J• GRESHAM MACHEN • EDITOR 1936·1937 A Visit to Oxford

Ned B. Stonehouse

•

Twenty Years at Westminster

Robert S. Marsden

•

The Ministry of the Word

Robert L. Atwell

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The Glory of the ctaristian Church

R. B. Kuiper

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Missions

Mrs. R. B. Gaffin

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Orthodox Presbyterian Church News

MACHEN HALL Scene of Twentieth Annual Commencement exercises of Westminster Theological Seminary on May eleventh.

May, 1949

VOL. 18, NO. 5 82 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN May

was Abraham justified? Has anyone self completely to His care alone saves ever been justified in any other way? from sin. It is thus: "Not what my hands have done .~ILYALTAR Week of June 20 Can save my guilty soul; Monday Galatians 5:1-12 f'J'ot what my toiling flesh has borne Tuesday Galatians 5:13-26 Can make my spirit whole. Daily Bible Readings Wednesday Galatians 6:1-8 Not what I feel or do Thursday Galatians 6:9-18 Can give me peace with God; Week of May 30 (Cont'd) Friday Ephesians 1:1-12 Not all my prayers, and sighs and tears Wednesday Il Corinthians 8:1-24 Saturday Ephesians 1:13-23 Can bear my awful load." Thursday Il Corinthians 9:1-15 Sunday Ephesians 2:1-10 Friday Il Corinthians 10:1-10 And yet men would make salvation Saturday Il Corinthians IO:II-18 Questions for Sabbath Meditation partly dependent on man. Judaizers I. would have Gentiles circumcized and Sunday .II Corinthians II:1-9 How are Christians to use the liberty that they have in Christ? thus add the. works of the law to the 2. What responsibility does a Chris­ work of Christ. Men will then depend Questions for Sabbath Meditation tian have towards a brother who has on something which they have done to I. How did the churches of Mace­ justify them. But Paul says, "By the donia give? How should we? sinned? 3. On what grounds did God choose works of the law shall no flesh be 2. What does Paul have to say justified." (Galatians 2:16). about the weapons that the Christian some sinners to salvation? See Ephes­ But again, some would even rest must use in his war against sin? ians 1:4,5. themselves in some decision they' have 3. What criticism did some make of made at a particular time and will Paul? How did he answer this? Week of June 27 Monday Ephesians 2:II-22 point to a religious experience which Tuesday Ephesians Fr-7 they will claim as a foundation for Week of June 6 Ephesians 3:8-21 their hope of salvation. Such are to Monday Il Corinthians II:10-20 Wednesday 1 13 be pitied if their hope of eternal life Tuesday .II Corinthians II:21-31 Thursday Ephesians 4: - is based on shifting and changing ex­ Wednesday Il Corinthians 12:1-II perience. There can. be no peace. All Thursday .II Corinthians 12:12-21 Firm Ground this ground is sinking sand. Friday .II Corinthians 13 Saturday Galatians 1:1-12 A young man once came to his pastor "No other work save Thine, no other Sunday Galatians 1:13-24 to tell him of some evangelistic services blood will-do; he had attended. In the course of the No strength save that which is divine, Questions for Sabbath Meditation conversation the youth described the Can bear me safely through." , \ I. weeping and shouting, the bodily con­ What was Paul concerned about This is not to say that the sinner tortions of the people who had come to for the people of the Corinthian does not decide to commit himself to the front of the church, and the general church? the Lord. He does that. And' oh, what i 2. uproar that had accompanied men and 1 Why was Paul given a thorn in joy there is in casting one's burden upon women's search for peace and forgive­ the flesh? In what does he take pleas­ the Lord Jesus Christ! But that deci­ ness. The lad said, "Is this necessary ure? Why? sion made by the enabling grace of for salvation?" Another young man 3. Why does' Paul command the God is not the ground of hope. Faith standing by said, "No, we can be saved people of Corinth to examine' them­ in the Lord Jesus Christ is a daily sitting in our seats." selves? living experience. One does not trust ~ The latter statement is both literally .. in Christ today and in something else and figuratively true. As individuals Week of June 13 tomorrow and the next day. Christ's Monday Galatians 2:1-10 are different so their religious experi­ perfect life and atoning death will sus­ Tuesday Galatians 2:II-21 ences are not always the same. God tain us throughout eternity. That alone forbid that we should set a pattern for Wednesday Galatians 3:1-9 will be our plea today, at death, at the Thursday Galatians 3:10-19 men to follow except where the Word judgment and throughout the ages. Friday Galatians 3:20-29 of God dictates. In calm meditation Saturday Galatians 4:1-12 upon God's gracious offer of salvation Sunday Galatians 4:13-31 many sinners feeling the load of their Some prayer suggestions sin have committed themselves unto I. Pray for Summer Bible Schools Questions for Sabbath Meditation the Lamb of God who taketh away the which will be held this month and next. I. When was Paul converted? From sinner's burden. 2. Pray that a building for medical whom did he receive the gospel he But that we can be saved in our seats work in Eritrea may be financed and d? erected. preach e . is most emphatically true in figure. . 2. What teaching is he condemning Activity, work, feverish searching does 3· Pray for Westminster Seminary In the churches of Galatia? not bring peace to the sinner. Resting students in their summer preaching. 3. Memorize Galatians 2:20. How in the work of Christ, trusting one's LERoy B. OLIVER.

Jo~~o~~~sb~~~~~n P~::I~ia:'n i~'::~Sh::r ~:~~IYOI'1 o~~e:r~ts::::rs G:n:~: ::~1i~1in:hec':::~~ti~t?:e8 P:~~: B$~1~3g, 1505 ~a$~ Street, Philadelphi~ 2, Pa.. at. the eepy. F;ntered as second class matter March 4, 1937, at the Post Olllee at Phtladelphia, unde; the Act of March 3: 18~~ year, .00 for five months, 20c per smgle 1949 THE PRESBYTERIAN GU ARDIAN 83

unfortunately been passing through a Japan had taken exception to that en­ '7/;e ~laimL- period of anti-intellectualism-a period dorsement on the ground, amongother GUARDIAN when true and advanced scholarship in things, that there has been no. clear 1505 Race Street, Philadelphia 2, Pa. theological study has been too often indication as to the kind of Christianity spurned by many, even those of evan­ to be taught in this proposed university gelical convictions. And it is true that (evidence is that it would. be under Leslie W. Sloat if (we view advanced scholarship as thoroughly Modernistic control), and Editor and Manager requiring us to throwaway all con­ that the leaders of the university pro· victions and to set ourselves up as gram looked only with scorn on the John P. Clelland judges of the universe, we are on the Reformed Church of Japan. Arthur W. Kusehke, Jr. path to destruction.- In reply another Southern Presby­ Robert S. Marsden But if the labors and research of terian missionary, now retired, de­ Contributing Editors advanced scholarship are carried on nounced both the first missionary and with proper humility, with a recognition the Reformed Church of Japan, chiefly ADVISORY COUNCIL' that we are yet creatures of God, and apparently because they represent in Robert L. Atwell that the subjects of our study are God's Japan things for which Westminster Leslie A. Dunn general and special revelation, such ad­ stands. He says of the Reformed John Patton Galbraith vanced scholarship can be most fruit­ Church, which he describes as a "new Edward L. Kellogg ful in the Kingdom of God. sect,"-"This was started by Mr. Okada For the truth of God is unchanging. and some fellow alumni of ... Kobe It is unchanging just because it is the Seminary who were persuaded to join truth of the unchanging God. And him. Mr. Okada is an able man who The Child. the Scholar while it may in its simplicity be taught took post-graduate work at the Phila­ and the Truth to a child, its study is also a matter delphia Westminster Seminary. He is . for most advanced scholarship. The­ an' ardent advocate of that schismatic ''THE lowliest child who has com- ology has been called, and rightly so, group which withdrew from the Pres­ pleted his penny catechism knows the queen of the sciences. byterian Church U.S.A., and is as dog­ more about the full meaning of this It was largely because of his con­ matic as that group or as those of our atom-studded, jet-propelled, televised viction that eternal truth exists, that it own (Southern) church who seem to be and U.N. riddled universe than the has been revealed to men, and that the more aligned with outside divisive . assembled faculty of some of our infallible Scriptures constitute that forces than with our own General .universities." special revelation, that Dr. Machen and Assembly." So in part, according to The New others with him left Princeton Seminary So Westminster Seminary, The Or­ York Times, spake the new president in 1929 and joined in the establishment thodox Presbyterian Church, and those of Washington's Georgetown Univer­ of Westminster. At Princeton the doors who like them believe in the abiding sity on the occasion of his recent in­ had been opened to the view that the truth of God's Word, are denounced augural. Of course the president of teachings of Scripture might - and Georgetown is a Roman Catholic, and might not-be eternal truth. In the a Jesuit. The catechism of which he opinion of those who had gained con­ was thinking is a Catholic catechism. trol of that institution men might But his remark at this point finds a accept or men might deny that Word of sympathetic response in us. We also God, and still be honorable leaders in hold precious a catechism-not Rornish the church. but Reformed-and believe the simple So Westminster came into being, answers in that catechism to the most where once again there was asserted the serious questions people ask are existence in the infallible Word of ulti­ sounder guides to unchanging truth mate and eternal truth. In consequence than all the wisdom of self-centered of its firm adherence to and dear propa­ humanitarian philosophers and sages. gation of this principle, the influence of Not that a catechism has value in Westminster has been worldwide. And itself. But a catechism which sets the vitality of its' claim that all existence forth in simple language, learnable by is to be viewed in terms of God's children, the profound truths of divine eternal truth given man by 'revelation revelation, is a sound guide because of and contained in Scripture is witnessed the foundation on which it rests and to by the opposition which has arisen which it adheres. Truth does not wherever Westminster's teaching has' change. The truth of God is eternal. been reasserted. And as revealed to us by God and in­ And her teaching has been reasserted. scripturated in His holy Word, it is Just recently The Presbyterian Outlook final and authoritative and shall never has been carrying some correspondence pass away. of interest along this line. The Outlook , If such truth can be stated in cate­ had endorsed among other things a Minoru Okada, Westminsterite in- \ chism form, it can also be dealt with on proposed Christian University of Japan. volved in Southern Presbyterian dis­ the level of high scholarship. We have A Southern Presbyterian missionary in cussion of missions and modernism. May ,I 84 THE PRESBYTERIAN GU ARDIAN J as dogmatists and schismatics. But it present conditions is to confront them preached a persuasive and moving ser­ is interesting to note that the Reformed with the eternal and authoritative truth mon on I John 3:5. Church of Japan has adopted the West­ of God, in all of its comprehensiveness On Monday afternoon (April rrth) minster Confession of Faith and Cate­ and all of its significance for the life I left London for Oxford where I took chisms as its constitution, that some of of the world. It is just this that West­ part in a Vacation Course in Religious its members are busy translating cer­ minster seeks .to accomplish, on the Instruction sponsored by the Christian tain of Machen's books, and that the highest level of theological and Biblical Education Committee of the Graduates' group is publishing a magazine, The scholarship. Fellowship of the LVF. Now to exegete Reformed World. All of which the In doing so it is not opposing but the terms! The LV.F. was organized in correspondent quoted above finds un­ supporting and complementing that 1919, about five years before the League fortunate. He says at another point, which the child learns as he memorizes, of Evangelical Students, and brought "I sincerely hope that our mission and for example, the Westminster Shorter into one movement the distinctly evan­ our (Southern) church, will cease con­ Catechism. The knowledge of infancy gelical Christian students on the various troversy over old shibboleths of doc­ and that of age find union and unity as university campuses. But its roots trine and 'unite in meeting present they both rest on the Word of God, extend into the soil of the evangelical conditions . . ." which liveth and abideth forever. revival of the 18th century. Particularly But the only way to meet effectively L. W. S. at Cambridge, through the influence of Charles Simeon, Fellow of King's Col­ lege and Vicar of Holy Trinity, the light of evangelical piety was rekindled, and eventually in 1871 the celebrated A Visit to Oxford C.LC.C.U. (Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union), popularly pronounced Westminster Professor Finds KICKU, came into existence. This is the actual beginning of the organized Faith and Unbelief in England Christian student movement in 'Great Britain, and it is interesting that it By NED B. STONEHOUSE thus actually antedates the formation of the liberal Student Christian Move­ Edinburgh, Scotland, R. N. B. STONEHOUSE, Pro­ ment (C.S.M.). Today the LV.F. is April 26, 1949. D fessor of New Testament in a powerful force on the campuses of Though I have been in Scotland for Westminster Theological Seminary, Britain and it has extended its work three days, it seems best to confine this is currendy on a lecture .tour in in many parts of the world, including letter to earlier happenings, and espe­ Great Britain. At our request he' the United States. cially to those which centered in Oxford has written an account of his visits, One gains the impression that the j where I had my first series of speaking and has also commented on the reli­ vigor of the British LV.F. is partially engagements. My schedule called for gious scene in that country. We due to the fact that its alumni have I four days in London prior to the stay hope to have other letters telling of continued to foster the program in the in Oxford, and the record-smashing his further travels. Dr. Stone­ colleges, and through their own Gradu­ Queen Mary seemed to be an adequate house's trip will continue into Au­ ates' Fellowship have been responsible guarantee that we would arrive on gust, and will include a visit to the among other things, for elevating the time. But this was to lose sight of the Netherlands. doctrinal and intellectual character of fact that her captain is not the. Master the movement as a whole. Through of the winds and waves, in spite active committees of the Graduates' of her more than 80,000 tonnage My stay in London, accordingly, was Fellowship, such as the Committee on and four-screw propulsion. For when cut to two days, lind it was spent Christian Education, apositive program we approached Cherbourg a steady gale largely in the company of Dr. Douglas of action in several fields is carried whipped up the seas to such a frenzy Johnson, the genial and dynamic Gen­ forward. that our entry into that harbor was eral Secretary of the LVF. (The Inter­ A new opportunity for action pre­ delayed nearly twenty hours. Mean­ Varsity Fellowship of Evangelical sented itself with the adoption, by Par­ while, we tossed and rolled, apparently Unions), who had a large part in spon­ liament, of the Educational Act of 1944 quite as much as a tiny vessel in a soring and arranging my tour. The which made religious instruction com­ Galilean storm. Then, missing the tide, week-end offered ample opportunities pulsory in the schools of the country. we idled away most of the sixth day for discussion of a wide range of topics The Act declares that "the school day until we finally docked at Southampton of common interest as I enjoyed the in every county school and in every at 8 p.m. on April 8th, too late to reach hospitality of Dr. and Mrs. Johnson in voluntary school shall begin with col­ London at a proper hour. During that their suburban home in.Cheam, Surrey. lective worship on the part of all pupils delay the longing "Oh, to be in Eng­ The high point of the Lord's Day was in attendance and the arrangements land how that April's there" was felt, I attendance at Westminster Chapel at made therefor shall provide for a single verily believe, far more poignantly by Buckingham Gate, London, where Dr. act of worship by all such pupils." It myself than by the poet, though I had D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, once a success­ further provides that "religious instruc­ not had the advantage of knowing first­ ful doctor in famed Harley Street, but tion shall be given in every country hand what England could offer in the now one of the most eminent preachers spring! of the day, led us in worship and (See "Oxford" page 96) \ 1949 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN Tw"enty Years at WestDlinster

Theological Seminary Completes Two Decades Of Service in the Cause of Reformed Theology By ROBERT S. MARSDEN

EPTEMBER 25, 1929 dawned as a paign which actually had begun a full A faculty of unusual competence had S hot but beautiful day, reminding generation before to make Princeton been enlisted, consisting of Robert Dick one of mid-summer. The large, old a seminary which was representative Wilson, J. Gresham Machen, Oswald house at 1528 Pine Street in Philadel­ of all points of view-whether Biblical T. Allis, R. B. Kuiper, Cornelius Van phia, in what had been a fashionable or not-in the Presbyterian Church, Til, Ned B. Stonehouse, Paul Woolley, neighborhood, buzzed with activity. had been successful. The truism that and Allan MacRae. The Reverend The bronze sign, "Westminster Theo­ every theological seminary controlled Frank H. Stevenson, D.D., had been logical Seminary," shone new to the by a denomination must reflect the secured as lecturer in pastoral theology left of the doorway. In taxi cabs, on majority opinion in that denomination and it was he who became president foot, and in private cars, students with .in any particular generation, was prov- of the first Board of Trustees of the' their not inconsiderable impedimenta ing itself. The impossibility of main­ Seminary and who, during its forma­ were arriving to complete their regis­ taining one seminary for one sector tive years,on a voluntary basis, secured tration at the new institution. The of the church and another for another financial backing for the new project. exercises of the Seminary at three sector when all seminaries, in the last He served as President of the Board o'clock that afternoon were held in that analysis, were controlled by the church, until his death in 1934. Dr. Wilson citadel of Presbyterianism in Phila­ was tragically demonstrated. The tacit had completed fifty years as a theo­ delphia, Witherspoon Hall, and were understanding that truth and unbelief logical professor before leaving his post presided over by the current moderator can exist side by side in the church, at Princeton to help found Westminster of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, the each recognizing the other's right to and he was taken by death in 1930. Reverend W. Edward Jordan, D.D. existence, had proved to be fatal to the Both Dr. Allis and Dr. Machen had The brief address to the entering stu­ truth. The unbelief which had been been at Princeton for a quarter of a dents was given by the Reverend Robert century. Dr. Van Til had taught at Princeton during the 1928-29 term and Dick Wilson, Ph.D., D.D., LL.D., the HIS year Westminster Theolog­ had been nominated as an assistant senior member of the new faculty, and ical Seminary observed its twen­ T professor. John Murray, who was under the address was delivered by the Rev­ tieth annual commencement. Here contract to teach at Princeton during erend J. Gresham Machen, D.D., Litt. the Rev. Mr. Marsden, Executive the 1929-30 session, came to the new D. The audience, which filled the large Secretary of the institution, tells Seminary at the end of his contract. auditorium, had a realization that it something of its history during Professor Kuiper had been a distin­ was witnessing an historic event, for it these eventful years. was witnessing the beginning of the guished pastor in the Christian Re­ corporate history of Westminster Theo­ formed and the Reformed Churches, permitted to enter the church in the logical Seminary. and the Messrs. MacRae, Stonehouse closing decades of the roth Century and Woolley had recently been students Background had, as the camel in the famed legend, at Princeton and had lately completed But if the corporate history of West­ taken possession of the tent. their graduate work. minster began in September, 1929, its The rallying of the conservative real history dates for many years before forces, in the Presbyterian Church in Seminary and Church that time. In 1929 was the beginning the U.S.A., to the support of West­ Early- in the history of the Seminary of a movement, to be sure, but it was minster was most encouraging. Small it became clear that the Seminary also the climax of a movement. For conferences and sizable meetings of movement itself was not discrete· in II7 years the Theological Seminary of Presbyterian leaders had been held the Presbyterian Church. It became the Presbyterian Church in the United through the summer of 1929. The clear that merely to teach the truth States of America, at' Princeton, New General Assembly of the Presbyterian and to teach ministers to proclaim Jersey, had stood as the standard of Church had completed the "reorgani­ it could not be the function of the Presbyterian orthodoxy in this United zation" of Princeton late in the Spring Seminary but that that truth had States, and throughout the world. and the final decision to open a new to. be applied to the historic situa­ Other seminaries had been founded: seminary had been taken at a meeting tion in which the Seminary found some for geographical reasons, but in Philadelphia on July rSth, In the itself. It became clear that the Semin­ others (notably Union in New York) scant ten weeks between then and the ary could not be an island of orthodoxy as protests against the orthodoxy of opening of the Seminary, quarters had within 'the sea of heterodoxy and indif­ Princeton. Now a new Presbyterian been secured, publicity had been. broad­ ferentism in the Presbyterian Church, seminary was being founded to preserve cast, and fifty students had been en­ but that it had to carry the claims of that very orthodoxy for which Prince­ rolled, a number of them from the the gospel into all spheres of activity ton had long been famous. The cam- student-body of Princeton Seminary. in that Church. Members of the faculty 86 THE PRESBYTERIAN .,U·ARDIAN Mar

thus 'took an active part in exposing the Stonehouse, Woolley and Murray re­ a material drop from the former years. modernism of the boards and agencies maining of the early faculty. Including Yet, despite the great discouragements, of the Presbyterian Church and in the new members, the last of whom the faculty and the Board of Trustees effective protest against that modern­ was added in the fall of 1939, the determined to press on with the Sem­ ism. Each time it became necessary to average tenure of the professors is no inary project and, under the leader­ implement its message there were those less than sixteen years, at the present ship of the Rev. Edwin H. Rian, who, while often claiming complete time. This, for an institution just who became President of the Board accord with the teachings of West­ twenty years old, is a truly remarkable in 1937, a new property was purchased minster, withdrew their activity be­ record! in suburban Philadelphia, and the cause,' as they said, they did not During the early years the Seminary Seminary moved that Fall to its approve of the methods of implement­ student body gradually grew. in num­ present location. Mr. Rian had been ing that teaching. So in 1935-36 and bers although the Seminary was never Field Secretary for some years and 37, and again in 1946, there were with­ large. It has generally been, and is he retained this full-time position with drawals from the Board of Trustees, now, just about the average size for a the Seminary while he was also the withdrawal of 1935-36 assuming Presbyterian seminary, Upon the with­ President of the Board of Trustees. almost majority proportions. drawal of the members of the faculty He vigorously championed the high The history of the Seminary has thus and the Board of Trustees from the scholarship and true devotion of the been marked by an active contending Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. in faculty to the Word of God and rallied for the faith once delivered unto the 1936, the largest source of student sup­ considerable support for the Seminary saints and an application of that faith ply was lost to the Seminary, but de­ on this platform. Through the Machen to the life of the church, and of the spite this the students from varied Memorial Fund and through a number world in which we live. Through the backgrounds continued to attend West­ of sizable legacies, the property, com­ whole history of. the Seminary there minster. The loss of Dr. Machen by paring favorably with that of any has been remarkable unity of purpose death on January I, 1937, was a tre­ Protestant seminary in the land, was and of understanding of the implica­ mendous blow to. the Seminary, not cleared of debt during the early years tions of the truths of the Word of God only in the loss of his unusual wisdom of this decade. The campus of twenty­ on the part of the faculty. In each of and scholarship, but also in the loss two acres provides adequate room for the crises in the life of the Seminary of his prestige. His death, coming the Seminary. The spacious buildings the faculty has either been unanimous upon the morrow of the serious dis­ house the class rooms and student dor­ or almost unanimous in the positions ruption in the Board of Trustees, cen­ mitory and a fine theological library, that have been taken. During the tering around the withdrawal from of which Messrs. Leslie W. Sloat and course of years two members have been the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., Arthur W. Kuschke, Jr. have suc­ added to the faculty, the Rev. Edward posed the most serious crisis in the cessively been librarian. J. Young, Ph.D., and the Rev; John H. Seminary's life. The entering class Throughout the history of the Semin­ Skilton, Professors Van Til, Kuiper, of 1937 consisted of only 9 students, ary it has been supported' by contri-

In 1929.,.-First picture of original 1929. The faculty, second row, seated, Machen, R. D. Wilson. O. T. Allis, faculty and student body of West­ includes (beginning third from left) MacRae, Stonehouse. ' Many of the stu­ minster Seminary, taken in the fall of Professors Woolley, Van Til, Kuiper, dents had transferred from Princeton. 1949 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN B7 butions from many sources. While it get has consistently been met from Twentieth Century. The Trustees, is a truly Presbyterian seminary, West­ legacies. through their careful stewardship of minster has never been under ecclesias­ Unique Institution the funds committed to them, and their tical control. The issue of whether The history of Westminster Semin­ joint loyalty, with the' Faculty, to the churches, as such, should operate theo­ ary's first twenty years is the history standards of the Seminary, are in logical schools has never been faced by of an unique institution. It is the stronger position to appeal to the pub­ the Board. It has been clear, however, history of an institution which has lic "for support than at any other time. that theological seminaries that are un­ consistently taught and championed the Its graduates have served the Lord der the control of denominations must gospel as it is set forth in the West­ faithfully in many spheres of minis­ reflect the majority opinion in those minster Confession of Faith and Cate­ terial activity. Their sole purpose has denominations. Neither the seminary chisms and that has refused to deviate been faithfulness to the Lord as He is nor the denomination then is a check from its purpose to proclaim the-truth, revealedvin His Word-they have es­ upon the other if unbelief should be­ It is the history of an institution which chewed worldly preferment and favor gin to creep in. In that event both fall has sought to apply the truth of the to seek His "well done." The donors together. .A seminary free from eccle­ gospel consistently to the age in which of the Seminary whose loyal support siastical control, however, is free to it is living and which has set forth has come, ofttimes, through very great criticize even the majority decisions of th~ gospel as a life-and-world view in sacrifice, throughout the years continue any denomination. The support of all its implications. It is the history to encourage those to whom has been Westminster has thus come from a of an institution which has gone for­ committed the operation of the school number of congregations and indi­ ward by faith in Him who is the The new friends which are being won viduals of various denominations. .,In source of all truth and who Himself for the Seminary from day to day and recent months the number of those will prosper His truth. When dis­ the increasing number of students from who have contributed to the Seminary couragements have come, the Lord has all parts of the world who are lately has very materially increased, and the ever turned them into instruments for seeking admission to Westminster, tell upturn in interest is one of the most His own glory. When temptations of a future, under God, which shall heartening items in the present picture have come to compromise and thus bring glory to His name throughout the of the Seminary's life. There have been secure worldly favor and support, God whole world. The glory of God through gifts from more donors in the month of has given grace to resist. the proclamation of the whole counsel April, 1949, than in any month in its What then of the future? The future of God is the sole aim and ambition entire history! The contributions from is bright indeed. The faculty, through of Westminster. May the ambition be both individuals, and churches have its scholarly writing and its effective realized and its fulfillment be evidenced been very greatly augmented by leg­ teaching, as well as its consistent wit­ in the salvation of precious souls for gacies which have come to the Sem­ ness, is more and more becoming recog­ whom Christ died, through the preach­ inary over a period of years. About nized throughout the world as among ing and teaching of Christ, 'till He twenty percent of the Seminary's bud-. the leading Reformed faculties of the comes again!

In 1949-Faculty and student body. house, Van Til, Kuiper, Woolley, students from the Orient. Over twenty Faculty, seated, beginning fifth from Young, Skilton, and Librarian Arthur new applications for next fall have left, includes Professors Murray, Stone- Kuschke, Notable is the number of already been received. aa THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN May

these Apostles of Christ, were ministers. The MInistry of the Word A minister is simply a servant. More precisely he is one who executes the A Sermon' commands of another. He is one who is given wholly to a master. And that By ROBERT L. ATWELL giving up of self expresses itself just in carrying out the Master's commands. ,"But we will give ourselves continually world upside down. Had the Apostles Happy were those men of old who to prayer, and to the ministry of the given themselves to this work of social understood the meaning of being minis­ Word:'-AcTs 6:4. welfare they had failed in the mission ters. Paul worded it well when he appointed them by their Lord. And said to the Corinthians, "We preach N CE in Thessalonica those who to fail in the mission appointed by not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the O apparently preferred the world in the Lord is to fail utterly, regardless Lord, and ourselves your servants for chaos and misery, complained of the of how much else. may seem to be Jesus' sake." Happy are they today Christians, "These that have turned accomplished. who have learned the meariing of be­ the world upside down are come hither It is as far as possible from the tr'lth ing a minister to the one only rightful also." Acts 17:6. to say that the Apostles were uncon­ Master. Archibald Rutledge expressed Obviously a group whose activities cerned about the misplaced people of a universal truth when, referring to the were so described was a group to be their day. Rather they had a wise relation that sometimes existed between reckoned with. If society in our day concern as is shown by the fact that a Christian master and a slave in the needs alteration we would do well to they acted in the most absolute obe­ old south, he said, "The only true ask whence this early Christian dy­ dience to Him who alone is All-wise. freedom is willing slavery." Augustine namic? What accounts for the impact This resulted in their decision: "Look paraphrased the 42nd Psalm aright which this little group, in so short a ye out . . . seven men . . . whom we when he cried, "Thou hast made us time, had made upon the world? may appoint over this business. But for thyself, 0 God, and our hearts are Or read the seventh verse of this we will give ourselves continually to restless till they find their rest in Thee." sixth chapter: "And the word of God prayer, and to the ministry of the Mark it well, these who were minis­ increased: and the number of disciples word." This basic decision of the ters gave their very selves, their whole multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a early church explains the accomplish­ selves, to the Lord. They had no great company of the priests were obe­ ments which we.re wrought by that ambitions, no desires of their own. In­ dient to the faith." Again, as we long church. It is a decision which the deed the completeness of their com­ to see'souls added to the church, the church needs constantly to remake and mittal lay in the fact that they recog­ number of disciples multiplied, indi­ to relive. nized that in themselves they were viduals as difficult as those priests be­ In examining this decision we shall nothing. They were as John the Bap­ come obedient to the faith, we ask note I) that there were men who were tist who considered himself only a voice "How was this, under God, brought to ministers-they gave themselves, '2) crying in the wilderness, of no sig­ pass in those days?" that they gave themselves to the minis­ nificance and of no value apart from The explanation for these accomplish­ try of the Word, 3) that it was specific­ his message. But with such a view ments in the early church is to be ally to the ministry of the Word that of self they also, like him, were both found in a number of decisions which they gave themselves. burning and shining lights. By their the apostles made and which are re­ humility they had only one desire, that .i corded in the earlier portions of this An Obedient Ministry was to obey. We might say it was to Book of Acts. Of these decisions there First of all these early Christians, glorify God. That is the same thing, t is none more important, none more for the only way to glorify God is to indicative of the character of all their obey Him. Their concern was not decisions, than that recorded in the about results-that was God's province. words of our text, "But we will give ACH spring for the past several I was encouraged recently to read a ourselves continually to prayer, and to E years the Rev. Robert L. Atwell, letter from a father whose son is about the ministry of the word." pastor of Calvary Orthodox Pres­ to enter Seminary. It seemed to me I The Apostles had before them an byterian Church of Middletown, Pa., could see tears of profound thankful­ instance of widespread human suffer­ has been granted-a month's leave of ness in that father's eyes as he wrote, ing. They were faced by the desperate absence, in order to make a trip to "the boy has that humble spirit which needs of a great many displaced per­ various colleges throughout the is so essential to the ministry." He sons. The widows of the Greek speak­ country. Sponsored in this under­ was exactly right. No man can ever ing Jews were being neglected in the taking by Westminster' Theological have a right to the title, "minister of daily ministrations. Here was a matter Seminary, Mr. Atwell seeks out Christ," who enters the ministry either of vital importance, literally, a matter prospective ministerial students and because he feels he has something to life and death. By no means was presents to them the privileges, op­ contribute to God or in order to fur­ it to be neglected. But had the church portunities and advantages which ther his own interests.' As I visit vari­ spent her main energy in that work, Westminster offers in the training ous colleges throughout the country, she would, paradoxically enough, have of ministers. The sermon published two groups of young men whom I do failed even to relieve human suffering. here contains the substance of a not encourage to enter the ministry are Had she decided that to be her first message he delivered this year to a those who have a high view of them­ task, she would never have turned the number of student groups. selves and those who consider the 1949 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 89

ministry fr~m the standpoint of the in its defence. .All the Epistles of the strength of the church shall likewise assured social OIl" financial position New Testament-those of Paul, Peter, mature. But that strength can show which it offers. John, James and Jude-are directed to­ itself in just one way, the increased Let me say again that these men of ward the correction of false doctrine. skill and vigor in the use of its one the early church were ministers. They The most superficial reading of the weapon, the sword of the Spirit which were ministers of God. To them God New Testament should convince any­ is the Word of God. was great, He was all. Their whole one that the Apostles at least felt that Another example should indicate how being could not but be given to serving their ministry of the Word included its great is the need that we both propa­ Him. The young preacher who asked defence. gate and defend the Word today. Karl Carlyle, "What do you think this par­ Presumably in a sinless world the Barth has accurately pointed out the ish needs most?" was rightly answered, truth would need only to be propagated. fatal weakness of "anglo-saxon" theo­ "What this parish needs most is a man But in a sinful world the truth must logians as "having a tendency. to. the­ who knows God otherwise than by also be defended. Satan, the father of ologize on their own account, that is to hearsay." Such was the knowledge of lies, knows that he need only destroy say, without asking on what biblical God possessed by the Apostles that they the truth to insure the triumph of his grounds one puts forward this or that could not be other than ministers. kingdom. And so the faithful minister professedly 'Christian' view." "They John Brown evidently shared their in the church militant must defend the would quote," says Barth, "the Bible knowledge for even the skeptic Hume truth. Historically whenever any seg­ according to choice . . . according as was impelled to say of him, "That old ment of the church, in any generation, it appeared to them to strengthen their man preaches as if Christ were at his has determined only to propagate the own view, without feeling any need elbow." truth, that segment of the church in to ask whether 'the words quoted really It is worthy of note that God chooses the next generation has had an uncer­ have in their context the meaning to accomplish His work through men. tain grasp of the truth and by the third attributed to them." He rightly con­ By His appointment and by His grace generation has been actually propagat­ demns their irresponsible attitude to­ ministers are the instruments whereby ing not truth but falsehood. A tragic ward the Bible. Barth's criticism is the Church conquers. That a man be illustration of this third stage is the valid, clearly so. Just for that reason per­ a minister is important just because "new curriculum" recently published haps it is not too much needed. It the truth which he is to proclaim is by the Presbyterian Church in the doesn't take a great deal of acumen important. The truth given from the V.SA. for use in their Sunday Schools. to' recognize that the position attacked pulpit is either amplified and com­ Just how important the defence of by ,Barth honors neither God nor His mended or it is silenced and reproached thetruth, and that in the most minute Word. What is perhaps as deceptive by the interpretation given it by the point, is, should be clear from another and dangerous as the ancient error of minister's life. example from Church history. Sup­ Arius, however, is the fact that Barth, pose that God had not raised up at the very time that he seems to be A Discerning Ministry Athanasius to defend the truth of the exalting the Bible, robs it of its objective In the second place it is important full deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. validity, so that one who leaves the to notice that the decision recorded in Suppose that the doctrine of Arius, older liberalism to follow Barth is our text involved the Apostles giving that He was like God but was not God, likely to be like unto that man whose themselves to the ministry of the Word. had triumphed, as for a time it seemed latter state was worse than the first. That a man gives himself is hardly to be triumphing. Suppose that that It is precisely now, in the twentieth remarkable. Man is simply so con­ most infinitesimal departure from the century, that it is imperative that God's stituted that he must give himself to 'truth had been considered not worth servants give themselves with utmost something greater than himself. But fighting for. What would have been diligence to the ministry of the Word. to what will man give himself? the result? The result would have Yesterday there were millions of Ger­ been that the Church from the fourth A Ministry of the Word man youth who gave thetnselves to century on would have been not Chris­ And here we come to the crux of Hitler and the Nazi state. Still today tian, but Unitarian and its power to the matter. It is specifically to the there are more millions giving them­ win souls, to bless mankind, to glorify ministry of the Word that the minister . selves to Communism. But these God, would have been, for these sixteen of God must give himself. That Word Apostles gave themselves to God and centuries lost. has four attributes which the faithful this was indicated in that they gave But suppose we grant that it was minister does well to note: its neces­ themselves to the ministry of the Word. needful for the Apostles and for those sity, its authority, its sufficiency, its It was just exactly that ministry that who immediately followed them to de­ perspicuity. These are all attributes God had assigned them. What is in­ fend carefully, to propagate zealously, of the Word just because it is the Word '. volved in, the ministry of the Word? the truth, is it also necessary today? of God. Chiefly two things. Hooge is accurate The only answer is, that if there is NECESSITY when he says that the two great duties any difference at all, the need is even How we need such a word! The of the Apostles were the propagation greater today. That conclusion follows relative standards of men are always and the defence of the truth. To these from the intensification of evil which insufficient and result in unspeakable they devoted themselves. While they appears as we draw near the end of sin and misery. Proof is found in the labored night and day, and travelled these latter days. Does anyone deny closing chapters of Judges where one hither and thither through all parts that intensification? Is it not indi­ hardly dares read the record in a mixed of the Roman world, preaching the cated in the parable of the wheat and assembly and even shudders to read in Gospel, they labored no less assiduously the tares? It is also indicated that the (See "Atwell" page 97)

st' 90 THE' PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN Mar

The Glory of the ~hristian~horeh By the REV. PROFESSOR R. B. KUIPER

XX spokethrough them they prophesied in perform this task as representatives of ITS EXALTED OFFICES Christ's name. It was the resurrected Him whom Scripture calls "a merciful Christ who said to His disciples: "As high priest" (Heb. 2:17), even Jesus Every organization has its officers. my Father hath sent me, even so send Christ. So does the church. However, at this I you" (John 20:21) and commissioned The business of 'a king is to rule. point there emerges a striking differ­ them-and in them the church of suc­ Therefore those who rule the church ence between the church and man-made ceeding ages-to go and "teach all represent Christ as king. When Paul organizations. The officers of the nations" (Matth. 28:19)' Paul informs enjoined the elders of the Ephesian church occupy an incomparably more us, that Christ, having "ascended up church to "take heed unto the flock," exalted position than do the officers far above all heavens . . . gave some, he reminded them not only that the of such ·organizations. Whatever the apostles; and some, prophets; and some, Holy Spirit had made them overseers two may have in common, only the evangelists; and some, pastors and over the church, but also that the Lord officers of the church have the high teachers" (Eph. 4: II). Time and again Jesus Christ had purchased it with His honor of representing the Lord Jesus the apostle of the gentiles called him­ own blood (Acts 20:28). From the Christ, the great Head of the church. self "an apostle of Jesus Christ," and fact that the church belongs to Christ And yet it may not be thought for a he insisted that he was an apostle "not it follows that those whom He has moment that the officers of the church ~f men, neither by man, but by Jesus charged with overseeing it do so in His are on a par with Christ Himself. To Christ" (Gal. I: 1 ). All who preach name. The same apostle besought all intents and purposes Rome takes the gospel may declare with him: the believers at Thessalonica to know that position. Therefore, it ascribes to "Now then we are ambassadors for them which labored' among them and the church the infallibility which. be­ Christ, as though God did beseech you were over them "in the Lord," namely longs only to its divine Head. ,It main­ by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, the Lord Christ (I Thes. 5:12). The tains that whatever the church declares be ye reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20). author of Hebrews exhorted his 'officially, Christ declares. The truth of An important task of a priest is to readers: "Obey them that have the rule the matter is that, while on the one show mercy. Therefore, those' whose over you, and submit yourselves: for hand the officers of the church repre­ work it is to help the poor and needy they watch for your souls, as they that sent Christ, on the other hand their in the church represent Christ as priest. must give account" (Heb. 13:17). He authority is restricted by Christ, and In the old dispensation, the priests and to whom they must give account can they are definitely subordinate to Him. the Levites had to share with "the be none other than the King of the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow" church, on whose behalf they' rule. Representative of Christ the tithes which they received from the And when Peter told the elders of the The name Christ means anointed. Israelitish people (Deut. 14:29; 26:12). churches to which he was writing that -Christ was anointed with the Holy It is as meaningful as interesting that the chief Shepherd would reward their Spirit to a three-fold office-that of the men who, in the parable of the good faithfulness in feeding the flock and prophet, priest and king. In this three­ Samaritan, first saw the victim of vio­ exercising the oversight thereof (I Pet. fold capacity He rules. His church. lent robbery lying by the roadside but 5:2-4), that apostle obviously conceived But He sees fit to exercise His rule passed by without 'rendering aid, were of the elders as under-shepherds repre­ through the instrumentality of men. a priest and a Levite (Luke 10:31,32). senting the great Over-shepherd. Small wonder that the very same They of all men should have shown offices are found within the church. mercy. When the apostles were kept Subordinate to Christ Christ clothes some in the church with so busy preaching the Word that they Great is the glory of the offices in ;J prophetic authority, some with priestly could no longer take proper care of the the Christian church. Far be it from authority, some with royal authority; poor in the church at Jerusalem, dea­ us, however, to equate their authority \ and those whom He thus honors repre­ cons were chosen for this task, andthey with the authority of Christ. A few sent Him in His three-fold office. were ordained by the apostles (Acts respects in which the latter far trans­ The work of a prophet is to deliver 6:1-6). In the New Testament church cends the former may be named. messages from God to men. There­ the diaconate is the office of mercy. The authority of Christ is original, fore, those who proclaim the Word of Very significantly "to do good and to that of the offices in His church is God represent Christ as prophet. The communicate" are denominated by the derived. As die authority of a monarch apostle Peter says of the Old Testament author of Hebrews as "sacrifices" (Heb. surpasse's that of his ambassador, so the prophets that it was "the Spirit of 13:16). As the bringing of sacrifices authority of the Head of the church is Christ which' was in them" that "testi­ is a priestly activity, so are doing good incomparably greater than is that of fied beforehand the sufferings of Christ and communicating. It' is clear that His representatives. and the glory that should follow" (I those whose special task it is to per­ The authority of Christ is sovereign, Pet.I:II). Because the Spirit of Christ form works of mercy in the church that of the offices in His church is only 1949 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 91

ministerial. To be sure, in the days comes clear from Matthew 18:18, Westminster Student of His flesh Christ declared that He too where precisely the same authority is News came "not to be ministered unto but assigned to all the apostles. In the s of April 25, twenty-one new to minister" (Matth. 20:28), but when John passage the risen Christ, after students were enrolled for ad­ breathing on the apostles and saying A God "raised Him from the dead and mission to the-Seminary next fall. This set Him at His own right hand in me to them: "Receive ye the Holy Ghost," is the largest entering class that has ~ adds: "Whose soever sins ye remit, heavenly places," He exalted Him "far been in prospect at the seminary for a i they are remitted unto them; and r above all principality and power and number of years. , whose soever sins ye retain, they are might and dominion and every name Westminster Junior Joseph Holbrook retained." It is clear that these pas­ that is named, not only in this world, has received a Rotarian scholarship sages speak of specifically apostolic but also in that which is to come" entitling him to a year of study abroad, prerogatives which do not belong to and "put all things under His feet, and and he expects to go this summer to gave Him to be the Head overall the church of succeeding times. Meyer's Switzerland for a year of study under things to the church" (Eph. 1:20-22). famous Commentary on the New the Protestant faculty at the University Most assuredly, that cannot be said of Testament insists that those addressed of Geneva. Mr. Holbrook plans to the officers of Christ's church. Contrari­ in Matthew 18:18 are "the apostles, return and finish his work at West­ wise, they need to be admonished not but not the disciples in the more com­ minster following the European' trip. nor the to be "lords over God's heritage" (I' prehensive sense of the word, Mr. Fred H. Klooster, a graduate Pet. 5:3). And the great apostle Paul Church, nor its leaders"; and in com­ student this year at the seminary, and assured the Christians of his day: "We menting on John 20:23 the same Mr. Edwin H. Palmer, who finished preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus standard work speaks of "the peculiar his regular course this year, both. plan the Lord; and ourselves your servants authority of the apostolical office." The to go to Holland for advanced work for [esus' sake" (2 Cor. 4:5). apostles in' their official pronouncements at the Free University of Amsterdam. Christ is the Lawgiver of His church, were infallible, but they have had no John Finley, from Denver, Colorado, but its officers, instead of making laws successors. The infallibility of the who arrived for the beginning of the for the church, must be content with church, and its offices is a myth. Second term last spring, and has a declaring to it the law of Christ. In From every conceivable viewpoint the family to support, is a journeyman order that all things may be done officers of the church are subordinate printer, and works part time at the decently and in order, the officers of to Christ. Yet the fact that they repre­ plant of me Philadelphia Inquirer. the church may indeed make certain sent Christ remains. And that is in­ Students joined in the Seminary cam­ regulations, but such regulations are deed a great honor. A greater IS paign to raise $17,500 during April, never comparable with the law of hardly imaginable. and themselves contributed over $600 Christ. Christ's law is perfect, and to the fund. nothing may at any time be added to The students organized a cooperative it. Speaking of "matters of faith and Westminster Rally association this year, 'one of the projects worship," concerning which the officers in Paterson of which was the securing of books for of the church may conceivably presume HE First Holland Reformed Church members of the student body. Total to legislate, the Westminster Confession Tof Paterson, N. J., was the scene on business of the organization in this of Faith says not only: "God alone 'is April 4 of a rally commemorating the field amounted to over $1,000 for the lord of the conscience, and hath left zoth anniversary of Westminster Theo­ year. it free from the doctrines and com­ logical Seminary. Pastor of the church mandments of men which are in any IS the Rev. William L. Hiemstra, a grad­ thing contrary to His Word," but it uate of Westminster. Several other Georgian Ordained advisedly adds: "Or beside it" (XX. II). alumni who are pastors of churches in and Installed Christ is infallible in the exercise of the Paterson area were present. ICEN TIATE Theodore J. Georg­ His authority, the officers of His church A quartet of Seminary students ren­ L ian, who has been serving Grace are fallible in the exercise of theirs. dered special music for the occasion, Orthodox Presbyterian Church of According to Rome certain passages and also individually spoke briefly Trenton as supply, was ordained and in the New Testament ascribe infalli­ concerning the training given at the installed as pastor of the church on bililty to the church and it officers. school. The Rev. Robert Eckardt of Thursday, May 5. Prominent among these are Matthew Crescent Park, N. J., and the Rev. The service was conducted by the 16:19, in connection with 18:18, and Edward Heerema, spiritual advisor at Presbytery of New Jersey, with the John 20:23. In the first of these pas­ the Christian Sanatorium at Wyckoff, Rev. James Price of Morristown, Mod­ sages the Lord, having described Peter both Westminster alumni, took part in erator of Presbytery, presiding. Others as the recipient of a special revelation the service. The address of the evening who took part were the Rev. Messrs. from the Father in heaven, says to was delivered by the Rev. Robert S. Meredith Kline. Charles Ellis, Lewis him: "I will give unto thee the keys Marsden, Executive Secretary of the Grotenhuis and Edward Kellogg. Pro­ of the kingdom of heaven, and what­ Seminary. fessor John Murray of Westminster soever thou shalt bind on earth shall be About 175 persons attended the meet­ Seminary preached the sermon. bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou ing, and an offering for the Seminary .Following the service, the visiting shalt loose on earth shall be loosed amounting to over $100 was received. ministers and their families' were in heaven." That these words were Refreshments were served arrd a period served a delicious cold supper at the addressed to Peter, not as an individual, of fellowship enjoyed following the home of Elder and Mrs. Coombs but as representative of the twelve, be- meeting. Francis. . '

9Z THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN May

M,ISSIONS By MRS. RICHARD B. GAFFIN

Devotional Meditation them. But there is one very important it. They do the things that it forbids. The communion with God is marred. MATTHEW 28:19,20 factor about our church's program that we must emphasize, and to which we They absent themselves from the house HE present day world, including must respond with greater zeal, than of worship, which is one of the best Tour immediate environment, is ever before. if ,not the best place for communion. threatened with the destruction of its The home church and the home mis­ We should take great care to conform own foundations. Facing the great sion work are basic. to all that the Word bids, and never to commission of our Lord in this age we Weare happy and enthusiastic about transgress its commands. It is "abiding are humbled. We see ourselves insuf­ our foreign fields. The work is fruit­ in the vine" that counts. "If ye abide ficient and completely powerless to ful, and unique in its future possi­ in Me, and My WORDS abide in you, heed. Yet is it not possible to be a bilities. But the foreign work only ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall Christian and surrender our world to advances according to the strength be done unto you." the destructive influences of sin. We placed behind it at home. Mission­ As regards our communion in prayer, cannot share His redeeming grace with­ aries are reared at, home. Funds come what wonderful blessings would come out giving obedience to His royal com­ from home. In a small church such as if everyone should bring before the mands. Whosoever belongs to God ours we must not only nurture the throne every day the requests of our is transformed into an instrument and spiritual life of our members, and send prayer calendar. What a mighty influ­ co-w~rker with Him (I Cor. 3:9). out funds for foreign work, but we ence it would be in the lives of our So it is that we are constrained to must -expand in the home land. I say, children to hear us interceding daily for press on. And where is there a work we must. That is, if we are to grasp the spiritual and physical needs of our in which we are supported by so many and develop what God has placed in church as we come together in the comforting promises? Chief among our hand. family altar. them are the words of our text: "Lo, In view of these pressing facts, we (See the book, Pressing On, by Dr, I am with you alway, even unto the will this month plan our program Lee S. Huizenga, pp. 68-73). end of the world." His command is about the theme, "Expanding at accompanied by His promise. When Home." There are three things we Witness More and where we gP, He goes with us. shall try to do in order to expand at There is a great deal more to wit­ This is the source of our strength. home. Commune More. Witness More. nessing for Christ than putting on your It is what Paul speaks of when he says, Give More. good clothes and going out when you "I laboured more abundantly than they have a convenient season, and visiting all, yet not I, but the grace of God Commune More someone with a view to telling them which was with me." Communing with God means not what Christ means to you. , True wit­ Can we be discouraged or uncon­ only reading the Bible and praying. It nessing is founded in just such com­ cerned about our part in fulfilling the is much more than that. It is our hear­ munion with God as we have con­ . commission? Let us be reminded that ing God speak to us through His Word, sidered above. It is testifying to what He is gathering in the sheep from every and our responding to the voice of the God has done through Christ. (See. kindred, tongue and nation. He died Word in prayer, and in activity that Paul's sermons in Acts.) It is the Word for these sheep. He shall put down all is agreeable to the Word. This entails which is able to make us wise unto rule and authority and power. He shall a great deal on our part. We must salvation and if we know the Word it put all their enemies under His feet. read and study the Word systematically. will not be difficult to tell of the Christ He will establish His kingdom in the The more perfectly we come to know of the Word. Sometimes our witness­ midst of this tottering world. So indeed God in His Word, the more perfect ing entails proving to men from the it must be, "Lo, I am with you alway." our communion with Him. We must Word that they are sinners, so making It is the abiding strength of His meditate on His Word. "In His law them able to see their need of a Saviour. presence that has made frail man to doth he meditate day and night," says We should increase our knowledge of overcome tribulation, distress, persecu­ the Psalmist. The Word must be in our the Word daily. It is our sword for' tion, famine, nakedness, peril and the hearts so that if we put forth our hand the battle against the enemy. sword. And in all these things we are to do evil, it restrains us as the voice Most people find it difficult to get or more than conquerors through Him of a mother constantly restrains her make the opportunity to present the that loved us. child. "Thy words have I hid in my Word. Is it an art to be practiced, and heart, that I might not sin against a gift to be coveted and prayed for. thee." In times of decision it should If we lack anything let us ask of God, , Planning the Program be our guide. "A lamp unto our feet who giveth to all men liberally. Our and a light unto our path." pastor can guide us in developing the Generally our churches appreciate the There are Christian people who pray art of witnessing. There are good God-given opportunities placed before . and read the Bible, but do not act upon books and current articles on the sub- 1949 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 98 ject. (See Mr. Marston's conversation After nearly two years the pastor left, student took over the work. Under in Saved at Seventy, THE PRESBYTERIAN the people being unable to support this ministry it was a case of Paul GUARDIAN, April 1949). But always him. The church sought the services planted, Apollo watered, and God gave remember our Lord's call to those first of the young student. the increase. People were brought to disciples, "Follow me, and I will make From the beginning he had been a proper relation with Christ, and the you fishers of men." more or less allied with the small group would be printer and prize fighter even­ There is much to be said about our of adolescents in the church. Their tually became home missionaries. Let lives as bearing witness. How shame­ names were on his prayer list. On us not be discouraged because of ap­ fully inconsistent is our life as judged Sunday evenings at six o'clock he met parent 'unpromising difficulties. "Be­ by the W ord.Some are proud and with them in the spacious parlours of hold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, discriminating among their neighbors the church. There they enjoyed a light that it cannot save; neither is His ear and business contacts. Some are shy supper and social time before their heavy, that it cannot hear." and have complexes. Our lives do meetings. The student's wife, often not show a peaceful and quiet resting furnished from a meagre budget home in His will. We are not emphasizing baked cookies to add zest to the Let's Study a Chinese the importance of prayer and Bible occasion. study by being present at the Sunday One of the boys in the group aspired Village school and prayer service. Our lives to be a printer and worked at this trade Doubtless you are wondering why it speak to our children when we instruct when he was free from other duties. has been suggested that you take a day them at home. Let us pray and read His mother was deeply concerned for from your busy life, and study "A the Word with them as we are com­ his spiritual welfare. Her life seemed Chinese Village." Well, nearly one manded to do, and insist upon their to have had genuine sorrows that made fourth of the world lives in Chinese faithful attendance at the services of her appreciate the necessity of his being villages. The culture of so large a worship. nurtured in the Lord. She prayed for group is important, not simply because There is also the corporate witness of him and sought the prayers of others it is large but because we are seeking our church. A city that is set on a on his behalf. to make Christ known to those in, this hill cannot be hid. If the members arc Another boy, who it seems had all grqup. And the culture of a people consistent in occupying their places and his needs well supplied by the home, has a remarkable correlation with their doing their part it will be the most aspired to be a prize fighter. Print­ religion. "I do not believe that I exag­ impressive witness in the community. ing and prize fighting were regular gerate when I make the statement that Recently a young Catholic was won for topics of conversation at the Sunday culture is essentially a religious act," Christ and carefully instructed in the evening fellowship. Moreover young says Dr. Bavinck. meaning of our worship services. She Mr. Prize Fighter was unusually mis­ The book A Chinese Village by Mar­ was taken to Sunday school and church. chievous and very successful in getting tin Yang, published by Columbia Uni­ It was a rainy morning. The corporate young Mr. Printer's assistance for pull­ versity Press, N.Y., is enjoyable and witness was not good. ing stunts even in the church parlours. easy reading, but it is recommended It was so serious that the young student here because it is most excellent in its Give More and his wife were.often in prayer about presentation of Chinese culture. See The Bible Basis of Missions, by it. It gives' a complete, richly detailed Robert H. Glover, Chapter 8, "Money Other students as well as seminary study of a village in one of China's and Missions." See also "The Pressing professors helped fill the pulpit of the oldest agricultural districts - Taitou, Issue Before the Orthodox Presbyterian church on Sundays. Eventually a fellow Shantung (pronounced Tie Doo, Shan Church," in THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARD­ Doong). Incidentally it is located rust IAN, April 1949. across the bay from Tsingtao (Ching (NOTE-It is suggested that the June Jot It Down Dow) where Mr. Gaffin and I were Program follow in general the outline 1. Read "Saved at Seventy," in The formerly located. Tsingtao is often re­ suggested for May.) Guardian, April, 1949. Pray that ferred to in the text of this book, be­ you may prepare soil as did Mrs. cause it is the metropolis nearest to Griffiths. Taitou. The author, a native of Taitou, 2. Don't despise small things. Christ has pictured daily life in a typical rural A Word to the Wise began His work in a stable. community, through the eyes of one He .that Winneth Souls is Wise­ 3. Missionaries get lots of mail at Christ­ who actually grew up in the commun­ mas. Write soon. Ask for Christ­ PRo 11:30. mas gift suggestions. A useful gift ity and experienced most of the social Some years ago a young man moved promotes the Lord's work. life described. He has 'more than an with his family to a great American 4. The Need of the Hour. Prayer for ordinary degree of sensiblity, and con­ city to study for the ministry. He was Korea and China fields. Satan seems stantly relates feeling and reactions forced to find living quarters in what to be gaining by strides. Divine associated with the environment. had once been a substantial community. intervention can halt him. Pray. Mr. Yang was born the third son of On Sundays, the family worshipped 5. Our goal--everyone in the missions a peasant farmer in this village in North in a church of the community. The program, from the child in the Sun­ China. His mother and brother ap­ day school to the ordained repre­ church was almost deserted by those sentative of Christ. preciated his superior mental capacities who had erected it, and despite, its 6. His blessing is more important than and determined that he should be edu­ magnificent edifice it was much affected your efforts. Set your life in order, cated. His book refers to the father's by the character of the neighborhood. and receive it. Psalm I. close connection with the Protestant

/ j If'·- 94 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN May church and gives statements of his not primarily a matter of who can do it sible the reduction of the mortgage on mother's convictions, but makes no best, but of arousing interest in China. the church by $500. declaration of any- personal faith. In The greater the number taking part, Center Square, Pa.: On April 3 the chapter "Village Conflicts," we are the greater the interest. Assign all the the Rev. Francis Mahaffy was guest I interested in the conflict between the chapters except number 16. Reserve preacher at the morning service of Protestant and the Catholic group, also that to be read aloud at the meeting. Community Church. He also gave a J the conflict between the village school Such a review of the book will take a talk in the Sunday school. An offering and the Christian day school. The day, but it will be one well spent. of $40.70 was received for missions. A, author's comments on these conflicts Sewing or bandage rolling may be concert of sacred music, in which a strongly indicate the influence of liberal­ done while you study. When you have quartet from Westminster Seminary I ism. This is not surprising when one read chapter 16, "The Story of Tien­ participated, was given on Tuesday, realizes that he graduated in 1929 sze," you will want to know that_he April 12. The pastor, the Rev. Henry from the liberal Cheloo University in did post graduate work in Yenching Tavares, has begun a catechism class Tsinan, Shantung, a Presbyterian mis-, University, a liberal mission school, for teen-agers. sion project. near Peking, and later in our country Fair Lawn, N. ].: Easter week at In planning your review of the book, received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Grace Chapel was featured by a gather­ do not follow the usual procedure of Cornell, and did research at Columbia. ing of children on Friday, at which having one person present it all. Each While 'here he worked on farms and colored slides of the events in the chapter is a complete unit. Give one in small industries, learning first hand last week of the life of Christ were or two chapters to an' individual, per­ modern techniques to introduce in shown. At the Bible school program on haps according to their interests. It is China. Easter Sunday pictures illustrating the resurrection story were shown. Plans are under way for the purchase of a slide and film projector so that a weekly Bible hour for children may be con­ ducted, with a .view to increased, in­ terest in Bible study. Orthodox Presbyterian Evergreen Park, Ill.: The Sunday school of Westminster Chapel now has Church News more than 100 pupils. The building fund project of $200 by Easter went Volga, S. D.: Total giving of Cal­ bed for over a month with rheumatic over the top by some $34' Now the vary Church for the year 1948-9 showed fever. school is going to contribute to the an increase of 26% over the previous Franklin Square, N. Y.: A bequest furniture fund, which will need nearly year. Giving for benevolences was from the estate of, the late Miss Viola $2,000 by September 1. It is possible' especially encouraging, with a total of Hughes 'has made it possible for the the new church building may be ready $4,652.67. The church will sadly miss Franklin Square church to payoff two for occupancy by July 1. The primary the presence of Elder John D. Kleinjan, mortgages on the church building. At mission band of the school recently sent who was killed in' an accident on its congregational meeting Mr. Edward a contribution of $5 to the Gaffin March 10. Sunday mornings the pas­ Sanders was elected a trustee, and it family, and a similar amount to the tor, the Rev. Arthur O. Olson, is was decided to increase considerably the Mahaffy family. Thirteen children have preaching sermons based on the Shorter amount the church pays toward the attended church regularly in the "Go­ Catechism. pastor's salary. The Women's, Mis­ to-Church" club for six months, and Wildwood, N. ].: A three hour sionary Society has recently sent a pack­ on April 14 were awarded gold stars service was conducted at, Calvary age of medicines and bandages to Miss and . crosses with birthstones. Miss Church on the Friday afternoon before Healy in Eritrea. Lois Levenger is mimeographing the Easter. The pastor, the Rev. Leslie East Orange, N. ].: Navy Chaplain church bulletins now. For nearly three A. Dunn, was assisted in the service by George E. Vanderpoel was guest years Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rueter cheer­ the Rev. Edward L. Kellogg and the' preacher at a recent service of Coven­ fully and efficiently contributed their Rev. John P. Galbraith. Special music ant church. Pre-Easter services of the services to the church in doing this was provided by a quartet from West­ church were featured by guest speakers, task. On the Friday before Easter the minster Seminary, and by Miss Char­ including the Rev. Edward L. Kellogg, Rev. George W. Marston spoke at a lotte Milling of Kirkwood. A sunrise the Rev. Richard W. Gray and the Rev. special service at Mt, Greenwood, and service Easter morning at the Board­ Robert Strong. The sacred cantata, that same evening he conducted a walk Chapel was attended by about "Olivet to Calvary," was presented by service at the school. A group of young 125 persons. Financially the church a choir including members from West­ people attended the South Side Sun­ has had the best year in its history; It field, Orange and Morristown churches, rise Service Easter morning at Bethany is hoped that :$3,000 for the building under the direction of the Rev. James' Reformed church in Roseland. On fund may be raised this year for the W. Price. Five persons were received May I the Ambassadors for Christ held purpose of erecting a manse. The into church membership on Palm Sun­ a "Singspiration" at the public school church has been asked to vacate in six day morning. Mr. Edward Haug has at 9:30 under the auspices of the West­ months the apartment now used by been elected superintendent of the Sun­ minster Chapel. About 700 young peo­ the pastor. Miss Karin Dunn, the pas- \ day school. A substantial building fund ple crowded the auditorium to sing the tor's daughter, has been confined to offering on Easter Sunday made pos- gospel. Special music was provided 1949 THE P.ESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN 95

by visiting musicians, including the San Francisco, Calif.: The Rev. Knox Church Wheaton College Band. Egbert W. Andrews visited the con­ Gresham, Wis.: From April 4th to gregation of First Church on April 13, Self.Supporting loth, special services were held at Old and showed pictures of his work in N order to assume self-support, Knox Stockbridge church, with the Rev. China. At a special congregational I Church of Silver Spring, Md., a Harold Hillegas, pastor of the people meeting April 20, an intensive effort year ago increased its budget from $161 when they were still in the Presbyterian was launched to increase the effective­ a week to $209 a week. At the end Church U.S.A., as preacher. Average ness of the church. Attention will be of the first year of self-support, Knox attendance was 77, with more than 100 devoted to prayer, attendance -at serv­ is praising God for His goodness to the present on two evenings.' A number ices, and visitation work. A number of church in enabling it not only to meet of persons indicated their' desire to ac­ pledges were made for some or all of this greatly increased budget, but at cept Christ .as their Saviour. Attend­ these matters. There has been an en­ the same time to increase its benevol­ ance at the regular services of the couraging increase in the intermediate ence giving by $368 over that of a year church has been good all winter, reach­ young people's group. Social activities ago. Total receipts from all organiza­ ing 75 recently. Giving of the congre­ on Saturday have helped attract new tions for the year just ended amounted gation has increased 50% during the youngsters. The group meets Satur­ to $10,050 for current expenses, and past year. Various families of the con­ day evenings, and is planning to pre­ $2,019 for benevolences. During the gregation have been furnishing special pare bandages for use by foreign past year the church also undertook the music at the evening services. A Junior missionaries of the church. ,third step in its building program, by and Senior choir furnish music for the Portland, Me.: The Wheaton Col­ finishing the second floor of the East morning worship. An unorganized lege Women's Glee Club presented a Wing and enlarging the sanctuary. As Sunday school choir is also heard on concert at Second Parish Church on of March 31, the church had 101 com­ occasion, with Patsy Elm as their or­ April I. At the Communion service municant members and 45 covenant ganist.' The Junior choir is directed April 10, five persons were received members. On April 3, Mr. and Mrs. by Mrs. Calvin Peters and the Senior into communicant membership, and Alvin Parks with their three children, choir by Mrs. Davies. The pastor, the five children into covenant member­ and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hofford with Rev. John Davies, will speak on the ship. The afternoon of the' same day their two children were received into morning devotions hour of the Shawnee formal dedicatory services were held the church. Attendance at Sunday radio station, WTCH, May 2-7. in the newly redecorated auditorium of school reached a record 246 on Palm Cedar Grove, Wis.: The Presby­ the church. The church building was Sunday, and 252 on Easter Sunday. tery of Wisconsin held its spring meet­ erected in 1875 and last redecorated in Chaplain George E. Vanderpoel, a ing at Calvary Church on Aprilaz-rj. 1888. The present auditorium is one Westminster graduate stationed at Visiting n\inisters were the Rev. John of the finest in Portland. The pastor, Bethesda Naval Hospital, was guest Piersma and Dr. William Young. A the Rev. Calvin A. Busch, spoke on speaker at a service the Friday before joint young people's banquet of Cal­ the theme, "Who is Jesus?" Greet­ Easter. vary Church, Bethel Church of Oost­ ings were brought from other evangeli­ burg, and the Oostburg Christian Re­ cal churches in Portland, and messages formed Church is being planned, with were read from former pastors John Middletown. Pa.• Church the Rev. Donald Graham of Westfield, Skilton and Arthur Olson. The total Calls Assistant N. J., as speaker. At a recent mid­ cost of redecorating the auditorium was week prayer meeting the fourteen about $4,000. T its annual Congregational Meet­ young people of the communicants' A ing April 20, Calvary Church re­ Philadelphia, Pa.: The annual con­ class declared their faith in Jesus Christ ceived financial reports indicating that gregational meeting of Calvary Church as Saviour and' Lord. One of these is contributions to both the general fund of Germantown was held on April valedictorian of the high' school this and benevolences had been the largest 28 in the building used for worship year, with a scholastic average of 96 in the history of the church. It was services. The meeting was preceded for the four years of school. The high also reported that the new building for by a congregational fellowship supper, school baccalaureate service this year Sunday school and day school use the first in the history of Calvary will be at Calvary Church. A fifteen should be ready for occupapcy soon. church. Over 60 persons were present. minute concert of sacred music is given The congregation is confronted by an before the evening service on the first Crescent Park, N. J.: On Easter unusual opportunity in the large num­ Sunday night of the month by the Sunday the Sunday School of Im­ ber of unchurched homes in the'com- , organist, Miss A. Dirkse, and on the manuel Church of Crescent Park had munity and the number of new families last Sunday of the month by a 'young an attendance larger than, that of the taking up residence each month. A people's orchestra under the direction Immanuel Church of West Collings­ Sunday school has for several years of Jack Grotenhuis. On Easter Sun­ wood. The Crescent Park work was been conducted in the Olmstead Homes day the Communion was observed at started by the West Collingswood housing project and since September i the morning service, with one of the Church four years ago, and though has averaged well over 100 in attend­ ,l largest attendances ever seen at the the membership of the church is much ance. Recently permission has been church. Special music was provided by smaller than that of the parent congre­ granted by the housing authority to the choir, and following the pastor's gation, the Sunday school has shown conduct an eleven a.m, church service message, the service was concluded with remarkable and steady growth, with there. In an attempt to seize this the choir singing Handel's "Hallelujah attendance now being double that of opportunity the congregation adopted Chorus," as the congregation stood. a year ago. a budget which included an item for I ,j 96 THE PRESBYTERIAN GU ARDIAN Mar

an assistant to the pastor. The session Mrs. Homer Tatman of the Eastlake Birch in has retained Mr. Thomas G. Kay in Church, Wilmington, conducted the Editorial Positlon this position on a part time basis devotions, reading selections from John while he is completing his theological 12. Miss Helen Shallcross of Middle­ H OMAS R. BIRCH has accepted education. town welcomed the ladies to Grace Ta position on the editorial staff of The Herald, a weekly newspaper I Mr. Kay and his family have been Church. I active in the work of the local congre­ The major business of the day was published in the Mt. Airy section of gation. Mr. Kay has served the last the election of officers. The following Philadelphia. two years as a ruling elder of Calvary, were chosen: President, Mrs. R. B. Me. Birch is well-known to GUARD­ and has been superintendent of the Kuiper, Calvary Church, Philadelphia; IAN readers, having been associated I, Olmstead Sunday school. Recently, he Vice-President, Mrs. William Ferguson, with THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN from resigned his position as district mana­ Kirkwood; Recording Secretary, Mrs. its beginning in 1935, until 1946. In I ger of the Birlov Company in order Edwards Elliott, St. Andrews, Balti­ that year he left to enter photographic to prepare himself for the gospel minis­ more; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. business, and has been with the Farrer­ I try. His conduct of the church serv­ Howard Porter, Baltimore; Treasurer, Birch Studio in Germantown. He ices and calling in the community have Mrs. William Davies, Calvary, Phila­ entered upon his labors with The Her­ already resulted in an increased interest delphia; and Assistant Secretary-Treas­ ald on May 2. , Mr. Birch is a ruling and attendance both at Olmstead serv­ urer, Mrs. Eugene Hayman, Eastlake, elder in Calvary Orthodox Presby­ ices and those of Calvary itself. Wilmington, Delaware. terian Church, Philadelphia. ) During April fourteen persons were A vocal solo by Mrs. Howard Porter received into communicant member­ was especially enjoyable. ship in Calvary Church. The pastor, The' morning session was rounded Willis to the Rev. Robert L. Atwell, has sixteen out with a particularly interesting North Carolina enrolled in a communicants' instruction forum on Christian welfare. Many of H E Rev. George J. Willis has in­ class for persons preparing for church the women present participated with dicated his acceptance of a call from membership. There are also 37 chil­ suggestions and experiences on different T a three-congregation home mission field dren enrolled in a catechetical course phases of the subject. centering in Snow Hill, North Caro­ in which both parents and pastors par­ At the afternoon session Mrs. John ticipate in the instruction. lina. The churches are in the Presby­ P. Galbraith presented news of the terian Church in the U.S. (Southern). various missionaries, and a period of Me. Willis plans to move with his prayer followed. family to Snow Hill about the first of Grace Chapel Seel(s Mrs. Howard Porter and Mrs. Ed­ June. wards Elliott favored the group with a Financial Help duet. RACE CHAPEL of Fair Lawn, Mrs. Francis Mahaffy presented a G N. J., is seeking funds for the very interesting and detailed picture of Mrs. Walter S. Marston erection of a proposed church building. the three types of people with which N Saturday, April 3, Mrs. Mabel A local bank has offered to handle a they had had contact in their labors on O Eddy Marston, beloved wife of bond issue for the building of the the field. Walter S. Marston and mother of the church, with no carrying charge for The new officers were installed by Rev. George W. Marston of Evergreen its services. A Christian organization Mrs. Edward Kellogg of Immanuel Park, was called home to be with the of local businessmen has offered to Church, West Collingswood, N.J. Mrs. Lord. Surviving in addition are three purchase $2,000 of the bonds, provided Kellogg mentioned each missionary by sons, two of whom, Arthur and Edwin, the balance of the issue can be sold and name, and reviewed the sacrifices and are ministers, and one daughter. Fu­ funds procured sufficient to erect the trials which each undergoes for the sake neral services were held at Ames, Iowa, building. Any church or individual of the gospel, and reminded those and interment was at Seward, Illinois. willing to purchase some of the bonds present of the privilege that is theirs in The three minister-sons officiated at the for the erection of a chapel in Fair serving in even a limited capacity at services. Lawn is invited to communicate with home. the pastor, the Rev. Bruce Coie, 564 Mrs. Kuiper expressed the purpose Fair Lawn Parkway, Warren Point, and desire of the newly elected officers Oxford 'New Jersey. to serve to the best of their ability, and (Continued [rom p. 84) commended the retiring president on school and in every voluntary school." her admirable administration during A parent who objects to the program Philadelphia the past two years. has the right to withdraw his child Presbyterial The offering received was used to from participation, but it is said that help defray the medical expenses for such withdrawals are rare. I suppose N interesting and stimulating meet­ John Mahaffy. that most readers in America will be A ing of the Presbyterial Auxiliary" (Latest word is that John Mahaffy as astonished at this state of affairs as of the Presbytery of Philadelphia was appears to be cured, but the doctor is I have been, especially as one contrasts held on April 19, at the Grace Ortho­ not willing to give a final word. How­ the present American policy. Many dox Presbyterian Church, Middletown, ever, present plans are for the Mahaffys questions relating to principle and prac­ Delaware. to return to Eritrea this fall.) tice arise, but I will not yield to the

t (' "i 1949 THE PRESBYTERIAN' GU ARBIAN 97

temptation to discuss them here. Suffice by the total impact of the .course and lecturer, took several minutes to say it to say that the worship and instruc­ the Christian fellowship. that to speak of Jesus as our Passover, tion must be non-sectarian, and reli­ There were also lighter moments and or our Redeemer, or our Saviour, or gious groups in the several localities hours. What a delight it was to tour our Ransom has little or no meaning must agree on a syllabus for instruction the ancient and historic colleges: Mag. today, since we stand so far removed in the school. In many communities dalen, Christ Church, Merton, Oriel from the life and experience of the 1 \ this approach seems to have caused a and many others, and to walk in the Jews. Nevertheless, in our modern minimum of friction. In Northern charming parks and meadows which situation, frustrated as we are, we must Ireland, however, a battle is raging set the centuries old structures in bril­ still look for an answer to our needs. because the agreed syllabus is quite liant relief. There was even time for Some poet may arise, he thought, who modernist. Whatever the merits of the punting on the Cherwell on Saturday would have the necessary inspiration; system may be, the fact is that many afternoon, about which I had better Meanwhile, we should have to pour out teachers are now facing the necessity say nothing more than that it, as well our hopes and longings with the expec­ of engaging in religious instruction and as the kind of punting that is done in tation that Christ would fulfill them! Christian teachers are confronted with America, calls for a good deal of finesse. That was the sermon. a new challenge and opportunity. Providence was most kind in granting This stood in sharp contrast with For a few years now the Christian a glorious, sunny week, and I felt well the earlier part of the service accord­ Education Committee of the Graduates' compensated for the somewhat harsh ingto the Prayer Book. Though quite Fellowship has been conducting a weather of the preceding week. non-conformist myself, and certainly course for teachers during the spring Oxford provides an ideal setting for not reconciled to a highly ritualistic vacation. The one conducted this year reflection upon stirring and momentous service, I cannot but recognize that the afforded me a very happy experience events in the history of modern Chris­ Prayer Book has been a great blessing and opportunity. There were about tianity. Here Wyclif labored and here to the English people. It has kept alive eighty enrolled in the course, including Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley were Biblical teaching and no doubt has veteran teachers and virtual beginners, martyred during "bloody Mary's" reign served for many as a vehicle of true both men and women, representing nearly 400 years ago. The Martyr's piety, whereas in the free churches, widely scattered areas. With the staff Memorial was erected about a century when the minister has turned modern­ and visitors there were perhaps a hun­ ago to honor the stand of the three ist, the entire service has been devoid dred present throughont the week. And men for the Reformation principie of Christian testimony. What may de­ since we lodged at one of the women's against Rome, but also as a protest velop from this mixed situation I, of colleges of Oxford University, St. against the high church movement course, do not know, but I had occa­ Hilda's, had our meals in one large which originated and flourished here sion to rejoice in the opportunity of dining hall, and were frequently con­ through the labors of Pusey, Newman fellowship with many fine Church vened in hours of devotion and dis­ and others. Now it is being renovated, of England evangelicals. It is easy to cussion, as well as in the class room, and it is said that this is the result of find shortcomings, but I doubt that we the 'time passed most swiftly and pleas­ the initiative of evangelical ministers in America appreciate the rather differ­ antly. The Rev. Philip E. Hughes of in the church of England. The revival ent situation which exists where the're the Faculty of the Bible Churchmen's under the Wesleys and Whitfield, which has for centuries been a national Missionary College at Bristol was the has meant so much for the religious church. Meanwhile, the question re­ other lecturer who taught every day, life of England and other lands, also mains whether in our land of liberty his course being on the message of the began at Oxford, for they too were we are fighting the battle of the Lord Old Testament Prophets. Other special University men. along the whole front. lectures on Methodology, on Christian­ It is most difficult for an outsider Cordially yours, ity and Islam, on Palestine, and OIl to gauge the present state of affairs. NED B. STONEHOUSE. Modern English Church History were Only about ten percent of the people given by competent instructors. It was in England are said to have any serious my privilege to give daily lectures on connection with the church. There are Atwell Matthew as well as to preach atthe clos­ no doubt evangelicals among the non­ ing service on Sunday evening in the conformist groups, but my impression, (Continued [rom p. 89) College Chapel. The titles of my survey perhaps strongly influenced by the na­ private the account of what happened course may suggest, especially to former ture of my contacts, was that the most when "every man did that which was students, the manner in which I sought concerted efforts come from the evan­ right in his own sight." to present the message' of Matthew. gelicals in the Church of England, some The story is told of a priest who They were: "Born King of the Jews"; of whom appear to be distinctly Cal­ went into a certain mountain fastness ,"But I Say Unto You" (The Messianic vinistic. All of this is indeed in the in Northern Italy to administer mass. Message); "What Manner of Man is context of the inclusive Church, where He knew that a great many of the This?" (The Miracles); "A Ransom -the broad and the high church influ­ natives were brigands who lived by for Many"; "Whose Son is He?"; "He ences have been very powerful. Appar­ thievery and murder. One such came is Risen even as He Said." Everyone ently they tend to converge. . to confession and penitently acknowl­ seemed to have a profitable time, and I attended one service at St. Mary's edged a minor infraction in his observ­ even the few who apparently were not Church-the University Church-and ance of the past Lent. Tearfully he Christians, but had been influenced in heard one of the most anti-Christian begged forgiveness. The priest in­ one fashion or another to attend, gave sermons imaginable. The vicar, who quired if he had committed no other evidences of being influenced greatly is also on the University staff as a sins, and he declared that he had not. 98 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN May

"What," asked the priest, "about rob­ expressly set down in Scripture, or by This, of course, is of first practical bery and murder?" To which the good and necessary consequence may importance. It places prayer in its man replied, "0 yes, those, but those be deduced from Scripture; unto which propel perspective. The Scriptures are are not sins. Everyone up here does nothing at any time is to be added, clear but our eyes are blinded by sin those things." whether by new revelations of the and we need always to pray that the You say the case is so extreme as to Spirit or traditions of men." We have Holy Spirit, who spake through be absurd. Not so. Who are you to no revelation apart from the Word. Prophets and Apostles, will open our declare a violation of the eighth com­ Indeed, God answers prayer but prayer eyes that we may behold the truth. mandment more of a sin than a vio­ is a part of communion with God, and - This is important, too, for'it leaves lation of the third; to interpret the he who would speak to God in prayer you without excuse. It simply means breaking of the sixth commandment is presumptuous indeed, and is certain that the Scriptures are written to you as more heinous than breaking the to fall into the snare of the devil, if and for you. The wayfaring man, fourth? Yet every day you hear the he does not listen when God speaks in though he be a fool, need not err Lord's name profaned and every week His Word. therein. Read them. They will teach you behold the Sabbath desecrated and For instance here is a young married you aright that you are a sinner, deserv­ think little of it. There is the greatest woman who has contracted an "un­ ing the eternal wrath and curse of God. J need that we check our beliefs and fortunate marriage.'; It develops that Read them. They will teach you that practices, our very attitudes, against her husband is an habitual drunkard. Christ is a Saviour able to save and God's Word. She wants a divorce. Now, had I keep the chief of sinners. Read them. written the Bible I would have made They will teach you how the saved AUTHORITY habitual drunkenness a ground for man may live to the glory of God. When we acknowledge the Bible to divorce. But I did not write it. God Read them. They are indeed sufficient be the Word of God our view of that wrote it. And God allowed one ground to teach you all that you need to know Word is forever determined by our for -divorce. This young woman is about God and all the duty which He view of God. If God be sovereign anxious to do the right thing, accord­ requires of you. Read them. They and all-wise His Word is absolute and ingly she prays-long and earnestly. are the very Word of the sovereign authoritative. This means it is not Later she proceeds to apply for divorce God. Read them, and remember that to be tampered with-it may not be and she is sure that she is doing right. it is not the hearer of the Word only, used simply' to support the particular Why? Because she prayed about it. but the doer of the Word, who shall ideas or frame of life which we desire But she was wrong. God had not so be blessed. to give ourselves, Sound principles of answered her prayer for God never interpretation are to be applied. These contradicts Himself. We do not learn are many but here I will name only God's will through prayer. We may one, the most important and most ob­ learn it in answer to prayer, we may St. Nicholas Church vious. Scripture is to be interpreted learn it in His providential dealings, to Be Razed in the light of Scripture. Any state­ but always in the light of the Word, ment is to be understood in the light never apart from the Word. H E edifice of the oldest church in of all that the Scriptures teach. Hence Again let us insist that the Word is T New York City is to be torn down, the need for systematic theology. By sufficient, sufficient for all that man and the land leased for an office build­ that means we shall be saved from the is to believe and all that he is to do. ing. This is the outcome of the long snare of errors, which Satan assures It was just because the Apostles gave struggle between congregation and J us are actually Scriptural. themselves to the ministry of the Word consistory concerning the future of St. It follows that the Scriptures are that they could set forth principles for Nicholas Collegiate Reformed Church. relevant. They are to be applied in the direction of the deacons; also of The consistory, representing the gov­ every situation in this world. Recently shopkeepers and educators and carpen­ erning body of five Reformed congrega­ I was reproached by a college student ters. It was just because the Apostles tions in the city, has for a number of for believing in that "horrible" doctrine restricted themselves to the ministry of years sought to sell the downtown of the security of the saints. I asked the Word that the church through her property, located at Fifth Avenue and him to consider carefully John 5:24 members could serve God in every 48th Street, one of the most valuable and then tell me what it taught. He: realm and claim the cosmos for Christ. properties in the city. The congrega­ finally replied that the doctrine was tion has consistently opposed the move. taught there but he certainly didn't PERSPICUITY In 1946, when the matter was under think it would be wise to teach people Finally, I quote once more from the discussion, the pastor, Dr. Joseph R. today such a doctrine. At that point Westminster Confession, "All things Sizoo, resigned the pastorate and was two of his fellow students took him in Scripture are not alike plain in them­ made President of New Brunswick over and rightly pointed out that it is selves, nor alike clear to all; yet those Theological Seminary. In 1947 the \ God, not man, who determines what things which are necessary to be congregation voted to dissolve, and dis­ is wise to teach people today. known, believed and observed for sal­ posed of its immediate assets. vation, are so clearly propounded and It has been emphasized that the prop­ SUFFICIENCY opened in some place of Scripture or erty is not being sold, but only leased. Our Confession of Faith well says, other that not only the learned, but the Lessee is the Massachusetts Mutual Life "The whole counsel of God concerning unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary Insurance Company, which according all things necessary for his own glory, means, may attain to a sufficient under­ to the terms can occupy the property man's salvation, faith and life, is either standing of them." for 7I years. .... /'

1949 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN

Orthodoxy Denounced Allis holds sincerely to the West­ over the existence of two "rival" theo­ A'S "Schismatic'" minster Confession of Faith as con­ logical seminaries. We assume that taining the system of doctrine taught in one of these seminaries is the Korea H ERE has just been published the Scripture. This position, then, is Theological Seminary in Pusan where Tlatest issue of "Christianity Today," "heresy" to the new leaders of educa­ the Rev. Bruce Hunt is teaching, and ~. a journal appearing occasionally, spon­ tion in the northern Presbyterian .de­ the institution established by Dr. Park \ sored by The Presbyterian and Re­ nomination. If Dr. Allis' position is and a number of students who with­ I formed Publishing Company under the contrary to the Presbyterian Church drew from that seminary and went to editorship of Dr. Samuel G. Craig. U.S.A.'s Confession of Faith, why then Seoul, as previously reported in the The chief article in this issue is by Dr. is Dr. Allis not charged with heresy GUARDIAN, may be the other. Oswald T. Allis. Both Dr. Craig and and suspended from the church's The R.N.S. information is that the Dr. Allis were associated with West­ ministry? Assembly voted to recognize both of minster Seminary prior to 1936, but these seminaries, but appointed a com­ withdrew from it in that year and have mittee to work on the problem of remained in the Presbyterian Church Korea Seminary uniting them. U.S.A., though keeping up a running "Recognized" A year ago the Assembly had refused battle against Modernism in that REPORT by R.N.S. tells ot the recognition to Korea Theological Sem­ church. A recent meeting of the General inary. At I first the local presbytery The occasion for the most recent Assembly of the Korean Presbyterian supported the Assembly's decision, but appearance of "Christianity Today" is Church. One of the chief debates was late last fall the presbytery changed, the publication of the Westminster Study Edition of the Bible. We have already .noted the modernistic character of the notes appended to this Bible, which is published by the Board of ORDER FORM Education of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Dr. Allis now presents a THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN lengthy analysis of the book, showing 1505 Race Street, Philadelphia 2, Pa. that from Genesis to Revelation its Dear sirs: notes are not in harmony with, but are Enclosed find $2.00 for which please send The Presbyterian Guardian contrary to, the doctrine of Scripture for one year to: set forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms. Most interesting are some introduc­ Name .. ._------.------tory .remarks .telling of certain corres­ Address . . , -- __ pondence between a Presbyterian U.S.A. minister and the editor-in-chief of the "New Curriculum," of which the Study Edition is a part. The minister wrote the editor-in-chief ex­ The Presbyterian Guardian is a monthly magazine committed to stating, defending, and pressing the hope that the New Curri­ promoting orthodox Presbyterianism as set forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith. culum would be revised in the direction of the orthodox position, in view of ---~------previous criticisms of it by Dr. Allis. You may copy or i:lip this form for use in ordering The editor-in-chief of the New Curri­ culum replied, "I am sorry that I can­ not promise any possibility that the THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN curriculum will develop into closer 1505 Race St., Phila. 2, Pa. accord with Dr. Allis' viewpoint." Dear sirs: And he goes on to state that Dr. Allis' position "for some years has been Please send the books checked to the undersigned:- ,L generally recognized as schismatic, and COMMENTA~YON DANIEL. Young ($4.50) D he represents a type of barren rational­ \ e . istic orthodoxy which is contrary to the GOD TRANSCENDENT, Machen ($2.50) D . great confessions of our Presbyterian CHRISTIANITY AND LIBERALISM. Machen ($2.50) D Church." , So the man in charge of preparing Enclosed. find $ to cover the above order. the course of study for Sunday schools in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. now NAME · .. declares that the position espoused by Dr. O. T. Allis is schismatic, rational­ ADDRESS ·· · · , - istic,and contrary to the great con­ fessions of the Presbyterian Church. . To the best of our knowledge, Dr. .

• 100 THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN May, 1949

and voted approval of the Seminary. uncertain, being variously estimated at The presbytery also voted to overture from 14 to 2,000. this year's Assembly to try liberal If the merger is consummated, the teachers in the older Chosen Seminary united church will have a membership for heresy. of some 2 million persons. This year's Assembly also debated the question of bowing to the flag at patriotic and other occasions. Some American Council maintained this was worship in the Convention tradition of pagan Shrine worship, and HE Spring convention of the Amer­ • proposed instead a mere "saluting" of T ican Council of Christian Churches 7 WEST36ST' NEW YORK 18, N·Y· the flag. was held in Denver, Colorado, April We await with interest further in­ 27-2 9. formation about these developments in Among resolutions adopted at the STUDENTS !pANTED Korea. convention were these: against social­ ized medicine (an infringement of Young Women & Young Men E and R Church human responsibility and individual Train for Mental Nursing Approves Merger freedom ... "a clear violation of the y a vote of 249 to 41 the General Fourth Amendment"); for complete THE NEED IS B Synod of the Evangelical and consistency in Christian work (calling GREAT Reformed Church has approved the on the NAE, Youth For Christ, and You are wanted at the final basis for merger with the Con­ similar organizations to take position gregational Christian churches. The of complete Scriptural separation from CHRISTIAN SANATORIUM matter will now go to the 34 divisional Modernism, the Federal Council, and WYCKOFF, N. J. Synods of the denomination, where movements of "negative compromise"); approval also seems certain. expressing prayerful interest in the Address A minority group in the Congrega­ problems of Protestant brethren in Director of Nurses tional Christian church has opposed Northern Ireland; and opposing inter­ the proposed merger, and has gone so ference by our State Department in sup­ far as to enter court in their fight port of Catholic advancement there); against it. The number of individual agains federal aid to educationj and SUNDAY SCHOOL churches involved in this opposition is for the Atlantic Pact. PAPERS Edited by Orthodox Bible Teachers Bible Lessons in Bible Order NOW! A NEW. CLEAR AND POSITIVE EXPOSITION Flannelgraph Pictures Ask for Samples CHRISTIAN REFORMED PUBLISHING HOUSE The Prophecy Grand Rapids, Mich.

'CHRISTIAN OPINION of DANIEL L. CRAIG loNG. PH.D., Editor 464 Pequot Avenue, New London. Conn. A COMMENTARY Christian scholars may submit Scripturally supported articles on economics, labor, by Dr. Edward Young, Th.M., Ph.D. politics, sociology, education, and any other t. field in which God should be glorified. A free sample copy will be mailed to any who Professor of Old Testament are interested in possible assistance by prayer, articles, or subscriptions. Westminster Theological Seminary Philadelphia, Penna. This new work by one of the roremost of contemporary Old 'I Just Released! Testament scholars meets the needs of the minister the trained Bible student,and the average educated reader of HolY Scripture. GO W N 5 ·····.1 ~1 • Pulpit and Choir. $4.50 Clear, posiiive exposition of prophecy is coupled with accurate f; explanation of historical faet and the accumulated authority of Headquarters for An Entirely New Work. other outstanding scholars. The exact meaning of the Hebrew and -i Aramaic is brought out; adequate references are made to divergent UI/·~.~f. RELIGIOUS SUPPLIES For Students, Ministers and the lnterpretattons, Average Reader. Here is a' commentary which above all others. will glve you a Contains Exact Meanings of Hebrew fuller understanding of DANIEL and it, unique content. Obtain your and Aramaic, Adequate References copy today. ~ to Divergent Views, Valuable Ap· ~f_ pendices. ,1?)~':t;;', c.:.a.s, -+ CATALOG ON REQUEST \{f!~tt WM. B. EERDMANS Order from PUBL. CO. r-n...' CHURCH GOOO\ "ltV i.::l:.::=ljlsficnalv SUPPLY COMPAh Y (~ your bookseller 255 Jefferson Avenu•• S. E. • Grand Rapids 3. Mich• 821 "23 ARCH STIHET, PHILAD,.P~:IA 7. PA

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