Vol 33 Issue 17

Report of Western Ladies’ League  The spring meeting of the Western Ladies’ League of the Protestant Reformed Churches was held at Doon, Iowa, on the afternoon of April 26, 1957. 

Prof. Louis Berkhof Passes The Grand Rapids Press of May 18 reported the unexpected death of Prof. Emeritus Louis Berkhof at the age of 83 years. According to the news item, he died unexpectedly at Blodgett Memorial hospital Saturday morning about two hours after he was taken there with an apparent heart condition. 

“In these assemblies ecclesiastical matters only shall be treated.” Such is the wording of Article 30. It would seem that further comment on the above statement is altogether unnecessary since the fact stated follows from the very nature of things. It is obvious that a farmer shall concern himself with things pertaining to agriculture, a doctor with medicine, a teacher with pedagogy, etc. Isn’t it then rather redundant to say that the church shall treat only those matters that pertain to and concern the church? 

Article 11.

In his war on Nicolaitism, Gregory was sustained by ancient laws of the Roman Church, but not by the genuine spirit of Christianity. Enforced clerical celibacy has no foundation in the Bible, and is apt to defeat the sacerdotal ideal which it was intended to promote. The real power and usefulness of the clergy depend upon its moral purity, which is protected and promoted by lawful matrimony, the oldest institution of God, dating from the paradise of innocence. 

For hundreds and thousands in our land the month of June will have special significance. It is frequently referred to as the month for brides, and it will, perhaps be chosen by many, many brides-to-be as the proper month for their wedding.  But June is also, and consistently so, the month that sees commencement exercises across the land in which we live. 

The Final Triumph of the Covenant People. Zech. 9:1-14:21  With Zech. 9:1 begins the second part of the book of Zechariah. It consists of various prophecies dealing with events that are climaxed by the ultimate triumphs of the kingdom of Christ.

1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.  2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?  3. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.  4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 

The Free Offer The conclusion to which the authors of “The Free Offer” come in their study of the passages fromMatthew 5 and Luke 6 read as follows: 

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass as it is this day, to save much people alive.”  Genesis 50:20