Rev. J. Kortering, of Hull, Iowa, has declined the call from our Isabel, South Dakota church. Rev. D. Engelsma received the call from Randolph, Wis.; he declined Edgerton’s call.

January 5 and February 23, 1966 Sessions  Rev. H. Veldman, chairman of the October Classis presided over the opening devotions, and after the credentials were accepted, declared the classis properly constituted.  Rev. G.J. VanBaren then presided, while Rev. Veldman recorded the minutes. All the churches were represented in this opening session by two delegates each. 

The final of the three decrees approved by the Vatican Council at Rome at its third session is this one treating the “Eastern Churches.” It is brief compared to the others which were approved, but it deals with one of the “sore spots” within the Romish church and in its relationship with the Eastern Orthodox Churches. 

In this series of articles on, “Calvinism and Mission Preaching,” I have devoted considerable space to the subject of particular atonement. Anyone will understand that this is actually the very heart of the matter, because preaching is the proclamation of the cross of Jesus Christ. Moreover, it is exactly at this point where the objection is raised that it is impossible to preach Calvinism with its limited atonement on the mission field.

Stigmatizing the doctrine of verbal inspiration as a “mechanical” view of inspiration does not originate with Barth. This tactic is hoary with age and worn with use. But Barth joins the ranks of those who attack, in this way, the doctrine of God’s having infallibly inspired the very words of Scripture. This attack consists of the claim that verbal inspiration necessarily implies mechanical inspiration.

The news is ecumenical this month. Some items follow.  While denominations move speedily towards greater and broader ecclesiastical union, there are various local congregations who nevertheless consider the pace sluggish. Ignoring their own denominations’ efforts to unite in broader ecclesiastical fellowships, they pursue the path of ecumenism alone. 

I. AS TO DOCTRINE The most important branch of the Eastern church is unquestionably the Russian Orthodox Church. It came into being in the tenth century when Christendom was introduced to the Russian barbarians by way of an icon and the rite of immersion. Denominational headquarters became centered in Constantinople until 1461, when the Metropolitan of Moscow was advanced to Patriarch, making Moscow the Rome of Russia. 

Very seldom will you find a soldier who chooses guard duty.  It is a responsible position and an extremely important one. But that will not entice a man to seek it and to prefer it. Without a guard the enemy catches us unawares. In the stillness of the night he would come to infiltrate for later advantage or to kill and destroy weapons and installations. The enemy never comes to do you any good. And when he cannot deceive by a sweet smile, he will try to attack when he can catch you unawares.  Guard duty is important! 

Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Let the Hebrews make them swords or spears.  I Samuel 13:19

A Man Overtaken in a Trespass (Galatians 6:1)