Rev. J. Kortering, of Hull, Iowa, declined the call to be minister of First Church in Grand Rapids. 

Rev. M. Schipper, of Southeast Church, declined the call to be Missionary of our churches. 

Classis West held its fall meeting at South Holland, Illinois on Sept. 16, 1964. The sessions, beginning at 9 A.M., concluded approximately at 10 P.M. The gathering was directed in its discussions by Rev. B. Woudenberg who capably served as chairman for the day. 

Rev. G. Vanden Berg led in opening devotions by reading I Peter 5:1-13 and offering prayer for God’s blessing and guidance upon the Classis. 

The churches were fully represented except that two were unable to send delegates, and one had but one representative. 

After the minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted, the reports of various committees were read and acted upon. One report of the reading sermon committee revealed the great demand for reading sermons—particularly in the vacant churches. Classis decided to ask each minister of Classis West to supply four reading sermons, instead of two, within the next six months to replenish the supply. Most of the time of Classis was used in a treatment of an appeal against a decision of one of the consistories. The appeal was not sustained because of the absence of grounds in the appeal.

The Appointment Committee presented its report which was adopted by the Classis. Lynden was granted the following appointments: Oct. 4, 11, 18—Rev. C. Hanko; Nov. 1, 8, 15—Rev. J. Kortering; Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13—Rev. B. Woudenberg; Jan. 3, 10, 17—Rev. D. Engelsma; Feb. 21, 28, March 7—Rev. G. VanBaren. To Forbes and Isabel the following were granted: Oct. 11, 18, 25—Rev. D. Engelsma; Nov. 8, 15—Rev. G. Vanden Berg; Nov. 29, Dec. 6—(Isabel only). Rev. J. Kortering; Dec. 20, 27—(Forbes only) Rev. H. Hanko; Jan. 10, 17—(Forbes only) Rev. J. Kortering; Jan. 24—(Forbes only) H. Hanko; Jan. 24—(Isabel only) Rev. B. Woudenberg; Feb. 14—(Forbes) Rev. J. Kortering; Feb. 14, 21—(Isabel) Rev. H. Hanko; March 7, 14, 21—Rev. C. Hanko. Pella’s appointments are: Oct.—Rev. J. Heys; Nov.—Rev. G. Van Baren; Dec.—Rev. G. VanBaren; Jan.—Rev. J. Heys; Feb.—Rev. G. Vanden Berg; Mar.—Rev. G. Vanden Berg. 

Classis decided to hold its next meeting on March 17, 1965 at Hull, Iowa. After the questions of Article 41 of the Church Order were asked and answered, the concept minutes were approved, and Elder L. Lanting closed the meeting with prayer. 

—Rev. G. VanBaren, Clerk

Rev. H. Hoeksema mounted his familiar pulpit Sunday morning Sept. 27 to preach his first sermon since his last stroke; the text: the cry of the publican, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Rev. Hoeksema’s physician has prescribed, “Work as much as you can”, and this is exactly to the liking of his work-loving patient. Indeed, it is wonderful that the Lord has again given him such measure of recovery! 

Hull’s book racks have been replenished with new Psalters which were donated by the Young People’s Society, and the bulletin expressed appreciation for the zeal of the young people for having undertaken this project. 

The 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Standard Bearer attracted many true supporters of our magazine from all over the Grand Rapids area churches Oct. 1 in First Church. Rev. H. Hoeksema spoke on, “The Standard Bearer—past”; The Board secretary, Mr. G. Bouwkamp, spoke on, “The Standard Bearer—present”; and Prof. H. C. Hoeksema’s speech was on, “The Standard Bearer—future.” Special vocal music by Mr. Arnold Dykstra, by Mr. and Mrs. C. Joriker, and by the Hope Heralds varied the program. Mrs. C. Lubbers was at the pipe organ. ‘Twas an evening well spent in that we might be reminded of the Standard Bearer’s past and present in order to know our calling as to its future: that our paper may bear the flag of the truth within and without the circle of our churches to witness to the Reformed truth in our time. The program, from beginning to end, was such that served to the praise of our God and was an expression of deep gratitude for His undeserved favor upon us. May the King of His Church hear the prayers offered at that occasion! 

Hope’s congregation started to build their new church building Thursday morning, Oct. 1. The astounding feature of this news item is the fact that the decision to build was taken at a special congregational meeting held Tuesday evening, Sept. 29. Two days before! At that rate it would be advisable to watch this page for a few issues to learn the Dedication date! 

The annual meeting of the RFPA (Standard Bearer) was held Sept. 24 in Hudsonville Election of Board members and other business was transacted. Rev. R.C. Harbach, of Kalamazoo, was the speaker; his topic was “Modern Syncretism,” delineating the modern method of collecting the “best” parts of all religions and compile them into one super-religion—that of the Anti-Christ. 

Rev. C. Hanko, of Redlands, stopped over at Hull from the Classis West meeting to deliver a lecture on “Our Personal Witness” at the Annual Meeting of the Reformed Action Society. 

. . . see you in church.