Vol 33 Issue 18

The Grand Rapids Press, reporting on matters coming up at the synod of the Christian Reformed church, reveals among other things that the schismatic group which recently left us has sent a letter to the above named synod in which they ask for closer unity with the Christian Reformed church. 

Matters to be treated in the major ecclesiastical assemblies are of two sorts. First of all there are those things which cannot be finished in the minor assemblies. To these things belong matters of protest, matters that are too complicated and difficult for a minor assembly to decide, and overtures from local churches. In respect to the first mentioned, one party or several parties are dissatisfied with the decisions taken in the minor assemblies and, consequently, appeal to the broader gathering.

PART TWO  EXPOSITION OF THE CANONS  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE  OF THE CORRUPTION OF MAN, HIS CONVERSION TO GOD, AND THE MANNER THEREOF 

In Spain, which was as much isolated from the Continent by the Pyrenees as England by the sea, clerical celibacy was never enforced before this period: The Saracenic invasion and subsequent struggles of the Christians were unfavorable to discipline. A canon of Compostella, afterwards bishop of Mondonego, describes the contemporary ecclesiastics at the close of the eleventh century as reckless and violent men, ready for any crime, prompt to quarrel, and occasionally indulging in mutual slaughter.

Recently we came across the expression which appears above.  It really is a beautiful thought.  You may have your massive, huge churches of square or rectangular shape, but give us “The Little Round Church.” For that Church is the Church of Jesus Christ.  No question about that!  Oh, you will not find it called by that name in the Scriptures. But you do not need to look far to find God’s Church pictured that way in Holy Writ. 

We now continue our discussion of this most marvelous exposition, this rhapsody on love, from the pen of the apostle to the Gentiles.  It should be remembered that Paul is here speaking of “love” in the sublime sense of “ethical perfection,” the fulfillment of the law of God from a pure heart.

In commenting upon the significance of the table of shewbread it seems that, among such questions as have to do with the identity of the “shewbread” and the purpose it served, we must also include and consider its proper setting, i.e., where it was found. 

If we accept this as the correct interpretation of the book and of the breaking of its seals, it will not be difficult to understand what follows. First of all, a challenge is sent forth to every creature in all the world, to open the book: “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” In general, we find in these words of the angel a challenge sent to, every creature to open the book if he is able. A strong angel it is that...

A Bit of Correspondence  From the Christian Reformed Church we received the following invitation: “Protestant Reformed Church  Rev. M. Schipper, Stated Clerk  1900 Belden, S.W.  Grand Rapids, Michigan  “Dear Brethren:

“Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”