The NRC of Clifton, New Jersey (7)

The congregation has been without its own pastor since 1946. Yet we have been provided with the preached Word from time to time by various ministers. In 1956 Rev. Zijderveld accepted the call from the Peoples Park congregation and was appointed our moderator. In the same year Student Romeyn of Chilliwack, British Columbia preached for us on several occasions. Rev. Lamain, who served the congregations in the East many times, continued to do so.

In January 1958, the Sunday afternoon English service was discontinued and replaced by the Bible Class. The Bible Class was organized with the purpose of giving different levels of instruction to adults and children in biblical truths.

In July, 1958 plans for the proposed new church building were submitted to the congregation. While there were many differences of opinion as to the location of the new church building, type of furnishings, architecture, etc., yet with the appointment of a building committee progress was being made. In 1959, the final plans were submitted to the congregation at a congregational meeting. Approval was given by the male members to proceed with the building of a new church at our present site, 50 Third St., Clifton, New Jersey. The consistory appointed a finance committee which was successful in soliciting funds for the new building. Some of these funds were gifts and some were loans made to the church by the members. Soon work was commenced on the new church building. Except for a few delays, the building went smoothly and was completed in June 1960. During this time, the old church building was sold. It had been in use by the congregation for seventy-four years.

On Sunday evening, June 5, 1960, the final service was held in the old church building at Park Place, Passaic. On the following Saturday afternoon, June 11, 1960, Rev. Lamain ascended the pulpit and symbolically opened the Bible for the first time in the new church building. His text for this service was from Ezra 6:16: “And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.” The theme of the sermon was: The Dedication of the Second Temple which was a Joyful Event The main points were:

1. Because they had received it out of the hand of God.

2. Because in that temple the divinely instituted service would be carried on.

3. Because concerning this temple a promise had been given which exceeded all other promises.

The congregation could rejoice in that the Lord had granted them to assemble in a new church building, but there was and remains a need for a greater blessing, namely, that the Holy Spirit might accompany the preaching, reading and teaching to the hearts of many.

In October, 1961, Rev. Lamain conducted another dedication service for the congregation. The new pipe organ was now complete, and Rev. Lamain’s text for this service was from Psalm 150:4: “Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.” Rev. Lamain explained that sometimes the use of an organ can be edifying to the congregation, but he also expressed his wish that the organ might never be abused or misused. The organ was built by one of our own members and former organists, Mr. Henry Van Seters. Coming from his home which was located at a considerable distance from the church, he spent many nights in the church assembling the various component parts of this fine organ.

In 1962, the consistory reported to the congregation that the duties of the finance committee were no longer required. The hand of the Lord could be clearly seen in this, for in two short years the loans made by the members to the church for the construction of the new church building were all repaid and the congregation was now debt-free.

In 1965, the consistory gave approval to the request of several women members, who wished to form a ladies’ society to help various aid organizations and to help those in need. This ladies’ society was appropriately named “Dorcas” and they began their meetings in the fall of 1965. Throughout the years they have done much work, including the following: bed pads and dressings for the American Cancer Society; bed pads for the American Heart Association; bed jackets for the Christian Health Care Center, Holland Christian Home, Preakness Hospital, American Cancer Society, and denominational missions; bibs and diapers for the Eastern Christian Children’s Retreat; lap robes for the Veterans Hospital; socks and bandages for the leprosy centers in Thailand, Korea, and Ethiopia; packages of food, clothing and medical supplies sent to our mission stations in Nigeria and Irian Jaya, and to Viet Nam and India; packages sent to the Bethlehem Mission Home in Baldwin, Michigan. The Dorcas Guild also sends remembrances to members of the congregation who are sick and for special birthdays, anniversaries and births.

In 1975, our sister congregation at Franklin Lakes commenced a Christian school, with classes held in rented facilities in Wyckoff. The school grew rapidly, and increasingly parents have felt the necessity of giving their children an education based upon God’s Word. In 1982, our congregation joined the Franklin Lakes congregation in the construction of a new school building in Pompton Plains. Prayerful support, as well as financial and volunteer support, were liberally provided by both congregations so that on March 5, 1983, a dedication service could be held. Rev. Beeke, the pastor of the Franklin Lakes congregation and our moderator, read from Zechariah 4:6-10 and spoke a few words outdoors, at which time the cornerstone was set in place. Later, he spoke inside the auditorium using these words from the gospel of John, “And Jesus in the Midst.” These very words are inscribed in the cornerstone and Rev. Beeke expressed his wish that this might be experienced in daily school life, according to Christian education’s three great needs:

1. Christ-centered Grace;

2. Christ-centered Perspective;

3. Christ-centered Excellence.

In 1978, several young persons re quested that a young people’s society be formed. Under the guidance of the elders, this society was formed for the purpose of searching Scripture, studying the lives of church fathers and Reformation leaders, discussing church doctrine and also discussing the many problems of our time in relation to God’s Word. This society has been aptly named “Augustine” and meetings held from time to time are well attended.

A combined choral group consisting of persons from the Clifton and Franklin Lakes congregations meets periodically to sing psalms, psalters and musical pieces. In addition to singing at the Christmas Sunday School programs, a musical program is also given in the Christian Health Care Center and the Holland Christian Home.

Our congregation has been without its own pastor since 1946. Many have been the cries and prayers to the Lord that we might be favored in viewing the face of our own teacher. Over sixty calls have been sent by the congregation to God’s servants throughout these years to come over and help us. Thus far, we have been disappointed. However, we must confess that although we don’t deserve the least blessing, the Lord has provided us with His servants who have visited us and labored among us these many years in Word and sacrament.

Seldom is it fully realized what a burden rests upon the consistory, especially the elders, who must perform those tasks which normally a pastor would do. Many times disappointments and discouragements accompany the work, especially where the operation of the Holy Spirit seems to have been withheld. Yet we believe that those who labor are sometimes given to say from their hearts, “The service of my Lord affords me more pleasure than sinful ways afford.” How necessary that we as a congregation remember those who go before us, especially at the throne of grace!

We would like to close this short history with the words of our late beloved pastor, Rev. J. Van Zweden, given on the fiftieth anniversary of our congregation, which are very appropriate as we now commemorate our one hundredth anniversary.

“Beloved, when we think of the violent storms which this congregation had to endure as well as our sins and transgressions, we must declare that it is of the Lord’s mercies that we as a congregation are not consumed. God’s wonder-working hand caused us to grow under oppression. How gloriously and clearly is to be discerned in the history of this congregation the declaration of God’s singular name Jehovah —I am that I am! It is the Lord who has helped us hitherto and He will continue to keep us and bless us when we beg it of Him. The future appears dark and because of our sins the Lord has withheld from us the efficacious work of His Spirit. Sin is increasing more and more notwithstanding the fact that the Lord is coming with His judgments everywhere upon the earth. The godly are being gathered in and

Satan, through force and craftiness, is everywhere busy seducing and destroying. Notwithstanding, The foundation of God standeth sure having this seal: The Lord knoweth them that are His. The eternal good pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in the hand of Zion’s great King.’”

May the Lord think upon us in mercy and then grant us to say with His people, in the words of the re former Luther:

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe:
His craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing:
Were not the Right Man on our side
The Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask, who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God has willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers—
No thanks to them—abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill,
God’s truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever. Amen.

M. Dekker is an elder in the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Clifton, New Jersey.

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