ACTS OF SYNOD 1924 of the Christian Reformed Church Held from June 18 to July 8, 1924 at Kalamazoo, Mich., U.S.A. II 1924 Acts of Synod of the Christian Reformed Church Held from 18 June until 8 July 1924 in Kalamazoo, MI, USA Rev. Henry De Mots, translator Produced by the Archives of the Christian Reformed Church Calvin College 3201 Burton Street, SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Synod 1936 approved (Article 59) that old minutes of the denomination be published on a limited basis. As part of that pUblication effort, minutes, reports and acts in Dutch were translated into English prior to publication. Several years ago we discovered that among the translations of all the other sessions of Synod no translation of the Acts of 1924 could be found. Therefore the Archives undertook the translation that follows. The translation was done by Rev. Hemy De Mots (b. 1911) and proofed and edited by John Knight, both faithful volunteers for the Archives. Typing of the translation was done by Elizabeth Verduin. Portions (pp. 200-41, 247-60, 264-90, and 322-59, bracketed by the "#" symbol in this manuscript) were originally in English and their text remains unchanged. Richard H. Harms Curator of Archives May 2000 4 CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH and also at this time to address a few words as we open this assembly. As office bearers in our churches we are grateful to our God that He will use us for the weighty task of promoting those matters which affect the well-being of our churches. We come together as churches, and this fact delineates our position and also designates our calling. We are gathered here and united by our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We profess only One as our Master, there is only One who is our Heavenly Father. Therefore there are no fathers or masters among us. Christ is King and His Word our law. The task that awaits us is a weighty task. In this, the broadest assembly of our churches, we are not to ask what I want or desire, but rather what is the will of my King? In ail of our discussions and decisions Synod must be guided by the principles of the Word of God, His revealed will. I speak of principles. We do not find a literal rule for everything in His Word. In no instance may we give priority to human wisdom, so that we make ourselves guilty and give cause for the Lord to cast greater clouds of darlmess upon us. For this reason we have all the greater need for the rich grace of the Holy Spirit. So often we expose ourselves to the danger of placing our own opinion in conflict with the will of God and give priority to our own point of view. We are called, first of ail, to make use of the means which have been entrusted to us. We are to focus on these not only in our meetings, but be guided by them within our churches when these matters are to be . implemented by the local churches, whether they concern the School, or Missions, or local matters of whatever nature. Furthermore this assembly must seriously reckon with the fact that it is here to focus its attention on the specific domain of the Church of the Lord. Nothing outside of this domain may be considered. If our task is weighty, so are the matters before us of a serious nature. We have ail studied the Agenda; usually other matters of one kind I ACTS OF SYNOD 1924 5 I1 or another are added, such as protests which the delegates have brought with them. School and Mission take up a prominent place in the Agenda. Added to this are many other matters that fill us with gratitude, but also matters which fill us with sorrow. These matters will occupy our attention for several days. Esteemed Brothers, we may no longer delay you. Having come together for the task, we are called to apply the gifts that our God has given us. However, the pressing need of our hearts calls us first of all to turn to the Lord in humble prayer so that the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so sorely needed, may be granted to us. May that Spirit be in our midst from beginning to end so that all we do may contribute to the prosperity of our churches and the praise of His Name, who purchased us with His precious blood and has paid the price for our sins. Come, let us unite ourselves in prayer to the God of all grace. It is His eternal pleasure to hear us, who are unworthy in ourselves, and to use us within His Kingdom. For this reason He will grant us our petition. Let us then lay our petitions before Him, even though we can do this only in an imperfect manner. After this address, Rev. Manni leads in prayer. ARTICLE 3 From the credentials which have been presented we learn that the following brethren have been chosen and appointed as delegates to Synod: Classis Grand Rapids East I Ministers-L. Veltkarnp, Herman Kuiper, E. Van Halsema I Elders-J. M. Vander Wal, Rev. J. Noordewier, J. B. Hulst Classis Grand Rapids West Ministers-Y. P. De Jong, H. J. Kuiper, H. Danhof Elders-F. Vander Ploeg, G. J. Rooks, J. Engelhard 6 CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Classis Hackensack Ministers-H. Bouma, D. De Beer, J. H. Monsma Elders-H. Van Ostenbridge, S. E. Greydanus, L. W. Prall Class is Holland Ministers-D. Zwier, J. L. Heeres, J. M. Ghysels Elders-G. J. Heetderks, A. Peters, A. Rosbach Classis Hudson Ministers--C. Bouma, Leonard Trap, Peter Yff Elders-Jacob Hoek, D. Velzen, M. Klapmuts Classis Illinois Ministers-J. Manni, J. K. Van Baalen, F. Doezema Elders-M. Stob, S. Dekker, S. Vander Woude Classis Muskegon Ministers-H. Fryling, J. H. Mokma, J. Dolfin Elders-M. Trap, G. Klooster, H. J. Dombos Classis Orange City Ministers-M. Vander Heide, A. Wassink, T. Vander Ark Elders-C. Geels, J. Verbrugge, Charles Mulder Classis Ostfriesland Ministers-C. Holtrop, M. Weeldreyer, F. Schuurmann Elders-J. De Waard, H. P. Eekhof, 1. Vander Wall Classis Pacific Ministers-N. Gelderloos, P. Jonker, Jr., D. H. Muyskens Elders-Rev. A. J. Brink, P. Vanden Berg, G. Vander Griend Classis Pella Ministers-D. H. Kromminga, R. Bolt, 1. Van Dellen Elders-J. T. Brandsma, K. Vander Meer, H. Vander Riet Classis Sioux Center Ministers-J. Haveman, A. H. Bratt, J. J. Weersing Elders-W. Bierma, H. Kuiper, P. Tolsma Classis Zeeland Ministers-A. Bliek, M. Van Vessem, W. D. Vander Werp Elders-H. Smit, R. Drag!, P. Bareman ACTS OF SYNOD 1924 7 ARTICLE 4 Synod chooses the following officers: President-Rev. 1. Van Dellen Vice President-Dr. Y. P. De Jong Clerk-Rev. D. Zwier Assistant Clerk-Rev. J. Dolfin ARTICLE 5 After a brief address in which he requests the cooperation and intercession of the delegates, the President reads the Public Declaration of Agreement with the Forms of Unity. The delegates express their agreement by rising in unison. ARTICLE 6 The time for the sessions is set as follows: morning sessions from 8:00 to 11:45 with a brief recess from 9:45 to 10:00; afternoon sessions from 1:30 to 5:45 with a brief recess from 3:45 to 4:00. ARTICLE 7 The President announces the appointment ofthe following committees: 1. The Committee on Appointments for Various Pre-Advisory Committees­ Revs. Manni, Herman Kuiper, Y. P. De Jong, C. Bouma, J. Dolfin, C. Holtrop, D. H. Kromminga, A. B1iek, and Elders S. E. Greydanus, A. Peters, Charles Mulder, G. Vander Griend, W. Bierma. 2. The Committee to Welcome and Introduce Delegates-Rev. H. J. Kuiper and Dr. C. Bouma. 3. The Obituary Committee-Revs. 1. Veltkamp, J. M. Ghysels and Elder F. Vander Ploeg. ARTICLE 8 The morning session is closed, Dr. Y. P. De Jong leading the delegates in thanksgiving. SECOND SESSION, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 18 ARTICLE 9 After the assembly sang Psalm 119: 17, Rev. D. Zwier led in prayer. 8 CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH ARTICLE 10 The President invites the professors of our Seminary and the President of Calvin College to take be seated as pre-advisory members of Synod. ARTICLE 11 The report of the Synodical Committee is read by the Stated Clerk Dr. H. Beets and is received as information and approved. (See file I, 1.) ARTICLE 12 The report of the synodical treasurer, Rev. J. Noordewier, is read and is received as information, and is placed in the hands of a committee, consisting of Rev. 1. Veltkamp and Elder G. J. Rooks, who will consider a couple of requests of the Treasurer and who will report to Synod about these matters. (See file I, 2.) The quota for synodical expenses is set at 40 cents per family. It is decided that the delegates will be reimbursed for their traveling expenses at some time during the sessions of Synod. ARTICLE 13 The report ofthe delegate to the General Synod of the Gereformeerde Kerken in the Netherlands, held in Utrecht, August to September, 1923, is read and received as information. (See file XI.) ARTICLE 14 The following reports are read: (1) Report of the Committee for South America. (See file X and Art. 68.) (2) Report of the Committee for Church Help. (See file VII.) (3) Report of the Committee for Heathen Missions. (See file IV.) (4) Report from Classis Illinois with reference to the Chicago Jewish Mission.