(.

VOLUME 36, NUMBER 8

THEORTHODOX

PRESBYTERIANCHURCH

OCTOBER 1967

j

a church tbet's on the move

FUTURE SITE marks a churchthat looks ahead. Such a sign istangible evidence of the faith ofmen and women in the God of allfaithfulness. It testifies to theirconfidence that the gospel is stillthe power of God f.or the salvationof all who believe in Jesus.

It points to hope. It indicatesobedience to the command of Christto extend his church in witnessand in worship until he shall re­turn. May there be many moresuch signs so long as he tarries!

Here will be built the EI CaminoOrthodox Presbyterian Church of Go­leta, California, now meeting in TheTimbers Restaurant. The Rev. Dwight

Poundstone is the pastor.

. . .

Above is the former meeting-place inHarriman. The new edifice (below) isT-shaped, mildly contemporary in de­sign. The 165-seat sanctuary with itscentral pulpit is carpeted and has aplace for a future pipe organ. The edu­cational wings include eight class­rooms, office, fellowship hall, kitchen,

and study.

WEST HILLS Orthodox PresbyterianChurch moved into its new churchhome last spring, at the same timetaking a new name from the area ofHarriman, Tennessee where it nowserves "for the Word of God and thetestimony of Jesus Christ." Originallyknown as the Conservative Presby­terian Church, it was organized inApril 1965 by members who with­drew from the local United Presby­terian congregation "because of un­belief and radical social philosophiesand programs."

The Rev. John Thompson, Jr.,former pastor of the UP group, wascalled to minister to the new church,and both he and the congregationwere examined and received into thePresbytery of the South of the Ortho­dox Presbyterian Church in June 1965.After meeting during that summer inthe Seventh-Day Adventist building,in October they began services in theold Presbyterian building, which wasleased from the Baptist owners. Planswere at once set in motion for a newstructure on Emory Valley Road andground was broken the followingJune.

The pastor and his 1DO-membercongregation have been active in homemissions outreach.

• • •

The Presbyterian Guardian is published ten times a year, monthly, except June-July and August-September, by the Presbyterian Guardian Pub­lishing Corporation, 7401 Old York Rood, Philo., Po. 19126, at the following rates, payable in advance, postage prepoid anywhere: $3.00 peryear ($2.50 in Clubs of ten or more) or 30¢ per single copy. Second class mail privileges authorized at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Po.

98 The Presbyterian Guardian

A sure remedy in God's mercy

The Greatest Need of the HourHENRY W. CORAY

·W hat is the most pressing currentneed of our world? It is my con­

viction that were the bold bands ofprophets and apostles present with ustoday they would cry out, "A burningsense of sin)"

But, your modern moralist protests,isn't our poor bewildered generationalready staggering under a load ofguilt? Is not depth psychology tellingman that he is innately evil ? Wasthere ever a time when so many (in­secure) owed so much (money) to sofew (psychiatrists)?

This is precisely the point. Oursophisticated society is indeed sickunto death. But where, for the mostpart, is it seeking help? From the Godof all grace? Not at all; rather, fromthe bruised reed of horizontal therapy.Having forsaken the Fountain of wat­ers we have hewed out cisterns, brokencisterns, that can hold no water. Fora cure we are looking to the moralisticrivers of Agana and Pharpar and awayfrom the life-giving stream that issuesfrom the Jordan of Calvary.

What Is Sin?Actually, sin is not sin unless re­

lated to a God of flaming holiness.Sin, John says, is "lawlessness" (IJohn 3:4). It is "any want of con­formity unto, or transgression of, thelaw of God," as the Shorter Cate­chism (14) puts it. It writes out adeclaration of independence againstGod and his Christ. Liberal theologyand the new morality-which is as oldas Sodom-have so toned down thetrue sense of sin that men no longerbelieve that it merits all the miseriesof this life, death itself, and the painsof hell forever (Catechism, 19).

Here it is important to maintain aScriptural perspective. Certainly it istrue that God' s Word consistentlypresses home the doctrine of total de­pravity: that is, that apart from divinegrace all our faculties are corrupted."The heart is deceitful above allthings, and desperately wicked," says

October, 1967

Jeremiah (17 :9). And living icono­clasts like Henry Miller would agree.But their point of view differs sharplyfrom that of Scripture in this respect:they look with contempt on humannature, set it in stocks and pillories tobe lampooned and scorned and cursed.The Word of God, on the other hand,never does that. It indicts both sin andsinner with ringing invective-always,however, with concern and com­passion.

A Great SaviorIn Matthew 23, for example, our

Lord, full of moral indignation, ful­minates against the hypocrisy of thePharisees, then climaxes his thunderand lightning with words of meltingtenderness: "0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem

The Rev. Henry W. Coray, popularwriter and conference speaker, is thepastor of Calvary Orthodox Presby­terian Church, Glenside, Pennsylvania.He is a member of the denomination'sCommittee on Foreign Missions andalso the Committee on Home Missionsof the Presbytery of Philadelphia.

. . . how often would I have gatheredthy children together, even as a hengathereth her chickens under herwings, and ye would not)"

If spiritual and moral conditionstoday are shockingly low, there is inGod's mercy a sure remedy. Marvelousis the fact that as great sinners aswe are, Jesus Christ is a greater Savior.Where sin abounds, grace supera­bounds. The tidal wave of crimsonflowing from the cross is able to washclean the shore now strewn with drift­wood, flotsam and jetsam of wicked­ness. By virtue of his obedience, vicar­ious passion and death, and gloriousresurrection the Son of God hasopened in Jerusalem a fountain forsin and for uncleanness.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found.Grace to cover all my sin.•..

The time is overdue when the direc­tive of heaven must be carried out:"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voicelike a trumpet, and declare unto mypeople their transgression, and thehouse of Jacob their sins" (Isaiah58: 1). The Berlin Wall of silence hasgot to be broken down. EdmundBurke once said, "All that is neces­sary for the triumph of evil is thatgood men remain silent." The trueprophets of Christ in doctrinally in­clusive churches do have a responsi­bility to turn their firepower againsterror and compromise - and failingthorough and sweeping reform theyshould apply the Biblical mandate tobreak with unbelief (II Corinthians6:17,18).

Those in separatist movements alsohave the obligation to blast away atsinful complacency, spiritual pride,and laziness, and to point the way toholier living and a more vigorousevangelistic outreach. Shall we notstorm the portals of heaven and pleadwith our God to pour out his Spiritlike a mighty shower, to revive hiswork in the midst of our years untilthe parched land becomes a pool andthe thirsty land springs of water!

99

I

despise not the day of small things

Apparently not all had grasped thesignificance of the effort to establisha church that would be truly Reformedand reforming. Yet the Lord waspleased to add others to the steadilygrowing witness of the OrthodoxPresbyterian Church.

Home missions became an urgentnecessity and only the sacrificial ef­forts of God's ministers, most of themyoung, coupled with the "work offaith and labor of love and patienceof hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" onthe part of many others, made prog­ress possible. God answered the pray­ers of these stalwart saints, to whoma new generation owes so much.

This issue of the PresbyterianGuardian is given over to telling justa little of the continuing story of adenomination which even yet is smallby the world's reckoning. But it hasraised a standard with the help of Godand is humbly thankful for his gra­cious blessings through the years, de­spite many frailties and shortcomings.This periodical, though an indepen­dent publication, has a board most ofwhom are Orthodox Presbyterians, ashave been its editors. Formed prior tothe denomination in October 1935, ithas been closely associated with thechurch from its inception.

J. Gresham Machen: 1881-1937

. . .mined from the outset both to per­petuate and to strengthen its loyaltyto the Christian faith so well formu­lated in the Westminster Confessionof Faith and Catechisms. Its primarystandard was and is the Bible, theauthoritative and infallible Word ofGod, the Scriptures of the Old andNew Testaments.

One by one a few congregations ofearnest Christian people, who believedthe Bible and wanted the gospelpreached from their pulpits as well asacross the seas and by means of theprinted page, affiliated with the newlyFormed denomination. In practicallyevery case it meant leaving comfort­able buildings to begin anew in ahome or vacant store or public hall ofsome sort.

Counting the CostThere were heartaches in breaking

with cherished associations and evenwith dose friends and relatives - butthe words of Jesus were recalled: "Hethat loveth father or mother more thanme is not worthy of me . . . And hethat taketh not his cross, and followethafter me, is not worthy of me" (Mat­thew 10:37-38).

Disappointment at how few reallycared enough to take a stand wasdeepened when some who had enteredthe church departed later over issuesthat should not have been divisive.

Ousted from his pulpit on June 14,1936, the Rev. David Freeman (nowretired) led worshippers from GracePresbyterian Church to a home of oneof the members, where the service

continued.

The New Century Club in downtownPhiladelphia as it looks today.

BEGINNINGS-1936

• • •

I t was on June 11, 1936 in Philadel­phia, Pennsylvania that the body

now known as the Orthodox Presby­terian Church came into being. It wasconstituted by a group of 44 ministers,22 ruling elders and 75 laymen meet­ing in the New Century Club. Dr. J.Gresham Machen, New Testamentscholar and founder of WestminsterTheological Seminary in 1929, waschosen as the first Moderator.

Machen along with other leaders inthe struggle against Modernism in thethen Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.had renounced the jurisdiction of thatbody, which in practice and by judicialaction in 1936 had moved far downthe road of compromise and apostasy.It culminated in the adoption of theConfession of 1967 last May. Thisdocument, incorporated in a Book ofConfessions - nine in number anddivergent in doctrine, and the consti­tutional change in the form of sub­scription for ordination, made officialthe UPUSA Church's abandonment ofits Presbyterian heritage - a defectionwhich began long before 1936.

The new church - which was notreally new in that it had its roots inhistoric Presbyterianism - was deter-

100 The Presbyterian Guardian

A tribute to young and struggling congregations . . .

WHERE GOD IS WORSHIPPED

On a Lord's Day I had worshipped in a large sanctuary, thrilled by thecrescendos of the organ, watching the play of light and color upon

the graceful arches and vaulted dome. Yes, it was fitting to worship thesovereign God of the universe here.

Then I returned to our little chapel - a small house converted intoa humble place of meeting. There was neither grand organ nor robedchoir. Walls were bare and windows simply curtained.

Yet as I sat in meditation a radiance seemed to fall over the structureand the as yet unlandscaped grounds. I saw the loving hands, the dedi­cated hearts, the glowing faces of those who had labored here to preparethis place where the people of God might gather in obedience to his call.And I saw others coming - some who were earnestly seeking and somewith a new light in their eyes because here they had met their Savior.

I remembered too the early Christians. Some of them had once wor­shipped in a most beautiful temple that was soon to be destroyed in judg­ment upon a generation that would not receive the Lord of the temple.The Lamb of God had been slain and had risen again. His disciples heardhis commission and were empowered by the Holy Spirit to go and tellthe good news everywhere.

For the most part they had no building even as large as ours, butmet from house to house, worshipping and praising God. "The churchin thy house" is a familiar New Testament phrase. In hard times andeven in the face of persecution they gathered where they could and spreadthe gospel of a living Lord.

But God is still building his own church. He is putting in place hiselect and living stones and calling us to the task of seeking the lost. Ourneed is not buildings first of all, but Spirit-filled men and women whowill go and tell the good news of salvation for sinners who trust in theSavior.

A larger and better equipped building? Perhaps in God's time, forour resources are of rum. But the building is only a means to the end ofGod's glory. Let all praise be to our Triune God!

- MRS A. J. DELONGPuget Sound Church

Beginnings: 1966-67IN AT LEAST a 'baker's doze II'

places neu/ fields have opened withinthe past year or so. Almost half havebeen organized as Orthodox Presby­terian congregatiolls, while others arestill chapels or mission points. Bycities, in alphabetical order, they are:

Atlanta, Georgia - RedeemerChapel, Rev. Elmer Dortzbach.

Caney, Kansas, 50 miles north ofTulsa, Oklahoma, Rev. Bruce Brawdy.

Dolzura, California, near San Diego-Community Chapel, Mr. WarrenWilliams.

Gladstone, Oregon, near Portland­Chapel, Rev. Alan Wyatt.

Glenwood, Washington, 90 milesfrom Portland - Mission.

Greeneville, Tennessee - Conserva­tive Church, Rev. Robert Valentine.

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania - Tri­County Church, Dr. Luther CraigLong.

Sewickley, Pennsylvania - GraceChapel of Covenant Church, Pitts­burgh, Rev. Calvin Cummings.

Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, nearMilwaukee - Church, seeking apastor.

Spencer Mills, Michigan, nearGrand Rapids - Church, seeking apastor.

Titusville, Florida, near Cape Ken­nedy - Emmanuel Chapel.

Tulsa, Oklahoma - Grace Church,Rev. Maurice Riedesel.

West Torrance, California-Chapelof Manhattan Beach, Licentiate DanielOverduin, pastor-elect.

Galloway Church began its work insouthwest Miami under the Rev.Robert Atwell as home missionary.Services were held in this little

meeting-place.

Three years later this new buildingwas dedicated and the congregationbecame self-s~pporting in 1967. Mr.Larry B. Jarvis is the new pastor-

elect.

October, 1967 101

· · · where the Bible is taught . . .

Pastor Wallace Bell teaches a midweek Bible class.

POWER IN PARADISE HillS

I n a generation that dwells much on happenings it is a privilege to bein on the happenings brought about by our sovereign God in Paradise

Hills. God has sent us a messenger who, by his life and teaching of theBible, has stirred an unquenchable fire in our midst.

Things are happening in the lives of believers. We are experiencinga new freedom in our Lord. Many of us who were weak in the faithare becoming stronger Christians. There is a closer bond of fellowship,spiritual growth, and a burden for the souls of those around us. For thiswe praise God for his mighty work among us who call him our Lordand Savior.

At Sunday evening services we are given Scripture passages fordealing with the unsaved. Many are learning these verses and, better yet,using them as the sword of the Spirit. Young men have devoted nightsand Saturdays to going out to witness-calling not just to invite peopleto church but to urge them to find salvation through the Redeemer.

Jesus Christ is being proclaimed from the pulpit as the only Saviorfor hell-bound sinners. The meaning of his life, death, resurrection andascension is being preached in such a way that no one may have as anexcuse that he does not understand. The preaching has caused even be­lievers to tremble. The Holy Spirit has moved hearts that were cold orindifferent to respond to public invitations.

And what are the fruits in the lives of new converts? Most arecoming to all services on the Lord's Day and to midweek Bible studyand prayer meetings. Homes have been opened for study of the Scrip­tures. People are reading and memorizing the Word and bearing witnessto what Christ has done in their lives.

How exciting it is to be an eyewitness to the wonderful power of ourgracious God !

- JUDY VARNEY

102

What's In a Name?ORTHODOX is a name with mean­ing. It describes a "straight-teaching"church, one that upholds sound doc­trine. Moreover, it is a word in com­mon usage, appearing often in yourdaily paper or magazine. You hear iton the radio or television.

On the sports pages you may readof a golfer who has an orthodoxswing or of a pitcher whose style isunorthodox. The financial sectionnotes a book by an orthodox economistand the front page may describe apolitician who campaigns in an un­orthodox manner. The word, you see,defines in terms of conformity to ausual or accepted standard or pattern.

And of course the word crops upmost frequently in religious circles:orthodox and neo-orthodox and un­orthodox. It tells how closely a posi­tion follows or departs from thestraight line of historic Christianityfound in the supreme standard ofScripture. Orthodox is an old wordthat is still relevant.

It may be that a rose by any othername would smell as sweet, but whenit comes to Presbyterians these days ittakes more than that one word to tellwhat a Presbyterian really believes.The name Orthodox PresbyterianChurch lets you know what kind of aPresbyterian denomination you arehearing about. It means that here is achurch that takes the Bible seriouslyand submits wholeheartedly to it asGod's sufficient Word. A church thatis not ashamed of the gospel ofChrist, for it is the power of God untosalvation. A church that seeks to"think right" as to the faith once de­livered unto the saints.

The Presbyterian Guardian

What Must I Do to Be Saved?

T his age-old question often crosses themind of man. Created in the image of

God, in his heart he senses that he mustreckon with his Maker and Judge. And heperceives that all is not well.

The common answer that people give tothis question is that their good deeds willsave them. Is this possible? The Bible saysno: "For by grace are you saved throughfaith; and that not of yourselves: it is thegift of God: not of works, lest any manshould boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Not onlyare our best efforts inadequate, but alsowe ourselves are sinners, "for all havesinned and come short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23). And while the gift of Godto all who repent and believe in Jesus Christas Savior and Lord is eternal life, the pen­alty or wages of sin is nothing less thandeath - eternal separation from God (Rom.6:23).

Only God can save a sinner. Since a mancannot save himself, what must he do to besaved? Jesus said, "This is the work ofGod, that you believe on him whom he hathsent" (John 6:29). Paul answered the ques­tion (when it was asked by a frightenedjailer in the city of Philippi): "Believe onthe Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall besaved, and your house" (Acts 16:31).

How does turning from sin and trustingin Jesus the Son of God bring salvation toa guilty sinner? Because of what the Saviorhas done! This is the gospel. Jesus in hisdeath bore the penalty for the sins of allwho trust simply and solely in him as per­sonal Savior. Moreover, by his life of per­fect obedience he provided the righteous­ness which a sinner needs to stand beforea Holy God. Christ's righteousness is reck­oned to the account of all who believe inhim. "The just shall live by faith."

- Adapted from GEORGE KNIGHT III

October, 1967

AGAINST THE SKY THREE CROSSES SPEAK:

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shallbe saved."

"He that believeth not is condemned already."

"God so loved the world that he gave his only begottenSon, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,but have everlasting life."

- Photo: Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church,Sonora, California.

103

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.. . proclaiming Christ to the nation . . .

Administration Building

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES of thechurch are just outside the city limitsof Philadelphia (but with a city mail­ing address: 7401 Old York Road,Phila., Pa. 19126). The fifty-year oldthree-story house, purchased in 1960,makes necessary space available farmore economically than in the formercramped quarters in center city. ThePresbyterian Guardian also has an of­fice in the building.

Right:Home MissionaryEverett De Veldeoutside FirstChurch, Baltimore,Maryland.

Left:Home MissionaryLaurence Vail ofVienna, Virginiatakes part in anearby missionsconference.

PRESENT FIELDS where home mis­sionaries or missionary-pastors arereceiving some portion of their sup­port through the denomination's com­mittee are:

Atlanta, Georgia - Rev. Elmer Dortz­bach, Redeemer Chapel.

Baltimore, Maryland - Rev. EverettDe Velde, First Church.

Bangor, Maine - Rev. George Haney,Pilgrim Church.

Chula Vista, Calif. - Rev. RobertGraham, Bayview Church.

Cranston, R. I.-Rev. Richard Horner,Calvary Church.

Eugene, Oregon - Rev. Glenn Black,Chapel.

Grand Junction, Colorado - Rev. JohnVerhage, Church.

Greeneville, Tennessee - Rev. RobertValentine, Conservative Church.

Gresham, Wisconsin - Rev. HenryPhillips, Old Stockbridge Churchand Menominee Indian Chapel, Zoar.

Hacienda Heights, Calif.-Rev. WilsonAlbright, Church.

Hamden, Conn.-Rev. William Moreau,Westminster Church.

Hatboro, Pa. - Rev. John Bettler,Trinity Church.

Lewiston, Maine, - Rev. BernardStonehouse, Trinity Church of An­droscroggin Valley.

Marietta, Ohio - Faith Church, pastorneeded.

Oklahoma City, Okla. - Rev. CarlAhlfeldt, Knox Church.

Point Loma, San Diego, Calif. - Rev.Edward Kellogg, Church.

South Hamilton, Mass.-Rev. WendellRockey, First Church.

Stratford, N. J.-Rev. Stephen Phillips,Church.

Thornton, Colorado-Rev. Abe Ediger,Immanuel Church.

Tulsa, Okla. - Rev. Maurice Riedesel,Grace Church.

Vienna, Virginia-Rev. Laurence Vail,Grace Church.

General Secretary LeRoy Oliver

HOME MISSIONS and Church Ex­tension is the agency through whichall the churches reach out to establisha Reformed testimony in new areasand to help congregations during theirformative years. Well over half of theOrthodox Presbyterian churches - in­cluding some of the largest-got theirstart under the home missions pro­gram.

In some instances the struggle wastouch and go for a long time, and notall survived. But the vision of an ex­panding home base is essential to ful­fill Christ's commission to be "wit­nesses ... in all Judea and in Samariaand unto the uttermost part of theearth" - and the fields both at homeand abroad are white unto harvest.

104 The Presbyterian Guardian

A church building, once closed, is now being used by an Orthodox PresbyterianChurch in Spencer Mills, Michigan. Shown is a part of the congregation on a

Sunday last summer.

Grace Chapel inSewickley, Pennsylvania

S unday school and morning worshipservices are now being held at

the Holiday Inn on Ohio River Blvd.in Sewickley under the auspices of thesession of Covenant Church, Pitts­burgh. Pastor Calvin Cummings wasreleased to preach there during thesummer. Last winter he had beenasked by a group of interested Pres­byterians to lead six doctrinal studieson the Confession of 1967. At theconclusion of this series some fourteenpersons indicated a desire to have achurch committed to Biblical Chris­tianity in the area.

After eight lessons on "ConfessingChrist" those who desire and whomake a credible confession of faithare to be received as members of Cov­enant Church until such time as theyare ready to elect elders and be con­stituted a particular congregation ofthe Orthodox Presbyterian Church.Meanwhile a five-member planningcommittee executes the necessary func­tions of the chapel. The session asksprayer on behalf of Grace Chapel andfor pulpit supplies.

Atlanta, Georgia Site ofRedeemer Chapel

T he Rev. Elmer Dortzbach, after 11years as pastor of Park Hill Church

in Denver, began home mission workthe latter part of August in Atlanta,Georgia, under the denominationalcommittee. The chapel ministry hadbeen started through the efforts of theRev. John Thompson under the aus­pices of the session of West HillsChurch, Harriman, Tennessee. Meet­ing-place is in the Briarcliff Villageshopping center.

October, 1967

New Congregation BeingOrganized in Michigan

Agroup of Christians in SpencerMills, north of Grand Rapids,

has applied to the Presbytery of Wis­consin to be organized as an OrthodoxPresbyterian Church. Preliminary ap­proval was given by the Presbytery atits spring meeting in Waterloo, withthe hope that the election of qualifiedelders and the drawing up of by-lawscould be completed by the time of theSeptember meeting. The Presbytery'sCommittee on Church Extension, com­posed of the Rev. Messrs. Henry Fik­kert and Donald Stanton, has beengiving oversight to the group sincethe latter part of 1966.

The work had its ongm in 1964when the Clarence Worst and LeeSmitter families opened a closed churchbuilding in an underchurched areaabout 30 miles north of Grand Rapids,Michigan. With the help of LorenMeyer, a student at the ReformedBible Institute, and the Rev. JamesKeifer of Grand Rapids, the gospelwas brought to many unsaved adults,

Home MissionaryMaurice Riedeselleads worshipservices of GraceChurch, Tulsa,Oklahoma, in theEdison High School.

young people, and children. The nu­cleus of the group now includes about18 families, but the outreach is fargreater, according to Mr. Dale Claer­baut, who served the congregationduring July, prior to coming to Phila­delphia to attend Westminster Semi­nary.

Among those worshipping in Spen­cer Mills with an Orthodox Presby­terian background are Mrs. John De­Waard, Mrs. Oscar Holkeboer, andMrs. Walter Magee (widows of Orth­odox Presbyterian ministers) ; MissMary Magee, the Chester Hunter andDale Nagle families, Mr. Calvin Cum­mings, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Mark Daviesand Mr. and Mrs. Dale Claerbaut.

Attendance has averaged in thefifties at morning worship, with al­most as many in the Sunday school.A substantial increase in the numberof local people coming is significant.Mr. Claerbaut observes that the big­gest opportunity for the future lies inthe immediately surrounding ruralarea together with the nearby town ofGreenville, neither of which has anyother Reformed witness. Earlier in thesummer a two-week Vacation BibleSchool under the direction of CalvinCummings had an average attendanceof 52 boys and girls. An active youngpeople's group enjoys a varied recrea­tional program preceding its catechismstudies.

Beside ministers of the Presbyterythe pulpit has been supplied by guestpreachers, among whom are the Rev.Messrs. LeRoy Oliver, Eugene Grilli,Robert Vining" and George Hall. Inconnection with its organization thecongregation is taking steps lookingtoward the calling of a full-time pas­tor, and the prayers of readers arerequested.

105

singing to the glory of God• • •• • •

The hymnal that has pastors andchurch musicians talking - andcongregations singing!

rini~ I--1!mnalMOST COMPLETE HYMNAL AVAILABLE

730 hymns, including more than 150 gospelsongs I 30 children's hymns and hymnsfor special occasions 76 Responsive read­ings I 7 Indexes (including a 29 page Top·ical Index and an Index of ScriptureReferences) I Scripture texts printed atthe head of each hymn I Forms of worshipfor Profession of Faith, Baptism, TheLord's Supper, Ordinations

Musicians respect its musical quality .••Pastors delight in the Scripture texts andthe classification of the hymns ..• Youngpeople welcome the large number of"new" hymns ... And for everyone else-old favorites in abundance.

Information as to price and a copyfor examination may be had fromGreat Commission Publications, 7401Old York Road, Philadelphia, Pa. 19126.

A Singing People

P resbyterians who take their faithseriously want their songs of wor­

ship to be true to Scripture. It wassuch a concern for Biblical praise thatled this small denomination to under­take what many considered an impos­sible task-that of producing a com­pletely new hymnal. A decade of de­voted labor on the part of a numberof gifted men, however, resulted inthe appearance of Trinity Hymnal in1961.

Without a doubt one of the finesthymnals available, it is oriented to

106

Scripture from the appropriate textat the head of each hymn to theBiblical truth of the poetry. Includedare most of the Psalms set to music.An index of Scripture references---oneof seven-is most helpful. The text ofthe Westminster Confessions of Faithis also printed.

Suitable not only for the more for­mal services of the church, the hym­nal's adequacy has been discovered bymany who use it with family devotionsor other singing at home. It has foundits place too in Sunday schools, youthgroups and summer conferences.

With a sixth printing almost soldout, a seventh is planned early in1968 - bringing the total to over50,000 copies. Trinity Hymnal has anincreasing acceptance far beyond theOrthodox Presbyterian Church. Infact, the hymnal is already in use inover a hundred churches, seminariesand schools outside the church thatproduced it. By the way, a non-de­nominational edition without certainforms is available.

Ecumenism

Ecumenicity is in the air today.Many church leaders regard it as

the all-important trend of the century.Heads of the Roman Catholic andEastern Orthodox churches kiss inRome. Protestant officials easily ob­tain an audience with the Pope. COCU(Consultation on Church Union)brings together at least ten U. S. A.denominations in talks that have unionas their goal. A number of churchmergers have taken place and othersare in the wind.

A distinct feature of these variousproposals is the underlying indiffer­ence to doctrine or the Bible. The ideais to merge first and then to workout some sort of "new confession" or

"book of confessions" in the mannerof the recent UPUSA action. Thefoundation, such as it is, will be builtlast!

The Orthodox Presbyterian Church,however, is committed to true ecumen­ism, by which is meant a striving forunion on a Scriptural basis. Unity inthe faith must precede union of theorganization. The foundation comesfirst. What is needed is a Consultationon Biblical Truth.

Unity in the FaithThis is what the OPC is engaged

in, for example, as a member of theReformed Ecumenical Synod, which iscomposed of some 25 church bodiesof like faith and commitment to theBible as the authoritative Word ofGod. Its sixth major meeting is sched­uled for August 1968 in the Nether­lands, preceded by an internationalReformed missionary conference.

Moreover, the church demonstratesits cooperation in practical ways - asshown in the photo below of staffmembers from the OPC and the Re­formed Presbyterians (Covenanter)conferring on the Sabbath school ma­terials put out by Great CommissionPublications. In Formosa the OPCMission is a member of the Presby­terian and Reformed Missions Coun­cil. By actions of the respective 1967general assemblies a joint conferenceof Orthodox Presbyterians and Re­formed Presbyterians (EvangelicalSynod) is planned for May 1968 inthe areas of missions, church exten­sion, and Christian education.

In these and other ways the churchand its members recognize a spiritualunity and common purpose with othercommunions who adhere to the faith.But it is understood that the apostle'sword is still binding: "Though we oran angel from heaven preach anyother gospel unto you than that whichwe have preached unto you, let himbe anathema" (Galatians 1 :8).

· . . an emphasis on Christian education . · ·

TEACH is one of the key words inthe commission that Jesus gave tomake disciples of all nations: "teach­ing them to observe all things what­soever I have commanded you" (Mat­thew 28: 20). The church believes thatevangelism and Christian education gohand in hand. People must know whatand in whom they are to believe, andhaving trusted in the Savior they needa lifetime of instruction in the wholecounsel of God.

To this task the Committee onChristian Education devotes its effortsin order to make available suitable

printed materials that are true to theBible: catechetical and doctrinal stu­dies-evangelistic tracts--church bul­letins-Christmas cards and tracts­booklets on many topics. 'SUNDAY SCHOOL is often calledthe evangelistic arm of the church.If such it is to be, a Bible-centeredcurriculum is a must - designed tolead the pupil into an understandingof the facts and meaning of Scrip­ture, with the aim of a personal re­lationship to Jesus Christ.

A complete three-year course is nowoffered for the Primary, Junior High,

and Senior departments. Others willfollow as the fruit of years of plan­ning, writing, art work, editing, andputting the materials into shape forprinting and distribution. Several hun­dred schools are now using thesecourses.

The photo to the left shows a phaseof early planning five years ago look­ing toward the Junior High series on"Exploring God's Covenant" whichmade its appearance this quarter.General Secretary Robley Johnstonlooks over the shoulder of Art Di­rector Tolsma as they exchange ideaswith writers Mitchell and Anderson.

Members of the office staff are seenbelow preparing a recent mailing.

October, 1967

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL mate­rials in a three-year cycle are used inteaching at the EI Camino Church ofGoleta near Santa Barbara, Cali­fornia. Picture at left.

GREAT COMMISSIONPUBLICATIONS

For a catalog or specific infor­mation on publications of the Com­mittee write to:

Great Commission Publications

7401 Old York RoadPhiladelphia, Pa. 19126

107

.. . . at one time the oldest Presbyterian church in Maine . . .

Church Honors Two OctogenariansA. t its annual meeting earlier this

.tl. year Second Parish OrthodoxPresbyterian Church of Portland,Maine gave special recognition to twoof its long-time members. Betweenthem they had given over a centuryof service as officers. Both were onthe important Parish Committee astrustees,

Mr. Perley Winslow, in the centerof the picture, a native of Maine, wasa registered pharmacist. Originally amember of the Second Parish Con­gregational Church, he was elected anelder after the merger with the city'sPresbyterian Church in 1923 andserved in that capacity for 21 years,with the additional responsibility ofsuperintendent of the Sunday school.His favorite hymn is one based on aparable of Jesus: "There Were Ninetyand Nine."

The Rev. Leslie Dunn, pastor forthe past five years, is shaking ha~dswith Mr. John MacDonald. A natrveof Canada, Mr. MacDonald came toPortland in 1903 where he unitedwith the Park Street PresbyterianChurch, which merged with Second

108

TheOldChurch

Parish in 1923. For half a century heserved as an active elder. For 25 yearshe was a blacksmith foreman for arailroad and for another 13 years hetaught manual training at the MaineSchool for the Deaf. One of his fa­vorite hymns asks the question, "MustI Go and Empty Handed?"

Second Parish Church voted to af­filiate with the Orthodox Presbyterianbody in the month of its formation,June 1936. Pastor at that time was theRev. John Skilton, now New Testa­ment Professor at Westminster Semi­nary. Later ministers were the Rev.Arthur Olson and the Rev. CalvinBusch. Second Parish was one of thefew congregations able to retain itsproperty despite a court suit broughtby the Presbyterian Church in theU.S.A.

A few years ago the historic build­ing at Congress and Pearl Streets wassold and another church structure pur­chased. Its auditorium and vestry arenow being used for Sunday schoolrooms. Below is shown the new audi­torium, seating 250, which was dedi­cated just a year ago this month. Thefine old pipe organ, removed from theCongress Street building, was rebuiltand installed in the present one.

There are now five Presbyteriancongregations in the state of Maine,all affiliated with the Orthodox Pres­byterian Church. Beside Portland, theyare in Bangor, Cornville, Houlton, andLewiston.

The Presbyterian Guardian

All correspondence should be ad­dressed to The Presbyterian Guardian,7401 Old York Road, Phila., Pa. 19126

The OrthodoxPresbyterian ChurchI t is a CONTINUING church­

but more. Formed in 1936 to "con­tinue the spiritual succession of thePresbyterian Church in the U.S.A.,"its actions from the very first GeneralAssembly showed the church's inten­tion to move in the direction of closerconformity to Scripture.

It is a WITNESSING church ­testifying to the grace of God inJesus Christ crucified and risen as theonly hope for lost sinners, invitingmen everywhere and in all circum­stances to repent and believe thegospel.

It is a PROTESTING church ­raising its voice from the outsetagainst the modernism of its parentbody and other liberal churches thenand now. At the same time it heraldsthe great teachings of the Bible in alltheir plenitude and power.

It is a CREEDAL church - com­mitted to the Westminster Standardsas subordinate only to the infallibleScriptures. It opposes modern unpres­byterian formulations such as the Con­fession of 1967, not because they arenew - any more than it clings toearlier creeds simply because they areold - but in the light of the testof faithfulness to the written Word ofGod.

It is a REFORMED church - yetit not only looks back to the Reforma­~ion and its Calvinistic heritage, butIt also persists in seeking to reformits life and program in accord witha fuller understanding of Biblicalteaching.

It is an ECUMENICAL church ­not in the manner of the modern ecu­menical movement with its tolerance

to pray to the Lord of the harvest inthe face of opportunities that arise.

Moreover, the OPC was born outof a controversy against the false gos­pel that was being proclaimed on themission fields and it continues to cryout against the present-day universal­ism that denies that men are losteternally apart from Jesus Christ.

It is a COMPASSIONATE church-whether through its missionariesamong the lepers of Korea or the sickof Eritrea where the "Compassion ofJesus Hospital" is situated - or in theconcern shown by its Committee onGeneral Benevolence or by the localdiaconates - and always in the pas­toral efforts to bind up the broken­hearted, comfort the sorrowing, andminister to the souls of those in need.

It is a RELEVANT church - notin the sense of compromising its mes­sage or blurring the line between thechurch and the world or meddling incivil affairs - but most relevant indeclaring the ever timely message ofthe Bible for the real needs of thehuman heart.

The church as church does not en­gage in battle in the spheres of busi­ness or government or education orurban renewal or whatever. But thechurch does instruct and urge Chris­tians to think as Christians and toapply Biblical principles, with validsocial awareness in these and all areasof society.

It is an IMPERFECT church - inall of these respects. Not yet havingattained, aware of many weaknessesand failures, but trusting in the powerand promise of its King and Headthat the gates of hell shall not prevailagainst his church, Orthodox Presby­terians take up the whole armor ofGod and invite others to join theircause.

of error and indifference to doctrinein its quest for organizational union­but ecumenical in relationship to othercommunions of like faith (as for ex­ample within the Reformed Ecumen­ical Synod); ecumenical in welcominginto its fellowship all who make acredible profession of faith in JesusChrist the Son of God as their onlySavior and Lord, together with theirchildren; ecumenical in being in theline of historic Christianity, "thefaith which was once delivered untothe saints."

It is a DOCTRINAL church - forit knows that sound doctrine is basicto a consistent Christian life. Themodern drift toward a so-called 'newmorality' is the fruit of apostasy fromthe old faith.

It is a WORSHIPPING church­stressing the obligation of assemblingwith God's people on the Lord's Day,and so much the more as the Day ofJudgment approaches. The church atworship must precede the church atwork.

The OPC has no new revelationor message. It is not swayed byevery wind of doctrine nor doesit ride hobbies. It stands fast forthe truth of Scripture in order tomove forward for God. It simplytries to be a true church of JesusChrist. Its message of the gospelis what the world needs. It aimsto do what the church ought to bedoing in the way the Bible says itought to be done.

It is a MISSIONARY church-andmore than half of its congregationsbegan as home mission fields. Fromthe beginning its eyes have been onthe horizons of a world to be claimedfor Christ. Its high sense of steward­ship requires it to give and to go and

ROBERT E. NICHOLAS

EDITORTI

t

October, 1967 109

I

-~

(

.'

tian Schools. Another widely readauthor is R. J. Rushdoony, whose latestwork is The Mythology of Science.Two of his other works are By WhatStandard? and The Messianic Char­acter of American Education.

Books have come from some of thechurch's foreign missionaries: Tbeol­ogy of Seventh-Day Adventism byHerbert Bird, and For a Testimony byBruce Hunt. Others have assisted intranslations, and Harvie Conn edits aReformed Bulletin of Missions.

R. J. Rushdoony

PROFESSORS AND TEACHERSTeaching is the special gift of some,

and the church has extended its wit­ness to the truth through such out­standing scholars as Dr. CorneliusVan Til of Westminster TheologicalSeminary. A dozen of its ministersserve that institution; three are pro­fessors at Gordon Divinity School.Several teach the Bible and relatedsubjects in other Christian schools,both college and secondary.

AUTHORS AND EDITORSA few ministers are engaged in full­

time editorial work or writing, andothers too numerous to mention havewritten tracts, pamphlets, articles formagazines and theological journals, orbooks.

Among the more than a score ofmajor books by Westminster profes­sors are the following rather recentones: Thy Word Is Truth and Com­mental} on Isaiah, Vol. 1 by EdwardJ. Young; The Case for Calvinismand The Confession of 1967: itsBackground and Significance by Cor­nelius Van Til; and a two-volumeCommentary on Romans by John Mur­ray, recently retired and living inScotland.

Noteworthy paperbacks are Calledto the Ministry by President EdmundClowney; Family, Church, and State­God's Institutions by Paul Woolley;and Psalm 139 and Genesis 3 byDr. Young.

Dr. Burton Goddard is editor-in­chief of The Encyclopedia of ModemChristian Missions, just now comingoff the press. Another Gordon Di­vinity School professor, Dr. MeredithKline, is the author of Treaty of theGreat King, a study of Deuteronomy.

Other WritersWriters are to be found among

pastors and others in the church aswell. Pastor John Rankin of Wor­cester, New York, a charter ministerin the denomination, has written ABeliever's Life of Christ since his re­tirement. He is at work on anotherbook dealing with the age-old con­flict between faith and unbelief. TitledThe Lord's Great Controversy, it isappearing serially in Blue BannerFaith and Life, a quarterly edited byDr. Johannes Vos.

Among several books by HenryCoray is Son of Tears, a novel basedon the life of St. Augustine. He wrotethe biographical sketches of the menincluded in David Fuller's selection ofsignificant writings: Valiant for theFaith. His vignettes of J. GreshamMachen appearing from time to timein this periodical are planned for abook next year.

The Voice of Authority is a bookby George Marston, field representa­tive of Westminster Seminary.Wheaton pastor Francis Breisch hasauthored a number of textbooks pub­lished by the National Union of Chris-

ministers with gifts from God ...

John Rankin

CHAPLAINSTwo men are serving as chaplains

with the armed forces, both now inEurope: Col. John Betzold and Capt.Michael Stingley.

GENERAL SECRETARIESThree standing committees of the

church employ full-time general secre­taries: John Galbraith-Foreign Mis­sions, Robley Johnston-Christian Ed­ucation, and LeRoy Oliver - HomeMissions.

PREACHERS OF THE WORDVeteran home missionary, pastor,

and writer, Robert Churchill has beena minister of the Word of God formore than thirty years. Like him,every minister in the Orthodox Pres­byterian Church is committed to teachand preach the entire Bible as theinspired and inerrant Word of God.

• • •

110 The Presbyterian Guardian

sions to labor as pastor and missionaryin Wisconsin. Shown above is part ofthe congregation of the Old Stock­bridge Church in Gresham, and Mr.Phillips teaching a class.

In the lower half of the picture ishis son, the Rev. Stephen Phillips,with his wife Jean, and the exteriorof the Stratford, N. J. Church towhich he was called following hisgraduation from seminary in 1966. Hewas ordained and installed as pastorin March 1967.

'.'

Building to FitResources and NeedONE OF THE MORE critical prob­lems faced by many a young congre­gation is that of its meeting-place. TheSeptember-October 1967 issue of YourChurch magazine ran a three-page ar­ticle titled "Design for Worship," fea­turing the recently completed BethelChurch of Grand Junction, Colorado.The Rev. John Verhage is the pastor.

Three pictures of the interior andone of the exterior (shown here) il-

lustrate the fact that "proper attentionto function will bring about as an endproduct, the beauty and atmosphereappropriate to the form." The writerpoints out that "by giving prime at­tention to essentials and forgettingextra-decorative niceties, their archi­tect (Hightower-Chambliss), providedwith a straightforward theologicalstatement and a well-conceived pro­gram of worship and Christian educa­tion, responded with a solution" thatenabled the church to keep the totalcost within their $25,000 budget!

October, 1967

Two Generations of PreachersAMONG THE SEVERAL fathers andsons who have been ministers in thechurch are the Phillipses, both gradu­ates of Wheaton College and of West­minster Seminary. The Rev. HenryPhillips, after serving three OrthodoxPresbyterian pastorates (Washington,D.C., and Nottingham and GroveCity, Pa.), accepted a call in 1954from the Committee on Home Mis-

THIS ATTRACTIVE and functional building of TrinityChurch of Hatboro, Pennsylvania was based on a slightlymodified "Pioneer" design from Christian Life magazine(Joseph Kimbel, building consultant, in conjunction withthe Weyerhauser Lumber Company). A descriptive write­up appeared after its completion.

With full basement and paved parking the cost wasabout $50,000, two years ago. Overall size is 80 x 36 feet,with an auditorium seating over 200. The structure is ofconcrete blocks with a brick facing. The project was com­pleted during the pastorate of the Rev. A. B. Spooner, whois now engaged in another building program with theNashua Church in western Pennsylvania. The Rev. JohnBettler was ordained and installed as pastor of TrinityChurch in October 1967.

111

· . . the whole Word for the whole world . . .

Jesus said:"Come unto me,all ye thatlabor and areheavy laden,and I willgive you rest."- Matt. 11:28

The COMPASSION OF JESUS HOSPITAL in Ghinda,Eritrea, with its medical missionary doctors andnurses, is a ministry of mercy that offers manyopenings for witness to the forgiveness of sins

through the blood of Jesus Christ.

JAPAN'S newest Orthodox Presbyte­rian missionaries are the Rev. andMrs. Arnold Kress, in language studyin Tokyo. The Rev. and Mrs. HeberMcIlwaine are in Fukushima, whilethe Rev. and Mrs. George Uomotoserve in East Sendai.

FORMOSA has three couples: theRev. and Mrs. Richard Gaffin inTaichung (see Aunt Polly's letter else­where in this issue); the Rev. andMrs. John Johnston in Taichung, withwork as well in Hsinchu; and the Rev.and Mrs. Egbert Andrews, now onfurlough.

A Reformed Presbyterian Church ofTaiwan is being organized, and mis-

General Secretary John Galbraith

.1J2

sionaries of five missions have agreedto work for and with the nationalsin establishing this Biblical witness inFormosa. The Orthodox PresbyterianMission had a leading part in the for­mation of the Presbyterian and Re­formed Missions Council in Taiwan.Other cooperating missions are theChristian Reformed, the PresbyterianChurch of Korea (Kosin), the Re­formed Churches of New Zealand,and World Presbyterian Missions.

KOREA is a fruitful field of labor.The Rev. and Mrs. Harvie Conn(Seoul) and the Rev. and Mrs. Theo­dore Hard and the Rev. and Mrs.Bruce Hunt (Pusan) are engaged inministries of teaching, writing, trans­lating, and evangelistic preaching. Allthree men serve on the faculties ofKorean theological seminaries, includ­ing the Youngkwang Seminary forlepers, of which Mr. Hard is presi­dent.

ERITREA, a part of Ethiopia, hasresident missionaries in three locationswith an outreach into other areas in aland of several languages, extremes ofclimate, and both Islamic and Copticreligions. The Rev. and Mrs. ClarenceDuff are in Ghinda; the Rev. andMrs. Herbert Bird, in Massawa; andthe Rev. and Mrs. Francis Mahaffyin Senafe.

MISSIONARY ASSOCIATES - Aterm for a limited-time service inwhich the volunteer provides hisown support to, on, and from thefield of labor - is a challenge toyoung people and others who maybe qualified to assist the mission­ary program of the church. Twoyears ago a married couple workedwith the Korean Mission, and atthis time Miss Priscilla Galbraithis in Sendai, Japan as a teacher oforal English with opportunities forBible classes and other persona)witness.

The Presbyterian Guardian

STEWARDSHIP

By no means a narrow con­cept in Orthodox Presbyte­rian thinking, stewardship isheld to include all of life forthe Christian: his time, hisGod-given talents, his service,and all of his resources. Ina real sense the believer'slove for God and gratitudefor his salvation is expressedthrough the tangible tithesand offerings which he givesto the Lord's work.

The Orthodox PresbyterianChurch has reason for praiseto God who has instilled aspirit of generosity in thehearts of his people. Thechurch has been numberedamong the top seven of someforty denominations in permember contributions formany years, according to anannual stewardship survey.Its current per memberamount is about $200.

Annually in the month ofNovember a thank offeringhighlights the church's con­tinuing zeal for advances inits total missions and Chris­tian education task.

Thirtieth Anniversary Banquet

Covenant Church of Pittsburgh cele­brated its thirtieth anniversary

with a fellowship banquet earlier thisyear. It was an occasion of praise toGod for his great faithfulness throughthree decades. Pastor Calvin Cummingsreviewed "the trials and triumphs offaith, and members of the growing

TINLEY PARK, ILLINOIS:Another church is on the move andhas a new name. Forest ViewChurch (formerly Westminster ofEvergreen Park) is "going to col­lege" - meeting this year in thechapel of Trinity Christian Collegein Palos Heights. This is a tempo­rary stopover until a building canbe completed on a ten-acre sitenear Oak Forest and Tinley Park.The Rev. Donald Parker. pastor, isshown here with his family.

congregation gave testimony to God'ssaving and sanctifying grace."

Starting with just five people andmeeting in a large home for severalyears, the church erected its first build­ing in Wilkinsburg in 1946. Picturedbelow is its recently completed newauditorium. The present membershipis about 140 communicants and 100covenant children. A Christian elemen-

tary school is sponsored with an en­rollment of nearly 200 and a staff ofnine.

The church's outreach has been ex­tended some 25 miles to Sewickleywhere worship services are being held,with membership classes looking to­ward the formation of a new congre­gation.

October, 1967 113

How does a church get its start?PEOPLE OF FAITH and convictiontrust in God, seeking his help andobeying his Word. They may meet ina home for a weekly Bible study. Per­haps they can secure the aid of anOrthodox Presbyterian pastor - forsome have made weekly trips of a

hundred or more miles in response.A local church may start a branch

work. Or a presbytery or the denom­inational committee may be able togive assistance.

Here and there are/eople who havecounted the cost-an found no price

too high for the sake of loyalty toJesus Christ and a church where theyand their children will receive the puregospel. They wait patiently upon theLord, in his sovereign providence, toopen or close doors. Meanwhile theypray - and prepare. Such believershave come to the kingdom for such atime as this. The church needs manymore of them.

Where does a new church meet?

In a community buildingin Pennsylvania.

In a Seventh-Day Adventistbuilding in California.

FOR AN OPC DIRECTORYor further information, please

write toCommittee on Home Missions

7401 Old York Rd., Phila. Pa. 19126

Under the leadership of the Rev.Jonathan Male, who "started fromscratch" with a little group' in Ocoee,Florida, a place to meet was foundin a Women's Club. For four yearsEmmanuel Church has met here asthe whole counsel of God is pro­claimed.

114

What's going onin buildings?SOME TWENTY churches have re­cently completed, are now engaged in,or are about to undertake buildingprojects. Within this past year severalcongregations have dedicated newbuildings or made substantial additionsto facilities: Second Parish, Portland,Maine; Bethel, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.;West Hills, Harriman, Tenn.; Im­manuel, Thornton, Colo.; Covenant,Pittsburgh, and Faith, Harrisville, Pa.The Puget Sound, Seattle, Wash.people have remodeled a house fortheir use.

Among others now engaged in abuilding program are Valley, Santee,Calif.; Nashua, Edinburg, Pa.; Bethel,Oostburg, Wise.; Forest View, TinleyPark, Ill.; and First, Waterloo, Iowa.

At least eight congregations whichllli.v~ purchased property are making ,plans for a building and seeking nec­essary gifts and other financial ar­rangements: Pt. Lama, San Diego,Calif.; Bethany, Nottingham, Pa.;Grace, Vienna, Va.; First, Modesto,

Calif.; Bethel, Wheaton, Ill.; Em­manuel, Morristown, N. J.; El Cam­ino, Goleta, Calif.; Chapel, Eugene,Oregon. Four of these are using tem­porary leased quarters, while the oth­ers will be replacing presently ownedstructures, two of which are formerdwellings.

Where does themoney come from?GOD'S PEOPLE prove their faith bysacrificial giving to support the min­istry of the Word and to obtain aplace of worship. The building maybe humble at first. It may be rentedor borrowed or purchased as a com­bination manse and meeting-place. Insome instances the minister finds ad­ditional employment for a time. ButGod is able to supply every need.

The Committee on Home Missionsand Church Extension has both a con­tingent fund and an extension fundthrough which a church may be ableto obtain a loan for a site,a house,or a building program.

The Presbyterian Guardian

21ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, 1954

MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED COMMISSIONERS AT 34TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN LONG BEACH, 1967

October, 1967 115

· . . some questions people ask about the ope ...

The chapel doors will be open again next summer.

EVANGELISM takes many forms. It occurs with a Bible lesson in Sundayschool or VBS. It comes through the preaching of the gospel from thepulpit. An opening may arise in a neighborhood Bible study group. It isdone by the personal witness of one person to another. Tracts and otherprinted materials are often aimed at winning the unsaved to Christ. Asummer youth camp affords opportunities to urge the claims of the gospel.

Another form is found summer after summer on the boardwalk atWildwood in southern New Jersey. An evangelistic project of that Pres­bytery, the chapel concluded its 22nd season on Labor Day, with theRev. Leonard Chanoux as director. During the summer thousands passby daily and are invited in. Films and special music are used, and a dif­ferent Orthodox Presbyterian minister is the evangelist each week.

Why this Presbyterian church?The world needs churches that are

trying to do the work of the churchin the way that the Bible says Christ'schurch ought to function.

What about that word 'orthodox' ?Literally, it means "straight teach­

ing" or "right thinking"-that is, achurch that bases its beliefs on theScriptures and proclaims the gospelfound therein. 'Presbyterian' refers tothe church's government by elders or"presbyters" - men of mature Chris­tian faith chosen by the people andordained for Christ's service.

Are there not otherPresbyterian churches?

There are about ten bodies usingthat name in North America. Some,sad to say, are Presbyterian in nameonly, having deviated from the his­toric faith.

What is the Orthodox PresbyterianChurch's standard of faith?

Its supreme standard is "the Wordof God, the only infallible rule offaith and practice." Secondary or sub­ordinate standards are the W estmin­ster Confession of Faith and theLarger and Shorter Catechisms. Thesedocuments set forth the system of doc­trine taught in Scripture, to which allordained officers subscribe.

What is the basis of conduct?The moral and ethical teaching of

the Bible: the law of God revealed inhis Word. "Love is the fulfilling ofthe law" (Romans 13:10) and "sinis the transgression of the law" (IJohn 3:4). The so-called 'new moral­ity' runs counter to the plain teachingof Scripture.

Moreover, "God alone is Lord ofthe conscience, and hath left it freefrom the doctrines and commandmentsof men, which are, in any thing, con­trary to his Word . .." (WCFXX:2).

Does the OPC agree with theConfession of 1967?

Decidedly not. This is the new Con­fession that was recently adopted bythe United Presbyterian Church in theU.S.A. It departs from the Westmin­ster doctrine of Scripture; it rejectsthe truth of Christ's sacrificial deathto pay the penalty of sin in the sin­ner's place; it elevates social, economic,and political opinions to a par withBiblical teaching.

Its adoption as a part of a "Bookof Confessions" is a final constitu­tional step (along with radical changesin the form of subscription for offi­cers) in the apostasy of a no longertrue Presbyterian church.

Is the church affiliated withchurch councils?

The OPC has no connections witheither the National Councilor theWorld Council of Churches. It is,however, a member of the ReformedEcumenical Synod, with which some25 denominations of like Biblicalfaith are associated throughout theworld.

What is the OPC position asto the Bible?

It is that of the Bible itself (andset forth in the Westminster Confes­sion): all Scripture is inspired by theHoly Spirit, who so guided holy men(prophets and apostles) that what

they wrote is the very Word of God,authoritative and inerrant.

Why does the church have suchstrong convictions?

Because it earnestly believes that theliving God has a message for modernman: the Bible's answers are relevantto his universal needs. Its gospel isthe one hope for creatures who areat enmity with their Maker. JesusChrist is the all-sufficient and onlySavior for all who repent of their sinagainst a righteous God and trust inJesus alone for eternal salvation.

WRITE FOR LITERATUREFor a short "Introduction to the

OPC" or a longer historical pam­phlet on "Why the OPC?" or otherliterature, write to:The Orthodox Presbyterian Church7401 Old York Rd., Phila., Pa. 19126

116 The Presbyterian Guardian

450th AnniversaryIT WAS IN OCTOBER 1517 thatMartin Luther nailed ninety-five chal­lenging theses to a church door inWittenburg. Luther's act on the 31stof that month was the spark that ig­nited a flame that will not be extin­guished.

In the photo to the right are fourother Rejormers of that period asshown on the Reformation monumentin Geneva: Farel, Calvin, Beza, andKnox.

The supreme authority of Scripture- justification before God by faithalone - the priesthood and responsi­bility of all believers: such were thewatchwords of what has come to beknown as the Protestant Reformation.The trumpet must still give forth acertain sound in the conflict today.

In an era of theological confusionand ecumenical cross currents, it isthe privilege and duty of such a churchas the Orthodox Presbyterian both tohold fast to its heritage and to presson with the task of stating the truthever more clearly and making it knownto the ends of the earth.

Church buildings change. Some geta face-lifting, as. did Westminster ofLos Angeles, shown here before andafter. Others may be cut in two, thenfilled in for expanded room, as hap­pened in Garden Grove, California.

But the church of Jesus Christ ispeople. They too are changed, in­wardly, by the regenerating act of theHoly Spirit in the new birth, and hiswork of sanctification makes a dif­ference in their whole outlook andmanner of life. Indeed, it is a radical,a cutting, an effectual work that theSpirit of God does by his sovereignpower in preparing and filling thesaints for useful Christian service.

The Confession of 1967 is not catholic, forit releases the church from that subjection toapostolic authority in the Scripture which isthe hallmark of catholicity; it is not evangelical,for it both obscures the gospel and omits thesovereign work of God by which salvation iswrought and attested; it is neither Presbyteriannor Reformed for it denies the necessity of main­taining any system of doctrine or governmentin the church.

- from a statement by the 1967Orthodox Presbyterian General Assembly

October, 1967 117

· .. a church where youth has its day . . .

SOUTHLAND BIBLE CONFER­ENCE in Florida is typical of summeryouth camps sponsored throughout theOrthodox Presbyterian Church. Thisyear for the first time at Camp Rotaryseparate week-long conferences wereheld in August: Senior High with 62young people and 20 on the staff,and Junior High with 93 plus a staffof 27. Among them were some Chris­tian Reformed young people.

Dr. Robert Rayburn, president ofCovenant Seminary in St. Louis, ofthe Reformed Presbyterian Church,Evangelical Synod, and the Rev. Ben­son Male, Christian Reformed min­ister and teacher from Denver, wereamong the guest speakers.

Others on the two staffs includedthe Rev. Messrs. Luder Whitlock,Jonathan Male, Cornelius Tolsma,Jack Peterson, and George Knight ­all of Florida; the Rev. Robert Atwellof Westfield, New Jersey; and West­minster Senior Robert Malarkey.

The pictures above, taken at theSenior High week, show a popularannual feature and favorite of thecampers - the "mop tilt" near thedock on Lake Julian. Two campersstanding on barrels attempt to pusheach other off balance and into thewater. Both. boys and girls enjoy thefun. In tbe'center are seen three fel­lows all dressed up for one of theclan skits.

OTHER BIBLE CONFERENCES as­sociated with the church includeFrench Creek, near Philadelphia; Deer­wander at Waterboro Center, Maine;Camp Calvin on Lake Geneva, Wis­consin; Elim Bible Camp, near Custer,So. Dakota; White Branch on the westslope of the Cascades in Oregon; the

118

Labor Day weekend family conferenceat Happy Valley, Santa Cruz, and thefamily conference at Camp Sierra,Shaver Lake, California; as well as theyouth conferences in southern Cali­fornia sponsored by the Blue RidgeBible Conference.

MACHEN LEAGUE is the name usedby most Orthodox Presbyterian youthgroups - three in number in somechurches for various ages. Meetingusually on Sunday evenings, they af­ford opportunity for leadership train­ing and participation, along withweekday social activities.

RALLIES play an important part inMachen League fellowship. More than150 high schoolers from the NewJersey leagues met in Westfield foran overnight rally in mid-October.Starting with a Friday evening addresson "The Lordship of Christ" by guestspeaker Albert Martin, the gatheringfeatured a panel on Saturday morning

Oostburg,Wisconsin,host to anarea rallyof MachenLeaguesduring theChristmasholidays.Recreationat a localgymnasium.

on the meaning of the Savior's Lord­ship in home, school, community, andchurch.

Taking part were Tom Commeret,Bruce Robinson, seminarian RobertMalarkey, and a young pastor, StephenPhillips. Even a heavy rainstorm didnot dampen the enthusiasm of thegroup during an afternoon of recreationclimaxed by a banquet provided by thehost Machen League parents.

SAVE TEAM-a relatively new termin the church standing for StudentAssistants in Visitation Evangelism ­designates teams of young people, us­ually of college age, who volunteertheir services to a church or churchesfor a month or so during the summer.

Survey calling, teaching in VBS,and working with Machen Leagues areamong the avenues of asssitance. TheRev. Donald Stanton of Oostburg,Wisconsin has acted as a volunteercoordinator of the SAVE program.

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Aunt Polly?s LetterTaichung, TaiwanSeptember 6, 1967

DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS:

Again, a long time has passed sinceI wrote, and we live in a new

house. We miss Ruth, Bing Hsin (up­hold faith), Bing Chen (uphold truth)and their Daddy. They moved to a bighouse near the entrance to the schoolwhere Ruth teaches, so when she hasa little free time she can run hometo be with her little boys. They aregrowing up as you can see from thepicture. Just like American childrenthey are sometimes naughty, especiallyBing Hsin. Do you see the mischiefin his eye?

Last night there was a cottageprayer meeting in the Lees' home.Bing Hsin had a big red spot by hiseye. He had slipped on the stairs androlled over and over all the way tothe bottom. Of course it hurt when ithappened but it was "all better" lastnight and it seemed to me he wasreally enjoying telling the grown-upsall about it.

Now I must tell you the ghost storythat I promised last year.

About twenty years ago, when Ruthwas old enough to enter first grade,there weren't any schools away in thetop of the mountains where her fam­ily lived. Usually boys and girls whenold enough went out to the fields onthe ridges to help their parents growtea shrubs and orange trees. But Ruth'sfather, seeing that she was a smartlittle girl, wanted her to go to school.So down the mountain Ruth went withher father to her Uncle Bo Fu's hometo live and attend school. She enjoyedfirst grade but was very lonely there.Uncle Bo Fu's children were grownup and married. When her fatherwould come to visit she would cry,cling to him and beg to go home.

Ruth's father had a younger brother,Uncle Shu Fu, who did not like work­ing in the tea fields and orangegroves. He had left home soon afterRuth was born and gone down themountain to a city on the plains wherehe took a job killing hogs. Now sucha job is considered very bad for aman. Why ? Well, for many hundredsof years the Buddhist religion hasbeen teaching in China that whenpeople die they may be reborn andcome into the world in the form of

October, 1967

'Aunt Polly' Gaffin in theFormosan countryside.

an animal, especially if they haven'tbeen good. Since hogs are such lowlyand dirty animals, surely the spirits ofvery bad people enter them. And ifyour business is killing hogs every dayfor five years like Uncle Shu Fu, youwill surely have killed a number ofspirits of bad people who were livingin some of those hogs. Many of thefolks in the mountains were expectingthat one day some of the evil spiritswould take vengeance on him.

Maybe you will ask a question suchas I asked Ruth when she told meabout this: "Who kills the hogs andchickens you eat at your home?" "Notmy father," she quickly replied. "Per­haps the hired help or my mother."You see the father is the head of thefamily. Even after he dies his familydepends upon his spirit for help.Therefore one must not take thechance of harming a mean spirit.

It was during the winter of Ruth'syear in first grade, while she was liv­ing in Uncle Bo Fu's home, that ourghost story happened, right in his liv­ing room. Uncle Shu Fu became veryill with small pox, an awful disease.Though his friends and neighbors feltvery sorry for him and his poor wife,who had to help in caring for him,they did not dare go near him. Forthe most part they just sat around andtalked about how such a thing couldwell be expected to happen to a hogslaughterer. But Ruth's father did notbelieve much in all this talk about evilspirits and walked for several days to

Bing Chen and his older brotherBing Hsin in their living-room.

get down the mountain to help hisbrother.

Though Ruth had not heard muchtalk in her home about ghosts, herfamily was very particular about re­ligious things. Before each meal some­one washed their hands, lighted sev­eral incense sticks and waved them be­fore the picture of the kitchen godpasted on the wall near the stove. Inthis way they thanked the kitchen godfor their food. Ruth had often donethis when she was home. She knewnothing then about the true God. Shehad never heard the word of the beau­tiful Psalm, "The Lord shall preservethee from all evil: he shall preservethy soul." All the talk about evil spir­its bringing a terrible disease uponher uncle filled Ruth with fear andmade her even more lonely. About thetime she would get home from schoolthe sun would begin to lower behindthe great, massive mountains, castingshadows. She would go into the houseearly before it became dark. How shehoped that the awful evil spirits thatmust be all around her poor sick unclewould not harm her father! If onlyhe would come and they could go backup the mountain to their home.

There isn't room to finish our storybut I'll have more of it next month.We must truly thank God that Ruthknows the Lord Jesus now, and thatthree of her younger sisters are livingwith her, going to school in Taichung.When they eat their food they see theLees bow their heads and thank our

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God for it. They have to go to schoolon Sundays but they usually are pres­ent when Uncle Dick goes there eachweek to hold a "family worship."Some of the neighbors come in too.Ruth is praying and Uncle Dick ispraying and I am praying that all herfamily will be saved and that the fam­ily worship may grow into a church.Will you pray too?

Your loving friend,AUNT POLLY

(continued next month)

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Regular readers of the Presby­terian Guardian will notice the newcover designed by Mr. John Tolsma,art director for the Committee onChristian Education. His assistancewith the cover photo montage aswell as in taking a number of thepictures in this special issue isappreciated.

As to the cover photo-how manyof the scenes, occasions, buildings,and main persons are you able toidentify? A one-year subscription,new or extended, is offered to thefive persons who first (by post­mark) and most accurately describethe 17 pictures used in the covermontage. Employees (or their fam­ilies) at 7401 Old York Road areineligible.

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