The NRC of South Holland, Illinois (2)

Rev. E. L. Meinders (1874-1904)

The only minister to serve as pastor of our South Holland NRC in its 125-year history, Ede L. Meinders (1827-1904), was a German by birth. His God-fearing parents schooled him well in the principles of the old Reformed faith. In his youthful days, he read much of Rev. H. De Cock and others who maintained “the old paths” of the Reformers and Post-Reformers. He was brought under saving conviction in 1854 at twenty-seven years of age.

In 1857, Meinders emigrated to America. He settled in Ridott, Illinois among friends and relatives, during a time of revival in which several persons were remarkably converted—two of whom would later become his first and second wives. For three years he worked as a farm laborer in this area, and experienced much blessing for his own soul. It was during this period that he was delivered from his bonds by Spirit-worked faith in the blood of Jesus Christ and experienced personal assurance of faith.

Not long after this, Meinders felt called to the ministry. In 1860 he was given permission by the consistory of the Reformed Church at Ridott to speak an edifying word as “evangelist-ex-horter” among Oostfrisians living near Whiterock, Illinois (approximately thirty miles south of Ridott). The Lord blessed these labors such that two additional churches could be organized in the area after several years. In the meantime, Meinders was called as exhorter to a larger group of Oostfrisians in the area of Forresten, Illinois. This group, organized in 1861, contained a wide variety of parishioners—including some who favored conventicles over preaching, and others who were of a liberal Reformed mentality or who had become Baptists. Within the following two years, this group split and then split again. Meinders was accused of being a “trouble-maker.” Finally, matters were brought to a Milwaukee classical gathering in 1864, which advised that Meinders leave the Forresten area. One minister in particular accused him of being too Calvinistic and “the boldest man I have ever known”!

Meinders’s supportive group at Forresten, who loved such “old writers” as Brakel, Comrie, and Smytegelt, could not accept the decision of the Milwaukee Classis. Hence, they seceded to form a so-called “Old School” Presbyterian Church, and then decided to collect sufficient funds to send Meinders to Dubuque Seminary (the theological school of the “Old School” Presbyterians). Due to the arrival of many students who were not sufficiently prepared for theological studies, Dubuque was organized on a three-tier level: a preparatory division, a college, and the actual theological school. Meinders, however, was admitted directly into the theological school. From 1864-1867 he studied Biblical languages and Reformed theology at Dubuque, and simultaneously spoke an edifying word on Sundays to his sympathizers in the Forresten area.

During the last summer of his theological studies, Meinders was sent to labor in the area of Steamboat Rock, Iowa. This congregation was officially organized as a Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in November of that year, at which time candidate Meinders was called, despite considerable opposition. He accepted the call and was ordained into the ministry on January 9,1868.

At that time, the CRC had only sixteen organized congregations and eight ministers, of which Rev. Meinders was the only one who had formal theological training. Regarded as a highly educated minister (he also knew German, Dutch, and English in addition to Hebrew and Greek), it was inevitable that Rev. Meinders would be called to exercise a variety of leadership positions in the young CRC denomination. Moreover, he also penned numerous articles and several sermons in his early years of ministry.

Rev. Meinders remained in Steamboat Rock for six years. Here he married his first wife in 1868, Hilke Bode, a God-fearing, twenty-nine-year-old widow who had one child. After only eight weeks of marriage, his young bride died from injuries resulting from her being thrown off a wagon when its driver lost control of his horses. Rev. Meinders was called upon to conduct his own wife’s funeral. Despite much depression, the Lord enabled him to proceed forward, for this affliction was used to greatly deepen his spiritual exercises. Later he would write an edifying series of articles on the life of his late wife (published in De Wachter).

Rev. Meinders was called upon to conduct his own wife’s fanerai.

Seventeen months later he married his second wife, a God-fearing, thirty-seven-year-old single, Geertje Peterson. Also this marriage saw much affliction. One year after their union, Mrs. Meinders had a stillborn daughter. Two years later she bore a son who lived only a few minutes. Though Mrs. Meinders lived for seventeen more years, her health was permanently broken. Nevertheless, throughout these years she remained a continual support to her husband in spiritual and church matters. Happily, her experiences, penned near

the end of her life and published by her husband two years after her death, have been translated into English under the title, The Memory of the Just: A short description of the life and blessed death of Mrs. Geertje F. Meinders.

Rev. Meinders was installed in the South Holland True Dutch Reformed Church on March 15, 1874. The first year of his ministry in South Holland was one of the most blessed of his life: God’s people were fed; peace was finally established in the consistory; the little flock nearly doubled in size; a new parsonage and church building were erected (still used today!); and the congregation gave its approval to commence with the establishment of a Christian school.

Since the need for Christian education had been deeply felt, plans were laid, and the membership voted to accept the proposal of constructing a building for $350! In the end, however, the consistory decided that a Christian school would be beyond the congregation’s financial capabilities. It is difficult not to speculate what the results might have been had the consistory continued to pursue the congregation’s decision in the matter of Christian education.

The congregation of South Holland experienced its most profitable time numerically, and perhaps also spiritually, during the first twelve years of Rev. Meinders’s ministry there (1874-1886). The congregation grew to its maximum size in 1883 when it numbered 250 members; 1882 and 1883 were also said to be years of special spiritual blessing.

Nevertheless, these years were not without heartaches for Rev. Meinders himself. Doubts about his own state in grace began to plague him afresh. Signs of departure from Reformed orthodoxy in the Christian Reformed Church deeply troubled him. He took up his pen and engaged in debates with the editor of De Wachterfor implying universal salvation and with Rev. L. J. Hulst on the subjects of preaching and supralapsarianism. He opposed the admission of Rev. J. I. Fles to the CRC ministry on the grounds that he taught pre-millenialism and Rev. W. R. Smidt for advocating the introduction of hymn-singing in the churches.

All of this led to the secession of Rev. Meinders and the South Holland True Dutch Reformed Church from the CRC in 1886. After South Holland voiced six concerns at the CRC Synod on June 11,1886, and felt that none of them were satisfactorily answered, Rev. Meinders spoke to Synod: “It grieves me to have to leave; I cannot remain in good conscience; I would have preferred to remain in the church. My prayer is that the Lord of the Church may bring you back to the old points of view.” His accompanying elder, brother Meeter, agreed with him. After shaking hands with all the delegates, Rev. Meinders and Elder Meeter left Synod and the CRC.

The first year of his ministry in South Holland was blessed; God’s people were fed; peace was finally established in the consistory; the little flock nearly doubled in size; a new parsonage and church building were erected (still used today!); and the congregation gave its approval to commence with the establishment of a Christian school.

In behalf of the consistory, Rev. Meinders wrote a forty-five page booklet defending their secession, entitled Apology and Secession (Apologie en Afscheiding).This secession continued to deeply grieve Rev. Meinders. Subsequent years showed that he had no desire to live in isolation. As an independent minister, Rev. Meinders engaged in many efforts from 1886-1891 to establish fellowship with other independent ministers or congregations, most of which proved to be fruitless at best and disappointing at worst. Moreover, during these years his own church membership began to decline, most of which returned to the RCA or CRC. in 1886 the congregation had 22-6 members; in 1890, 64 members, of which only 21 were professing members. How painful it must have been for him to experience that all three elders who had seceded with him in 1886 returned to the CRC!

In the midst of this increasing isolationism, Rev. Meinders’s supportive helpmeet was taken to glory (1891). He did not sorrow as those without hope, but that year rightly marks, as Rev. Bieze notes, the commencement of his “twilight years.” Though his pen was active, for he published his most renowned work in 1897 (two volumes of sermons on the Heidelberg Catechism), the last fourteen years of his life (1891 -1904) were lonely ones. A few parishioners remained faithful and loving to the end, but Rev. Meinders sorely missed fellowship with other ministers and acquaintances from former years. Moreover, due to age and weakened health, he had to lay down his pastoral office in 1900. Before he died, he willed his extensive theological library to Calvin Theological Seminary, where numerous old and valuable volumes with his imprint still grace the shelves. Little did Rev. Meinders realize that God would spare his little flock throughout the tumultuous twentieth century, preserving, as his wife had predicted, a remnant to fear His worthy Name.

After the Death of Rev. Meinders (1904-1990)

After Rev. Meinders’s death, the congregation received only occasional preaching services. Preaching services increased slightly when the congregation united itself with the newly-organized Netherlands Reformed denomination in 1909. Ministers who regularly served the South Holland congregation during their first decade of belonging to the NRC, included: Rev. G. J. Wolbers, Rev. C. Densel, Rev. C. Van Adrichem, Rev. H. A. Minderman, Rev. A. Van Dyke, and Rev. J. C. Wiel-houwer.

Leadership from 1904 to 1960, however, rested largely in the hands of capable elders who conducted reading services. Elder K. R. De Jong served as leading elder from 1909-1928; Elder F. R. Boerhave, from 1928-1936; A. DeGroot, from 1937-1949; Elder J. Schaap, from 1950-1958; Elder H. Lanting, from 1959-1960. Consistory minutes reveal that a total of sixteen men have served in the office of elder, and seventeen in the office of deacon throughout the congregation’s history.

Sadly, since 1960 the Lord has not provided office-bearers; it is our hope and prayer that this may change in the near future. Instead, the Grand Rapids NRC has served as mother church for the South Holland group for the last three decades. Nevertheless, dedicated assistance has been provided throughout those years by informal leaders in the group, including: Mr. A. DeYoung (1960-1972); Mr. C. Kikkert (1972-1980); Mr. J. Witvoet (1972-1987), and Mr. J. Witvoet, Jr. (1987- ).

No minister has provided so many years of faithful service to the South Holland group as Rev. W. C. Lamain, who served them regularly—often once a month—from 1947 to 1984. During many of these years, taped sermons of NRC ministers were listened to on Sundays as no one could be found who was willing to lead the worship services. Though this still transpires during winter months, for approximately eight months each year (April to December) five elders from the Grand Rapids congregation take turns serving the South Holland group with reading services and catechism instruction each Sunday. Since the death of Rev. Lamain, Rev. H. Hofman (1984-1986) and Dr. J. R. Beeke (1986- ) have served as moderators.

Presently, all the NRC ministers and theological students serve the South Holland group on week-day evenings from time to time. Preaching services on Sunday remain rare. As a theological student, Rev. J. den Hoed also served South Holland for some time on a weekly basis to teach catechism.

The Lord still grants love for the South Holland congregation. Despite the miles and time involved in each trip, elders and ministers may do these labors with love. Something of this love is evident in the words of Rev. Lamain: During the years that I have been in Grand Rapids, I often made the 180 mile trip to South Holland. Once while preaching to only about twenty people there, and having just heard that at that time Billy Graham was preaching to crowds as large as 60,000 in Rotterdam, I felt so discouraged and sorry for myself. But as I stood there behind the lectern, the Lord came over powerfully with the words: “Thou hast been faithful over a few, I will make thee ruler over many” (Mt. 25:21 ). Then the fact that there were so few people simply fell away, and the Lord gave an opening to speak His Word.

No minister has provided so many years of faithful service to the South Holland Group as Rev. W. C. Lamain.

Attendance at church services remains small until the present, although there has been a slight increase of late. For a week-day preaching service, attendance in the thirties is average; for Sunday reading or taped services, attendance usually is below twenty persons. Present membership figures include ten professing members and six baptized members.

On December 17, 1989, the South Holland congregation was humbled to witness the confession of faith of five persons, and the baptism of two adults and two children. On January 25, 1990, the congregation was privileged to commemorate its 125 years of existence. The Lord is still revealing that He has as yet no pleasure in removing His candlestick from our oldest and smallest congregation. Indeed, there are times when we may bring God’s Word there with gladness, believing “for where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:20).

Mrs. Meinders was right: From 1865-1990, God has kept a remnant in South Holland’s midst. God preserves His church. He shall not forsake the work of His own hands. The church is always unworthy, but God in Christ is always worthy to receive all honor and glory.

This is the exclusive hope and expectation for the future of the South Holland NRC: “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18b).5

5The South Holland NRC is located at 310 East 162nd St., South Holland, Illinois 60475. Services are held at 9:15 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. each Sunday. For more information, contact the present clerk, John Witvoet, Jr., 18202 Dorchester, Lansing, IL 60438(708-474-1576).

Dr. J.R. Beeke is pastor of the First Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rev. J. den Hoed is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Rock Valley, Iowa.

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