REPORT OF CLASSIS WEST

Classis West convened on Wednesday, September 27, 1967, in the church at Choteau, Montana.

The preceding evening a prayer service was held, led by Rev. A. Elshout. He chose his text from the epistle of James, chapter 5:16–17–18, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

On Wednesday morning Rev. J. Van Zweden, moderator of the calling church of Lethbridge, Alberta, opened the meeting. After the singing of Psalter 220 : 1–5, the minister asked the Lord’s guidance in prayer and then read a portion of God’s Word found in Psalm 44.

In an earnest word to those assembled from far and near, he dwelt upon the last verse of said Psalm. “Arise for our help, and redeem us for Thy mercies sake.” He expressed his desire that the supplication of the Psalmist might become ours also, as leaders in the church in the dark days in which we live, where darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people. He wished well for all our congregations, that the Lord might arise once more and remember Zion in mercy. He directed a word of welcome to all the delegates, and especially to Rev. Elshout who had recently accepted a call to the congregation of Artesia, California, and was in attendance at this Classis for the first time. He wished that his coming to America might be in the Lord’s favor, and that his labors in this country and Canada might be blessed.

The credentials were examined and approved. All the delegates were present, one deacon granted the right to vote.

Rev. Van Zweden was appointed president of the meeting, Rev. Elshout, vice-president, Rev. Romeyn, assessor, and Elder L. Kaat, clerk.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read, approved and signed.

The treasurer of Classis West Missions gave his report on the various mission activities of the past year. He noted that a balance of $1,961.22 exists at present. Classis decided to distribute this amount among: Macedonia Mission Society — Wycliffe Translators — Inheritance Publishers — Gideons — Foreign Missions Neth. Ref. Cong. — Domestic Missions Neth. Ref. Cong.

Classis was glad to hear that the way was now opened for Miss Ann Hoerfst to leave for her mission post in Nigeria. After many months of disappointments because of the critical international situation, our laborers there have been able to return to their clinic and our nurse will leave immediately to help them.

Clasiss accepted clarification from the committee in the Netherlands regarding revision and reprinting of sermons of our forefathers.

A vacancy exists in the committee established to examine translated sermons before being printed. This vacancy shall be filled by an elder from the consistory of Corsica.

Elder D. Spaans closed the morning session with prayer and Rev. Elshout opened the afternoon session with a request to sing Psalter 255:3-4 and prayer.

Classis instructed one of the consistories concerning the application of ecclesiastical censure.

The consistory of one of the Canadian churches requested advice concerning the invitation of ministers and students from the Netherlands to serve our vacant congregations in Canada and America.

The instructions for the forthcoming Synod, June 18–19, 1968 D.V. were prepared. All Delegates and their alternates to Synod were appointed at this meeting.

Rev. Elshout was appointed moderator of the congregations at Lethbridge and Fort Macleod, Alberta.

The calling church for the next meeting shall be Sioux Center, to convene D.V. on the 25th of September at Rock Valley, Iowa.

The expenses of Classis were $1,445.00, divided proportionately.

In closing the president spoke a few words of appreciation for the peace and unity that prevailed among us in our gathering. What a great wonder that it is still thus manifest. He expressed his wish that the seriousness of the times were bound on all our hearts, especially for our dear children, the church of the future. That God Almighty might pour out His Spirit upon us and grant us true prayer and supplication for each other. Rev. Romeyn then requested the assembly to sing Psalter 325:1-2, and closed with a prayer of thanksgiving.

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