TIMOTHY MISSION FUND

It is again with sincere thanks that we gratefully acknowledge your gifts to the Timothy Fund, amounting to $56.00 during the month of June. Due to previous disbursements, our fund was about depleted, so this brings the balance to $61.90 at the end of the month. We hope that your gifts are accompanied with your prayers for the Lord’s indispensable blessing upon the labors performed. Gifts to the Timothy Mission Fund should be sent in care of Mr. Tom Stryd, P.O. Box 2182, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003. Again our sincere thanks for all your gifts.

GIFTS RECEIVED FOR MISSION IN JUNE 1974

CLASSISEAST SOURCE AMOUNT

Franklin Lakes Pentecost Collection 2326.00

Franklin Lakes Catechism Collection 1122.20

CLASSIS MIDWEST

Norwich Pentecost Collection 1078.90

In G.R. Ch. Col. Gift 268.50

Friend in So. Holland Gift 5.00

Unionville Pentecost Collection 1259.42

Friend in G.R. Gift 10.00

Friend in Kalamazoo Gift 20.00

Timothy Mission Gift 100.00

Friend in Michigan Gift 125.00

Kalamazoo Pentecost Collection 801.00

Kalamazoo Gift Gift 199.00

Friend in G.R. Gift 50.00

CLASSIS WEST

Sioux Falls Pentecost Collection 52.90

Corsica Pentecost Collection 180.00

Rock Valley Pentecost Collection 760.40

Sioux Center Pentecost Collection 1577.16

Sheboygan Pentecost Collection 386.00

Waupun Pentecost Collection 172.20

CLASSIS FARWEST

Lethbridge (Tabitha) Gift 1750.00

Lethbridge Pentecost Collection 978.05

Lethbridge Gift Gift 150.00

Artesia Pentecost Collection 117.55

Fort Macleod Pentecost Collection 265.00

TOTAL: $13,754.28

Dear Friends,

Again we want to thank you all for your generous support of our mission work. May the Lord bless you and your gifts. We are glad to inform you that on the 3rd of July Rev. Kuijt and family have returned to Irian Ja-Ya. We hope the Lord may give them courage and strength to take up the labors at that place. Miss Ann Herfst hopes to come on furlough in July or August the Lord willing. On the last Synod held in Grand Rapids it was decided to accept the Bethlehem Mission at Baldwin, Michigan. Hereafter it will be known as the Bethlehem Mission of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations. I trust everyone is aware that all expenses concerning the Bethlehem Mission at Baldwin, Michigan, will be paid through the American General Mission Fund, and truly we are glad that we as a denomination may begin to do mission work in our own country, because here also the need is very great. We hope that the Lord may give many prayers for the labors at this new mission station as well as in Indonesia, Nigeria, and South Africa. Bert and Ruth are very busy working with these people. May the Lord give them to see spiritual blessings upon their work. Also on the last synod it was decided that Rev. Suijker and Rev. Weststrate would fill the vacancies on the Mission Committee that were caused by the death of our father Dick Spaans and the leaving of Rev. Elshout for the Netherlands.

American General Mission Fund Netherlands Reformed Congregations of America and Canada John Spaans, Treasurer Plankinton Box 106 RR1 South Dakota 57368

No man can come to Me, except the Father which sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets: and they shall all be taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father cometh unto Me. — John 6:44-45

NOTES OUT OF THE CATECHISM CLASSES

Of Rev. J. Fraanje Using The Catechism Book SPECIMENS OF DIVINE TRUTHS by

Christ’s Offices

Lesson 19-Part 2

Were Christ’s teachings universally accepted? No, far from it. You should read John 9 this evening to see a clear example of how His words were despised by many Jews and how He himself was renounced as God and Mediator.

It gives the account of the man who had been born blind. Naturally, you are all acquainted with that story in the Bible. Am I correct in assuming that?

The disciples thought that the blind son or his parents had sinned more than other people, but Jesus said, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”

After Jesus had spoken these words, He spit on the ground and made clay of the spittle and placed it on the eyes of the blind one. Then He told the blind man to wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam. When he returned from the pool, he could see.

Some of the Scribes and Pharisees witnessed what had taken place, and since they did not respect this Nazarene anyway, the performing of this miracle made them dreadfully angry. It was Sabbath when Jesus had done this and according to the pious Jews it was a great sin to heal on that day.

They did acknowledge that Jesus, the son of Mary, was an exceptional person. They had to because of all the miracles he had done. But now they were greatly offended. He had done this miracle on a Sabbath day and this the very religious Jews found to be terrible! Do you know another reason why they were so angry on this occasion?

They actually did acknowledge that Jesus was an exceptional man for His ability to perform the miracle of healing the sick. But to give sight to one who was born blind was going too far! It could not be any other way than that a person who could do such a miracle was more than an exceptional person. And, to acknowledge He was God, they would not do. They roared out in enmity against Him.

On a previous occasion, they had called the one who was born blind to them for questioning to determine exactly how this had taken place and now they called him again.

They said, “This man cannot be of God” (They really wanted to say he is not the Son of God) “because he keepeth not the Sabbath Day.” Others said, “How can a common person do such miracles?” There came a discord amongst them. It was manifest then, when they had called the blind man the second time, how great their enmity was against Christ but they made it appear as though it was an act of the very best religion, saying to him, “Give God the praise”. Ordinarily you cannot do better than to give God the honor, but, what followed? “We know that this man, (named Jesus) is a sinner.”

That was the honor they were giving to God! They denied that Jesus was the Son of God.

But the blind man, by grace, thought differently about it and dared to say so.

He said, without hesitation, “If this man were not of God, He could do nothing.”

At this point the “piousness” of the Pharisees came out in the open. They became furious when they heard this confession and said, “Thou was altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us?” They cast him out of the synagogue. He was no longer allowed to stay with their religion.

But this was not so bad for the one born blind, because a little later Jesus found him and said, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” At first he did not know who He was but when Jesus told him, he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshipped Him.

He was, then, by grace and trust in Christ taken up into the new congregation, even though men had thrown him out of the old synagogue. That was not such a bad result!

Do you see how little the Jews knew about the offices of Christ? Absolutely nothing. They would give God honor by circumventing Christ and that cannot be done.

The one born blind had great profit of the gifts that had been bestowed upon Christ in the consecration to His offices.

He received internal enlightenment from the Divine Spirit which showed him that Christ was the Son of God, and also experienced the Divine Power of His miracles in that he was made to see.

Does the Lord still exercise His office as Prophet even though He is no longer upon the earth in a bodily form?

O, yes. He still instructs all the elect through His Spirit internally as well as externally through His Word, which He causes His pastors and ministers to proclaim over the whole world. We shall go no further now but, if the Lord be willing and we live, we hope to continue this lesson on the offices next week.

SANCTIFICATION

To: - John Thornton, Esq.

Dear and honoured Sir, I have just received your Golden Treasury by the hands of my dear brother of Yelling, and thank you kindly for the pretty little valuable present. It is much improved in its present dress: the Lord bless the book and the editor.

In May I began to itinerate, after a five year’s discontinuance through illness, and kept on, though with much feebleness, for two months, when I was seized with a smart attack of my old complaint. I am now, as the world accounts, a scold miserable, but lying at Jesus’s gate, and am reduced to a mere Sunday preacher; the Lord be praised that I am not wholly laid aside. What a fund of corruption is lodged in the human heart! Every stripe I receive, my Master’s word tells me, I have procured for myself. Lord, I own it; sanctify the rod, and make the furnace purge away my dross. I trust the Lord has taught me to hate sin, and to hunger after righteousness; yet I am often seeking after holiness in such a manner, as stiffens my heart, brings a dry and lean soul, and makes my eyes lose the sight of Christ’s salvation. This convinces me there is a mystery in the manner of obtaining sanctification, that we are not soon acquainted with; we are apt to consider sanctification as a separate work from justification, following after it, and wholly independent of it; whereas they seem to be connected works, and inseparable from each other, one resulting from the other.

The clearer sight we get of Christ, and the sweeter views we have of our adoption, the more our hearts are filled with love, joy, peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit, which is sanctification. When Jesus gives a clearer view of His dying love, He always accompanies that view with the graces of the Spirit. The heart is filled at the same time with pardon and holiness, with justification and sanctification. So that if we desire to be holy, we must seek to be happy in the Saviour’s love, must seek a clear evidence of our adoption, and labour to keep it clear. As our views of Christ are more cloudy and discouraging, our bosoms will be more barren of heavenly tempers. A man may be constitutionally meek as the lamb, constitutionally kind as the spaniel, constitutionally cheerful as the lark, and constitutionally modest as the owl, but these are not sanctification. No sweet, humble tempers, no sanctifying graces are found but from the cross. Jesus says, ‘He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath’ or possesseth ‘eternal life.’ Where He sheweth how eternal life, which must comprise the whole of spiritual life, is obtained, viz. by eating His flesh and drinking His blood, i.e. by feeding on His atonement. Thus all divine life, and all the precious fruits of it, pardon, peace and holiness, spring from the cross. And is not this intimated by John, when he says, ‘One of the soldiers pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water?’ They did not follow one another, but came out together; the blood betokening pardon, the water sanctification. Carnal men made the water come out first, and the blood follow: they seek a little obedience first, and then hope to have the benefit of the blood. Professors often make the blood come first, and the water follow; i.e. seek first to be justified, and then to be sanctified. But I believe experienced Christians make the blood and water flow together; get holiness by clear views of the cross, and find eternal life by feeding on the Saviour’s flesh and blood. Was not a lamb sacrificed every morning and evening in the Jewish temple? And was not this intended to shew us, that we must feed on Christ’s atonement every day, and derive all our life, the life of peace and holiness, from His death? Upright people are often coming to me with complaints, and telling me, that since they received pardon, and have been seeking after sanctification, as a separate work, their hearts are become exceedingly dry and barren. I ask them how they find their heart when Jesus shews His dying love. They tell me, full of peace, and love, and every heavenly temper. Then I answer, Jesus hereby shews you, that holiness as well as pardon is to be had from the blood of the cross. Labour therefore to get your conscience sprinkled every day with the atoning blood, and sanctification will ensue of course; the blood and water flow together. When Jesus only gives a smile, and seals some promise on the heart, though it be not the seal of pardon, it occasions a sweet transforming change in the soul. And all fancied sanctification, which does not arise wholly from the blood of the cross, is nothing better than Pharisaism; and if persisted in, will end in Pharisaism. For when sanctification is considered a separate work from justification, and wholly independent of it, by and bye it is considered as a justifying work itself; and men profess and preach they are first to be justified by the blood of Christ, and then by their own obedience.

Oh, dear sir, if we would be holy, we must get to the cross, and dwell there; else notwithstanding all our labour and diligence, and fasting and praying, and good works, we shall be yet void of real sanctification, destitute of those humble, sweet, and gracious tempers, which accompany a clear view of the cross. But mere doctrinal knowledge will not give us this view; it only proceeds from a lively faith wrought in us by the Prince of life. A legal spirit helpeth forward our mistake in the matter of sanctification. We would fain divide the water from the blood, fain would separate sanctification from justification, that we may make merit of it. Whereas if they are inseparably connected, and both pardon and holiness spring from the blood of the cross, the root of merit is dug up thereby, and Christ is all in all.

Another thing confirms our mistake, which is, that all heavenly graces are called fruits of the Spirit. Hence we conclude, that pardon must spring peculiarly from the blood of the cross, and holiness be a separate work of the Spirit. But though all gracious tempers are the Spirit’s fruits, yet the fruit is bestowed at the foot of the cross; eternal life is found at Calvary by eating the Saviour’s flesh and drinking His blood….

May the Lord Jesus being and keep you and yours at the cross, to see and sing the wonders of redeeming love, till you are called up higher to sing eternal praise with all the saints. Grace, mercy, and peace be with you, and with your much obliged and affectionate Servant.

Everton. 18/8/1773

STILL GOING TO SCHOOL

Part II

I have seen an end to all perfections; says David; but Thy commandment is exceeding broad. Not able to learn, and not willing to learn, but also to may learn, to sometimes have a pleasure in it; and a wonder that we may still learn a little. The King has brought me into His Chambers. Song of Solomon 1;4.

Moses with his sheep, David in the field, and in the caves, Job on the dunghill, Jeremia in the miry-pit and in prison, Daniel in the lions den, the three young men in the furnace, Jonah in the belly of the fish, Peter upon the house top, Paul in Arabia, John upon Patmos, and where shall we end? Most lessons are learned in the depth; at the gate of heaven; in displeasure, abhoring and loathing of ourself, and: in the hidden parts Thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

In a school there is sometimes something told by the teacher, there lessons are learned, but there punishment is also given. I read in the Word of God of a man who said: “And chastened every morning” Ps. 73;14. Others may sometimes go and play, but there are also those who must often write sentences, have to stay in, or stand in the corner: or must take some of their work home as a punishment. In natural life there comes a time that we get through school, but these people are never through school till death comes.

In my second congregation there often sat an old experienced woman beneath the pulpit in the evening. She always had a big ear-horn with her so that she could hear, because she was so deaf, and she was so eager to hear everything. One evening I asked her, where she was situated at the present, she said; “They brought me to the kindergarten, it is not safe for me to go about anymore”. Yes, such souls can yet sometimes give lessons, out of the practical exercises that God has given them. 1 know that today there are many who would draw up the shoulders for that. Today there are more people that know it, than who don’t know it, that have it in their head, but nothing in their heart. They have only words, without knowledge, and without weight. It is all so cold and empty. There is no humiliation, nor does it make impression, because it is not mixed with charity. And you can never become jealous of it, but with that which comes from heaven it is different. All that comes from above, brings man down, but what comes from beneath will puff a man up.

And there is still something else that we must take notice of. The instructions from heaven bring us to want, but also shows us the way, whereby all our wants can be fulfilled, and above that, it is something that often drives us out so that we may know more about it. There lies a sweetness in it, whereby we receive a greater longing, to be instructed therein more and more. My soul failed when He spake. Those people are set on emotional grace, but instructing grace will give much more fruit in the futherance of our life. And I will not forget Thy law.

We read in Matt 13;52 “Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the Kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man that is a house-holder, which bringeth forth out of his treasurers things new and old.” The people of the Lord and God’s servants, like Paul in Philippians 4:12, “Every where and in all things I am instructed,” which is a blessing for God’s church here upon earth.

And sometimes it happens that at the end of their life there are still lessons to be learned which they had not learned in their whole life time. All those people must be saved by grace.

We may have preached and spoken about it for years, and that we really understood nothing of it. To contemplate or to speak about it, is so different than the experience. God has His own honor in view. Our name, our honor, our glory, all has to go. It is bitter and painful for flesh and blood, but so necessary and profitable for our soul. We are so unteachable, but the Lord knows how to open ways, so that we may receive some practical mediations in the ways of God, so that it will be, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Much has to be unlearned, but that does not go so easy. Time and again we fall away and make ourselves guilty of that same foolishness. To learn and improve, we will receive no diploma for that. And chances are that we will have no A’s and B’s on our report card, it will mostly be “insufficient and bad”. Yea there is not much honor to be obtained from us. Sometimes it cuts through my soul like a razor that God must say: “Oh that my people had harkened unto me” Ps. 81;15. And then again: “Oh that thou hadest harkened to My commandments; then had Thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” Isa. 48;18. And for those moments there is sorrow, then sometimes the tears come into the eyes by such souls, and they often fear that they have been given over to the hardness of their hearts, but it is all so soon forgotton again. We will never have done learning, nor finished studying. It will not come that far on this side of the grave. We must continually learn new lessons, with loss and shame. Peter after he was restored as an apostle, received the message of Christ: “Follow Me”. And for a moment he looked to no one else but that blessed one of the Father. But it did not take long and he again turned away from Christ and looked at John. And what shall this man do, and then he had to be admonished again. Oh what shall it be, when we shall once be delivered from our foolishness. They also that erred in the spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmur shall learn doctrine.

It may happen here in its beginning, but that which is perfect will be kept for heaven. God’s people will never become weary of divine instruction, but they will become weary of themselves, because they are and remain insusceptible and unfruitful. And yet it will continually become a greater wonder, that God took them by the right hand and brought them under His Divine teaching, where there is taught, “God will lead him safely onward, guide him in the chosen way.” Ps. 25 ;4. God will never again let those people go, they shall be kept in the strength of God until the day of Jesus Christ. God Himself shall be their guide. Christ shall teach them, and the Holy Ghost shall lead them in a land of uprightness Ps. 143 ;10. One of our Divines wrote, it is necessary that we remain “Students” and learn never to become “Masters”. Oh if that happens, then we will come to the height of Gilboa, where will be neither rain nor dew. But we are subject to all misery. So it is better not to exalt ourselves.

One day those people will all be delivered from their blindness and foolishness. In heaven the image of God will be fully restored, then they will never more complain about darkness and ignorance, but will forever walk in the light of His friendly face. May that comfort your soul, all ye that have been brought to the school of Jesus. That we with submission to God’s will, with eager longing might be looking for that day. He whom hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. But on the other hand, how terrible it will be, if we shall have to die as we were born. For soon it will then be an eternal darkness and an eternal night, under the weight of God’s anger and wrath.

Then it shall be: Ye have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of My reproof. Therefore, today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the day of provocation.

A REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE

“O that my way’s were directed to keep thy statues. “ Ps. 119:5.

We are living in a time of speed. Every one is busy in his or her own way, with little or no time for consecration. Everything around us is at unrest. Our time flies away as upon eagle’s wings. Days, months, and years are gone ere we know it; all hastening to eternity. Little time is left to spend with our families, for devotion. Children are at play, mothers are busy with the cares of their home, the fathers are busy with their obligated duties, all of which are to be esteemed. Beside the necessary hours of rest, what of the hours which are spent in idleness, in reading non-commendable literature, the time spent at radio or T.V. programs, along with the hours spent in all manner of sports, which the world calls innocent amusements? If we consider the purpose for which God has created us, must we not conclude that our life is spent unprofitably and un-accountably before God? Are we not to give an account of our stewardship, when so many hours have been wasted, and should we not confess with Asaph; “So foolish was I, and ignorant; I was as a great beast before Thee?” ,

Our conscience will be as a daily diary, which will be opened unto us before Him who will sentence us according to our works.

Presently let us consider those, known unto God, who amidst their sorrows, trials and joys have kept a special diary of occurences, which they could not erase from their heart. Examples are manifold which we find both in the Old and New Testament times, and thanks to God’s FREE grace there have also been many in the generation of our fore-fathers, and there are still a number in our present day. To name a few, and to consider briefly some of their occurences which could not be erased; we think of Adam the father of us all, who was created as an image bearer of God, the crown piece of creation, who broke the covenant of works with his creator, who immediately experienced the sentence of his spiritual death, and who plunged his posterity into a three-fold death. Utterly ruined for time and eternity, had not God had compassion upon him, giving him the promise of the coming of the redeemer Christ Jesus. Gen. 3:15. The joy of his salvation. Words cannot express the glory of his state in his innocency, words fail us to express the sorrow which he experienced in offending the High Majesty of heaven, and the breach he had brought upon all mankind. His anticipating joy with the birth of his first son was soon shattered when Cain slew his brother Abel. A great blessing was bestowed unto him with the birth of his son Seth, meaning “Appointed,” who was a child of prayer.

Adams life was an exemplary life for all his posterity who like unto himself were called by God out of the onslaught of Satan. A life intermixed with sorrow, trial and joys. This is clearly described in the word of God, as we find it in the life of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and notably experienced by David in His life as he himself described with these words: “O that my way’s were directed to keep thy statutes.” Ps. 119:5. Psalm 119 can also be called the psalm of psalms, and can be termed a small Bible in-itself. As we study this Psalm we find it is divided into twenty-two parts, according to the number of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, each part consisting of eight verses, and thus expressing a collection of Davids’ inner life with his God. A collection we may call it, of his daily diary which he had kept, and had gathered them altogether in his later life. It contains a collection of David’s pious and devout breathings of his soul to God. They were the expressions of His soul in the knowledge of his sins, his trials, and joys. He begins this psalm with saying: “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.” It is the law of the Lord, which he extols, the Lord God whom he has learned to know as Holy, a righteous and a just God, sovereign in all His works. The effect of the work of God within his heart was manifested in his early life, when God sent Samuel the prophet to the house of Jesse, to anoint David above all his brethen as king over Israel.

David’s fervent zeal and his love to God’s holy attributes were clearly proven as he met Goliath the Philistine with these words: “I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” He was strong in his faith without wavering. Who would think that David would ever have questioned that the Lord had anointed him to be king over Israel? His trials became many and his faith wavered as he fled for fear of Saul who sought to kill him. But God fulfilled His promise in making him king over Israel. What a joy and gladness for him and all Israel. See this beloved anointed king, a man after God’s own heart, as he fell into sin with Bath-sheba, his old nature battling with his new nature. Read his heartfelt sorrow in Psalm 51, when he beheld God’s divine displeasure. Consider the conspiracy of Absolom in stealing the kingdom from him. David’s re-establishment after the death of Absolom, and David’s deep sorrow in his death. Consider His pride in numbering the children of Israel and God’s judgments because of his sin. Consider also his establishment in the faithfulness of God toward him upon the confession of his guilt and his hearts desire to build a house for the Lord his God.

And now in considering all his past trials, sorrows, and joys David relates his life in Psalm 119. Mindful of God’s faithfulness, and upon his total dependency on God’s mercies he directs his request towards God with these words: “0 that my way’s were directed to keep thy statutes.” He commences this pious breathing with the exclamation; “0”, as a word of distress for his many failures and his natural inclinations which are still left within him to all wickedness, whereupon the Lord had so many times manifested His sore displeasure, causing him to doubt the sincerity of his own heart. It had been a grief unto him as he had so faithfully promised God the love of his heart, and had learned that the fruit of his salvation could not be accomplished by his good works as he ends Psalm 119 with these words: “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.” David’s experience was likewise the experience of the Apostles and that of the children of God in the New dispensation. All the children of God have a fervent love to God and His statutes, and it grieves them to their heart, that they cannot live holy before Him, whereunto they are called: “Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.” Lev. 19:2. They are confronted with a spiritual warfare, Satan, world, and sin, which they cannot overcome in their own strength in this life, whereof Christ has promised that He would be the victor: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. For those who seek Christ; Christ has the pre-eminence. “CHRIST ALONE”, must be their foundation of salvation. For God says, “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, Which is Christ Jesus.”

Today’s Christendom lacks the knowledge of this spiritual warfare, and despises those who often question the sincerity of their love to Christ. They pride themselves in either their infant or adult baptism, and make it their salvation. They claim to have accepted Christ, and can enjoy all the pleasures that the world offers them at the same time, serving two masters, while they think that their end will be well. The late Rev. J. C. Philpot has described the condition of the present day church in his writings. “The Children of light walking in darkness and the children of darkness walking in light.”

Dear reader are your ways described in the life of David and with his request: “O that my way’s were directed to keep thy statutes?” Do you love the commandments of Christ? Then listen to His faithful promise. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

Or are you satisfied in your way of life without a revealed and applied Christ in your heart? Then be admonished: “Wherefore let him that thinkethhe standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:12. May God the searcher of hearts discover all false foundations, then Christ shall be All and in All.

C. F. Boerkoel, Sr.

YOUTH DAY CONFERENCE IN KALAMAZOO

The annual Youth Day Conference, which this year was held in Kalamazoo, was opened by the chairman Mr. John Beeke. Scripture reading was Psalm 119, v. 1-16. Prayer was offered for the Lord’s blessing, after which Mr. Beeke welcomed the many friends who were present.

Several psalter numbers were then sung, followed by the first speaker, Bart Elshout, who had for his topic, “Idols of the Modern Age”. The Biblical definition of an idol was explained, and a number of examples cited of the results of following idols. Many modern day idols were mentioned, such as sports, music, and similar things, also the idol of an orthodox confession or any other object or thing on which we place our devotion besides the living God. Questions submitted by the audience were then answered by Bart.

The combined choirs of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo contributed several songs and psalter numbers, and the Kalamazoo children’s choir also sang psalters and included a Dutch psalm.

Rev. Lamain spoke a warning word to the young people, using the history of Judah as given us in Genesis 38. He pointed out how that Judah left the home and environment of his parents to sojourn among the Canaanites, bringing himself into sin, and the punishments of the Lord as a result.

After a delicious lunch served by the Kalamazoo Dorcas Guild members, Rev. Suyker opened the afternoon session with prayer and gave a short talk centered around Numbers 11:29 - “Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” This was Moses’ zealous reply to the complaint of the people about two of the 70 elders who prophesied in the camp instead of being in the tabernacle. In his talk and the questions following, Rev. Suyker helped relate to the present day circumstances in church life.

“Uncle Garret’s” yearly Bible quiz was well attended and many of the younger boys and girls answered some difficult questions. It is encouraging to see much interest in the quiz each year. After this a group from the Vineland congregation presented a selection of songs.

The last speaker of the day was Tom Blok, who had as his topic “The Choice of Moses”. His talk related Moses’ early experience in the house of Pharaoh, his choice, and the results. Emphasizing “by faith” as stated in Hebrews 11, many of the questions reflected the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. We cannot blame God, and will not be able to do so in the day of judgment, for that which is our own fault.

Mr. Peter Beeke closed the conference with prayer. Each year the attendance is increasing, and the prayer is that it may not only be for fellowship with each other, but also a hunger for the true knowledge of God. (T.M.)

YOUTH DAY - SUNNYSIDE, WASHINGTON

On Saturday, June 29 the Sunnyside Congregation hosted the Third Annual Youth Conference of the Far-West. Due to the absence of our Moderator, Rev. A. W. Verhoef, John den Hoed opened the morning session by speaking a word of welcome on behalf of the Sunnyside Congregation and then called on Rev. Den Boer from Norwich, Canada, to lead in prayer.

At 10 A.M. the first speaker, John den Hoed, began with reading from the Book of Acts, Chapter 26 — verses 24 through 29. The topic was - MY RELIGION - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME? Three classes of people were spoken about. Festus, the man of the world, Agrippa, an almost Christian, and St. Paul, a Christian unhesitatingly. After this we had a Bible Quiz Panel led by John Van Belle. Each congregation attending was represented by two members on the panel. At 11 A.M. Rev. Den Boer spoke. His topic was: SATAN’S POWER IN THE PAST, TODAY, AND IN THE FUTURE. Clearly he expounded for us the power of Satan. How he can come as an angel of light and does that especially in our day. It was explained how for Satan, conversion is impossible. But, for us conversion is possible because a mediator, the Lord Jesus, died for the sins of his people. Each person attending received a program with a notepad and pencil and was urged to write down any questions during the morning session for the 11:30 Question and Answer Period. The ushers collected the questions and under the direction of Rev. Den Boer they were answered by the speakers. After singing, closing and a blessing was asked for lunch by Mr. William Eggebeen. Lunch was served in the Church Hall, prepared by members of the Missionary Guild.

At 1:30 the afternoon session was opened with prayer and singing. At 1:40 Rev. Den Boer spoke on ISAAC, AN EXAMPLE ALSO FOR TODAY. Very movingly he spoke about the prosperity we may have upon this earth, but it is as necessary today as in the days of Isaac, when he dug up the wells of his father Abraham, that we search out the truth and doctrine of our forefathers. At 2:30 Arie Van Wingerden spoke on YOUTH AND RELIGION. In this talk it was pointed out to all the world as it is today. Also in America, religion has become more a social religion than anything else. He pointed out to the youth the blessedness of being brought up under the true religion, but that becoming a member of the church is not enough. We need Christ as our Saviour. At 3 o’clock there was another Question and Answer Period. At 3:20 closing remarks were made by Ralph Bouma. Very seriously he spoke about the difficult times in which we live, holding before the audience the privilege of having a religion that is based upon God’s Word. After singing he closed with prayer.

Later a picnic was held for the Youth and at 9 P.M. everyone returned to the home where they were staying for the weekend.

Looking back we may say it was truly a wonderful day. Over 100 young people were able to attend. Congregations represented at Youth Day were Chilliwack, Fort McLeod, Lethbridge, Lynden, and Sunnyside. May the Lord bless the words spoken and give that we may have the fear of the Lord, as that is the beginning of wisdom.

J.d.H.

THE CLOAK WHICH PAUL LEFT AT TROAS

(From Dr. Gaussen on The Plenary Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures)

Will the apparent insignificance of certain details in the Bible authorize their being excepted from inspiration?

“Was it suited to the dignity of inspiration to accompany the thoughts of the apostle Paul, even into these details to which we see him descend in many of his letters? Could the Holy Ghost have gone so far as to dictate to him those ordinary salutations with which they close? or those medicinal counsels which he gives to Timothy with respect to his stomach and his frequent infirmities? or those commissions with which he charges him with respect to his parchments and a certain cloak which he had left with Carpus at Troas, when he quitted Asia?”

We beg the reader will allow us to beseech him to ponder well, when, on taking the Bible into his hands, he does not perceive, from his very first readings, the tokens of God in such or such a passage of the Word. Let not those reckless hands proceed to cast a single verse out of the temple of the Scriptures. They clasp an eternal book, all the authors of which have said, like Paul, “And I think that I also have the mind of the Lord.” If then he does not as yet see anything divine in such or such a verse, the fault is in himself, not in the passage. Let him say rather, like Jacob, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.”

Let us examine more closely the passages alleged.

Paul, from the recess of his prison, asks for the return of his cloak; he had left it with Carpus at Troas; he begs Timothy to hasten before winter, and not to forget to bring it with him. This domestic detail, so many thousands of times adduced as an objection to the inspiration of the Scriptures … seems to you too trivial for an apostolical book, or, at least, too insignificant, and too remote from edification, for the dignity of inspiration. Unhappy the man who does not perceive its pathetic grandeur! Dost thou not remember Jesus Christ, on the day of His death, spoke of His garment and His vesture? Wouldst thou have that passage dismissed from the number of inspired sayings?

Well then, the same blessed Spirit has informed us about Paul writing to Timothy and asking for his cloak. Observe the occasion. The apostle had been spoiled of everything. While as yet a youth, distinguished among his fellows, a favourite of princes, admired by competitors: he forsook all for Jesus Christ. For thirty years and more he has been poor; in labours more abundant than others, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent; of the Jews five times received he forty stripes save one; thrice he suffered shipwreck; in journeyings often, in perils of water, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils on the sea; in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness (we quote his own words). Mark now what he says: behold him advanced in years; he is in his last prison; he is in Rome; he is waiting for his sentence of death; he has fought the good fight; he has finished his course; he has kept the faith; but he is shivering with cold … winter has commenced; and he is in want of clothes! Buried in one of the dungeons of the Mamertine prisons, he lies under such a load of opprobrium that all the Christians even of Rome are ashamed of him, and when first called to appear before his judges, no man stood by him. Time was, ten years before, when already a prisoner in Rome, and loaded with chains, he had received some money from the Philippians, who, knowing his wretched state, subscribed among themselves in their indigence something to be sent as alms to him there; but now behold him forsaken; nobody was with him but Luke; all had abandoned him; winter was at hand. He needed a cloak; he had left his own two hundred leagues off, with Carpus at Troas; in his chilly dungeon of Rome there was nobody to lend him one: had he not joyfully parted with all for Jesus? Had he not counted all the world’s glories as dung that he might win Christ? And does he not willingly endure all things for the elect’s sake? We ourselves remember being at Rome, in a hotel during the early days of November, on a rainy day. With what a lively feeling, under the chill impressions of the evening, did we represent to ourselves the holy apostle Paul in the subterranean prisons of the Capitol, dictating the last of his letters, expressing regret at the want of his cloak, and begging Timothy to send it to him before winter!

Who is there now that would wish to retrench from the inspired epistles a trait so affecting and so pathetic? Does not the Holy Ghost take you as it were into Paul’s prison, there to have instant ocular evidence of his affectionate self-renunciation and sublime poverty; so as to make us see also, as with our own eyes, what was the depth of his love, some time before, when it made him write in his letter to the Philippians: “I tell you, even weeping, that there are many among you who mind only earthly things, and whose end is destruction!” Do you not seem to behold him in prison, loaded with his chain, engaged in writing, and the tears dropping on his parchment? And do you not seem also to behold that poor body of his, one day ill-clothed, suffering, and benumbed; the next, beheaded, and dragged into the Tiber, in expectation of that day when the earth will give up her dead, and the sea the dead that are in it, and when Christ shall change our vile body to be fashioned like unto His glorious body? And if these details are beautiful, do you think they are not useful too? And if useful for the man who reads them as a simple historical truth, what do they not become for him who believes in their inspiration, and who says to himself: “O my soul, these words are written by Paul; but it is thy God that addresses them to thee!” Who could tell the strength and the comfort which, by their very familiarness and their actuality, they may have carried into prisons and cottages? Who could reckon up the poor men and the martyrs to whom such traits have imparted encouragement, example, and joy? We recollect in Switzerland, the pastor Juvet, who was refused a coverlet, some years ago, in the prisons of the Canton de Vaud. One may call to mind in the Universal Church that Jerome of Prague was shut up for three hundred and forty days in the prisons of Constance, at the bottom of a dark, damp tower, and never allowed to leave it except to appear before his murderers. No more has there been forgotten, among the English, holy Bishop Hooper, dragged from his damp, disgusting cellar, covered with wretchedly poor clothes and a borrowed cloak, as he proceeded to the stake, tottering on his staff, and bent double with rheumatism. Venerable fathers, blessed martyrs, you would no doubt call to mind your brother Paul, shut up in the prisons of Rome, suffering from cold and nakedness, and asking for his cloak! Ah! unhappy he who is insensible to the tender humanity, the sublime grandeur, the depth and the charm of such a mode of instruction! But more to be pitied still, perhaps, is he who cavils at the testimony because he does not comprehend its inspiration! How forcible are the reflections of the venerable Haldane on this passage: “Here, in his solemn farewell address, of which the verse before us forms a part - the last of his writings, and which contains a passage of unrivalled grandeur — the apostle of the Gentiles is exhibited in a situation deeply calculated to affect us. We behold him standing upon the confines of the two worlds -in this world about to be beheaded as guilty by the Emperor of Rome — in the other world to be crowned, as righteous, by the King of kings - here deserted by men, there to be welcomed by angels — here in want of a cloak to cover him, there to be clothed upon with his house from heaven.”

Far rather than bring forward these passages inviduously to rob the Scriptures of their infallibility, we would have you discern in them that wisdom of God, which often, by a single stroke, has condensed instruction without which long pages would have been necessary. Infinite condescension stooping to our infantile feebleness, has been pleased not only to reveal to us the loftiest conceptions of heaven in the simplest words of earth, but also to present them to us in forms so lively, and so dramatic, that they captivate our imagination while they penetrate our understanding. In the narrow compass of a single verse we may hence find sermons and spiritual songs that edify and enliven the church.

It is thus, then, that St. Paul, by these words thrown out at random, among the very last commissions of a familiar letter, darts for us a sudden light on his ministry, and discovers to us with a word the whole of his apostolic life, as a single flash of lightning at nighttime illuminates in an instant all the summits of our Alps, and as some people reveal to you their whole soul by a look.

How many striking instances of this might we cite! They crowd upon us; but we are obliged to restrain ourselves; and to keep to the precise passages which have been adduced as objections.

IN THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD

Psalm 71:16a: “I will go in the strength of the Lord God.”

David glorifies and honors his Lord in these words. David had self-knowledge. In different ways and at different times the Lord had taught him what he was. The Lord told Peter, too, when he made a great and dangerous tumble. The Lord had told Peter: Come with Me from Lebanon, with Me from Lebanon! Peter, come down! When he would not hearken to his Master, he made this tumble downward and landed in deep distress, but also in the valley of humiliation. In a spiritual sense, Peter broke his arms and legs in this tumble. Then he wept and cried for help, and the good and wise Master taught His disciple the lesson to go forth in the strength of the Lord God. Jesus teaches His scholars lessons they shall never forget. At times I hear old saints relate what they have learned from the Master many

years ago. And they can tell you also that they have to learn the same lesson over and over again. Do you not admire the patience of the Lord Jesus? O, that we may learn from Him more and more, that He is meek and lowly of heart.

David says in this same psalm: “O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth.” He was taught more and more what man has become through sin, and that he remains a dependent creature upon Him Who has spoken, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” Man through sin has become a weak and impotent creature, a helpless worm of the dust; though he is very hard to be brought to a sense and acknowledgment of his weakness. Reigning grace is needed to bring and to keep a proud fallen creature low in the valley of deep humiliation, that he might exclaim with Job, “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

The strength of the Lord God is very great, yea, it is unlimited, as we read in our Bible and as we may behold in the kingdom of nature and in the kingdom of grace. He is the Almighty God: a stronghold, a strong tower, and a strong habitation for His helpless people.

See David, already in the days of his youth, going in the strength of the Lord God to meet and to lay down the great giant, Goliath. See him go in this strength and fight all the battles of the Lord, naturally and spiritually. What do we read in Psalm 118? “They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the Name of the Lord I will destroy them. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.” He gives all honor and praise to his Lord and Helper: ‘The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.”

David is now an old man, (the writer also; now older as David when he was taken into his eternal habitation). His course is not finished, but in the strength of the Lord God he will go forth to make mention of His righteousness, even of His only, verse 16.

David will go forth in the strength of his Lord and faithful Jehovah until he has reached the end of his pilgrimage through the wilderness of this world. In His strength he will go through the river of death and safely reach the heavenly Canaan. As a weak and needy worm, he begged for help and strength till the goal was obtained and the battle over; till he was in ImmanuePs land. Until then, we hear him pray in faith and hope, with his eyes raised heavenward: “But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, 0 God; Thou art my help and my deliverer; O God, make no tarrying.” Ps. 70:5. Not long afterward, he is in the land of rest and peace, and, “the prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.” Ps. 72:20.

O, that this may be the language of all the true disciples of Christ, and may the Master teach them all this lesson, namely, to go forth on their way heavenward in the strength of the Lord God. The heavenly way through this world and life is not an easy pathway. What miseries, trials, chastisements, and disappointments; how many opponents and hordes of enemies to combat; how many wanderings and slips, dark nights and mighty storms, etc. And, it is appointed for man once to die. Death and eternity are before us! Oh, may it be given to all the followers of the dear Lord Jesus to need the help and strength of their Master. May they be encouraged to press forward in His strength and follow the Master through good and evil report. Oh, may it also become the prayer of those readers who are yet in the darkness of fall and death, yet journeying forth upon the dangerous broad road,

“I cry in deep need, and Thy help I implore;
Make haste to the rescue, I pray!”

Friends, I hope that you are conscious of the dark and dangerous times in which we are living. May God grant that we may awake from our slumbering and learn to cry to God, confessing our many and great sins. The great God and King speaks and threatens. “O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord!”

A servant of God wrote the Scottish young people: “In Psalm forty-six we are instructed to be still and know that the Lord is God, and that He is to be exalted among the nations. As most of you, no doubt, are aware, we are living in a generation when unrest prevails on every side. As recently as within the last few years it would appear that the nations of the world were brought to the brink of war as a result of the revolution in Iraq, and this revolution is but one instance of world-wide disquiet. Where, in such troublous times, are we to find consolation? In days past much importance was attached to our naval and military resources, but now the pattern of warfare has changed. Men now have in their hands weapons which could, in a short space of time, bring untold ruin upon a whole nation. How insignificant then, in face of such possibilities, is the most powerful army.”

Here are words full of truth. May the Lord show mercy to a wicked world and the nations therein. May He remember mercy in wrath. His anger is kindled; His anger is fierce. What is before this generation? But blessed are they who by grace seek refuge in Christ Jesus and who go forth in the strength of the Lord God. Their song shall be at times:

“We will not fear tho’ earth be moved,
For God is nigh to cheer us.”

J.V.Z.

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