Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

evil."evil'evil"entrance."spotlights."world."preaching the gospel to every creature? Has ourhome church work and our mission work so drainedour funds that we have cut off so much of the worldto complete darkness. Not only is the present writerconcerned about this indifference of our church toward this great cause but the American Bible Societyitself, though its total Budget for a year is somethingover $4,000,000.00 is concerned because we the leaders of all contributors seems to have lost our enthusiasm for our world-wide mission through thisand its affiliated agencies.This falling off in contributions seems to bedue to a change of attitude on the part of certainpersons who have been sending critical letters tothe Bible Society (some pastors and some laymen)telling of their objections. The Bible Society findstwo principal reasons why they criticize this institution. First, there has been a rumor spread about thatthe Bible Society has become a part of the NationalCouncil of Churches. This they absolutely deny andno reason is apparent to doubt their word. Thepresent writer is a member of the Advisory Councilof the Society and attended the annual meeting lastyear and no official representative of the NationalCouncil was on the roll nor was the organization somuch as mentioned.The second objection offered is that the Societyhas been publishing the New Testament and some ofthe Gospels, etc., in the Revised Standard Versionfor those who prefer this edition. The Bible Societysells four varieties of English translations but theRevised Standard Version sales amounted to onlya fraction of one per cent of the total number ofEnglish translations sold.The critics of the R.S.V. have been very diligentin searching out its defects and it has far too many.But jn searching for the changes that are less accurate or less forceful than the King James Version,have they never found any that were an improvement and more accurate translations? That is, havethey been fair critics or prejudiced ones? All newversions have had their critics. A student in mySeminary days criticized the Revision of 1901 because it favored the higher critics. He cited the verse"Avoid every form of instead of "Avoid everyappearance ofpearance ofIf Jesus had avoided every 'apHe would never have eaten with unwashed hands, healed on the Sabbath, or cast outdevils. To the pure all things are pure, but to yourenemy, nothing you do is pure. The other translationwas exact and was far more in accordance with common sense. The King James version had its criticsand still has very many and they are not withouttheir reasons. Some of its translations even directlycontradict the meaning of the original text. Do notunderstand that I am holding a brief for the RSVas preferential to the King James. Personally, I readboth of them profitably.But I feel it is a dangerous thing to discourageour Church to the extent of 40% of its contributionson account of the very small number of RSV NewTestaments sold by the American Bible Society dueto the choice of the purchaser. They are not recommending that book but only supplying it where it ispreferred. To quote the late Dr. Mann of the AmerinoncanBible Society : "There are large areas of theChristian World which would be entirely withoutthe Word of God if it were not for the work of theAmerican Bible Society. To withhold gifts from theNovember 24, 1954Society is to withhold the Word of Life from millions in the great mission fields of the Iwould want to be very sure that I were in the rightif I were appointed to drop an A Bomb or H Bombor a C Bomb on any large city of the world. I wouldwant to be very sure that I was right before I woulddo anything to withhold the Word of God from anylarge section of the population of the world. Soulassassination on a mass scale is a very dangeroustransaction.It should be born in mind that if anyone wishesto designate his contribution as to its use, he candetermine that none of it shall go into the publication of any undesirable volume of the Book of Lifeor reasonable facsimile thereof and can send it toany particular part of the work he maywish tofavor. Bible Day is very close at hand; the editorfeels impelled to warn our people against retrenching in our mission field in 400 different countries.No other organization or field of outlet for yourfunds, I believe, offers so much distribution for adollar as does the American Bible Society and itskindred organizations under the United Bible Society. May God guide you in the amount you shallgive to this worthy cause !Tither's CornerThe Thrill of Tithingby R. McConaughyWhen I think of reasons why I am glad I tithe,two blessings immediately come to mind.First, the urge to live an honest and uprightlife. I was talking to a Chinese friend the other day.She is a widow and life is hard for her. She triedto tell me of some of her experiences and was hardto understand. But I understood this much. Someof her neighbors had suggested some tricks for herbusiness that they used. Her reply was "I no do.My hands clean. My heart clean. I belong to Jesee."After coming to a sufficient understanding of theLord God to want to give Him the tenth, I cannotcome to Him with the results of unchristian labor.I find myself challenged to give a good day's workand to shun the unearned dollar.And second, the interest I have in where mymoney goes. On my way to work, I pass an attractive new church and I think, "Why I probably paidfor that nice light at the I go to churchand I think "This is my church. My money goes intoGeneva and the Seminary that my minister attended ;into the pastor's salary, the newly painted walls andthe helpful outsideAt lunch the ladyacross the table speaks and I learn of her formeracquaintance with Dr. Vos in far-off Manchuria.And I'm reminded of the present work he is leadingthat takes God's message behind the Red curtain intosoutheast Asia and I have a part in that. An occasional quarter or dollar bill in the collection platewould not rouse such thoughts. But because a significant portion of my income is going into the Lord'swork, I have a very real interest in what it's doing.It's a thrill to see that tithe go and grow in thehand of God. Don't miss it !Central-Pittsburgh325