Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

stewardship."which our Lord rose from the dead, welayaside a portion of our income forthe Lord. Our goods is a special trustfrom the Lord and must be treated assuch. We should note that we are not towait until God calls for the collection, butwe are to bring our offering regularly, inour worship of God, without any stringsor conditions attached. It is to be broughtinto the storehouse, where it can be usedby the Lord as He pleases.CONSIDERATIONS FOR GIVING1. Remember what Christ has givenfor us (2 Corinthians 8:9). Christ gave upHis throne to redeem us, that we mightbe rich, heirs of God and joint-heirs withChrist. He died on Calvary's Cross, forus, as our sin-bearer, to satisfy divinejustice. Such knowledge should moveus to liberality with ourselves, our all.2. Give regularly (I Cor. 16:2). It isto be on every Lord's Day. We are not tobe spasmodical in our giving.3. Set aside God's portion first (I Cor.16:2). This was taught by the offeringsof the First-fruits of the Old Testamenttimes, God's Kingdom comes first. Wehave the command to do it on the firstday of the week. All we have is a gift ofGod.4. Lack of Giving is a basic departurefrom God. In Malachi 3 we learn thatfailing to pay all the tithe is robbingGod. The size of the portion of our income which is given is a sign of ourspirituality. Miserly giving indicates alow regard for God, for His Word, forHis servants and Kingdom, and for ourfellow-men who are created in God'simage.5. Tithing is the basic command ofGod in our material stewardship. Tithing was a practice of God's people beforethe giving of the ceremonial law, Gen.14:20; 28:32. It is evident that this wasat God's command. It was incorporatedin the Mosaic law.givingThe proportionaterequired in the New Testamentshows that the tithe was not repealed.We have therefore not presented an offering to the Lord until after we havepaid the tithe. Jesus gave full approval tothe paying of the tithe in Matthew 23:23; John 2:16. We live in the days whenChrist has suffered and risen; we shouldgladly give much more than the tithe.This is encouraged by the command togive proportionately and systematically.The heart which prepares to give alwayshas a gift ready for the Lord.6. Give cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7; Rom.12:8; Matt. 10:8). Again, we should consider the Price our Saviour gave for oursoul's redemption. This should so moveus that we will gladlygive ourselvesand all that we have to God for His use.All things are given to us by divinekindness to be used for our benefit. TheySeptember 8, 1954News BriefsALMONTE: On June 11 the congregation and friends gathered at the homeof Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rose,Pakenham,in honor of Mr. and Mrs. W. J.Burns who were celebrating their SilverWedding anniversary. They were presented with a tri-light lamp, a chenillebedspread, and a silver rose bowl fromthe congregation and other gifts fromfriends. It was also Frankie Burns' birthday, so everyone joined in singing "Happy Birthday, Frankie."STERLING: Miss Mary Hindman,daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hindmanof Fredericktown, Ohio, and James D.Humphreys, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. A.Humpherys of Sterling were united inmarriage, August 20, at 8:00 P. M. inthe Minneola Associate PresbyterianChurch. Rev. Paul Hindman of Minneola,brother of the bride, assisted by the Rev.L. E. Kilpatrick, officiated at the doublering ceremony. Mr. Bruce Ramsey ofDodge City sang "I love You" after whichhe and Mr. Arlan Ramsey sang theTwenty-third Psalm. Mrs. Joe McFarland, pianist, played the traditional prelude of wedding music and marches. Mrs.Reed Hindman, nee Carol Edgar, ofMinneola, sister-in-law of the bride, wasmatron of honor and Marjorie Humphreys, sister of the groom, was bride'smaid. Karl Cunningham and Joe McFarland attended the groom as best manand groomsman, respectively. The bridewas given in marriage by her brother,Bob Hindman, of Fredericktown, Ohio.Alice and Jean Edgar, Sterling, wereamong the assistants at the reception inthe church parlors following the ceremony. The bride, a graduate of Sterling,has taught in both Sterling and Turonschools while the groom (a deacon ofSterling congregation) is farming nearSterling. Following a honeymoon inColorado they are now at home in Sterling. Mary was the recipient of manylovelygifts at a shower in the churchparlors September 3 given by Mmes.Christine McCrory, Nadine Oline, GailWiley,Fose.Mary Jane Wilkeyand HelenTHE HAPPY PRIVILEGE OF TITHING will be emphasized during the cornaredeposits entrusted to our care to beused for God's glory. We shall each becalled to give an account for the same.Therefore, let us be jealous of our management of them. Christ warns, "Givean account of youringweeks. Your attention is called to theappeal of the Pastor, Session and Deacon Board of the Sharon congregation fora campaign for more tithers,published inthis issue. This will be followed by aCorner"special "Tithers prepared byDr. D. H. Elliott, Chairman of the StewardshipCommittee. Watch for it withopen mind and heart and hand.GREELEY: On Sabbath, August 22, atthe morning service the Greeley congregation swore and signed the Covenant of1954. Our Pastor preached on "TheSpirit in which we Should Covenant!"and the Rev. Kenneth G. Smith preachedon "CovenantKeeping!"The order ofservice used at Grinnell was followed.Fifty-one signed the Covenant at thisservice, and eight more added their namesin the week that followed. Out-of-boundsmembers will have opportunity to addtheir names in the near future. We thankGod for the wonderful response andspirit which was evident at this service.YOUNGSTOWN: Martha McFarlandwas the guest of honor at a dinner heldat the home of Mrs. Lois Marshall. Afterdinner the rest of the congregation gathered at the Marshall home and presentedMartha with a lovely green traveling case.Martha is leaving the Youngstown public library for work in a school libraryon Long Island.GENEVA: We are happy to welcometo our midst, Dr. and Mrs. J. G. Vos andtheir four children, Kathie, George, Melvin and Raymond. Kathie and Georgeare to come later, George being in theservice and Kathie working in Kansas.Dr. Vos has accepted a position in Geneva College and they are residing in ourparsonage.STERLING: At the regular Missionary meeting on August 19 th SterlingW.M.S. surprised the pastor's wife witha beautiful birthday cake and gift. Thankyou, Sterling W.M.S., very much. Mrs.L. E. Kilpatrick.GREELEY: On Sabbath evening,August 22, we were happy to have Mr.Robert McFarland to lead the singing,and Lie. Paul Robb to bring the message.It was a fitting climax to the Signing ofthe Covenant as Mr. Robb challenged usfrom Haggai the first chapter.The SHARON congregation honoredMrs. Barbara Briars, mother of Mrs.John O. Edgar, at a party in the church.parlors Friday evening, July 23. Mrs.155