shall not want forgiveness. "He restoreth my soul"(Ps. 23:3a). "The Son of man hath power on earth toforgive sins" (Matt. 9:6)./ shall not want guidance. "He leadeth me in thepaths of righteousnessfor His name's sake" (Ps. 23:3b). "Iam the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).I shall not want companionship. "Yea, though I walkthrough the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear noevil: for Thou art with me" (Ps. 23:4a). "Lo, I am with youalway" (Matt. 28:20).I shall not want comfort. "Thy rod and Thy staff theycomfort me" (Ps. 23:4b). "He (the Father) shall give youanother Comforter" (John 14:16).I shall not want food. "Thou preparest a table beforeme in the presence of mine enemies" (Ps. 23:5a). "I am thebread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger"(John 6:35).I shall not want refreshing gladness. "Thou anoinmy head with oil" (Ps. 23:5b). "That my joy might remainin you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11)./ shall not want anything. "My cup runneth over"(Ps. 23:5c). "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in myname, He will giveit you" (John 16:23)./ shall not want anything in this life. "Suregoodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of mylife" (Ps. 23:6a). "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, andHis righteousness; and all these things shall be added untoyou" (Matt. 6:33)./ shall not want anything in eternity. "I will dwellthe house of the Lord for ever" (Ps. 23:6b). "I go toprepare a place for you,.. . that where I am, there ye maybe also" (John 14:2-3).—Gospel Herald.

THE COVENANTERWITNESSOfficial organ of the ReformedPresbyterian Church of N. A.MEMBER * EVANGELICAL TRESS ASSOCIATIONEditor: Rev. M. W. Dougherty, D.D.125 N. 4th StreetSterling, Kansas 67579Printed each week under the supervision of the Board ofEducation and Publication by the Patterson Press, Winchester,Kansas.Contributing Editors;Department Editors:Rev. Kenneth SmithRev. Kenneth McBurneyRev. L. E. KilpatrickRev. John K. GaultMrs. D. Howard ElliottOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individualwriter, not necessarily the views of the ReformedPresbyterian Church or the editor.All material to appear in The Covenanter Witness shouldbe typewritten, double-spaced, and should be in Sterling, Kansastwo weeks before it is to be printed.The cost of all pictures is 30 cents per square inch.Obituaries — All words in excess of one hundred fifty, onecent per word. Money should accompany such notices.SUBSCRIPTION RATESIndividual (1 year): U.S. and Canada, $5.00, British Isles(L 2.00), all other places, $5.00;Individual (2 year): U.S. and Canada, $8.50, British Isles(L 3.60), all other places, $9.00;Group: U.S. and Canada, $3.50 if 100 percent ofcongregation subscribe; $4.00 if 75 percent of congregationsubscribe; British Isles - (L 1.60), all other places, $4.00.9-month student subscription — $2.00, 5-month introducttoryoffer — $1.50; 2 gift subscriptions to persons outsideof the R.P. Church —$3.00 each. Single copies, 15c.Subscription Agent for U.S. and Canada: Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Subscription Agent for the British Isles: Rev. Hugh Wright,B.A., 12, Knutsford Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT14 6LZ.All checks should be made payable to The CovenanterWitness in U. S. Currency.Give one month's notice of a change of address. Send boththe new and the old address to Mrs. M. W. Dougherty.Postmaster; Please send Form 3579 to Mrs. M. W.Dougherty, 125 N. 4th Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.Second class postage paid at Winchester, Kansas 66097.COVFAMIKOI FAMILY CONFERENCECovenant CollegeLookout Mountain, Tenn.August 7-13, 1971Theme: "Walk Ye In Him "Featured Speaker (Aug. 10-12): Dr. Jay AdamsWestminster Theological SeminaryRates:Adults (2 per room)Youth (Dormitory rooms)Children (5-12)Children under 5Registration and insurance($3.50 after August 1st)fee:$48.0034.0024.00Free$3.00For registration forms or more information, write or call:Bill Finley508 N. James St.Sparta, 111. 62286Tel. 618-443-2844ThisWeek's WitnessFifty-two Memorial Days.. .Glimpses of the Religious World . .Prayer Hindrances. . .Importance of Creation Study.Heirs of God.Scripture Memory and Evangelism .Games Christians Play ; .The Lord Was His PartnerLesson Helps.Church News..3.4.5.67.8.91011.14WE HOLD THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE:The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infalliblerule of faith and conduct.preserve the purity of the Church.The duty which rests upon officers to maintain discipline andThe Trinitarian conception of the Godhead.Spiritual worship as a divine requirement mediated through theFaith in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.Lord Jesus Christ.Salvation by Grace.The exclusive use of the Psalms in the worship of the Church.Assurance of salvation as a possible Christian experience.The Protestant interpretation of the Sacraments.The Gospel Call and Election.The divine right of the institution of Marriage and that it is notThe Holy Spirit as the Author of regeneration.to be dissolved except by adultery or "irremediable" desertion.Sanctification through the cooperating agency of the Holy Spirit.The Sabbath as a day sacred to rest and worship.The fact of death and hell as the destiny of the lost and heavenThe duty of nations and their civil rulers to honor Christ asas the destiny of the saved.King of Kings and Lord of Lords.That the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all those who believe That Christian citizens are under obligation to obey lawful authority.in Him together with their children.The Divine Right of the Presbyterian form of Church Government.The right and duty of the Christian citizen to dissent from allThe Lord Jesus Christ as the only King and Head of His Church. governmental and national disobedience to the Law of God.That terms of membership or communion are essential to the That the Covenants of the past are still binding.welfare of the Church.From "The Communicant's Class" by J. B Tweed2 COVENANTER WITNESS

Fifty-Two Memorial DaysCongregations are deeply affected by the anti-Sabbath drift today. Even some evangelical ministers havesaid the Fourth Commandment is not for the Christiandispensation. The answer is the question, "Why was it, ifonly ceremonial in character, set in the middle of themoral law?" The Sabbath holds a place of vast importancein the Bible. It is the longest of the laws in the TenCommandments. It is the only one which says,"Remember!" as if the inspiring Spirit was preparing longbeforehand against 20th Century mis-interpreters andforgetters. It is very significant that the Sabbath is not onlyin the "law" but also in the "prophets," and in no insignificantterms, usually related to social problems.Rev. Leland Miller, D.D.Our Master-Teacher by no means abrogated theFourth Commandment. He reaffirmed and confirmed itwhen He said in ringing tone, "The Sabbath was made forman." That is, Man needs it. God made it for him becauseHe knows that it is a requirement for man. Jesus came, notto destroy the moral law, but to light up its inherentusefulness. And when the Holy Spirit led His church toobserve the first day of the week as the Christian Sabbath,thus remembering also the Savior's resurrection "upon thefirst day of the week" (giving us fifty-two Easter •memorials instead of just one!), the special spiritual andre-creative opportunities of the day"made for man" weretransferred and transfigured."Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy."Sacred, set apart, "different". This is the "bridge'' Commandment,between the Commandments that relate us toGod, and the Commandments that relate us to fellow men.This is the "technique" Commandment among the ten. Ifwe remember" the Sabbath as "set apart", "different",we'll remember the other nine. If we forget the Sabbath,we shall tend to forget all the Decalogue. Therefore it isthe "memory" Commandment. It is incomprehensible,except for the fact of sin, that the only Commandmentthat says, "Remember!", is the one our generation has sonearly forgotten. The devil knows where to attack. It is the"lost" Commandment—that is, together with hazy interpretationof Scripture, the Sabbath is regarded asoutmoded, trivial, to be left out of account.Hear then, first, the Scripture concerning this part ofthe moral law: "Watch your step!" The prophet Isaiahsaid(58:13). "If thou keep thy foot from the Sabbath. . ."Vou find that he is telling Judah not to trample it. Don'tdespise it. The prophet is declaring principles of socialethics here, and in the middle he warns, "Watch your stepabout the Sabbath. In the proportion that you honor it,you will be delighting yourself in God." And the inferenceis. only with the Sabbath will you heed socialrighteousness.Second, "Watch your clock!" The prophet Amos, soconcerned about social morality, says (8:4-5) "ThoseIsraelites want to hurry up and get the Sabbath over, sothey can get back to their shady business deals. The Lordpromises them that the end of it will be, 'the sun shall godown at noon'." Take care how you figure time with God.Watch your clock for the Lord. Then give the Sabbath itsfull value. How do you honor the time set by the Big Boss?Third, "Watch your Master!" He went habitually tothe synagogue on the Sabbath day. He gave us our Sabbathexample: church, do good, works of mercy andnecessity, fellowship. He said, "The Sabbath was made foryou." Who are you? What makes the real man? Psalm 147says, "You athletes, the Lord takes no pleasure in the legsof a man." God has plenty of men with good legs. What Hewants is more men with good hearts. 'The Lord takethpleasure in them that have reverence for Him, in thosethat hope in the reliability of His mercy." You who followChrist are in worship finding worth-ship—thinking thegreatest thoughts, recognizing supreme Worth, the worthof the Great God, of His great love, of His universalconcern, of His eternal plan—finding worth instead ofwrath!Fourth, "Watch your goal!" In football, hockey, inlife, keep in mind the goal. Hebrews 4:9 says, "Thereremaineth a Sabbath rest for the people of God." The NewTestament Church was believing in the Sabbath, andwatching for it in heaven. Sabbath in heaven teaches usfrom heavenly pattern, that we are to have a care aboutour Sabbaths on earth. Sabbath will be totally happy whilewe live in view of supreme worth and see the highestvalues. That is what Sabbath is for, to search for and findthe best!Most scholars believe that Pentecost, the birthday ofthe Church fell on a Sabbath. Now the Church marches onto her real Commencement Sabbath, in heaven. May 30this Memorial Day, once a year; but God has given us fiftytwoMemorial Days as He says, "Remember. . .don'tforget!"Christian StatesmanHe who has truth in his heart need never fear thewant of persuasion on his tongue.—John RuskinOF GROWING IMPORTANCEThe denominational college which is dominated byChristian aims and pervaded by a strong Christian spirit,preserving an atmosphere of true liberty, free from anarrow and sectarian spirit, and maintaining a staff ofinstructors who rank with those of other institutions, has aplace w hich is not only secure, but of growing importance.—John R MottJUNE 30, 1971 3

Glimpses of the Religious WorldRev. L. E. Kilpatrick, D. D.207 Darlington RoadBeaver Falls, Pennsylvania 15010"THE JESUS MOVEMENT"The religious stirrings of our times are beinganalyzed in the Press, religious, popular and underground,and the conclusions vary from "a working of the HolySpirit 'trying' to accomplish something," to the charge thatthese are satanic in origin, irreverent if not downrightblasphemous, destructive of peace and order in societygenerally and in the Church. (By the way, does it seemquite proper to speak of the sovereign God the HolySpirit, as "trying" to accomplish certain results?)The "movement" involves such a variety of individualsthat it can hardly be judged as a corporate entitywithout doing injustice to individuals and groups.However, this sort of thing is not new for times of socialand political upheaval such as ours. It is evidence of theneed, indeed the hunger, of the human heart for God. Theself-indulgent style of life which has been euphemisticallycharacterized as "doing you own thing," has broughtsound and lasting satisfaction to no one. "So, let's tryreligion." In trying this and that, many, no doubt, hear thegood news that Jesus Christ has died to save those lost andwandering, and, in spite of many imperfections in itspresentation, believe and find peace and newness of life.At any rate, here is a great area of the church's missionfield.TESTING "TONGUES""Speaking in tongues" lends itself readily to theemotionally distraught and in some cases is one of thephenomena found within the "Jesus Movement."Christianity Today reports a research project at theLutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, by Dr.John P. Kildahl, a psychologist and teacher at New YorkTheological Seminary, and Dr. Paul A. Qualben, apsychiatrist, both also Lutheran ministers. Recordingswere made of some twenty-six people who spoke intongues, and these were also interviewed, along withthirteen who did not speak in tongues. Several personswere interviewed inadvertently who had stopped speakingin tongues, and it was found that the crucial factor in theirstopping, was "falling out" with the leader who introducedthem to the practice.The recordings, linguistic experts stated, afterhearing them, "did not display enough of the features(which characterize human language) to warrant theconclusion that the utterances were any kind of humanlanguage." Whole groups of tongues-speakers were foundto speak in the same style of utterance as their leader."The researchers stated flatly that the ability to yield egocontrol in the presence of the authority figure is indispensableto speaking in tongues, and that this ability isthe same general trait found in people who can be hypnotized."The above agrees with the findings of Eugene Nida,formerly translations secretary of the American BibleSociety, who made recordings of tongues-speaking.Linguists were unable to discern the characteristics ofhuman language, but rather the repetition of three or foursyllables. I have in my file a set of instructions "to receivethe baptism of the Holy Spirit." We are told that"Believers seeking the Holy Ghost should use thesevarious words of praise, saying them over and over fastenough to keep their mind on God. . .Glory to Jesus,Glory to Jesus, etc. for two or three minutes or more.Then change to some other words,.. I love you Jesus. . .Ifyou commence to stammer while praising the Lord asmentioned above, do not quench the Spirit by trying tostop the stammering, but rather encourage it, so that thestammering can change into unknown tongues. . ." Ofcourse, not all tongues-speakers would agree with thishocus-pocus. However, such research as that mentionedshould cause Christians who are seeking deeper experienceof fellowship with our Savior, to turn away fromsuch fleshly exercises and seek Him in prayer andobedience. "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abidein my love; . . .These things have I spoken unto you, thatmy joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full"(John 15:10-11).REFORMED PRESB YTERIAN CHURCH OF TAIWANCONSTITUTEDThe first presbytery of the Reformed PresbyterianChurch of Taiwan was constituted, March 1, 1971, in theMin Tsu Road Church, Hsinchu. Participating werepastors of four, and elders from three, constituentchurches, and three voting delegates representing three ofthe missions that have worked to bring the denominationinto existence. Chosen as the church's first officers wereThe Rev. Samuel H. P. Chu, Moderator, Elder T. J.Chung, Clerk, and The Rev. William Kosten, Treasurer.(Is it significant that the one officer with a non-Chinesename is the Treasurer?)The first action was the adoption of the first draft ofa Book of Order as a working document. It includes thedoctrinal position of the church under three heads:1. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and NewTestaments to be the Word of God, the only rule offaith and practice.2. We accept the Westminster articles of faithand the Heidelberg Catechism as accurately ex-See page 16COVENANTER WITNESS

Prayer HindrancesDr. Herbert R. Hays,Pastor of Clarinda, Iowa R. P. ChurchMany books have been written about prayer—Howto pray and get the answer, How to know God's will—What to pray for— to name only a few of the subjectscovered. One of the more recent books which has come tothe writer's hand is Prayer-the most powerful force in theworld.Such a title raises the question: "Is prayer the mostpowerful force in the world" or is it the connecting linkwith the "most powerful force" in the world? We pray - orgo through the form and nothing happens. What iswrong? Or we just simply go along our way amid the trialsof life and fail to pray? Why? That is the subject of thisdiscussion, Prayer Hindrances. I take this in its broadestsense, hindrances to answered prayer and hindrances tothe exercise of prayer.There is no need for me to write these down, for youall know some if not all of them. In a discussion of thesubject in a prayer meeting, every hindrance mentionedhere was named in that meeting. It is our hope in writingthis article that each one of us will face up to the hindrancesin his own life and by the grace of God, do his bestto overcome just as many as possible.LACK OF A CONSCIOUSNESS OF NEEDPrayer arises out of a sense of need. When we haveno special need, we seldom pray for anything specific. Ourpetitions are for things in general. We are rather welltaken care of in the world today as far as personal needsare concerned. We could spend considerable time inprayer just thanking God for the things which we receiveand enjoy every day.But there are needs which this world cannot supply.A personal need quite common among Christian people inthis materialistic world in which we live is to be able tofollow the injunction of Paul and set our affections onthings above and to seek those things which are eternal. Acertain man on his deathbed, who had been an elder in thechurch for many a year, said to his pastor, addressing himby name, "It is so hard to let go of this world." Surely thisis a great need in the life of each one of us. We become sotied to this world and the things that are in it that it is agreat shock to face the fact that "here we have no continuingcity." Is this a need in your life? Are you soconscious of it that you are driven to pray earnestly thatyou will not become bound by earthly things? Pray thatyou may be able by God's grace to look for Christ'scoming for you with exceeding great joy.Through a failure to engage others in religiousconversation, we are unconscious of the spiritual needs ofothers; hence, we know not how to pray for them. Theletters we have been receiving from Cyprus and Japanwith specific items for prayer, have been a great help inthe lives of those who have received them and used themin praying for our missionaries and the mission work.This leads us to another Prayer Hindrance, and thatisLACK OF CONCERNIt is so easy for us to be wrapped up in ourselvesthat we fail to concern ourselves with the needs of others.We become so like an ingrown toenail that it is painful.The letters from our missionaries make us conscious oftheir needs and stir us to a concern for their welfare andwork. Too often we are content to pray "Thy kingdomcome" and go about our daily business and do nothingabout it. In the light of this attitude of unconcern, anotherPrayer Hindrance looms large in our lives.LAZINESSA man went to the doctor, and as the doctor beganhis examination, the man told the doctor when hediagnosed the case not to use his highly technical languageto describe it but to speak in plain words. After a thoroughexamination, the doctor said,"Well, it looks to me just likea dose of plain laziness."The patient quickly said, "Doctor, what's thetechnical name for it?"That is right, we don't like to talk about this particularhindrance but how else can we better describe ourprayer life? Prayer is hard work. To prove it to yourself trychanging the form of the petitions which you pray everyday. Try changing the expressions of some of the petitionswhich have cut the rut in your prayer life so deep it willtake a sixteen-foot ladder to get out of it. This will not bean easy exercise but it will be a profitable one in yourspiritual life. Try adding some new petitions to yourregular daily prayers and see what an exercise this is. Doyou pray for our President? What do you pray for, God'sblessings? What do you want God to do for him? Trynaming a few of the things you would like to see happen tohim; or some of the things you would like to see him do.Be specific in your requests and soon you will see howlaziness really hinders you in your prayers.WANDERING THOUGHTSPersonally, I find this a great hindrance in my prayerlife and others agree with me. We are a busypeople today. We have so many things to do that we carrydate books with us and then because we are so busy wesometimes forget to look at them. When we start to pray,and we mention someone or some thing, our minds startthinking about that person or that thing and the first thingwe know we are not praying for him. How do you or howwill you overcome this hindrance?What is it that some one has suggested? Nothingsee page 16JUNE 30, 1971 5

The Importance Of Creation StudyJohn W. Klotz, B.D., Ph.D.Prof, of Biology, Concordia Senior CollegeFort Wayne, Indiana(continued from last week)VI. THE NEW TESTAMENT ACCEPTS THEGENESIS ACCOUNT LITERALLY ANDBUILDS ON ITOur Savior quotes Genesis and quotes it in such away that He obviously accepts it literally. You will recallour Savior's clash with the Pharisees regarding divorce asit is recorded in Matthew 19 and Mark 10. The Phariseesthought that they could trap Him by asking Him aboutdivorce. Their divorce practices were very loose: theytook advantage of Moses' regulations regarding a bill ofdivorcement which at the Savior's time was available onthe slightest pretext. They knew that the Savior did notapprove of their divorce practices. By asking Him aboutdivorce they thought they would trap Him into approvingsomething of which He did not approve or criticizing aregulation of Moses. Instead the Savior in support of Hisposition quoted Genesis 1:27 and 2:24. He takes these asliteral, not as allegorical. He accepts this account inGenesis 1 and 2 as historical and not as myth or saga.Even more significant is St. Paul's use of the creationaccount. He accepts the historicity of Adam and Eve,something which few theistic or atheistic evolutionistsaccept. To the evolutionist, Adam and Eve cannot beindividuals: they must represent an evolutionarypopulation. It is unthinkable that only one male and onefemale developed to the status of Homo Sapiens. Rather agroup, perhaps a hundred or five hundred, achieved thisbiological status, and it must be these that are referred toas Adam and Eve.We must recognize that Adam is sometimes used inthe Old Testament as a generalized term for man. This isin keeping with the Hebrew practice of economizing onvowels, of making one word do the work of several. Yet itis very clear that Moses is talking about one man and onewoman. St. Paul understands Moses in this way. Inchapter 5 of his epistle to the Romans, he repeatedlycompares the one Adam with the one Christ. He says, forinstance in v. 12, "By one man sin entered into the worldand death by sin." He tells us, v. 15, that bv the offence ofone man, many died and that by the grace of God whichis by one man many are made alive. He goes on to say, v.18, "By the offence of one judgment came upon all men tocondemnation; even so by the righteousness of one thefree gift came upon all men unto justification of life" andthen he continues in v. 19, "For as by one man'sdisobedience many were made sinners, so by theobedience of one shall many be made righteous." St. Pauluses a similar parallel in 1 Corinthians 15. There he says, v.22, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all bemade alive."These parallels of St. Paul make no senseunless one accepts the historicity of Adam.If Adam is not an individual but rather represents anevolutionary population, what of Christ? Is He an individualor does He perhaps represent a sufferingpopulation? St. Paul's reference to Adam and Eve in ITimothy is also interesting. In chapter 2, he tells us thatwomen are not to teach nor to usurp authority over theman and he gives as his reason, "For Adam was firstformed, then Eve." This reference makes sense onlyifAdam and Eve are individuals. To suggest that theyrepresent evolutionary populations, involves biologicalnonsense. It suggests that first there was a race of malesonly and that after some time a race of females developed.Even more interesting is St. Paul's reference to ourfirst parents in I Corinthians 11. Here again he is dealingwith the relationship of men and women and he gives ashis reason in v. 8 "For the man is not of the woman; butthe woman of the man." The Greek preposition used heremeans "out of," and is a clear reference to the creation ofwoman as it is recorded in Genesis 2:21.There are some theistic evolutionists who recognizethis New Testament problem and suggest that only onemale and one female were picked out of the evolutionarypopulation to be the parents of the human race. Thus agroup of beings had evolved to the biological status ofHomo sapiens.God interfered directly and picked out onemale, Adam, and one female, Eve. To these He gave a souland they became the ancestors of the human race. If this isthe case, we might well ask, "What became of the otheranthropoids whom God did not choose to become^ ourparents? Are there people who are biologically Homosapiens but who do not have a soul and are therefore nottruly human? Is it possible that some of our radical racistsare correct in insisting that not all the races of man aretruly human?"VII. THE PHILOSOPHY OF EVOLUTION RUNSCOUNTER TO CHRISTIANITYModern evolution is Darwinian: the generally acceptedtheory today is said to be neo-Darwinian. By thismodern evolutionists mean Darwinism modified bymodern genetics. Accordingly there is still the struggle forexistence, the survival of the fittest, nature red in toothand claw. True, these concepts are no longer used in thesame sense in which early evolutionists used them. The6 COVENANTER WITNESS

struggle for existence is no longer regarded as a strugglefor food, only rarely does death result from battle andwith bloodshed, fitness does not necessarily Imply the longsurvival of the individual. The emphasis is on the race orpopulation rather than on the individual. Yet there is stilldefinitely a struggle and a survival of those best fit tosurvive. There is no place for the weakling and thereforeno place for Christian love. Indeed there are many whobelieve that man is making a serious mistake by keepingalive the physically weak and the helpless and in that waykeeping their defective genes in the gene pool of thespecies. Mortimer Adler believes that if evolution iscorrect then the Nazi point of view with its racism and itsmurder of the unfit is also correct.The Christian ethic depends on love—love to Godand love to the fellowman. It is the ethic of the GoodSamaritan who at the risk of his own life attempted to savethe life of the man, who because he was a Jew did notdeserve to live. There is no such Christian love in anyscheme of the survival of the fittest. Evolution is a dog eatdog struggle. If evolution is correct, this attitude is notonly permissible but even proper.There is no question but that Hitler through Nietschewas greatly influenced by Darwin. The Nazi system wasdefinitely Darwinian in its orientation. This cannot be saidof Communism. Communism is influenced instead by theoutmoded concepts of Lamarck. Its whole philosophy isthat of inheritance of acquired characteristics rather thana survival of the fittest.There is something else that ought to be noted.Christianity emphasizes the importance of the individual.You and I count in the eyes of the God of the Bible. Heknows each one of us. His Son died for us and He haswritten our names on the palms of His hands. To themodern evolutionist the individual is unimportant. Hissurvival does not count. Instead the important thing is theproportion of his genes in the gene pool of futuregenerations. Whether his life is a long one or a short oneisn't important, whether he is happy or oppressed doesn'treally count. The important thing is the number of hisoffspring and therefore the frequency of his genes in thegene pool of the next generation. Thus a disorder such ascancer may actually be favorable from an evolutionarypoint of view. It is essentially a disorder of older people. Itremoves the individual from the scene after he has madehis contribution to the gene pool of the next generation.He has served his evolutionary function and if he livesbeyond this point he will only be draining the resourceswhich might better be used by those who still have theirevolutionary contribution to make.Evolution necessarily implies that society is moreimportant than the individuals which make it up. Thewelfare of the group is more important than that of theindividual. If the rights of the individual interfere with therights of society, his rights must yield. Christianity emphasizesthe rights of both, and so does our Americandemocracy. The individual does count. He is important:he is more than a small cog in a vast machine.Thus we see that evolution does have implicationsfor our faith. There are deep and basic philosophicaldifferences and differences in approach. Evolution isimportant. It is more than just a scientific theory. It hasimplications not only for the material and physical realmbut also for the spiritual realm.1964 Annual of Creation Research SocietyHeirs of GodGod in His great and gracious love has made us Hisheirs, by adopting us into His family as His children.Through the Word we have this assurance, "If children,then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.""Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if ason, then an heir of God through Christ." We then share inwhat Christ has of the Father. We receive our just portionalong with Him.We may reason that we can have no inheritancefrom God unless we are children of God. The inheritanceis reserved only for those who have a right to be heirs.Through adoption we are received into the number, andhave a right to all the privileges of the sons of God. Jesus isthe Son of God in a unique sense, the second person of theTrinity. Through faith in Jesus Christ and acceptance ofHim we are given "power to became the sons of God, evento them that believe on his name, which were born, not ofblood, nor of the will of man, but of God."There is indicated in this verse that we become sonsonly through new birth. The only way one may come intothe world is through being born into it. The only way toget into the Kingdom of God is to be born into it. Godadopts into His family only those who are born again ofthe spirit of God. These only become heirs of God.Also indicated above is the fact that it is throughfaith in Jesus Christ that one receives the power to becomea son of God. He is the only Mediator between God andman. He has become a ransom for sinners, He alone canreconcile man with God, because He alone has put awayman's sins.Jesus told the disciples the night before he wasbetrayed, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No mancometh unto the Father but by me." Through the Son ofGod, we become sons of the Father and can come into Hispresence. Through the Son of God, Jesus Christ, we canpresent our prayers to Him. Through Christ alone webecome heirs of God.So by faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ as ourSavior the transaction is completed by which we becomeheirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. This faith isthe gift and work of the Holy Spirit. So we should ever bethankful and praise God for His great kindness to us inmaking us sons and heirs.The Associate Reformed Presbyterian"God's ways are straight and true, and we walk orfall according to our relationship with those ways."G. Campbell MorganJUNE 30, 1971 7

Another article in the evangelism seriesScripture Memory and EvangelismDo you mean I have to learn Scripture and go outand witness, too? I thought learning Scripture was just forchildren and witnessing—isn't that just for ministers? Godsays in Deuteronomy 11:18: "Therefore shall ye lay upthese my words in your heart and in your soul, and bindthem for a sign upon your hand, that they may be asfrontlets between your eyes." Psalm 119:11 says, "Thyword have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin againstthee."Many Christians have found that when they begin tocommit passages of Scripture to memory they begin togrow in grace, they have victory over sin, and they areused of the Lord to help others both in counseling andpersonal work.Have you ever been talking to someone and wishedthat you would have the Bible verse that would help themexactly in their problem? These people don't want ourgood advice, our sympathy, or just our own opinion. Wemust be ready to tell them what God says. Isaiah 50:4:"The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned,that I should know how to speak a word in season to himthat is weary." The better that we have God's Word in ourown heart and life the more the Spirit of God will help usto meet the needs of those around us. Christ said in John14:26:"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whomthe Father will send in My name, He shall teach you allthings, and bring all things to your remembrance,whatsoever I have said unto you." The Holy Spirit can'tbring to remembrance what we don't know. When weexperienced the new birth, we came through believingthat Jesus Christ was our Savior. There may have beenseveral factors leading up to this new birth but theprincipal factor is the transforming power of the Word ofGod as it is used by the Holy Spirit. Paul says in IITimothy 3:15,". . .the holy Scriptures are able to makethee wise unto salvation through faith which is in ChristJesus." This same work of God which showed Jesus Christto each of us must now also be used by us to reach othersfor Him. The greatness of John the Baptist was not basedon miracles he performed because he performed none,but he merely spoke the Word of God. When Peterpreached his sermon on the day of Pentecost he recalledand quoted from memory at least eleven verses of the OldTestament. They weren't long passages, but he was able todraw from memory, verses from the Old Testament andeffectively weave them together. Convictions andrepentance follow because God is faithful. Isaiah55:ll:"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of mymouth, it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplishthat which I please, and it shall prosper in thething whereto I sent it." If we are to be effective witnessesto men and women that we meet every day we must sharewith them the life giving Word of God. When more andMr. William E. Dill, D. D. S., Orlando, Floridamore Christians hide God s Word in their hearts throughScripture memory—more and more people can bereached with the good news of salvation and won forChrist.God's Word tells us that as individual Christians, asSabbath schools, and as churches, our chief function is tomake disciples of men. We are told to be witnesses tothose around us and bring them this good news ofsalvation but we can only do it after we are filled with theHoly Spirit. Acts 1:8 gives us a promise and a command:"But ye shall receive power, after that the HolyGhost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses untome both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria andunto the uttermost part of the earth." It says "and yeshall be witnesses." If we are to be obedient to God, everyChristian should be a witness to others. Every Christianshould be a witness because Christ's love extended to usmust reach out to others through us.What per cent of Christians in the churches todayread their Bible any time during the week except maybe tostudy the Sabbath school lesson? Even our children whenthey are in sports activities study the rule book. Theypractice daily. We many times act like Christians but wedon't even read the rule book to know how to play thegame. God's Word is that which has power to bring life toyou as you witness and to the person to whom you witness.It is God's Word that He promised to use not ouropinion or arguments. Jeremiah 23:29: "Is not my wordlike as a fire? saith the Lord: and like a hammer thatbreaketh the rod in pieces?" Every Christian should belike a spring from which God's Word can flow freely torefresh the souls of others. Your part is to bring the personinto contact with the Lord through His Word.Some people think they have very few opportunitiesto witness. The more we read the Bible, memorize, andpray for opportunities, God will make these divine appointmentsfor us to speak His Word to those who don'tknow Him. We should live in watchfulness for occasionsto speak and at the same time live a life before non-Christians which would cause them to ask where oursource of joy, peace, and victory comes from.Before we attempt to witness we need to be sure theHoly Spirit is in our lives, that we walk in the Spirit daily,and that we have a joyous, abundant life in Jesus Christ.As God's Word learned and placed upon the tablesof your heart, you will find joy in daily meditation, youhave a ready tool in witnessing for Christ, or to helpanother Christian with a word of counsel or encouragement.You have a sense of victory that Scripturehelps you resist the temptations of Satan. You will havehad a most wonderful experience that the Word of Godhas brought you into a more personal knowledge of JesusChrist, the Living Word, in your day by day experience.8 COVENANTER WITNESS

Games Christians PlayBy Judi Chaffee CulbertsonNo doubt, you too have played some of these gamesas you have met with other haloed saints.Once upon a time there was a woman who wanted togo to church and teach a (Sabbath) school class—only, herhusband wouldn't let her. "If it weren't for you," she toldhim, "I could be a real Christian." "If it weren't for him,"she told her Christian friends, "I'd help out with PioneerGirls."Then one day, miracle of miracles, her husbandbecame a Christian ( in spite of her). And wanted her towork in the church. And she realized to her dismay thatshe didn't really want to spend all her time there, that thethought of getting up before everyone, to teach or sing,terrified her. So she found a new game to play: "I'd Loveto, But. . ."Dr. Eric Berne, the psychologist who introduced thetheory of "games" in his best-seller, "Games People Play,"describes a game as "a recurring set of transactions, oftenrepetitious, superficially plausible, progressing to a welldefined,predictable outcome." In other words, a game is akind of cover for the truth.Everybody plays games; in this age of multiple andcomplex relationships it is impossible not to, to somemeasure. The trouble is, Christians playing Church canseriously impair the work of Christ's mission. Many criticsnow say that the idea of a "church" is obsolete, that it is sotangled up in itself that it doesn't touch the world outsideit at all. We'll not argue the point here.Yet many of us want our church to be a real"fellowship of believers" as well as a citadel where peoplein a broken world can take refuge in the strength andcomfort of Christ Himself. But to do so, it must as nearlyas possible be game-free.What, then, are some of the games Christians play?(1) "Ain't It Awful." AIA is mostly played bywomen who gather after church or at social events tobemoan the evils nowadays of moral looseness, theworldliness of the young people and other churchmembers and why Mrs. Johnson can't keep her kids frommisbehaving during church. They secretly believe that thegolden days of real Christianity are gone forever andhuddle together as the last true believers. By attackingeveryone else, they are made secure within their ownfeelings and able to tackle any proposed "changes" in thechurch.(2) "I Didn't Get a thing Out of It." Out of the(Sabbath) sermon, the missionary speaker, the new Bibleclass. This game can be played several ways. "If I didn'tget anything out of it, it's silly to spend the time goingagain tonight." Also, the person feels automatically absolvedof responsibility toward anything in the message;often the player is a self-styled Bible student and knowsJUNE 30, 1971more anyway than the minister or teacher.(3) "Insult." Often played by a person who secretlywishes to leave a church or keep receiving reassurance ofhis worth. By irritable or unreasonable actions or remarks,he provokes someone else into "insulting" him. Then hecan get the rest of the congregation to choose up sides, orgo running to the minister. The minister can either smooththings out till the next time, or give him the excuse he hasbeen looking for.(4) "Let's All Pray for Poor Mrs. Swenson." This isusually a prayer meeting game, though it can also beplayed individually as well. Someone gets up and announcesthat Mr. Jones is out of work again or that theBrown's son is rebelling and starting to drink or that twounnamed ladies are fighting again—and would we pleaseremember them in prayer. I don't think this game of piousgossip is quite what Jesus had in mind when He told us topray for one another. A variation of this, that comes alittle closer, is "True Confessions."(5) "I Don't Know Why They Don'tDo Something About It." Thus is a slightly subtle passingthe buck—a refusal to take any responsibility. It sets up aubiquitious "They" who should be doing something aboutthe snow on the church steps, the noisy children in thevestibule before the service, the poor organization of thewoman's society. Since it's not "up to them" they can feelperfectly free to criticize it. When something constructiveis done, they can play "Well, Nobody Asked Me AboutIt."(6) "Prima Donna." Hopefully there is just one ortwo in a congregation who can say, in effect, "If you don'tappreciate meI'll go somewhere else." And because thereis often a shortage of capable personnel, because theprima donna is usually one of the "best" people the churchhas, he or she most likely gets his way. A variation of thisis "Coax Me."(7) "I Don't Mean to Criticize, But—""Probably I Shouldn't Say This, But—""It's None of My Business, But—"No comment necessary.(8) "Mary Martyr." Not confined to women, but theyare a little better at it. This player will take all kinds ofthankless jobs upon herself even if she is really too busy,seemingly without a word of complaint—except for herpale, drawn face, the circles under her eyes. Sooner orlater the congregation will recognize her game and willeither commiserate and continue to heap tasks on her,sometimes until she "collapses;" or, they will relieve her ofher overload, which ruins everything.(9) "As I Was Saying to Billy (Graham) the OtherDay."This is a relatively harmless little game of namedropping,ego-rewarding and somewhat impressive, exseepage lb4

A Storu for YouthTTie LordWas His PartnerThe Rev. Philip Jerome ClevelandIt was a bright, promising day when a boy justsixteen years of age said farewell to his people and turnedinto the wide world to seek his fortune. As he trudgedalong an aged gentleman, captain of a canal-boat,recognizing the boy, stepped to his side."Well, William, where are you going?""I don't know," answered the honest lad. "I mustmake a living for myself.""There is no trouble about that," said the man of thegreat waters. "Just be sure you start rightand you'll getalong nicely.""But there is only one trade I know.""And what is that, my boy?""Making soap and candles."The old salt grasped the boy's shoulder as hesaid: "Well, let me pray with you once more and give youan old man's advice. Then I will let you go."The two knelt in the winding tow-path by the GreatLakes and prayed. After the devotional moment thecaptain spoke seriously."Someone will soon be the leading soapmaker inNew York. It might as well be you as the next fellow. Isincerely hopeit will be you. Be a good man, William; giveyour heart to the Carpenter of Nazareth."The old man paused a moment and then lookeddeeply into the youth's solemn eyes."Listen, William. Give the Lord all that truly belongsto Him, a portion of every dollar you ever earn. Make anhonest soap; give a full pound and I am certain that theLord will bless you. Make Him your Partner, William."The lad thanked the earnest captain and turned hisface toward the great city. Lonesome and far from home,he nevertheless remembered words his mother hadspoken to him and the advice of the aged Christian man.He decided to seek first the kingdom of heaven andbecome a Christian. The first dollar earned brought up thematter of the tenth—the Lord's share. In the Bible helearned that the good Lord enjoys those who rememberHim in their tithes and offerings. He made his decision:"If the Lord will take one-tenth, I will give that."Every ten cents on the dollar was set aside for thework of the Master. He engaged in the soap business,made an honest soap, gave a full pound. He said to hisbookkeeper one day:10"Enter an open account with the Lord in ourbusiness book.""Wh-wh-at?" stammered the bookkeeper."An open account with the Lord and carry one-tenthof all our income in the ledger. It shall be His!"William prospered and his business doubled, tripled;he found himself growing rich."Give the Lord two-tenths," he ordered a fewmonths later.Business increased amazingly."Give the Lord three-tenths." Soon the message waschanged to four-tenths and five-tenths.Never did a soap manufacturer have a moresurprising and stunning rise to fame and popularity andfortune.And what was the name of the boy who followed anold canal-boat captain's advice? It is known all over theworld even today for fine soap: WILLIAM COLGATE.A BOY WITH A TOYThere is a little boyWho has a little toy;It was a gift to him from Mom and Dad.He shares the toy with friendsAnd other things he lendsHis friends share, too, and all are very glad.THE CLEANSING RAINThe beautiful rain outsideIs washing clean all the leaves.In the house let us decideIt can wash away our pet peeves.TOY JOYI share my tricycleWith all of my friends;Every one takes a turnAnd each of them lendsWhatever his favoriteToy of the day.We all have a good time—A day that is gay.Martha E. SearleCOVENANTER WITNESS

Sabbath SchoolLessonLesson Helps for the Week of July 25For July 25,1971WHY THE FAMILY?Gen.l:26-31; 2:18-25;Luke 2:39-42;! Cor.13Comments by John K. GaultThe family is the reproductive unit ofcivilized society. It consists of one male,one female, and their children.1: The Family Is a Divine Institution(Gen. 1:27,28; 2:21-25)"So God created man in His ownimage, in the image of God created Hehim; male and female created He them.And God blessed them, and God said untothem. Be fruitful and multiply, andreplenish the earth, and subdue it." "Andthe Lord God caused a deep sleep to falTupon Adam, and he slept: and He took oneof his ribs, and closed up the flesh insteadthereof; and the rib, which the Lord Godhad taken from man, made He a woman,and brought her unto the man. And Adamsaid, This is now bone of my bones, andflesh of my flesh: she shall be calledWoman, because she was taken out ofMan. Therefore shall a man leave hisfather and his mother, and shall cleaveunto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."Marriage, then, through which the family isconsummated, "is an ordinance of God,instituted in the law of nature, andrecognized in Divine revelation. It is anagreement between one man and onewoman only, in which the parties solemnlyvow and covenant, that they will faithfullyperform all the duties belonging to it.Marriage was ordained for the mutual helpof husband and wife; the population of theworld with a legitimate offspring; theincrease and building up of the church witha holy seed, and the prevention of uncleanness,and is common to all sorts ofpeople." (Declaration and Testimony,Chapter 28, Sections 1 and 2).2: The Family Is a Strong Provincelor Spiritual Influence and Instruction.This is shown in the childhood ofJesus. Luke 2:21,22,39-42 tells us, "Andwhen eight days were accomplished for thecircumcising of the child, His name wascalled Jesus. .And when the days of herpurification according to the law of Moses,were accomplished they brought Him toJerusalem, to present Him to the Lord. .And when they had performed all thingsaccording to the law of the Lord, theyreturned into Galilee, to their own cityNazareth. And the child grew, and waxedstrong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and thegrace of God was upon Him. Now Hisparents went to Jerusalem every year at thefeast of the Passover. And when He wastwelve years old, they went up to Jerusalemafter the custom of the feast."In view of the holy origin of thefamily, religion should occupy the chiefplace in the family relationships. This,evidently, was true in Jesus' home, anditshould be true concerning every home.Paul said to his young convert, Timothy in1:5, "When I call to remembrance theunfeigned faith that is in thee, which dweltfirst in thy grandmother Lois, and thymother Eunice; and I am persuaded that inthee also." This "unfeigned faith" of whichPaul spoke, operates through familyworship, regular attendance at the churchservices, and through the general Christianinfluence of the home. Next to the church,the family has been the greatest upliftingforce in the world.3: The Family Requires the Exerciseof Love.Even though people may belong tothe same family there may be frequentdisplays of human tendencies. There maybe anger, envy, selfishness, and other eviltraits of character. There is a spiritualantidote which people of the same familycan take, which will nullify the venom ofevil in a person's character. This antidote iscalled love. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:4:"Love suffereth long and is kind; loveenvieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is notpuffed up; doth not behave itself unseemly,seeketh not her own, is not easilyprovoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not ininiquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;. . .Lovenever faileth. . ." In the parable of theprodigal son the father received thewayward son back to his home without aword of recrimination, because he lovedhim. The "elder brother" resented all thefestivities of welcome for the returnedprodigal because he did not love hisbrother. When people become inoculatedwith the antidote of love they can overlooka lot of faults in others both inside andoutside of the family.4: People Should Be Careful BeforeEstablishing a Home.As has been shown marriage is asacred ordinance. Since this is true peopleshould marry only in the Lord. It was Godwho said in the first place,"It is not goodthat man should be alone; I will make anhelp meet for him." If one of the contractingparties to a marriage is an unbelieveror has evil habits the effort ofrearing the children is made much moredifficult.5: When is Divorce Permissible?Jesus said in Matthew 5:32, "But 1 sayunto you, that whosoever shall put awayhis wife, saving for the cause of fornication,causeth her to commit adultery;and whosoever shall marry her that isdivorced committeth adultery."The Declaration and Testimony,chapter 28, paragraph 7 says, "Though themarriage covenant is not dissolved byevery argument which the corruption ofman, excited by passion and disappointment,may produce to separate thosewhom God hath joined; yet eitheradultery, or such willful desertion as admitsof no civil remedy, is sufficient causefor its dissolution: and after the divorce hasbeen regularly obtained, from the ecclesiasticalor civil authority,it is lawful forthe innocent party to marry another, as ifthe offending party were dead."6: Family Responsibilities Can BeMet, only by doing the Will of God."Lesson based on International Sunday SchoolLessons: the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted 1967 by the Divisionof Christian Education, National Council of Churchesof Christ in the USA"Junior TopicForIuly25,1971UNIT: GOD'S GIFT OF NATURENature's Revelationby Mrs. Robert McElroyMemory Psalm: Psalm 148.Memory Verse: Psalm 19:1.Scripture: Psalm 19:1-6; 97:6; Acts 14:17;Romans 1:20.Our lesson tonight ends our study ofGod's Gift of Nature. Our topic, Nature'sRevelation, continues the idea that thevery existence of nature is evidence of theexistence of God. The lessons, beauty, andmysteries of nature are visible proof of asupreme being.Our first Scripture reference, Psalm19:1-6, tells us the heavens declare theglory of God. The heavens are so great thatthe person who created them would needto be even greater and more powerful. Theheavens, the stars, moon, and sun couldnot have been a casual meeting of elementsor an accident of time. They had to bemade by someone higher than humans.JUNE 30, 1^71 11

Today our scientists are studying the stars, Questions:the planets and moon in an attempt to findout what has been known by God since the 1. What characteristics of God arebeginning. Our Scripture says God placedthe sun in the heavens, setit in its orbit andcaused its heat to reach our earth. Of allrevealed in these verses:Mai. 3:6; I Kings 8:27; Ps. 147:5;Deut. 32:4; Ps. 100:5; Ps. 117:2?the heavenly bodies perhaps the sun is the 2. How is each characteristicmost essential and useful to our daily lives.It gives us light and heat as God planneditrevealed in nature? Unchangeable?Infinite? Wise? Just? Good? Truthful?should. The sun, its great light andstrength, declares the great goodness of ACTIVITIES:God to mankind. The glory of God is so During the last threegreat thatit is declared to all parts of the weeks we have been looking for the namesworld, to all people, regardless of the of animals, flowers, plants, and trees givenlanguage they use. God's marvelous works in the Bible. I wonder which of you was theand power are understood through their best explorer. Tonight our Scripture toldrevelation in nature by English, Italian,Chinese, French, etc. speaking peopleeverywhere. Psalm 97:6: "The heavensus God provides us with food so I thoughtwe would see what different foods arementioned in the Bible. Of course, we can'tdeclare His righteousness, and all peoplesee His glory."The second Scripture, Acts 14:17,tells us that the rains that fall and theseasons that come and go are witnesses tous of the goodness of God. Before theBible was written, the rain and the seasonswere evidence to the world of God's being.Today we have not only the evidence ofnature to witness to us of God's power butalso the Word of God. The Bible tells uswhat God has done and said. The heavensdo not give us rain, but God gives us rainfrom heaven. God not only gives us rainand causes the earth to provide us withfood but He also fills our hearts withgladness. We must thank God not only forour food but also for our gladness. If ourhearts are filled with food and gladness byGod, they ought also to be filled with loveof God and thankfulness to Him for Hisgifts of nature.Finally, God is revealed to us notonly through the visible (or clearly seen)works of creation but also through Hiseternal power and the Godhead. God sentHis Son, Jesus, into the world that wemight be saved and, when Jesus hadreturned to heaven, He sent the Holy Spiritto be with every believer. This is a gift ofGod and one we cannot get by ourselves.Our catechism tells us that God is a spiritand does not have a body as man does.God is also eternal and unchangeable. Heis great and great in power. He is good andmerciful. All of these characteristics ofGod are revealed to us through nature.God's gift of nature to His people providesus with valuable lessons, an appreciationof beauty, a sense of praise, a feeling ofmystery and the revelation of the glorv ofGod."Every good gift and every perfectgift is from above, and cometh down fromthe Father of lights, with whom is novariableness, neither shadow of turning"B(James 1:17).12expect to find many of the conveniencefoods or perhaps your favorite dessert. ButI thinkit will be interesting to see whatpeople in Bible times had for food. Let'sbegin by reading Numbers 11:5; Gen. 18:8;Gen. 32:13,14; Num. 11:32; I Sam 25:18;Prov. 25:25; Num. 6:3; Song of Sol. 2:5;Num. 13:23.Prayer MeetingTopicFor July 28,1971PITTSBURGH EASTNEW WORK FELLOWSHIPI John 1:3By Louis D. HutmireFellowship is a good word to describeour group. The word fellowship means,"act of sharing" (according to Webster).The type of service we have leads to asharing of God's Word.The Lord's Day service begins with apreaching service at 10:00 a.m. The Lordhas blessed us with leadership in the menthatfill our pulpit. These men are Rev. S.Bruce Willson, D.D., Rev. E. C. Copeland,D. D., Rev. S. E. Boyle, D. D., Rev. K. G.Smith, D. D., and guest ministers. Atprayer time, those attending are encouragedto make prayer requests andvarious ones are asked to pray for specificrequests.Following the preaching service theadults discuss the sermon and the youngpeople go to their classes. The adultdiscussion gives some a chance to askquestions, express their understanding ofthe subject, or just sit and listen to othersreason about what God has to tell us.Usually we break up into small groups sothat more people can enter into thediscussion. We just finished a series ofsermons on Romans. I didn't say "completeda study" as we were told we willnever complete a study in any book of theBible, least of all Romans.On the first Sabbath of each month,the fellowship is extended by having a"Brown Bag Lunch" together. This gives ustime for further informal fellowship. Wehave a chance to share each others joysand problems. This makes us betterqualified to pray for each other.Another important part of theFellowship is the Bible studies that arebeing carried on in various homes. Timeand subject are set by each group. It isthrough these groups that we have seen thebest results in outreach.Men of the Fellowship meet eachMonday morning for a prayer breakfast.This is another opportunity to shareblessings and needs with others andit addsstrength to the Lord's work.Socially we try to have a carry-indinner once a month. Recently the dinnerwas used as a time to introduce new peoplefrom some of the Bible studies to membersof the Fellowship.The last dinner was a farewell dinnerfor the Smith and Boyle families. TheSmiths are leaving in July to go to Irelandand the Boyles will be leaving in August forJapan. Sixty-one people attended thisdinner including a Japanese family by thename of Mori. They enjoyed meeting theBoyles as they are from Kobe and aregoing back there in July. They will be livingwithin a mile of the Boyle family. It isamazing to see how the Lord works.Items For Prayer:1. Give thanks for the first year ofthe Fellowship, for the growth seen in lives,and for the outreach seen. This can only bedone through God's help and blessing.2. We are in a transition periodnow. The families of Rev. K. G. Smith andRev. S. E. Boyle are leaving and thefamilies of Rev. D. R. Armstrong and R.W. Nickerson are arriving. Pray for thesefamilies as they go through the time ofmoving and adjustment to their new work.3. Misses Marjorie Horner and GailSpencer met with the Commission andwere received into the church. Pray thatthe Lord will continue to work in their livesand in the lives of others who are consideringjoining the church.4. Pray for the Mori family (parentsand 3 children), that the friendship begunhere may continue in Japan, and that theymay accept the Lord and become membersof the church in Japan.5. Pray for the Lord to direct uswhere He wants us. We are meeting at theSeminary now and are trusting in the Lordfor direction.PAID WITH BLOODBy Clyne W. BuxtonA policeman stepped in front of mycar and motioned me to halt. "The speedlimit on this boulevard is thirty miles perCOVENANTER WITNESS

hour," he stated brusquely. "According toour electronic timer, you were travelingforty miles per hour. I will have to give youa ticket for seventeen dollars and fiftycents, which you can pay in cash at the cityhall, or you can pay with blood.""Pay with blood?" The statementstunned me."Yes," he explained, "you can pay bygiving a pint of blood to the American RedCross."When the Red Cross had drawn theblood, I was given a slip of paper showingthat I had given plasma. I was told to takethe slip and the ticket to the city hall. Atthe proper window I presented the papers.Without any questions, the clerk wrotewith red ink across the ticket: Paid withblood.Here I could not help but reminisceof Calvary. I remembered how Christ hadsuffered for my sins; how He had beencrowned with cruel thorns; how He hadbeen beaten; how He had labored upGolgotha with His cross; and how He hadbeen nailed to that cross for me. I had been"speeding" toward destruction and hadbeen "fined" with eternal death, but Christpaid my fine with His blood.As the clerk blotted the wet red ink, Ithought further. I looked forward to theday of judgment. Tsaw myself standingtrembling before the majestic, dreadfulcourt of heaven, guilty of many sins. Iknew that these sins were punishable bydeath. I could offer no defense; I had doneall of which I was accused.Then Christ, my Mediator, steppedforward and proclaimed unwaveringly tothat heavenly court, "It is all right! I paidfor his sins at Calvary with my blood. Theaccount was fully settled long ago." Theaccount is settled because I have repentedof my sins and Christ has forgiven me. Thisbrings me to think about you.As you read these words, I wonder ifyour sins have been forgiven. If not, youshould ask Christ to forgive you now.Though He died on the cross, you mustrepent and believe in Him, for His death tobe effective for you. Do you know how tohave you sins forgiven? Let me tell you.First, you must realize that you are asinner, for the Bible says, "All have sinned,and come short of the glory of God"(Rom.3:23). Then you must realize that the"wages of sin is death"(6:23) and that youcannot save yourself (cf. Jer. 13:23). Next,you must know that Jesus can and will saveyou (Luke 19:10).Then, tell Christ that you are trulysorry for your transgressions (Luke 13:3)and that you believe He can and will saveyou (Acts 16:31). Believe on Christ as theseScriptures reveal, and vou will be saved(John 1:12)!This formula for finding Christ istimeworn, yet ever new; it is God's way foryou to come to Him. Ask the Lord JesusChrist to forgive you this moment. He notonly gave His life at Calvary for me, but Heshed His blood there for all who put theirtrust in Him.—The Lighted PathwayA RENOUNCING MASONHow can we fail to pronounceFreemasonry an anit-Christian institution?For example: 1. We have seen that itsmorality is unchristian. 2. Its oath-boundsecrecy is unchristian. 3. The administrationand taking of its oaths areunchristian, and a violation of a positivecommand of Christ. 4. Masonic oathspledge its members to commit mostunlawful and unchristian deeds, a. toconceal each other's crimes, b. Todeliver each other from difficulty whetherrightor wrong, c. To unduly favorMasonry in political actions and inbusiness transactions, d. Its members aresworn to retaliate and persecute untodeath the violators of Masonic obligation.e. Freemasonry knows no mercy butswears ks candidates to avenge violationsof Masonic obligation even unto death.f. Its oaths are profane, the taking of thename of God in vain. g. The penalties ofthese oaths are barbarous and even savage.h. Its teachings are false and profane.i. This design is partial and selfish, j. Itsceremonies are a mixture of puerility andprofanity, k. Its religion is deistic. 1. It isa false religion, and professes to save menupon other conditions than those revealedin the Gospel of Christ, m. It is anenormous falsehood, n. It is a swindle,and obtains money from its membershipunder false pretenses, o. Itrefuses all examination, and veils itselfunder a mantle of oathbound secrecy.p. It is a virtual conspiracy against bothchurch and state. No one, therefore, hasever undertaken, and for the plainestreasons none will undertake, to defendFreemasonry as it is revealed in thesebooks.But we know, if we can knowanything from testimony, that these books,do truly reveal Freemasonry.Freemasons do not pretend thatFreemasonry, as revealed in these books, iscompatible with Christianity.Their arguments are threats,calumny, persecution, and assassination.By—Rev. Charles G. Finney.Ex-President Oberlin College,Oberlin, OhioNEW HIGH SCHOOLBIOLOGY TEXTBOOK"Biology: A Search For Order InComplexity" (1970, 548 pp.,) is the title of avital new high school textbook which hasbeen developed by a group of scientists(mostly biologists) from the CreationResearch Society of America. The bookhas been published by ZondervanPublishing House of Grand Rapids,Michigan, U.S.A.The Creation Research Society iswholly committed to full belief in theBiblical record of creation and earlyhistory. The authors state that this book "isin the first place a textbook of biologicalscience. Every effort has been exerted tomake it both readable and teachable, aswell as factually accurate and comprehensive.Evidences for evolution as atheory of origins are accurately presentedand considered. At the same time, it isexplicit throughout the text that the mostreasonable explanation for the actual factsof biology as they are known scientificallyis that of Biblical creationism."The authors express the hope thatthis text will be of interest "to those schoolsystems desiring to develop a genuinescientific attitude in their students, ratherthan an artificially-induced evolutionaryworld view."Readers are encouraged to bring thistext to the attention of high schoolteachers and students studying biology andto pursue the possibilities of placing copiesin school libraries.To assist in the promotion of thebook, a 16 page free brochure has beenpublished which highlights the contents ofthe text.Evangelical ActionTHE VANISHED STARS("Stars may have been smitten out ofexistence centuries ago, but their pouredoutlight is yet flooding the heavens.")Like to those stars that vanish from oursight.But leave us still their waves of goldenlight,Are God's dear saints; though called tonative skiesTheir light still shines—their influencenever dies.Oft has the mem'ry of a holy lifeInspired to nobler deed—to sternerstrife—Have been his safeguard—turned himfrom the snaresOf sin and Satan—till he calls on God.To lead him in the way his mother trod.It was the light from his loved star!though set,Its saving influence is around him yet.So like those stars that vanish from oursight,But leave us still their floods of goldenlight,Are God's dear saints; though called tonative skies,Their light still shines—their influencenever dies.Mrs. W. FawcettJUNE 30, 1T1 13

Prayer RequestPrayer for God's sustaining grace isrequested for Mr. Raymond Jemison, amember of our Selma, Alabamacongregation. He has been faithful in hischurch attendance, but is nowill in the W.J. Anderson Memorial Nursing Home inSelma.NOTICEINTERESTED? The "largest fish"award given by the local fish and gameassociation this past winter was for aneleven pound Lake Trout. Too small foryour taste? A muskellunge weighing over35 pounds was hauled out of the nearbyOttawa River. For the other sucker, localfish markets are accommodating! Forassured brochures, maps, information,write to the "Look-out and ReformCommittee", co Miss Jeanette Waddell, R.R. 2, Almonte, Ontario, CANADA.ROSE POINT, PENNSYLVANIA(Rev. J. M. Caskey, Pastor)Thanksgiving morning at 10:00 a.m.our pastor preached a Thanksgivingsermon to members and friends of thecongregation in the community.Mrs. Alice Seginac of Clevelandspent several days over Thanksgiving withher cousin, Miss Anna Blair.The Mary Jane and RosettesMissionary Society members and theirfamilies had a dinner and gift exchange theevening of December 4 at the church.During the winter months our midweekprayer meetings were held in thehomes of members instead of the church.Fall Thank Offering meeting,sponsored by the Missionary Societies, washeld the evening of December 8. Thespeaker was Mr. William Sterrett who hasbeen working in Cyprus. His talk accompaniedwith slides gave us much informationabout the work in Cyprus. Mrs.Sterrett was with him.Mr. and Mrs. Carl McElwain enjoyeda vacation in Florida.On December 17 at 8:00 p.m. theyoung people sponsored a program on thegeneral subject of drugs. Two boys fromthe Youth Development Center spoke,followed by discussion. People from neighboringchurches were invited.Those interested in Christmascaroling met at the church Christmas Eve.After an evening of caroling the youngpeople went to the Kenneth McFarlandhome for their Christmas party. Theremaining carolers went to the parsonage14for refreshments.The annual Sabbath School dinnerand business meeting were held at thechurch, Saturday, January 2. A bountifuldinner at noon was followed by thebusiness meeting at which the followingofficers were elected: Superintendent, Mr.Walter McElwain; Assistant Superintendent,Mr. Howard McConnell;Secretary, Miss Maryann Bessell;Treasurer, Mr. Larry Bessell; HomeDepartment Superintendent, Mrs. MerleWilson; Mission Superintendent, MissRose Munnell; Junior Superintendent,Miss Alice Caskey; Cradle RollSuperintendent, Miss Mary Jane Wilson;Temperance Superintendent, Mr. KennethKennedy; and Librarian, Miss Jean AnnMcFarland.Our sympathy is extended to Mrs.Opal Vogan and children in the death ofher husband, Mr. Russell Vogan, onFebruary 4, 1971.Beginning January 31, our pastor ishaving a worship service in the sanctuarybefore the various groups meet for study.The adult groups are now studying TheCovenant of 1871 using Outlines by Rev.Frank D. Frazier.The annual congregational businessmeeting was held at the church onFebruary 26 at 8:00 p.m. The followingofficers were elected: Chairman, Mr.Kenneth Kennedy; Vice Chairman, Mr.Roy Bessell; Secretary, Miss Beryl Brown;Covenanter Witness Correspondent, MissRuth Rodgers; Chairman Social Committee,Miss Anna Blair. Miss BerthaMcKnight was reelected to the Board ofDeacons for three years. It was decided tocontinue our radio ministry over a NewCastle station another year. It was alsodecided to paint and paper the mainauditorium and place new window blindsand drapes at the windows.Previous to the meeting our pastorbroadcast a call for an expression in regardto our radio ministry. The response wasmost gratifying. Several people wroteexpressing their appreciation for thebroadcast and over a hundred dollars inmoney was sent in.Roy Bessell, Jr., a seaman on amerchant marine, has had the privilege ofseeing many places around the world.While at a seaman's school in New York,he visited his parents and worshiped withus.Several from here attendedPresbyterial at Eastvale church, BeaverFalls and found it most interesting andhelpful. The opportunity to see and buyChristian literature was appreciated.Our spring Thank Offering meetingwas Friday evening, March 26. Mr.Thomas Edgar, Director of the AmericanAcademy for Boys at Larnaca, Cyprus wasthe speaker.Dr. S. Bruce Willson, President ofour Seminary, preached for us morningand evening of Sabbath, April 18, whileour pastor was assisting with communionservices at New Alexandria.Fifteen of our young people and Rev.and Mrs. Joseph Caskey attended Camp-O-Day at Camp Sunrise Mountain nearMarkleysburg, Pennsylvania, April 8-10.Pittsburgh Presbytery VisitationCommittee met with the pastor, session,congregation, and Board of Deacons theevening of April 14. We appreciated theirsincere desire to help us evaluate ourduties and their tactful and constructivecriticisms.At a special congregational meeting,Friday evening, April 16, we voted with alarge majority to continue our presentpastoral relationship. Improvements to ourchurch property were planned in greaterdetail.Mrs. Ann Kelland and daughter,Mrs. John Piper of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania,came to help celebrate MissLaura Boggs' 93rd birthday. Miss Boggswas remembered by a gift from thecongregation and cards. Mrs. Kelland andMiss Boggs are sisters.Mr. Bruce Bessell has enlisted in theNavy. He will be at Reserve TrainingCenter, Orlando, Florida during the monthof June.Rev. Robert Henning of the Eastvalecongregation assisted at our communion,preaching Thursday and Friday evenings,April 29 and 30, and May 2, morning andevening, giving us very helpful messages.Baptism was administered to Mrs.Christine Barker and children, Elizabethand David; Gary Lee, son of Harold andThelma Wilson; and Michelle Lynn,daughter of David and Margie McElwainRowe. We welcome Mrs. Christine Barkerinto the communicant fellowship of thechurch.Mrs. Steveann Martin is able toworship with us again after a long illness.We are truly grateful for her recovery.On May 8 the Rosettes sponsored aMother-Daughter banquet at the church at6:00 p.m.On May 9 from 3 to 4 p.m. Rev. Mr.Caskey, assisted by Mr. Robert Wilson,Mr. Howard McConnell, and Mr. NormanMcElwain, conducted a service in MercerCounty Jail.Miss Rose Munnell has beengraciously restored to much of her formerhealth.Mr. and Mrs. Zig Gursky and familyCOVENANTER WITNESS

of Dunnedin, Florida, were called to GroveCity by the serious Illness of Mr. Gursky'sfather. They visited Mrs. Gursky's sister,Miss Grace Rhodes, of Slippery Rock,while they were in this area.Mr. Joseph L. Rodgers passed awayon May 24 at Sharon General Hospitalafter being a patient there for five weeks.He had been in failing health for two years.We extend our sympathy to his family.Rev. James Pennington from Kobe,Japan, spoke and showed pictures of ourmission work in Japan, Sabbath evening,May 23.On Thursday evening, May 13, MissCarol Weeber, missionary with the InternationalGospel League, told of carryingthe Gospel to the mountain villages ofIndia.Mr. Walter McElwain was our elderdelegate to the meeting of PittsburghPresbytery at the College Hill Church,Beaver Falls, on Friday, May 14.Mr. and Mrs. David (Jean Caskey)Andrianoff of Buffalo, New York, visitedRev. Mr. and Mrs. Caskey and family andworshiped with us. David is a student atUniversity of Buffalo, active in Inter-Varsity. Jean is secretary in a medicalcenter. They are planning to becomemissionaries.The life of Roger Campbell, son ofMr. and Mrs. Ray Campbell, wasmiraculously spared when he was in anaccident on his way to high school. Thetruck he was driving was almost completelydemolished. He has made a goodrecovery from injuries sustained in theaccident at St. Francis Hospital in NewCastle.The following were graduated fromhigh school: Larry Bessell, Roger Campbell,Russell McKnight, Carol Stoner, andCharles Wilson. They were presented withBibles from the congregation.On Friday evening, June 4,Rimersburg, New Castle, and Rose Pointcongregations had a picnic supper atMcConnell Mill. This was followed by aPsalm Sing and slides of LaurelvilleCampground at Rose Point Church.GENEVA COLLEGE NEWSGeneva College 1971 graduates andunderclassmen who achieved outstandingwork or attained distinction in variousfields were awarded prizes, Tuesday, June8, at commencement by Dr. Edwin C.Clarke, President of the College.Beaver Falls graduates Linda Braun,who majored in both chemistry andmathematics, received the ValedictorianPrize, the W. E. Cleland Award and wasgraduated summa cum laude.Judith A. Sullivan, Salutatorian, anEnglish major from Industry, received theSenior English prize and was graduatedsumma cum laude.Paula Brooks, Beaver Falls anEnglish major, and Robert Shriver, history,Easton, were recipients of the Aluniniprizes; David Stains, Bible major prize;Janice FutatO, elementary education, TheMargaret Ross Award; Charles Pelouze,business administration, The IsabellaStewart Award; Ralph Hegner,psychology, the psychology prize, andPresident of the Senior Class, ThomasAndino, Jr., the senior class gift, all ofBeaver Falls.The W. A. Bliss Economics Prize wasawarded to Peter Milligan, New Castle,economics; The R. W. Redpath Memorial,David Faris, business administration,Sterling Kan.; The Wall Street JournalAward, Arthur W. Deemer, businessadministration,McKees Rocks; J.L.McCartney Prize, Linda Breuninger,Coatesville.Robert Mester, business administration,Freedom, The WilliamWilson Business Prize; William Pingitore,chemistry, Ambridge, The G. KennethHartman Chemistry Prize; Ray Ramsey,industrial engineering, Tarrs, The IndustrialEngineering Prize.Robert Boffo, Rochester, a historymajor who also graduated summa cumlaude, the Benson History Prize; AlanRiggall, a history major from Philadelphia,the Eleanor Leighty Award.Junior class award winners aremusic majors, Judy Plants, Freeport, TheRaschella Music Prize, Mike Tabon,Bronx, N.Y., The Kathryn T. MethenyVocal Prize, and Ruth Steining, Statesville,N. C, the Walkinson Music Prize; speechmajors Ruth Anderson, King of Prussia,The John Lincoln Downie Prize, andJeralyn Long, Lafayette, Ind., The Peter S.Borsay Memorial Prize, and Earl Long,Bible, Mars, The William ColumbusAward.Two chemistry majors claimed theGeneral Excellence Prize, Dorothy Mc-Sweeny, a sophomore from NewAlexandria, and Robert Eckhardt, freshman,Vineland, N.J. James Roberts, asophomore mathematics major fromArdsley, received the Catherine RobertsonMcCartney Prize, Deborah Bainer, Dover,O., The Freshman English Prize, andRobert Ulrich, a freshman speech majorfrom Sharon, the Copeland Bible Prize.GENEVA GETSKELLOGG GRANTGeneva College has received anenvironmental studies grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek,Michigan. Announcement of the grant wasmade, June 7, by Geneva President Dr.Edwin C. Clarke.Dr. Robert E. Kinsinger, KelloggFoundation Vice-President, explained thatthe grant to Geneva is one of approximately300 similar grants being madeto small private liberal arts collegesthroughout the United States as part of theFoundation's continuing program ofsupport for activities aimed at findingsolutions to environmental problemsthroughout the nation.Dr. Kinsinger said, "The realizationthat man is faced with unprecedentedcrises precipitated by rapid and profoundpopulation growth, environmentaldeterioration, and depletion of the planet'snatural resources has evoked a growingconcern. The Foundation believes that thenation's small, private liberal arts collegescan make a substantial contributiontoward solving these problems bystrengthening their programs of environmentalstudies."During the past year an Ad HocCommittee of faculty and students hasbeen studying effects on the environmentat Geneva and in the area. The committeeis under the leadership of three facultymembers, Dr. David Badger, AssistantProfessor of Chemistry, Dr. John Cruzan,Assistant Professor of Biology, and Dr.Kenneth Hartman, Assistant Professor ofChemistry. The committee's work hasfocused on insecticides, fertilizers, saltingof highways and sidewalks, disposal ofchemicals, burning of rubbish, and thedestruction of recyclable items such aspaper, glass, and metal cans.Dr. Cruzan, lends a special expertiseto environmental studies having graduatedfrom the University of Colorado in 1968with a Doctor of Philosophy degree inEcology. His doctoral dissertation entitled"Ecological Distribution and Interactionsof Four Species Microtus in Colorado"involved the factors which limitdistribution of animals. Currently Dr.Cruzan is a member of the SteeringCommittee of Citizens Conservation Corpsof Beaver County. This summer Dr. Cruzanwill be a member of the faculty at theEnvironmental Sciences Institute at OhioState University. The institute is beingsponsored by the National ScienceFoundation.The resource materials to be usedwill be chosen by a selection committeewhich includes, in addition to Cruzan,Badger, and Hartman, Dr. Norman Carson,Chairman of the Department of English;Dr. Robert Pitts, Assistant Dean of theCollege; Mr. Richard Crozier, Librarian;Dr. Leotta Hawthorne, Professor ofEducation; Dr. Russell Heddendorf,Associate Professor of Sociology; Dr.Francois Gerard, Associate Professor ofHistory; Mrs. Mary Chalmers, Instructor inMathematics and two students, MissShirley Lane of Rochester and Miss JudyPlants of Freeport.JUNE 30, 19"1 13