Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

pastorates."voices"purposes of reference and comparison.Rev. J. A. Hill gave notice that he dissentsfrom this review as being one-sided, and on Wednesday brought in the reasons for his dissent. A numberof others joined in the dissent feeling that theR.S.V. should be permitted to be read byall andeven to be used in the pulpit where the text is moreaccurate and preferable.Tuesday NightThe first part of this meeting was given to thehearing of the foreign missionaries who had notappeared before the Synod or in other proalreadygrams. In this connection it ought to be said thaton Monday and Tuesday forenoon Synod adjournedat 11:30 to hear the missionaries that were on thegeneral assembly program in Darby Hall. Mrs. A. J.McFarland as President of the Women's Synodicalwas also heard as their representative.Wednesday Forenoon.The devotional period this morning was an address by Rev. Kermit S. Edgar on the "Race BeforeUs,"Hebrews 12:1. It was a fitting climax to allthe previous addresses on the devotional program.At Synod two special matters came up this morning,one was the report of the Committee on Methodsof electing Seminary professors. This report willappear in the Minutes ; since it is little too technicalfor being discussed here, we pass over it.The other matter that took up the rest of theforenoon was a revised plan for "continuing pastorates"which many prefer to call the plan for"limitedThe report was read by Rev.Kenneth Smith and Dr. T. C. McKnight opposed anysuch plan and considered it beneath the dignity of thewhich was not just a compastoral relationshipmercial contract but was in reality more like a marriage ceremony and should be counted sacred. Hissecond argument was that the history of this plan asit has been used for the past eight years has resulted in hardship and confusion.Mr. McKnight's stand was supported bv Dr.J. B. Willson, Dr. C. T. Carson and Dr. D. H. Elliottwho said it gives opportunity to agitate against thepastor and creates unnecessary division in congregations, so that the man who does not receive aconsiderable vote to remain longer in the presentpastorate is put on a quasi blacklist in securinganother place.Dr. A. J. McFarland also opposed the whole planas did Elder Kenneth Hurd. He said he favored forgetting the whole matter, though he had favored itwhen it first began.Rev. W. C. McClurkin says the pastoral relationis one between the pastor and his God and oughtto be decided on God's will.Elder Ross Latimer says while he is the son of aminister and understood manyof the minister'sproblems from experience; but not only should thedignity of the pastor be considered but the dignityof the congregation, and that if it became to theirinterest to cease the relationship, they should havea say.Elder Howard George, though not a member ofthe court was allowed time to present his views inwhich he said he had originated this plan or at leastpromoted it in its first stages, and that if they con-August 11, 1954sidered this as a marriage relationship, we shouldremember that the marriage relationship is a twosidedaffair and that either husband or wife may beallowed to initiate its termination.Rev. W. J. McBurney said that the pastor had anunfair advantage before the law and with an unlimited contract could continue to collect his salaryindefinitely.The plan was amended so that the first termof the pastor would be seven years from the timeof installation and subsequent terms five years.Synod took recess until 1 :30.Wednesday AfternoonThe various items left on the docket were disposed of. Four ministers who had been ordainedfor fifty years were invited forward in a recognitionservice: Dr. H. G. Patterson, Dr. D. H. Elliott, Rev.W. J. McBurney and Dr. J. A. Kempf. Elder JohnWright was recognized as an elder who had servedfor forty Years.The resolutions of thanks were read. Also theMinutes of the final sessions. Dr. H. G. Pattersonadjourned the court with prayer. The 133rd Psalmwas sung, and the Moderator Dr. F. E. Allen pronounced the Benediction.Next year's meeting is to be at Geneva College,June 8.Thus closed a very memorable Synod, and wetrust all departed with charity for all and malicetoward none.GLIMPSES .... Cont'd from page 82Navajo MissionsIt is said that the new Navajo Missions, Inc., of Farmington,N. M., is making rapid progress among the Navajosin the fields of health, missionary work and care of orphans.New buildings have been erected by funds and labor frommen in eight states. Orphaned Indian children are oftenforced to serve as shepherds. Their condition is little betterthan slavery and they have no access to education or otheropportunities. The death rate is high and the need great.A Tape Recording MinistryMr. Charles Hoefle of Oklahoma City has turned ahobby into what he calls a "ministry." For twenty-fiveyears Mr. Hoefle was in the insurance business, but becameinterested in tape-recording what he called some of the"great spiritual of the day. He became so deeplyinterested in this project that he retired from his businessto devote full time to it. He makes tape recordings of messages when they are given, complete with audience participation. He transfers these to discs, wire or tape and offersthem for rent or sale. He gives his full time to SpiritualRecordings Unlimited, and turns over income above operatingcosts to religious projects.We believe that our church could make more use of recordings by our ministers in aiding congregations or missionstations which are without ministerial supplies.PAWNED BOOK . . . Continued from front pageDr. Mackay slipped the book under his coat andrushed upstairs to his private office. He asked Godto have mercy upon him, and in repentence acceptedChrist as his Saviour. He came into the realizationthat "God commended His love toward us, in that,(Please see next page, column 2)87