Vol 49 Issue 19

Introduction  It is to be hoped that this subject will be, first of all, of benefit to our graduates. I refer to the general decline in preaching in our day. I refer not so much to the fact that there is a drift away from the preaching as the center of worship services. I refer rather to a radical change in the content and the form of preaching. The two are related to each other. And it is my intention to defend expository preaching. This defense requires a stress upon exegesis as being at the bottom of all sound preaching. 

Classis East met in regular session on June 27th, 1973 in the First Prot. Ref. Church. All the churches were represented by two delegates. Rev. G. Lubbers, on furlough from his work in Jamaica, who also present and was given advisory vote.  Rev. G. VanBaren led the classis in opening devotions and Rev. R. VanOverloop was given the privilege of chairing Classis East for the first time. 

Most Christians are not disturbed by the attacks of radical critics upon the Book of Isaiah, nor are they particularly interested in the so called critical problem relative to this prophecy. When you walk through an orchard there is really more to it than the admiring of the beautiful out-of-doors and enjoying the fragrance of the trees and the benefit of their fruits. There is also the realization of all the labors the farmer must have expended in his constant battle against destructive insects.

We now bring to a conclusion our discussion on the subject of marriage and divorce. In summary form we would remind each other of the duties we have within the marriage relationship in order that we may serve God properly. 

(from the book, The Church of our Fathers)  1. Thou shalt have no more gods than Me.  2. Before no idol bow thy knee.  3. Take not the name of God in vain;  4. Nor dare the Sabbath day profane.  5. Give both thy parents honour due.  6. Take heed that thou no murder do.  7. Abstain from words and deeds unclean;  8. Nor steal, though thou art poor and mean;  9. Nor make a willful lie nor love it. 

There was a time when the apostle Paul wrote his famous “nevertheless” in II Timothy 2:19. He had had to contend with Hymenaus and Philetus, who had erred concerning the truth and were overthrowing the faith of some.

SIN, by G. C. Berkhouwer, translated from the Dutch by Philip C. Holtrop; Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1971; 599 pp., $9.95. 

And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.  Yea, truth faileth: and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. Isaiah 59:14, 15

We take this means of expressing, in behalf of the Staff, our sympathy to our Business Manager, Mr. Henry Vander Wal, in the recent death of his aged mother, Mrs. Dena Vander Wal, a charter member of the First Protestant Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. May the Lord grant comfort according to need, and give the joy of resurrection-hope.

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 3:20