Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

menace."case."fess, were not attended to as they mighthave been.The work of Young People's Secretary, while not a full time task, is growing in its scope. On the other hand, thework of Home Mission Secretary isa full time task, and was so consideredby the Synod when the office was opened again in 1946. There are some indications that in the not too distant future the two offices should again beseparated and that the young people'swork should be combined with someother part time task. A suitable recommendation may come at a later meetingof Synod.Attached are my annual financial reports and the report of the election ofnational officers by the young people.My accounts have been audited by thesecretary of Synod's Coordinating Committee.RECOMMENDATIONS :1. That the report of the election of national convention officers be printedin the Appendix to the Minutes ofSynod.2. That Synod commend New Yorkpresbytery in its efforts to open anew field.3. That Synod note the need for ablemen and sufficient funds not only toopen work, but also to sustain it untilnew stations become self-supporting.4. That witfe twelve organized congregations without pastors, with olderministers retiring year after year,and with other work of the church towhich ministers are likely to be chosen Synod renew its call to the youngmen of the church to give themselvesto the great task of the Gospel ministry, and that we state as our need,a minimum of fifteen additional seminary students.5. Inasmuch as the third term of yourpresent Home Mission Secretary expires in 1955, I request that Synodauthorize the Home Mission Boardto fillany vacancy in the office,should one occur before the nextmeeting of Synod.Respectfully submittedSmall AmountsREMO I. ROBB1102 Ninth Ave.Beaver Falls, Pa."Even small amounts of alcohol interfere to a deadlyextent with a driver'sperceptions and reactions. One does nothave to be intoxicated in the generalsense of the word to be aReport of the Governor's Highway SafetyCommittee, State of Virginia.122RECOMMENDATIONS OF SYNOD(Continued from page 119)contributors may receive the ChristianStatesman.7. That our people be urged to prayfor the Association and its workers.THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES1. That, like Noah of old,we be diligent to walk with God and preachrighteousness.2. That the Week of Prayer and theappointed Thanksgiving days in theUnited States and Canada be observed,and that Thursday of the Week ofPrayer be set as a day of fasting.FOREIGN MISSIONS1. That inasmuch as it is impossiblefor the South China Presbytery tofunction, the Japan Commission beknown as the Far East Commission toexercise Presbyterial control of Reformed Presbyterians in that area. That theFar East Commission consist of DavidD. Hansen, Charles H. Chao, and KojiKatayma.2. That the Board of Foreign Missionsbe authorized to appoint one more ordained minister to serve in Japan andthat this minister be sent out to Japanin September 1955 provided the currentyear's budget is over subscribed by$5,000 or more by March 31, 1955. Nospecial appeal for gifts outside of theregular budget shall be made for thispurpose.OATH COMMITTEEThat the action of the Synod of 1946be reaffirmed, viz. "We do not advocatethe use of the Explanatory Declarationin seeking political office unless in cooperation with the purpose of the committee to get a testCOMMITTEE TO PLAN FOR COVENANTSIGNING IN THE CONGREGATIONS1. That the dates and programs beleft in the hands of the local sessions.2. That Synod suggest the fall communion season as a generally convenienttime for signing the Brief Covenant.3. That Synod suggest the followingprogram as being suitable.a. There shall be three services preparatory to the Sacrament.(1) A service of Covenant Explanation, using material alongthe lines of the devotional subjects on Thursday, Friday andSaturday at the convention.(2) A service of Covenant Preparation, using subjects along thelines of the Saturday nightprogram of the convention.(3) The final Preparatory serviceto the Sacrament shall beSigning of the Brief Covenant,and the program shall followa pattern similar to that usedat the convention, especiallythe part of two addresses withprayer and the reading andswearingof the covenant between them. We suggest thatthe topics of the two addressesbe also "The Spirit in WhichWe Should Covenant," and"Covenant Keeping."b. Members of the congregations whosigned the Brief Covenant at Grinnell may be permitted to sign againin their own congregations.c. Baptized children who soon willbecome communicant membersmay sign with their parents.d. The signatures should be writtenwithout added phrases.EVANGELISMThat the followingsuggestions bemade a plan of evangelistic effort for theyear.1. A constant effort to develop theprayer life of ourselves and our congregations.2. A persistent plan of soul-winningeffort for pastors and laymen. Thisshould include trainingBiblical Methods to bringand work inoutsiders toChrist and the church. Visitation evangelism is especially recommended.3. The use of the "Adopt A Family"plan.4. The encouraging of enlarged Sabbath School activity, with strong evangelistic emphasis by teachers.5. The Observance of "Bible MasteryMonth"Ephesians.in January using the Book of6. A program for the regular teachingand preaching of the Standards of theChurch.7. An earnest endeavor by pastors andsessions to establish a family altar inevery home of the church.8. A systematic Bible Study andMemory Work for personal help, andpreparation to help others.COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE THE REVISEDSTANDARD VERSION OF THE BIBLEThat, in view of the many imperfections of the Revised Standard Version,it be recognized on a similar basis asother private translations for purposesof reference or comparison.TRAVELING FUNDThat the traveling fund assessmentremain at one dollar per communicantmember for the year 1955.TIME AND PLACEThat Synod meet at Geneva College,June 8, 1955, 7:30 D.S.T.THE COVENANTER WITNESS