                                                                                                 i





                                                  JANUARY 1, 1962 - GRAND RAPIDS: MICHIGAN                                                ?+XWFIER  7

                                                                       sciousness, willing, desiring, grasping, wishing, laughing,

                                                                       crying, and so `on.


                                                                           Indeed, all that work is measured in days. When you
                                                                       say:  the days of our years, you mean exactly that.

           THE NUMBERHNG  OF OUB  DAYS                                     And thus our clays should be numbered. It means our
              "SO teach us to ~mml~er  our days, that we ~wmy          evaluatioll.

               apply o'zw hea&  unto wisdow~."  Ps. 90 :12                 And that evaluation must be according to TRUTH.

                                                                           And in that truth                  must number, tell, count and weigh.
   It won't be long and New Year's eve is upon us again.                                              you 

(I mean, of course, old year's eve.)                                                                     *      * * *

   And then there will be much noise, singing ( ?), joy ( ?) ,
                                                                           Every man has received his time from God: some much,
and all manner of vanity. Also drunks. And . . . auto
                                                                       some little, but everyone has received full days.
accidents.

                                                                           And what is the material that fills our days ? Here is
   But, thank God, not in the Church of our Lord Jesus
                                                                       the partial answer, partial, because I do not know the full
Christ.                         0                                      sum : `space, time, gifts, talents, opportunities, health, money
    In that church there will be a searching of the heart, a           (or lack of it), possessions, relationships, friends, enemies
weighing, measuring, counting, numbering of our days.                  (for some : the Bible, Christian friends and relatives), angels,

   That's what my text speaks of.                                      devils, temptations, trials, tribulations and afflictions, etc.,

                                                                       etc. I do not know the sum, but your days and mine are full.
    I like to meditate on that text a while.

                                                                           And they are gifts from above.
                               g ;!z -4 *
                                                                           And with that gift or with those gifts there is also a

                                                                       mandate : Love Me ! 1:`s that simple.
    In this psalm we listen to the words of Moses, the man

of God.                                                                    So you have the time and the gifts and the mandate, and

                                                                       the question is in order: what have                             done?             better
   And at the end of his ministry on earth.                                                                                    you               You 
                                                                       start counting, telling, weighing and numbering.

    "So teach               number our days !"
                  us to 
                                                                                                         *      :g    :jx *
   It cannot be taken in the merely literA  sense of the word.

Anyone can do that, even a young child, both forwards and                  But, 0 Almighty God. how shall I number my days?
backwards.
                                                                           That's the question here.
   And Moses also had done that for almost 120 years.
                                                                           The answer is "So" !
    Such numbering of our days does not help very mucl~.
                                                                           "So teach            to number our days," etc.
There must be a deeper meaning in this prayer.                                           us 

                                                                           How ?
    Our days are not mere periods of time.' Our days are

overflowing with many things. Our days have a very im-                     Moses shows us in the verses 1-11.

portant  content. Their content could be expressed in one                  He casts his eye over the history of the world up to
word : our life !                                                      eternity before creation. He labors through all the genera-

    There is our work, thoughts, words, deeds. Otir  con-              tions that went before, and coming to the end he beholds


146                                            T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R



God! He beholds God, the Refuge of all the generations of              "If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, who shall

God's people. `Read the psalm.                                      stand ?' Psalm 130 :3.

       And in the light of God he looks again at the generations       Nust I more say ? New Year's eve is the messenger of

of the people .of God and beholds their work.                       God : did you listen ? Did you number your days aright?

       And what is that work ? It is this : "our iniquities and        Honestly, beloved, I think that there is but one word at

our secret sins."                                                   the end of the final examination of the Almighty, and that

                                                                    one word is : Mercy ! Yes, the Lord gave you the example
       Furthermore, Moses saw this work of God's people in
                                                                    in the Holy Scriptures. I do not think that it was on New
the true judgment of God over all this work, and therefore
                                                                    Year's eve, but it does not matter. It was that miserable pub-
he speaks of God's wrath and God's anger.
                                                                    lican in the back of the temple. Watch him! His head sinks
       That anger and that wrath of God swept oGer  all the         low upon his breast, he dares not look up into heaven, he
works of our hands. And Moses heard the voice of God                strikes his breast, and cries out: 0 God, be merciful to me,
throughout all these generations, saying: "Return, ye chil-         the sinner !
dren of men !"
                                                                       That fits us on New Year's eve, and-always!
       And they returned to the earth whence they came.

                                                                                              1    * 8 *
       And the constant result was that man tasted labor and

sorrow. And that is the destruction of death.                          And why should we so number our days that the end is

       And, mind you, Moses justifies God! And this is funda-       the cry of Moses, the publican  and of me?

mental. It is found only in the hearts, souls, spirits of              That we may apply our hearts unto. wisdom. (I like the
regenerated and converted men. They all justify God when            Dutch version better, and it is more correct: That we might
He judges. They look, they tell, number, count and weigh            obtain a heart of wisdom.)                         qt
their "days,"      and with God they pronounce judgment:
                                                                       Beloved, that is the most precious jewel for you and your
death ! I have merited eternal death because of the work,
                                                                    children. Have that and you are fixed for time and eternity.
the life of my days and my years.

                                                                       The heart is the naked you. It is the yozt  which God
                               :I: * * *
                                                                    looks at, not your face and your voice and your smile, etc.

       But that is not all.                                            As you are in the depth of your heart, so are you. From

                                                                    that heart are all the issues of your life. It colors everything
       Moses continues, and says : "Return, 0 Lord, how long ?
                                                                    you are and do. And God shall judge the hearts of man
And let it repent Thee concerning Thy servants ! Satisfy us
                                                                    in that great and terrible day of the Lord.
early with Thy mercy that we may rejoice and be glad all

our days !"                                                            In the day of Jesus Christ we shall all stand before the

                                                                    great white throne of the Judge. And at that time God shall
       Make us glad !
                                                                    turn the hearts of men inside out. And the whole Universe

       Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants, and Thy glory!        shall see whit  was in that heart during all the days  of the

       Let the beauty of the Lord our Fad  be upon us!              years of your life on earth. And according to what is found

                                                                    in that heart shall He judge. You find that emphasized often
       Establish Thou the work of our hands upon us!
                                                                    in the Holy Scriptures. Let me give you just one example:

                               4: *    4: *                         "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;
                                                                    that everyone may receive the things done in his body, ac-
       Many centuries came and went ever since Moses sang           cording to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
this song in the ears of God's people.                              II Cor. 5 :lO.

       And it was ever the same theme. Let us see.                     And what is wisdom ? Paul will tell you. He says :

       Behold Israel, the Church. Evaluate their days. Count,       Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God. I .Cor.

number them. In a certain sense they were worse than the            1 24.

world. Why ? Because the world is dumb as the beasts that              Wisdom of God is the best way and the best means to

perish, but the church received light, heavenly light. They         attain the highest glory of God.

had Light of heaven, God in Christ, and the grace of God.              Now watch Jesus, the lowly Jesus of Nazareth, and you

       Look at yourselves. New Year's eve is the time to take       will see the Way of God's Wisdom. You will see loving

stock. What have you done ? Number your days, will you ?            obedience to God: utmost humiliation.

       Is there anyone among you who can stand when God                And, therefore, when you number your days aright,  you

examines you ? What have you done with the 365 days of              will receive a heart of wisdom. And that means that Jesus

1961?  and the nights ?                                             will dwell in your heart. And then all is well.


                                                                    T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R                                                                                                              147



     Do not say in folly: then it is man's work, for the text

will teach you differently. Moses says : "So teach                                                                                 T H E   S T A N D A ' B D   B E A H E B
                                                                                      US !"
                                                                                                                   Semi-monthly, except monthly during June, July and August
     In other words, no man will ever number his days aright.                                                        published by the REFORMED FREE PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION
Watch the world of all the ages. They are all fools and not                                                        P. 0. Box 881, Madison Square Station, Grand Rapids 7: .Mich.

one wise man among them.                                                                                                                   Editor - REV. HETJMAN  H~XK~EMA

                                                                                                                   Communications relative to contents should be addressed to
      No, but God will teach us to so number our days that                                                                       Rev. H. Hoeksema, 1139 rianklin  St., S. E.,
we receive more and more of Jesus in our hearts.                                                                                                  Grand Rapids 7, Mich.

                                                                                                                   All matters relative to subscriptions should be addressed to Mr.
      Then you evaluate your days according to truth, even                                                                       James Dykstra, 1326 W. Butler Ave., S. E.
as Moses did. Then you judge your days aright.  Then you                                                                                       Grand Rapids 7, Michigan

c o n f e s s   y o u r   d a y s   i n   h u m i l i t y .   T h e n   y o u   a r e   l i f t e d   u p          Announcements and Obituaries must be mailed to the above
                                                                                                                    address and will be published at a fee of $2.00 for each notice.
through all the power of God and the wisdom of God.

                                                                                                                    RENEWAL: Unless a definite request for discontinuance is re-
      And the end of your days will be rejoicing in God because                                                     ceived it is assumed that the subscriber wishes the subscription
                                                                                                                         to continue -without the formality of a renewal order.
of that Christ Jesus.
                                                                                                                                           Subscription price: $5.00 per year

                                          :I: * * *                                                                      Second C2a.s.s  postage paid at Grand Rapids, Michigan




      The man of wisdom speaketh in this way:                                                                                                         C O N T E N T S

      0 God, here is my past! All I see are iniquities and                                                   MEDITATION-
                                                                                                                         The Numbering of Our Days . .._...__.___.____................................ 145
secret sins. And they are before Thy countenance. And I                                                                         Rev. G. Vos
also see Thy anger and Thy wrath, and they are just.
                                                                                                             EDITOFIIALS-
      But I also see Thy faithfulness.                                                                                   The Protestant Reformation ____.__.__.___..__......................  I . ..___.....  148
                                                                                                                         O n Infallibility _. . . . . . .I49
      Once I heard a young man sing: Great is Thy faithful-                                                                     Rev. H. Hoeksema

ness !                                                                                                                   A Question and an Answer . . . . . ..______._.____...................................               150

                                                                                                                                 Rev. G. Vos
      It melts my heart.
                                                                                                             OUR 
                                                                                                 G . V .               DOCTNNE-
                                                                                                                         The Calling ._,,.,,..,,._____.._............,.............................................     151

                                                                                                                                Rev. H. Hoeksema

                                                                                                             A CLOUD OF WITNESSES -

                                                                                                                         Further Intercession               __. .._ __ ._ .__ __ . ,152
                                   Announcement                                                                                 Rev. B. Woudenberg

      Classis East of the Protestant Reformed Churches will                                                  FROM HOLY WRIT -

                                                                                                                         Exposition of I Timothy . . . . . . . . . ..____.___......................................  154
meet, the Lord willing, January 10, 1962, at 9 :00 A. M. in
                                                                                                                                Rev. G. Lubbers
the Creston  Protestant Reformed Church. Consistories will
                                                                                                             IN HIS FEAR -
please take note of the time and place in the appointment of                                                             Resolutions _. __. __. .__,  __. _. .._. ._. ____.  ___.  __ ___ ___ _. ,156

delegates.                                                                                                                       Rev. J. A. Heys

                                               R E V . M. SC H I P P E R , Stated  Clerk                     CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH-
                                                                                                                          The Church and the Sacraments ________________.___.............,..,....... 155

                                                                                                                                 Rev. H. Veldman

                                                                                                             THE VOICE OF OUR FATHERS  -
                                                                                                                          The Belgic Confession .._... _. __._  _. .._. .._ _. ______ _.. __. ._, ,160

                                           1N MEMORIAM                                                                           Rev. H. C. Hoeksema

                                                                                                             D                            ORDER-
                                                                                                                  E C E N C Y  A N D  
      The Consistory of the Redlands  Hope Protestant Reformed                                                            Preaching from the Heidelberg Catechism ( Cont'd) __. ___ ___.  ..162

Church, gratefully acknowledging the labors of Rev. Henry H.                                                                     Rev. G. Vanden Berg

Kuiper in its midst, 1954-1958, expresses its heartfelt sympathy to
                                                                                                             li.LL  ihOUND~S-
the family and to the Congregation of Loveland, Colorado, in the                                                          Overseas Radio Work __,_.___........____......................................,...  164
death of their pastor,                                                                                                           Rev. H. Hanko


                                REV. HENRY H. KUIPER                                                         CONTRIBUTIONS-
                                                                                                                          Concerning the Hymn Question ._.____._._________._.........................  166
      May the Lord grant them His grace which is always sufficient                                                               Mr. P. De Young
                                                                                                                          A Short History of Hymnology __.___,____.________............................  166
and comfort them with the assurance that for Rev. Kuiper to live                                                                 Mr. James Jonker
was Christ and to die is gain.                                                                                                                                                                                              1 6 8
                                                                                                             N E W S  F R O M  OUR  CHURCEES  ,.._.___  ____,____....,._____.................................           
                                                     Rev. Herman Veldman, President                                              Mr. J. M. Faber

                                                     M. Gaastra, Clerk


                                         T    H    E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R
                                                                    ..-- .                     _ ----~


                                                                   .:' I may  note here that it is true, of course, that our Lord

                                                                   Jesus Christ can, after his exaltation, be present in many

                                                                   places at the same time. But when, at the last supper, He

                                                                   said "this is my body" and "this is my blood" He was still

             The Protestant Reformation                            in the flesh. His body had not yet been broken and His
                                                                   blood had not yet been shed. Besides, the theory of tran-

    We must still prove and that, too, from the decrees of         substantiation teaches that the substa.nce  of the bread and

the Roman Church themselves as contained especially in the         wine is changed into the sttbstance of the body and blood

Decrees and Canons of the Council of Trent, that what the          of the Lord. And this is not true, not only because Jesus

Heidelberg Catechism states about the Mass is true, namely?        was still present when He said "this is my body" and "this

that it is a denial of the one sacrifice of Christ and an ac-      is my blood" but also because even after His exaltation, the

cursed idolatry.                                                   substance of His glorified body is not changed into any other

                                                                   szzbsfarcce.  When, therefore, the Roman Church worships
    That Christ is really and daily offered by the priest in
                                                                   the signs of the Lord's Supper on the supposition that these
the Eucharist and in the Mass is inseparably connected with
                                                                   signs are the very Christ Himself, the Heidelberg Catechism
the doctrine of Transubstantiation, as I have already said
                                                                   is quite correct when it characterizes this as "an accursed
before. And by this doctrine of Transubstantiation the Ro-
                                                                   idolatry."
man Church teaches that, after the formula of consecration

is expressed by the priest upon the signs of the Lord's Sup-           `There is, iti this chapte?  of "The Canons and Decrees of

per, the signs are no more mere bread and wine but are             the Council of Trent" a separate article on "Transubstan-

changed into the very body and blood of the Lord. This is          tiation"    which reads as follows:

clearly expressed in the "Decree Concerning the Most Holy              "And because that Christ, our Redeemer, declared that

Sacrament of the Eucharist." In chapter I of this decree we        which he offered under the species of bread to, be truly his

read :                                                             own body, therefore has it ever been a firm belief in the

    "In the first place, the holy Synod teaches, and openly        Church of God, and this holy Synod doth now declare it
and simply professes. that, in the august sacrament of the         anew, that, by the consecration of the bread and of the wine,
holy Eucharist, after the consecration of the bread and wine,      a conversion is made of the whole substance of the bread in-
our Lord Jesus Christ, true God and man, is truly really and       to the substance of the body of Christ our Lord, and of the
substantially contained under the species of those sensible        whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood;
things. For neither are these things mutually repugnant,           which conversion is, by the Holy Catholic Church, suitably
that our Saviour himself always sitteth at the right hand of       and properly called Transubstantiation."

the Father in heaven, according to the natural mode of es-             The priest, therefore, has, by pronouncing the formula

isting,  and that, nevertheless, he be in many other places,       of consecration, the power to convert the signs into the sub-

sacramentally present to us in his own substance, by a man-        stance of the body and blood of the Lord. Moreover, the

ner of existing, which, though we can scarcely express it in       Romish Church also teaches that the signs in the Lord's

words, yet can we, by the understanding illuminated by faith,      Supper must be worshiped. We read:

conceive, and we ought most firmly to believe, to be possi-            "Wherefore, there is no room left for doubt, that all the
ble unto God : for thus all our forefathers, as many as were in    faithful of Christ may, according to the custom ever received
the true Church of Christ, who have treated of this most           in the Catholic Church, render in veneration the worship of
holy Sacrament, have most openly professed, that our Re-           latria, which is due to the true God, to this most holy sac-
deemer instituted this sacrament at the last supper, when,         rament. For not therefore is it the less to be adored on
after the blessing of the bread and wine, he testified, in es-     this account, that it was instituted by Christ, the Lord, in
press and clear words, that he gave them his own very body,        order to be received ; for we believe that same God to be
and his own blood, which, recorded by the holy Evangelists,        present therein, of whom the eternal Father, when intro-
and afterwards repeated by Saint Paul, whereas they carry          ducing him into the world, says : And let all the angels of
with them that proper and most manifest meaning in which           God adore him; whom the magi, falling down, adored;
they w&-e  understood by the Fathers, it is indeed a crime the     who, in fine, as the Scripture testifies, w& adored by the
most unworthy that they should be wrested, by certain, con-        apostles in Galilee."
tentious and wicked men, to fictitious and imaginary tropes,
                                                                       Moreover, in the Canons that follow this Decree, the
whereby the verity of the flesh and blood of Christ is denied,
                                                                   Romish  Church curses or calls accursed anyone:
contrary to the universal sense of the Church, which, as
the pillar and ground of truth, has detested as satanical these      1. That denies that in the Eucharist the signs are not
inventions devised by impious men ; she recognizing, with a        really changed into the. body and blood of Christ.

mind ever grateful and unforgetting, the most excellent ben-         2. That teaches that in the Lord's Supper "the substance

efit of Christ."                                                   of the bread and wine remains conjointly with the body and


                                        T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R                                                     149



blood of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Lutheranism), and denies             "I. Jf any one saith, that in the mass a true and proper

that the substance of the signs is changed into the substance      sacrifices  is not offered to God ; or, that to be offered is noth-

of the body and blood of Christ.                                   ing else but that Christ is given us to eat: let him be ana-

                                                                   thema."
  3. That in the Lord's Supper Christ is not to be wor-

shiped.                                                               And again :

  4. That teaches that in the Lord's Supper Christ is eaten           "II. If any one saith, that by these words, Do this for

spiritually only and not really.                                   the commemoration of me (Luke XXII, 19) Christ did not

                                                                   institute the apostles priests ; or, did not ordain that they
   Finally, we must still call attention to the mass as a daily
                                                                   and other priests should offer his own body and blood: let
sacrifice offered by the priests. For the Heidelberg Cate-
                                                                   him be anathema."
chism teaches us in Lord's Day XXX that the mass is not

only an accursed idolatry, but also in the mass Christ is daily       And once more:

offered and must be so offered for the remission of sins in           "III. If any one saith, that the sacrifice of the mass is

the following words : "but the mass teaches, that the living       only a sacrifice of praise and of thanksgiving; or, that it is

and dead have not the pardon of sins through the sufferings        a bare commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the

of Christ, unless Christ is also daily offered for them by         cross, but not a propitiatory sacrifice ; or that it profits him

the priests."                                                      only who received ; and that it ought not to be offered for

   That this is, indeed, the doctrine of the Roman Church is       the living and the dead for sins, pains, satisfactions, and
clearly evident from the "Canons and Decrees of the Council        other necessities: let him be anathema."

of Trent" in the chapters on the "Doctrine on the Sacrifice           This is sufficient to prove that the Heidelberg Catechism

of the Mass." From this we quote the following: ". . . never-      is correct when it states that the mass is nothing but a denial

theless, because that his priesthood was not to be extin-          of the one sacrifice of Christ offered on the cross and an

guished by, his death, in the Last Supper, on the night in         accursed idolatry.

which he was betrayed, that he might leave, to his own be-            It is also sufficient to show that the Protestant Reforma-
loved Spouse the Church, a visible sacrifice, such as the          tion of the sixteenth century is not a relative matter but a
nature of man requires, whereby that bloody sacrifice, once        radical return to the truth of Holy Scripture; and we should
to be accomplished on the cross, might be represented, and         regard it as such, not only on Reformation Day, but always.
the memory thereof remain even unto the end of the world,                                                                       H . H .
and its salutary virtue be `applied to the remission of those

sins which we daily commit . . . he offered up to God the

Father his own body and blood under the species of bread

and wine ; and, under the symbols of those same things, he                                On Infallibility
delivered his own body and blood to be received by his apos-
                                                                      We wrote in our last editorial that student Hoogland in
tles, whom he then constituted priests of the New Testa-
                                                                   his article on the report of the Study Committee which was
ment : and by those words, `Do this in commemoration of me'
                                                                   appointed by the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church,
he commanded them and their successors in the priesthood to
                                                                   quotes only from the report of the above named committee,
offer them . . . ."
                                                                   and never from the decision proper of the Synod of 1961.
   And in chapter II under the same heading:
                                                                      And we wondered whether this was quite correct, in
   "And forasmuch as, in this divine sacrifice which is cele-      fact, whether it was quite honest.
bratecl in the mass, the same Clnrist is contained and in-
                                                                      We now, therefore, will turn to the decision of that
molated in an unbloody mamler who once offered himself in
                                                                   Synod.
a bloody manner on the altar of the cross; the holy synod

teaches, that this sacrifice is truly propitiatory, and that by       As usual, an advisory committee was appointed by Synod

means thereof this is effected, that we obtain mercy . . . For     to evaluate and report on the work.of the Study Committee.

the victim is one and the same, the same now offering by the       This Advisory Committee brought in a unanimous report

ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross,        according to Torch crnd  Tmmpet.  But this committee pre-

the manner alone of offering being different . . . Wherefore,      fixed its report by an "Analysis of the Study Committee

not only for the sins, punishments and satisfactions, and          Report."    We first of all quote this "analysis" again from

other necessities of the faithful who are living, but also for     Torclt  and Tmm~ct.  It reads as follows:

those who are departed in Christ, and who are not yet fully           "It should be observed that the study committee proceeds
purified, is it rightly offered, agreeably to the tradition of     on the basis of two truths which are our common conviction:
the apostles."                                                     that all Scripture is inspired and that all Scripture is in-

   And in the Canons utlder  this same chapter we read:            fallible. The Conclusions of the Fourth Ecumenical Synod of


1.50                                                                 TtiE   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R


195s express the starting point of this report (of which                                                                   A Question and an Answer

report, that of the Study Committee' or of the Advisory Com-
                                                                                                                 Our Editor-in-Chief gave me the following letter :
mittee? I take it it is the latter) : ` . . . the human authors of                                                                                  Grand Rapids, Mich.
Scripture were moved by the Holy Spirit so as to insure that
                                                                                                                                                    Dec. lS, 1961
what they wrote communicated infallibly God's self-revela-
                                                                                                             Editor : Tlw Startdard  Bearv~
tion . . ..' The consideration that Scripture pervasively wit-
                                                                                                             Rev. Herman Hoeksema
nesses to its own God-breathed origin and character and
that as redemptive revelation it is necessarily characterized                                                1139 Franklin St., S. E.
by the divinity which belongs to redemption are the explana-                                                 Grand Rapids 7, Mich.

tion of the sustained faith of the `historic Christian church                                                Dear Editor :
that Scripture in its whole extent and in all its parts is the
                                                                                                                 I would like to refer you to a paragraph in the article
infallible and inerrant  Word of God.
                                                                                                             "The Wonder of Grace" under the general heading of Medi-

        "The Study Committee has indeed performed a significant                                              tation written by Reverend G. Vos in the December 15 issue
service in its address to the mandate given by the Synod of                                                  of The Standard Bearer.
1959. This voluminous report constitutes a serious study
                                                                                                                 I refer to the paragraph found on page 122 immedi&ely
of the relation between inspiration and infallibility in the
                                                                                                             before the asterisks. The second sentence contains a phrase
light of Scripture and the creeds. While the report should
                                                                                                             "by a worm on the Cross," - was this a printing e`rror,
be considered in its totality, and isolated statements must be
                                                                                                             strange terminology with Christ in mind or does it have some
viewed in their wider context, we draw attention to the
                                                                                                             reference to Numbers 21 :8, 9, 10, when Moses in the wilder-
following : `Divine inspiration establishes Scripture as an
                                                                                                             ness made a serpent upon a pole and those that saw it lived.
infallible rule and sufficient canon for all of Christian faith
                                                                                                             Because, the foregoing sentence mentions the beginning of
and life by securing it against falsification, error and deceit.'
                                                                                                             salvation.
Such a statement, based upon an intensive study of Scripture

and creedal utterances, constitutes a clear testimony to the                                                     The wording strikes me as being quite different and I

infallibility of Scripture.                                                                                  wonder what is really meant.

                                                                                                                                           Sincerely,
        " T h e   S t u d y   C o m m i t t e e   a l s o   a d d r e s s e d   i t s e l f   t o   t h e
                                                                                                                                                         Hollis D. Heemstra
`periphery question.' While it did not feel it to be in its

province to adjudicate the charge against Dr. I'romminga,  it                                                                             Answer

did confer with him, and the report reflects these interviews.                                               Dear Friend :
The study committee has considered the use of the word
                                                                                                                 Thank you for your question, and here is the answer:
periphery. After observing that it has been employed in the

Reformed theological tradition, it goes on to say that the                                                       I refer in the phrase: "by a worm on the Cross" to Jesus

word may be used to describe `incidental and circumstantial                                                  Christ, who calls Himself a worm in Psalm 22 :6, and I

data which have no independent revelational significance but                                                 quote : "But I am a worm and no man ; a reproach of men,

are dependent for their revelational significance upon the rela-                                             and despised of the people."

tionship which they sustain to the central intent and purpose                                                    I am sure that you agree with me that especially Psalm 22
of a given passage'."                                                                                        is a prophecy of the Christ in both His humiliation and exal-

        I consider it strange that the Advisory Committee offers                                             tation.

no comment on the last clause of the Study Committee's                                                           Thanking you again,
report, though to me it certainly is in need of clarification.                                                                             Sincerely,

        More about this next time, the Lord willing.                                                                                                              Gerrit Vos

                                                                                                H . H .

                                               -.


                                         1N MEMORIAM                                                                                  IN MEMORIAM

        The Senior Young People's Society of the First Protestant Re-                                          ' The Protestant Reformed Men's Chorus hereby wishes to express

formed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan, herewith e2xpresses  its                                            its heartfelt sympathy to one of its members, Mr. R. Kreuzer, in the

heartfelt sympathy with our fellow member, Mr. Roderick Kreuzer,                                             death of his father,

in the loss of his father,                                                                                                           MR. H. KREUZER

                                 MR. HERMAN KREUZER                                                              May our God comfort the bereaved family.

who passed away Friday, December 8, 1961.                                                                        `And we know that all things work together for good to them

        May he be richly comforted in the assurance that "to me to live                                      that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

is Christ, and to die is gain." Phil. 121.                                                                   Romans 828.

                                                      The Sr. Young People's Society                                                              Mr. J. Sjoerdsma, President

                                                         Miss Karlene Oomkes, Sec.                                                                Mr. S. Beiboer, Secretary


                                                                T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R                                                                151



                                                                                                       And because He calls them efficaciously, therefore they hear

11  O U R   D O C T R I N E   11 His voice and follow Him. They that are not of His sheep
                                                                                                       and for whom the Good Shepherd did not give His life do
Ir                                                                                              J1
                                                                                                       not hear His voice either, are not called by Him by name,

                                       C                                                               and do not believe on Him. "Ye believe not," says the
                                            HAPTER II
                                                                                                       Savior, "because ye are not of my sheep."
                                  THE CALLING
                                                                                                          The same is true of the epistle to the Romans, chapter

      When, therefore, we speak of the calling in the saving                                           S, vss. 29 and 30, the well-known passage to which we have

sense of the word as a link in the chain of salvation, it is                                           already referred. In vs. 25 the apostle wrote that all things

important that we remember and place on the foreground that                                            work together for good to them that love God, to them that

this is. the work of God's grace in the absolute sense of the                                          ape called according to His purpose. And in the verses that

word. God accomplishes this work only in the elect. We are                                             follow _ he gives of this marvellous fact an explanation by

so easily tempted to confuse the calling as a step on. the way                                         pointing to the deepest cause of it all. They are called accord-

of salvation with the preaching of the gospel as such, as it                                           ing to the good pleasure and purpose of God. And this

is proclaimed by men. The calling as a work of salvation                                               calling constitutes only a link in the unbreakable chain of

in that case becomes general, comes on the part of God to                                              salvation, the last link of which reaches into the glorification

all men, and is gradually changed into an offer, a well-mean-                                          of the people of God: "For whom he did foreknow, he also
ing offer of salvation on the part of God to all men, the                                              did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,
acceptance of which depends on the free will of man. Thus                                              that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. More-

w e   c o m e   o n   t h e   t r a c k   o f   P e l a g i u s   a n d   A r m i n i u s .   A n d    over whom he did predestinate, them he also called: ancl

therefore, although we certainly do not deny that the proc-                                            whom he called, them he also justified : and whom he justi-

lamation of the gospel comes to many, and, according to the                                            fied, them he also glorified."    Hence, it is inevitable that one

good pleasure of the Lord, is brought also to many that are                                            who is truly called may also be absolutely sure of the eternal

not saved, we must never forget that after all many are                                                glory that is set before him. For that calling is rooted in

called, but few are chosen. And the calling as we are treating                                         the eternal love-knowledge of God and proceeds from predes-

it under the head of salvation as applied to the sinner, as                                            tination unto eternal glory. That is the reason why all things

a work of grace of God, never must be confused with the                                                work together for good to those whom God hath called ac-

external preaching of the gospel to all. The calling in its                                            cording to His purpos?.  But also here it is very evident

saving sense,          through which the sinner is translated from                                     that the calling is just as particular as the predestination unto

darkness into God's marvellous light, is a work of God's                                               everlasting glory and salvation. It is a work of God which

grace and is wrought in the heart of the elect alone. It is,                                           He accomplishes only in the elect.

like all the work of God's grace, strictly particular. Even as                                            The same is presented in the beautiful first chapter of
election is strictly particular and dependent on God's sov-                                            Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. He writes to the con-
ereign grace alone, even as the blood of Christ and His                                                gregation, to the church of God which is in Corinth, to them
atonement is particular and is shed only for the elect, even                                           that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, to them that are called
as the work of regeneration does not at all depend on the                                              to be saints, that is, to them who through the calling have
free will of man, but is wrought efficaciously by God's sov-                                           become saints of God in Christ Jesus. He further attributes
ereign grace only in the elect, thus also is the calling in the                                        this calling entirely to God, the Lord, Who is faithful, and
saving sense of the word never general, but always particular.                                         Who called them unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ
This calling of God does not come to all men, not even to                                              our Lord. Cf. I Cor. 1:9. That is the reason why He can also
all men that are under the preaching of the gospel, but only                                           confirm them unto the end, that they may be blameless in
to the elect.                                                                                          the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Cf. I Cor. 1 :S. If the

      That this is true is cIearly  evident from all Scripture.                                        calIing were in part or entirely dependent upon the free will

More than once the, Holy Scriptures speak of this calling.                                             and choice of man, this could never be sure. But now it is

And always it is very plain that it is the work of the Lord                                            God Who is faithful ; and the faithful God has called them

which He works only in the elect. The Good Shepherd calls                                              according to His purpose. He shall surely preserve them

His own sheep by name and leads them out to follow Him.                                                and finish His own work in them until the day of Christ.

When they hear the voice of the Good Shepherd as He calls                                              From thence is explained the fact that the preaching of the

them, they surely come to Him. They do not become His                                                  gospel is a stumblingblock to the Jews and foolishness to the

sheep only at the moment that He calls them, still less be-                                            Greeks, but is the power and wisdom of God to them that

cause they hear His voice and follow Him. On the contrary,                                             are called. I Cor. 1:23,  24. The calling of God is the sole

they arti  His sheep from before the foundation of the world.                                          determining factor. It does not make any difference what-

The Father gave them to Him. Cf. John 10:3, 27. And be-                                                ever whether one is a Jew or a Greek. By nature we all

cause they are His sheep, therefore He calls them by name.                                             lie under the power of sin and darkness.                    H . H .


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                                                                       thee ; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite,  and

                                                                       the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:
11 A CLOUD OF WITNESSES 11 unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go
                                                                       up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people:

                                                                       lest I consume thee in the way." It was this last element
                         Further Intercession                          that worried him. So great was the sin of Israel that God

                                                                       could not dwell in their midst without consuming them. And
            And he (Moses) sa:id,  I beseech thee, hew me thy
         glory.                                                        what good to them was the land of Canaan if God did not
            And he (God) said, I will make all my goodness pass        dwell in their midst? They could go on, but it would be
         before thee, and I will proclah~  the name of the LOY$        ivithout  divine revelation, without spiritual communion, and
         before fhee: and will be amciom  to whom I will be            without spiritual life. Without the presence of God in their
         yr;lcioz~.s~, and will sluw  Ge7-cy  on whom2  I will shew
                                                                       midst, the milk and honey of Canaan would be a curse and
         ,snercy.                                Exodus 33 :18, 19
                                                                       not a blessing.

       The festive sounds that had filled the camp of Israel were         The mind of Moses was in a quandary. Israel was the

ceased. Where but one day before there had been the noise              people of God. This he knew beyond a doubt. God had given

of wild heathenish orgies, silence lay like a heavy shroud.            that promise to their fathers, and He could not change. Just

Through Moses the justice of God had smitten the people.               the day before, he had presented that plea to God, and God

They had tasted the water made bitter by the ground dust               had rePented  from destroying the nation. And still, the justice

of gold. Three thousand of their men lay dead because they             of God could not be compromised either. Israel was wicked.

had continued to dance among the tents in base disregard of            They had sinnid a great sin, and that could not be over.-

Moses' burning reprimand. The point of Moses' actions had              looked. There was good reason why God would not dwell

come home. Israel huddled  in its tents under the bitter               in their midst. The very holiness of God would consume the

conviction of sin.         In trembling fear, they awaited further     people in their wickedness.     B u t   h o w   c o u l d   t h e y   b e   t h e

exactions .of the justice of God.                                      people of God if He did not dwell in their midst?

       Moses had returned to the mountain to prostrate himself            With a troubled heart, Moses returned to the people to

there before the Lord. He had told the people in departing,            tell them what God had said. Sadly he informed them of

"Ye have sinned a great sin : and now I will go up unto the            his failure. He had not made an atonement. They must be

Lord ; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin."           visited for their sin. To this he added God's command, "Ye

Once in the presence of God, he started to present his plea            are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of

falteringly.         "Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and     thee in a moment, and consume thee: tllerefore  now put off

have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive             thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto

their sin . . . ;"      But then he had stopped. He had meant to       thee." Soon the silence of the camp gave way unto mourning.

add a promise that henceforth the people would be faithful             The ornaments which they had worn disappearecl. Sorrow

and true; but even before it was uttered, he knew that it              and sad repentance was evident on every side. God was

was a promise upon which no one could ever rely. There was             leading Israel into a deeper understanding of truth. Before

only one other alternative of which he could think. Sadly he           they had trembled in the presence of God's greatness, but

continued with that. "And if not, -blot me, I pray thee, out           there had also been a certain element of self-confidence. They

of thy book which thou hast written." He was ready to give             had been bold to say, "All that the Lord hath said will we

his all for the salvation of the people. But God had refused.          do, and be obedient."    And they had actually thought that

He said, "Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I                 they would be able to do this. Now, they knew better. Their

blot out of my book. Therefore now go, lead the people unto            self-confidence was swept away. Their sin and unfaithfulness

the place which I have spoken unto thee : behold, mine Angel           could not be denied. All they could be was repentant sinners.

shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I               Still Moses was not satisfied. He felt the need' of the

will visit their sin upon them."                                       revelation and guidance of God. For him it would be in-

       Moses trembled from what he had heard. Indeed, God              possible to go on without it. However, if God would come

had told him before that He would spare the nation, and                into the camp to reveal Himself, it would only lead to dis-

even now that they should go on to the land of Canaan and              aster.    Moses commanded that the tent of meeting which

He would send His Angel before them. Still the fact re-                served as his headquarters should be moved without the

mained that the sin of Israel was yet to be visited. It could          camp. Perhaps God would reveal Himself there. The people

not be forgotten or overlooked by the justice of God. This             understood the reason for moving the tent. Soon the most

became even more foreboding in what God had added.                     sincere of the children of Israel were to be seen going out

"Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people. which thou              to this tabernacle to espress their repentance before God and

hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land                to pray for His blessing. When finally Moses arose to go

which I sware unto Abraham and Isaac, and to Jacob, saying,            out to the tent, all of the people were concerned. Would God

Unto thy seed will I give it: and I will send an angel before          appear to him in the tent, or -not? Each man stood by the


                                         T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R                                                                                      153



door of his own tent and watched. Before their eyes, they         no man see me, and live. Behold, there is a place by me, ancl

saw Moses and Joshua, who accompanied him, proceed to             thou shalt stand upon a rock : and it shall come to pass, while

the door of the tabernacle and enter in. Then it happened.        my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock,

The cloud of God's presence descended to the door of the          and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: and I will

tent as it had in former days when Moses' tent was still in       take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back part; but

the camp. It meant that God had not forsaken them cam-'           my face shall not be seen."

pletely. He would still reveal Himself to Moses and speak              The camp of Israel was quiet that night and at peace.

to him the words that they needed. In gratitude, the heads        God would go on with them, even in their midst. He had

of the men of Israel bowed, and they worshipped.                  told Moses that much. However, we may imagine that in

   In the tent, Moses slowly began to set forth his problem       the tent of Moses there was little in the way of sleep. On the

before the Lord. Neither he nor the people could do without       morrow he was to go up unto the mountain and stand before

the presence and revelation of the Lord. It would do them         the glory of God. God would make known unto him how

no good to be led to Canaan if the truth of God was not           He could dwell in the midst of a sinful people and not con-

revealed unto them to feed and strengthen their souls. They       sume them with His justice. God would reveal the working

needed God's presence. Carefully and deliberately Moses           of His glory.

began to speak.      "See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this          Early in the morning Moses arose and made his ascent

people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send         into the mountain of God. There in the mountain Moses

with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou        stood before God on a rock. There God descended in a

East also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray          cloud and, while 1!loses was covered by His hand in a clift

thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew  me now thy        of the rock, God passed by in all of His glory. Only after

way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy           He had passed was the hand lifted so that Moses might

sight : and consider that the nation is thy people." The point    behold the back part of God's glory. No description is given

which Moses wished to make was that he needed someone             us. Human words could never suffice to tell of the beauty

to strengthen and guide him if he was to lead the people.         seen that day. It remained a secret wonderment hid in

He could not do it alone. But if God did not go with them,        Moses' soul. But neither does it matter; for the greater

in their midst, revealing the way of truth, how could Israel      revelation of that day is recorded for us to read. As God

ever be brought to the blessings of the promised land ?           passed by He spoke, and this is what He said, "The Lord,

   God, angcipating  the conclusion of Moses' argument, im-       The Lord God, merciful and gracious, loagsuffering, and

mediately gave answer, "My presence shall go with thee,           abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thou-

and I will give thee rest."                                       sands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that

                                                                  will by no means clear the guilty ; visiting the iniquity of
   With unsurpassed joy Moses heard these words. A deep
                                                                  the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's chil-
feeling of relief flowed into his soul. This was what he
                                                                  dren, unto the third and to the fourth generation." In this
wanted to hear. In gratitude he answered, "If thy presence
                                                                  way alone God would continue to dwell in the midst of Israel,
go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall
                                                                  even by dealing with them according to His eternal decree
it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in
                                                                  of election and reprobation. Before He had treated the na-
thy sight? is it not in that goest with us ? so shall we be
                                                                  tion as a whole as His covenant people. This He would do
separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are
                                                                  no more. Henceforth, He would make it evident that they
         the face of the earth."
upon                                                              w e r e   n o t   a l l   I s r a e l   t h a t   w e r e   o f   I s r a e l   ( R o m .   9   6).  H e
   Quietly and with love the Lord answered him, "I will
                                                                  would have mercy upon whom He will have mercy. His
do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found
                                                                  forgiving grace and abundant goodness would be made
grace in my sight,, and I know thee by name."
                                                                  known unto as many as He had chosen in love. They had been
   With pleasure Moses heard these words, and yet, his
                                                                  given eternally unto the Savior and He would bear the
problem still remained. What about the justice of God ? His
                                                                  visitation of justice for their sins. But for the rest, their
holiness ? ' His glory ? How could God dwell in the midst
                                                                  sins would be visited immediately by God's justice. Hence-
of a wicked people and not consume them in anger? En-
                                                                  forth the journey of Israel would be marked by the judg-
couraged by the assurances of God's love, Moses found the
                                                                  ments of God as He would cut off from their midst those
boldness to make a most daring request. "I beseech thee,
                                                                  who were hardened in the way of sin. He would visit the
shew me thy glory."
                                                                  sins of the wicked even unto the third and fourth genera-
   As surprising as was the boldness of Moses' request,
                                                                  tions of their reprobate seed. Only through their judgment
even more surprising was the answer. God replied, "I will
                                                                  could Israel be saved.
make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim
                                                                       -With humility, Moses heard these words and made haste,
the name of the Lord before thee ; and will be gracious to
                                                                  and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I

will shew mercy. Thou canst  not see my face: for there shall                                                                                                   B . W .


154                                          T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R


                                                                    ready to distribute, willing to communicate ; laying              in
                                                                                                                               up 
          F R O M   H.OLY  WRIY 1 store for themselves a good foundation against the time to
                                                                    come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." I Tim. 6:17',
i                                                                   18,  19. One who is greedy of filthy lucre is only interested

                Exposition of I Timothy                             in self. Such a one lacks all interest in his brother. And, in
                                                                    his walk, he will attempt to acquire what is his neighbor's at

                       (I Timothy 3 :l-7)                           all espense, walking over his dead body to obtain the riches

                                                                    and honor that this world gives.

                                C .
                                                                        Such is the picture of those who, in their conduct in

     In our former essay on these verses we noticed that Paul       human relations, cannot be considered as fit for the office of

enumerates three different classes of qualifications of an          a bishop.

elder or minister of the gospel, who are to be irreproachable
                                                                        Positively, one who is in the office of an elder or a min-
in their life and walk in the midst of the church and in the
                                                                    ister must have the following qualifications.
world.

                                                                        He must be one who not only has the a.bility to rule his
     We called attention, more particularly, to the first class
                                                                    own house well, but he must be one who actdly  does rule
of these requisites for an office-bearer in the church. They
                                                                    his own house well. This is a qualification of prime im-
were, what we called, those qualities which are the essential,
                                                                    portance. In- the manner in which he rules his own house
personal qualities of an aspirant to the office, such as being a
                                                                    one will be able to anticipate how he will "care for" the
"one wife man,"      circumspectly vigilant, `temperate, well-
                                                                    church.
ordered, one having love for strangers, and apt to teach.
                                                                        It should be noticed that Paul employed a term in the
     We now come to what we would call the graces which
                                                                    Greek, which is translated in the King  James Version by
must be the characteristic of an office-bearer in human-rela-       "rule."     This term is not that which expresses "lordship,"
tions, his conduct among men.                                       a dominating spirit. The term in Greek is "proistamenon,"

     He must not be "given to wine." This does not mean that        that is, one who is set before and over. The German trans-

an office-bearer may not drink wine. To be "given to" wine          lates this by "vorstehen,"    to stand before. He gives kind

and "drinking" wine are not the same. Jesus did the latter          and good guidance to his family, his house, be it then author-

and many a good elder and minister has drunk wine. Every            itative.    For he is a gentle man, a man with sweet reason-

creature of God is good and nothing is to be rejected ; it is       ableness, who will gladly yield a point if he should be provecl

sanctified by the Word of God and prayer. However, one              in error. He is not a headstrong egoist. He is truly an ex-

"given to" wine is a man who is a slave of wine. Wine is a          ample in his own house ; he is one to whom a child writes

mocker. Such a man has an inclination toward drunkenness.           a letter and signs it "thankful that I have a father like you."

He neecls  wine to lift his spirits and to grant him "courage."     He thus rules "well,"     that is, he seeks the spiritual and

He does not make melody in his heart through the Holy               eternal well-being of his own family. He has a tender care

Spirit. His source of strength is not in the Lord, but in           for his house.

the "lift" of wine. This "given to'? wine is negatively what            And therefore he is not a man who "demands" respect;
a man must not be in human-relations.                               he "commands" it without demanding it. His children and

     For such a one is at once a `ibrawler";  he gets involved      wife love and respect him as do also the servants of the

in fights, and does not possess his own soul in patience, and       household. They feel a certain solemnity and dignity in his

is not stronger than one who taketh  a city. Under the in-          whole bearing and in all his deeds and actions. That is the

fluence of wine he is easily a "striker." He must use his           meaning of the phrase "with all gravity." This refers to the

fists to "win" an argument; his opponent must be silenced           father and not to the children. When such a father appears

by striking him to the ground. That an office-bearer must           in the home the children immediately give respect -for

not be ! His must be the majesty and strength of the word !         God's sake. Bishop Trench in his New Testament Syno-

                                                                    ny?iL.s  writes concerning the term : "semnos"  translated "grav-
     Nor must one be "greedy of filthy lucre." He must not
                                                                    ity" that it character,izes a person or thing which entitles it
have his treasure on earth: he must not seek Mammon, mak-
                                                                    to reverence and respect: it is the dignity of a person which
ing it his god. He must be one who, with undivided heart,
                                                                    invites respect. As a child I knew such elders; to this day
seeks the kingdom of God and his righteousness and who
                                                                    I can only have deep respect for them.
believes that all other things necessary for this life shall be

added unto him.    Thus Paul writes to Timothy in the sixth             Such a man only can "care for" the church of God. The

chapter of this letter:    "Ch arge them that are rich in this      term translated "care for" in the Greek is "epimeleesetai."

world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain         A beautiful picture of such care we have in the man who

riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things      knew who his neighbor was; it is the picture which Christ

to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works,       portrays of the "good Samaritan" in the parable. There we


                                          T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R                                                                                   155


read: "And came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring              counsel can be given by such an "elder" who is revered by

on them oil and wine, and he set him on his own beast, and            his own family and in the church. It saves from many a

brought him to an inn, and cnyed  fo+ I&~!"  Do I need to             pitfall. I have seen more than one "novice" fall into the

write any further comment on the meaning of this term, dear           temptation of Satan and into his judgment and fall by

reader ?                                                              the wayside. Not so long ago I heard `it opined : "too bad

                                                                      that he ever was a deacon in the church ; he was but a novice."
    It is the "care for" his household which is the quality
                                                                         Finally Paul also calls attention to the man "who does
that stands out in one who "rules well." Unless this care is
                                                                      not have a good testimony from those who are without."
exhibited in one's own household one cannot care for the

church of God. This is not simply an argument from the                   Why must such not be chosen for the office of a bishop ?

lesser to the greater; it is the argument from the premise               The answer of Paul is that such a man "falls into re-

that a man cannot rise above himself. One does not choose             proach." As long as such a man is not in office he does not

an office-bearer to correct him and mold him. One only                stand in the foot-lights, so to speak. He has not and does

chooses men of proven qualities and character. And since the          not live a life which is irreproachable. The "outsiders" can

family, the "house" is the original sphere of authority, .the         get their "hooks" into him and they will do so. Thus he

first institution, it is the testing ground for further usefulness    falls into "reproach" and men will tease him ; he will need

in the service of God. I once heard a fool say: I can't say           to be on the defensive and not be able to defend himself.

much for the man, but I must admit that he has a good and             Hence, he will be living a miserable life. For, as the saying

obedient family! Obedient children are, incidentally, a good          goes,      " m e n   w h o   l i v e   i n   g l a s s   h o u s e s   m u s t   n o t   t h r o w
commentary on the life in the elder's home and of the life            stones" ! There are always enough self-righteous men and

in the parsonage. A man who is too busy to care for his               women in any church to bring reproach upon such a one.

family is a poor risk for an elder !                                     And .thus such a one will fall into the "snare" of the

   Paul also calls attention to certain weaknesses of the             Devil. He will be tempted to sin. And in this state he surely

flesh and to some obvious temptations connected with the              is not useful in the church to "care for" the church.

office of a bishop, elder or minister.                                   One is inclined after such a careful "screening" to say:

   The first is the peculiar temptation to which this office          am I able to be a bishop in the church ?

exposes a "novice," a neophyte. Now a novice is not neces-               If the foregoing means that we must be without sin then

sarily a young man; he may be youthful, but not necessarily.          no one can be in the office of a bishop.

He is a man, whether young or old, who has but recently                   No doubt in the light of the foregoing observations the

been converted and is not yet a member of the church for              prayer uttered by the congregation at the time of the ordina-

a long time. He lacks experience, sobriety and is more                tion and installation of elders: "0 Lord God and heavenly

easily tempted by Satan to be filled with sinful pride because        Father, we thank thee that it hath pleased thee, for the better

he has been selected for the office. He has thus attained to          edification of thy church, to ordain in it, besides the min-

a certain preeminence. Every young minister necessarily               isters of the Word, rulers and assistants, by whom thy church

must past through the period of being a "novice" ! I know             may be preserved in peace and prosperity ; and the indigent

by experience the temptations of that period. Easily a young          assisted, nnd tht thou hut at present granted us in this

minister strives to reach the "top of the heap." It is difficuit      p&e, men who a:re of good testimo+~y,  auLd we hope endowed

not to become an "ambitious" minister and to remain a                 with thy Spirit? And further, when it is petitioned of God:

diligent one. And when one becomes "ambitious" one's use-             `We beseech thee, replenish them more and more with such

fulness is really gone for the church. One then uses the              gifts as are necessary for them in their ministration ; with

office for one's own sinful purpose and not for the "care of"         the gifts of wisdom, courage, discretion and benevolence, to

the flock. It must needs lead to great disappointment and             the end that every one may, in his respective office, acquit

sorrow in such a "novice" ; he chafes under the discipline of         himself as is becoming . . ."

the office. That leads to great frustration in a novice.                  And well may we, and all office-bearers heed the admoni-

    Thus he is the victim of being "puffed up" with pride.            tion of Paul which he spoke to the elders of Ephesus : "Take

    He desires to rise high ; he loses perspective and the            heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, over which

sense "let me go where the Lord calls me."                            the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church

                                                                      of God which he hath purchased with his own blood." Acts
    He has fallen into the "judgment of Satan," that is, into
                                                                      20 :28.                                                                                    G.L.
the judgment of God which came upon Satan in his fall, his

attempt to rise higher than his God-appointed station. I once

read a statement from an old professor; it went something                              0 God, our help in ages past,

like this : "it is a difficult task to teach a young preacher."                            Our hope for years to come,

    How good it is to have men as elders with much spiritual                           Be Thou our guard while troubles last,

wisdom and a good background of experience ; what wise                                    And our eternal home.


                                                                                                               ._ .
156                                      T H E   S T A N D A R D   BEARER



                                                                   city of the Lord." Then too in the Form for the Administra-

             I N   H I S   F E A R                                 tion of Baptism to adults the question is asked : "Fifthly. Hast
                                                                   thou taken a firm resolution always to lead a Christian life ; to

                                                                   forsake the world and its evil lusts, as is becoming the mem-

                        Resolutions                                bers of Christ and of His Church; and to submit thyself to

                                                                   all Christian admonitions ?" Of those who make confession

   There was a time when New Year's Day was considered             of faith the question is asked, "Have you resolved by the

to be the time when new resolutions should be made.                grace of God to adhere to this doctrine ; to reject all heresies

                                                                   repugnant thereto and to lead a new, godly life?" In the
    We entered a new year.     Before us once again are three
hundred sixty-five days, fifty-two weeks, twelve months, a         Form for the Administration of the Lord's Supper we are
whole year in which we shall be active, a,s God spares our         instructed in the self examination that each one must ask
                                                                   himself "whether he purposeth henceforth to show true
lives, in thinking,    willing and employing our physical
strength.                                                          thankfulness to God in his whole life and to walk uprightly
                                                                   before Him ; as also whether he hath laid aside unfeignedly all
   The position is taken that, to use a figure of speech, we       hatred and envy and doth firmly resolve henceforth to walk
have turned another page in the book of our own personal           in true love and peace with his neighbour."
history. We turned a new leaf in that book. As we stand
                                                                       The question may be asked as to whether New Year's
today on. New Year's Day, the page is mostly blank. What
                                                                   Day is the most appropriate day for making resolutions.
we shall do and shall be recorded on that page that has
                                                                   Would it not be just as well on the day one celebrates one's
for its heading Nineteen Hundred Sixty-Two is still un-
                                                                   birth ? As we read a moment ago from the Baptism Form,
known to us. We have our plans. We know what we would
                                                                   the adult is asked then whether he resolves to walk in har-
like to write on that page or have men write about us on
                                                                   mony with the idea of his baptism. But should not each
that new leaf. But at the moment we do not know. There are
                                                                   parent resolve, when God is pleased to give him another
too many unpredictable things. We have so little control
                                                                   child, to be more diligent in training his children? Should
over our own lives, to say nothing of those among whom
                                                                   he not at that time, in light of the fact that the world is con-
we live and who, especially because of our complex life in
                                                                   tinually doubling its efforts to deceive and steal away our
this twentieth century, certainly affect US in our journey
                                                                   covenant seed, resolve anew whenever God blesses him with
down the corridor of time and as we walk our pilgrimage
                                                                   another child, to treble his efforts and to the utmost  of his
through this world unto the new creation. Whether nations
                                                                   power help or cause his children-all of them- to be in-
far beyond the reaches of our national boundaries shall plunge
                                                                   structed in the truth of God's Word, as he has learned to
us into war, we do not know. But so small is the world
                                                                   know it and believe it? And again, should one wait until
today that peoples whom we never see and are on the other
                                                                   New Year's Day to make his resolutions? Should he at that
side of the globe may indeed have a drastic effect on our life.
                                                                   time begin to review his life and to resolve to do better where
We may find  that on this new leaf in the book of our life
                                                                   he has failed ? Nay, but daily we fall into sin ; and therefore
little men, unknown men, may be recorded there as having
                                                                   daily we should resolve that by the grace of God we will
brought us into war and grief and trouble.
                                                                   fight against and Aee this evil. To do so once a year is not
   At any rate there was a time when men did speak of New          to be sincere, If it can wait, and the very idea of mending
Year's resolutions. It seemed like a good time to take in-         OLIS  ways does not come but once a year, then we are not
ventory of the past to consider all the faults and failures of     serious about it either. Of that you may be sure. New Year's
the year gone by and to make resolutions to rectify matters        Day resolutions are all right provided they are every day
in the year that lies before us. New Year's Day was the day        resolutions. He who can wait until the first of the year and
to resolve not to do this anymore, to break this evil habit,       a new leaf is turned will also forget his resolves in short
to be more charitable and faithful, more loyal and consider-       order.
ate, to go to church more regularly, to do unto others as
                                                                      And the important thing in regard to resolutions -re-
we would have them do unto us and a host of other "im-
                                                                   gardless of the day on which they are made- is what we
provements" upon our earthly life.
                                                                   resolve to do, why we do and with what strength we ex-
   Now making resolutions surely is not sinful.                    pect to be able to keep our resolves. It is quite possible' to

   Turn to David's psalm, the one hundred first psalm. It          make resolutions that are resolutions to sin. These we are

has rightly been called the Psalm of Resolutions. In each          making every moment of our earthly life as we are by nature.

verse David makes mention of on.e  or more things which he         To resolve is to determine. Always by nature we determine

resolves to do. He will sing of mercy and of judgment. He          to walk in ways of sin. And so very often when we think

will behave himself wisely and will set no wicked thing            that we are resolving to do that which is pleasing to God,

before his eyes. Yea, as king he resolves to "destroy all the      we still are deciding to do evil. So corrupt are we by nature

wicked of the land" and "cut off all wicked doers from the         that we are like those of whom Jesus speaks in Matthew


                                                     T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R                                                   157


7 :21.-23  who shall say, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied                 in Thy name cast the devils out of the sweat shops of our

in Thy name ? and in Thy name cast out devils ? and in Thy                    country? made the working conditions for the laboring man

name done many wonderful works? But God will say to                           better? done many humanitarian deeds and given regularly

them,     "I never knew you, depart from me, ye that work                     to welfare agencies and institutions of mercy ?" will be re-

iniquity." Indeed, it was iniquity that they worked. Yet they                 warded with glory.

boasted of having done all this in Christ's name and for                         But listen ! here is a resolve of a child of God that we may
His glory: Humanism and Christianity are not one and the                      make our own by His grace every day, "I will meditate in
same.                                                                         Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways. I will delight

   Let me remind you of that beautiful "Love Chapter" of                      myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy word," Psalm

I Corinthians 13. Paul says, "Though I bestow all my goods                    119 :15, 16. That is a .resolve  in His fear, for it is concerned

to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned                      with the glory of God. God's precepts, God's way, God's

and have not love, it profiteth me nothing." And plainly                      word and His statutes, in His fear we will seek these, medi-

what Paul means by love (for that is the word rather than                     tate on them and have respect to them. All else will then

charity which leaves a much more superficial idea) is the                     fall in place. We will love the neighbour as ourselves in the

love to God. We may translate, as far as the idea is con-                     love of God. We will have charity and give our goods to

cerned, "Though I indeed have charity towards men so that                     the poor and needy, we will confess Christ and trust in His

I am moved about their need for food, and therefore give                      atoning blood, for that Word of God, which we will not

all my goods to provide for their needs, and I have not love                  forget, constantly holds that before us.

to God, it profiteth me nothing; and God will say to me, I                       One thing more, however : it makes a world of difference
never knew you, depart from me thou worker of iniquity."                      how you expect to keep that resolve. We are not interested,
For note that love "rejoiceth in the truth" according to verse                and neither is God, in empty, on-the-spur-of-the-moment
6. The loveto  God rejoices in the truth, not simply charity to               resolves that have no depth and are forgotten on the second
man. It is quite possible to be filled with charity and naturai               day of January. Nor are we interested, for God is not either,
love for man and hate God with all your being. Saul loved                     in resolves that we expect to keep in our own strength. God
his son Jonathan and wanted him to have the throne, but in                    knows that we cannot; and we will soon find that it is im-
it all he rejected David and Christ, and loved Jonathan in a                  possible. The Psalmist in Psalm 119 was sincere and knew
hatred against God. But Jonathan loved God, and though                        the strength and source of strength he needed to keep his
he must oppose his own father, in love to God he clings to                    resolve. In verse 32 he declares, "I will run the way of Thy
David, and so to Christ. And how can a man commit adul-                       commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart."
tery in order to show his love to God ? He may have a natural
                                                                                 Unless God gives you enlargement of the heart in 1962
fleshly love whereby he is overwhelmed with love for an
                                                                              all your resolves are vain boasts and will fall flat to the
ungodly, outspoken atheist and want to worship that creature
                                                                              ground. May He enlarge your heart and increase your abil-
in his love. Yet in it all he hates God who is denied and
                                                                              ity and capacity to walk in His fear.
hated by that object of this man's love. What is more, Jonah
                                                                                                                                       J . A . H .
loved his own                        and could not in his natural love see
                       p e o p i e
                                 




the blessing of the Jews bestowed also upon the Ninevites.

And so he ran away. But it was an act of hatred against

God, and God let him know it in no uncertain terms in the
                                                                                          To bless the earth Thou sendest
terrible storm and on the bottom of the sea. The people in
                                                                                            From Thy abundant store
Sodom and Gomorrah loved their own children and cared for
                                                                                          The waters of the spring-time,
their sick and poor; yet God destroyed them all to that last
                                                                                            Enriching it once more.
man ! The people in Jericho loved their fellow citizens and
                                                                                          The seed by Thee provided
shut            the gates of the city because in natural love they did
         up                                                                                 Is sown o'er hill and plain,
not want harm to come to any of them. But God killed
                                                                                          And Thou with gentle showers
them all because of their hatred against Him and His Church.
                                                                                            Dost bless the springing grain.
Only one family was saved and that family had love to God

which even moved it to receiving the spies in peace, these
                                                                                          The year with good Thou crownest,
spies who would soon bring ruin to the rest of the neighbours
                                                                                            The earth Thy mercy fills,
in that city. Rahab did not bestow all her goods to feed the
                                                                                          The wilderness is fruitful,
poor in Jericho but instead received in peace those who would
                                                                                            And joyful are the hills;
come and kill the poor and the rich alike. But she loved God,
                                                                                          With corn the vales are covered,
and that makes all the difference.
                                                                                            The flocks in pastures graze ;

  Not every one that says, `(Lord,  Lord, have we not brought                             All nature joins in singing

much social improvement to our city and community ? and                                     A joyful song of praise.


158                                                           T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R


                                                                                                    from the Lord himself. That saying of the Apostle Paul is

           Contending For The Faith                                                                 well known to all, "I have received from the Lord that which
                                                                                                    I delivered unto you" (I Cor. 11:23).  For which cause we

                                                                                                    condemn all such churches, as strangers from the true Church

                                                                                                    of Christ, which are not such as we have heard they ought
              The Church and the Sacraments                                                         to be. Howsoever, in the mean time, they brag of the SUC-

                                                                                                    cession of bishops, of unity, and of antiquity. Moeeover,  we

             T H E   T I M E   O F   T H E   R E F O R M A T I O N                                  have in charge from the apostles of Christ "to shun idolatry"

                                                                                                    (I Cor. 10 :14 ; I John 5 :21), and "to come out of Babylon,"
                      V I E W S   O N   T H E   C H U R C H
                                                                                                    and to have no fellowship with her, unless we mean to be

                                                                                                    partakers with her of all God's plagues laid upon her (Rev.
                      T H E   P R O T E S T A N T   V I E W
                                                                                                    18 :4; II Cor. 6 :17).

       The Apostle Paul reprehended (continuing with chapter                                             But as for communicating with the true Church of Christ,

1 7   o f   t h e   S e c o n d   Helvetic   C o n f e s s i o n - H . V . )   P e t e r ,   a n    we so highly esteem it that we say plainly that none can live

apostle (Gal. 2 :ll),  and Barnabas fell at variance with Paul                                      before God who do not communicate with the true Church

(Acts 15 :39).  Great contention arose in the Church at An-                                         of God, but separate themselves from the same. For as with-

tioch between those who preached one and the same Christ,                                           out the ark of Noah there was no escaping when the world

as Luke records in the Acts of the Apostles, chap. 15 ~2. And                                       perished in the flood; even so do we believe that without

here have at all times been great contentions in the Church,                                        Christ, who in the Church offers himself to be enjoyed of the

and the most excellent doctors of the Church have, about no                                         elect, there can be no certain salvation? and therefore we

small matters, differed in opinion ; yet so as, in the mean                                         teach that such as would be saved must in no wise separate

time, the Church ceased not to be the Church for all these                                          themselves from the true Church of Christ.

contentiogs.  For thus it pleases God to use the dissensions                                             But as yet we do not so strictly shut up the Church with-
that arise in the Church, to the glory of his name, to the                                          in those marks before mentioned, as thereby to exclude all
setting forth of the truth, and to the end that such as are not                                     those out of the Church who either do not participate of the
approved might be manifest (I Cor. 11:19).                                                          sacraments (not willingly, nor upon contempt; but who,

       Now, as we acknowledge no other head of the Church                                           being constrained by necessity, do against their will abstain

than Christ, so do we not acknowledge every church to be                                            from them, or else do want them), or in whom faith does

the true Church which vaunts herself so to be ; but we teach                                        sometimes fail, though not quite decay, or altogether die: or

that to be the true Church indeed in which the marks and                                            in whom some slips and errors of infirmity may be found.

tokens of the true Church are to be found. Firstly and chiefly,                                     For we know that God had some friends in the world that

the lawful and sincere preaching of the Word of God as it is                                        were not of the commonwealth of Israel. We know what

left unto us in the writings of the prophets and the apostles,                                      befell the people of God in the captivity of Babylon, where

which do all seem to lead us unto Christ, who in the Gospel                                         they were without their sacrifices seventy years. We know

has said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and                                             what happened to St. Peter, who denied his Master, and

they follow me ; and I give Lmto  them eternal life. A stranger                                     what is wont daily .to happen among the faithful and chosen

they do not hear, but flee from him, because they know not                                          of God who go astray and are full of infirmities. We know,

his voice"       (,I'01111 10 :5, 27, 28).                                                          moreover, what manner of churches the churches in Galatia
                                                                                                    and Corinth were in the apostles' time: in which St. Paul
       And they that are such in the Church of God have all but
                                                                                                    condemns many and heinous crimes; yet he calls them holy
one faith and one spirit; and therefore they worship but one
                                                                                                    churches of Christ (I Cor. 1 :2 ; Gal. 1 :2).
God, and him alone they serve in spirit and in truth, loving

him with all their hearts and with all their strength, praying                                           Yea, and it happens sometimes that God in his just

unto him alone through Jesus Christ, the only Mediator and                                          judgment suffers the truth of his Word, and the Catholic

Intercessor ; and they seek not life or justice but only in Christ,                                 faith, and his own true worship, to be so obscured and de-

and by faith in him ; because they do acknowledge Christ the                                        faced that the Church seems almost quite razed out, and not

only head and foundation of his Church, and, being surely                                           so m&h  as a face of a Church to remain ; as we see fell out

founded on him, do daily repair themselves by repentance,                                           i n   t h e   d a y s   o f   E1ija.h   ( I   K i n g s   19:10, 14),   a n d   a t   o t h e r

and do with patience bear the cross laid upon them; and,                                            times.     And yet, in the mean time, the Lord has in this

besides, by unfeigned love joining themselves to all the mem-                                       world, even in this darkness, his true worshippers, and

bers of Christ, do thereby declare themselves to be the dis-                                        those not a few, but even seven thousand and more (I Kings

ciples of Christ, by continuing in the bond of peace and holy                                       19:lS;  Rev. 7:4,  9). For the apostle cries, "The foundation

unity. They do withal communicate in the sacraments or-                                             of the Lord standeth sure, and  hath this seal, The Lord

dained by Christ, and delivered unto us by his apostles,                                            knoweth who are his," etc. (II Tim. 2 :19). Whereupon the

using them in no other manner than as they received them                                            Church of God may be termed invisible ; not that the men


                                         T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R                                                                                             153


whereof it consists are invisible, but because, being hidden       by the same rule, let us mind the same thing" (Phil. 3 :15,

from our sight, and known only unto God, it cannot be dis-          16). -end of quote of Chapter 17 of the Second Helvetic

cerned by the judgment of man.                                     Confession.

    Again, not all that are reckoned in the number of the                The doctrine of the Church is set forth in the Reformed

Church are saints, and lively and true members of the              Symbols in the Heidelberg Catechism and in the Confession

Church. For there are many hypocrites, who outwardly do            of Faith or, as they are also called, the Thirty-Seven Articles.

hear the Word of God, and publicly receive the sacraments,         The Heidelberg Catechism calls attention to this doctrine in

and do seem to pray unto God along through Christ, to con-         Lord's Day 21, Question and Answer 54. In answer to the

fess Christ to be their only righteousness, and to worship         cluestion: "What believest thou concerning the `holy catholic

God, and to exercise the duties of charity to the brethren,        church' of Christ ?", we have this beautiful answer: "That

and for a while through patience to endure in troubles and         the Son of God from the beginning to the end of the world,

calamities. And yet they are altogether- destitute of the in-      gathers, defends, and preserves to himself by his Spirit and

ward illumination of the Spirit of God, of faith and sincerity     word, out of the whole human race, a church chosen to ever-

of heart, and of perseverance or continuance unto the end.         lasting life, agreeing in true faith ; and that I am and for

And these men are, for the most part, at length laid open          ever shall remain, a living member thereof."

in their true character. For the Apostle John says, "They                Our Confession of Faith calls our attention to the doc-

went out from among us, but they were not of us : for if           t r i n e   o f   t h e   C h u r c h   i n   A r t i c l e s   2 7 - 2 9 .   A r t .   2 7   r e a d s   a s

they had been of us, they would have remained with us" (I          follows: "We believe and profess, one catholic or universal

J o h n 2 :19).  Yet these men, while they do pretend religion,    Church, which is an holy congregation, of true Christian

are accounted to be in the Church. Even as traitors in a com-      believers, all expecting their salvation in Jesus Christ, being

monwealth, before they be detected, are accounted in the           washed by his blood, sanctified and sealed by the Holy Ghost.

number of good citizens; and as the cockle and darnel and          This Church hath been from the beginning of the world,

chaff are found among the wheat; and as wens and swellings         and will be to the end thereof; which is evident from this,

are in a perfect body, when they are rather diseases and           that Christ is an eternal King, which, without subjects, can-

deformities than true members of the body. And therefore           not be. And this holy Church is preserved or supported by

the Church is very well compared to a drag-net, which              God, against the rage of the whole world; though she some-

draws up fishes of all sorts ; and to a field, wherein is found    times (for a while) appears very small, and in the eyes of

both darnel and good corn (Matt. 13 :2G, 47). Hence we             men, to be reduced to nothing: as during the perilous reign

must be very careful not to judge rashly before the .time,         of Ahab, the Lord preserved unto him seven thousand men,

nor to exclude, and cast off or cut away, those whom the           who had not bowed their knees to Baal. Furthermore, this
Lord would not have excluded nor cut off, or whom, without         holy Church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain
some damage to the Church, we cannot separate from it.             place or to certain persons, but is spread and dispersed over
Again, we must be very vigilant lest, the godly falling fast       the whole world ; and is joined and united with heart and
asleep, the wicked grow stronger, and do some mischief in          will, by the power of faith, in one and the same spirit."
the Church.
                                                                        The Lord willing, we will conclude our quotations from

   Furthermore, we teach that it is carefully to be marked,        our Confession of Faith in our following article. This will

wherein especially the truth and unity of the Church consists,     also conclude our quotations in re the doctrine of the Church.

lest that we either rashly breed or nourish schisms in the         Then we expect  to make some observations concerning this

Church. It consists not in outward rites and ceremonies, but       doctrine of the Church, also concerning the distinction be-

rather in the truth and unity of the Catholic faith. This          tween the True and False Church. Only, we do well to re-

Catholic faith is not taught us by the ordinances or laws of       m e m b e r   w h e n   d i s c u s s i n g   t h i s   d i s t i n c t i o n   b e t w e e n   t h e

men, but by the hoiy Scriptures, a compendious and short           True and False Church, that we do not ignore the Re-

sum whereof is the Apostles' Creed. And, therefore, we read        formed conception of the Church as set forth in our Heidel-

in the ancient writers that there were manifold diversities        berg Catechism in Lord's Day 21. And we will notice that

of ceremonies, but that those were always free; neither did        the same truth is set forth in our Confession of Faith, Ar-

any man think that the unity of the Church was thereb)             ticles 27-29, as in Question and Answer 54 of our Heidel-

broken or dissolved. We say, then, that the true unity of          berg Catechism.

the Church does consist in several points of doctrine. in the                                                                                                          H . V .

true and uniform preaching of the Gospel, and in such rites

as the Lord himself has expressly set down. And here we

urge that saying of the apostle very earnestly, "Let us, as                              Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

many as are perfect, be thus minded : and if in any thing ye be                              Bears all its sons away ;

otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nev-                              They fly forgotten, as a dream

ertheless, whereunto we have already attained, let us walk                                   Dies at the opening clay.


160                                                   T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R


                                                                                This is even evident from the connection in which these
II The Voice of Our Fathers II articles are found in our Confession. After that basic first
                                                                                article which confesses faith in the one and only God, the

                                                                                question was faced : can God be known, and, if SO, how ? It

                        The Belgic Confession                                   was in answer to this question that the second article intro-
                                                                                duced the truth of Holy Scripture. And now our faith must

                              A R T I C L E  I I I                              express itself as to the nature and the source, the canon, the

                We  confess that this Word of                                   authority, the sufficiency, the reliability of Holy Scripture.
                                                       God was not sent, nor
              delivered by the will of man, but that holy men of God            For along with this truth of Scripture as the very Word of
              spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, as the                God and as the means whereby God makes Himself more
              apostle Peter saith. And that afterwards God, from a
              special care, which he has for us and our salvation,              clearly and fully known to us stands or falls the whole struc-
              commanded his servants, the prophets and apostles, to             ture of the Christian truth. Everything depends on those
              commit his revealed word to writing; and he himself
              wrote with his own finger, the two tables of the law.             Scriptures, even as a whole building depends upon and is
              Therefore we call such writings holy and divine Scrip-            determined by its foundation. If the Scriptures are not true,
              tures.
                                                                                the Christian doctrine and confession is not true: for it is
Faith's C&cd  Juncture
                                                                                b a s e d   u p o n   a n d   d e r i v e d   f r o m   H o l y   S c r i p t u r e .   I f   t h o s e
       Beginning with this third article our creed now devotes                  Scriptures are not authoritative and dependable, nothing
several articles to the setting forth of the truth concerning                   based upon those Scriptures is dependable or of any author-
Holy Scripture. The present article deals with the author-                      ity. If those Scriptures are not simple and clear, that which
ship and inspiration of Holy Scripture. The next article                        is taught by them cannot be discerned and known. If those '
enumerates the canonical books of Holy Scripture. Article                       Scriptures do not constitute a sole and sufficient rule of faith
V sets forth the dignity and authority of the Scriptures. The                   and life, then we must look for other, additional sources of
sixth article distinguishes between the canonical and apoc-                     the knowledge of God and standards of truth and practice.
ryphal books.' And Article VII sets forth the church's faith                    If those Scriptures are the word of man, then our entire
concerning the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures.                              Christian confession loses the very essence of its distinctive-
       We may well ask why such a proportionately large place                   ness and is no different than any other of the veritable
is given to this doctrine in our Confession. Five of the thirty-                multitude of human philosophies and God-denying religions
seven articles are devoted to it. Why is this ? And, more-                      which have made their appearance upon the stage of history.
over, does and should this doctrine of Holy Scripture oc-                       In a word, everything- even the very doctrine of Holy
cupy such a large place in the faith of the church today?                       S c r i p t u r e   i t s e l f - d e p e n d s   u p o n   t h e   S c r i p t u r e s .   N o   t r u t h

       In answer to this question, we may point to various fac-                 could be more basic in the confession of the church's faith;

tors.                                                                           and ultimately every issue of the truth versus the lie comes

       From a historical point of view, in the first place, it is               down to the issue whether you accept the authority of Scrip-

not difficult to understand that the church of Reformation                      ture's "Thus saith the Lord," or place the unbelief of your

times focused its attention upon this truth. It was of the very                 own mind and will over against that absolute authority of

genius of the Reformation that it restored the Scriptures                       the Word of God.

to their rightful place in the faith and life of the church, once                    And so, in the third place, answering the question from

again recognized the sole authority of Scripture, revived the                   the viewpoint of the contemporary scene, we may say that it

truth of the`sufficiency of the Word of God, and, in connec-                    is quite understandable that the doctrine of Holy Scripture

tion therewith. taught anew the right of every believer to                      occupies, and should occupy, a large place in the faith of the

read and interpret those Scriptures for himself. And it was                     church today. Open denials and overtly rationalistic attacks

exactly on this fundamental doctrine that the Reformation                       upon this truth, but also insidious and viciously deceitful

came to the parting of the ways with the Roman Catholic                         attempts to emasculate this virile doctrine of the Reforma-

Church. This is even evident from the language, for example,                    tion are numerous. On this side there is still Roman Cath-

of Article VII. Hence, it is no reason for surprise that the                    olicism with its denial of the sole authority and sufficiency

Reformed Churches of the Reformation era incorporated a                         of the Scriptures, and against which the faithful churches of

careful and detailed statement of their faith concerning Scrip-                 the Reformation must still needs do battle without com-

ture in their creed. This teaches us also that if we would                      promise., in spite of the efforts of some would-be Protestants.

be true sons of the Reformation, we will be followers of                        And on that side, there is modernism, haughty, ridiculing,

the fathers in this respect, and recognize with them the                        rationalistic modernism, which itself was spawned within the

crucial importance of this truth concerning Scripture.                          ranks of Protestantism. Against the open attacks of both of

       For, in the second place, we may materially answer the                   these the faithful church must continue to defend the precious

question posed by pointing out that the truth that Scrip-                       heritage of its faith concerning the Scriptures. These ene-

ture is the inspired record of the Word of God is the very                      mies, however, need not cause great concern. Rather simple

foundation of the whole structure of the Christian truth.                       it is to identify these enemies, and comparatively easy it is


                                          T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R                                                                                                 161



for the. shield of faith to ward off their fiery darts.             church be warned to stand firmly in the faith. We must not

    Of more cause for concern it is, howeper, when this             be deceived into beginning anew with these first principles.

precious heritage of the truth is attacked from within the          We must not be misled into reassessing and re-evaluating the

ranks of the church in one way or another. And such attacks:        doctrine of Holy Scripture.                             But rather must we take our

against the Scriptures have been and still are numerous. Al-        stand upon the basis of our confession, and resolutely reject

ways, it seems, the.church must defend this very foundation-        all heresies repugnant thereto.

stone of the truth, the Scriptures, lest the enemy succeed-               Especially would I emphasize this with respect to our

not in destroying the Word of God, for this in fact can never       youth. Our children must be taught early a simple faith in

be done- but in causing the church to depart from the               the word  of God, so that our covenant youth may, at the

truth concerning the Scriptures in one way or another.              time when their faith is especially vulnerable to attack in

    The very fact that in our description of the truth con-         respect to the authority of the Word of God, be equipped with

cerning the inspired Scriptures we make use of so many              the spiritual courage to take their stand uncompromisingly

qualifications, so many limiting terms, is evidence enough of       upon the basis of the Scriptures.

the many attacks that have been made against this truth. We               But then let us understand that this is precisely a matter

speak, for instance, of hfollible  inspiration. Why is this?        of faith. What is set forth in this third article of our creed

Simply because there have been those who have put forth             is a co,nfess?:on.  And confession is always a matter of faith.

the theory of a fallible inspiration and of fallible Scriptures,    The Reformed believer says: "We cor;fess that this Word

and it became necessary for the church to define and to             of God. was not sent, nor deliverecl  by the will of man, but

delineate, and to insist, "The Scriptures and their inspiration     that holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy

are infallible." We speak of plenary  inspiration. Again, the       Ghost."

necessity for the use of this term lies in the fact that enemies          And you understand,`of  course, that the object of faith

of the truth have propagated the lie that the Scriptures are        and its confession is the wonder,,  the divine, transcendent,

not fully and completely inspired and the Word of God from          unfathomable, inscrutable wonder of grace. From this point

beginning to end. Some parts are the Word of God, others            of view, you either believe that the Bible is the Word of

are not. And over against those who maintain such views the         God, or you do not. And the issue, remember, is just exactly

church insists, "The Scriptures are from beginning to end           as simple as that. And it is as critical as that! It is exactly

the written Word of God, and the inspiration of Scripture           here that faith and unbelief come to the parting of the ways

is plenary."    We speak of zrerbnl inspiration. Again, this is     p r i n c i p a l l y .   F a i t h   s a y s - a n d   i t   i s   s o   s i m p l e   t h a t   a   l i t t l e

necessary because the opponents of this truth have devised          child can possess such faith- "The Bible is the Word of

the cunning theory that the thoughts of Scripture are of Gocl,      God." Unbelief may follow devious ways, and it may devise

but the language in which these thoughts are conveyed is of         cunning methods, and it may rationalistically pose perplexing

man. And so it has been necessary to maintain that the in-          problems in order to show the folly of faith's position; but

fallible Scriptures are inspired as to their very words: in-        unbelief attempts somehow and somewhere always to dowu-

spiration is verbal.                                                grade that absolutism of faith and to say in some degree,

   Thus one could go on and write many a page concerning            "The Bible is not wholly the Word of God, but is also the

the history of this doctrine and dealing with the defense and       Word of man.* But remember this: the Bible is the Word

development of this truth in the face of attacks from within        of God, or it is the word of man. Both it cannot be. The

and from without from ancient times down to the present day,        issue is : either . . . or !

which witnesses the new attack of so-called dialectic theology.          And, therefore, the method of faith is different too. You

   I said above that there is more cause for concern when           cannot and you may not take faith and its object, so to speak.

these various attacks are made from within. And I have              into the laboratory and put them in a test-tube. Faith does

reference especially to our very Reformed community itself.         not say, "I have proved it, and I understand it: therefore I

Today we are confronted with the fact that the historical           believe?          No, this is not because faith is irrational or con-

reality of Scripture-events and the accuracy of Scripture-          trary to reason. But it far transcends reason. And the issue

facts are challenged and denied from within the Reformed            of faith or unbelief is a spiritual one. Though unbelief be

circle. Ancl  a tendency to compromise the truth of infallible      confronted with direct proof from heaven itself, it will not

inspiration is making itself felt from various quarters.            believe. And though faith be confronted with a thousand

Whether such tendencies reveal themselves under the in-             perplexing problems which bear the appearance of proofs

fluence of modernistic rationalism and science, or whethe? in       against the Scriptures, it will not disbelieve. And why?

certain circles the old errors of Dr. Jansen are making theil       Because faith is a gift of sovereign grace, which enlightens

reappearance, or whether in Reformed circles the denial ot'         the blind ancl  ignorant sinner.                              By that faith, listening to

inspiration is under the influence of Earthian  dialecticism  --    the self-testimony of Scripture itself, we confess, "This Word

this is of no particular moment in our present discussion.          of God was not sent, nor delivered by the will of man," . . . ,

Whatever the source and the genius of these attacks, let the        but by God Himself!                                                                                H.C.H.


162                                        T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R


                                                                       things being equal, she will desire more and more systematic

11 DECEN.CY  a n d   O R D E R   11 feeding and her interest in the truth will increase. If, there-
                                                                       fore, the practice of Catechism preaching is properly con-

                                                                       ducted it will be a real stronghold of the church. She will

  Preaching from the Heidelberg Catechism                              receive a balanced and sound diet through which she will
                                                                       grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ

                           (Continued)                                 and be able to withstand the assaults of false doctrines that

                                                                       are continuously made upon her.

       For nearly four hundred years the Reformed churches                 This latter is one of the most potent arguments in favor
have followed the established practice of preaching from the           of Catechism preaching. It must not be overlooked that min-
Heidelberg Catechism. Although this practice has been                  isters of the Word are but men and as such they also have
criticized and by some even regarded as undesirable, the               their likes and dislikes- Applied to the selection of material
common objections that have been raised have little merit.             for sermonizing this would certainly become evident in that
The objection that catechism preaching is not preaching of             some ministers would indicate a preference for some doctrines
the Word we have already considered and found to be un-                while others would choose those that were most attractive
true. On the contrary, when the truths of the Word of God              to them. Holy Writ is very rich and from it may be drawn
are preached according to the systematic arrangement of the            truths about God, Christ, man, the church, salvation, and
Catechism, the church will be instructed and built up in the           the things that are to take place with a view to the com-
knowledge of the truth far more effectively than she possibly          pletion of the work of God. It would not be healthy for
could be through general preaching on -freely selected texts.          any church to have a minister who always would preach on
The practice of Catechism preaching is not only desirable;             the truth of salvation and fail to instruct in truths concerning
it is a real necessity for a spiritually healthy church.               man, sin, depravity and the like. This is avoided when min-

       Other objections are frequently heard. It is argued that        isters are required to preach each Sunday from the Heidel-

Catechism preaching falls into the category of classroom               berg Catechism. The sum of Christian doctrine will then be

discussions on some dogmatic or theological subject. Others            expoundecl  and the minister cannot avoid preaching on those

contend that this kind of preaching goes over the head of the          `aspects of the truth that may be particularly disfavorable to

congregation so that the majority of the members understand            him.

little or nothing of it. It is too deep and devoid of the practical        In this connection we are to notice that the Church
character that is found in preaching that is based directly             Order states that "as much as possible the explanation of the
upon the Word. It is said that the church will grow tired               Catechism should be completed annually." The phrase "as
of this kind of preaching because she must hear the same                much as possible" was added later but in former times it
thing year after year and, therefore, it is better to feed her         was expected that the entire Catechism be &vered  each year.
with something new in order to retain her interest.                    This we consider to be an impossibility without doing gross

       We may certainly consider the validity of these objections       injustice to the material of the Catechism. The Catechism

and in doing so immediately concede that the danger is                  is, as we know, divided into fifty-two Lord's Days and this

always present that such things might happen and if and                 would seem to lend itself to an arrangement whereby one

when they do Catechism preaching will lose its effectiveness.           Lord's Day would be covered each Sunday of the year. How-

However, it must be noted that these objections cannot                 ever, anyone acquainted with this beautiful Confession knows

legitimately be raised against the practice as such but are             that this cannot be done except by giving a very general

in effect criticisms of the method by which this practice is            and superficial treatment to the various Lord's Days. For

carried out. When a good thing is misused it loses its value.           example, the third Lord's Day treats the creation of man,

This is true of many things in life but then it does not               his fall and disobedience and his depravity. How can all this

follow that all good things that are abused must be discarded.          wealth of truth be condensed into a single sermon? Again,

The only thing that this argumentation proves is that the               Lord's Day 21 discusses the truth concerning the holy cath-

wrong-doing must be corrected. Ministers must refrain from              olic church, the communion of saints and the forgiveness af

using the pulpit for theological debate and lecturing. They             sins. Now it is surely true that all three of these things

must know the spiritual level of their flock and bring the              are related to each other but it is equally true that each

Word within the range where it can be grasped. From there               one is sufficiently-important to deserve separate attention. If

they must proceed to build up so that the level of spiritual            the latter is done there is no difficulty in bringing out the

comprehension is elevated over a period of years. It may be             relation of the one to the other, but if all three are treated in

necessary at first to preach the Catechism in the form of a             one sermon proper attention cannot be given to the import-

milk-diet in order that later the church may be meat-fed.               ance of these things. This same thing can be said concerning

Doing this the church will not grow tired nor complain that             several other Lord's Days and, therefore, we deem it far

she is always fed the same thing. Rather, with all other                better to take more than a year to complete adequately the


                                                                    T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R                                                               -163


Catechism. We agree with others who say that this should                                                     adoption of a large number of select hymns possible" (Th,-

not drag out to three or four years but considering that it                                                  CIWC~ Order  Cowwv&ary,  p. 282 j.
cannot be avoided that a minister is away from the pulpit                                                       The readers of The Sta?ldavd Bea,yer  are well aware by
of his own church a certain number of Sundays each year,                                                     this time of the fact that the Synod of the Protestant Re-
it is virtually impossible to complete the Catechism in less                                                 formed Churches is currently contemplating changing this

than two years and do justice to its content.                                                                article of the Church Order for our churches and, it goes

     The importance of Catechism preaching is expressed in                                                   without saying, that the purpose is "to make room for the

a decision of the synod of the Christian Reformed Church                                                     adoption of a number of select hymns."

taken in 1902. We wonder whether the synod of this church                                                       We purpose, D.V., to write a series of articles on this

would be able to reiterate this decision today. We personally                                                article of the Church Order and to do this we cannot refrain

doubt it very much and are rather confident that there is                                                    from entering into the current discussion of this matter as

a large element in the Christian Reformed Church today                                                       carried on by the editor of our Startdard  Beam, and a few
that would like to see the practice abolished. Sixty years                                                   correspondents. We would at this time emphasize the re-

ago the church espressed:                                                                                    quest of our Editor that more of our people avail themselves

     "With a view to dangers from without that threaten                                                      of the opportunity to express themselves on this subject.

soul?d doctrine, and in consideration of the great need of,                                                  Your silence will only be interpreted as expressing agree-

and the very meager interest in the regular development of                                                   ment with the change in Article 69 of the Church Order as

dogmatical truths, Synod emphasizes the time honored                                                         is proposed before the synod. And if this is not the case the

custom of catechism preachin,,
                                                  u and the Classes are urged to                             time to be heard is now. Undersigned does not aim at debate

give proper attention to this matter, that the regular con-                                                  but we shall have to express our disagreement with those

sideration of the catechism may be observed" (Tlzc  C~~L&L                                                   who are favoring this change for our churches. This, how-

Order  Commentary, p. 250) .                                                                                 ever, will have to wait until the next issues of our paper.

                                                                                                                                                                 `G.V.d.B.  -





     "In tlu chwcl~es  only the 150  Psalms of D,avuid,  the Ten                                                          Office-Bearers' Conference
Commandments, the LordJs  Prayer-,  the Twelve  Articles oj

Faith, the Songs of Ma.yy,  Zackavias  a,nd  Simeon, the Mom-                                                   An Office-Bearers' Conference will be held Tuesday

ing  a,nd  Evening Hywms,  a,nd  the Hywm  of P,raym before                                                  evening, January 9 at 8 :00 p. m., in Creston  Church. Rev.

the se~-~~z.o~~ .&all be sung." (Article 69, D.IC.0.)                                                        H. Hoeksema will speak on the topic: "The origin and

     The Christian Reformed redaction of this article of the                                                 history of family visitation and how can it most faithfully

Church Order is as follows:                                                                                  be conducted."    All present and former office-bearers are

     "In the churches only the 150 Psalms of David and the                                                   urged to be present.

collection of hymns for church use, approved and adopted by                                                                                 John De Vries, Secretary

Synod, shall be sung.                    However, while the singing of the

Psalms in divine worship is a requirement, the use of the

approved hymns is left to the freedom of the churches."                                                                 To the Lord, such might revealing,

     In the proposed Church Order revision of the Christian                                                                Let us come with reverence meet,

Reformed Church the above article appears as Article 59 and                                                             And, before our Maker kneeling,

in it there is no suggested change. However, in this proposed                                                              Let us worship at His feet.

revision there is added in Article 60 a matter which does                                                               He is our God and leads us,

not appear in our Church Order. This article reads :                                                                       We the people of His care ;

                                                                                                                        With a shepherd's hands He feeds us
     "Choirs, soloists, or groups who sing at the public wqr-
                                                                                                                           As His flock in ,pastures fair,
ship services, shall sing only those anthems or hymns which

a r e   f o u n d   i n   t h e   o f f i c i a l   P s a l t e r   H y m n a l   o r   h a v e   b e e n               While He proffers peace and pardon

previously approved by the consistory as to their Scriptural                                                               Let us hear His voice today,

soundness and general appropriateness" (The  Bannel~,  Dec.                                                             Lest, if we our hearts should harden,

1956).                                                                                                                     We should perish in the way ;

      The revision of this article from the original as appears                                                         Lest to us, so unbelieving,

in our Church Order took place in the Christian Reformed                                                                   He in judgment shall declare:

Church in 1932 and, as Monsma and Van Dellen  state, "the                                                               Ye. so long My Spirit grieving,

revision of 1932 took place, as will be realized, to make the                                                              Never in My rest can share.


        164                                                               T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R


                                                                                                                 response to our program beamed over Radio Hoyer. 4)

               A L L   A - R O U N D   U S                                                                       Since some of the letters received from Australia and New
                                                                                                                 Zealand have requested pamphlets we do not know whether

                                                                                                                 this response is prompted by our broadcast over Trans World

        OVERSEAS RADIO WORK                                                                                      Radio which, we are told, does reach to Australia over fhe

                                                                                                                 North Pole, or whether our pamphlets have found, their
             Our readers are no doubt aware of the fact that the
                                                                                                                 way to these countries to acquaint these people with our
        Synod  of the Protestant Reformed Churches in 1960 ap-                                                   churches.
        proved of a proposal of the Mission Committee to begin
                                                                                                                    It is, of course, impossible to quote all the letters which
        broadcasting on foreign stations. The two stations that were
                                                                                                                 were received. Nevertheless it is of interest to our people to
        approved were Trans World Radio in Monte Carlo, Monaco
                                                                                                                 have some idea of what these people are writing. A sample
        and Radio Hoyer in the Dutch West Indies. Our congrega-
                                                                                                                 of the letters has been picked almost at random and are
        tions have been taking co,llections  for these broadcasts over
                                                                                                                 quoted here.
        the last two years and have been supporting with their gifts

        especially Trans World Radio since Radio Hoyer gives us                                                     From Germany :

        time free of charge.                                                                                          "Dear Sirs,

                                                                                                                              "Your messages on The Inspiration of the Scriptures tiere
               Little has been published in our papers or in our Acts
                                                                                                                      very excellent ones. Our German Department desires to obtain
        of Synod concerning the results of this broadcasting so that,                                                 in printed form the messages No. 964-968 with the above title
        while our people support it, they are not aware of the                                                        by Rev. Hoeksema.

        response that has been received and the work that has been                                                            "Would you be so kind as to send the printed messages in
        done since Synod approved of this work. It is therefore the                                                   English to the following address:
                                                                                                                                  Mr. Hears:  Marquardt
        purpose of this article to acquaint our people with what has
                                                                                                                                  Evangelisms  Rundfunk, e.V.
        developed since as well as the letters that have been received.                                                           Sophienstrasse 23

               Since Trans World Radio only recently began broad-                                                                 Lahn/Wetzlar,  Germany
                                                                                                                              "May the Lord continue to bIess in your ministry. We do
        casting from `Monte Carlo (our broadcast is a charter pro-
                                                                                                                      remember your labor for Him at the Throne of Grace and do
        gram) it stands to reason that it took a while before the                                                      covet your prayers."
        program became generally known in the lands to which it
                                                                                                                    From Curacao, West Indies :
        was beamed. A listening audience had to be built up. It
                                                                                                                      "Dear Sirs,
        is only therefore within the last eight or nine months that
                                                                                                                              "A few weeks ago I happened to listen to your broadcast
        the mail has been coming in regularly. But the volume and                                                     here at Curacao (Radio Hoyer).
~ I     variety of the mail is quite astonishing. It is especially in-                                                        "Since that time I like to listen to it before going to my

        teresting that the mail comes from so many different coun-                                                     own church, because I hear the same sounds in it as I was
                                                                                                                      accustomed to when I still lived in Holland, more 
        tries. Counting the mail to date the following is a list of                                                                                                                   than in the
                                                                                                                       Church I go to here. I think it is a real Reformed sound.
        countries with the number of letters received from each:                                                              "I don't know whether there are many people who listen

                           EngIand                                                                                            it, but I a-m glad       is possible, to hear it. In this way we
                                               46                                                                      to                            it 
                           Ireland               1                                                                     are doing the same work, because I am a teacher at one of
                           Finland               1                                                                     our Protestant schools here, that were founded in 1950. NOW
                           Scotland              2                                                                     we have'about 1500 pupils and 40 teachers most of them
                           Netherlands 3                                                                               coming from Holland.
                           Switzerland 1                                                                                      "Our pupils come from various groups of the population
                            Germany              1                                                                     - Antillians, Sumiams, Dutch, English, etc. I think you know
                           Sweden                1                                                                     our kind of Christian Schools from the Dutch immigrants in
                           Wales                 2                                                                     your own neighborhoods.
                           France                1                                                                            "I hope that you'll continue your broadcasting and that
                           Australia 5                                                                                 God will  bless your work."

                           New Zealand 2                                                                            From Cowdenbeath, Fife, Scotland :
                           JQwt                  1
                                                                                                                              "I listened to your broadcast this morning from `Tram
             There are several other points of interest concerning this                                                World Radio' on the `Sufferings of our Lord,' and I would like

       correspondence : 1) It stands to reason that the biggest share                                                 to have a copy of the sermon. I would also like to have the
                                                                                                                       sermons on the Book of Revelation - `The Four Horsemen,'
        of the mail would come from England since the broadcast is
                                                                                                                       etc., if they  are available, and I would be pleased if you will
        beamed there. That the program is received by so many
                                                                                                                      put         on your regular mailing list."
                                                                                                                               me 
        other countries is quite surprising. 2) There are several
                                                                                                                    From Belfast, Northern Ireland :
        letters besides those listed above from which it is impossible
                                                                                                                              "I enjoyed very much your broadcast on Sunday morning
        to determine their origin. We do not know what country
                                                                                                                      last from Trans World 
        t h e y   c a m e   f r o m .   3 )   F r o m   t h e   W e s t   I n d i e s ,   t h e   V i r g i n                                               Radio. Would like very much to receive
                                                                                                                       your book `Organically Inspired.'
        Islands and British Guiana have come seven letters in                                                                 "Your talk on this subject was a revelation to me, and I


                                            T H E   S T A N D A R D   E E A R E R                                                   1 6 5



     fear many Christians have an erroneous idea as to how the         consistent follow-up work on the correspondence received

     Scriptures came into being.                                       from our radio listeners. At present plans are being worked
         "Wishing you God's richest blessing and assuring you of       out so that this can be done immediately upon receipt of the
     my continued prayers,
                                                                       letters that require responses.    The nature of follow-up work
                                          "Yours in Calvary love,"
                                                                       will, for the present, consist in answering letters that request
   It is presently impossible to determine where the follow-           specific information concerning our churches or concerning
ing letter came from, although the heading seems to indicate           our confession of the truth. This follow-up work will not
some place in the Middle East. It is nevertheless interesting          only be applied to the response from foreign broadcasts, but
enough to quote :                                                      also to the response received to our program beamed from

                                                                       stations in the states. The mail will also be carefully filed
     "Dear Brethren in the Lord,

         "Every Sunday we listen with great joy to your transmis-      and checked according to areas so that if a number of re-

     sions through Trans World Radio, Monte Carlo. We hear it          sponses are received from one area which are interesting and
     clearly and we have great blessing through this broadcasting.     show an interest in the truth, our missionary can be sent
     Really it is great privilege to listen it! Thank you so much!
                                                                       into that area to investigate.
         "We shall be also very grateful if you can send us the

     copies of .the  sermons which are so Blessful.                        Already the fruit of this has been a recent trip of Rev.
         "May the Lord bless richly your so important work for His
                                                                       Lubbers to Houston, Texas, where a number of families
     glory.
         "With sincere Christian greetings."                           showed considerable interest in our confession of the truth.

                                                                       Perhaps a report of his trip will appear in some future article
   From Winkleigh, Devon, England :
                                                                       i n   T h e   Stcmdwd  Bern--w.
         "I would very much like to be placed upon your permanent
     maiiing list. Having heard your wonderful sermons coming              There is one other interesting side-light which, while the

     over the radio I am delighted to hear the prophetic implica-      outcome is yet uncertain, is of sufficient importance to speak
     tions.                                                            of in this article. Some time ago a minister residing at
         "If it is possible could you kindly send me the sermon on
                                                                       present in London, England came into contact with our
     `The Lamb' which was broadcast last week.
         "I trust that the Lord may bless your efforts for Him and     churches through Trans World Radio. He wrote our Mis-

     through your labors others may abundantly be blessed and          sion Committee for some information about our churches as

     many brought to a knowledge of His salvation.                     to confessional bases particularly. He spoke of the fact that
         "I have written to the station concerned to say how much      he labored in the past on the island of Jamaica and was
     I enjoy these religious broadcasts and implore them to give
                                                                       still responsible in some measure for about fourteen churches
     ample time for the Word of God to be proclaimed."
                                                                       there. These churches are at present being cared for by local
   From Hilltop Way, Salisbury, England :                              ministers although neither the churches nor the ministers

     "Dear Friends,                                                    seem to be affiliated with any denomination. After some ex-
         "Thank you very much indeed for the second lot of ser-        change of correspondence, this minister in London asked
     mons received yesterday.
                                                                       our Mission Committee to assume responsibility for the
         "The day that I discovered your broadcast on Trans World
     Radio was indeed a thrilling one. It was truly grand to find      churches in Jamaica and make the area a mission field of

     a programme witnessing to the great and blessed truth of the      our own. He wants us to send someone down there as

     -4bsolute  Sovereignty of our Lord. Especially as almost every    quickly as possible to labor there in cooperation with the men
     other broadcast beamed to this country has an Arminian em-        who are at present busy in these churches. The Mission
     phasis.
                                                                       Committee decided to write some of these ministers on the
         "I was extremely interested in the catalogue of books and
     magazines sent with the sermons, particularly those magazines     island to inquire of them concerning the state of affairs and

     published for the Sunday School, as I have long felt the need     to investigate more fully what work has to be done there and,

     for SLICK.  There is nothing of this nature, as far as I know,    what is the need of the churches there. All the answers have
     available in this country. Although there are some good guide     not yet come in. In the mean time the Mission Committee
     books, none have a Reformed Doctrine emphasis.
         "I should very much like a sample copy of all your            is being urged to take over this work with the least possible
     magazines and Sunday School pamphlets, and should be ex-          delay since, we are informed, the Free Methodist Church is

     tremely grateful if you would send them.                          also interested in taking over these churches, although the
         "If it is not possible to send them all, may I have a copy    men who are responsible for the field in Jamaica do not
     of the Teacher's Guide, please?
                                                                       seem to want this.
         "As I have no doubt that I shall want to subscribe to at

     least one of your magazines, perhaps you will advise me if            It seems as if these churches are about fourteen in num-
     you have an agency in this country to which payment can be        ber and average about thirty-five souls each. What will come
     made.
                                                                       of this all remains to be seen, but it is a good illustration of
         "Once again, thank you for the semlons.  May the Lord
     richly bless your ministry."                                      the contacts which are being made through our Radio Pro-

                                                                       gram.
   For a long time already the Radio Committee and the

Mission Committee have felt the need for more careful and                  It is of the utmost concern that there is such a remark-


166                                      T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R



able response to the truth which God has given us not only        lives made more complex. Secondly, with the coming of new

in our own country, but also across the seas. It is the hope      people and materials, new germs and viruses were brought

of our Radio Committee and our Mission Committee that             into the province. The Creditians found that they were not

these brief glimpses into the work will encourage our people      immune to these new diseases.

to support these endeavors.    And it is no doubt the hope and          They realized that they needed ways to combat these
prayer of all our people that the Lord will use our efforts to    evils and to strengthen their bodies. Someone suggested that
witness to His truth to gather His Church and to bring back       they begin to drink milk, in addition to water, since milk had
His people to the knowledge of the truth.                         more vitamins.              The king, in his wisdom, had already sent
                                                    H .   Ha&     them some cows, for he knew that since the isolation had

                                                                  been broken milk would be very important.


                                                                        For quite some time the Creditians remained healthy.

                                                                  But the enemies of the king had a plan. Since milk had

                                                                  become important, they decided to use it as a means for their

            Concerning the Hymn Question                          deviltry.        (They did not introduce milk-drinking - contrary
                                                                  to what is often reported today.) They began to dilute the

Dear Rev. Hoeksema:                                               milk and adulterate it by adding water that did not come

                                                                  from the streams or other liquids. Few Creditians were
    It seems that some of our people think the ice is too
                                                                  fooled and drank this new milk unknowingly. Most saw right
slippery, to go on about this subject. Now, I too love our
                                                                  away that this new milk was different and not good. Some
Psalter, especially the familiar and easy to sing numbers,
                                                                  of these decided to try it anyway and discovered that it didn't
because I am not much of a singer; and don't know music.
                                                                  taste too bad.
But what can be wrong about versification  of parts of the

New Testament into hymns ? The New Testament is also                    None of the real Creditians, descendants of the original

and just as much part of the Word as the Old. We know             residents, were fooled, however. But they faced a real prob-

that departure from the truth and the singing of hymns in         lem. There seemed to be two possible solutions. One would

the churches has gone together in the last years, but that I      be to look carefully at the milk and analyze it to see if it was

believe was not always the case. Departure from the truth is      pure. The other solution was to stop drinking milk entirely

much older than these hymns, and to claim that the singing        lest they happen to drink impure milk. They were wise and

of hymns is the cause of making our Doctrine unstable is          knew that milk was important to their balanced diet (their

folly.                                                            king had given it to them) so they decided to keep drinking

    There should be room for difference of opinion, and           it but to watch carefully what they drank.

there are many who are more able than I am who without                  Years and years passed. The native Creditians drank

using harsh words could and should give their view.               their pure milk and their clear water. The pseudo-Creditians

                                              P. De Young         drank their adulterated milk and very little water. But then

                                                                  some of the native Creditians made a mistake. And it was

                                                                  a strange mistake for them, since they were known for being

                                                                  wise and logical. They looked around and saw multitudes

                                                                  of pseudo-Creditians, and noticed them drinking bad milk
              A Short History of Hymnology
                                                                  and almost no water. But the Creditians put these facts into

       In the country of Lectia, there lived a group of simple    a   w r o n g   c a u s a l   o r d e r .   I n s t e a d   o f   r e m a r k i n g   t h a t   t h e s e

people in the far-off province of Creditia. The ruler of the      people liked bad milk because they were pseudo-Creditians,

country had situated these people here for his purpose and        they concluded that drinking bad milk made them pseudo-

had seen to it that their basic needs would be supplied. The      Creditians. And then, noticing that these pseudos drank

soil would yield grain regularly so the Creditians had bread      almost no water, they jumped to the idea that drinking any

sufficient. The streams were pure and clear, so they had          milk made people pseudo-Creditians. They had a council

good water to drink.                                              meeting and forbade milk-drinking, taking the solution that

                                                                  their wiser ancestors had avoided. Water was all they might
       The Creditiars  lived here for centuries, subsisting on
                                                                  now drink.
bread and water. They were rather isolated from the rest of

the world until the king, who had always kept this province           Things went well for a little while. But then the Credi-

separate, decided to send other people there. This decision       tians discovered it was very hard to live and be healthy with-

had both a good and a bad effect. It strengthened the             out any milk. Yet they had  to obey the council. Someone,

province by providing a greater wealth of man-power and           however, saw the loophole in the council's decision. The rule

ability. The weakness, however, was twofold. The Credi-           was that they might not drink milk at mealtime, when they

tians, who had lived such simple lives, now found their           ate their bread. But nothing was said about between-meal


                                        T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R                                                               167


snacks or bedtime raids on the icebox. Soon all but a handful         Bulletin (Lynden's) quote: "We have reason to fear we

of the Creditians were drinking milk again, not at mealtime,      do not love Him, if we do not love His friends. Is there not

but during other parts of the day.                                something absolutely monstrous in one who loves Christ,

                                                                  not loving one whom he has reason to think Christ loves ?"
   After some years a new council was in session in the
                                                                                                                      - R e v .   J .   B r o w n
capital city. It began to consider the question of once again

allowing milk-drinking with meals. Some other city councils

had already decided to permit it. The capital council saw the                  T H E   F A T H E R L Y   L O V E   O F   G O D

two problems involved in maintaining the decision forbidding                   The tender love a father has
drinking. In the first place, the members realized that they                      For all his children dear,
were under a double standard. If milk-drinking was beneficial                  Such love the Lord bestows on them
between meals, how could it be harmful with meals? The                            Who worship Him in fear.
bread would not pollute the milk, nor could pure milk pollute

the bread. Secondly, some of the council members saw what                      The Lord remembers we are dust,

some of the Creditians did not seem to see, namely that the                       And all our frailty knows;

water they were now drinking was not always the best and                       Man's days are like the tender grass,

that sometimes the milk was purer than the water. This was                        And as the flower he grows.

not because the streams had become polluted ; they ran fresh
                                                                               The flower is withered by the wind
and clear as ever. But with the new development of the prov-
                                                                                  That smites with blighting breath ;
ince many people had settled some distance from the streams.
                                                                               So man is quickly swept away
Almost all the Creditians were dependent upon bottled water,
                                                                                  Before the blast of death.
transported from the streams to their communities. There lay

the trouble. Sometimes the bottles were not too clean and                      Unchanging is the love of God,

sometimes the bottlers added impurities to the water to make                      From age to age the same,

it go farther. Sometimes, therefore, this water was as im-                     Displayed to all who do His will

pure as the adulterated milk.                                                     And reverence His Name.


   What was the council to do ? They decided to consider                       Those who His gracious covenant keep

the matter carefully, seek intelligent discussion of it, and                      The Lord will ever bless;

make a decision later. They soon got discussion - much of                      Their children's children shall rejoice

it unintelligent. Some unobservant Creditians insisted that                       To see His righteousness.

all the bottled water w& just as pure as the water flowing in                                                                     Psalm 103

the streams. Others, who unashamedly revealed their ignor-

ance of history, shouted that their fathers had made  a wise

decision in forbidding milk, that the fathers' decision should                  T H A N K S G I V I N G   A N D   P R A I S E

not be changed since it had stood the test of time, that milk                  All people that on earth do dwell,
was an innovation, and that the Creditians had always been                        Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice ;
against mi!k. These seemed not to realize that the fathers                     Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell,
they referred to had made the big innovation and that milk                        Come ye before Him and rejoice.
had been an important food for centuries before this mis-

take. Some re-echoed the oid cry that milk leads inevitably                    Know that the Lord is God indeed ;'

to adulterated milk or that milk leads to chocolate milk and                      Without our aid He did us make;

chocolate milk leads to creme de cocoa and creme de cocoa                      We are His flock, He doth us feed,

leads to brandy and brandy leads to whiskey and boom ! there                      And for His sheep He doth us take.

we are -all a bunch of alcoholics.


   And one astounding enthusiast, besides making all these                                   IN MEMORIAM

other statements, added that traitors (those who were in             The First Protestant Reformed Senior Young People's Society
league with the king's enemy) were in the council and an-         wishes to express its heartfelt sympathy to the mother, brothers and

nounced that "those who are given to furthering progress          sislers  in the loss of their son and brother,

and reformation in the city" should "keep themselves from                               JAMES DAVID JONKER

the rest of the people" and that we should "declare to them
                                                                  aged 22 years, who was called Home December 26, 1961.
that they have no part in the province of Creditia."
                                                                     May the bereaved family be comforted by these words of David:
   Some still rush in where angels fear to tread.                 "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness  of

                                                                  joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Ps. 16:ll.
                                                James Jonker
                                                                                                          Rev. C. Hanko,  President

                                                                                                          Karlene Oomkes, Secretary


168                                                                T H E   S T A N D A R D   B E A R E R


                                                                                                           voices singing about the Wonder of Bethlehem! May we add

                                                                                                           this comment found in Hudsonville's bulletin: "We've been

                                                                                                           having good sized crowds at our hymnsings lately. let's keep

                                                                                                           it up."


                                                                       Dec. 20, 1961                          The program committee of the Reformed Witness Hour
                                                                                                           informs             that the subject of Rev. H. Hoeksema's  radio
                                                                                                                        us 
       News from the Mission Field indicates that after some                                               sermon for Dec. 31 is, "Everlasting Mercy." This message

pro and con considerations it has finally been decided to                                                  proclaims the comforting assurance "that at the close of an-

render a Christmas  program immediately after the Christmas                                                other year the people of God may glory in the unchangeable

Day service. The program's theme will be, "The promise                                                     mercy of God which is from everlasting to everlasting upon
fulfilled by God.`!            Rev. and Mrs. Lubbers went to Houston,                                      them that fear Him." The following Lord's Day Rev. Hoek-

T e x a s ,   t o   i n t e r v i e w   p e o p l e   w h o   a r e   i n t e r e s t e d   i n   o u r    sema has chosen for his theme, "Hope Perfectly" (I Peter

churches. Results of this visit are not yet available.                                                     1 :13).  Jan. 14, the Lord willing, the pastor explains the

                                                                                                           meaning of "Called Unto Holiness" (I Peter 1 :15). On
       Co?-1*ect,ion:  Due to a typographical error the name cf                                            Sunday, Jan. 21, under the theme, "Walking in the fear of
Isabel's new Bible study society was given last time as The                                                the Lord," Rev. Hoeksema treats verse 1s of ihis chapter;
Hope Bible Study Society of Israel. This should have been                                                  and for Jan. 25, he has taken, verse 22 as the basis for his
The Hope Bible Study Society of Isabel.                                                                    sermon which is entitled,                   "Love One Another Fervently."

                                                                                                           The Radio Committee again takes this opportunity to remind
       In the Adams St. School "Announcer" Mr. Donald Doe-
                                                                                                                   of the special "1,OOOth  Broadcast" program which, D.V.,
zema's editorial ends with a thought which we give here that                                               you 
                                                                                                           is to be held Thursday evening, Jan. 25, in the auditorium
our high school students might seriously think about the
                                                                                                           of the First Protestant Reformed Church .of Grand Rapids.
teaching profession as being worthwhile: ". . . not that

teaching is easy. But what worthwhile thing is easy ? It's                                                    Lynden's Adult Bible Class has purchased three spring-

amazing, though, how little one minds hard work when he                                                    type Bible maps for delivery in late January. This gift to the

is happy in it and how long the day is when work is tedious,                                               congregation is eagerly awaited by all whose Bible and cate-

how slow the clock ticks. Teaching may be hard but it's                                                    chetical  instruction will be enhanced thereby.

anything but boring.                 There are too many things happening

and too many surprises and too many different personalities                                                        From Hull's bulletin we learned that The Society for

for that. There is always so much to be done and so little                                                 Protestant Reformed Education sponsored a public lecture

time in which to do it. Those shining eyes and enthusiastic                                                Friday, Dec. 15, in Doon's  Church. Rev. G. Lubbers spoke

responses give a satisfying glow inside a teacher that has                                                 on the subject,            "The Distinctiveness of a Christian Day

nothing to do with pay checks. So, even apart from the                                                     School." He planned to show how a Prot. Ref. day school

privilege a teacher has in instructing the covenant youth,                                                 would be distinct, using as examples subjects as History,

there is a personal satisfaction that teaching gives which I                                               Geography, Arithmetic and Citizenship. Opportunity for

doubt can be found in any other profession or occupation.                                                  questions was provided, and the collection was for the cause

It's what I call, `Purposeful Living'."                                                                    of their own school.


                                                                                                              Rev. G. Lanting, of Holland, preached on Matt. 20:28
       The Adams St. School chorus recently mdde  their first
                                                                                                           under the theme, "His Life The Ransom," at the Communion
appearance of the year. This took place at First Church in
                                                                                                           service Dec. 17. His applicatory  sermon was based on Jude
the form of a recording session with the Radio Choir. You
                                                                                                           1 :21 : "Keeping Self in the Love of God."
may have heard the result listening to the Christmas broad-

cast of the Reformed Witness Hour.                                                                            T h e   L a d i e s '   A i d   S o c i e t y   o f   F i r s t   C h u r c h   h e l d   t h e i r

                                                                                                           Christmas social Dec. 20. The program committee borrowed
       Tlae  Beacoll  Lights Christmas Hymnsing  was held in                                               some musicians from Adams St. School for this event: n
Hope Church, Dec. 17. The singing was led by Mr. Gerald                                                    clarinet solo, "The Holy City," performed by Shirley Bouw-
Kuiper  of Hope Church. Special numbers included a male                                                    kamp and accompanied by Mary Kregel  at the piano; and.
quartette from Hope, a vocal duet by Mr. and Mrs. C. Jonker,                                               a flute duet - two Christmas numbers -by Sue Swart and
of First Church, and organ solos by Mrs. Case Lubbers, of                                                  Gail Dykstra.
Southeast Church. The newly enlarged auditorium was filled;

even to extra chairs set up in front. Many families were                                                      We wish you all a Happy New Year, as exemplified in

present which made it possible for the director to have the                                                Psalm 144 :15 :          "Hclppy  -is the people whose God is th

children sing a stanza of one of the carols without the grown-                                             Lord."

ups. What is more wonderful than the sound of children's                                                      . . see                    in church.                                                  J.M. I;.
                                                                                                                                 you 


