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(A well-known writer in the Standard Bearer yet today is the Rev. J. A. Heys. In earlier issues of the magazine, and until recently, he wrote for the rubric, “In His Fear”. The Rev. J. Heys has been known for the clever titles of his articles as well as for the striking turn of the phrase. With these, he drives home the point of the Word of God to which he would call our attention. In the Standard Bearer of April 1, 1953 appears another of such articles.

The year 1953 is a year remembered well by most o, the older members of the denomination. It marked the point of departure by many who had formerly belonged in the Protestant Reformed Churches. The controversy caused deep grief and even division within families. Many articles in the Standard Bearer during this period treat that controversy. God used that controversy, too, to strengthen the church and to cause it anew to search the Scriptures to see what things were true. The following is an editorial of the late Rev. H.

In this season of tornadoes and terrible havoc wrought by them, another meditation of the late Rev. G. Vos comes to mind. He wrote about another tornado which struck the Grand Rapids area some 18 years ago. Those who were there still remember it distinctly. The Rev. G. Vos, in his unique way, brought that devastating disaster into proper perspective. . . .Yet how soon we forget!

“Time,” it is said, “marches on.” Rather, one ought to insist that God’s counsel is in process of realization. That is impressed upon us especially at an anniversary. Then we remark about how quickly time passes. It also becomes the occasion of consideration of the past events. Such consideration is particularly significant when done by one who had himself gone through the events described. In Vol. 32 of our Standard Bearer the late Rev. G.M. Ophoff does that in an address commemorating the 40th anniversary of the late Rev. H. Hoeksema in the ministry.

May this column serve as a means to reach out to the farthest outposts of Redlands, Lynden, and Loveland, drawing them into a closer circle with the rest of our churches, binding us closer in the bonds of love; yea let it be a means to embrace one another in the communion of saints. “

The General Synod of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America met this year in our Hull, Iowa Church. While this is our 50th Anniversary as Protestant Reformed Churches, this was the 36th annual meeting of Synod, since the Churches did not organize into the Classical-Synodical structure until the year 1940. The sessions of Synod began on Wednesday, June 11, at 9:00 A.M. and continued daily through Tuesday, June 17, when at 7:00 P.M. the Synod of 1975 adjourned. The Synodical Prayer Service was held under the auspices of the Hull consistory on Tuesday evening, June 10. The Rev. David J.

Jokes are often made about the church. One of these, a few years ago, dealt with a church which was busily engaged in defending the truth. One scoffer called that church the “little round church.” When asked why he called it that, his answer was that it was a church where the devil could not get one in the corner. The Rev. J. Heys, in the July 1, 1957 issue of the Standard Bearer, wrote about that church in an article entitled: “The Little Round Church.”

So often one can look back in amazement at the lack of faith he himself has exhibited when subsequently God shows how that He provides even more than we had hoped or asked. So it was with Covenant Christian High School in Grand Rapids. Many doubted that such a project could be realized. It cost too much money. Not enough of our families were behind it. No ideal central location could be found . . . etc. . . . etc. But sooner than most expected, and to a degree greater than any expected, God provided. The school is a...

As our thoughts travel back across the years, reflecting on the 50th anniversary of our Standard Bearer the cry of the Psalmist arises in our hearts:  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. (Ps. 103:1-2) 

Twenty-one issues ago we called your attention to the fact that we were beginning our fiftieth year, and that we conceived of this volume-year as a running of the last mile before reaching the more important milestone of the completion of our fiftieth year of publication. Now we have reached that milestone, our golden anniversary. This is the climax of this golden anniversary year, the grand finale!  Here we raise our Ebenezer, our “stone of help.”  For hitherto hath the Lord helped us!  And He will help us in the future!