Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

unfeigned"of God's provision for the purification of His people.It is the revelation of the Glory of God's holiness,the helplessness of the sinner, the love of the Redeemer, and the consequent devotion of the renewedsinner. "Now the end of the commandment is loveout of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, andof faith(I Tim. 1:5).The ruling principle of the Christian's exampleremains that of faith and love. As elders we are examples. There is never a question of that. But theremay arise the question of the kind of examples weare. We may be ruled by principles which will leadus to be either good or bad examples. Through faithand love we may be an encouragement to other believers. Through lack of these essential qualities wemay discourage the believers and repel the non-believers. This faith is more than our subjective beliefs. It is a commitment to the revealed word of Godand in the system of doctrine contained in thatword as the infallible guide in belief and action. Loveinvolves the teaching and leading others into theway, the truth, and the life that is revealed in JesusChrist. The elder, who is motivated by faith and loveis in a unique position to teach all things that Christhas committed to the church to teach.I am personally indebted to some of the elderswith whom I have served in the church. Some eldershave felt that they have little ability to teach. Butthose who have this faith in the trustworthiness ofthe Word of God, and a love for truth and for thepeople who are in need of that truth, have been effective teachers by their quiet walk and talk and example.Perhaps the greatest quality of true example isin the love for people. The love for all the people ofthe flock, even those who are less loveable than others. It is shown in a love for those who are indifferent to Christ and their need of salvation. It is manifest in a love for men who are militantlythe gospel.opposed toBut how may this be done? Paul writes, "Be yefollowers of me even as I also am of Christ." This isthe "how" of example. We become true leaders in theChurch insofar as we are in Him, and the Holy Spiritbecomes our teacher and strengthener and guide.Our most effective example is when we become mimics of Christ.Recently John G. Hubbell described the "Making of a Submariner." (Readers Digest. May, 1955.p. 25.) "The matchless esprit de corps exists becauseit must. Success against an enemy depends upon theabsolute confidence of each man in the technical andpersonal excellence of each of his shipmates: for asingle mistake by any one of 77 men in any givenmoment can turn a submarine into a steel tomb. Leta scintilla of doubt creep into this atmosphere and itsets off a lethel chain reaction of morale-shatteringdistrust which nullifies the submarine's effectiveness as a weapon."As leaders in the church it is necessary that werealize the need of an esprit de corps. We are engaged in a battle. We are involved in a warfare, notagainst "flesh and blood, but against principalities,places."against wickedness in high To be examplesin this warfare, we again must heed the counselof God's warrior in the faith, "Take unto you theWhole armour of God, that ye may be able to standin the evil day, and stand."having done all, toAugust 10, 1955REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON STEWARDSHIPThe Synod of 1954 passed the following recommendation :"That continued educational work concerninggiving be carried on by a definite program to informthe entire membership of all of the work of theChurch."(Minutes of Synod, page 9)A further recommendation adopted was :"That, as we had a total of 1066 tithers in ourdenomination this past year, we set a limited, immediate, objective for 1955 of 1600 communicanttithers for the next year. (Minutes of Synod, page127)Your committee reports that both of these recommendations have been carried out.We give thanks to God that the number of enrolled tithers has increased from 1066 to 1700. Thisdoes not imply that these are all new tithers. Somehitherto uncounted are added to those who have become tithers for the first time.More significant is the enlarged giving of ourpeople during the year. Where the contributions toSynod's budget during the previous year was $103,-401, the amount for the year just closed was $122,-or $18,985 more than the year before.368,The budget asked by last Synod was $110,015.If this amount should be over-scribed by $5,000 anew minister was to be sent to Japan.The original amount asked for was raised, plusthe $5,000 additional, and beyond that $7,371, making a total of $122,386.Your committee is grateful to the church atlarge for the splendid cooperation in this concertedendeavor. We thank also the editor of the Covenanter Witness for giving space in no less than 28 issuesfor the "Tithers Corner" in addition to four full display pages which gave publicity to this cause.500 copies of "Ten Times Ten," a 24 page booklet on the tithe, were printed and distributed to all ofour congregations. About 300 copies are left in thehands of our Treasurer for further use. 5000 father'sresolve cards were also printed and distributed andonly a few of these remain.We give praise to God for opening the hearts ofthe people to all such appeals. "The earth is theLord's, and the fullness thereof; the world and theythat dwell therein." We have proved Him and wehave seen.The term for which Fenton R. Farley waselected has expired and his successor should be appointed. Inasmuch as the present chairman acceptedthis appointment for one year only his successor isalso to be chosen.We recommend:That the Christian stewardship emphasis becarried forward on a substantial basis from year toyear.D. H. ElliottFenton R. FarleyNorman M. Carson"Grave error to consider the Sabbath school andthe church as two separate and independent organizations where pastor leads one, and the superintenother."dent the87