CHURCH NEWS

Calls extended:”

To Rev. L. Blok of Beekbergen, the Netherlands, by the Unionville, Ontario, Canada Congregation.”

To Rev. J. VanHaaren of Amersfoort, the Netherlands, by the Norwich, Ontario, Canada Congregation.”

Calls declined:”

To the Sioux Center, Iowa Congregation, by Rev. J. VanHaaren of Amersfoort, the Netherlands.”

To the Waardenburg the Netherlands, Congregation by Rev. W. C. Lamain of Grand Rapids, Michigan.”

To the Sunnyside, Washington, Congregation by Rev. D. Hakkenberg of Dordrecht, the Netherlands.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENT”

Gifts received for the Banner of Truth in January 1972. From the Franklin Lakes Congregation — $300.00”

With appreciation”

The Banner of Truth Committee”

IN MEMORY OF THE REV. M. ROMEYN”

On Monday, December 20, 1971 the minister of the Chilliwack congregation passed away at the age of 58 years.”

He was born in Krimpen aan de Ijssel in 1913. Soon after the second World War he went to Canada where he built up a farm in British Columbia. At first he joined himself to the churches as he found them in his adopted country, but soon he found he had to break away from them. The spiritual climate in those churches was such that he dared not entrust his own soul and the souls of his family to them.”

He stayed home, and read a sermon to a few friendly families. When the stream of immigration brought many to British Columbia, also from circles that loved the experi’ mental preaching, Romeyn sought to gather them together, and to develop organized church life among them. They sought contact with the Reformed Congregations in the United States. The ministers of these congregations preached for the Canadian group. Romeyn meant very much to many who came from the Netherlands. Sacrificing himself, he did all he could for them, and thus was highly regarded by very many. A sincere desire grew in his heart to be able to minister to these people also in the Word of God. And . the Lord opened the way!”

At a meeting of Classis Far West, held in Sunnyside, he was examined as to his state and his calling to the ministry. This was satisfactory, and he was admitted to be trained for the ministry. This training, however, was very limited. Rev. Hegeman and I, then being the ministers of the Classis, were asked to instruct Him, and he spent several weeks with us. In 1957 he was declared eligible for call. The congregation to whose organization he had been instrumental, called him, and on June 19,1957, he was installed there by me. In all simplicity he has served that congregation with love. He was not exempted from troubles in his ministry. He suffered much because of the troubles that provoked a part of the congregation to break away in 1965.”

When a year and a half ago his sickness revealed itself, its seriousness was soon evident. A critical operation could not remove the tumor. Much pain was his portion during the last part of his life, but he bore it patiently with submission.”

The last weeks he had much inward strife, but when on the last Sunday (December 19) Rev. Verhoef preached in Chilliwack on the Song of Mary, these words were blessed to his soul: “For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden.” He rejoiced in the divine regard the Lord had for unworthy and unsuitable creatures, including himself.”

While riding with Rev. Verhoef on Monday, he spoke of his strong longing for eternal communion with God and deliverance from self and from sin. As soon as he arrived at home, he obtained his desire, and died in the arms of his wife.”

We are glad that especially in the last years our friend could enjoy the love of the people entrusted to him. Certainly our deceased friend also had faults; he knew that himself; but grace has triumphed.”

We hope the Lord will strengthen the widow and her ten children, and be to them a refuge and a high tower. May the Lord be merciful to the congregation which the Rev. Romeyn served for 14 years.”

The Rev. A. W. Verhoef promised to write a report of the funeral, in the Holland Language.”

Rev. A. Vergunst”

DEATH AND BURIAL OF REV. M. ROMEYN”

On Monday, December 20, 1971 our beloved minister Reverend M. Romeyn passed away after a lengthy illness. The Lord has transferred him from the church Militant to the church Triumphant.”

During his life he has worked while it was day, and it was always his desire to do some work in the congregation in spite of his illness. For the family and the congregation it was a great support that at the time of the passing away of Reverend Romeyn his friend Reverend A. W. Verhoef from Lethbridge was in our midst.”

On Wednesday, December 22, 1971 Reverend A. W. Verhoef delivered a sermon and spoke words of consolation to the family, friends, and the congregation.”

As text for his sermon he chose Ezekiel 34:23 “And I will set up one shepherd over them and he shall feed them.” In his discourse Reverend Verhoef pointed out the wonder of Sovereign Grace and that brother Romeyn is now in the church Triumphant.”

The funeral service was held Thursday, December 23, 1971 at 2 P.M. from the church of the Netherlands Congregation, Yates Avenue, Chilliwack, B.C. Reverend A. W. Verhoef from Lethbridge and Reverend W. C. Lamain from Grand Rapids officiated at this funeral service.”

Reverend Verhoef chose as text Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

In his dissertation Reverend Verhoef explained that the Lord will take away all tears of trespasses and sins; tears of unbelief; tears about the need to possess Christ and His work. The Lord will take away all those tears with His own hand so that in the Heavenly Kingdom they never have to weep anymore but eternal gladness and joy will be their portion.”

Death also shall be only a passage to eternal life for a child of God. There shall be no sorrow in Heaven for them who in this life have learned to have sorrow over their sins. Their shall be no more crying over pain and grief and over all kinds of wretchedness, which so often oppresses the children of Zion. All the former things are passed away and our brother may now sing to the glory of God and that eternally.”

Reverend Verhoef expressed his sympathy to the consistory, congregation of Chilliwack and the delegates from the classis Far-West.”

After this Reverend W. C. Lamain spoke for this occasion from Isaiah 54:9 “For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth: so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.”

Reverend Lamain first expressed his sympathy to the family. In his discourse he explained the meaning of the words of this text, 1. a divine judgment 2. a divine call 3. a divine assurance. At the end of his sermon he wished the widow strength in her loss; the consistory and the congregation the blessing of the Lord and the help from the King of Kings.”

Elder R. Wierks spoke on behalf of the consistory of Chilliwack and extended words of consolation to the bereaved family. He also commemorated how much work our deceased minister did for the emigrants when they first came to Canada. He also spoke about the bond which existed between him and the office bearers and the whole congregation of Chilliwack.”

Elder L. Bouma from Choteau, Montana directed a few words to the family on behalf of the classis.”

Elder H. van den Dorpel from Chilliwack thanked all who rendered the last honours to the deceased Reverend M. Romeyn.”

On the cemetery Reverend Verhoef spoke a few words and expressed the hope that the Lord will remember the widow with her children in all their sorrows and cares and that the Lord will grant them to seek Him in the days of trouble.”

This narrative was submitted by Br. Wierks, elder of the Chilliwack congregation. I had written an article in behalf of our dear Brother Rev. Romeyn, but I thought it best to give the consistory and classis an opportunity to express their sympathy to the family of their deceased minister. I will use my notes later on for the yearbook, the Lord willing. Thanks also to Rev. Verhoef for his report.”

The Editor, Rev. L.”

SUNNYSIDE CONGREGATION SENDS ITS CONDOLENCES TO”

MRS. M. ROMEYN AND FAMILY”

The Sunnyside, Washington, Congregation extends their deepest sympathy to Mrs. Romeyn and family in the loss of their husband and father, Rev. M. Romeyn.”

The Consistory”

Dear Rev. Romeyn now has entered Rest,
With angels and with saints he is Blessed;
He dwells on High on Jesus throne,
And wears a bright, illustrious crown.
On earth he left a widow dear;
And children too, her grief to share.
A widowed church is left to mourn
For him who can return again!
O Lord look down, thy Church regard,
And be the widow’s constant guard;
A Father to the children be,
And let them all be saved by Thee.”

ANNOUNCEMENT”

The Rev. G. A. Zijderveld, who at one time served the congregation of Artesia, California, and later the congregation of People’s Park, New Jersey,has since 1961 served the congregation of Middelburg, the Netherlands. Last year he preached two sermons in his congregation on the salvation of “Israel.” The topic of the one sermon is: “The Deliverance of the People of Israel,” based on Ex. 14:27. The topic of the second sermon is: “The Holy Zeal of the Apostle Paul,” based on Rom. 10:1.”

The subject is very interesting, especially since there are promises in the Word of God for the people of Israel that must still be fulfilled, according to Romans 11, and other places. We recommend the reading of these sermons. May the blessing of the Lord rest upon it. They are also sent to Israel for free distribution. They have been translated into the English language, and are available at the following address;”

Firma Pieters”

Oostburg, Zeeland”

The Netherlands.”

The price of these sermons is $2.00 for a bound volume, and $1.50 for a paperback.”

BOOK NOTICE”

The book entitled “Memories and Fragments” by Rev. W. C. Lamain has been translated into the English language. This book of 179 pages also contains a few meditations and letters in addition to Rev. Lamain’s memories of forty years in the ministry.”

This book is now available for $3.50 and can be obtained from:”

Mr. Clarence Bleeker”

1233 Leffingwell N.E.”

Grand Rapids, Mich. 49505”

In the west copies of this book can be obtained from:”

Mrs. C. Jongetjes — Rock Valley”

Mrs. J. deBonte — Sioux Center”

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