A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH ARTICLE XXXI

(continued)

Of the Ministers, Elders, and Deacons

Last time something was written about the different methods of elections which can be used in the churches. In such elections the church members and the consistory have different responsibilities.

The consistory especially has a very responsible task, not only before the congregation, but also before the Lord. Their task is to put up candidates for the offices. They must be sure, as far as this is possible for man, that those who are nominated as candidates satisfy the conditions which are given us by God’s Word. We must remember that the persons nominated can form the consistory. Perfect people are not found on earth, and also the members of the consistory are sinners, but yet that which is necessary to be known according to the Word has to be there in beginning. The apostle Paul wrote about it to Timothy, as he also had to install office bearers in the congregations. Calvin and other authors have written about it; he emphasized that unfit office-bearers are an offence to the Lord and do spiritual harm to the congregation.

Probably among the officebearers there are some who think, “I am afraid this is written about me.” In this statement we are not being personal; however, it is not so bad when we feel ourselves as unfit. It does not give a good feeling inside, but it will drive us out to the great Office-bearer, Jesus Christ, Who has promised to give wisdom also in this when we really need it.

It is often very difficult to judge about a person, to know whether or not he is fit for office. Those who are faithful members of the church can be unfit for office. Some are not able to rule over their own families, or they are not a priest in their own family. There can also be members who are under silent censure, which is not known to the members, but only to the consistory. Therefore it is easy to understand that it would not be right for the congregation to make a free choice from all the members, but that the leading of the consistory is necessary. They in turn may ask advice of their moderator; this advice must be asked when a minister is to be called. The moderator will also sign the call letter, which represents the approval of the Classis. And, as we have said before, all such elections will be of no value if not preceded and ended with prayer.

We all know that there are differences in the offices of minister, elder and deacon, but I now want to emphasize the duration of the office. A minister has his office for life, providing he does not lose it under special circumstances. A minister may not leave his office unless there are very special and legal reasons, and these must be judged by the Classis. According to God’s Word a minister remains in this service to the end of his life. This is not the same for elders and deacons. According to Article 27 of the Church Order, the elders and deacons serve only two years, and every year half of the consistory must retire from office. Voetius thought that three or four years of service would be more suitable, as two years is too short to become well acquainted with ecclesiastical matters. In general this is not practiced in our congregations because of lack of officebearers. When we read the explanation of the Church Order written by Rev. de Gier, several reasons are given why periodic retirement should take place. Scripture does not stipulate the term of office, and also give a possibility of change in office. It can be necessary to prevent hierarchy and to bring forward some of the gifts and abilities which are hidden in the congregation. Likewise, as Rev. de Gier mentions, incompetent officers can be removed. It can also be that family circumstances make it necessary for others to serve.

It is self-evident that in days of war or disaster the elections may be postponed for some time. Above all, we must remember that Christ gives the office and takes it again according to His pleasure; He rules also over these things. Why is a minister chosen for life? Usually they move from one congregation to another, while elders and deacons remain in one congregation. It was for this reason that our fathers have said that in order to prevent hierarchy and ambition of power, elders and deacons should regularly resign. I must say that our fathers had good reasons for this decision; however, we also know how difficult it is to form a consistory. Many people are not available for church work, being too busy with their own business; many can not be nominated because they prefer the idols in their homes above the service of the Lord. There is also another serious reason, and it is that we find so little spiritual life in our days, which is necessary for the office. None may be unconverted according to God’s Word, but the practice is so different. Where is the grace of former days? It should bring us upon our knees before the Lord, begging that He might remember us also in this respect, and that His Spirit might work powerfully among us.

Actually the consistory should have more experience than the minister, since they are to listen to the preaching whether it is sound and according to God’s Word. These offices are given to the church by Christ, and we hope that the great Office-bearer may remember us in mercy. This would be to the glory of His name and to the welfare of His church.

Rev. A.M. Den Boer

Norwich, Ontario

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month we again have a crossword puzzle, and the topic will be the book of Jonah, a story well known to all of you, I am sure. The Lord speaks to us through this history of Jonah, and therefore how important it is that we study it carefully.

Jonah was a prophet in the land of Israel, but was sent to another place far off to speak the word of the Lord. The people of Israel did not pay much attention to what he had to say to them, nor did they follow his instructions. But neither was Jonah obedient to the voice of the Lord. Are we different today? For young people the schools and catechism classes have started again, where God’s Word is read and explained. Do you pay attention to what is taught you? Is it your desire to obey the voice of the Lord and to walk in His ways? Our hearts by nature are no different than the people in the days of Jonah, but we hope and pray that the Lord by His Spirit might instruct us together, and that His blessing may be upon your studies.

ACROSS:

3. What did the people put on after hearing Jonah’s words?

6. The Lord said, “Their______ is come up before Me.”

9. The men took up Jonah, and cast him________into the sea.

11. When the sea ceased from her raging, the men offered a ________unto the Lord.

14. Who was Jonah’s father?

16. Jonah’s reply to the Lord was, “I do well to be angry, even unto________.”

17. God made a gourd to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his________

19. The men prayed, “Let us not ________for this man’s life.”

20. The________were afraid, and cried every man unto his god.

21. Unto Jonah it was said, “Arise, call upon thy________”

22. Jonah went out of the city, and there made him a______.

24. The________beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted.

26. The men said, “Come, and let us cast________, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us.”

28. ________came unto the king, and he arose from his throne.

29. Jonah cried, “Yet________ days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”

30. The Lord made a gourd to come up over Jonah to deliver him from his________

33. It was proclaimed in the city, “Let man and beast________ mightily unto God.”

34. God________of the evil that He had said that he would do unto them.

35. By the decree of the king and his________, the proclamation went forth.

37. Jonah told the men, “I am an ________.”

DOWN:

1. When God did not destroy the city, it______Jonah exceedingly.

2. In the fish Jonah said, “I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and________ heard me.”

4. Later Jonah prayed, “O Lord, take, I beseech Thee, my____ from me.”

5. Jonah was in the belly of the fish how many days and nights?

7. When the sea ceased from her raging, the men feared the Lord________

8. The men could not bring the ship to land, for the sea wrought and was________ against them.

10. The fish vomited out Jonah upon the dry________.

11. Who woke up Jonah?

12. When Jonah was cast into the sea, it ceased from her ________.

13. Jonah said, “Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea, so shall the sea be_______unto you.”

15. To what city was Jonah fleeing?

18. God made a gourd to come up over Jonah, that it might be a _________over him.

23. Jonah said, “Yet I will look again toward Thy holy

_________.”

25. God’s command was, “Arise, go to_________, that great city, and cry against it.”

27. Jonah_______unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly.

31. The men cried unto the Lord, saying, “We_________Thee, O Lord, we_________Thee.”

32. The Lord said to Jonah, “doest thou well to be_________?”

36. Jonah cried, “Thou hast cast me into the deep, in the midst of the_________.”

(Your answers should be sent to Garret J. Moerdyk, 5211 Woodmont Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.)

The answers to the quiz of last month are:

“An Excellent Spirit Was In Him” - Daniel 6:3

Asa - II Chron. 14:2-4

Neighbour - Matthew 22:39

Eli -I Samuel 2:12

X -----------

Concerning - Daniel 6:5

Eyes - Genesis 3:7

Lot - Genesis 13:10

Lion - Judges 14:5-6

Elijah - I Kings 18:46 Nebuchadnezzar- Daniel 5:18

Troubled - I Samuel 17:14

Sorrowful - I Samuel 1:15

Prosper - Genesis 39:3

Israel -Judges 21:25

Refuse - Exodus 10:3

Inheritance - I Kings 21:3

Transgression -I Chron. 10:13

Wife - Genesis 19:26

Abiezer - Judges 6:34

Samson - Judges 14:1-2

Izhar -Numbers 16:1

Naaman - II Kings 5:27

Ham - Genesis 9:22

Image -Daniel 3:12

Mocking -Genesis 21:9

Answers have been received from the following:

Jim Bazen

Karen Bazen

Linda Bazen

Jeff Boot

Jeremy Boot

Joel VanderKooi

Ray VanderKooi

Julie VanGemert

Elaine Frens

Jim Kraayeveld

Sheila VanVeldhuizen

Rhonda VanVeldhuizen

Audrey VanVeldhuizen

Norm VanRavenswaay

Lyle VanRavenswaay

Anita Roth

Lisa Neels

Cathy Neels

Tammy VandenToorn

David Brink

John Brink

Douglas J. Mol

Annette VandenBrink

Dicky Dunsbergen

Carrie Blok

Robert Lagemaat (3)

Les Lagemaat (3)

Nita Lagemaat (3)

Tim Lagemaat (3)

Darryl Slingerland (2)

Glenda Slingerland (2)

Richard Carlson

Randy Carlson

Yvonne Kegel

Brian Kegel

Scott Van’tZelfde

Peter Bazen

Dan Bazen

Ed Bazen

Sharon Bazen

Kristi Rosendall

Jeff Rosendall

Rachel Rosendall

Daniel Kamp

Jonathan Kamp

Jody Kegel

Stephanie Kegel

Mary Rosendall

Kevin Rosendall

Randy VanderStel

Peter VanderStel

John Spaans

Karl VanOostenbrugge

Steven VanOostenbrugge

Tim Nieuwenhuis

Rob Nieuwenhuis

Alyce Nieuwenhuis

Randy DeBruine

Julie DeBruine

David Vandenberg

Henry Vandenberg

Elizabeth Vandenberg

James VandenBrink

Lisa Stalker

Kristi Boluyt

Allan Jay Baum Jr.

Ellen Marie Baum

Robert Baum

Amy Ruth Baum

John Wesdyk

Karen Wesdyk

Lisa VandenToorn

Denise VanDeMoere

Diana VanDeMoere

Wayne VandeWaerdt

Laura Talbot

Mark Talbot

Sharon Talbot

Linda Talbot

Leah Talbot

Carl Mast

Douglas Kleyn

Mary VanGiessen (3)

Glen VanderKooi

Beth VanderKooi

Vicki VanGemert

Steve VanGemert

John VanGemert

Kenny Kanis (2)

Debbie Kanis (2)

Petra Muis

Chris Bylsma

Stan Bylsma

Bob Boerkoel

John Boerkoel

Joanne Boerkoel

Jack Neels

Marianne Neels

Willy Neels

Lena Neels

Benjamin VanderMeulen (2)

David VanderMeulen (2)

Karl VanderMeulen (2)

Ann VanderMeulen (2)

Estella Schouten

Philip Schouten

Anita Schouten

Tom Kwekel

Dan Kwekel

Hilda VandenHoek (2)

Ross Derksen

Kim Stelsel

Debbie VanBemden

Sally VanBemden

Kathy VanBemden

Mike VanBemden

Larry Roelofs

Dan Roelofs

Jacqueline deJong

Peter deJong

Nancy deJong

Bert deJong

Kevin Verbeke

Laura Jane Troff

Carmel Goudzwaard

Jay VanVoorst

Rachel VanVoorst

Judy VanVoorst

Kent Hoogendoorn

David Hoogendoorn

Jason DeSmit

Julie DeSmit

Michael DeSmit

Jody Ymker

Craig Tanis

Steven Tanis

Elizabeth VanderMeulen

Sid VanderMeulen

Dwaine Johnson

Steven Johnson

Joel Schoonbeck

John Heystek

Rita Leusink

Jacqueline Leusink

Lisa Peters

Kenny Kievit

Janet Kievit

Karen Kievit

Clarinda Keizer

Craig Phillips

Rick VanEss

Laurie VanEss

Trudy VanderWaal

Carrie Witvoet

Debra Witvoet

Sharon Kae denHoed

Sheryl denHoed

Arlen denHoed

Kristi Lamain

Eddie Maljaars

Doug Maljaars

Judy Maljaars

Vicki Post

Doug Post

LeAnn Klarenbeek

David Klarenbeek

Darwyn Klarenbeek

Arlen Klarenbeek

Ellen Marie Baum

Robert Baum

Allan Jay Baum, Jr.

Beverly Kroesbergen

Andy Kroesbergen

Anita Kroesbergen

Duane Hubers

Mary Hubers

Howard Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Nora Knibbe

Jeffrey Knibbe

Janet Kardux

Rosemary Kardux

Susan Van Ravenswaay

Jennifer Sue Rose

Michael Post

Allan Post

Don VanderBoon

Anthony VandenHoek (2)

Gonda DePeuter

Cindy Hulshof

Steven Baum

Laura VanGrouw

Myra VandeStouwe

Cheryl VandeStouwe

And now to answer the letters which we have received—

ROSEMARY KARDUX - Do you like to play the organ, Rosemary? Perhaps some day, D.V., you will be able to play in church if you practice your lessons well. It is nice to be able to play the organ. What are you studying about in school?

DOUGLAS KLEYN - It was nice to hear from you, Douglas, and to have you join in answering the Bible quiz. I have met your grandparents in Grand Rapids at the church. When you write them, you may give them our greetings. Do you visit them very often?

KAREN WESDYK - Vacation time is past now, Karen, and it’s back to school again. You can always write reports on what you did during the summer months and in that way enjoy it a second time. Who do you have as your teacher this year?

DICKY DUNSBERGEN - We welcome you to the Bible quiz, Dicky, and hope that we may hear from you every month. I received your school year book today, and thought it was real nice. There are lots of your people attending your school. Do write again.

ANNETTE VANDEN BRINK Yes, Annette, we saw your sister here in Kalamazoo. Did she have a good trip home again? We hope that you will also have an opportunity to make that trip sometime. We, too, are happy that the mail strike is over. Now we hear from our Canadian friends again.

ESTELLA SCHOUTEN - We are quite well, Estella, and are happy to hear that you had a good report card from school. Did you and Philip have a severe case of the chicken pox? Some boys and girls can be quite sick when they have it.

TRUDY VANDER WAAL - We had our first frost of the season last night, Trudy, so we can tell that fall weather has arrived. The summer seems to have gone by so quickly. Do you also help with the chores on the farm? After visiting farms I know that there is always lots of work to be done there.

DEBRA WITVOET - Do you feel bad when you sell your animals, Debra? Of course, you have so many that probably you don’t mind. How many puppies did Tiny have? It must keep you busy every morning making certain that all your animals are fed.

LENA NEELS - It was nice to hear from you again, Lena. What type of work did you do at the greenhouse? How necessary that in all we do we be diligent workers. Solomon said, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”

PHILIP SCHOUTEN - Do you have a large zoo to visit, Philip? If it is large, I am sure that there are some animals of which you have never heard before. From the largest animal to the tiniest insect we may see the work of the Lord in creation. Marvellous are His doings.

JOHN WESDYK - Did you have nice weather while on your vacation, John? It is rather disappointing if it rains a lot during a vacation, but we do not have control over the weather. Did you think the crossword puzzle was easy this month?

JANET KARDUX - Are you learning lots of new things in school this year, Janet? New teachers, new books, new subjects, — it is always interesting to start with new things. What part of the school day do you like the best? Or do you like every part of it?

MARIANNE NEELS - The Bible quiz is a good way to learn to know your Bible, Marianne. We soon learn to know where the history of Samuel is to be found, and where we should look for the story of Abraham and Isaac. I am quite sure that you will learn something new each time you do the quiz.

CARRIE WITVOET - If it were not so far, we would have liked to be at your pig roast, Carrie. How many people can you feed with one roasted pig? Do you roast the pig outside over a fire? I have seen pictures of pig roasts in Irian Jaya, but I am not sure that you do it in the same way.

ANITA SCHOUTEN - How happy we were to receive your letter, Anita, and to hear that you were getting along quite well. I mentioned last month how much you appreciated all the cards which you received. And, as you wrote, the Lord alone is to be praised for all the blessings which you have received, but also for the blessings each of us may have from day to day. How necessary that we think of this often.

LAURA VAN GROUW - We were sorry to hear that one of your teachers at the school had broken her hip in a fall. Will she be out of school for a long time? We hope it may soon heal. We hope that also your grandmother is feeling better, Laura.

JACK NEELS - Were your friends also looking for you on that first day of school, Jack? It is a great blessing when all may have been spared through the summer months, and may again go back to school. What are you studying about this year which you find especially interesting? Again, to all our young friends, many thanks for your replies to the quiz. Whether you are among the younger ones or the older ones, the same thing is necessary, and it is that we may receive new hearts to walk in right ways before the Lord. May this be given you by Him Who said to boys and girls, “Those that seek Me early shall find Me.” Till next month, the Lord willing.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

SOME GOOD THING TOWARD THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL

On the 12th day of October, 1537, there was great rejoicing in England, for Queen Jane, wife of Henry VIII, presented the king with the son he had so much desired. He was named Edward. Archbishop Cranmer baptized him, while the friends of the Reformation were filled with hopes of good things to come. Less than ten years later, in his tenth year, he became king of England. When Cranmer had placed the crown on Edward’s head, and the procession was about to set out from Westminster Abbey to the palace, three swords were brought to be carried before him, representing his three kingdoms. The pious young king remarked: “There lacks yet one, the Bible. That book is the Sword of the Spirit. It ought to govern us; without it we are nothing and can do nothing. He that rules without it is not to be called God’s minister, or a king.” The Bible was brought and carried reverently in the procession. Truly, a good beginning to the short reign of young Edward VI.

No such promising signs are recorded about another young prince. Abijah, the son of wicked king Jeroboam, died at an early age, but it pleased the Lord to leave on record that “all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.’’

When Abijah became ill, and his godless father began to fear he might die, it was then that Jeroboam thought of enquiring from the prophet of the Lord at Shiloh. While the prophet could not hold out any hope of recovery, he revealed the mind of the Lord about Abijah: “in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel.” That this should be true of any person is a matter for great thankfulness. When, however, there is some good thing toward God in a young child of a godless household, it is something that stirs up not only our thankfulness, but also our wonder and amazement.

Certainly there was nothing in Abijah’s home life and early education to encourage godliness, unless it was the example and influence of a trusted and pious servant at the court, to whom had been given the care of the young prince. His father, King Jeroboam, however, showed no concern for the spiritual well-being of any of his subjects or family. The wicked character of Jeroboam is time and again vividly brought before us in the words of Scripture: “Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin.” If it is solemn enough to be a wilful sinner, how much more solemn it is to cause others to sin also! This Jeroboam did by setting up golden calves in Dan and Bethel, saying to the people: “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” He ordained priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi, and appointed a feast in the eighth month, like the feast of the Lord in Judah. By all this he showed his utter contempt of God and the worship of God.

Abijah therefore was brought up in an atmosphere of false and idolatrous worship. In II Chronicles 11:15 it is noted that Jeroboam “ordained him priests for the high places and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.” It has been observed that idolatry is the earliest appearance of accultism, which is the practice of what is secret and mysterious. The occultist casts aside God’s revelation and seeks contact with the spirit-world in his own way, with the disastrous consequences of opening himself to demonic influences. Those who become advanced in these ancient practices of darkness may call themselves diviners, or mediums, or witches. A name more commonly known in the 20th century is that of guru, an eastern spiritual leader. The eastern practices of yoga and transcendental meditation (T.M.) are now widely recommended in western nations as beneficial to mental and spiritual health. However, these occult practices have their roots in the kingdom of darkness, and are not less idolatrous than the evil forms of worship instituted by Jeroboam.

In spite of all the darkness and evil in the northern kingdom of Israel, and his own father’s bad example and practices, there was some good thing in Abijah. That good thing was not in him by nature. The Bible makes it clear that we are born into this world dead in trespasses and sins. Abijah needed a birth from above before there could be any good thing toward God in him. About this truth there has been a great deal of controversy, especially over the last 400 years.

At present there is a fundamental difference between the doctrines of the Scriptures and the prevailing ideas of most denominations professing the Christian religion. These erroneous ideas began to emerge soon after the glorious Reformation, when the Dutch theologian Arminius commenced to teach his unsatisfactory views about free will, etc., to the theological students at the university of Leiden. This led to the Arminian controversy, and eventually to the calling of the Synod of Dort by the States-General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands. This Synod condemned the teachings of the Arminiens and in five points or chapters stated the views of the Reformed church. In chapter III, article 12, the divines at Dort stated that the new birth “is a completely supernatural, a very powerful and at the same time very sweet, wondrous, secret, and unspeakable working, which according to the testimony of the Scriptures, is not less in power than the work of creation or the resurrection of the dead.” Biblical theologians and godly commentators have expressed the view that this wonderful change by the Holy Spirit was wrought in young Abijah.

What a wonder of the sovereign grace, and love, and mercy of God, that in all the darkness of idolatry in Israel and in Jeroboam’s household, there was some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel in Abijah. He died young and had an honorable burial. The people mourned his death. Thus Abijah was taken away from the judgment to come which had been prophesied: “Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat: for the Lord hath spoken it.”

The death of young king Edward VI on the 6th of July, 1553, was also greatly mourned by all the good people in England and by the friends of the Reformation throughout Europe that knew of him. He died in his 16th year after having done much good in Christ’s kingdom. He redeemed the time of his short life.

Whether we live long or short, let us be redeeming the time for the days are evil. “Them that honour Me I will honour and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” (I Samuel 2:30).

Young People’s Magazine

THE ONE BOOK

“Would that this one book were in every language, in every hand, before the eyes, and in the ears and hearts of all men! “

“Scripture without any comment is the sun whence all teachers receive their light.”

Martin Luther

THE ARK PREPARED

See the gloomy gath’ring cloud,

Hanging o’er a sinful land!

Sure the Lord proclaims aloud,

Times of trouble are at hand:

Happy they who love His name!

They shall always find Him near;

Though the earth were wrapp’d in flame,

They have no just cause for fear.

Sinners, see the ark prepar’d!

Haste to enter while there’s room;

Though the Lord his arm has bar’d,

Mercy still retards your doom:

Seek Him while there yet is hope,

Ere the day of grace be past,

Lest in wrath He give you up,

And this call should prove your last.

J. Newton

MERCY

Awful is Thy threatening, Lord;

Let me mark the solemn word;

What the righteous Ruler saith:

“Wages due to sin is death.”

Then I stand condemned to die

By the mouth of God most high.

Sins I have, a thousand too,

And a thousand deaths are due.

Should I spend my life in prayers,

Water all my couch with tears,

Turn from every evil past,

Still I am condemned and cast.

In myself I have no hope;

Justice every plea will stop;

Yet for mercy I may plead,

Springing from the church’s Head.

Knock I may at Jesus’ door,

Mercy for His sake implore,

Mercy, such as Thou wilt give;

Show it, Lord, and let me live.

Berridge

THE DAYS OF OUR YOUTH

Should I rejoice in this my youth,

And shun the paths of peace and truth;

And should I let my heart embrace

The mirth of every carnal place?

For this and every such like thing,

God will my soul to judgment bring.

If I to sinful feelings yield,

Although from man it be concealed;

Or if my eyes, so prone to rove,

Cause me forbidden things to love;

For this and every such like thing,

God will my soul to judgment bring.

If I should lie, or cheat, or swear;

If I neglect God’s house of prayer;

If I my parents disobey;

If I in secret never pray;

For this and every such like thing,

God will my soul to judgment bring.

Oh then, what need I have of grace,

To keep me through my youthful days;

This grace, if God vouchsafe to give,

Then I to him shall truly live;

Then sin and death will lose their sting,

When God shall me to judgment bring.

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