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In Volume XIV, written in 1937, is an editorial by Rev. H. Hoeksema entitled “Living From Principle.” This is a very striking article for more than one reason. Although it was written thirty-six years ago, its language speaks directly to the problems which exist today. It is relevant in the truest sense of the word. Particularly it addresses itself to a problem which plagues many members of the Church.

If one pages through the past volumes of the Standard Bearer, one cannot help but be impressed with the large number of articles devoted to the matter of Christian education. This fact is no doubt rooted in the emphasis which our Churches have always placed upon the doctrine of the covenant of grace. 

The ,following article, written by Rev. C Hanko, is a reprint from Volume XXIV. It was published in the rubric “From Holy Writ.” Rev. C. Hanko was substituting at this time for Rev. G. Lubbers who was ill. The article is entitled “Walking With God.”  Scripture says of Enoch that he walked with God. 

(The above title appeared in the Standard Bearer of February 1, 1936, Vol. 12, pages 198 and 199. The Dutch title can be translated: “Deserting Protestants” or, “Protestants Who Run Away”. The article, of course, was also Dutch — as were many others in early volumes of the Standard Bearer. But the editorial is very pertinent to any age of the church; it speaks to us yet today.

T H E O L O G I C A L S C H O O L  . . . OF THE…  PROTESTANT REFORMED CHURCHES  February, 1974  Dear Brethren and Sisters in the Lord,  It has been some time since we have written you through the columns of the Standard Bearer. But this is not really so serious, because various reports concerning our activities have appeared rather regularly. We do hope to be more regular with these letters in the future. 

(At the annual meeting of the publishing association which prints the Standard Bearer, inspirational speeches are given— usually by one of the ministers of the Protestant Reformed Churches. At one of the meetings, in 1945, the late Rev. H. Hoeksema delivered the following address which was subsequently distributed in pamphlet form. Its message is surely as pertinent today for the Standard Bearer as it begins the second half-century of its publication.)

“When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!”

[It was the year 1950. The Protestant Reformed Churches were in the process of celebrating their 25th anniversary. On what would have normally been an occasion of great joy, there was reason for sorrow. Disagreement on fundamental doctrinal issues was evident in the churches. It seemed not impossible that a rift would occur. Rev. H. Hoeksema writes his editorial for the March 15th issue of the Standard Bearer in a spirit of gloom and disappointment.

To our Sister Churches of the Protestant Reformed Churches  Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Church:  We come to you by way of the Standard Bearer with this letter for especially two reasons. In the first place, we desire to keep you informed with regard to the progress that we have made with our building project, and, in the second place, we wish to explain the fact that we are offering our sanctuary bonds for sale once again. 

Throughout the issues of the Standard Bearer one finds many, many meditations of the late Rev. G. Vos. In his inimitable way he presented the truths of the Word of God that touched the hearts of many children of God. Still, among many of our older generation, there are those who will begin, “Do you remember that meditation of Rev. Vos, when he wrote….?” Herewith follows one of those meditations from the Standard Bearer of February 1, 1951.