Vol 32 Issue 12

We promised with this issue to give our readers excerpts from the writings of the Rev. Malcolm R. MacKay of Nova Scotia in which he reflects on the doctrine of common grace as set forth by the Christian Reformed Church in 1924, as well as his agreement with the writings of the Rev. Herman Hoeksema in The Triple Breach in which the latter criticizes The Three Points of Common Grace and sets forth the truth. 

Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of the work of family visiting is the selection of the proper and most effective method. On the one hand, careful attention must be given that there is some definite system and order followed in this work with a view to attaining its spiritual objective. Unless this is done, the work, haphazardly done, will prove to be fruitless. On the other hand, however, the same caution must be taken to avoid making this work a matter of formal routine.

Article 7. But as many as truly believe, and are delivered and. saved from sin and destruction through the death of Christ, are indebted for this benefit solely to the grace of God, given them in Christ from everlasting, and not to any merit of their own. 

In our discussion of the early views of the sacrament of baptism as entertained by the Church during the first three centuries of the new dispensation, we have observed that this sacrament was held in high esteem. It was not merely considered a rite, but as a sacrament it was deemed efficacious.

“That I, especially on the Sabbath, frequent the church of God to hear His Word, to use the sacraments, publicly to call upon the Lord and contribute to the relief of the poor as becomes a Christian.”  Thus the Heidelberg Catechism explains the Sabbath in His fear.  In the February 15 issue of the Standard Bearer we began to set forth some positive activity and exercises wherewith to fill the day in His fear. We will continue now from where we left off. 

The passage to which we would call your attention, dear reader, is recorded in I Corinthians 2:6-9, and reads as follows: “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God foreordained before the world to our glory; Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified

1. And the angel that talked with me returned, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep.  2. And he said unto me, What dost thou see? And I said, I have looked, and, behold, a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon, seven and seven pipes to the lamps, which are upon the top thereof.  3. And two olive trees by it, one upon the right of the bowl, and the other upon the left thereof. 

Following is the decree of the Supreme Court of the State of Michigan which is so clear that it needs no comment.  STATE OF MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT  THE FIRST PROTESTANT REFORMED CHURCH of Grand Rapids, Michigan,  a Michigan corporation, Plaintiff and Appellee,  v.  HUBERT De WOLF, et al.,  Defendants and Appellants,  HERMAN HOEKSEMA, et al.,  Cross-Defendants and Appellees.  BEFORE THE ENTIRE BENCH.  Boyles, J. 

Before we return to our subject proper as expressed in the heading of this editorial, we wish to offer one more illustration to prove that we did not misinterpret the “Three Points” as Prof. Martin Monsma claims.  This time we refer to the third point and one of the proofs from the Confessions. This third point reads as follows: 

“. . . For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.”