Vol 23 Issue 08

Japanese Christianity. . . . In The Presbyterian Guardian of December 10, we found a “Declaration issued by the Japanese Reformed Church”, excerpts from which we present below. The following note accompanies the article: “It is to be remembered that this is the action of a group of Japanese Christians, who have been out of touch with missionaries for a number of years as a result of the war. It therefore represents a witness from within Japanese Christendom. . . . The best English form of the name seems to be ‘Reformed Church of Christ in Japan’. Its relation to...

“Blessed is the man, that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath premised to them that love Him.” James 1:12 Verse 12 may be considered a summary of the preceding context. In verses 2-4 we are exhorted to rejoice when we fall into diverse temptations. Temptations work the approved state of our faith, and approved faith worketh patience. Hence, let us rejoice. In verses 5-8 the church is admonished to ask of God wisdom. We need wisdom. The way of the Christian in the midst of the world is...

The Sunday School teacher by conducting his class on Sunday asks together with all the other Sunday School teachers, “May we help train your child in the fear of the Lord by teaching him to memorize God’s Word, learn the songs of Zion and by recounting to him the truth as it is displayed to us in the many historical events recorded in the Scriptures. The question before which each teacher then does and surely ought to place himself is, “How shall and how can I best prepare my lesson so that I live up to my promise?” He has...

As was stated, in 1305 Clement V, being a Frenchman, was elected pope, and chose Avignon, a city surrounded on all sides by France, as his place of residence. Here, as was stated, the popes remained for seventy years. As this period so closely corresponds in its duration with the span of years of Judah’s exile, it is known in history as the Babylonian captivity of the papacy. It included, as was said, the successive reigns of seven popes, all of whom were Frenchmen. As was also stated, this absence of the papacy from Rome did the papal system much...

A brother, resident in Chicago, sent in these questions: “Why should not the elders as well as the Ministers of the Gospel be chosen for the duration of their lives? Is periodical retirement of Elders biblical? Answering these questions must be made to consist firstly in directing attention to the fact that Art. 27 of the Church Order of Dordrecht requires periodical retirement of Elders and Deacons. The article reads: “Elders and Deacons shall serve two or more years according to the local regulations, and a proportionate number shall retire each year. The retiring officers shall be succeeded by others...

Perceiving that the Lord had indeed determined by Himself that a king be set over the people, Samuel dismissed the elders. “Go ye every man unto his city” was his final word to them. IHe did not bid them to go in peace, nor did he tell them that seeing that the Lord had so commanded, their request would be granted. Evidently the thing continued to be evil in his eyes, as far as his own understanding of the Lord’s doing was concerned. As to the elders, they obeyed Samuel. Leaving his presence, they returned to their respective places. Whether...

To the article concerning the holy catholic church the Apostolicum appends the confession of the communion of saints. The two are most intimately related. The Church is the communion of saints. Yet, although they cannot be separated, they can easily be distinguished. The communion of saints is the Church considered only from one aspect of its nature and life, that of the fellowship between the members, and of their mutual relation to one another. In answer to the question: “What do you understand by the communion of saints?” the Catechism instructs us as follows: “First, that all and everyone who...

At the occasion of the transfer of rectorship of the Theological School of the Reformed Churches (Art. 31), Dr. K. Schilder delivered a speech on the subject: “Is het gebruik van den term algemeene genade wetenschappelijk verantwoord?” (Is the use of the term common grace scientifically justified?). From a clipping out of “De Rotterdammer” of Dec. 7, which a brother sent us we are able to give the following summary of the speech: (DUTCH REMOVED) For those of our readers that cannot read the Holland, we briefly note the following: Dr. Schilder answered the question proposed in the subject of...

And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. John 1:1-6 Marvelous confession! For, let us not overlook the fact that in the words from John’s gospel-narrative we have a personal confession concerning the Christ. Out of His fullness have all we received! This is not a mere dogmatic statement by a theologian. It is not even a mere objective testimony as to the fullness and glory of the Son of God. But it is an expression of experience, of the experience of faith with respect to the Christ as the ever flowing, ever abundant, ever satisfying...