THE MACEDONIA MISSION SOCIETY

An historical background of the Macedonia Mission Society is presented so that we may see and acknowledge God’s preserving hand in the past. Also, that we might be enabled to go forward in the future, fulfilling the mission mandate of the Lord Jesus Christ to spread the gospel. In reviewing this history, we must acknowledge with Samuel of old: “Ebenezer, hitherto hath the Lord helped.”

Very little is known about the origin of the society and exactly why its founders decided to form this group. Later by-laws adopted inform us that the purpose of the society is, “to distribute Bibles and Biblical literature or perform some work to the extension of God’s Kingdom.” The early name of the society was “De Macedonier,” which was later changed to its present name. In all likelihood, this name was chosen because it was the first missionary destination in Europe, to which the Holy Spirit directed the Apostle Paul. Paul’s work was richly blessed in Macedonia, therefore we can see a good reason why the early organizers chose this name.

The earliest record that we have of the society formally meeting together was May 14, 1930. The meeting was comprised of members of the Haledon Ave., Paterson, New Jersey (now Franklin Lakes), the Peoples Park, Paterson, New Jersey (now merged with Franklin Lakes), and the Passaic, New Jersey (now Clifton) congregations. A secretary was selected, and the minutes were kept in the Dutch language until 1962.

During the first thirty-one years of its existence, the society was busy at work in the local New York City metropolitan area. Some of the work conducted by the society during those years included collection of funds which were then disbursed to other mission organizations, such as: the Borneo Mission Society, American Bible Society, and American Scripture Gift Mission. They also gave assistance to the Inheritance Publishers, distributing sermon booklets, tracts, and pamphlets.

In 1932, the board members of the society approved the hiring of a man to do mission work in the local area, his reimbursement being four dollars per day for work on a part-time basis. The work consisted of visitations to persons in need and distress, with the hope of providing help, but also to seek the Lord’s direction and provision. Visitations were also made to the local county jails, with an edifying word being spoken to the prisoners. Rev. J. Van Zweden was also involved with the society during this period of local efforts and visitations. In 1933, a trip was made to the New York City harbor front to visit and evangelize among the sailors who were in port at that time. In 1938, Rev. J. Van Zweden and one of the members of the society undertook a trip to Kentucky to do mission work there. It was decided that periodically this area would be visited with an edifying word being spoken to them. The records are silent on this endeavor; therefore, it is reasonable to assume that this work did not continue. Thus we see that through the first thirty-one years, most of the efforts were by direct personal contact.

In the late 1930’s, the records indicate that the society began to help with the mailing of the Banner of Truth. Then, in 1942, when government officials and agencies were encouraging work on the Lord’s day to speed up production of war materiel, the society undertook a vigorous mailing program, writing many letters of protest to government leaders.

In 1949, Rev. C. Hegeman reported to the Macedonia Mission Society on his visit to Canada. He stayed several Lord’s days among the newly arrived Dutch immigrants. They were, for the most part, poor, and needed help. To this, the society responded with donations and Bibles, on several occasions.

At a meeting of the society held in September, 1962, a decision was made in which we can clearly see the guiding hand of the Lord. The board members authorized the translation of Dutch sermons into English. This undertaking was also approved at a classis meeting and it was further agreed that these sermons would be distributed to our denominational churches in the United States and Canada. These sermons are now more commonly known as the “blue” books, and originally were printed at a cost of 5 cents per copy. Great interest for this was found within and outside our denomination. The first printing of the booklets was on June 21, 1963 and 520 copies of booklet number 1 were printed. For the next eight years most efforts were expended to fill the strong desire that was felt for sound sermon booklets. As of this writing booklet number 257 nas been printed. Booklets number 1 to 257 amounts to 445 sermons, with a total number of 730,000 sermon booklets having been printed thus far.

During the 1960s, efforts were undertaken to locate a Bible history book that would be suitable for young children. Finally one was found, that of John Vreugdenhil, in the Dutch language. Translation into the English was completed and the Bible History was published in bound volumes. At a meeting of the society in April, 1970, it was agreed to print the history into a study course for distribution. Question sheets were made up and provided with the hope that a study would be more beneficial than just reading the booklets. This marked a new era for the society as it now hoped that with the Lord’s blessing they would be able to provide edifying study material for the youth. The Bible history course began with the youth of our congregations. Consistories furnished names of children who would be eligible for the course. Soon, however, word reached the mission fields that such a course was available. Materials were sent to Rev. Kuyt in Irian Jaya and packages of booklets were sent to Africa. The course was received with great interest so that at the present time there is an enrollment of approximately seven thousand students, with about ninety-five percent from the African countries of Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya.

Another step was taken in September 1973, when the society approved efforts to translate and prepare a study course of John Vreugdenhil’s Church History. This course was designed so that when a student finished the Bible history course, he would be able to continue his studies and learn of the Church’s rich heritage.

Upon completion of the seventy-two booklet Bible history study course, the student is introduced to the thirty-seven booklet church history course. He is sent a certificate and bookmark for completing the Bible history and receives a nice Bible when he completes the church history course. It is hoped by this that the interest developed will continue with the study of God’s precious Word.

In addition to those members who work on the typesetting, printing, collating, and assembling of the booklets, a group meets each week to process the mail received. Records are updated and new packages of booklets are sent to the students. Answer sheets sent in by the students are corrected and graded by members who participate in their spare time at home. Letters sent in by the students, asking various questions must also be answered.

The Macedonia Mission Society is comprised of nine board members, five from the Franklin Lakes congregation and four from the Clifton congregation. Meetings are held periodically to discuss the progress and direction of the work. Financial support is received from congregational collections and donations, and from private contributions.

On behalf of the board members of the society, we wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all who have volunteered their time and abilities to this cause.

In closing, it is our wish and prayer that the Lord’s blessing may rest upon this work, to the salvation of many souls, and to the honor of His Holy Name.

INCOME AND EXPENSES FOR 1987

CLASSIS EAST

Bradford $ 486.20

Clifton 1,556.00

Franklin Lakes 4,413.00

Franklin Lakes Catechism 1,091.00

Franklin Lakes Sunday School 1,500.00

Grand Rapids 2,879.53

Covell Ave. 100.00

Hamilton 374.23

Kalamazoo 300.00

Norwich 500.00

Unionville 385.50

CLASSIS MID-WEST

Corsica 513.26

Rock Valley 841.99

Sheboygan 245.25

Sioux Center 650.00

Sioux Falls 119.15

Waupun 220.00

CLASSIS FAR WEST

Artesia 95.00

Chilliwack 1,747.80

Ft. MacLeod 384.74

Lethbridge 782.10

Lynden 389.12

Port Alberni 100.00

Sunnyside 150.00

General Mission Fund 5,000.00

Total Congregational Contributions $24,823.87

Other Donations and Gifts 3,652.45

Other Income 486.92

Total Income $28,963.24

EXPENSES

Postage $15,129.71

Paper 4,675.14

Rentals 198.00

Envelopes 410.00

Negatives 164.00

Printing (outside Printers) 4,884.90

Miscellaneous 268.58

Total Expenses $25,730.33

NET INCOME $ 3,232.91

Members: 9

John Vander Wiele, President • 267 Madison Ave., Clifton, NJ 07011 Martin Dekker, Clerk • 36 Allen Dr., Fairfield, NJ 07006

Mandate:

To provide sermons for the congregations and to instruct persons throughout the world in Bible and church history.

Recent Tasks:

To continue the distribution of “blue book” sermons throughout the congregations.

To continue providing lessons for hundreds of students throughout the world via John Vreugdenhil’s Bible History and Church History.

Martin Dekker is clerk of The Macedonia Mission Society. This is the (ourteenth of a series of NRC committee reports.

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