Vol 20 Issue 03

Rev. M. Schipper calls the meeting to order. After the singing of No. 128 from the Psalter, he reads Psalm 46 and leads in prayer. The credentials are read and received, showing that ail the Churches are repre­sented and that the newly organized con­gregation of Randolph had sent her first delegates to Classis East. After Classis is declared constituted, Rev. H. Veldman is called upon to pre­side. He speaks a word of welcome to all the delegates, but especially to the delegates of the newly organized con­gregation of Randolph. The Formula of Subscription is signed by those who are present...

Our nation is at present engaged in a mighty struggle with Japan, upon the outcome of which the supremacy in the Pacific and Far East depends. Since Pearl Harbor and the warfare in the jungles of the Pacific Islands, we have a new interest in this powerful enemy that for the moment dominates the Far East. What Is Japan’s Religion? Japan, of course, is not a Christian nation. Not even nominally so. The western nations are known as Christian nations. We realize that this is only nominally true, that as a whole these nations are not imbued with the Spirit...

Our Orange City congregation is again in the possession of a pastor of its own in the person of Rev. S. Cammenga. We were vacant for six months following the departure of the Rev. J. Blankespoor who left us to serve our congregation at Doon, Iowa. After we had attempted repeatedly to call one of God’s servants, we were finally gladdened by the news that Cand. S. Cammenga, to whom we had extended a call on August 2, would come over and help us. Having no parsonage of our own in which our pastor-elect could live, we immediately made work...

What Scripture Teaches Various questions arise in the consideration of the subject, the hardening of the heart. Perhaps the most discussion centers about the question that is raised with a view to the cause of this hardening. The most popular view contends that this hardening has its primary cause in man himself. Even in those passages of Scripture where this hardening is directly ascribed to God, the majority of Bible expositors attempt to pass by this difficulty (or should we say so-called difficulty?) by explaining that God hardens the heart of man only after He has made many futile attempts...

What minister has in his congregational work not had to deal with the question of the certainty of faith! He not only has had to treat this question in his public discourses on the pulpit, but also has met with it in his personal contact with the flock as a shepherd. He meets with it in sick visitation as well as in the annual family visitation. This subject may therefore well be considered to be of vital importance in the life of God’s children. It touches the very heart-strings of Christian experience. It is up-to-date, actual, timely. With a great...

The church fathers were the distinguished teachers in the Christian church from the death of the last apostle, circa 100 to 754. There were in all 54 such fathers. Those who lived and labored before the council of Nicea, 325, are known in history as the Anti-Nicene church fathers, while those who labored during and after this council bear the title of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers. The Anti-Nicene fathers divide into six distinct groups: 1) The apostolic fathers: 2) The apologists; 3) The controversialists; 4) The fathers of the school of Alexandria; 5) The fathers of the school of North...

Even though passages like Ps. 2:7 cannot be directly quoted to prove the doctrine of the eternal Fatherhood of the first person of the Holy Trinity, and of eternal generation; and even though they refer also to David, and to the resurrection of Christ, yet there can be no doubt about the fact that in last analysis they do speak of that eternal Fatherhood. The Church is not in error when she quotes these words as proof of the eternal generation of the Son. The fatherhood of God with relation to the “holy child Jesus” has its root and basis...

From K. Heersema of Redlands, Calif. I received the following communication: “I am coming to you with a question for the Standard Bearer that has to be answered sooner or later in our circles here. Therefore, I bring it to you as a thing that is preached in your churches. For me it is an issue as I see it now. So, kindly receive it, and if you think it worthwhile, please, place it as it is timely for Redlands. “Many a time I heard this taught and practiced: pray not for the world; based on John 17:9. “Chapter 17...

We received the following question: “In behalf of the Roosevelt Park Men’s Soviet; I have been asked to present to you the following problem. “At one of our meetings, the verses 27 and 29 of Eccl. 7 were discussed. After considerable discussion we have not been able to come to any satisfactory con elusions as to the true meaning of these verses. I was then decided by the society to request of you v clarification of this passage, providing you can find time to do so. “We would very much appreciate having you give the reply in the Standard Bearer....