Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

control"atonement"you regard Him as mere man,not supernaturally born of a virgin, notdying as our substitute, still you haveturned to God. That is a lie which Christian people ought not to condone, evenby silence.Repentance unto life requires thatwe lay hold on this truth, "that JesusChrist died for our sins according to thescriptures"(I. Cor. 15:3). "Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation"(v. 10). This gets beyond our feelingsof discomfort, loss, regret and pangsof conscience which we may suffer because of our sins, to the sure, unchanging, unfailing remedy that God has provided. Our feelings with regard to oursins may come and go, rise and fall,according to whether our friends know,or whether we are in health physically,or whether we have time alone to think.But the gospel, believed, gives groundfor assurance of forgiveness before God,even when our feelings may lead toself pity and bitterness. "To Thee aloneI flee."4. Forsaking Our SinHere is the evidence that others cansee, of repentance unto life. The manwho "repents" of his sin reluctantlyhas not repented. Proof of love for aperson is found in deeds, not in words.So proof of repentance is found in forsaking sin. The backward look of Lot'swife and the penalty which it broughthave been a stark and fearful warningthese many centuries against reluctanceto forsake sin.The Corinthian Church quit their sinand it worked a marvelous work intheir midst. Paul was greatly encouraged. There was real reviving amongthem, instead of a withering that mighthave gone on so slowly that those whowere suffering the withering were noteven aware of it. And if they were awareof a coldness among them, they woulddoubtless have found other circumstances "beyond theirget the blame.that wouldRepentance unto life is a radical, soulshaking, but wholly profitable and absolutely necessary experience.For Discussion:1. Discuss the offense and repentanceof the Church at Corinth of whichPaul is speaking in our Scripture.2. What is "godly sorrow"?3. Should we acknowledge the right ofprofessing Christians to hold someother "theory of the(other than that Christ died as oursubstitute) ?4. What happens when there is disposi140tion of a case involvingserious sinon the part of the church member,when there is no evidence of real repentance?News BriefsTHE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARYThe one hundred forty-fourth year of the Reformed Presbyterian TheologicalSeminary will open Wednesday, September 15, 1954, at 8:00 P.M. at theAllegheny Reformed Presbyterian Church.Dr. J. Burt Willson, Professor of Languages and Biblical Literature,will deliver the opening lecture.The first classes will convene at 8 :30 A.M. Thursday, September 16, 1954The basic courses in a theological training are presented in a course ofthree years.Inquiries for a catalogue or further information may be addressed to:Eisenhower ProclaimsSept. 22 as 'DayofPrayer'Washington. (UP) President Eisenhower has proclaimed Wednesday,September 22, as a national day ofprayer.Congress in 1952 provided that thePresident would set aside at least oneday each year other than a Sunday onwhich the people of the country wouldbe asked to reaffirm their reliance ondivine support.K. C. Kansan Aug. 12, 1954.FRESNO: Licentiate Armour McFarland was with us for prayer meetingon August 18. It is fine to have theseyoung Seminary students visiting thedifferent congregations. We are all looking forward to the Pacific PalisadesConvention, which meets August 25-30.Our pastor will be in charge of theBible Studyagain this year.ORLANDO: We miss Mr. and Mrs.Will McFarland who are visiting theirdaughter Mrs. Ren Tacey and family ofWhite Lake, New York,and other relatives on their way. We miss from ourchurch meetings Mrs. J. C. McKnightwho is having another gall-bladderflare up. Miss Lida McClure is now ina nursing home and her sister MissMargaret is this week resting up at thebeach. Mrs. Reba Stewart of Gulf Portwas able to be with us on Friday the13 and led the devotionals for us atour W.M.S. meeting.SANTA ANA: We are praying andhoping to have a Covenanter pastor.The correspondent for our pulpit committee is Mrs. A. E. Wylie whose address is 365 S. Pixley, Orange, California.CHICAGO: A son, Mark Winthrop,Office of the PresidentReformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary7418 Penn AvenuePittsburgh 8, Pennsylvaniawas born to Rev.and Mrs. NormanCarson on August 1. The congregationsthanks God for the safekeeping ofmother and son.BLOOMINGTON: We are very proudof our new stone bulletin board at thefront of the church and wish to thankall of those who are responsible for itserection.PHOENIX: Mr. and Mrs. J. WycliffeMcCracken and daughters Barbara andJill from New Brunswick, N. J. visiteda few days with his sister Miss LillianMcCracken, and his nephew and wife,Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCracken.ORLANDO: Dr. and Mrs. W. E. Dillhave gone for a week's visit with Glady'smother, Mrs. W. M. Robb, and sister andfamily (Rev. Sam Boyle and Grace).They are also attending the wedding ofa cousin, Miss Ann Patterson. They lefttheir son Robbie with his grandmotherand grandfather Mr. and Mrs. E. S.Dill.FRESNO: Our pastor, Mr. J. R. McCloy, Phylis Hunter, and Matilda Buckbrought back glowing reports of Grinnell, The Lord was good to them asthey traveled in peace and safety overthe many miles. Mr. McCloy came hometo find his wife in the County Hospital.She is confined to her bed because ofa heart condition. She has been in thehospital three weeks, and does enjoyvisitors. Our pastor visits her nearlyevery day.SANTA ANA: July 25 our S. S. collection wasfor the expenses of thechildren who will attend our PalisadesConvention. The collection was $52.00.August 1 the children recited theirmemorywork before the adult S. S.group. Great plans are being made forTHE COVENANTER WITNESS