Vol 33 Issue 09

Meeting of January 9-15, 1957 at Fourth and First Prot. Ref. Church The chairman of the October Classis, Rev. M. Schipper, led in devotions; and after the credentials of the delegates were accepted, declared the Classis constituted. The Rev. R. Veldman that presided, while Rev. Schipper transcribed the minutes.

The Rev. Malcolm R. Mackey, concerning whose writings in The Contender we have called attention before, in the November, 1956, issue of his paper continues his development of the above named subject. In the present issue he treats two aspects of the subject, calling attention first of all to: The Fact of Perseverance; and then in the second place to: What Perseverance Depends Upon.

The purpose of this article is to discuss a problem which often confronts the diaconate of our churches. It happens repeatedly that when some of our people reach the age where they are unable to provide for their own livelihood, and do not have the necessary reserve to support themselves, they turn to the state to apply for state aid, or old age pension, rather than to appeal to the deacons of the church. The question has often been raised, Is this proper? Should the church and the deacons approve of this, tacitly consent to it?

PART TWO  EXPOSITION OF THE CANONS THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE 

During the chaotic confusion under the Carolingians (the Carolingians are known in Church History as or pertaining to the dynasty or family of Charlemagne who was emperor during the early part of the ninth century—H.V.), in the middle of the ninth century, a mysterious book made its appearance, which gave legal expression to the popular opinion of the papacy, raised and strengthened its power more than any other agency, and forms to a large extent the basis of the canon law of the church of Rome.

“And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.”  “But unto Cain and unto his offering He had not respect.”  So Moses speaks in regard to the attitude of God towards Cain and Abel when they brought their offerings unto Him. Of this we read in Genesis 4:4, 5.  You will recall that we were dealing with the matter of respect and obedience and the relation between them. 

For the sake of clarity we once more call attention to the trend of thought we have thus far noticed in the verses 25 through 28. This trend of thought is as follows:  1. That Jesus thanks and exalts the Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that He has hid the Mysteries of the Kingdom from the wise and prudent and revealed them unto the babes. We noticed that Jesus emphatically thanks the Father not only that He has “revealed” these things to the “babes,” but that, he has also “hid” these things from the wise and the prudent. 

Our beloved brother, the Rev. G.M. Ophoff, is ill in the hospital. In the early part of the week of Jan. 20-26 he will submit to surgery. We daily pray for him that the Lord may give him grace to trust in Him and to commit his way unto Him. It is, of course, our earnest desire, the desire of all our people, that he Lord may spare him and enable him to resume his labors among us. Let us all remember him in our prayers.