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Many, many years ago, it happened that a piercing, thrice-repeated cry ascended to the heavens. It was David, and, as was very often the case, David in trouble. Thrice repeated is his crying to God. We refer to the opening of the seventeenth psalm. Hear! Attend! Give ear! Involuntarily we will repeat our cries of anguish. And in the same measure that we are in trouble, we will also repeat our cries for help. So also David, He was in great trouble. We do not know the historical background. It may have been at the time that he had to...

The expression, mystery, occurs frequently in the Holy Scriptures. In I Tim. 3:16 Paul, writing to Timothy, speaks of the great mystery of godliness, consisting of: “God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” Also in I Cor. 15 the same apostle speaks of “mystery.” There he writes of the great change which shall take place when, at the last trump, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we shall all be changed. And in Ephesians 6:19 Paul speaks of...

Within the court of the temple, in the presence of the Pharisees and their satelites, Jesus had said, I am the light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” The saying, resented as egoistical and arrogant, led on to that altercation which ended in their taking up stones to cast at Him, and in His hiding Himself in some mysterious way and passing out of the temple, “going through the midst of them.” At one of the temple gates, or by the roadside without, “as Jesus passed by...

There are two unshakable pillars upon which the Church of God can place her trust for time and eternity. The first of these is: it is written. This is the Word of God as recorded in Holy Writ. The second is: it has come to pass. These two are pillars which have stood and shall stand the test of the ages. No vain philosophy and no assault of the powers of darkness can nullify and overthrow these truths. Both are the Word of God. And they are very closely interrelated. What has come to pass can never be ought else,...

Two whole chapters about a collection in the church, chapters 8 and 9 of 2 Corinthians, about an offering of money. That alone is enough to cause us to stop and consider how important that side of our church service is. A general survey of what Paul says in these two chapters must at once convince us that he sees much more in the collection plate than we often do. Although Scripture is full of the importance of offering (our Confessions speak of them too) in this article I would confine myself to 2 Cor. 8 and 9 and show...

The accountant pores over his figures, burning the midnight oil in order to find his mistake, so that receipts and expenses will check. He proceeds from the very necessary assumption that figures cannot lie. Mathematics is intolerant. Two is intolerant. Two and two are always four and can never be made to add up to five. If the figures are correct and correctly arranged and correctly added the total must be correct. The only possibility of an error lies with the human factor who deals with the figures. And that human factor as a rational, moral creature is perfectly confident...

My dearly beloved people! I feel that it would be quite impossible for me to give expression to all that is in my heart at this moment. I am simply overwhelmed by all the expressions of your love and appreciation which you finally symbolized in these tangible presents. I feel that this day was of great significance in my life, especially because I have felt, you have made me feel, the bond of love in Christ that unites us. I can only express my heartfelt gratitude to the committee that worked so hard to prepare this day, and to you...

Mr. President, Rev. and Mrs. Hoeksema, Beloved in the Lord: It would not do to begin my speech somewhat on this order—On this joyful occasion I am very glad to be in your midst, and as I look upon your smiling and happy faces, etc., etc. No, that would be the wrong approach. The truth of the matter is that I am about 2,500 miles away from you as I speak these words, and I am looking into a little instrument which seems to have a great power to embarrass me. Moreover, I am far from looking into any smiling...

Mr. Chairman, Guest of Honor, Brothers and Sisters: The committee of arrangements for this festive gathering requested me to say a few words at this meeting and speak for the congregation. In the past I have noticed that at special occasions our pastor, who otherwise is an expert in extemporaneous speaking, writes out his speech and partly reads what he has to say. And as this occasion is of a special nature, I presume that you will allow me to also read what I have to say. In the first place let me begin with a word of congratulation. Our...

It is now 25 years ago that Rev. Hoeksema entered upon his career as minister of the gospel. It is this event in the life of our brother that we now commemorate. Rev. Hoeksema, as we all know, did not begin his ministry in the denomination of Protestant Reformed Churches. This cannot be, as 25 years ago the denomination of Protestant Reformed Churches did not exist. Our brother began his ministry in the denomination of Christian Reformed Churches. His first charge was the Christian Reformed Church of 14th St., Holland, Mich. It was this congregation that instrumentally vested him with...