CHURCH NEWS

Calls Declined:

To the Unionville-Bradford, Ontario, Canada, Congregations, by Rev. J. VanHaaren, of Amersfoort, the Netherlands.

To the Rock Valley, Iowa, Congregation, by Rev. M. Mondria, of Waardenburg, the Netherlands.

To the St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Congregation, by Rev. A. Vergunst, of Veen, the Netherlands.

To the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Congregation, by Rev. A. Vergunst of Veen, the Netherlands.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Once again the Lord has inclined more hearts to liberality.

We have received $1,500 from a friend for those persons in the Norwich Congregation who have lost so many of their possessions in the tornado.

Also, from other friends who live in Indiana, we received $200 plus $50 for the Mission. We also received $200 from members of another congregation who were willing to give as they were privileged to receive out of the hand of the Lord.

We appreciate these gifts and wish to express our hearty thanks for the same.

With further recommendation,

Your forward-looking friend, Rev. W.C. Lamain

DEDICATION SERVICE OF THE NEW EBENEZER CHURCH OF THE NETHERLANDS REFORMED CONGREGATION, FORT MACLEOD, CANADA

On Monday evening, August 6, 1979, the congregation of Fort Macleod, with many friends and interested persons from far and near, came together for the dedication service of our new church building. The service was led by Rev. A.W. Verhoef of Chilliwack, as our moderator, Rev. M. Heerschap, was unable to attend due to his physical weakness. May the Lord remember him in the climbing of his years.

First of all, the chairman of the building committee, Mr. Harry VanEe, presented the keys of the new church to the president of the consistory, elder George Feyter, who in turn, in the name of the consistory and congregation, received the same with thanks to the building committee for all the work done. Following this, during the congregational singing of Psalter 428:4, the pulpit Bible was officially opened by Rev. Verhoef. Then the officiating Pastor asked the congregation to sing Psalter 429:1 and read Psalm 121.

He then brought the needs of the congregation before the Lord in prayer and asked a blessing for the service of that evening and the many services that hopefully will follow within the walls of the new building. The text for the evening was taken from Genesis 22:9, the center portion, which reads, “And Abraham built an altar there.” The main points were: (1) Building an altar (2) An altar for sacrifice (3) Abraham’s altar was not his end goal.

The congregation was reminded of how Abraham went up Mount Moriah to build an altar for sacrifice to the Lord. Abraham here-with obeyed the command of God. The minister hoped that there were a people in Fort Macleod who already prayed to God before the new church building was started to receive this altar, there to come together to beseech the Lord for the well-being of our souls. Abraham went so far as to lay his only son Isaac, who gave himself as a type of Christ, upon the altar to make the name of God great and to obey His command. But, after all God Himself did provide the sacrifice. So also, the Son of Man obeyed His Father’s command and went voluntarily as a lamb to the slaughter, to the cross of Calvary. Thereby a way was opened for poor lost sinners to be saved. That the means given, such as His Word, His house of prayer, etc., should be used to ask for the redemption of our sins. Let not this building be your end goal, but ask the Lord for that true saving faith to the salvation of our souls. Remember also our fellow travelers to eternity; pray for them and ask the Lord to be merciful to lost sinners to the glory of His name.

Following the sermon, the visiting minister from Holland, the Rev. C. Hegeman of Ermelo, greeted and congratulated the congregation with the new building. He recalled the desire of the first emigrant families back in 1951 when he first visited them, to have the living word of God amongst them. And that desire is still here now. What a blessing that there is still a desire and opportunity to come together in the house of the Lord.

Then the Mayor, Mr. C. Edgar, of Fort Macleod, brought greetings and best wishes from the council and people of the town of Fort Macleod. Mr. Frans Feyter, the principal contractor, then thanked the people for their trust in him in building this church and expressed his good wishes. Rev. D. Hoskin, on behalf of the ministerial association, brought greetings and good wishes from the local churches. After a few well deserved comments for the church work performed by elder George Feyter, he asked that we remember other people in need, such as the Vietnamese refugees.

In the Dutch language, elder W. Vande Broek spoke a few words on behalf of the sister congregation of Lethbridge. Elder P. de Bruin of Lynden, Washington, spoke a few words on behalf of Classis Far West. He brought greetings and best wishes and hoped that the Lord’s blessing would be extended in the new building.

Then elder George Feyter thanked all present who came from as far as Washington State, Montana, British Columbia, many places out of Alberta, and even Holland, for attending and for the good wishes and friendship extended. Also a personal word of thanks was given to the building committee, contractor, sub-contractors, architect, custodians, etc., and all who in one way or another gave their much appreciated help to erect this nice building. In general, a word of thanks was also given to those who donated so generously towards this building in cash donations, free labour, and materials of many kinds. Included were the ladies who added so much work and care to bring the building in readiness for use. He pointed to the name of the church building which is “EbenEzer”, meaning “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” as recorded in I Sam. 7:12. This declares unto us that also in the future we should depend upon the Lord’s help. May the prayer be of many, that God grant all of us true saving faith in and through Jesus Christ. To conclude, elder Feyter asked the people to sing Psalter 362:2 and 3. At the end of this remarkable evening, as the new building being nearly filled to capacity with almost 300 present, the congregation standing, sang the Doxology, after which Rev. A. Verhoef closed with laying the blessing upon the congregation.

After this coffee was served by the ladies in the meeting room downstairs and the opportunity was given to inspect the new building.

In brief by Clerk F.V.E.

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS

Most subscriptions to The Banner of Truth expire with the December 1979 issue. To avoid missing future issues please send in your renewal within the next 60 days if possible. A self addressed envelope is enclosed in this issue of The Banner of Truth for your convenience.

The subscription price for 1980 is $4.50 for subscribers living in the United States.

The subscription price for 1980 for subscribers living in foreign countries (including Canada) is $5.50 via surface mail. Air mail to foreign countries will cost an additional $12.00 annually for a total of $17.50 payable in U.S. dollars.

It is suggested that remittance be made via personal check, bank or post office money order for subscribers in the U.S.A. Subscribers in all foreign countries should make their remittance payable in U.S. Dollars. Subscribers living outside the North American continent should preferably send in their remittance via International Money Order payable in U.S. dollars.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Not long ago there appeared for a few years in our “Banner of Truth” “Notes out of the Catechism Classes of the Rev. J. Fraanje Using the Catechism Book Specimens of Divine Truths by the Rev. A. Hellenbroek.” These notes first appeared in 1936, and were reprinted in 1950. The Rev. J. Fraanje was born in 1878, and died in 1949. According to his own testimony he was born under the judgment, converted to God, and called to the holy ministry. As a boy we have known him, and heard the Word of God out of his mouth. He was a man with exceptional gifts, and had received a large measure of grace. Even the well-known late Rev. G. H. Kersten, who was the means God used for his conversion during a sermon on the Fourth Lord’s Day, (and he himself also had great gifts of preaching) often said, also to me, that Rev. Fraanje could bring forth mysteries concerning the fundamentals of the truth that are rarely explained.

The Lord had given that minister a special spiritual insight. I have heard that myself when he preached on Daniel 11. For a few years we enjoyed frequent conversations with each other when we were both in Classis Barneveld. He was pastor in the Barneveld congregation for more than thirty years. Untiringly he preached and catechized, always abouding in the work of the Lord, I Cor. 15:55, until the Lord brought him home to the realms of eternal glory.

Many writings and sermons were taken down by a catechumen and later published. Thus it was also done with these “Notes”. This work does not need any recommenation of men. It recommends itself. Also in this work we can notice the anointing of the Spirit of God. The love of Christ constrained Rev. Fraanje, and the salvation of the coming generation was bound upon his heart. The fundamentals of the truth are very simply explained for boys and girls, and the older people will read it with inward joy, especially when the Lord Himself has revealed in our heart the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.

The sovereignty of God is on the foreground, and the responsibility of man is maintained, as we find it in God’s Word, in the writings of J. Bogerman, the president of the Synod of Dort held in 1618 and 1619, and also of the English theologians, as Dr. John Owen, and so many others.

Mr. Marinus Westrate, who was a deacon in the English church on Ottawa Ave. in Grand Rapids, Michigan when we came here in 1947, and later also served several years as elder, was inwardly urged to translate this book for the catechism classes, for he felt the great need of our young people. Alas, in general, there is little or no interest for the old tried truth. We do have sources that we cannot appreciate enough, but this is a book of which no one can say, “It goes above my understanding.” It is as a father teaching his young children. He spoke so that the youngest could understand.

The Lord granted Mr. Westrate the privilege of finishing the work he had undertaken, and it is not only his wish, but ours also, that the Lord will bless this publication richly for young and old, yea, for the true and eternal welfare of many, especially of the coming generation.

Of ourselves we do not appreciate anything, but may the Lord grant us grace to appreciate all the time and desire the Lord has given to our friend, Mr. Westrate, the fact that he was spared to finish it, the part that his wife had in it, and the friends who helped him, and that all freely and willingly.

The book contains 503 pages. Catechumens can buy the book for $4.00, all others for $5.00. Several orders have already come in from consistories and individuals. Parents, take the opportunity, give the book to your children as a gift. It can be purchased from Mr. Westrate.

The address is: Mr. Marinus Westrate, 234 Plymouth Ave., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503.

Rev. W.C. Lamain

REV. AND MRS. JOHN VAN ZWEDEN

Rev. and Mrs. John VanZweden wish to thank all those who remembered them on their ninety first birthdays which they commemorated on Sept. 28 and Oct. 2. The messages and gifts which came from friends throughout this country and Canada warmed their hearts. Rev. VanZweden is very weak and has lost his voice due to strokes and is receiving excellent care in the nursing home in Rock Valley, Iowa. Mrs. VanZweden occupies the same room and is able to help care for him.

The Lord is good and has made all things well, even in weaknesses and afflictions. Rev. VanZweden is longing to be with the Master whom he served so many years, who is the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. He it is who testifieth, Surely I come quickly. Even so, come Lord Jesus. The Family

SAVINGS FUND OF THE NETHERLANDS REFORMED CONGREGATIONS IN THE U.S.A.

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE THREE MONTHSENDING SEPTEMBER 30,1979

ASSETS

Cash in Checking Account $ 860.56

Cash in Savings Account 2,062.96

Savings Certificates 40,400.00

Loans Receivable from Churches 109,000.00

Total Assets 152,323.52

LIABILITIES: Due Depositors 149,083.28

FUND BALANCE 3,240.24

Liabilities and Fund Balance 152,323.52

Income: Interest Earned 2,892.78

Expense: Stationery 53.50

Organization Expenses 600.00

Total Expenses 653.50

Net Income 2,239.28

Fund Balance 6/30/79 1,000.96

Fund Balance 9/30/79 $ 3,240.24

Peter Southway, Treasurer

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