I think I can be brief in answering your questions.

In the first place, I could refer you almost entirely to the article of our Editor, the Rev. H. Hoeksema, in the same issue of the Standard Bearer, “Criticism and Its Answer”.

As to what we have in common, see page 52, the first part of the article, where we see that having the same Three Forms of Unity means very little.

Secondly, regarding the charge that I generalize, read page 56, right column, lower half. Also concerning the “Januskop” read page 55, right column, lower half.

And about your conception of leaders (by the way), you should not say, “your leaders”, but “our leaders”, for you are a member of the Prot. Ref. Church of Chatham.

Thirdly, read page 56, beginning by “But there is more.”

Fourthly, Prof. Dr. Schilder who until lately advised his people to join our churches, and Rev. Van Dyk who writes: “BEWARE”.

Fifthly, we at least agree with the Synodicals that the promise of God is only to the elect. You ask: which group is closer to me, they who teach “presupposed regeneration” and the “common grace theorie” or they who probably only with regard to baptism and the covenant have a different viewpoint. Is this still a question in your mind? I will answer this also with a question: If it should be a question of degree in error, which is worse: “presupposed regeneration” or to say that all children, born in the sphere of the covenant are really children of God, partakers of the Holy Ghost, and heirs of all the blessings in Christ; but are able to make all this of none effect and void? Besides, is common grace also included in the sphere of the covenant? Or is there probably also a certain grace outside of Christ’s meritorious work? (Read Prof. Veenhof’s Appel.)

I am not a theologian, but I believe I have just a small pair of Reformed Feelers (Gereformeerde Voel-horens). And I have heard a Synodical minister preach on Lord’s Day 26, and have not heard one sentence with which I could not wholeheartedly agree.

Sixthly, that there were four questions in the “Dutch Psalmboekjes”, I did not know (we have only three), but that that minister asked more than four I am quite certain. But I am sorry that I could not record them.

Another minister asked many questions when an adult was baptized, among them a question such as this: Whether you believe in only one baptism, and not in two, in a true and in a sham baptism. And of this I am certain.

Finally, I think your hope will be realized regarding “other voices”, in fact there have been such voices already, and very likely there will be more in the future.

I suggest, however, that you shout to other immigrants, BEWARE, but also tell them why, namely, that when they intend to join our churches we expect them to become PROTESTANT REFORMED, and not LIBERATED. And to abide by it.

Hessel De Jong