Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

never."osophy,"The Board of Foreign Missions GivesAn Account of Its StewardshipBy Rev. Charles S. Sterrett, Corresponding SecretaryAs a Board of Foreign Missions we wish publiclyto acknowledge that His grace faileth Unsettled conditions are world wide, but our Sovereign-God is ordering all events for His glory. He prospersthe work. He keeps the laborers."The Lord doth safely keep all thoseThat bear to Him a lovingheart."Through this period of unrest in Cyprus ourmissionaries have been kept in safety. In face of interference and hindrance the work in Syria has beencarried on as usual. The new congregation in Japan isgrowing. The Spirit has been upon our church inAmerica and the church has responded to the challenge of last Synod by meeting the Budget in full,and more than doubling the amount necessary tosend a new missionary to Japan for one year. TheBoard feels that one of the contributing factors tothe realized budget was the missionary challenge.The Board envisions the work of the ForeignMissionary as that of preaching, teaching, and supervising. The foundation must be laid; the convertsgathered into congregations ; the Christian Nationalsinstructed in the rudiments of the Reformed Faithand instructed in the problems of administration. Anindigenous church will be developed embracing theReformed Faith and maintaining the CovenanterVision. A mature Presbytery will then join handswith us in our testimony and witness for our Risenof kings.Saviour, the Lord of lords and the KingSince the last meeting of this Court several missionaries have returned to their respective fields,and some have arrived in the United States on furlough. Dr. and Mrs. W. W. Weir returned to Cyprusin January; Miss Blanche McCrea arrived on furlough from Cyprus in August of 1954. Miss OrlenaLynn returned to Japan in February of this year.Mrs. C. T. Hutcheson sailed to rejoin her husband inSyria in September of 1954; and Miss Eunice McClurkin returned by air to her duties at the GirlsSchool in September; Miss Elizabeth McElroy andMr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sanderson arrived in July andAugust respectively on their furloughs. Those onfurlough have been studying in preparation fortheir work when they return and have traveledthroughout the church speaking on missionary work.THE FIELDSCyprusPossibly our field in Cyprus is the most unsettled as of this report. There is agitation that theisland be united with Greece. This political strugglehas taken violent turns at times, but our missionarieshave been kept in safety.The Rev. T. M. Hutcheson suffered an attackof jaundice but his recovery is complete and he isnow back at duty. Mr. H. H. Memour has completeda three year course in the European Bible Institute,68Paris, France, and is expected to join the staff ofthe American Academy, Larnaca, and to work underthe Commission in the evangelism of Moslems.The dedication ceremony for the Larnaca Building was held Saturday evening, April 30, 1955.The Board has recommended to Dr. Weir thatweekly classes be conducted in "Covenanter Philand the distinctive principles of the Reformed Presbyterian Church be maintained anddefended by the school staff. Non-Covenanter teachers on the staff will be requested to sign a statementthat they will not undermine the position held by theReformed Presbyterian Church and the school. AConstitution for the American Academy has beenapproved and submitted to the school.JapanThe growth of the congregation in Japan has notbeen spectacular, but has been steady. "It is a constant proof that our church needs to make no sacrifice in principles in order to operate a Themission."Lord is gathering a group of young men to take overthe work. Mr. Katayama has completed his seminarycourse and is studying with Mr. Hansen. Anotheris in his first year in the seminary and two morein college plan to enter the seminary.The Hansens have moved to the village ofSusurandai, population of about 5000. In this non-Christian village, if it be the Lord's will anothercongregation will be started. The southern islands ofJapan are without any reformed Witness and thusour mission will expand in this direction.Mr. Gene Spear has applied for appointment inJapan. The application has been approved and theBoard has appointed Mr. and Mrs. Gene Spear asmissionaries to Japan.Miss Eleanor Faris applied for appointment butthe Board does not feel it wise to assume the financial obligations necessary to support anothermissionary. Miss Faris is willing to go to Japan andseek her support in that country. She has askedthe Board to approve of her work in this field. TheBoard accepted her offer that she should go to Japanunder our name but without any monetary helpfrom us.Bible classes in Japanese and English and Vacation Bible School activities have kept our missionaries busy. The Japanese Christians have been ofgreat help in this work. In addition to her classesand D V.B.S., Miss Huston has carried on in theBook Room m the absence of Miss Lynn. This pastyear the Book Room has shown the greatest volumeof business. This shows the necessity of distributingsound literature. In addition to her work of missionTreasurer, class roominstruction, andhousekeeper,Mrs. Hansen has had a new boarder come and livewith them Barbara Hansen was born May 15 1954Under the direction of Miss Huston, a PsalterCOVENANTER WITNESS