Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

Glimpses of the Religious WorldFrank E. Allen, D. D.The New Administrative AssistantVice-President Nixon has appointed Robert L. King ashis administrative assistant who is to take his position at theopening of the 84th Congress next month. What is significantabout this? Mr. King has been vice-president and generalmanager of the Southern Comfort Distillery of St. Louis, andaccording to an announcement from Mr. Nixon's office, is tomatters.''"handle considerable legislative Some temperanceorganizations have protested this appointment, and as aresult Mr. Nixon has replied that Mr. King has resigned fromhis position at the distilleryand that he is a man of highpersonal character. Thoughtful Christian people know that aman who has sold his services to a liquor firm and as manager must have been in sympathy with it is likely to lend hisinfluence, and it is a powerful influence in this case, to theaid of the liquor interests in "legislativematters."And in anevenly divided Congress where one vote may decide for oragainst proposed bills it is a matter of very great importancewho shall formulate and promote such bills.The Milk Issue in FrancePremier Mendes-France has had his hardest struggle tohold his position because he has dared advise workers inFrance to drink water or milk rather than wine. The influenceof the winery interests and other stronger drinks penetratesall parties, even the Communist party, in France. One whochallenges the alcohol lobby or interests in France is likelyto face political death. An experienced economist has quotedfigures to show that France loses more economic strength fromthe ravages of alcoholism than any other country in theworld. Jesus said, if the blind lead the blind both shall fallinto the ditch. France has fallen before opposing armies morethan once because her army was debilitated through strongdrink, but most of her leaders blinded by the desire for drinkor the money procured through its manufacture and sale, areready to condemn and throw out of office one who opposesthem even though he may seek the welfare of their country.France has been rated as one of the great powers of theworld, but it is not and will not be a powerful nation so longas it continues to drink three times as much liquor as anyother nation.Schools for Missionaries' ChildrenOne of the most serious problems which face foreign missionaries is how to educate their children under Christian surroundings. Comparatively early in the history of the China Inland Mission Hudson Taylor established such a school inChina. Near Tokyo a school has been established which iscalled the Japan Evangelical Christian School. It is a schoolwhich is maintained by missionary parents in Japan who haveplanned and worked together to provide for the education oftheir own children. The constitution is modeled after the constitution of the National Union of Christian Schools. Theschool has been operating on the policy that the teachersshall be provided by missions which have missionary children in the school. This school opened four years ago with oneteacher and 13 pupils and now has an enrollment of about120 pupils. The nationalities represented in the student bodyinclude, U.S., Swedish, English, South African, Chinese, German, Canadian and Irish. The financial strain on many missionary families is very heavy.402The missionary editor of The Banner has written an article on this subject. In his concluding paragraph he states:"The education ofmissionaries'children is a matter of greatconcern to our church (Christian Reformed)and to the missionary parents a matter of compelling urgency. In Japan thesituation is being met for the present as above describedAs you pray for our missionaries and their work, don't forgetthe many boys and girls who are growing up in foreign fieldseducation."and need facilities also for theirThis means "greatrelief to the parents involved, but it also meets one of themost pointed problems that missionary candidates face asthey entertain the thought of moving themselves and familiesto a foreign field."Back to God HourFifteen years ago the Back to God Hour, the Radio Voiceof the Christian Reformed Church, was begun. Now the Mutual Broadcasting System has made all stations connectedwith it available which means that the Gospel messagethrough it is brought within the hearingrange of about 100,-000,000 people. This broadcast now is offering a 13-week series of 15-minute programs to all television stations in thecountry, and more than 80 of these stations have accepted theoffer. The Rev. Peter H. Eldersveld, who is an excellentpreacher of the Christian Reformed Church, gives all of histime to this work. Their desire is that soon this program willbe made available in foreign countries where their missionaries are sent.The Loyalty OathThe First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles is heading alegal battle against the California Levering Act which requiresa loyalty oath from religious, educational, and charitableinstitutions as a condition of their tax exemption. This churchand a number of religious organizations with it are refusingto sign the oath on the grounds that it violates the provisionof the First Amendment establishing(Continued on page 407)THE COVENANTER WITNESSseparation betweenIssued each Wednesday by the Publication Board of theREFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOF NORTH AMERICAat 129 West 6th Street. Newton. Kansas orthrough its editorial office at 1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka, Kansasto promote Bible Standards of Doctrine, Worship and LifeFor individuals, churches and nationsOpinions expressed in our columns are those of the individual writers .not necessarily the views of the Covenanter Church or of the Editor.Dr. Raymond Taggart, D.D., Editor1209 Boswell Avenue, Topeka KansasContributing EditorsFrank E. Allen, D.D.Prof. William H. RussellWalter McCarroll, D.D.Remo I. Robb, D.D.Departmental EditorsRev. John O. EdgarMrs. J. O. EdgarMrs. Ross LatimerSubscription rates: $2.50 per year; Overseas, $3.00: Sincle Copies10 cents.The Rev. R. B. Lyons, B.A., Limavady, N. Ireland, Agent for theBritish Isles.Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Newton, Kansasunder the Act of March 3, 1879.Address communications to the Topeka office.COVENANTER WITNESS