TIMOTHY MISSION FUND

It is with sincere thanks that we acknowledge the gifts received during the month of May amounting to $276.00. This brought our balance at the end of May to the amount of $393.90. In the next issue, D.V., we will be reporting the disbursements made with these gifts. It is most encouraging to us, and especially to the recipients, to see that these worthy causes are being remembered with your gifts, and we hope also with your prayers.

An acknowledgment was received from Wycliffe translators in Nigeria, which we are placing below. A note of thanks was also received from Mr. Polder in the Netherlands for quite a quantity of cancelled postage stamps which had recently been sent him. A special note of thanks is due the Dorcas Guild of Kalamazoo, which in the past year have paid shipping charges to the Netherlands for the stamps. Gifts to this fund should be sent to Timothy Mission Fund, P.O. Box 2182, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003.

MISSIONARY WORK IN NEW GUINEA

The above picture shows Mr. Fahner speaking to the people at a church service in Abenego, New Guinea. The message of the gospel is no longer unknown to these people, and it is now possible for some of them to read the entire Gospel of Mark in their own language. May the Lord bless it unto them!

ACKNOWLEDGMENT FROM WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS

Abakaliki E.C.S./Nigeria

Dear Friends,

With this personal letter to our prayerful friends we would like to thank you very warmly for your generous gift. And this you have given without knowing us! Who might have told you about us and our needs? May the Lord bless you with His spiritual gifts instead.

The most natural method of the world is to overcome resistance by pressure. But he who knows Jesus is suspicious of such a reaction. We never know if the donkey does not move because God bars him the way, or because Satan hinders him. Therefore, our first reaction must not be to knock, press and push, but to wait, pray, ask and listen. If then we become convicted that it is Satan, we have to go forward at all costs.

Again and again we have to face resistance in one way or another. It doesn’t surprise us. Satan has his snares and times and what we see with our eyes is at best only a partial picture of what is actually going on behind the scenes. So we heard only after many months of waiting and asking the Lord why that young man, who would have had the qualifications to help in the translation of the Ikwo dialect, had always had excuses and finally withdrew. Apparently he is carrying such a burden of guilt from the wartime that today we are thankful that God kept him from us. We have now found four men from the Ikwo area, among them two young church elders and an evangelist, who with 20 others from 10 different language areas are taking an introductory course in translation principles. For many months we have been praying that these men would give themselves to God in such a way that would put their abilities to a test.

As the last week of April approaches, God will show us where further obstacles and resistance will have to be overcome. But with your help we will be like those who with their God can leap over a wall. Jesus always conquers and will always conquer, with us or without us.

Thank you that you continue to pray with us and thanks to all of you who have shown us your love in a material way.

In His joy and service,

Yours,

Paul and Inge Meier

GIFTS RECEIVED FOR MISSIONS

IN MAY 1972

CLASSIS EAST SOURCE AMOUNT

Friend in Clifton Gift 300.00

Friend in Prospect Park Gift 10.00

Franklin Lakes Catechism Col. Gift 517.00

Franklin Lakes Pentecost Col. Collection 1215.00

CLASSIS MIDWEST

Friend in Grand Rapids Gift 40.00

In G. R. Ch. Col. Gift 150.00

Friend in Michigan Gift 75.00

Friend in Chicago Heights Gift 100.00

Kalamazoo Mission Night Collection 304.00

In Kalamazoo Ch. Col. Gift 15.00

Unionville Col. Collection 485.35

Friend in Hamilton Gift 20.00

Kalamazoo family evening Gift 213.00

Kalamazoo Pentecost Col. Collection 1111.00

G. R. Pentecost Col. Collection 1605.19

CLASSIS WEST

Friend in Classis West Gift 20.00

Friend in Rock Valley Gift 20.00

Rock Valley Pentecost Col. Collection 676.71

Corsica Pentecost Col. Collection 110.50

CLASSIS FARWEST

T.V.D. Lagemaat Anniversary Gift 20.55

Port Alberni Col. Collection 183.28

Lethbridge Tabitha Ladies Aid Gift 800.00

TOTAL: $7991.58

Dear Friends,

Through the Lord’s goodness we may again receive a nice income for the mission in the month of May and we want to acknowledge you all for your kind gifts for the mission work. May the Lord receive all the honor and that it may be a blessing on the mission fields, because with everything we need the Lord’s blessing. We are such wretched creatures and without the blessing of the Lord then we ruin everything. May we all be taught that more by the powerful operation of the Holy Spirit at home and abroad. In the name of the Mission Committee.

American General Mission Fund

Netherland Reformed Churches

of America and Canada

John Spaans, Treasurer

Plankinton Box 106 RR1

South Dakota 57368

NOTES OUT OF THE CATECHISM CLASSES OF REV.J. FRAANJE

Using The Catechism Book

SPECIMENS OF DIVINE TRUTHS

by

Rev. A. Hellenbroek

Lesson 9, part 2 — Creation

Now, you must pay careful attention.

It is a very difficult matter to present and a yet more difficult matter to understand. None the less, I want to say something of it in connection with our lesson.

You must not believe that sin was created even if the first sin was perpetrated by a created angel.

No, everything that God created has self-dependency; is something that has the ability to stand.

Sin, however, is not a self dependent thing. Sin is something that has no tangible existence. It was not created by God nor did it have a place in creation. So, then it had no right to be there.

What was sin, then, in its original state?

Sin, in its original state, is a deviation from good.

Even if it is impossible for you to understand all this, do not dismiss it from your thoughts.

The true source of sin is something beyond our comprehension. But there is one thing very definite, and do not forget it, that the creature is the cause of evil and not God.

It is generally said, that the sin causing the angels to fall involved pride.

Who knows why?

This is derived from a remark made by one of the fallen angels (an angel that had become a devil) to Eve when he said, “Ye shall be as gods.”

He proposed that man be equal to God. He desired to have man sin the sin that had brought him from being a good angel to being a devil; that sin, rising out of terrible pride, was wishing to be equal to God. This statement is not contrary to God’s Word. It is plain that Satan was not satisfied with the position in which God had created him as “angel.” That was what Jude surely meant, too, in his letter when he said, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation etc.” Jude :6.

Isn’t it clear in this text that they were not satisfied with their beginning; that is, with the position of good angels as God had created them?

In that proposal to Eve, Satan betrayed the fact that he wanted to be equal to God.

But, just because of that, he forfeited his own dwelling place in heaven and became a devil in hell.

Devil actually means “Satan.” And Satan means: someone that stands in opposition; the adversary of God.

So it was an angel who became an opponent of God and as such brought sin into the world.

The word devil is usually used in the singular, but it is plain in God’s Word that more than one angel was involved in the rebellion, because the evil one himself said to Jesus, “My name is legion; for we are many.” Mark 5:9

In respect to the character and consequences, the fall of Satan is more terrible than the fall of man. Understand this thoroughly now, I do not mean that our fall is not the most terrible. We know that, but in respect to the consequences, the fall of Satan is irreparable.

They continued to be “spirits” as they were, but became “devils” which they were not originally.

Also, Satan sinned without being tempted, while man did so being tempted.

The sin committed by the devil is unforgivable. They are kept with bands until the great day of judgment.

So, we have explained something about the fall of the angels and the first sin perpetrated by them.

But now, what does the Holy Scripture teach us about the other angels that were predestined to remain in their original state?

They are neither God or man but are the ministering (serving) spirits sent forth to serve the heirs of salvation.

You must not think that there were two kinds of angels: good and evil. No; God created only good angels. Yet one part of them stood completely free, that is, to stand or fall, while the other part was predestined to remain standing, as we have already stated in the lesson on predestination.

Which one of you can tell me what the word “angel” means? It means messenger or ambassador. God endowed them with understanding, will and strength. Even though they are spirits, without a body, they can, upon God’s command take on a body to bring about His purpose.

They are innumerable. We can observe this in Daniel 7 where we read: “Thousand Thousands ministered unto Him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.”

Just think of this. What an innumerable multitude of angels standing in the service of the Divine Being. They are created spirits without bodies. Eternally they surround His throne, carrying out His instructions.

Also, He created this whole legion of angels to minister to His elect creatures and to serve them at His command.

Boys and girls, do you observe how the formation of such spirits was an important work in creation?

What difference is there in the creation of angels and the creation of people?

Come, think about this; who has noticed the difference between the two?

We stated last week that man was created one for all. The whole human race, then, came forth from this one person. It comes about in a natural way.

We said that Adam was created as “head”; he was the forerunner, the first of all men.

But was that so with the angels too?

No, the spirits were created individually, each one separately by itself. Not even one angel has ever been born; they have all been created.

This is also plain from the words of Jesus to the Saducees, when He said that God’s people shall be as the angels of God in heaven, that do not possess a material body neither do they marry or multiply.

God’s Word makes a distinction between angels, though. We are told about two archangels. Archangel means: chief of angels or: grand angels. They are Michael and Gabriel. Sometimes they are referred to as cherubim or seraphim. 0, it is impossible to explain all the mysteries of the angels!

This is certain: God created them for two important purposes. First, to glorify Himself, the God in heaven. Second, to be of service to the elect on earth.

Someday the angels will come with Christ on the clouds. That will be the great judgment day.

We find throughout all God’s Word, various services of the angels. There is, especially, much mentioned in the book of Revelation. When He does come, He will be surrounded with many thousands of angels who will, with great swiftness, obey His commands.

But now, if the angels have such an important destiny shouldn’t we honor them?

No, absolutely not. We ought only to esteem them. The Roman Catholic church honors them even though it is explicitly forbidden to do so in God’s Word. When the apostle John, in Rev. 22:8, had heard and seen all the angel had shown him, he fell down before his feet to worship him but the angel said, “See thou do it not; for I am thy fellowservant, etc., worship God!”

Think about what was said here; what does this actually mean? The spiritual creature from the throne said he was no more than John,a person living on the earth; he said, “I am thy fellowservant.”

It is plain that John was recognized as an elect vessel and an apostle called of God in Christ. The angel would never had been able to say “fellowservant,” looking upon him as a fallen man.

WONDERFUL WAYS

(1)

It is a wonderful God with whom we have to do, a God Who does nothing but wonders, such wonders that we must be amazed at them. God’s deeds are wonderful. That is true of the three Persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Concerning the Father we will mention only Psalm 40:5: “Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to uswards.” And Isaish 25:1, “Thou hast done wonderful things.”

The first name of the Child born and the Son given to the living church was also, “Wonderful.” Isaiah 9:6 He was wonderful in His Person, in His Names, in His States, in His offices, and in His benefits. He is a God Who performs wonders upon wonders.

Concerning the Holy Spirit we read in Acts 2:11, “We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” That was the result and the fruit of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Incomprehensible, inconceivable, unfathomable. He is clothed with glory and majesty.

The people that God has chosen from eternity are also wonderful. The world cannot understand it, but at times they must admit that they are a seed blessed of the Lord. Even Haman told King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws.” Esther 3:8. It is a wonderful people, because a wonderful God has chosen them, and He has glorified the wonders of His grace in their soul.

The ways through which the Lord leads His people are also wonderful. At times the abysses are so deep, and the ways so very dark. Usually the message is: “Thou shalt know hereafter.” Nevertheless these ways, dark and mysterious as they seem for those people, are full of love, full of grace, and full of loving kindness. God’s purpose is not only the welfare of His people, but especially the glorification of His Name and His perfections, the exaltation and glorification of Christ, and the exaltation of the Holy Spirit. The aim of the Triune God in the way by which He leads His people is His own honor and glory. This also applies to the ways in which He leads His own, whom He draws out of darkness and brings to His marvelous light, those ways by which He gives His people knowledge of salvation by the remission of their sins. Luke 1:77. The purpose of God, namely, His glorification, becomes the delight of every soul. But that is also true of the ways of providence in this temporal life, in nature as well as in grace.

Many things come back in our life and in our thoughts, that are a cause for deep humiliation, for grief and for sadness. But other things come back when we are brought into such circumstances, that give us reason to marvel at what God has done. As I was thinking about the way in which it has pleased God to lead us now, I recalled an incident that occurred about thirty years ago.

Since I became a student, I came in touch with many of God’s people. Formerly it was only on the island where I was born, but later also on the other islands of Zeeland, but afterward I went through the entire land, and met many of those people that were no stranger to the life of grace.

When I came in Noord-Brabant, in Veen, Aalst, and Poederoijen (that was at first in 1925) I also met one of God’s children who was endowed with much grace. It is now about twenty years ago that she was translated from the church militant to the church triumphant. Her husband, who also feared God, was recently delivered from the body of sin and death. For many years I had a home there. Once that woman who was a “mother in Israel” said, “You are always welcome here, even if you come in the middle of the night.” And that also happened once that I arrived there when it was almost night. Oh, how I then experienced that her house and heart were always open for us. Her house was a true hotel for God’s servants and children. She lived in Woudrichem. At that place there was no church of our denomination, so she belonged to another church, but she associated with many of our people. She was a woman who sought the welfare of Jerusalem, and was a companion of all those that fear the Lord. She was a living member of the true church of God.

These articles would become too long if I were to write about all the various meetings I had with her. Sometimes I believe we experienced real blessings in our conversations, blessings that shall endure throughout all eternity.

This time I would write only about our last meeting, as she was being made ready (Matt. 25:10) to depart and to be delivered from this Mesech of misery, and to obtain the desire of her heart, namely, to meet her God and Father, her Surety and Mediator, yea, the Triune God, and to give Him all the glory forever. She was not yet old when the Lord visited her with a sickness that would bring her body to the grave and her soul to heaven. It became evident in her life and in her death that there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked, to the good and to the clean and to the unclean, etc. (Eccles. 9:2) Also in that respect none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, “What doest Thou?” Also in this the Lord deals with His people according to His sovereign good pleasure.

Finally a way was opened to visit this friend, and to bid her farewell. I was visiting friends in Biesbosch, and had preached the previous evening in Werkendam. It was during the war. Travel was difficult, there were almost no connections.

I had a strong desire to visit this friend before the Lord would take her up into eternal glory. But within I was having so much difficulty, for I could not agree with God’s way. A few years ago I wrote an article on “Friends and Friends,” and there I made the remark that there is a difference between friends and friends.

W. C. Lamain

OBEDIENCE

Obedience is the act of conforming to the command of a superior out of due regard for his authority. As used in the Bible, it indicates the proper response to God’s acts, promises, and commands. This response is conformity with what God prescribes, not purely mechanical, but arising out of love and gratitude. The supreme illustration of a spirit of obedience to God is found in Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane that the cup of sorrow and death might pass from him, if it were God’s will. Yet, despite this obvious desire to avoid the awful agonies he knew he was to undergo on the cross, Jesus went out from the garden with a faith in God and a loyalty to His will that neither nails, nor spear, nor jibes could shake. Through his obedience, expiation for sin was affected and those who are joined with him in faithful obedience have the promise of eternal salvation. As a part of their obedience to the Lord, Christians are admonished to be subject in domestic and civil matters as well as in those which are specifically religious.

Obedience to God enjoined

Ex. 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.

Obedience of Christ

Phil. 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Blessings of Obedience

Rev. 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Obedience in the Home

Eph. 6:1 Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Civil Obedience

Heb. 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Written by a fifteen year old catechism pupil.

Grand Rapids, Mich.

A HEAD COVERING IN PUBLIC WORSHIP?

“Is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?” 1 Cor. 11:13

The question is often asked — Does this passage of Scripture require that women present at a service of worship and prayer today are required by God to wear a hat or some kind of headcovering? Some assume that the instructions given in 1 Cor. 11 were only relevant to the place, the age and the community to which they immediately refer, and that they do not apply to women in our own country today. Others retain the custom, but may have great difficulty in explaining the passage on which it rests. All who respect the Bible as the Word of God must acknowledge that this portion of it is meaningful and designed for the guidance and instruction of the Lord’s people.

Verse 1 may be regarded either as a conclusion to chapter 10 or as an introduction to chapter 11 — “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” In either case it reminds the reader that the epistle was written by an apostle who “followed Christ” in his life and teaching.

In verse 2 Paul commends his readers for their remembrance of him and for their attention to the “ordinances” which he delivered to them. The word could be rendered “traditions” — meaning instructions handed down, first by the Holy Spirit who inspired him, and then handed on from Paul to his readers.

In verse 3 the Apostle lays the foundation upon which his instructions are to rest. All things stand in a certain order in relation to each other and to God. That order is part of God’s design and an expression of the perfection of His own Being. “The head of every man is Christ; the head of the woman is the man; and the Head of Christ is God.” The second clause does not separate Christian women from the Headship of Christ, but asserts the position which God has designed that the woman should occupy in relation to the man. The third clause does not assert that Christ is less than God or inferior to Him. In His Person, Christ is equal to the Father and could say, “I and My Father are one.” In taking upon Himself the office of Mediator and in undertaking to redeem His people, Christ humbled Himself — “Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8.)

There is a place in the Divine order for the acknowledgment of the Headship of the Father by Christ, the acknowledgment of the headship of the man by the woman. This acknowledgment is made in words and in conduct and in the attitude of the heart and of the mind. The Apostle proceeds to demonstrate that it also has a bearing upon the use of a headcovering in public worship.

Verse 4 plainly states that a man who prays or prophesises with his head covered dishonours his Head — Who is Christ (verse 3). This is hardly ever the cause of argument among Christians today, but it has not always been interpreted in the same way, even by “reformed” scholars. In some of the continental churches at the time of the Reformation it was not unusual for the minister and male members of the congregation to wear their hats during a public service. Today, however, Christian people would feel a sense of outrage if their minister entered the pulpit wearing a hat, and they would say that it was dishonouring to Christ. Obedience to this precept as far as the man is concerned is unquestionably regarded as a mark of reverence, humility and subjection to God.

Verse 5 makes it clear that the woman praying or prophesying should have her head covered, and that if she does otherwise she “dishonoureth her head” — that is, she dishonours her husband. The covering of the head was a mark of subjection, not servility. “The Church is subject unto Christ.” (Eph. 5:24). In that relationship to Him the Church occupies a place of high dignity and honour and is loved by Him. The woman is subject to the man, and in that relationship she is honoured and loved by the man. If the head-covering is a token of that relationship, can she discard it without dishonouring him? Paul makes it clear that she cannot. Shaving a woman’s head was the punishment meted out to an adultress, and a woman so shorn would be ashamed to appear anywhere in public, least of all among an assembly of Christian people at worship, for she would be known by all to have “dishonoured her head.” In verses 5 and 6 the Apostle says that to discard the head covering is just as dishonouring -”let us be covered.”

Verse 7 forbids the man to cover his head while at worship, because “he is the image and glory of God.” His Divine “Head is not visibly present, and if the man veils his face or covers his head it might be interpreted as an indication of subordination or subjection to men, to the minister or elders. The last part of verse 7 is closely connected with the statements of 8 and 9 — “For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man.” This refers back to the creation - Genesis 2:23 “She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.” Paul continues, “Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man” — a further reference to Genesis 2:18 “I will make him an help meet for him.”

Upon these truths of Holy Scripture Paul establishes the instruction given in verse 10, “For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.” This verse has been a difficulty to many readers. “For this cause” — because the woman was taken out of man and was made for man — the woman ought “to have power on her head …” Our English word “power” stands for two different words in the Greek, one meaning “might” or “physical power” and the other meaning “right” or “authority.” The context has already shown that the covering of the head was a mark of subjection, and this verse emphasises that in public worship the woman should wear upon her head that covering which was symbolic of her relationship to her husband and her acknowledgment of his authority, which she must not usurp. (See I Tim. 2:12 “… not to usurp authority over the man …”). The woman worships God in the presence not only of men but also of His invisible ministers, the angels — “Axe they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). The woman is reminded that she is in the presence of God and of holy angels, and that in honouring her husband she honours God Who made them both.

Verses 11 and 12 remind the man that in another respect he is dependent upon the woman, and although in the order of creation and of nature she is subordinate to him and subject to him, he is not to tyrannize over her. “Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” They are dependent upon each other and are exhorted to love one another — Eph. 5:21 “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the Church … Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be subject to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it … Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” “The woman is of the man … the man also is by the woman; but all things of God.” The relative position of man and woman was not ordained by men, but by God and He has not made one a master and the other a slave, but He has made both to be dependent upon Him and upon each other, to love Him and to love, honour and respect each other. Where there is such love, honour and respect, can it be a very great burden to show it in such a small thing as an article of dress?

In verse 13 the Apostle is moved by the Holy Spirit to address the consciences of his readers — “Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?” This does not refer to her private approach to the Throne of Grace, but to her appearance and conduct in public worship — when the congregation at large are in a position to “judge in themselves.” The verse does not suggest that the women prayed audibly in the course of public worship and the contrary is clearly established in other passages such as I Tim. 2:8 “I will therefore that men pray everywhere” (Greek “‘the men”). The Apostle asks in effect whether his readers’ minds were entirely at rest when any of the women of the congregation appeared with their heads uncovered. He knew that it must have caused more than embarrassment to many, and he has written enough to stir the conscience of some who perhaps had accustomed themselves to accept conduct which they would have censured a few years ago.

In verses 14 and 15 he shows that they were almost instinctively aware that some things which are becoming in a woman are offensive in a man. They would frown upon a man who appeared in their assembly with excessively long hair like a woman’s. “Doth not nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him.” They would know it and admit it, and would not even argue about it. It would be clear to them that such a fashion was not suitable and becoming for a man. On the contrary “If a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given her for a covering.”

Verse 16 has been explained in many ways and many students have adopted in good faith quite erroneous interpretations. One serious danger involved in the use of commentaries is that the student may devote more time to the commentary than to the Scripture and close his mind to any interpretation that is not adopted by his favourite commentator. One interpretation is “If any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom …” It is not our custom as Christians to contend about such matters. This is a very weak exposition, as contention can hardly be described as a “custom.” Another interpretation attaches verse 16 to what follows rather than to what goes before. In this case the verse is made to relate to the disorders at Corinth in the administration of the Lord’s Supper, but there is no grammatical or structural link between verse 16 and verse 20 and this cannot be the Apostle’s intention.

A third interpretation is that Paul asserts that for a woman to cover her head at public worship is not a Christian custom and is not of sufficient importance to become a matter of contention. This cannot be the Apostle’s meaning, for he himself has devoted an important section of his epistle to contend for reverence and order to public worship and his whole presentation of the subject makes it clear that it was not a trivial matter, but one of great importance, related to God’s own design in the order of creation of man and woman and His purpose concerning their relationship to one another.

The correct interpretation is the most obvious and direct one. Paul has touched upon two things in the immediately preceding verses - verse 13 “Is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?” and verse 14 “If a man have long hair it is a shame unto him.” Now the inspired writer brings that matter to a concise conclusion in verse 16 by telling his readers how to deal with any man who wants to argue about it. Tell that man, says the Apostle, that “we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” It is not a custom in the churches of God for a woman to pray with her head uncovered, any more than it is our custom for a man to have long hair.

Who are “we” in this verse? Paul and Sosthenes, I Cor. 1, I “Paul … and Sosthenes our brother.” The pronoun may be more inclusive and refer also to the Corinthian Christians to whom the epistle was addressed — “We — Paul, Sosthenes and the Corinthians — we have no such custom, neither the churches of God (in other places).”

Some professing Christians today would agree that the interpretation given in the present article would have been appropriate only to the time, the place and the circumstances immediately referred to in the epistle, and that in a later age, in another country, and in a community long accustomed to a concept of equality of status of men and women, the teaching of this part of the epistle no longer applies. Against this accommodating view it should be stated that the principles set forth by the inspired Apostle are traced back to the sovereign purpose of God from the foundation of the world, and the mere passage of time does not nullify the purpose of Him Who changes not.

In asserting the relative positions of men and women the Scriptures elevate the woman to a place of dignity, honour and respect, and these will be preserved only where those restraints are recognized which God Himself imposes in those portions of His Word which require modesty in apparel and behaviour — “that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” (1 Tim. 2:9). In public worship “Modest apparel” includes the head covering, and Paul shows that to discard it implies a lack of respect toward man and toward God.

Although 1 Cor. 11, 1–16 appears to refer primarily to the dress and conduct of the married woman in the assembly, it is evident from the context that it applies with equal force to all of the women, whether married or single. At the present time many who genuinely profess to have no desire to be irreverent or careless with regard to what is taught in the Word of God may contend that so many women are seen hatless in the churches that those who conform with the precepts of this chapter will appear conspicuous. To this we must reply that it is better to conform with God’s Word than to conform with the world. “Be not conformed with this present world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds …” (Romans 12:2).

Today many may brush these requirements aside with amusement or with angry contempt, but it must be remembered that the precepts did not originate in the mind of man, but are set forth in the Word of God, being designed for His glory and for the spiritual well-being of His people.

Rev. Terence H. Brown

Free Presbyterian Magazine

THROUGH BACA’S VALE

“That the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. “ — 2 Corinthians 4.10.

It is in this earthen vessel, our poor mortal body, that both the death of and the life of Jesus are manifested. In the trouble, the perplexity, the being cast down, is the dying of Jesus; in not being distressed, in not being in despair, in not being forsaken, in not being destroyed, is the life of Jesus. Thus in the same body there is a dying Christ and a living Christ, Christ in his cross in his weakness, and Christ at the right hand of God in his power. To know these two things is to know the power of Christ’s resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, those two divine blessings which the soul of Paul so longed to realize and experience. In the knowledge the, the experimental knowledge, I mean, for all other is of no avail, of Christ crucified and Christ risen, consists the spiritual life of a child of God. So to live is to live a life of faith in the Son of God. So to live is to be baptised with that Spirit wherewith Paul was baptised when he said, “I am crucified with Christ: Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” The present life of Christ at the right hand of God the Father, is the source and foundation of all our present life. “Because I live, ye shall live also,” was his gracious promise when here below; and he is gone up on high, to fulfil that promise and make it effectual. He is “our life,” and this life must be made manifest in our mortal flesh, manifest to ourselves, and manifest to others; manifest to ourselves by the communication of light, life, liberty, and love, manifest to others by the fruits of a life and conversation adorning the gospel, and by walking in all holy obedience to its precepts.

J. C. Philpot

THE SYNAGOGUES

In the whole Land of Palestine, there was only one Temple, and that was at Jerusalem, which is called in the Psalms and in St. Matthew the “City of the great King.” To the Temple belong the priests, and the altar, and the sacrifices.

But there were hundreds of synagogues, four hundred and eighty in Jerusalem alone. In the New Testament we often read of Christ’s teaching in the synagogues. Have you ever wondered what sort of places they were? On week days schools for girls and boys, and libraries of writings for older people were open in the buildings. Also courts of law were held there.

The synagogues really took the place of our churches and chapels on the Sabbath Day, being used for worship — prayer and praise to God, and reading the Scriptures. As you know the Jews only had the Old Testament books in those days. They were not printed, but written on a roll. No village could have a synagogue of its own unless ten men promised to always be in their seats at the Sabbath services.

Many of these buildings were long and plain, with a flat roof, and the inside was whitewashed. On the Sabbath it was open to all. But the Capernaum synagogue which Luke tells us (chap. 4) was built by a Roman centurion, who loved the Jews, was a very grand place. It was ninety feet long, and made of beautiful white marble, with Corinthian pillars. Ever so much money was spent on it. Standing on raised ground it could be seen for miles around. No other synagogue in Palestine was half so splendid. Today parts of it lie amongst brambles and nettles.

At the Sabbath service they had two Scripture Lessons -the Law and the Prophets. The Psalms were sung or chanted. Just before the Lesson was read everyone stood up and said:

“This is the Law which Moses set before the children of Israel, the Law which Moses commanded us, the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. The way of God is perfect; the way of the Lord is tried; He is a buckler to all who trust in Him.”

When the reading was finished, they stood again, and said:

“Let them praise the Name of the Lord, for His Name alone exalted, His glory is above the earth and the heavens.”

An officer had to hand the Sacred Roll to the reader, to blow the trumpet when notices were given out, so that everyone should be careful to listen. This man also kept the synagogue swept and tidy during the week, and lit the Sabbath lamp.

The Rulers of the Synagogues sat in the best seats facing the other people. The elders and the Rabbi were in the middle part. The women always went up in a gallery behind lattice work, for they were never allowed to be seen during worship.

Each synagogue had an interpreter. Sometimes after the Bible reading an address or explanation would be given.

All sorts of men would be found in the congregation. There would be the market-gardener, his rough gardening tools all put away on Friday evening. The blacksmith had shut up his forge, and washed away the smoke and dirt of his week’s work with hammer and tongs. The mason was glad to rest his arms after carrying and setting stones for building. Peasants gave up their work in the fields. The shepherds walked from the lonely folds on the hills. Fishermen left their boats, and spread their nets to dry on roofs. Traders and house-owners, small masters, and large employers would come to the worship. Right at the back of the synagogue, there gathered the poor and the weak, the shabby, the unfortunate, and the beggars. There is room for them all, and the Word of God, which is read, is alike for rich and poor, master and servant, landlord and laborer.

There was a synagogue at Nazareth, where the Lord Jesus lived so many years with His parents. We are told He used to go each Sabbath Day to that synagogue, and read the Scripture portion. Will you find the fourth chapter of St. Luke, and begin to read from verse 16? The village people of Nazareth only knew our Lord as the Carpenter, Who spent his days in Joseph’s workshop.

One special Sabbath the service began as usual. David’s Psalms were sung, the first Scripture Lesson from the Law of Moses was read. Next the Lord Jesus stood up to read the other Lesson. The roll of the Prophet Isaiah was passed to Him. All the people would kiss the roll as it was carried by them.

Those wonderful words were read that all the Jews knew were about the Messiah, the Son of God. The book was closed and Christ sat down. Then as the people waited, expecting something unusual, He told them: “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Read on in the same chapter, and you will see how these people of Nazareth treated the Lord of life and glory. They had known Him as a perfect man all those days and years, had met Him and talked with Him, and always found Him good, and kind, and gentle, and meek, and true. Yet on this Sabbath Day, when our Lord told them He was their Messiah, they were full of anger at His words, and tried to kill Him. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” We never read of His going back to Nazareth any more.

Today, friends, this Jesus of Nazareth no longer reads the Scriptures in the Jewish synagogues. He is not on earth, but is now in Heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, full of majesty and power. And He speaks to us in His holy Book: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord.” “See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh.”

“There is an ear that grace Divine
Alone can make rejoice;
May such an ear, O Lord, be mine,
Attending mercy’s voice.
Give me a humble, tender heart,
A wise, obedient ear;
Nor let me from Thy truth depart,
Or live without Thy fear.”

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THE CAPTURE OF BREDA

It was about the year 1590, when good Queen Elizabeth sat on our throne, that the Netherlanders were making a mighty effort to free themselves from Phillip of Spain. He had held them in bondage for several years; and, as is usual when the Papacy is in power, they persecuted these Protestant Netherlanders to their utmost. The limits of this paper would not be sufficient to tell of their murderous rapacity; and it is no wonder that the poor, persecuted Netherlanders should gird on the sword, and stake their lives to preserve liberty of conscience and freedom of worship. They fought for eighty years before they were entirely free from the galling yoke of Spain.

Most of you have read of the siege of Leyden, where it was evident that God was helping these poor men against the then most powerful kingdom in the world, and comprised what is Austria, Hungrary, Germany, Holland, Spain, Peru, Mexico, Italy,Belgium, and the two Sicilies.

Yet God destined that these people should rear up a powerful Protestant constitution, and should be a flourishing kingdom when Spain was reduced to the lowest beggary.

The Spanish held a great many strong castles and cities, which, being situated on the chief rivers and canals, gave them an immense advantage over the States.

The castle and town of Breda were garrisoned by five companies of Italian Infantry and one of calvary, under the command of Lanzavecchia, the governor.

In the month of February, Prince Maurice, the commander of the States army, received a visit of a boatman who lived in the village of Leur, about ten miles from Breda, and who had long been in the habit of supplying the castle with turf for fuel. The skipper represented that his vessel had passed so often into and out of the castle, as to be hardly liable to search by the guard on its entrance. He suggested a stratagem by which it might be possible to surprise and capture the stronghold.

The Prince approved of the scheme, and, after consultation, found a suitable man to carry out the daring venture — a Captain Heraugiere, who eagerly signified his desire to attempt the enterprise. He selected sixty-eight men, of whose personal daring and patience he knew he could rely; also, Captains Logier and Fervet and Lieutenant Held.

On the 25th of February, about eleven o’clock at night, by the feeble light of the moon, these brave men marched down to the ferry as agreed upon, to meet the boatman. They found neither him nor vessel, and they wandered about half the night, very cold, very indignant, and much perplexed. At last, on their way back, they came upon the skipper, who made the extraordinary excuse that he had overslept himself. It was now too late, so they arranged for the next night. He did not come, but sent his two nephews instead, who were boatmen like himself.

On Monday night, the 26th of February, the seventy men went on board the vessel, which was apparently filled with blocks of turf, and packed themselves closely in the hold. They moved slowly during a little time on their perilous voyage, for the winter wind was blowing strongly, thick with fog, and sleet, bringing along with it huge blocks of ice. At last navigation became impossible, and they came to a standstill.

From Monday night till Thursday morning, these seventy Hollanders lay packed like herrings in the hold of their little vessel, suffering from hunger, thirst, and deadly cold, yet not one of them murmured a wish to abandon the enterprise. It was absolutely necessary to recruit exhausted nature. In all secrecy, they went ashore and refreshed themselves. About eleven o’clock at night, one of the boatmen came and said the wind had changed. Yet the voyage lasted two more days. On Saturday afternoon, they passed through the last sluice, and, about three o’clock, the boom was shut behind them. There was no retreat possible now. The seventy were to take the strong castle and city of Breda, or lay down their lives, every one of them.

They were now in the outer harbor, and not far from the water-gate which led into the castle-haven. An officer now came on board, spoke to the boatman, and, observing that the castle was much in want of the fuel, he took a survey of the turf with which the ship was apparently laden, then lounged into the little cabin. Here he was only separated by a trapdoor from the interior of the vessel. Those inside could hear every word he said. Had there been a cough or a sneeze from within, the true character of the cargo would have been discovered. But the officer took his departure, saying he would send some men to help to get the vessel into the castle dock.

Meantime, as the vessel was making its way towards the water-gate, they struck upon a rock, and the deeply -laden vessel sprang a leak. In a few minutes those inside were sitting up to their knees in water. The boatmen vigorously plied the pumps, to save the vessel from sinking outright. Some Italian soldiers now arrived, and dragged the boat containing the concealed Hollanders into the inner harbor, close to the guard-house.

And now a gang of laborers were sent on board to discharge the turf, because it was so much needed, and they worked with such rapidity that the departing daylight began to shine on the prisoners. Moreover, the thorough wetting they had just been exposed to, set the whole party coughing and sneezing. But the calm and wary skipper, who stood on the deck, instantly commanded his companion to work at the pump with all the clatter possible. By this means the coughing was effectually drowned. At last the case seemed almost desperate, so the skipper loudly declared that sufficient had been unladen for that evening, and that it was too dark and he too tired for further work; so, giving a handful of stivers among the workmen, he bade them go ashore and have some beer, and come for the rest of the cargo in the morning. Fortunately, they accepted his proposition and departed. Only a servant of the Governor remained, complaining that the turf was not so good as usual. “Ah!” returned the cool skipper, “the best part of the cargo is underneath. This is expressly reserved for the Governor. He is sure to get enough of it by tomorrow.” Thus admonished, the servant departed. The skipper sent his companion back to tell Prince Maurice that they had got inside all right, and that the Governor of the castle was away from his post, and had left his son in charge.

A little before midnight, Captain Heraugiere made a brief address to his comrades, telling them that the hour had arrived to carry out their undertaking. He then divided the little band into two companies — one under himself, to attack the guard-house; the other under Fervet, to seize the arsenal of the fortress.

Noiselessly they stole out of the ship where they had been so long confined, and stood at last on the ground within the precincts of the castle. Heraugiere marched straight to the guard-house.

“Who goes there?” cried a sentinel, hearing some movement in the darkness.

“A friend,” replied the captain, seizing him by the throat, and commanding him, if he valued his life, to keep silence, except when addressed, and then to speak in a whisper.

“How many are there in the garrison?” muttered Heraugiere.

“Three hundred and fifty,” whispered the sentinel.

Quietly as they made their approach, there was, nevertheless, a stir in the guard-house. The captain of the watch sprang into the courtyard.

“Who goes there?” he demanded.

“A friend,” again replied Heraugiere, striking him dead with a single blow as he spoke.

Others emerged with torches. Heraugiere succeeded in killing a second assailant. His followers set upon the rest, and fired through the doors and windows, and, in a few minutes, every one of the enemy lay dead.

Meantime, Fervet and his band had not been idle. The magazine-house was seized, its defenders slain. The Governor’s son made a sally from the palace, but was wounded and driven back. The rest of the garrison fled helter-skelter into the town, panic-stricken before seventy Hollanders. The Governor’s son, penned into a corner of the castle, began to parley.

In the midst of the negotiations, Prince Maurice arrived with more troops, and then the town and castle surrendered. The fight was over. Some forty of the garrison were killed, but not one of the attacking party. No plundering was allowed, the citizens agreeing to give the soldiers two months wages each. The church bells rang, and bonfires blazed, and cannon thundered in the United Provinces to commemorate this auspicious event. Many gave honor and glory to God. This victory was followed by eight other towns being captured during that same year.

May we not well feel ashamed that so many in our land are putting on the yoke of the Papacy, which former generations labored so hard to get rid of?

“Blessed be the Lord, our father’s God,
Eternal King of kings,
Who only is omnipotent,
Performing wondrous things.”

DOUBLY FREED AND DOUBLY ENRICHED

“Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that also which is to come.” I Timothy 4:8.

When some notorious Canadian robbers were arrested, Chiniquy was chosen by several as their confessor, and he constantly attended the prision, instructing them, and trying to teach them how to die.

But, after all his efforts, a terrible fear that they were not converted would come over his mind, and doubts of the real efficacy of Popish ceremonies to prepare a sinner to meet God troubled him so much, that he made a final attempt to rescue the doomed men after sentence of death was passed upon some of them. His tears and prayers were successful, and the Governer of Canada changed the death-doom to life-long exile in Botany Bay. They, with a number of other prisoners, were therefore transported to the penal settlement, and good Father Chiniquy gave each penitent he visited a New Testament when he took leave of them.

Forty years passed away, and Mr. Chiniquy, the Presbyterian minister, was lecturing on Romanism, in Australia, when he saw an elegant carriage driven up to the house at which he was staying, and a venerable gentleman, alighting from it, knocked at the door. He went himself to open it, to save trouble, and the stranger asked, was Father Chiniquy there, and might he see him privately?

“As I am Father Chiniquy,” was the reply, “I can at once answer that I shall feel much pleasure in granting your request.”

He led the way upstairs, and, when alone, the stranger asked —

“Do you remember the thieves who were sentenced to death in Quebec, in 1837? Well, dear Father Chiniquy, I was one of those criminals… My name was A---. God has blessed me in many ways, but it is to you, under Him, that I owe my life, and all the privileges of my present existence .... I come to bless and thank you for what you have done for me;” and, with tears of joy and gratitude, he threw himself into his benefactor’s arms.

They knelt together to thank God for His mercy, and then the visitor continued his wonderful story.

He said, “After you had given us your last benediction, when on board the ship that was to take us to Botany Bay, the first thing I did was, to open the New Testament you had given me .... It was the first time I had had that Book in my hands. You were the only priest in Canada who would put it in the hands of the common people ....

The only good I derived from the first reading was, that I clearly saw why the priests of Rome fear and hate that Book. In vain I looked for Mass, indulgences, purgatory, confession, the worship of Mary, etc., and for some time I became more a sceptic than anything else.

But, if my first reading did me little or no good. I cannot say the same of the second. I remembered, when handing us the Book, you told us to read it with prayer to God for light to understand it. I was tired of my former wicked life. I felt the need of a change.

You often, when speaking to us, used the words of the Saviour, ‘Come unto Me, all ye who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest;’ but, like all the other priests, you mixed with them the invocation of Mary, confidence in signs of the cross, and confession, so that your sublime appeals to the words of Christ were drowned by absurd impious superstitions.

One morning after a sleepless night, and feeling so pressed down with the weight of my sins, I opened my Gospel Book, after praying for light and guidance, and my eyes fell on the words, ‘The Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world.’ These words fell on my poor guilty soul with a divine power. I spent the day in crying to the Lamb of God to take away my sins. Before the day was over I felt and knew that my cries had been heard. The Lamb of God had taken away my sins and washed me in His precious blood. He had changed my heart, and made quite a new man of me. My soul tasted some sweet peace and joy in believing.

From that day the reading of the Gospel was to my soul what bread is to the poor, hungry man, and what pure and refreshing waters are to the thirsty traveler. My unspeakable joy was, to read that Holy Book, and speak to my companions in chains of the dear Saviour and His love for poor sinners; and thanks be to God I have hope that some have come to conversion and faith in Christ.

When at work in Sydney with the other culprits, I felt my chains to be light when I was sure the heavy chains of sin were gone; and, though working hard beneath a burning sun from morning till night, my heart was full of joy when I was sure my Redeemer had prepared a throne for me in His heavenly kingdom.

About a year afterwards, a minister of the Gospel and another gentleman came to me and told me I was pardoned, at the same time handing me a document signed by the Governor, and a hundred dollars, adding, ‘Go and be a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Lord Jesus, and God Almighty will bless you in all your ways.’

All this seemed like a dream, but it was a reality, and I spent several days and nights weeping for joy, and blessing the God of my salvation.

God moves in a mysterous way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Some years after that, we heard of the gold mines, and I started, in company of others; but I separated from the others, for I wanted to be alone, and pray to my God as I walked along.

After a long march, I came to a beautiful spot between three small hills, whence a brook was running to the plain below. I sat down to eat my dinner, and, while doing so, my eyes fell on a stone by the brook about the size of a goose egg. The rays of the sun shone on it like a mirror. I picked it up, and found it was nearly all gold of the purest kind ....

With the money I gained from that place I afterward bought a piece of land, and became one of the wealthy men in Australia. I married and settled here;… and it is to you, after God, I owe my life and all the privileges I now enjoy.

They wept and praised God together in the beautiful language of the 103rd Psalm. Both could say, with a full heart, ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy Name.’

The next day Pastor Chiniquy dined at the house of his unexpected visitor, and felt warmly interested in the family and all that he heard and saw, and the two separated not expecting to meet again on earth, but confidently hoping to meet around the throne of God, to praise the wonders of redeeming love for ever.

May we also be glad, and rejoice in that salvation there is in Christ Jesus, and join and sing the heavenly song with heart and voice, even now —

Till sweeter notes our bosoms swell.
In yonder world above.

Out of the life and work of Father Chiniquy.

BOOKS OBTAINABLE

The “KERKELIJK JAARBOEK” (in the Holland language) of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations for 1972 is now available. Price $1.50, postage included.

A book entitled “HISTORICAL TALES FOR YOUNG PROTESTANTS” is also now available. This book is illustrated, contains 228 pages and deals with tales of Waldo, Wicliff, Huss, the Waldenses, Luther, Bartholomew, etc. All in all 15 interesting stories. Price only $1.50, including postage.

Both of these publications can be obtained from —

Mr. Sam Kersten

R.R. 3

Norwich, Ontario

Canada

THE BIBLE

The Bible is always a new book to those well acquainted with it.

—R. C. Chapman

A BIBLE WITH PINS IN IT.

It was an old Bible, a family Bible, a well-worn Bible — the Bible of an old lady who had read it, and walked by it, and fed on it, and prayed over it for a long lifetime. As she grew older and older, her sight began to fail, and she found it hard to find her favorite verses. But she could not live without them, so what did she do? She stuck a pin in them, one by one; and after her death they counted 168.

When people went to see her, she would open her Bible, and feeling over the page after her pin, would say, “read there,” or “read here;” and she knew pretty well what verse was stuck by that pin, and what by this pin. She could indeed say of her precious Bible, “I love Thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold; they are sweeter to me than honey and the honey-comb.”

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