SPECIAL MISSIONARY SERVICE

Friday, March 31, was a special day for the American and Canadian congregations. After Miss A. Herfst had successfully passed her examinations in obstetrics in Edmonton, she was to be sent forth to the missionary field in Africa. This service took place in the church at Chilliwack, B.C.

At the request of the local pastor, the Rev. M. Romijn, and his consistory, the Rev. Wm. C. Lamain led this service. A large audience filled the church building. The service was commenced by singing Psalm 119:3, and part of Psalm 37 was read. After the votum was pronounced, the minister led the congregation in prayer.

In his introduction the minister pointed out the great significance of this service and afterwards called the congregation’s attention to Psalm 37:5, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

The Rev. Lamain first discussed who they were that were addressed in this text and who were urged to trust in the Lord. In this Psalm they are called “the poor and needy, those that wait upon the Lord, those that are blessed of him, the upright and righteous, the meek, and the saints.”

The world does not need God; an outward member of the church can, regardless of all his religion, do very well without God. There is, however, a people on earth who by virtue of God’s election, redemption, salvation, and operation through His Spirit cannot live without God and cannot die without Christ. God does not waste His grace. The Lord makes room for Himself in the heart and life of each of His children.

The minister pointed out how in this Psalm man’s life is compared to a way, so that it speaks of “thy way,” as each of God’s children has his own particular way, which has been determined by God’s eternal counsel. This he proved by quoting several examples from God’s Word.

Why are God’s people urged to commit their way unto the Lord? The word “commit” here has the force and meaning of “to cast.” God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. An angel came down into the Garden of Gethsemane to strengthen Christ in His human nature. An angel spoke to Elijah when he was deeply discouraged, “Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.”

God lets His people get stuck with everything they do. We try to do the casting, the committing, ourselves; but this ends in death. The committing of our way unto the Lord is a work of faith, and faith is a gift of God. But the exercise of faith, too, is something that must be given by the Holy Spirit. What it is and how it takes place are things the Lord Himself must teach us. For that reason we so desperately need to know Christ as our great Prophet, but also as our Priest and King. The ultimate goal of all God’s ways is His glory and honor, the exaltation of Christ, and the indispensable operation of the Holy Spirit. God takes matters out of the hands of His people so that they surrender themselves to Him and find peace for their souls.

The congregation was requested to sing Psalm 72:11.

After a short application in connection with the solemn occasion and according to everyone’s individual need as travelers to eternity, the minister addressed Miss Herfst personally. He requested her to answer publicly a few questions, which she did. Then he spoke a few words to her and her family and committed her unto the care of the Lord. The latter was done in the English language. He then requested the congregation to arise and sing Psalm 121:2 and 4; whereupon the service was closed in the usual manner.

Since the local minister had to leave that same evening for California in order to conduct a funeral there the following day, the Rev. Lamain announced that the following week there would be given an opportunity to bid Miss Herfst Godspeed, at which occasion the Rev. Romijn would address her personally, as this sister is a full member of the Chilliwack congregation.

That same afternoon Miss Herfst had received word from the Government that she would be granted a visa within a week. Plans were made for her to proceed to Amsterdam and from there to Africa.

May the Lord’s blessing rest upon this undertaking and may He bless the medical work among the heathen. The Lord can and will bless the humblest of means. He used the slave girl that had been carried away from Israel to Syria to bring Naaman and the prophet Elisha together, as well as the Israelitish midwives in Egypt to protect the Hebrew infants.

Elder De Feyter of Fort Macleod was also present at this service.

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