Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

worship of God; (both of these purposeswere present in the covenant with Adambefore sin came and are still uppermost in the mind of God) ;3. To maintain and advance right relations among the peoples of the world;(such relations may be called the "true"peace,"righteousness) ;4. To preserve and enlarge the knowlbrotherhood,"edge of God.That the purpose of God as thus outlined might be fulfilled Divine revelation was given; the prophets of old spakein the name of God; to-day the churchserves under the authorityCommission.II.of the GreatTHE PURPOSE OF COVENANTING,FROM THE STANDPOINT OFCHRIST THE MEDIATOROF THE COVENANT1. To secure obedience on the part ofall who enter into the covenant relationship. Note that it is one thing to promise and quite another to perform (Matt.21:28-31). Adam may be understood tohave promised but he failed to obey. Themembers of Messiah's Kingdom will oneday be both able and willing to perfectlykeep the commandments of God. We aretaught to pray "Thy will be done onearth as it is in heaven."2. The second part of the purpose is toestablish an abiding relationship betweenthe people of the kingdom and the provisions for life made available throughthe grace of God. The Redeemer has aspecial care for His own chosen ones. Inthis 89th Psalm provision is made andthe promise given to David that if hisroyal descendants should sin, they willbe chastised but not forsaken as wasSaul (Ps. 89:30-33).3. The third part of the purpose is tocertify that true religion is a revelationfrom God; and since Christ occupies thepreeminent place in it, we must acceptand acknowledge Him in all relations oflife.4. The fourth part of the purpose isto furnish man a firm basis on whichhe may plead the covenant promises inprayer. Such covenant promises had alarge place in David's prayer life. It ison this basis that we today may pleadthe covenant promises for the coming ofthe kingdom.III.THE PURPOSE OF COVENANTING.OUR PART.the Christian life is a life lived underthe controling influence of the love ofChrist (II Cor. 5:14).4. The fourth part in the Covenant isthat it shall be an expression of Loyaltyto Christ, with a determination to giveHim first place in our hearts.We have passed in review the purposeas we have looked at it from God's essential purpose, Christ's interest as theMediator, and our own well-being; andhave found it to be that which honorsand dignifies life by lifting it up intofellowship with God in Christ. It is onlyin such a covenant relationship that onemay fulfill the high purpose for whichhe was both created and redeemed. HereWHITE LAKECOVENANTER CAMPWhite Lake, New YorkA weekend retreat,with emphasis"PRAYER"we find something satisfying to the soul,strengthening to the faith, stimulatingto fidelity, sustaining in its hope for thefinal triumph in the kingdom of God.Topics for Discussion:1. Is covenanting a divine ordinancefor the individual, the family, the churchand the nation?2. Is covenanting a testimony for Godin a world of sin?3. Is covenanting a means of grace andthus essential to our good and God'sglory, and if so how should it be observed?News BriefsonFriday evening, August 20 toMonday morning, August 23CENTRAL PITTSBURG: The EmmaElliott Missionary Society was extremely happy to have in their midst, EuniceMcClurkin, a former member of our congregation, now serving as a foreign missionary, (at the home of Anne Schlederon June 17).ORLANDO: The monthly meeting ofthe B.W.M.S. was held at the home ofMrs. Clarabelle Worsham July 2 in theevening with a picnic supper on the lawn.A shower of articles was brought for Mrs.Catherine Price Geisen of New Castle,Wyoming.FRESNO: On May 30 there were 80 inBible School; a year ago there was anattendance of 85, and the yearly averagewas 78. Our pastor challenged the BibleSchool to average 80 for the month ofJune while he was on vacation. But otherpeople are vacationingeither in themountains or at the ocean, so our attendance has fallen down.4. Would it be fitting in this connectionto use the expression "with full purposeof and endeavor after new obedience"?with us on June 6. Mr. Harrington wasrecently called to our congregation inNew Castle. We do wish him the Lord'sbest as he goes forth in his new congregation ministering unto all.Mr. Glenn McFarland appeared beforeOhio Presbytery which met at HETHERTON on may 11 and 12, and gave hispieces. All who heard him were impressedwith his fine delivery and the materialgiven. Glenn is preaching at Lisbon,N. Y., this summer and Southfieldmisses him. Rev. Harold Thompson, MissEdna Eley and Mrs. George Henning attended the Presbyteryand Presbyterialmeeting and wish to thank Hetherton fortheir splendid hospitality.ALLEGHENY: We were pleased tohave with us Miss Sally Wehby, fromAustralia. Miss Wehby was visiting hercousin, Mrs. Jack George.Mr. and Mrs. Samuel O. Carson werehonored on their 50th wedding anniversaryat SHARON church June 9 whenmany friends and neighbors met to helpthem celebrate the occasion. A gift ofmoney was presented to the honored couple.FRESNO: The Session elected M. L.Richardson as delegate to Synod, withR. S. McCloy as alternate. The latteris in Texas on business this month andplans to be at Grinnell.1. The first part of our purpose is toexpress sorrow for sin and the desire fora better life.2. The second part of our purpose isto consecrate our present relationshipand to pledge our future cooperation withChrist and His cause.3. The third part is to maintain thatJuly 14, 1954PHOENIX: Recent visitors in the J.G. McElhinney home were Mr. and Mrs.Leyba and family of Denver, Colorado.Mrs. Leyba, the former Ellen McFarland,is a niece of Dr. McElhinney.CENTRAL PITTSBURGH: It was aprivilege to have Mr. Harold HarringtonSEATTLE: The trend is changing!After reviewingabout ten little girlsplaying in the corner of the church basenight"ment at the last "family gathering,Mr. Donald Crozier decided somethingshould be done. So that night, followingthe program he whisked his wife Paulineoff to the hospital, where at 2:00 a.m.,29