Seplembel' 15, 1955 Vol. 24, No. 8-9 '!he 7!wktletUut- 1 GUARDIAN

We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom, by them, we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins, but when we have done all We can, We have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants and because, as they are good, they proceed from His Spirit; and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled, and f mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, 1 that they cannot endure the severity of God's judgment.

Westminster Confession XVI.5

J. Gresham Machen Published Monthly Editor 1936 -1937 $2.50 per year Meditation Until the end does come, there will would pour out upon us the Spirit be war between the usurper and the of prayer and of supplication for the Redeemer, the prince of darkness and triumph of his cause in the earth. Prayer For Conquest the Prince of Peace, the Kingdom of Would not the dullness of our days heaven and the kingdom of hell. The depart before new zeal? Would not "Thy Kingdom come."- mystery of iniquity will continue to the weakness that we see around give MATTHEW 6: 10. work and will gain all who receive way before a heavenly power? The There probably are many people not the love of the truth. But the mys­ castles of sin are fortified and every throughout the land quite convinced tery of godliness will prosper, and like vain imagination is on the loose. there is nothing wrong with the coun­ a stone cut out of the hills without It's time to pray! It's time to pray for try that a new administration would not hands will fall upon the empires of triumph. And victory will follow do a lot to cure. And there continue to this world. It will grind them to pow­ prayer, for Christ does not mock us be men in the world apparently per­ der, and will itself fill the earth. Like in bi~ding us pray, "Thy Kingdom suaded that a golden age would dawn the mustard seed, the Kingdom of come! the day they gained complete control. God will unfold to glorious propor­ HENRY P. TAVARES The world does need a new admin­ tions. Like the leaven, it will permeate istration. But whatever benefits we and transform the whole world. Westminster Seminary may obtain by peaceful elections will God's Kingdom will advance for a Opens September 28 be but temporary alleviations of our time as a plant grows out of the ills. And violent upheavals too often ground. Silently, by imperceptible HE OPENING EXERCISES of West­ leave behind a trail of ruin. The cure strides, independent of the power of T minster Theological Seminary, as is swift of foot, and quite beyond man, it will unfold. But it will cli­ it starts its 27th academic year, will the power of man to capture. max in events that will be catastro­ be held on Wednesday afternoon, Satan is the chief source of unrest. phic for the present world-order, but September 28, at 3 p.m. in the audi­ As the god of this world, and the gloriously triumphant for the power and torium of Calvary Orthodox Presby­ prince of the powers of the air, he grace of God. New heavens and new terian Church adjacent to the campus. "works in the sons of disobedience" earth will be ushered in. The corrup­ The address for the occasion will and leads them captive unto his will. tible will put on incorruption and the be given by the Rev. John H. Krorn­ And the result is chaos and confusion. mortal be clothed with immortality. minga, Professor of Historical Theol­ His is a kingdom of darkness unrest Tears will give place to the shout of ogy in Calvin Seminary, on the sub­ bondage, and misery. By ~ubtlety: triumph, and chaos will vanish be­ ject, "Orthodoxy's Task." falsehood, and violence, the old ser­ fore the tide of peace. Righteousness, As of this writing, some twenty pent and destroyer labors to destroy holiness, and truth will fill the earth five applicants have been admitted to the works of God, and as chief ad­ as the waters cover the sea, and there the Junior class of the Seminary, in­ versary foments revolt. And no man will be no place for anything that of­ dicating that the total enrollment will on earth can cope with him. fends. God's Kingdom of grace and be about 80 students. The hope of the world is in the of glory will ruin forever the king­ coming of another kingdom. Prophets dom of hell. Betzold Returning long foretold it. And something of its This is the Lord's doing. And it blessing was known already in their is marvelous in our eyes. And no less HAPLAIN JOHN W. BETZOLD, day. But it came especially with the wonderful is the truth that there is a C U.S.A., who has been with the Prince of Peace. John, going before job for us in bringing to pass this Armed Forces in Germany for about him, rejoiced to say, "The kingdom glorious plan. He makes us fellow­ three years, will return to this coun­ of heaven is at hand!" And demon­ workers, fellow-laborers with Christ. try about November 1. He has been strating the power of his govern­ As tools in his hands we play a part teassigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, where ment in the mighty works he wrought, in fashioning his masterpiece of love he will serve his next tour of duty. Jesus faced observers with the words, and wisdom and grace. Though he Chaplain Betzold's family will accom­ "If I by the finger of God cast out alone can give increase, we are called pany him. demons, then is the kingdom of God to plough, to cultivate, to water. We In accordance with actions of the come upon you." cannot rout the enemy. Yet we serve General Assembly, Chaplain Betzold A new day has dawned. And al­ in the army of the King. He bids fight has been able this summer to attend, ready new hopes rise in the hearts of the good fight and contend earnestly as an observer, the International Con­ millions that shall never be disap­ for the faith. And there is every as­ gress for Reformed Faith and Action, pointed. A song now goes out of lips surance of ultimate victory. held at Detmold, Germany, and also that once cried in anguish. Yet only But the weapons of our warfare are to attend as a fraternal delegate, the the first rays of the rising sun are not carnal, but spiritual. We have a Synod of the Gereformeerde Kerken seen, the first fruits of a glorious har­ message to take to the world. And we in the Netherlands, held at Leeuwar­ vest, the tokens of a great promise. have the ministry of prayer. It is den. The Orthodox Presbyterian The kingdom of satan is still with us. God's good pleasure to give us the Church holds a relationship of close Though its doom is sealed, its destiny Kingdom. But Jesus bids ask, "Thy communion with this Netherlands has not been reached. Kingdom come." Would that God church.

The Presbyterian Guardian is published monthly by the Presbyterian Guardian Publishing Corporation, 728 Schaff Building, 1505 Race Street, Philcdelphio 2, Pc., at the following rates, payable in advance for either old or new subscribers in any part of the world, postage prepaid: $250 per year; $1.00 for four months; 25¢ per single copy. Entered as second class matter March 4, 1937, at the Post Office at Philadelphia, under the Act of March 3, 1879. 114 The Presbyterian Guardian THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN SEPTEMBER 15, 1955

Why Missions?

W HEN WE originally asked for the articles which natural but a necessary basic principle in the appear in this issue of The Guardian, it was thought and activity of the church. not our expectation that there would be any partic­ But for some people, even some who claim ular similarity between them. As we have read the name of Christian, this is not true. Some who them, however, we have been struck by the fact hold high positions in the "church" are not pre­ that they all have a common basis and concern. pared to accept the view that there is eternal life And that is what we may call a "missionary" con­ only through Christian faith, and that other re­ cern. ligions, however noble their concepts may seem, The article by Robley Johnston, who is the lead ultimately to destruction and not to glory. new general secretary of the Committee on Chris­ For example, the magazine Theology Today, tian Education of The Orthodox Presbyterian edited by members of the faculty of Princeton The­ Church, points up the place of education in ad­ ological Seminary, carries in its July 1955 issue vancing the church of Christ. People must be in­ two articles which in one way or another deal with formed and educated Christians, if they are to be this matter. One, an article by a member of the Christians at all in this age. The articles by Robert Seminary faculty, develops the proposition that Thoburn, home missionary in a Philadelphia sub­ worldwide peace could be promoted and strength­ urban area, and Herbert Bird, foreign missionary ened if it had the backing of a common demand in Eritrea, East Africa, deal with the indifference on the part of all the great religions of the world. of the average individual to the claims of the Gos­ To secure such a backing, there might be estab­ pel. Dr. Young's account of a church in Greece lished a sort of federation of these religions, com­ likewise tells of the victories of the gospel over parable in nature, religiously, to the United Nations. unbelief. The weight of the moral pressure that such a United Religions organization might bring could To us who try to follow in the pattern and not easily be resisted by the political entities of program of New Testament Christianity, it is not the world. That an attempt to unite Christianity strange that the life of the church should be based with other religions in such a unified drive would in a "missionary" concern. For the New Testa­ raise principial problems is admitted, but advantages, ment - and the Scriptures in general - views the even from a religious viewpoint, are claimed for world as divided, religiously, into two camps. These such a program. two camps are "the kingdom of God," or "the The other article comes more directly to the kingdom of His dear Son," and all which is not point. Written by Daniel J. Fleming, a former pro­ in that kingdom. This division is traced historically fessor of Union Seminary, New York, it is con­ to the divine ordinance imposed when sin entered cerned specifically with the question of elements of into the world - "I will put enmity between thee validity in non-Christian religions. The writer ar­ and the woman and between thy seed and her gues that in practice Christians find or may find seed . . ." and it has never been abrogated or de­ real fellowship with non-Christians in the exercises stroyed. By the grace of God individuals are called of non-Christian worship. out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom Take such a quotation as this, for example: of God's dear Son. Such a transfer is possible be­ "Some, in touch with certain spiritual non-Chris­ cause of the redeeming work of that Son, and the tians, are impelled to believe that such individuals application of that work to the human heart by who have not known the historic Jesus may be the Holy Spirit. Such transfers occur chiefly in con­ saved through the eternal Christ." (Theology To­ nection with the preaching of the gospel of saving day, 7/55, p. 217) grace, and to the church has been committed the Or take this, in reference to worship where task of preaching that gospel "in all the world." members of different religions - Christian, Hindu, Consequently a missionary concern is not only a (Continued on next page)

September 15, 1955 115 Moslem, Jewish - join together:" ... who proclaims his devout adherence God who created heaven and earth. Many who have shared in such inter­ to one Allah. "What fellowship hath Power belongerh unto God. By His religious services at their best would Christ with Belial, or what communion word the worlds were framed. And all shrink from saying that while they hath the temple of God with idols?" the power man possesses and uses is themselves were in touch with God The missionary concern of the given to him to be used for the glory through Christ, their non-Christian as­ church is based on the fact and the of God, and according to the will of sociates were in touch with nothing conviction that historic Christianity as God. or worse than nothing...they would set forth in Scripture is the only true Perhaps God Himself wished to refuse to say that Christians and ad­ religion on the face of the earth, that remind man that he was still a crea­ herents of other faiths should never people the world over are by nature, ture of finite, not infinite capacities. attempt to approach together what is whatever their native religion may be, But it is significant that just as the conceived to be of ultimate concern. without hope and without God in the conference on atomic power in Geneva Even if there cannot be a fellowship world, until they accept the gospel on was coming to a close, God, as it were, of faiths, they would witness to the its terms, and commit themselves soul extended one finger and stirred up a reality on special occasions of a fel­ and body to Jesus of Nazareth, who little squall in the South Atlantic. A lowship of those who believe." (The­ is the Christ, the only Saviour of few days later the newscaster in New ology Today, 7/55, p. 221) God's elect. York was commenting that the met­ The author of the above quotes was This is the reason for preaching the ropolitan area was going to be by­ closely associated with the Interna­ gospel, in America, in Africa, in passed by the storm, which had lost tional Missionary Council, now a part Greece, and everywhere else. May God most of its strength and was blowing of the World Council of Churches. help us to proceed on these terms, not itself out. And on Thursday evening The quotations raise the question of to be deceived by the wisdom of this the weatherman reported "cloudy and the final validity of non-Christian re­ world, but ever to walk in the light occasional showers" for that night and ligions, and the reason for missions. of the Word. the next day. If there is some reality, some validity, The northeastern section of the in non-Christian religions and wor­ country is still cleaning up the mess and counting up the damage from those ships, then, while Christianity may Power still have some reason for missionary "occasional showers" resulting from that storm which "was blowing itself activity in the sense that it offers HE CHAIRMAN of the confer­ out over the great lakes." The al­ something that is better, it cannot en­ ence on the peaceful uses of atom­ T mighty God can take a simple rain gage in missionary activity in the ic energy, held in August in Geneva, storm and reveal more power than sense that it offers what is true and Switzerland, painted before the world man has yet found, with all his atomic what alone saves, to those who do not a wonderful picture of the power discoveries. And man stands helpless have what is at all true, or what can which men would have when they before the power of God, and the ever save. found a way to convert hydrogen in­ "stormy winds fulfilling His will." There can be little doubt that, for to energy through controlled fusion. God has been pleased to allow man many reasons, we are being con­ The energy would be so plentiful, to touch a little of the forces of the fronted with a growing movement to and so cheap, that we would never universe. Man will do well to humble equate all religions as ultimately con­ have electric bills any more, and we himself before that same God, and to cerned with the same reality, and as would have power without limit. Other speakers at the conference use what God gives him for God's differing only in their outward forms glory. A very great degree of humil­ and dogmas by which the common also dwelt in the dreamworld of un­ limited power resulting from man's ity is proper to man as he stands in religious quest finds expression. the presence of the mighty God. As against such a syncretism, the wonderful accomplishments in the historic faith of the Christian Church field of atom-splitting and atom­ claims the authority of a special uniting. revelation, whereby it possesses the And indeed the outlook is promis­ ing. Up to this time, science had been '!L 7:~liiimL- truth through which alone men are GUARDIAN saved and come to the knowledge of dreading the use of the power of na­ ture it had unlocked, and talking the truth. Apart from the redeeming 1505 Race Street, Philadelphia 2, Pa. work of Christ, viewed as a vicarious darkly about the end of the world, or sacrifice for sinners, and accepted in the destruction of humanity through self-denying faith, there is no salva­ radiation fall-out. Now they were talk­ ing about positive accomplishments tion. Adherents of Hinduism, Moham­ Leslie W. Sloat medanism, Buddhism, and other like for the benefit, rather than the de­ religions are not being and will not struction, of the human race. E(litor ami lUallager be saved through the "Eternal Christ," But scientists, and others, need to stop a moment and remember that except they come in humble trust to John P. Clelland the power they have suddenly made the Jesus of history and the Cross. Arthur W. Kuschke, Jr. available, is not something really new. The Christian who bows before the Robert S. Marsden triune God has no fellowship with It is simply the unleashing of forces the Buddhist who bows before the idol which were placed in this world by Contributinll Editors of his Buddha, nor with the Moslem the far greater power of the living

116 The Presbyterian Guardian sis upon evangelism in its preaching. Pel'spectives in While on the other hand, the Re­ formed churches have often grown al­ Chl'istian Education most exclusively by the indoctrination of their own people. By ROBLEY J. JOHNSTON Preach and. Teach Christ's commission to the church EARLY EVERYONE is familiar failed of its purpose. offers no support for onesideness in N~ with the artistic efforts of an Yet the perspective required in the the work of His kingdom. The terms old New England grandmother af­ work of Christ's kingdom is not to of His command are exceedingly fectionately known as "Grandma be arrived at simply through some in­ plain. The gospel of Matthew records Moses." Grandma Moses' colorful por­ tuitive sense of balance. The perspec­ the great commission in these words: trayals of New England farm life tive which gives strength and success "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, have a homespun quality about them to the work of Christ's church is that baptizing them in the name of the that has made them extremely popu­ which is outlined in the Word of God. Father, and of the Son, and of the lar. They seem to catch all the little It is in the requirements of scripture Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe details of "life as it used to be" and for the activity of the church that the all things whatsoever I have com­ crowd them happily together on a labors of the church find their proper manded you." (Matthew 28: 19, 20). single canvas. But, although Grandma relation to each other. So that if we The mission of the church, therefore, Moses' paintings are popular at the are to keep our labors as a church in is that of proclaiming a message. It moment, these pleasant little pictures perspective - if our work for Christ is the work of the church to preach will never qualify as great art. They is to accomplish the purpose He de­ the good news of salvation through have one great defect. They lack per­ signs - then we must be careful to Jesus Christ. The work of the church spective. pattern it upon Christ's own order must always be to preach the gospel revealed in the Bible. of Christ, and in doing so to teach men To be sure, it is this very defect to keep all of Christ's commands. The which helps lend to Grandma Moses' preaching of the gospel involves the work a certain charm and fascination. On September 1 the Rev. Robley presentation of the whole range of However, her work is somewhat like J. Johnston, former pastor of Cal­ the revelation of God. the flat, distorted drawings of a first vary Orthodox Presbyterian grade child. It causes you to smile Consequently, while Christ's com­ Church of Middletown, Penna., mission to the church is that of evan­ your approval, even though you rec­ took up his new duties as General ognize that it has its limitations. As gelization, He conceives of that mis­ Secretary of the Committee on sion in terms of indoctrination. The you look at a Grandma Moses' painting Christian Education of the de­ or a child's drawing you find yourself missionary activity of the Christian nomination. Mr. Johnston is mov­ church is, to be sure, its great task, wanting to put in a line here and ing to the Philadelphia area, there - to slant others up and down ­ but that work of the kingdom can­ where his office will be located. In not be properly performed except by to move certain figures more into the this article he indicates the direc­ background or to the front. Things instruction in the whole counsel of tion which his activities will take God. The full significance of the place are not placed in proper focus; they in his new work. are not properly related to one an­ of instruction in the work of the other. And it is this lack of perspec­ church may be seen in the words of tive which keeps such portrayals from The Christian Church has not al­ our Lord to Peter following the res­ satisfying us for very long. ways maintained the perspectives of urrection. It was in the same context scripture in its work and worship. At of commissioning the apostles for Proper Balance Needed certain times and places in the history their work that Christ gave Peter of the church there has been an undue that well-known twofold command: Perspective is one of the essential emphasis upon one or other of the "Feed my sheep; feed my lambs." elements of a fine piece of art. It is elements of its work. The message of Surely it is not without significance also one of the basic elements of suc­ the church has sometimes emphasized that the great commission of the living cess in every sphere of endeavor. A faith and at other times works. The Lord should first take this form. This sense of proportion - balance - ability worship of the church has sometimes command to instruct form, the back­ to keep things in their proper rela­ exalted preaching to the exclusion of ground of the command to evangelize tion - this lies at the foundation of all liturgy and at other times it has recorded in Matthew 28: 19,20 and every strong and enduring enterprise. employed liturgy at the expense of Acts 1:8. And so the program of a Perspective in the work of the church preaching. The approach of the church church committed to fulfilling the com­ is no less important than in other to the mysteries of revelation has at mand of Christ must not only empha­ areas. The Lord's work is not (as is times been controlled by a restrained, size evangelism in missions, it must often supposed) a wild enthusiasm. rationalistic intellectualism and at conduct its evangelism in terms of It is not a blind obsession with one other times by a fervid mysticism. instructing men everywhere in the idea or effort. Where the work of That branch of the church represented fulness of the revelation of God. Christ's kingdom has become such an in our day by Fundamentalism has A church like the Orthodox Pres­ endeavor it has lost its vigor and grown largely by its extreme empha- byterian Church is in the happy posi-

September 15, 1955 117 tion of being forced to maintain this Christian education to supply instruc­ education of its children with a re­ Biblical balance. A church committed tion to every member of the church ligious additive; it is not the providing to the establishment of men and wom­ so that each will be able to grow into of fine physical facilities and an at­ en in the Reformed Faith cannot hope mature understanding of the truth of tractive program of activities for the to accomplish its task simply by a God. Christian education is not sim­ young people. It is much more than sweeping but shallow evangelistic ef­ ply a program of released time re­ these. It is the task of building up fort. At the same time, a church of ligious education, or conducting Sun­ every member in full faith and knowl­ such small size and rather insignificant day Schools or Vacation Bible Schools. edge of Christ. It is the work of sup­ strength dare not depend for its It is nor to be equated with the erec­ plying the whole church with the growth upon the indoctrination only tion of a Christian education wing to means of spiritual growth - not only of its own people and their children. the church building or with a Direc­ in Sunday School or for two weeks It has been said with much truth tor of Christian Education. The of Vacation Bible School but in pro­ that the church must grow both ex­ church's task of Christian education is viding the means of instruction and tensively and intensively. The Bible nor that of supplementing the secular (See "Johnston," p. 125) talks not only of souls being added to the church; it speaks as well of the members of the church being built up in the faith. Therefore, to What People al'e Thinking build the church both evangelism and By ROBERT L. THOBURN instruction must receive the whole­ hearted suppOrt of every Christian. T WOULD APPEAR that religion is bors by owning a fairly new car. Re­ Place of Christian Education I becoming more popular in Amer­ ligion? Oh, certainly they are inter­ ica. This is the impression we ested in religion. The Smiths recently If it is obvious that the church's get from the increasing number of moved their letter to the Methodist task of evangelism is the work of mis­ religious articles in the weekly maga­ Church. They were Presbyterians be­ sions, it should be equally plain that zines, the glowing reports of attend­ fore that. The Methodist Church is the church's task of instruction is the ance at evangelistic meetings, and just around the corner, so they've work of Christian education. In his Hollywood-sponsored religious films. made it the "church of their choice." letter to the Ephesians, chapter 4, the Coupled with these are impressive "Besides," adds Mr. Smith, "all the apostle Paul writes of the building up statistics with respect to church mem­ churches are the same anyway." of the church to its full growth. As bership and a seemingly greater in­ Further questions about the Smiths' he writes of the growth of the church, terest in God on the part of leaders religious status reveals that Mr. Paul speaks of that growth as an in­ in government. Smith seldom attends church. He feels ward development to its full stature How has this new interest in re­ rather tired after working all week, as the body of Christ. The officers of ligion affected the average American? and thinks there are too many hypo­ the church - the gifts of preachers We can not speak for all, but we can crites in the church anyway. He and teachers - have been given, he speak for some. Come with me to a claims it isn't necessary to go to says, "for the perfecting of the saints growing town in the suburbs of a church. He says he's doing the best for the work of the ministry, for the large eastern city. We shall visit in edifying of the body of Christ." The the homes of a few typical suburban­ aim of the preaching and teaching of ites. the church, says Paul, is the arrival We stop first at the home of Mr. of the church "in unity of the faith, and Mrs. Smith. They are like most and of the knowledge of the Son of of the other people around town. Re­ God, unto a perfect man." The goal cently they raised enough money for of the labors of the church should be the down payment on a new home. maturity of understanding so that irs Right now they are most concerned members are no more children in un­ about getting the house paid for, derstanding, swayed by every change and keeping abreast with the neigh- in doctrine. Such intensive growth ­ the building up of each member ­ The Rev. Robert L. Thoburn is is the condition upon which the missionary pastor of the Orthodox Church of Christ will reach its goal Presbyterian Church at Hatboro, of "the measure of the stature of the just north of Philadelphia, Pa. His fulness of Christ." work in organizing a congregation Christian education, then, is the in that area is under the super­ divinely ordained means of achieving vision of the session of Calvary the goal at which the missionary pro­ Orthodox Presyterian Church of gram of the church is aimed, for it Glenside. T his account of some is the work of Christian education to conversations will perhaps sound provide for the growth of the church familiar to many who have en­ in unity of faith and knowledge of gaged in neighborhood evangel­ the Son of God. It is the aim of ism. Robert L. Thoburn

118 The Presbyterian Guardian he can to keep the Golden Rule. He's visited. The Hills call themselves Fun­ pears to be just the opposite of the ecu­ glad to report that "the wife and kids damentalists. They, too, use a familiar menical tendency. Independent church­ go almost every Sunday." phraseology which makes us wonder es, community churches, and other non­ What does Smith think of the cur­ whether they are doing much thinking sectarian churches have sprung up rent religious revival? He isn't doing about Christianity. Like the Smiths, the throughout America. We even have much thinking about anything, espe­ Hills are ecumenically minded. To be so-called Independent "Presbyterian" cially religion. From his general cult­ sure they want nothing to do with the churches. This independent spirit man­ ural background he has received cer­ National Council of Churches. But they ifests itself in separations from existing tain views about Christianity. It is want nothing to do with "denomina­ denominations, and also in a practice of obvious that Mr. Smith is a product tionalism" either. To them that word congregationalism, or independency, of Modernism. He parrots certain is synonymous with evil. They were within denominations. Yet for all its stock phrases, and he likes the Ecumen­ once in a denomination, but now they show of anti-denominationalism and ical Movement (getting all the are just "Christians." They want "no anti-ecumenicism, it really is a kind of churches together). Even though some creed but Christ," and "no book but ecumenical movement. Doctrine is usu­ of the Smiths attend worship services, the Bible." ally minimized or disparaged altogether. none of them know much about the We enjoy our visit with the Hills. The creed is reduced to a simple Bible. They seem hardly to have mas­ It is refreshing after all just to find statement of faith in Jesus Christ, or tered the fundamentals. someone who accepts the Bible as the at best only a few fundamental doc­ Next we visit Mr. and Mrs. Kolo­ Word of God and who trusts in the trines. There is also an undue emphasis ski. They are Roman Catholics. The atoning work of Christ for salvation. upon experience among the Fundamen­ Koloskis have five children. The ones Yet we can not help but feel the differ­ talists. Sermons are characterized by lit­ of school age are enrolled at the local ence between us. We wonder how long tle exposition and much in the way of parochial school. Our visit in the Ko­ the Hills family will remain stedfast relating experiences, usually the minis­ loski home is brief. They're "Catho­ in the faith. It hurts us to see their ter's. lics" and that's that. They're not anti-intellectual anti-doctrinal frame of There are indications today that Fun­ thinking about religion either. The mind. damentalism is moving away from its Koloskis are yielding allegiance to the We might visit other typical homes, distinctive position. Many Fundamen­ church, no matter what the church but this should give us a sufficient basis talists do not understand Barthianism, may teach. for evaluating the religious thinking of the new theology that is replacing the The third family with whom we men today. The Orthodox Presbyterian old Modernism. The Barthians speak discuss religion is the Jones family. Home Missionary (we all might be much of the centrality of Christ, of the Mr. and Mrs. Jones are Jehovah's Wit­ classified as such) finds himself in an fact of sin, and the importance of hav­ nesses. They attended Protestant unpopular position. He is in the middle ing an experience with God. This churches when they were younger, of two tendencies. The one is the tend­ sounds very fine to us, until we realize but never seemed to get much out of ency to unite with other denomina­ that Barthianism is nothing but the old them. They have found much satis­ tions, and the other is the tendency to Modernism dressed up in new lan­ faction in being a part of the sect of go independent. Both of these tenden­ guage. Hence there is great danger that rapidly growing Jehovah's Witnesses. cies represent what we might call "least much of the Christian witness today They are sincere and zealous. They common denominator" religion. When may be swallowed up in this subtle ex­ have much criticism of the established we add fractions in arithmetic we must pression of unbelief. churches. They seem to be a good deal find the least common denominator. In the providence of God the Ortho­ better informed than the average per­ This can be done in mathematics with­ dox Presbyterian Church has been set son. One finds certain things to ad­ out destroying the value of the frac­ in the midst of this situation. It is our mire about these people, but can tion. When we add churches together task to witness to our generation. To scarcely restrain his sorrow when he by some such method, we must reduce do so effectively we must understand thinks of the great errors they cherish. doctrine to a minimum or else elimin­ what people are thinking. Then we The Jones family would have been ate it altogether. This is exactly what must learn how to make the Reformed good workers in any church; now they is taking place in the Modernist faith meaningful to them. We believe don't even believe in the Trinity. churches. For years ethics has held sway that our church must hold fast to its ; They had been spiritually starved in over doctrine in these churches. Con­ whole doctrinal system in a day when .. the churches they attended in their sequently, members can transfer from this is unpopular. Of course we all want youth. They were drifting along un­ one denomination to the other without to see our denomination grow, but to til the Jehovah's Witnesses went to noticing any appreciable difference. do so by compromising with the trend work on them. Doctrine is so minimized that they of the times is of no value. With the It is a delight to us to learn that the think it is not important. Hence they death knell sounding on the old Mod­ fourth family we visit are Christians. fall for the propaganda of the Ecumen­ ernism and many Fundamentalists be­ This family, the Hills, attend the Bible ical Movement. Exponents of ecumen­ coming dissatisfied with the shallowness Community Church. As we engage in ical Protestantism deplore creeds. All of their faith, we are faced with a pe­ conversation with them our delight is they require is subscription to the state­ culiar opportunity. Now is the time overshadowed with disappointment. ment that'Tesus Christ is Lord and Sa­ for us to push forward and make our­ Oddly enough, we find that the Hills vior." selves known. Our job is two-fold. We have a good deal in common with the The other tendency, which is repre­ must have a vigorous evangelism coup­ Smiths, the Modernist family whom we sented chiefly by Fundamentalism, ap- led with solid teaching. We must go to

September 15) 1955 119 the people, for few will come seeking ism in each congregation. When the structure which was his church were us. We must translate Christianity so people are brought in we must teach sometimes obstacles in reaching peo­ that it will have meaning to men today. them. That will be our contribution in ple whose interest in truth was far out­ We need a program of local evangel- building the kingdom of God. weighed by their concern for the out­ ward adornments and trappings of re­ ligion, and for the social standing of those who ministered to them. It was not an uncommon thing at all to hear words to the effect, "But your building ....0 .. I.incoln, Neb..aska doesn't look like a church." But upon arriving in a country in To Senale, E.. which unemployment is an acute prob­ it..ea lem, where $12. U. S. (twelve Ameri­ By HERBERT S. BIRD can dollars) monthly is an adequate wage and anything higher is princely; where even a discarded tin can is a EORGE SMITH and his family live fact that in several important respects prize to be fought over and jealously in a $10,000 home in a new hous­ G work in Lincoln, Nebraska and Senafe, guarded by the winner, the missionary ing development in a midwestern city Eritrea present opportunities and prob­ finds that approximately the same sal­ in the U. S. A. He owns and operates lems peculiar to themselves. There is, aryan which he lived modestly indeed an electric motor shop, and can afford for example, the barrier of language on at home, and on which, by American a 1955 Plymouth and a television set. the foreign field which did not exist in standards, he lives just as modestly in He belongs to the American Legion, his work as a home missionary. The Eritrea, makes him some sort of capital­ the Loyal Order of Moose, the P. T. A. thing that early impresses itself upon a ist in the eyes of his indigenous friends. and the local Community Church. He newly arrived worker on the foreign That this circumstance makes for diffi­ votes Republican and believes that all field is that there is a language obstacle culties in his dealings with those to men should have equal rights and op­ which must be overcome before he will whom he has been sent the missionary portunities-regardless of race, color or be able to do anything even resembling well realizes; no one ever applied to creed. join his church at home in the hope of Tesfai Ghebreselassie and his family securing a better job. live in a 2 room stone house in a vil­ The Rev. Herbert S. Bird is Or­ thodox Presbyterian Missionary in Other differences could be men­ lage in southern Eritrea. He farms a tioned: some more, some less impor­ piece of land, owns two oxen with Senafe, Eritrea, East Africa. He tant. The Eritrean field, for example, which he does his plowing, sends his formerly served as pastor of the seldom if ever requires the missionary 10 year old son out each day to watch Orthodox Presbyterian congrega­ to do battle with learned unbelief; with the sheep and goats, and is a Coptic tion in Lincoln, Nebraska. This atheism or skepticism; with cults other Christian, as his fathers have been for is a brief story of the similarities than Seventh Day Adventism; or with 15 centuries. He believes that men the "too busy for church" attitude. On and differences between the two ought to observe the fasts prescribed by the other hand, there is a double por­ the law of his church, give alms and fields. tion of entrenched ignorance; tradi­ pray to the saints and angels. tionalism; authoritarianism. Now these two families, living half a vigorous missionary job. It will be But it is not so much the differences a world apart, are both objects of the long months, he finds, before he can as as the characteristics which they have in missionary interest of the Orthodox much as talk to those to whom he came common which have impressed them­ Presbyterian Church. A glance at the to minister; and years before he will selves upon the writer after some ex­ missionary roll in the Messenger will have any real rapport with the people perience in these two widely separated reveal the fact that our church is send­ on their own level. And so he must give fields. Their similarities are far greater ing the message of the Gospel, among the large part of the next few years to than he ever supposed that they would other places, both to middle class Amer­ learning to express himself in a lan­ have been. For one thing, it soon be­ ica and to the east coast of Africa. Prob­ guage of bewildering complexity; a comes abundantly clear to the Christian ably the first thought that will occur to language which few foreigners realize worker out here that indifference to the reader of these lines is that here exists, which fewer still have studied, Gospel truth is quite as prevalent in are two kinds of work vastly dissimilar; and which only a handful have learned Eritrea as it is in America. Perhaps that the home missionary and the for­ with any degree of fluency. some who read this will be surprised at eign missionary labor under circum­ And not long afterward the new mis­ such a statement, having been led to stances which have little in common as sionary is struck by a second difference believe by missionary speakers repre­ to environment, methods, or as to the between this and his earlier labors: his senting mission agencies of various response which each may expect his relationship to his mission field as re­ sorts that "Africa is hungry for the efforts to receive. spects his standard of living. He finds There is, of course, some degree of that the problem which existed at home Gospel," or having read stories of the truth to this norian. The writer, having to an extent has reversed itself with a joy with which the good news of sal­ spent part of the eight years of his min­ vengeance! There he found that his vation in Christ was received by certain istry in both fields, can testify to the antique automobile and the modest tribes and peoples. The writer, of

120 The Presbyterian Guardian course, cannot speak for other fields their crops! It is a hold which is not stands for the whole counsel of God; than his own; that the response to the quickly broken, and no mean amount who are more or less sympathetic Word of God as such is most hearten­ of persecution is the lot of the apostate. with and on occasion lend support to, ing in some few places in the harvest The writer has had the experience of its program but who for one reason field which is the world we know on discussing the claims of the Gospel or another will not be convinced that the best of authority to be true-who with members of the Coptic priest­ by supporting unbelief they are does not thrill to read of the blessings hood, and at the end hearing the re­ denying Christ? with which the Lord has accompanied ply, "We agree with what you say; In a word, then, widely as they may the preaching of his Word in Korea, the Bible teaches your religion and be separated by language, culture and for example? But on the basis of his not ours. But we have' to eat." economic circumstances, the African own experience, the writer would offer And yet are these people too dif­ and the American are one in their the counsel that we be most cautious ferent from the American whose fore­ need; one in their general unaware­ not to confuse "hunger for the Word" fathers were traditionally members of ness of how desperate their need with hunger for the purchasing power this or that denomination; who are really is, and one in their hesitation of the American dollar, or hunger for members of families which have for because of tradition or because of the the educational, medical and social ben­ generations sat in a certain pew in fear of men to confess Christ openly. efits which ordinarily accompany the this or that local church, and who But it is required of stewards that work of many, indeed most, mission simply can't bring themselves to sever they be found faithful, and we have, societies. That Eritrea (and many oth­ connections with it, though its min­ as a church, been commissioned to er places) needs the Word is not to be istry has long since abandoned the proclaim in both places that the blood disputed for a moment; that her people Word of God for the theories of of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses are hungry for the Word, that is to say, men? What Orthodox Presbyterian us from all sin. Let us thank God conscious of their spiritual emptiness, minister in the homeland has not and take courage because of the tro­ is just not true. The depravity of the known people who recognize the weak­ phies of his grace which have appeared human heart is such that George Smith ness, indeed, the apostasy, of the in Africa and in America alike, and and Tesfai Ghebreselassie are alike in­ church which they attend and support; let us continue to depend upon the different to the offer of eternal life who appreciate immensely the fact Holy Spirit in sovereign power to through the Son of God. And it is quite that the Orthodox Presbyterian Church bring life from the dead. as much a miracle of the grace of God when the one sees the folly of his "non­ doctrinal religion" and receives and rests upon Christ alone for salvation, as • when the other's conscience is purged The Gospel ID Gl'eece from dead works to serve the living God. By EDWARD J. YOUNG For another thing, the home and for­ eign field are similar in the Widespread T IS ALWAYS encouraging and a fectly. Dr. Hadjiantoniou is a scholar, reluctance of people to abandon tradi­ I matter for rejoicing to learn of a church historian, in fact, a devoted tional forms and associations even the progress of the Gospel. When we believer in the Reformed Faith and when fairly well convinced that they read in the GUARDIAN the progress an earnest preacher of the Gospel. should take a bold and firm stand tor that our individual churches are He has been richly used of God in the truth, counting everything but loss making, we praise God and render the proclamation of the Gospel in that they might win Christ. The Eritre­ our thanks to Him for His goodness Greece. an Coptic Christian, though he has but to us. Likewise when we read the let­ a meager idea of what his religion real­ ters and reports which our own mis­ The Church in Athens ly teaches, and though he may agree sionaries send, we thank God that , that the Bible clearly requires a man He has given to our Church such Dr. Hadjiantoniou is the pastor of to receive the evangelical faith, to aban­ faithful servants. It is also true, when the Second Presbyterian Church of don hope in human works for salvation, others, who are not of our fold, have Athens. He has recently been preaching , and to trust in no other mediator but been used of God, we thank Him for a series of sermons on "The Whole the Lord Jesus Christ, is extremely re­ His grace. Armour of God." Since this series of luctant to part company with the organ­ This is to be the account of some sermons was started a young man of ization which has been at the center of faithful preaching of the Gospel in Greek Orthodox background, an as­ his family's life for centuries. The av­ Greece. It is not as well known in sistant in the Physics Laboratory of erage member of the Ethiopic Church our circles as it should be that there the University of Athens, began at­ lives in awe of his priest; his village is is a faithful Presbyterian Church in tendance at the services. Although his own family became concerned over built around the church as its high Greece, one which is devoted to landmark, and the people are bound by Christ and which is carrying on a vig­ his attendance at an evangelical church, its ordinances not only in matters orous work for Him. One of the out­ nevertheless he has begun to witness which might be described as specifically standing pastors in this Church is the among his own by giving them copies religious, but must heed its directives Rev. G. A. Hadjiantoniou, a man who of the Scriptures. even in such mundane questions as was educated at Cambridge and Edin­ Another young man, a government when they may commence to harvest burgh, and who speaks English per- official, and a member of the Greek

September 15, 1955 121 Orthodox Church, has also begun at­ the Presbyterian Church thinks other­ For Plato begins his Republic by tending the services and has brought wise, for they determined upon an saying, "I went down to the Piraeus a friend with him. Both, says Dr. Had­ aggressive campaign. They hired the yesterday with Glaucon the son of jiantoniou, are "elders" in the Greek largest public assembly place in Athens, Ariston, to offer up prayer to the god­ Orthodox Church. Recently while he "Parnassus Hall" for two lectures. dess, and also from a wish to see how was leaving the morning service a When the time came for the first lec­ the festival, then to be held for the lawyer friend asked him whether he ture, the hall was filled to capacity first time, would be celebrated." It was not himself Greek Orthodox. To even before the meeting began. Dr. was not to offer up prayer to a god­ this the young man replied, "My Hadjiantoniou lectured on the subject dess, nor to see any festival that the friend, since I came here I have found "Which is the Only True Church of Presbyterians went to the Piraeus. that I am not even a Christian, and I Christ?" and sought to point out that They went that the Gospel might be am staying on in order to find out none of the churches round about preached. how I may become one." could make that claim. One result of When we read of such happenings The Greek Orthodox Church today the meeting was the conversion of as this, we may indeed be grateful to is often called the Byzantine mummy. a Greek Orthodox lawyer, who now God. In that very land where the Apos­ It is a Christian Church but it has so takes an active part in the work of tle Paul labored so assiduously to far departed from the faith that one the Evangelical Church. make Christ known, there are today may rightly wonder in how far it de­ The meeting was too successful, faithful followers of the Apostle, whose serves the name Christian. It is filled and the Church was forbidden to hold desire also is to make Christ known. with superstition and ignorance, and, its second meeting there. The second And as in the Apostle's day, the need just as is the case with the Romanist meeting therefore, was held in a large was great, so also today is that need church in this country, men may be­ theatre, with the result that more great. It is the same need of the hu­ long to it without having the slightest people were reached than in the first man soul; the need for the forgive­ .cnowledge of true Christianity. At lecture. In the latter part of May a ness of sins. Let us pray for Dr. Had­ me same time it does have a hold meeting was held in Piraeus. Now jiantoniou and his helpers who are over its members, and when one of this city Piraeus will strike a respon­ laboring so faithfully to make the Gos­ these members is reached with the sive cord in the heart of Americans pel known to those who are yet in the true Gospel, we may indeed give who have studied Greek in college. bondage of ignorance and superstition. thanks to God, Who alone is able to deliver from the snare of superstition. A recent forward step taken by the Evangelical or Presbyterian Church Evangelizing the Children (l0) was the purchase of some wooded land, about thirty miles from Athens, overlooking the north-eastern tip of Sowing and Wale..ing Attica and the island of Euboea. Here the church plans to hold two summer By LAWRENCE R. EYRES camps; one month for boys and one for girls, and all told they hope to have two hundred children. The name HE ApOSTLE PAUL, while re­ ison with the shortness of the harvest. of the camp is Kalamos, which, as T hearsing the beginnings of the But there could be no harvest with­ those who have studied Greek will church in Corinth, wrote, "I have out them. It is the harvest that gives realize, means "reed". At the dedica­ planted, Apollos watered; but God meaning and value to all those months tion service, the speaker expressed the gave the increase" (I Corinthians 3:6 ) . of labor and waiting. There is no hope that those who are connected There is no disputing that God is short-cut to a fruitful harvest. with the camp may always be as "bro­ able, in bringing His saving grace to Let us select a child, call him John. ken Reeds," humble in heart, so as to His people, to work independently of We want to bring John to Christ. We receive the Lord's blessings. human agency. Nevertheless, He have already established that the only An Aggressive Witness whose is "the kingdom, the power, sure way to bring a child to Christ is Modern Athens is a city of churches and the glory" has stooped to make through the primary agency of a Chris­ and shrines. Many of these are beau­ use of sinful human instruments such tian home-s-Christian in name and in tiful churches. Over the doorway of as Paul and Apollos, ministers and truth. If a child is not so favored, our the great Cathedral are these words elders, fathers and mothers, Sunday first attempt must be to bring his from Scripture. "Come ye children, school teachers and officers, to bring parents to Christ. Only after we have hearken unto Me and I will teach you His saving Gospel to those for whom failed in these efforts are we to fall the fear of the Lord." When the pres­ Christ died. This is especially true back exclusively on the methods of ent writer visited Athens three years with regard to the children. direct evangelism (that is, trying to ago, he was much impressed by the In the present article we shall be win the child to Christ without his sight. However, the disturbing thought concerned with this sowing, cultivating parents) . While these two concepts kept entering his mind. Suppose one and watering of the seed, which is are not "either or", since ideally we does come to this Cathedral, will he God's Word, in the life of the indi­ would bring the Gospel to the child after all learn the fear of the Lord? vidual child. Planting, cultivating and and parents in one and the same pro­ It is a challenging question. Evidently watering rake a long time in compar- gram, yet we believe that indirect

122 The Presbyterian Guardian evangelism (winning the child through of blessing-throughout all his days. who will constantly lay upon him the its parents) is far superior to mere necessity of constantly trusting in God How to Proceed? direct evangelism. It is for this rea­ and His Son, in constantly repenting son that we are going to assume that But the holy sacrament of baptism of and in turning from his sins, in John was born into a real Christian can never stand alone. A sacrament doing all that he does to the honor home where both parents know and is a sign, but the sign can never ac­ and glory of God. love the Lord. complish the thing signified. Nurture Space forbids that we deal in detail John's parents, together with the and admonition (as we have pre­ with the fact that John will be blessed church of which they are members, viously shown) are the watchwords indeed if he hears the so-called "facts want to bring John to Christ at all from here on. Not the least of the of life" from his parents first, being cost. Where and when to start? How nurture and admonition which com­ told as much as he needs to know at to proceed? When is the harvest as­ prise planting and watering is the ex­ each new stage of his physical and sured? The answers to these questions ample of John's parents. This exam­ mental growth. And those endless will comprise the remainder of this ple will teach, among other things the questions beginning or ending with article. following lessons: "Why?" God gave John parents to ( 1) "Thou wilt keep him in per­ answer those questions-to give Where and When to Start? fect peace whose mind is stayed on God's answers, not the world's. For this very reason they will send The time to start is before John is thee" (Isaiah 26: 3). Just because it also, born. Parenthood is a tremendous re­ is truly a Christian home, John will John to a Christian day school if that sponsibility. It requires preparation­ grow up in a peaceful home. He will is at all possible, no matter the COSt, not know the strains and stresses of a sort of conditioning of attitudes. When is the Harvest Assurred? John is first of all a soul that will a loveless home, nor will he exper­ never die, destined in the end to in­ ience the unsettling anguish of divided Yes, When? What Christian par­ herit the blessings of God in heaven allegiance so common in many homes ent does not long for the day when or to merit His wrath in hell-for­ where strife reigns. all his children are safe within the ever. His parents must study much, (2) He will learn about the heav­ fold of Christ. There are two answers. pray much that they may be able by enly Father's love and care from the Really they are two parts to the one the Word and Spirit of God to pre­ example of the loving care he receives answer. There is the answer of faith. pare that soul for heaven and deliver from his earthly parents. Few parents The faith which fills with peace the it from hell. And this ability comes realize that God, in the thinking of saddened father-mother heart at the not by human strength or wisdom, their children, often becomes simply graveside of their infant-to know but only by the grace of God. an enlargement of their own person­ that, on the authority of the God of When he is born, John's parents ality and character. If a boy has a fa­ truth, their little one is "safe in the will not delay needlessly presenting ther who is something of an unrea­ arms of Jesus," that faith assures the him to God in Christian baptism. In sonable tyrant, he is likely to grow parent of the living, healthy boyar this solemn sacrament his parents ac­ up to look upon God as arbitrary and girl that these dear ones are already knowledge before God and men that tyrannical, to be dreaded and resented numbered among those who belong to their child belongs first to God: he is more than to be loved and adored. If Christ. It is that serene confidence that theirs only as a trust or a steward­ he has a mother who is indulgent, who God will (early it is fondly hoped) ship. And in keeping with God's can never see wrong in him, a boy in His own good time give His saving prime right they promise to be faith­ will grow up to view God as an old grace to the heart of the covenant ful in the use of all God's appointed man who indulgently shuts his eyes child. So John's parents, as in all means to bring him up to fear and to all his wickedness and calls every­ other aspects of the Christian hope, love the God of his father and moth­ thing that he does good. walk by faith trusting God's promise er as his God, their Savior and Lord (3) He will learn by his parent's for his salvation. as his Savior and Lord. But this is only example of self discipline what a life But there is also an answer of the half: they claim for their little one of obedience really is. John will be "sight." That is, the glad day will that salvation which has been promised quick to notice if his parents are con­ come when altogether on his own, to the children of believers (Acts temptuous of the laws of the land out of marvelously matured heart and 2: 39), accepting the oath of God in and the law of God, or if they are mind, John will stand forth to con­ His covenant signified and verified in submissive to these laws in places and fess before men that the God of his baptism. And in humble faith they rest at times where only he and God are father and mother is now, by his own upon the sure promise of God that present to see! choice, his God. This is the harvest John will one day manifest this saving And positively John will be taught which makes all planting, cultivating grace by choosing and confessing Christ the truths of the Gospel as early as and watering; the nurture and admoni­ as his only Lord and King. Nor will he is able to receive them, and in tion, the prayers and tears meaningful they fail to remind John that he bears terms that a boy of his years can un­ and fruitful. The promise embraced the mark of one who belongs to derstand and retain. Though he will in John's baptism will have been thus Christ by right of creation and re­ be taught these same truths in his far fulfilled in his conversion to demption. As a sign of divine owner­ church and Sunday school, it will be Christ. So important is this fruition ship, as a seal of the covenant of from the lips of his father and mother that another article will be devoted to grace, John's baptism will never cease that John will first learn about Jesus John, entitled, "When He comes to to be a means of grace--a channel and His love. And it will be they Years."

September 15, 1955 123 Andrews on Way Home were the order for the men, and that placed before the Presbytery of Cali­ hurricane "Connie" sent sheets of fornia for its approval at its fall HE REV. EGBERT W. ANDREWS rain and wind on the final Saturday, meeting September 28 in San Fran­ TOrthodox Presbyterian Missionary causing some inconvenience in pre­ cisco. in Formosa, is at present en route to paring for and making the trip home. the United States for his regular fur­ lough period. Mr. Andrews has been Roskamp Called traveling by way of Africa and Eur­ Welmers to Kennedy School To Harrisville ope, and was expected to reach the R. WILLIAM E. WELMERS Or­ icentiate Cromwell G. Roskamp of United States the latter part of Sep­ D thodox Presbyterian ministe~ who L Philadelphia Presbytery has been tember. has been serving as a linguist with called to the pastorate of Faith Or­ Early in August he stopped off in the United Lutheran Mission in Li­ thodox Presbyterian Church, Harris­ Eritrea and visited the Orthodox Pres­ beria for the past 15 months, re­ ville, Penna. The former pastor of byterian mission there. turned to this country about Septem­ this church, the Rev. Frank Breisch, A few weeks ago we read in the ber 1, in order to assume a position has accepted a teaching position in a newspapers of the arrival in San Fran­ on the faculty of the Kennedy School Christian High School in Kalamazoo, cisco of a Chinese "junk" or sailing of Missions, Hartford, Conn. Mich. boat, that had come all the way from Formosa. This boat was to be the Mrs. Charles W. Clelland Ellis to be Installed Free China entry in the Atlantic yacht RS. CHARLES W. CLELLAND, for race to Sweden. October 14 Ma number of years organist in Among other things, the boat car­ HE REV. CHARLES H. ELLIS will Eastlake Orthodox Presbyterian Church, ried a batch of mail, including letters Tbe installed as pastor of Knox Or­ Wilmington, Del. passed away at the Mr. Andrews had sent from Formosa thodox Presbyterian Church, Silver home of a son, James Clelland, in New­ under date of March 25th. The let­ Spring, Md., on Friday evening, Oc­ town Square, Penna. on July 30. She ter tells of the work of the mission in tober 14. Mr. Ellis has been pastor of was 77 years of age. Formosa. the Covenant Church of the Oranges, Mrs. Clelland was born in Indiana in Northern New Jersey. He succeeds County, Pa. and graduated from In­ the Rev. Glen R. Coie at Silver Spring. diana State Teachers College. Her hus­ band died in 1937. She was the moth­ French Creek er of the Rev. John P. Clelland, for­ Wybenga Called to Bend mer pastor of Eastlake Church, and Family Conference HE REV. EDWARD WYBENGA, for­ now pastor of Westminster Church, Tmerly pastor of the Orthodox Valdosta, Ga. She is survived also by HE SECOND Family Conference Presbyterian Church at Hamill, S. D., a third son, Wilfred, of Philadelphia, Tsponsored by the French Creek and during the past year teacher in and by a sister, Miss McCreight, of Conference Association was held for a the Christian School at Lynden, Wash­ Portland, Oregon, and by six grand­ week beginning August 6, at Mountain ington, has been called to assume the children. Lakes Bible Conference grounds near pastorate of Westminster Orthodox Funeral services were held in Wil­ New Preston, Connecticut. Presbyterian Church in Bend, Oregon. mington on August 1, conducted by About 75 persons were present for Mr. Wybenga has been serving the the Rev. Robert W. Eckardt and the the conference, including adults and church as supply pastor during the Rev. Robert 1. Atwell. Interment was children and staff members. Churches summer months. The call will be in Grove City, Penna. in Pittsburgh, Middletown and Phila­ delphia, Pa., and in New Jersey were represented among the attendants. Two study classes were held each morning, one conducted by Profes­ sor John Murray of Westminster Sem­ inary, and the other by the Rev. Wil­ liam 1. Hiemstra of the Christian San­ atorium in Wyckoff, N. J. In the evening the Rev. John Hills of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, presented a series of studies on The Lord's Prayer. Meals were served in a new dining room attached to the main building. Resi­ dence accommodations were provided in cabins and dormitories on the grounds. Those present found the conference both enjoyable and profitable, in spite of the fact that cold water shaves Group at French Creek Family Conference

124 The Presbyterian Guardian DeWaard Honored on per~pec.tive in its work - if it is to church. The publication of tracts quite 30th Anniversary marntarn a Biblical balance in its ef­ clearly embodies the twofold mission forts, then the task of Christian edu­ of the church. Therefore, the Com­ N SUNDAY, July 10, the Rev John cation must always be at the very mittee on Christian Education designs OJ. DeWaard, pastor of Memorial front of our conciousness. The com­ to publish, in addiron to those already Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Ro­ mission of Christ to the church de­ available, tracts directed to the evan­ chester, NY. with his congregation mands both an all-out missionary ef­ gelization of men and women in every celebrated his 30th anniversary as a fort and an all-out effort in Chris­ conceivable position in life. The Com­ minister. He was ordained by the tian education. Unless the mission of mittee will also seek to provide tracts Presbytery of Milwaukee on July 9, the church is seen as this twofold for instruction in the doctrines of the 1925, in Cedar Grove, Wismnsin. A task, the work of the church will be Bible and their implications for Chris­ friend from student days, the Rev. out of focus. Like the paintings of tian living. A series of short Bible study John M. Dykstra, Christian Reformed Grandma Moses, it will not satisfy tracts is projected in which the teaching minister in Jarvis, Ontario, was guest for very long. Without this scriptural of the Bible on the main points of preacher at both services of Memorial perspective we shall always be shifting doctrine will be set forth simply yet Church. At the evening service the our emphasis, re-evaluating our aims as thoroughly as possible. Tracts of congregation of Covenant Church and revising our principles. With it, comfort in illness and bereavement as joined in the worship. on the other hand, our labors in the well as polemic tracts in defense of Writes Mr. DeWaard: "The many kingdom of Christ will contribute to the faith against unbelief are planned cards, gifts, and expressions of grati­ the enduring and glorious growth of for publication, tude and appreciation were all greatly the church which is His body. Second is the completion of the appreciated. It was a wonderful day catechetical program. The systematic for me and I was grateful for the Program blessings which had been mine these instruction of covenant children in the years both in the church and in the What then are the perspectives to faith of their fathers is a prime duty family." be observed in the work of Christian of the Chrstian Church. The injunc­ education itself? If such is the bal­ tion of Christ: "Feed my lambs" lays ance required by the Word of God upon the church the all-important task Mahaffys Reach for the fruitful labor of the church, of nurturing those little ones com­ Eritrea what should be the aims of the Chris­ mitted to her care. Our generation is he Rev. and Mrs. Francis E. Ma­ tian education program of a church witnessing the benefits in health' to Thaffy and their five children ar­ such as the Orthodox Presbyterian be received from careful attention to rived in Massawa, Eritrea, on August Church? First of all, our Christian a good diet during childhood. The 1, thus completing the trip from New education program must recognize the Christian Church can produce men York in about 20 days. This was just twofold character of the church's mis­ strong in the faith only as it fills its about half the length of time it rook sion. The whole impact of its mater­ youth with knowledge and love of them to come to New York at the ials must be to spread the message of that faith. At present, a mere begin­ beginning of their furlough. the gospel into ever wider circles and ning has been made in providing ma­ On hand to meet them in Massawa also to increase an understanding of terials for thorough catechetical were Missionaries Clarence Duff and that message in each member of the training. But it is a beginning full of Herbert Bird of Eritrea, and also Eg­ church. Second, our Christian educa­ promise. The energies and resources bert Andrews of the Formosa mission, tion program must minister not only of the church must be taxed to the who was in Eritrea on his way to his to one particular age group or one limit that this program may soon be furlough in America. particular environment. The task of completed. Recent reports from Eritrea indi­ the church is to bring every member Third is the planning of materials cate there has been a renewal of to "the measure of the stature of the for young people's societies. The age "shifta' or bandit activity in the Ira­ fulness of Christ." So that our Chris­ of adolescence offers a unique op­ falo area where the Mahaffys work tian education materials must be di­ portunity for combining the work of part of the year. Prayer is requested rected to people of every age and to evangelism and instruction. Young that this banditry will neither harm people in every walk and circum­ people are filled with an insatiable the missionaries nor hinder their stance of life. curiosity, and if they are provided evangelistic work. To the achievement of that end the with interesting study materials their Committee on Christian Education of desire to learn will produce rich re­ the Orthodox Presbyterian Church has sults. It is at this age when we make Johnston set for itself an ambitious program. decisions that affect our whole lives, Four main categories of publications and so the instruction provided for (Continued from p. 118) form the backbone of this program. young people may be the key factor learning from the first steps of Chris­ First is the publication of tracts. in bringing both covenant and non­ tian faith to mature fullness of Chris­ By means of the tract the message of covenant youth to the decisive step tian knowledge. The work of Chris­ the Word of God on a particular sub­ of confessing Christ as their own Sav­ tian education is the task assigned by ject, its relation to concrete situations, ior and Lord. While the Committee Christ to the church: "Feed my sheep; its application to individual problems on Christian Education has no im­ feed my lambs." may be brought to bear upon the lives mediate plans for such materials, it is If the church is to have the proper of men both inside and outside the sensitive to the need and desire of

September 15, 1955 125 the church for materials for relating to faith in Christ. The last General impetus to make this program move to the problems of this particular age Assembly directed the Committee on along must come from the Committee the teaching of the Word of God. Christian Education to provide as on Christian Education. Without the Fourth is the publication of our soon as possible Sunday School mater­ direction provided by the Committee own Sunday School materials. The Sun­ ials suited to our particular needs of the church would flounder in confu­ day School occupies a rather anomalous instructive evangelism. Although the sion and duplication of effort. But position in a church which takes ser­ possibility of such materials appearing the success of the work of Christian iously its responsibility to provide in the near future is rather slight, the education does not rest ultimately catechetical instruction for its children, need of capitalizing on the oppormni­ with the Committee. This task of the for the Sunday School is likely to at­ ties of the Sunday School will require church must seize the consciousness tract both covenant and non-covenant the early initiation of plans for such of the whole church. Ministers must children - both adult church members materials. use the materials increasingly. Church and non-church members. Because of In brief compass, these are the per­ members must feel their need of aids this, the Sunday School in Reformed spectives of the Christian education to witnessing for Christ and studying churches is often neglected in favor program of the Orthodox Presbyterian His Word. Indeed, only as the per­ of the catechism class. However, in Church. That program seeks to pre­ spective of the church is the perspec­ our American context the Sunday serve the Biblical balance of evangel­ tive of each member - only as each School provides a point of contact ism and education. Conducted upon Christian fulfils his responsibility as with multitudes of non-church mem­ such lines we believe it has received a witness of Christ and a student of bers and a successful Sunday School and will continue to enjoy the blessing His Word will our labors result in program may be the means of win­ of God in the spread and strength­ growth in the church which will glor­ ning both children and their parents ening of the church. Admittedly the ify God and establish His kingdom.

GUARDIAN NEWS COJ'J\J'J\E~rr A~rOR

VIEWING THE NEWS FROM THE RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE AND THE RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR PRESS

Lutheran Pastor Found Scriptural interpretation that had congregation. They cannot be brought Guilty of Heresy guided Martin Luther, doubt concern­ by those outside the congregation or ing the miracles, and the Transfigura­ by other ministers. In this case the HE Rev. George Crist, Jr., of Dur­ tion and Ascension of Christ, and de­ charges were brought by members T ham, Wisconsin, has been found nial of the efficacy of prayer. of the pastor's congregation. The con­ guilty of heresy and been suspended This was the first heresy trial in gregation also supported the decision from the ministery of the United the Northwest Synod of the United of the trial commission when it was Lutheran Church, Northwest Synod, Lutheran Church during its 60-year made public. following a hearing before a seven-man history, and the first in any Synod of Of the three men involved in the committee of the Synod. Two other the church since the 1920s. above heresy charges, two are sons of clergymen in the same area face simi­ The decision and sentence of the ministers prominent in ULCA church lar charges. trial commission is subject to review work. The specific charges against the by the Synod's convention in May, Time magazine reported on this clergymen were denial of the virgin 1956. trial in its August 8 issue, and the re­ birth and physical resurrection of An interesting feature of heresy port resulted in a "reply" by Mr. Christ, denial of the imputation of charges against a pastor in this Luth­ Crist, which was published as a letter Adam's sin to mankind, abandonment eran Church is that such charges must in Time August 29. Said he, in part: of the fundamental principles of be brought by members of me pastor's "I have not set out to teach doc-

126 The Presbyterian Guardian trine in conflict with Lutheran doc­ IIMartin Luther" in • trine. In the trial I flatly denied most 16-mm. Film of the charges, e.g., that I deny the Any Three of the Books Resurrection, teach a non-Lutheran HE MOVING PICTURE, "Martin Lu­ Listed Below Sent doctrine of baptismal regeneration. I Tther," which had a successful run in Postpaid for $5.00 have attempted what every preacher commerical theaters throughout this must attempt, to interpret the doctrine, country and the world, is to be issued in Supply Limited - Order Now to translate it into today's language small 16-mm form for sale to churches The Reformed Doctrine and thought forms .. , Life in Christ and private organizations, according to of Predestination $4.50 is the content of faith-not intellect­ an announcement by Lutheran Church By Loroine Boettner ual assent to a list of propositional Productions, Inc., producer of the film. Christianity and Liberalism $2.50 truths but the total involvement of The film will contain the complete By J. Greshom Machen my life in creative freedom, in that picture, with no deletions. It will come The Presbyterian Conflict. $1.50 love which is incarnate in Christ. Re­ in two reels, and the introductory By Edwin H. Rian garding the Biblical accounts: I have "trial offer" price, good until Novem­ Edward O. Guerrant ..... $1.00 • not attempted a so-called naturalistic ber 30, is $150.00. By J. Gray McAllister and explanation. I have merely asserted Grace Owings Guerrant what seems a normal and natural as­ AEC Member Calls for Our Lord $3.00 sumption, that the accounts as such By Wm. Childs Robinson, D.D. are relative, historical, open to in­ Scientists Dedicated to God Who Say Ye That I Am .. $2.50 vestigation and therefore subject to HOMAS E. MURRAY, a member of By Wm. Childs Robinson, D.D. a variety of interpretation and opin­ T the United States Atomic Energy Christ the Bread of Life .. $2.50 ions,.. Those who have raised these Commission, in an address prepared By Wm. Childs Robinson, D.D. issues have insisted on my holding for delivery at a convention in Rens­ Christ-The Hope of Glory $3.00 their opinions, not on the level of selaer, N.Y., issued a call for more By Wm. Childs Robinson, D.D. faith and religious significance, but trained, devoted scientists who first Order From on the level of the text itself, that is, dedicate their work to God. on the level of the historically relative. Said Mr. Murray: "Man's increased TH E SOUTH ERN To ask for reconciliation here is to understanding of the nature of mat­ PRESBYTERIAN JOURNAL ask for intellectual and spiritual sui­ ter, however revolutionary it may ap­ Weaverville, North Carolina cide." pear to our limited vision, has come • The decision of the trial commis­ about only by the consent and will of other than a system of universal pub­ sion concerning Mr. Crist was unanim­ the Creator. While we seek to avert lic education are of doubtful loyalty ous. atomic war, it is also incumbent on to American ideals. us to strive to turn the same atomic It was recalled that in 1925 the forces into constructive channels." He Supreme Court had ruled unconstitu­ declared that man in the atomic age Plan Presbyteriansl tional an Oregon law which would was confronted with the historic choice have required all children to attend 250th Anniversary of whether he would use God's gifts state schools. However, there are those for good or for ill. SPECIAL COMMITTEE of the General who wish to have that decision re­ Himself a Catholic, Mr. Murray versed. A Assembly of the Presbyterian said that the contribution Catholics Church in the U.S.A. is making plans are making to nuclear research has for the celebration, next spring, of the not been commensurate with their Argentine Conflict 250th anniversary of the founding of contributions in the fields of philoso­ Continues the first presbytery in America. That phy and arts. HE conflict between Argentine's presbytery was organized in Philadel­ T President Peron and the Catholic phia in 1706 (the year is not abso­ Charge Attempt to Make church continues to flare up and draw lutely certain but highly probable) un­ headlines. Following the unsuccessful der the leadership of Francis Mack­ State Education Compulsory rebellion in June it appeared that the emie. The celebration will be climaxed EVERAL speakers at a recent Cath­ goverment was going to take a less at the meeting of the General Assem­ S olic conference in Philadelphia belligerent attitude toward Catholicism, bly. The committee is offering a spec­ charged that efforts are being made to and even that Peron himself would ial $250. prize for an anthem ex­ require that all education shall be state­ yield some of his power. There was pressing the "progress, growth, and controlled, thus eliminating private or talk of a concordat with the Vatican. achievement of American Protestant­ parochial schools. The charge was However it appears that the meas­ ism of the Reformed tradition." centered in part on a book recently ures the government was willing to In 1788 when the first General As­ published by a commission of the take were not sufficient to satisfy the sembly was established, the denomina­ National Education Association, and Catholic leaders, and the conflict has tion had 16 presbyteries and some titled "Universal Common Education." resumed a violent character. In spite 20,000 church members. The U.S.A. The book, it was alleged, advocates of numerous changes in the govern­ branch alone now claims 257 presby­ compulsory education of all children ment personnel, reports continue of teries and over two and a half million in state schools, and intimates that the arrest of priests, of the suppres­ members. Americans who believe in anything sion of Catholic activities, and of vio-

September 15, 1955 127 lent demonstrations against the gov­ groups has remained virtually the The specific resolution to come be­ ernment. same for over 50 years. fore the Wisconsin Synod next year Most specific development was the reads: "Resolved, that whereas the government's abolition of the Feast of National Union Asks Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has the Assumption, August 15, as a na­ More Church Support created divisions and offenses by its tional holiday, which it has been be­ official resolutions, policies, and prac­ fore. The Catholic hierarchy, however, ORE financial support of Christian tices not in accord with Scripture, we, instructed its people to observe the Mday schools by churches was urged in obedience to the command of our day as a holiday anyway. This led to in a statement adopted by the 35th Lord in Romans 16:17-18, terminate demonstrations of various sorts. But annual convention of the National our fellowship with the Lutheran on that day the government announced Union of Christian Schools, meeting in Church-Missouri Synod." ), Lynden, Washington. The statement I its discovery of a plot to assassinate Points of disagreement between the , government leaders including Peron, said it was the responsibility of churches relate to the Missouri-Synod's churches to give financial aid to par­ l'. and charged that Catholics were re­ joint activities with the National Lu­ I sponsible for the plot and arrested a ents who cannot pay all of a reason­ theran Council, its participation in number of people including Catholics. able tuition. Churches should also af­ military chaplaincy, its sponsorship of So the situation continues unstable, ford their members an opportunity to Boy Scouts, joint prayer with groups with everyone waiting for the real express their suppOrt of the Christian not in doctrinal agreement, and the outbreak which will either definitely school movement through freewill of­ "Common Confession" drawn up with succeed or definitely fail. ferings and in other ways. the American Lutheran Church. Five hundred delegates from United States and Canada attended the con­ I.urheran Membership vention. Jacob Van 't Hof of Grand Increases Rapids was re-elected president of the HE National Lutheran Council has Union, and Harold Camping of Ala­ Treported that membership in all meda, California was named vice­ Lutheran bodies of the United States president. .md Canada has reached a new high of over seven million. The figures are Wisconsin-Missouri for 1954. Average gain in the churches Break Postponed during the past five years has been INAL action on a proposal to end about 3 per cent a year. F relations with the Lutheran Church­ The largest membership reported Missouri Synod was postponed until was in the United Lutheran Church, next year by the Wisconsin Synod at which showed over 2,200,000 mem­ its biennial convention in August. bers. Second largest was the Missouri The matter is to be taken up at a Synod with just over 2 million. The special session of the Convention in Evangelical Lutherans claimed 960,000 1956. The decision was in accord with members and the American Lutheran the recommendation of a standing PINKING SHEARS Church 862,000 members. committee on church union, which ONLY 51.95 POSTPAID Chromium plated, Parochial schools conducted by Lu­ urged the delay because of its far­ precision mode. Manufacturer's Christma. therans numbered 1,548, and of these overstock. Guaranteed $7.95 value or money reaching consequences and to give 1,177 were Missouri Synod. The refunded. Order by moil LINCOLN SURPLUS the Missouri Synod an opportunity to parochial schools had 141,366 pupils SALES. 1704 W Farwell Ave•• Chicago 26, express itself at its convention next Illinois. enrolled. June. Church Membership At New Record ORDER FORM he Yearbook of American Churches, T published by the National Coun­ THE PRESBYTERIAN GUARDIAN cil of Churches, and released Septem­ 1505 Race Street, Philadelphia 2, Pa. ber 15, reports, according to a prior announcement, that total church mem­ Dear sirs: bership in America in 1954 rose to Enclosed find $2.50 for which please send The Presbyterian 97,482,611, a gain of 2,639,766 over Guardian for one year to: 1953. This means that some 60 per cent of Americans are members of some religious body. Na me______.. ...__ .. .. __ .__ The breakdown of membership shows Protestants at 57 million, Cath­ Address . .. . _ olics at 32 million, Jews at 5 million, and Eastern Orthodox at 2 million. The Yearbook states that the relative The Presbyterian Guardian is a monthly magazine committed to stating, defending, and strength of Protestant and Catholic promoting orthodox Presbyterianism as set forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith.

128 The Presbyterian Guardian

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