Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

promising"all."Minutes of the Reformed Presbyterian SynodThrough the courtesyof Ireland_1955of Mr. H. B.Holmes of Ballymoney I have on mydesk the Irish Minutes and have culleda few items that should be of interest toWitness readers. We on this side of theAtlantic should know more about theChurch from which so many of our forefathers came.The new Moderatorthe Rev. IsaacCole, B.A., minister of the Trinity congregation, Belfast.There was a "Minute" on the Rev.Professor John Ramsey, LL.B., whopassed away on November 26, 1954, atthe age of 94. For fifty-three and a halfyears he served the Ballymoney congregation, a faithful minister of the LordJesus Christ. For forty-five years hewas the able and diligent editor of THECOVENANTER and "showed a breadthof vision, a depth of culture, a knowledge of men and affairs and an appreciation of the fine things in life that belong to few." For twenty-three years,1922-1945, he was the professor of Hebrew, Greek, and Biblical Criticism inthe Seminary. He served for twentyyears as a Trustee of the Synod's funds."Many members of Synod enjoyed thehospitality of his home where his wife,who predeceased him by a few months,was a gracious hostess. To his sons anddaughters, in Ireland, England, and theU.S.A.tended."warm cordial sympathy is exA number of years ago Prof.Ramsey's name was heralded inourAmerican newspapers from coast tocoast because of his daringwoman at Niagara Falls;William Ramsey,rescue of a"The Rev.a Covenanter ministerfrom Ireland." Mr. William Ramsey, active in the Syracuse congregation, is ason of Prof. Ramsey, and Mrs. ThomasNimick of the United Philadelphia congregation and of the Foreign MissionBoard is a daughter.The Synod authorizes the PsalmodyCommittee to proceed with the printingof two thousand copies of the Psalterand to confer with the Trustees of theSynod concerning the finances of theproject.The attention of the Synod was apparently directed in a large measure tothe revision of the Terms of Communion. An Australian lawyer, an authorityon ecclesiastical law, had declared thata trust held for the Geelong congregation would be affected by the adoptionof the new Terms without sending themdown to the sessions in overture. This isnow being done. Also a change is beingmade in the Terms, makingthem morespecific and "it was agreed that thesubscription should now read: I believethat the System of Doctrine set forth inthe Westminster Confession of Faith (asapproved by the Church of Scotland inher Act of 1647) and the Catechisms,Larger and Shorter, and in the Doctrinal and Practical Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland,is founded on and agreeable to the Wordof God, and as such I subscribe to it asthe confession of my faith."The Foreign Mission work of theChurch is now centered in the town ofZahleh in the Republic of Lebanon,where there is more freedom than inSyria. An "interesting andfield is found among some Assyriansin the outskirts. Does it make the descendants of the people of Sennacherib,to whom Jonah preached, and of whomIsaiah and Ezekiel wrote, now seemmore real when we find Covenantermissionaries giving them the Gospel andwithout the compulsion that sent Jonahtheir way? The Rev. Wm. Lytle hassought permission to visit his formerfield at Idlib in Syria, but so far thishas been denied. The work there, however, still continues under native leadership with two services on the Sabbathand a midweek prayer meeting. TheMoslems, whose interest in Christianitywas probably the cause for the expulsionof the missionaries, are still friendly tothe Gospel. The missionary personnel includes the Rev. and Mrs. Wm. Luthe, theRev. Robert Lytle, Miss J. H. Gardnerand Mr. J. Claude Macquigg (a shorttermer) .May our brethren have great blessingsfrom the Head of the Church during thecoming year.John ColemanMISS BLANCHE CALHOUNThe Walton Congregation was saddened by the death on September 30, ofMiss Blanche Calhoun. She was supervisor of nurses at the Delaware ValleyHospital. Previous to that, she hadserved for a few years as superintendentof Smith Hospital. Her death came fromcoronary thrombosis just as she leftduty for the day.Miss Calhoun was born in 1900. Shehad lived in Walton for the past twelveyears. Previous to this, she had lived inAndes, and Delhi, New York. She hadspent two years in Topeka, Kansas andone year in Kentucky.Miss Calhoun had acted as directressof nurses in several hospitals before taking the positions in Walton. She hadspent one year in Mary BreckenridgeFrontier Nursing Service at Hayden,Kentucky.The Walton Missionary Guild wishesto record its tribute to Miss Calhounwho was a past president and a veryactive and efficient member of thatgroup.The unselfishness and devotion of herlife have greatly influenced our organization and our congregation.Miss Calhoun leaves an aged motherMrs. Alice Calhoun, three brothers, andtwo sisters.IF YOU PLAN TO SMOKE IN BEDHave you seen one of the new, warning cards now appearing in hotels andmotels?This is what is on it:"Inform the Hotel Desk where to sendyour remains."Leave a list of your nearest relativesat the Desk."Leave your Last Will and Testamentwith the Clerk."Check your insurance policy makingsure the premium is paid."Inform the guests on each side ofyou of your intentions to endanger theirlives."Advise others on your floor to checkthe nearest fire escape or exit."Havehand.a fire extinguisher near at"Call the local fire department andask them to stand by for fire-call fromyour room."(signed) FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU"We should like to add: "Whether youplan to smoke in bed or not, you shouldbe prepared for fatal accidents, possibleto occur at nightendfor death does notThe Scripture says after death, "thejudgment."(Hebrews 9:27)There is a grand exception: "There isno condemnation (or judgment) tothem which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).The Lord Jesus Himself said: "Verily,verily, I say unto you, he that hearethMy word, and believeth on Him thatsent Me, hath everlasting life, and shallnot come into condemnation (or judgment) ;life"but is passed from death unto(John 5:24).Why not heed His word, and rejoicein the assurance of "no Condemnation"?NowNovember 9, 1955319