clarion · clarion, may 31, 1996 243 meditation by h.j.j. feenstra be wise with wisdom! climax...

ClarionTHE CANADIAN REFORMED MAGAZINE

VOLUME 45, NO.11 MAY 31, 1996

Helping those who suffer from depression . . .

242 CLARION, MAY 31, 1996

State organized gambling has been with us since 1969when it became legal and provincial finances can no longerbe imagined without those easy dollars from state lotteriesand gambling casinos. Although there were publicly ex-pressed qualms originally, not much of that is heard nowa-days. There appears to be little political resolve to hinder theprocreative abilities of this golden goose of gambling in-come in any way. More casinos continue to be built andthe hawking of lottery tickets continues as shamelessly asever. The public seems most obliging to help fill cashstrapped government coffers this way. So, why not continue?

Some fruitsThere is however a very high price that will someday

need to be paid for promoting gambling. A Nova Scotia ex-pert has been quoted in the secular press to the effect that thetremendous growth of gambling combined with an in-creased reliance by governments on the revenue gamblinggenerates sets the stage for a catastrophic calamity for thenext generation. He sees the next generation entrapped “inan illusionary world of almost virtual reality wherein every-thing is a game and every game may be won or lost. Thegame and the play have a price. Are we willing to pay forit?”1 Research has shown that it is especially youth that arebecoming addicted to gambling. These youth are the first togrow up in a time of state-sponsored gambling which issocially acceptable. This means, for example, that their per-spective on life is different from that of an earlier genera-tion. The work ethic used to be generally accepted. In the1960s nearly 60 % believed in it. Now only one of threebelieve that hard work pays off.2 What will happen to thisgeneration who are being taught to dream for an impossi-ble lottery win and who are thus not being equipped for thereal world? More and more experts are raising the alarm ofthe unpaid bills of gambling addiction that will be exactedfrom society in the future.

There are other related grim fruits of the lottery harvestthat are now already being reaped. Lottery promotes covet-ing and desire for something that normally would not enterone’s mind to wish for. The more seriously one takes thelottery, the more frustrating not winning becomes. Consid-ering the chances of winning are typically somewhere inthe range of 14 million to one, there are many people outthere who are or could be generally dissatisfied with life.Many of these people will nevertheless continue to pump anuntold number of dollars which they can ill afford into thedream they long for. Ultimately, the resulting shortage ofmoney and even poverty leads to tremendous pressuresand conflicts which can destroy entire families and lead todevastation of all involved. Investigations have shown thatfamilies will support rehabilitation for an addiction like al-

coholism. But when a family has been financially ruined, theresponse of those affected is very negative and there is littlesupport for rehabilitation.

Gambling is sinThe grim fruits of gambling should come as no surprise

for those whose guide for life is the Word of God. Gam-bling is sin for a number of reasons.

In the first place, God has taught us not to long for andgather possessions in this way. We are to use the gifts Godhas entrusted to us, our health, opportunities for educationand work, and our material goods as faithful stewards (cf.,e.g., 1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:12). Not squandering for adream, but using our resources wisely and productively. Inthe parable of the ten talents, one servant receives one tal-ent. In our context, a detail is noteworthy in the account ofthis story as such. Even though this servant did not recklesslysquander or spend the one talent, but buried it in theground for safekeeping, he was punished for at least notworking with the money productively by depositing it withbankers for interest (Matt. 25:24-30).

Secondly, as Christians we know that not chance, butGod, our heavenly Father, governs all things. Not even a haircan fall from our heads without the will of our heavenly Fa-ther. (Think of Lord’s Day 1, 9, 10 and 13.) Now an unbe-liever has no difficulty with playing lotteries for he believeschance governs all things. But how can a child of God playa lottery, or for that matter participate in a raffle with thefervent hope and wish that he win? A believer knows thatGod directs the lot (Prov. 16:33).3 For this reason, it is agrievous affront to God to try to use His directing of the lotto attempt to gain money or a prize at someone else’s ex-pense. Such behaviour easily becomes addictive and desirefeeds desire in violation of the tenth commandment. Thiskind of lifestyle can only reap the fruit of eventual estrange-ment from God. One cannot attempt to use God’s controlof all things for selfish materialistic motives with impunity.There is a price, a penalty for not honouring God as GOD.The wages of sin is death. The essence of this punishment isestrangement from the God of life.

In closingTo oppose the gambling ethos of our day, we need to

start at home, re-examine our own attitudes to this evil andrenew our wholehearted commitment to a lifestyle that is inaccordance with what God has revealed about Himself andHis controlling also “chance.” Such examination is neces-sary for it could be that before we know it we become in-fluenced by the godless world of materialism around usand see nothing wrong with lotteries and raffles.

EDITORIAL

By C. Van Dam

Reaping the Fruit of Gambling

We also have an obligation to let those in authority overus know that it is immoral to promote gambling. Govern-ments cannot absolve themselves of responsibility by fac-toring rehabilitation of compulsive gamblers into the cost ofcasinos. The end (getting easy money) does not justify themeans (more gambling casinos).

1The Globe and Mail, Sept. 19, 1995.2Christianity Today, April 8, 1996, p. 12.3God used the casting of lots to divide the inheritance of Canaanamong the tribes (Josh. 18:10), to designate Israel’s first king (1 Sam.10:20-21, 24), and to arrange the priestly service in the temple (1 Chron. 24:5-19).

CLARION, MAY 31, 1996 243

MEDITATION

By H.J.J. Feenstra

BE WISE WITH WISDOM!

Climax

Originally published asWees wijs met de wijsheid,Woord en Wereld # 11Uitgeverij Woord en Wereld,Ermelo 1989Translated by T.M.P. VanderVen

The first four verses of Proverbs 2contain a telling climax, showing mount-ing tension and increasing intensity.

My son, if you receive my wordsand treasure up my commandmentswith you . . .

Wisdom announces, “Here I come; getto work and take hold of my words.”That is line one. Line two speaks evenmore forcefully; the words becomewords of command. The hearer cannotand may not get away from thesewords, spoken with such authority.Not only should you accept thesewords which come to you as com-mands, you must also take care ofthem. Do not stand there with yourhands full, but find a safe storage placefor them. Treasure them up, take themalong as your spiritual luggage.

. . . making your ear attentive to wis-domand inclining your heart to under-standing . . .

These words (= commandments) thatyou will accept and treasure are in-deed worth it. They teach wisdom. Youurgently need that instruction, and ofcourse, you are willing to listen care-fully. Notice the climax from the earsto the heart. Listening to these com-mands of wisdom cannot mean: in theone ear and out the other. It means: lis-tening with the heart, listening withyour whole being because a man’sheart devises his ways. And further, we

are commanded to incline our hearts.That means much more than to noticesomething remarkable. It means thatyou are beyond the stage of merelynoticing things, you have become ac-tively involved. Not only is your heartopen to wisdom, but you desire it. As itwere, you bend forward to listen evenmore eagerly because you do not wantto miss anything.

Verse 3 continues to speak of thatinvolvement:

. . . yes, if you cry out for insightand raise your voice for under-standing . . .

Inclining becomes crying out, callingfor something. And calling changes intosearching and digging. The gold thirstgets a hold of us. We have discoveredsomething of such great value that it nolonger leaves us unmoved. We want toget at it at all costs:

. . . if you seek it like silverand search for it as hidden treasur-ers. . .

That is the manner in which we must goafter wisdom!

But now a practical question.Where are these words which come tous as commandments? Where do weneed to search and dig at all cost? Well,they are contained in Proverbs, first ofall in the introductory chapters. Andafter these preliminaries, the real workcan begin, starting with chapter 10.That is the goal of our search; there isindeed much for us to put our teethinto, and that requires patience and per-sistence – reading and rereading, ana-lyzing and mastering, reviewing andmemorizing, working with this wisdomand applying it. Use a commentary;

compare various translations. Use apencil to underline – surely a goodthing to do in your study bible.

Many people have enriched theirlives through the study of theseproverbs, and have developed the art ofliving further. As a result, they wereable to cope better with life. And do notforget the preventive effect of theseproverbs. They can teach you how toprevent evil. Thus, in the end, wisdomgives most gain!

In this way, these verses in chapter2 (1 - 4) relate to the whole of Proverbs.And yet there is more; these versesrelate to all of Scripture. Our God is gra-cious and gives in abundance. There-fore we have a Bible rich in its variety:history, poetry, prophecy, archival doc-uments, wisdom literature – variousgenres and styles. Therefore we con-fess about the Bible: all that man mustbelieve in order to be saved is suffi-ciently taught therein. The whole man-ner of worship which God requires ofus is written in it at length.

God wants to give us so much; Hewants to make us rich. Therefore we arecommanded to dig for treasure bymeans of intensive Bible study, indi-vidually and together with others. Reada good book instead of watching TV.The apostle James teaches us that ifany of us lacks wisdom, he must askGod. But such a prayer is not a magictrick; it is not a formula which will givethe desired result immediately. Such aprayer will ask for a blessing over theuse of the means which the Lord hasgiven us in order to become wise.

From Scripture Proverbs 2:1 - 4James 1:5 - 8

From the ConfessionBelgic Confession Article 7


Depression: what is it?One Introduction to Psychology

defines depression as “a morbid sad-ness, dejection, or melancholy.”1

H. Norman Wright puts it in this way:“In simple terms, depression is merely anegative emotion due to self-defeatingperceptions and appraisals. However, itmay also be a sign of serious, even ma-lignant disease.”2 A person can be de-pressed because of the ‘blahs’ or‘blues’.” He can also be depressedbecause of “a neurotic or psychoticdisorder.” It can be a mild or moderatedepression. It can also be a severe de-pression. “It can be harmless or lifethreatening.”

What are some of the characteristicsof depression?(i) It is “a feeling of overall gloom.”

When you feel depressed, you feeldown, you “lose perspective,” andyou feel you are not able to carryon your life activities or are able tofunction only at 50% of 70% ofyour capacity.”

(ii) You experience changes in physi-cal activities – eating, sleeping,sex.” (a) Some lose their appetitefor food, while others overeat. (b)Some “can’t get to sleep at night”or “can’t sleep through the night”or don’t seem to sleep at all, while

others seem to “sleep constantly.”(c) “Sexual interest wanes.”

(iii) It is a feeling of overall hopeless-ness. If you then have a “fight”with your wife or with your hus-band, your marriage simply lookshopeless to you.

(iv) It is a feeling of no more self-con-fidence. When in “normal” cir-cumstances you “have a businessproblem,” you might react to it“with some tension and frustra-tion” but you would “promptlyand appropriately” deal with it.However, when you are de-pressed and you have a businessproblem, you feel as if you are “alousy businessman,” and you“battle with problems of self-con-fidence instead of dealing withthe issues in front of” you. “Yourself-confidence is very low.”

(v) You withdraw from others be-cause you fear you are not under-stood and are being rejected. Youcancel activities that you used toenjoy. You fail “to return phonecalls.” You do not answer the tele-phone. You try to avoid seeingothers and talking with others.

(vi) “There is a desire to escape fromproblems and even from life itself,and you begin to think of “leav-

ing the home or running away.”You have thoughts of committingsuicide.

(vii) You tend to be “over-sensitive towhat others say and do” and to“misinterpret actions and com-ments in a negative way and be-come irritable” and cry “easily . . .because of these mistaken percep-tions.”

(viii) You feel angry and bitter. Yourfeeling angry with yourself maybe the result of feeling worthless.Your feeling angry at others maybe the result of not knowing howto deal with the situation you arein. Often this anger is directed out-ward, sometimes inward.

(ix) You feel guilty. The basis for feel-ing guilty “may be real or imag-ined.” Often these feelings flowfrom assuming that you are in thewrong somehow,” or that you are“responsible for making” the livesof “others miserable because ofthe depression.”3

(x) Clinical depression is defined as“a state of sadness that is severeenough to have observable physi-ological symptoms, such as in-somnia, anorexia (loss of appetite),and fatigue.”4

What’s inside?A survey of a couple of years ago showed that 85% of Canadians, coming from every age and income bracket, have

played the lottery at some time. About 50% of Canadian adults buy lottery tickets on a regular basis, spending an aver-age of $8.50 per month. Buying lottery tickets is pure foolishness. Tom Watson in Don’t Bet On It! says that you are 31/2 times more likely to be struck by lightning than to win a state or provincial lottery. Some odds! And yet, gambling isa growth industry in Canada. Editor Van Dam writes about this blight.

We are pleased to present an extensive article on how the church ought to minister to those who are depressed.May it encourage you, if you suffer depression. May it equip you if you are in a position to help a child of God who suf-fers depression. The author is the Rev. L. Bilkes, pastor of the Free Reformed Church in Abbotsford, BC. Thank you, Rev.Bilkes, for sharing the fruit of your study with us!

Mrs. Ravensbergen writes about sleeplessness and gives a good perspective on that problem.You will also find a few letters of readers expressing various opinions. Please try to keep your letter short. That min-

imizes the chance of it being subjected to the editor’s black marker. GvP

The Church’s Ministry To Those WhoSuffer From DepressionBy L.W. Bilkes

(xi) Manic depressive illness is definedas a “relatively infrequent disor-der marked by severe moodswings from delusional, grandioseelation to severe depression withsuicidal compulsions.”5

Who suffers from depression?The book, Introduction to Psycholo-

gy, which was initially printed in 1982indicates that 1 out of 20 Americans are“medically diagnosed as suffering fromdepression,” that many more personsare “having symptoms of depression butnot seeking treatment.” This book wasinitially printed in 1982. The March 5,1990 edition of US. News and WorldReport indicates that 1 in 12 Americanssuffer from depression.6 H. NormanWright wrote in 1989 that “medicalpractitioners” diagnose 7 out of 10 pa-tients whom they see “for emotionalproblems” as having depression, that al-together there were 35 million de-pressed persons in the USA, and that“25 percent of the beds in public men-tal-health facilities, and 50 percent ofthe beds in private mental-health facili-ties have depression.”7

H. Norman Wright goes as far assaying that at “some time in our livesdepression affects each one of us.” Itaffects “both sexes, people of all ages,the rich and the poor.” It also affectsministers of the Gospel.8 Babies can suf-fer from depression and “people whoare over one hundred years old.” Somethink that twice as many females sufferfrom depression as do males. I don’tknow if it is true. It seems to me thatmen “deal with their depression differ-ently than do women.” Women visitmedical clinics more often than do menand thus are treated two or three timesmore often than men for depression.That as such does not indicate thatwomen suffer from depression morethan do men. It may well be that menless easily “admit weakness” and lesseasily “reveal inner feelings.” After all,more men are alcoholics than arewomen, and “the rate for successful sui-cides is three times higher for men thanfor women.”9 It occurs very often in the40-59 age group, although it may occurin “any period of stress.”10 It also oc-curs often in the Christian church.

Causes of depressionThe writers of Introduction to Psy-

chology: Christian Perspectives andApplications suggest that “pent-upanger . . . . is the root of nearly allclinical depression.”11 Children, theysay, “easily pick up a tendency to re-press anger from a parent.” Apparent-ly many parents “discourage their chil-

dren from sharing angry feelings, evenappropriately.” So these children learn“to fear anger.” They “grow to feelthat being aware of their anger or ex-pressing it will result in rejection orpunishment.” They therefore repressanger. What often happens then isthat they displace their anger “onsomething or someone else.”

Perhaps some of us know from ex-perience what it is to grow up in ahome “with chronically depressed par-ents.” You perhaps have learned “simi-lar attitudes.” Your “pent-up angereventually” affected your “nervous sys-tem” which adjusted to “the depressedlifestyle” and produced “harmful andfar-reaching effects.” Perhaps you toohave used depression as “a powerfulway” to manipulate others or “as amechanism to vent” your anger on oth-ers or to get even with others. You per-haps found too that that sometimes re-lieves the anger, but you make life quitedifficult and miserable on others.

Some use depression “to gain at-tention from others.” Others use de-pression as “a conscience-pleaser,” inthat when a person is depressed, “theself is turned against self,” and thenwhen as a pastor I speak with such per-sons, they say to me, “I feel I am get-ting what I deserve.”

Again others who suffer from de-pression mask their depression by wayof “physical complaints such asheadaches or bodily aches and painsthat seem to have no basis in organicpathology.” I am not suggesting that allheadaches or bodily aches and painsare “face-saving mechanism to coverup emotional conflicts.” But if theredoes not seem to be a basis in organicpathology, it may well be.

Also depression may be the result of“the stress of adjusting to change.”12

For instance, “a change of residence”can result in depression. When wemove from Strathroy, Ontario, to Ab-botsford, B.C., we suffer loss of friends.

Depression as related to spiritualproblems

In pastoral experience we often en-counter depression related to spiritualproblems. Although there are more, al-low me to highlight only three of them:(i) Depression can be the result of the

wrong attitude to sin. The depres-sion is then not merely the resultof the fact that we have sinnedbut rather the result of the wrongway in which we react to it. Thedifficulty is that we do not con-fess our sin and do not flee toChrist for pardon and thus do notdisown it or mortify it. Instead,


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IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial – Reaping the Fruit of Gambling — C. Van Dam ………242

Meditation – Be Wise with Wisdom — H.J. J. Feenstra ………………243

The Church’s Ministry To Those Who Suffer From Depression — L.W. Bilkes ……………………244

Ray of Sunshine — Mrs. R. Ravensbergen ………252

Letters to the Editor ………………253

250th Anniversary Committee Synod of the Reformed Church in the U.S. — Rev. Robert Grossmann………254

Book Review – The Final Authority — C. Bosch ………………………255

Our Little Magazine — Aunt Betty ……………………256

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we despair of our sin being for-given. The result is that we react ina way similar to Cain before hemurdered his brother Abel. Youwill remember that he “dropped”and hid his face. The K.J.V. trans-lates: Cain “was very wroth, andhis countenance (= face), fell”(Genesis 4:5). It is also possible totranslate the word “wroth” as “de-pressed.” Then Genesis 4:5 and 6reads: “And Cain was greatly de-pressed and crestfallen. . . . Whyare you depressed and why areyou crestfallen (= lit., why is yourface fallen?)?”13 If for this depres-sion we do go for therapy but thisdepression is not dealt with at itssource, it is not dealt with proper-ly, and we cannot become well.

(ii) Depression can also be the result ofvain regrets. If we have done thingsin life in which we hurt others andwe are bitterly and deeplyashamed of them but we find wecannot undo them, we cannot re-pair them, then they can bring afutile, disabling gloom over us. Theproper attitude is to ask God toforgive the mistakes of the past, tocare lovingly for the victims of ourfolly and to give us grace in thepresent to run the race set before uswhile looking unto Jesus (cf. He-brews 12:1,2).

(iii) Depression can also result fromhaving wrong expectations as tothe way the Lord God deals withHis people. You see, there areChristians who expect the pilgrim-age through this life to be easy, andwhen adversities come their way,they begin to suspect that there is

something seriously wrong. Theyfail to realize that the Lord explic-itly says that “the present time” isone of suffering (Romans 8:18),and that it is through much tribula-tion that men must enter into theKingdom of God (Acts 14:22). Theyfail to realize that the Lord says thatHe chastens and disciplines everyone of His children. Christiansmust expect to encounter manythings that are not joyous butgrievous, and must watch for thedanger of becoming weary and de-spondent under His rebuke (He-brews 12:5).

The Church’s responsibilityWhat responsibility does the

Church have in connection with thisproblem? Larry Crabb14 correctly hasbeen calling for the church to “reclaimits job of healing people who are strug-gling emotionally” instead of immedi-ately sending them to professionalcounselor or referring them to a psy-chologist and a therapist. We need torealize again that “the Scriptures andChristianity . . . meaningfully addressthe core concerns of our lives.”15

Crabb makes a point we need toconsider. I wish to mention the follow-ing aspects.

(1) The Church as health-givingcommunityThe Church is to give support and

encouragement to all who are liable todepression. The Apostle Paul writes thatin bereavement we are to comfort oneanother (1 Thessalonians 4:18). In thenext chapter he writes that we are to“comfort the feeble-minded” and “sup-

port the weak” (vs. 14). The old are tocomfort the young, and the young areto support the old. Pastors are tominister to the members of “their” con-gregation, but the members of the con-gregation are also to minister to theirpastors. The New Testament picturesthe Church as a health-giving commu-nity where burdens are shared, neu-roses are dispelled, problems are re-solved and every opportunity is givenfor the development of mature andwell-integrated personalities.

(2) The Church as a spiritualatmosphere of hopeThe Church must exercise the

utmost care as to the spiritual atmos-phere with which it surrounds its peo-ple. That is, in preaching and pastoralcare ministers must not seek to spreadgloom, by putting the emphasis exclu-sively on the law, on denunciation, onthreats of doom and on searching ques-tions as to the grounds of assurance,without any proper emphasis on com-fort and light, hope and encourage-ment. We may not give the impressionthat it is wrong for a Christian to behappy. We may not give the impressionthat if you are happy there is probablysomething wrong with you and you arenot a Christian at all.

How important this is! Take, for in-stance, assurance. Some teach andbelieve that you are not entitled to as-surance unless you have experiencedfirst intense inner conflict. Some whofear and love the Lord but who have notexperienced that are depressed by itsabsence. So they put the focus not onfaith in the promises of the Gospel buton conviction of sin and the intensityof the inward struggle. We must bekeenly aware that in this way we aremaking a dramatic shift from the Refor-mation. The Reformers asked: “Howcan a man who is a sinner be right withGod?” Some preachers ask: “How canI know that I have passed from death tolife?” The Reformers based forgivenessand assurance on the promise of theGospel. Some preachers base it on pos-session of “the marks of grace.” Whatthey do in effect is making possession ofthe marks of grace the ground of justifi-cation instead of the promises of theGospel. Calvin’s doctrine was that faithwas faith in the promise of the Gospel,and that faith, whether small or great, inthe promise of the Gospel contains as-surance that God loves you. Some saythat assurance is possible only by avoice from heaven that we are bornagain. In the absence of such a voicemany fall victim to depression.


The message of the Church shouldbe precisely one of hope and shouldcreate the atmosphere of joy and opti-mism. The nature of the Gospel and thespecial function of the Church is: “TheLord hath sent me to bind up the bro-ken hearted, to proclaim liberty to thecaptives, and the opening of the prisonto them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1b).

David Kingdon emphasizes this:“Learn to live by faith. When we sufferfrom depression we often tend to forgetthe great truth of justification. We feelfull of self-pity. And self-pity . . . arisesfrom self-justification.” He suggests that“when in our depression we pity our-selves we need to ask whether we havereally learned to live by faith.” He alertsto the reality that “the awareness of ourungodliness threatens so often to driveus into deep depression.” He asks:“When this happens have we not for-gotten that God justifies the ungodly?(Rom. 4:5). Satan does indeed charge uswith ungodliness, and so does our con-science.” But we must meet the chargesbrought against us and especially thecharge that we are ungodly – as indeedwe are – by pointing not to God’s workin us but to His work for us. . . . Wemust accept our acceptance in theBeloved. We must ever look in faith tothe substitutionary death, the justifyingresurrection, the glorious ascension,and the prevailing the prevailing inter-cession of our Saviour (Rom. 8:34). Thisis the way of joy. It is to look to God’swork for us, outside of us.”16

The “directions and advices” thatthe late Dr. John Colquhoun17 gave toChristians afflicted with melancholy arealso to the point:(a) Endeavour to understand well the

covenant of grace. (b) Be firmly persuaded that the Incar-

nate Redeemer with his righteous-ness and fulness is in the Gospeloffered to you as sinners of mankind.

(c) Love not the good things of thisworld so as to place either your hap-piness or your confidence in them.

(d) Be not solitary, but as little and asseldom as possible.

(e) Recollect frequently that, althoughit is a sin to yield to temptation, yetit is not a sin to be tempted.

(f) Consider how much it gratifies Sa-tan, to see your indulging gloomyand desponding thought.

(g) Meditate frequently on the promisesand grace of the Gospel, but leteach of your meditations be shortand easy.

(h) Be frequently employed in ejacula-tory18 prayer, and let your statedprayers be shorter than ordinary.

(i) Be not discouraged though in yourholy exercises you have no livelyfeelings, nor elevating conceptions.

(j) Be diligent, from principles of faithand love, in doing the work of yourlawful calling.

(k) Represent your case to some skill-ful, cheerful, and humble ministeror private Christian, and follow dili-gently his directions.

(l) If you have reason to apprehendthat your malady (illness) is increas-ing, you ought to consult a skillfulphysician, and, in the hope thatyou shall in due time recover, to ob-serve carefully his prescriptions.

(m) Finally, Trust that the Lord Jesus,Whose infinite compassions failnot, will, as far as it shall be for Hisglory and your good, command de-liverance for you.19

(3) Constructive Biblical guidanceAs Church we must be able to give

constructive biblical guidance and sup-port to those smitten with depression.How?(a) The Church should be there to help.

Pastors, elders, deacons, their wivesand the other brothers and sistersshould give themselves to helpthose who are in emotional stress.According to Larry Crabb, the“church needs to take the role ofspiritual, godly men and womenfar more seriously.”20 We should notimmediately refer them to a familyphysician or a counselor or psychi-atrist. Mind you, in some cases thisis altogether a must. There is clear-ly a need for professional coun-selors for those who suffer fromdepression and who cannot findthe kind of help given in the church.For instance, in many cases of clin-ical depression, there is “effectivemedical treatment which may needto be prolonged.”21 One of the pas-

toral skills in this field is to be ableto distinguish between those broth-ers and sisters who require medicalattention and those who do not. Incase of tendency to self-destruction,such a referral and sometimes hos-pitalization is imperative. It is agreat blessing that where depressionis the result primarily of hereditaryor environmental factors, much canbe done by the use of the anti-de-pressant drugs and other therapy.But even when our depressed broth-ers and sisters are being treated bypsychiatrists or counselled by psy-chologists, we as office-bearersshould pastor to them and as broth-ers and sisters in the congregationsurround with love, which at anyrate gives a listening ear to and apraying heart for them. Why do I suggest that when Chris-tians are depressed, they should notright away resort to psychiatry?One reason is that much modernpsychiatry is based on anti-biblicalpsychology. A non-Christian psy-chiatrist has no understanding ofthe spiritual problems which oftenunderlie depression both in Chris-tians and non-Christians. Anotherreason is that the Lord God has ap-pointed in the church pastors, el-ders and deacons whose calling itis to deal with the emotional aswell as with the other problems ofHis people. I realize that I as a pas-tor lack the technological resourcesof the psychiatrist. But my eldersand deacons and I have other re-sources of our own: the Word ofGod, prayer, the comfort of theHoly Spirit, Christian experience,and the supportive resources of aChristian congregation.

(b) We should help the brother or sistersuffering from depression to work hisor her way through the depression


in such a way that we honour theconfidentiality of the depth of the de-pression. Grief is an intensely inti-mate, personal thing into which notjust about everybody should be al-lowed to intrude. As far as possible,work your way through it with themkeeping confidentiality and helpingthem fight their own emotional bat-tles. If too many persons get involvedin all the details, the brother or sistersuffering from depression may loseall self-respect.

(c) We must remind the brother or sistersuffering from depression that his orher condition is not unique. He mayfeel a sense of utter isolation andhopelessness and concludes that noChristian has ever had such an ex-perience, and that he therefore is noChristian. This, however, is not whatthe Word of God teaches. It teachesthat many saints in the past haveplumbed the depths of depression:Elijah under the juniper tree, thePsalmist crying from the depths andPaul declaring that he was presseddown beyond measure and de-spaired even of life (1 Corinthians1:8). They knew what it was to bein an abyss of gloom and even of bit-terness against God. Their experi-ences are recorded in part to preventus from feeling utterly hopeless.

(d) At a more complicated level I findthat sometimes Christians becomedepressed because they nurture de-pression. What I as a pastor thentry to do is challenge the depres-sion itself. “Do you have a right tobe depressed?” This is the approachwe frequently find in Scripture. Forexample, the author of Psalm 42asks his soul: “Why art thou castdown, o my soul?” Similarly, theLord challenges Elijah (1 Kings19:9), “What doest thou here?” TheLord Himself approaches even Cainin this way (Genesis 4:6): “Why areyou wroth (= depressed) and why isyour face fallen?” The thought thatunderlies these questions is that thedepression to which they refer isthoroughly unreasonable and un-justified. Sometimes it is only asinful reaction to the ordinary prob-lems of life. More seriously it maybe a strategy we adopt deliberately,retreating from the real life into apseudo-illness to justify our ownself-pity and attract the sympathyof others. Or it may be an act of re-gression, in which we try to escapeinto our childhood, to absolve our-selves from responsibility, escapethe burden of decision-making and

exempt ourselves from the ordinaryrigours of earning a living.

I don’t mean to say that these arethe motives behind all depressionsbut behind some, perhaps evenquite a few. That’s why we need toprobe delicately but thoroughly.Otherwise too many lives are wast-ed and talents squandered throughthis misdirected self-indulgence.

However, when I challenge thedepression itself and point such abrother or sister to the call of theLord to always rejoice in the Lord(Philippians 4:4) and to be alwayscontented (Tenth commandmentand Philippians 4:11), I find someof them respond by saying that theycannot do that and conclude thattherefore their Christianity is non-ex-istent. To them I show from Scripturethat eminent men of God like Job,Moses, David and Paul sometimesfound it really hard to be reconciledto the will of the Lord God.

Moreover, I find that whenbrothers and sisters in their depres-sion use religious language, it doesnot necessarily mean that their de-pression is spiritual. Clinical de-pression often fastens on to religionand feeds on it. It may well be thatsome one who is convinced that heor she has committed the unpar-donable sin or is reprobate is not suf-fering from spiritual depression butfrom a clinical one which is fuellingitself with religious considerations. Itend to say that psychiatric referral isimperative in such an instance.

You see, clinical depressionsare usually caused by a combina-tion of factors. In some instancesthere is a biochemical problem.This is particularly true of manicdepression, where the individualalternates between high and lows.Such depressions, however, reflecta complex interaction between in-ternal and external factors. Somepeople have an inborn predisposi-tion to depression and when theycome under stress their psychegoes under. An already vulnerablepersonality becomes even more soin the event of illness.

(4) Dangers associated withdepressionWe must also be alert to certain

dangers associated with depression.One of these is the strong temptation toresort to alcohol. However, if there isone time above all others when peopleshould practise total abstinence, it is atthis time. After all, alcohol is a depres-sant, reduces efficiency and carries the

risk of addiction. Similar dangers existin connection with tranquillo-sedativedrugs such as Librium and Valiumwhich are easily prescribed. They alsoreduce efficiency and carry similar risksof addiction. Moreover, the anxiety andtension which they are intended to re-lieve are themselves emotional statesforbidden to the Christian. An inheritedpredisposition to it implies that we shallbe tempted to lapse into despairinggloom. It does not mean such lapses areinevitable, because with every tempta-tion God provides a way of escape. Bygrace those who tend to become de-pressed can manage their tempera-ments so as to conform closely to God’sideal for our emotional lives.

(5) Be realisticFinally, we must all learn to be re-

alistic. To a large extent, depression isrooted in our aspirations to be success-ful or our dreams to become prominent.None of us is as successful as we liketo be and none of us possesses all thegifts we think desirable. It can be verydifficult indeed to live with ourselves.But live with ourselves we must, recog-nizing freely that we have only two tal-ents (or maybe only one); that at manypoints we perform badly; and that manyof our dreams must perish with our-selves. We must learn that God for-gives failure; that no man is condemnedfor not being talented enough; and thatit is better to do our duty badly thannot to attempt it at all. We must learnto see ourselves through God’s eyes. Heknows the very worst about us; yet Heloved us and gave Himself for us.

(6) Pastoral depression andrecoveryWhat if pastors or counselors suffer

from a melancholic temperament them-selves? According to Brian Beardsworth,depression “is very common in minis-ters, many of whom are conscientiousand introspective”22 and “has a pro-found effect on their general health,family relationships and the quality oftheir ministry.”23 David Kingdom spokein March 1982 at a Leicester Ministers’Conference on “Ministerial Depres-sion.” and recommended the followingpastoral counsels:

(i) If you suffer from a melancholictemperament learn to disciplineit. When you feel yourself be-ginning to brood, center yourthoughts upon Christ. Meditateon Him. See Him as He giveshimself for others. Then you willbe less absorbed in yourself andless inclined to pity yourself.


Seek to bring every thought intocaptivity to Christ. . . .

(ii) Do not be afraid to complain toGod when you are depressed.David complained when his soul“refused to be comforted”(Psalms 42:2). Only the last threelines of this psalm are a prayer –the rest is a complaint, althoughin the context of prayer. . . .David did not bottle up his an-guish within himself. No, hecomplained, he cried, he unbur-dened himself to his God. . . .24

Pastors must lay out the Christian call-ing to the brothers and sisters and helpthem towards fulfilling it. The callingin this instance is to be filled with theSpirit (Ephesians 5:18), to have heartsthat make melody to the Lord (Eph-esians 5:19) always and in all thingsand to be content whatever our cir-cumstances (Philippians 4:11). It issomething that we can learn. We cancome to be persuaded that nothing canseparate us from the love of God whichis in Christ Jesus our Lord and learn tobe content (Philippians 4:11). TheWord of the Lord our God holds out notonly the obligation to manage our tem-peraments but also the promise andthe hope of significantly modifyingthem. But that cannot be left to the in-dividual alone. The life of the wholechurch must be thoroughly biblical if itis to put melody in the hearts of thebrothers and sisters, the young peopleand the children. The members of theSpirit-filled congregation will focus onthe wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11)and accept responsibility for strength-ening the weak and encouraging thefeeble-minded. The Christian Churchis the “primary context for healing.”25

(7) Illustration aI’m reminded of a marvellous illus-

tration that the late Dr. D. MartynLloyd-Jones gave in a sermon on Luke24:25-27 that I once heard on tape,26 ofhow he, in the early 1930s, had coun-selled a teacher who was suffering fromdepression and had given up all hischurch work. He complained ofheadaches and gastric pains. Dr. Lloyd-Jones asked how long he had had this.He answered him that he had had thissince 1915. During World War I he hadvolunteered for the navy. Eventually hewas transferred to a submarine, whichwas sent to the Mediterranean. He toldDr. Lloyd-Jones: “One afternoon wewere submerged in the sea and wereengaged in an action. All of us were do-ing our duties. But suddenly there was amost terrible sound, and our subma-rine shook. Our submarine had been hit

by a mine, and then we sank to thebottom of the Mediterranean. Youknow, he said, I’ve never been the sameman. I’ve had this trouble ever since.”

Dr. Lloyd-Jones responded: “I un-derstand, but please tell me the rest ofyour story.”

He answered: “There is nothing re-ally more to say. I’m just telling you thatthat’s how I feel ever since that hap-pened to me in the Mediterranean.”

Dr. Lloyd-Jones: “But I really wouldbe interested to know the remainder ofthe story.”

He: “‘But I told you the whole story.”Dr. Lloyd-Jones: “Now I really

would like to know the whole story.Start at the beginning again.”

He did. Again he told “how he vol-unteered, joined the navy, was sent tothe submarine, the submarine was sentto the Mediterranean. Everything wentall right until the afternoon they wereengaged in action, the sudden sound,the submarine shook, and there wewent to the bottom of the Mediter-ranean, and . . .‘I feel like this eversince.’”

Dr. Lloyd-Jones: “But do tell me therest of the story.”

He said: “But I have no more to tellyou.”

Dr. Lloyd-Jones: “Now, let’s go overit all again.” Dr. Lloyd-Jones took himover it step by step. They came to thisdramatic afternoon, the sound, theshaking of the submarine. “Down wewent to the bottom of the Mediter-ranean.”

Dr. Lloyd-Jones: “Go on!”He said: “There’s nothing more to

be said.”Dr. Lloyd-Jones asked him: “Are

you still at the bottom of the Mediter-ranean?”

Obviously, physically he wasn’t,but mentally, he was. He had remainedat the bottom of the Mediterraneanever since.

Then Dr. Lloyd-Jones went on toexplain to him: “All your troubles aredue to the fact that in your own mindyou are still at the bottom of theMediterranean. Why didn’t you tell methat somehow you came up to the sur-face and that another man or anothership saw you, that you were treatedthere in a hospital and eventuallybrought back to Great Britain and putin a hospital?” Dr. Lloyd-Jones got allthose facts out of him.

Dr. Lloyd-Jones said: “Why didn’tyou tell me all that? You stopped at thebottom of the Mediterranean?”

The doctor explained: “It was be-cause he had done that in his mind, thathe had suffered terrible depression dur-ing all those years. As a result, however,of this explanation, that man becameperfectly well immediately, resumed hisduties and within a year became a can-didate for ordination in the AnglicanChurch in Wales.”

(8) Illustration b His mother died when he was six,

and he was sent away to an unconge-nial boarding school. As a young manhe fell in love with his cousin Theodo-ra, but the romance was broken off.Moreover, “his closest friend acciden-tally drowned.”27 Afterward he wentinto a period of dejection from whichhe was suddenly released one daywhile contemplating the ocean atSouthampton. His heart, he wrote, “be-came light and joyful in an instant.”

“His first suicide attempt came inhis early thirties, days before he was tohave publicly examined for a minorgovernmental post. Cowper attached agarter28 to the ceiling, and hung himself.He woke up on the floor still alive, thegarter having given way.” Later hewrote about this incident in his Mem-oirs: “Though I had failed in my de-sign, yet I had all the guilt of that crimeto answer for: a sense of God’s wrath,and a deep despair of escaping it, in-stantly succeeded.” He was convincedthat he had committed “the unpardon-able sin against the Holy Spirit,” andwithin a few weeks he suffered whattoday we would call a psychotic break.He described the onset of this firstepisode of insanity as “the most horribledismay of soul . . . (and) a strange andhorrible darkness fell upon me. . . . Atevery stroke my thoughts and expres-sions became more wild and incoher-ent; all that remained to me clear wasthe sense of sin, and the expectation of


Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

punishment.” His brother took him toan asylum run by a moderate evangeli-cal clergyman, the Rev. Nathaniel Cot-ton, where for the next six months he“suffered terrible visions and voicesbut finally grew calmer under Dr. Cot-ton’s mild ministrations.” His brothervisited him and assured him that hecould be saved as well as anyone. Thiscounsel had been offered to him before,but this time it found response in hisheart. Cowper “made an almost instan-taneous recovery.” That night he had“sweet dreams” and in the morning hewoke with delight. Nevertheless hestayed in the asylum for another year.29

From here on “he lodged with . . . afamily who shared his religious convic-tions, the Unwins. When some timelater Mr. Unwin was killed in a fall froma horse, “Cowper remained in thehousehold.” They moved to the parishof the Rev. John Newton, and so beganone of the most beautiful friendshipsanywhere recorded in Church history.Newton aged forty-two, and Cowper,then thirty-five, spent the next twelveyears together. He became Rev. New-ton’s helper and took up the care of thepoor, visited the sick and the dying,journeyed with Newton in the eveningsto some preaching engagement andwas always present at the meetings forprayer. Rev. Newton has written: “TheLord evidently sent him to Olney,where he has been a blessing to many,a great blessing to myself.”

From time to time there were re-minder of Cowper’s earlier mentaldisorder when a depression would oc-casionally trouble his spirit, and New-ton would exhort him “to resist, to theutmost, every dark and discouragingsuggestion.”30 Newton’s selection of atext was sometimes influenced by hisfriend’s condition. Newton and hiswife Mary often ungrudgingly gavethemselves to all that concerned Cow-per’s welfare.

Five years later Cowper and Mrs.Unwin, who was seven years older thanhe, began making plans to marry. How-ever, as “the wedding (date) drew clos-er,” his “mental condition grew worse.He had been experiencing bouts of de-pression for a year,” and then “he suf-fered his second attack of full-blown in-sanity. His hallucinations returned,and his friends described him as ‘almostan infant.’” Then for the next thirteenmonths he stayed in “the vicarage” of“his friend, the Rev. John Newton, withwhom he had been collaborating on acollection of hymns.” Later Cowperwrote: “I did not . . . lose my sense butI lost the power to exercise them. . . . Ibelieved that every one hated me . . .

was convinced that my food was poi-soned. . . .” (etc.) On top of it all, “hemade several more suicide attempts. Heclaimed to have heard God command-ing him to sacrifice his own life, just asAbraham was commanded to sacrificeIsaac. When his friends prevented hisattempts to kill himself, Cowper heardGod’s voice condemning him to eternalpunishment for his failure. His psy-chotic delusions gradually abated, buthis sense of exclusion from God’smercy never left him after that.”31

“Amidst these terrible hallucina-tions, Cowper’s nearest approach tosanity was when his distressed brainfound rest upon his pillow and thosewho watched over him noted, ‘Some-times the Lord visits him in his sleep, sothat his dreams are gracious and com-fortable, and his heart drawn forth inprayer; but when awake his distress re-turns.’”32 “There was no sudden recov-ery” as there had been in the asylum,and he “never entered a church again.”

His friend, John Newton, whomwe know as the author of the hymnAmazing Grace, “tried to reason Cow-per out of his despair, but his effortswere fruitless.” The last six years of hislife he was “haunted by horrific dreamsat night and sunk in speechless tor-por33 when awake. Though still caredfor by friends, he died under the ap-prehension that he had offended theAlmighty irremediably.”34

What shall we say? Ian Murray com-ments: “These suicide attempt . . . werenot rational acts of an unbeliever, in finalrebellion against God. They were the pa-thetic acts of a child of God, whose dis-turbed mind believed that in his case sui-cide was agreeable to God’s will. Thatself-destruction is a sin from which par-ticularly every Christian must flee is plain

from the Word of God and anythingtending to lessen the terrible character issuicide is reprehensible. . . . Yet since,in Cowper’s case, the citadel of his mindreeled in derangement and was seizedby delusion, it may not be concludedthat this judgment on his part and thecorresponding attempts at suicide, fromthe intent of which God graciously pre-served him, proved the unreality of hisfaith and of his security in Christ.”35

It’s not a very encouraging story,although I do know that the articula-tion of his own doubts and wearinessof spirit has spoken to and for count-less other disheartened souls. I myselflove many of his hymns. Take, for in-stance, his

“There is a fountain filled withblood, “The dying thief rejoiced to seeDrawn from Emmanuel’s veins,That fountain in his day;And sinners plunged beneath thatfloodAnd there have I, as vile as he,Lose all their guilty stains.”Washed all my sins away.”

“Dear dying Lamb! Thy preciousblood“E’er since, by faith, I saw thestreamShall never lose its power,Thy flowing wounds supply,Till all the ransomed church of GodRedeeming lover has been mytheme,Be saved, to sin no more.”And shall be till I die.”

“But when this lisping, stammeringtongueLies silent in the graveThen, in a nobler, sweeter song,I’ll sing Thy power to save.”


William Cowper John Newton

Who knows how many hearts havebeen eased by expressing their misery inCowper’s words? He groped toward “re-deeming love” and away from “redeem-ing love” throughout his life, despairingin the darkness, but clinging to a fray-ing thread of hope. When he couldn’tmuster courage to enter a church dur-ing the latter part of his life, his hymnswere there. They are still there, giving atongue to the pain of the doubter, theweak, the sufferer, the morbid.

“It is worth observing,” Ian Murraycontinues, “that Cowper’s spiritualcounsellors – of whom John Newtonwas chief – were not men who madefeelings the index of a Christian’s spiri-tual state. The invariable tendency ofmelancholy, when found in a Christian,leads him to account for his misery interms of being deserted by God. New-ton and his school knew full-well thatour acceptance with God throughChrist’s blood is not to be treated as be-ing synonymous with our consciousnessof God’s presence. If the two things areregarded as inseparable, then what anold Puritan rightly affirmed could neverbe true: “God sometimes puts His chil-dren to bed in the dark.” Newton con-stantly laboured to stress the objectivityof the promises of God in Christ.”36

Why “is it that some of God’s chil-dren are permitted to languish in sucha condition when they are in the handof the heavenly Father Who is bothloving and omnipotent? All physicalsuffering” may already be very difficultfor us to square with God’s love andomnipotence, “but when the sufferingof a Christian lies primarily in the mind,and is therefore of a nature which de-bars the sufferer from all consciousnessof the consolations of the Gospel,” weare faced with a very painful problem.Nevertheless, then “we are broughtback to a fundamental spiritual fact:there are matters about which the Chris-tian has to be prepared not to get lightin this world for it clear that there aresome dispensations about which God isreserving the explanation until eternity.There are mysteries which He calls usnow to leave unsolved.”

When Cowper at last left this vale oftears, Newton, seventy-five years oldand looking forward to going home,wrote to tell a friend of the news, asfollows:

My most dear and intimate friend,William Cowper, has obtained a re-lease from all his distresses. Ipreached a funeral sermon for himon the 11th instant from Eccles.2:2,3. Why was he who both by tal-ents and disposition seemed quali-fied, if it were possible, to reform the

age in which he lived, harassed bydistresses and despair, so that thebush which Moses saw all in flameswas a fit emblem of his case? TheLord’s thoughts and ways are somuch above ours, that it becomes usrather to lie in the dust of adorationand silence than to inquire pre-sumptuously into the grounds of hisproceedings. It may reconcile us tolighter troubles, when we see whatthe Lord’s most favoured and hon-oured servants are appointed to en-dure. But we are sure that he is richenough, and that eternity is longenough to make them abundantamends for whatever His infinitewisdom may see meet to call themto, for promoting His glory in theend; for this bush, though so long inthe flames, was not consumed, be-cause the Lord was there. The lasttwelve hours of his life he lay still,and took no notice, but so long as hecould speak, there was no proofthat his derangement was either re-moved or abated. He was, however,free from his great terrors. Therewas no sigh either of joy or sorrowwhen near his departure. What aglorious surprise must it be to findhimself released from all his chainsin a moment, and in the presence ofthe Lord whom he loved, and whomhe served!37

Rev. Bilkes is pastor of Emmanuel FreeReformed Church in Abbotsford, B.C.

1Meier, Paul D., Frank B. Minirth and Frank B.Wichern, , p. 398.2A Curriculum Resource on Depression, StressBurnout & Crisis: The Causes & Solutions, p.7.3Ibid., pp. 7,8.4Meier, Paul D., Frank B. Minirth and Frank B.Wichern, , Loc. cit.5Ibid., p. 402.6Op. cit., p. 49.7A Curriculum Resource on Depression, StressBurnout & Crisis: The Causes & Solutions, p. 6.8Cf. Kingdom, David, “Ministerial Depres-sion,” The Banner of Truth, December 1982,pp. 18-29.9Ibid.10Meier, Paul D., Frank B. Minirth and FrankB. Wichern, Op. cit., p.257.11With a reference to Ephesians 4:26, “be an-gry and sin not: let the sun not go down uponyour wrath,” they add that those “who canmaturely rid themselves of anger at bedtimeseldom get clinically depressed,” Ibid., p. 261.12Ibid.13See also verse 6: “And the Lord said to Cain,Why art thou wroth? and why is thy counte-nance fallen?” Cf. Hamilton, Victor P. TheBook of Genesis Chapters 1-17, The New In-ternational Commentary on the Old Testa-ment, R.K. Harrison, ed., pp. 218, 219, 224.14Founder and director of the Institute of Bib-lical Counseling in Morrison, Colorado,

U.S.A., and a professor at Colorado ChristianUniversity, author of books such as Men andWomen, Understanding People, Inside Out,Finding God, God of my Father, and The Si-lence of Adam.15In an interview with Kevin Dale Miller,“Putting an End to Christian Psychology,” inChristianity Today, August 14, 1995, p. 16.16“Ministerial Depression, The Banner ofTruth, December 1982, p. 29.17in his Treatise on Spiritual Comfort, 1814.18An ejaculation is an abrupt, exclamatory ut-terance.19I read this chapter, under the title “Directionsto Christians Afflicted With Melancholy,” inThe Banner of Truth, October 1971, pp. 33-38. See also “The Nature and Signs of Melan-choly in a True Christian,” The Banner ofTruth, September 1971, pp. 33-40.20In an interview with Kevin Dale Miller,“Putting an End to Christian Psychology,” inChristianity Today, August 14, 1995, p. 16.21Brian Beardsworth, a doctor practising inHinckley, Leicestershire, England, “The pas-tor and His health,” The Banner of Truth, Au-gust-September 1993, pp. 38-39. Remarkably,he has had to spend much time encouragingministers of the Gospel suffering from depres-sion “to take and persist with such treatment.”22According to him, even doctors tend to un-der-diagnose depression in ministers “be-cause the symptoms frequently suggest aphysical condition: tiredness, early morningwaking, lack of energy, etc.,” in “The pastorand his health,” The Banner of Truth, August-September 1993, p. 38.23“The pastor and his health,” The Banner ofTruth, August-September 1993, p. 38. He refersto Spurgeon who “described it as a ‘cloud’which came over him.” In this state of depres-sion “it used to take him all day to do what atother times he could do in half an hour.”24The Banner of Truth, December 1982, pp.26-27. 25Larry Crabb, in an interview with Kevin DaleMiller, “Putting an End to Christian Psychol-ogy,” in Christianity Today, August 14, 1995,p. 1626The illustration that follows I transcribedfrom the tape.27Murray, Ian, The Banner of Truth, September1971, p. 14.28The word garter is derived from the wordgaret = bend of the knee. A garter is a fasten-ing in the form of a band round the leg, tokeep up the stocking.29Owens, Virginia Stems, “William Cowper,Crazy Christian,” Perspective, April 1993, pp.10, 11.30Murray, Ian, The Banner of Truth, September1971, p. 19.31Owens, Virginia Stems, “William Cowper,Crazy Christian,” Perspective, April 1993, p.11.32Murray, Ian, The Banner of Truth, September1971, p. 21.33= apathy34Owens, Virginia Stems, “William Cowper,Crazy Christian,” Perspective, April 1993, p. 1135Murray, Ian, The Banner of Truth, September1971, p. 29.36Murray, Ian, The Banner of Truth, September1971, p. 30.37Murray, Ian, The Banner of Truth, September1971, pp. 31-32.



Dear Brothers and Sisters,The Lord made the heaven and the earth. He estab-

lished a pattern of day and of night. The light of the daygives us the opportunity to keep ourselves busy with ouractivities; the darkness of the night helps us to go tosleep and rest. People have been following that patternever since the day of Creation. So when everything goeswell, we do our work and, when we go to bed at nightwe ask the Lord for His protection and for a restfulsleep. The next morning we thank the Lord for the restwe received and we go on with our work again. Whenwe get our sleep every night we can do much work inthe daytime. That is how the Lord intended it to be.

But it does not always go like that! There are nightswhen the sleep does not want to come, when we aresleepless part or most of the night. The cause of thatsleeplessness may be logical to us: we had a difficult day,or the next day we will have some hard assignmentsawaiting us, or other exciting things are coming up: awedding, a holiday, a celebration. It is also possible thatwe are worried about something or someone. And eventhough we brought those anxieties in prayer to the Lord,they come back to us in the darkness of the night and hin-der us in our attempts to go to sleep. When we are ill wecannot sleep either. Fever or pain may keep us awake orgive us hallucinations.

When there is a cause for sleeplessness the problemwill be gone as soon as the difficulties are out of the way.The problem is only acute. There are also people whosuffer from chronic sleeplessness, or insomnia. They havenothing to worry or to be excited about, they are notsick, there is nothing that should keep them awake andyet . . . they do not receive the restful sleep that is muchneeded to function properly in the daytime. The nightsare spent tossing and laying awake. They try everythingthey can to fall asleep, but nothing seems to help. Theypray for God’s protection in the night and they ask Himto give them sleep. Even that does not help. Does Godnot hear their prayers?

Like everything else in our lives, also sleep comes fromthe Lord. While we are sleeping, the Lord keeps watchover us and He is with us. But what if we are awake? Wedo not receive the sleep we need, so we are not muchuse the next day at work and everything is messed up.Where is the Lord then? Did He not hear our prayer forsleep, and so are we now left all to ourselves?

Fortunately, we all know that the Lord does not worklike that. He is with us in everything and always. Evenwhen we do not receive what we have been asking, Heis still there. He knows our anxiety during the night, Healso knows our difficulties the following day. He will helpus. We receive “sleep” out of His caring hands, but alsothe sleeplessness comes from our loving Father. He is

there while we are lying awake, He also will be there thefollowing day. When we trust in Him, He will enable usto do our work even in difficult circumstances.

One of the tried remedies for insomnia is to concen-trate on one particular things that you really like. So whynot concentrate on the Lord? Think of all the things He didfor us. Or on all the beautiful things He has promised us.On the future that He has in store for us. On His everlast-ing Kingdom that will come, and for which we are al-lowed to keep praying. When those thoughts fill our wholeheart and our whole mind it is not even so very bad to layawake. And . . . it may also help us to fall asleep!

(This piece was “ignited” by Chapter XX of “In theShadow of Death” by Abraham Kuyper)

I remember God with weeping.Thou dost keep my eyes from sleeping.With a spirit faint and weak,So distressed I cannot speak,Days and years of old I ponder.In the dark of night I wonder,And my spirit finds no rest:“Where is God, who once us blessed?

And I say, “This grief besets me,That the God Most High forgets meAnd His right hand now has changed,That I am from Him estranged.”LORD, I will recall Thy wonders;On Thy deeds of old I ponder,On Thy works I meditate,Musing on Thy deeds so great.

Psalm 77:2,4

Birthdays in July:4: James Buikema

c/o N. VanderHeiden, 7162 Canboro Road, RR 1, Dunnville, ON N1A 2W1

20: Charlie Beintema29 Wilson Avenue,Chatham, ON N7L 1K8

28: Jim Wanders538 Wedgewood Drive, Burlington, ON L7L 4J2

29: Tom Vander Zwaag“ANCHOR HOME,” 361 30 Road, RR 2, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0

I wish you all a very happy birthday, and until nextmonth,

Mrs. R. Ravensbergen 7462 Hwy. 20, RR 1, Smithville, ON L0R 2A0

RAY OF SUNSHINE

By Mrs. R. Ravensbergen “I think of God, and I moan; I meditate, and my spirit faints.Thou dost hold my eyelids from closing; I am so troubled that Icannot speak.”

Psalm 77:3,4


Dear Editor,I note that the Hiliter (page 179 of

Clarion, April 19, 1996; Vol 45, No.8)provided for your readers one side ofthe picture relating to the resignationof some of the editorial staff of UnaSancta. It seems to me right to informyour readers that the very next page ofthe Una Sancta quoted by Hiliter print-ed a letter from the “Una Sancta Foun-dation”, the body (consisting of onerepresentative from each congregationin the bond of churches) who appoints(and hence releases) editors. This letterseeks to demonstrate that Una Sanctais not “preoccupied with the doctrine ofthe church and interchurch relations.”Rather, the Foundation believes that, ina time of “pluriformity and interde-nominationalism,” “the present direc-tion which Una Sancta adopted in themid-nineteen fifties and has maintainedever since” should be continued.

I trust this added information willassist your North American readers toget a better picture of where their Aus-tralian sister churches are headed.

Sincerely,Rev C. Bouwman,

Kelmscott, Western Australia.

Dear Editor,In the April 19th, 1996 issue of Clar-

ion, Rev. van Spronsen in his column“The Hi-Liter” tells readers of “a majoreditorial upheaval” in the Australianjournal Una Sancta due to the resigna-tion from the editorial board of three ofits editors. The Hi-Liter goes on to quotefrom the letter of resignation as pub-lished in Una Sancta which makes al-legations against the editorial board ofUna Sancta:

The main reason for our combinedresignation is an imbalance in edi-torial direction. There is a preoccu-pation with the doctrine of thechurch and interchurch relations.These subjects are approached fromone perspective which we find ex-treme (anti-ICRC and oppositionagainst relations with presbyterianchurches). Articles from the otherside are left aside, not allowed orheavily attacked. This is done in

spite of and against recent synodicaldecisions on these matters.

Una Sancta is the pre-eminent churchmagazine read in the Free ReformedChurches since the 1950s. The aboveaccusations are very serious and the ed-itors’ action in resigning has caused sur-prise and sorrow within the churches.That only one side of this resignation behighlighted without mentioning thequite adequate refutation which ac-companied the letter of resignation ispromoting the kind of “imbalance”alluded to by the resigned editors andallows your journal to be used in an un-warranted attack on its Australian sisterpublication.

I understand that the column TheHi-Liter gives only brief snippets, and afull account of the matter is not appro-priate for this column. Would it nothave been better editorial policy andmore brotherly to the editorial board ofUna Sancta to have left the matter atjust reporting the resignations, or else tohave more fully reported the matter inanother part of Clarion?

To redress the “imbalance” I quotefrom the letter (published on the samepages of the Una Sancta that Rev. vanSpronsen quoted from) as sent by theUna Sancta Foundation to the three re-signing editors in refutation of their al-legations: 1. Regarding “the preoccupation” with

the doctrine of the church and in-terchurch relations the foundationreplies: “In recent years, ourchurches have become increasinglyinvolved with interchurch relations.One only has to count the pages ofSynod Acts to learn that a significantpart of our resources is being de-voted to such matters. Reading thesame pages reveals that right fromthe beginning of that involvement, adeep division has developed amongchurch members, deputies and con-sistories, and at synods. This divi-sion which centres on the doctrineof the church, is being fuelled byefforts of some to recognize Pres-byterian Churches as true churcheswithout first addressing the con-cerns that have been identified dur-ing the years of mutual contact. Inthe light of the importance and in-

terest this debate is taking in ourchurch life, the claim cannot be jus-tified that Una Sancta devotes adisproportionate amount of atten-tion to these matters.”

2. In addressing the statement by theresigning editors that in the discus-sion Synod decisions are criticized,the Foundation cannot see anythingwrong with this, so long as the criti-cism is of an upbuilding nature. Inthis context it draws attention to theongoing public discussion of Synoddecisions in our sister churches, inparticular the Netherlands.

3. In respect of the statement that “ar-ticles from the other perspectiveare left aside, not allowed, or heav-ily attacked” the foundation writes:“as to the first (left aside) the EditorIn Chief (EIC) denies doing this. Asto the second (not allowed), we areaware that there has been some dis-pute between one editor and theEIC about some articles, which theEIC and other editors considered tobe contrary to the Confession.” TheFoundation which is the final arbiterin these matters has not been askedto evaluate. In a separate note from the Editor InChief, he denies that in his tenurehe had disallowed any articles sub-mitted by editors, except for one re-cent letter to the editor. Two arti-cles which he asked an editor toreconsider were withdrawn by theauthor. It is regrettable that the three edi-tors took the step they did. Howev-er Una Sancta intends to continue“on the old path of Scriptural andConfessional leadership” and con-tinue to be published D.V. eachfortnight for the members of theFree Reformed Churches of Aus-tralia. It is our prayer that also thethree resigned editors will againsee their task in support of “the fam-ily journal for the edification of theScriptural way of life.”

From a Una Sancta reader,J.L. van Burgel

ArmadaleWestern Australia.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Please mail , e-mail or fax letters for publication to the editorial address. They should be 300 words or less. Those published may be edited for style or length.


Dear Editor,The Editorial by Dr. J. DeJong in

Volume 45, No. 6 of January 26/96aroused our renewed interest in theearly history of our churches. His articlewas focused on remarks made by Rev.B. Woudenberg, and his accusation re-garding the implied interference of Prof.B. Holwerda during early 1950.

We can testify to the fact that theinfamous “Declaration of Principles”indeed caused a lot of grief to manypeople. Even before the proposal wasbrought to Synod 1950 of the ProtestantReformed Church, we were advised notto hand in our attestation but just re-quest membership since “Changeswould come about.” We heeded thatadvice and received several visits fromRev. H. Veldman. The end result was adistinct difference of opinion regardingthe covenant. Our yet unborn child,could it be considered a covenant childonce born? We believed it to be andRev. Veldman did not. Rev. Veldmantold us that as long as we would not be“instructed in the Protestant Reformedtruth” and believed as we did, our childonce born, would never be baptized inhis church.

This was the reason we attended themeeting and institution of the church

in Georgetown on August 13th, 1950.We took part in the institution and be-came members that day, we might addthat we are still very thankful that theLord guided us and opened ways for us.

With Christian Greetings,George and Margaret Lodder

Dear Editor,I would like to respond to G. Ph. van

Popta’s article “Contradictory Acts.”The decision of Synod 1977 has

never sat well with me. It was wrong tocall the OPC the true church accordingto Art. 27-32 of the Belgic Confessionand not be one on pulpit exchange orfull sister church relationship, etc. Wewere too hasty, and I agree with Rev.VanOene when he says, “No, TheCanadian Reformed Church are notprepared to say, etc. “and confusionreigned ever since. I believe that untilall the differences are ironed out suchas fencing of the Lord’s Supper Table,Church government from top to bot-tom instead of the local church havingthe highest authority etc. no true unitycan be found.

I do differ when Rev. VanOene isnot advocating rescinding the Synoddecision of 1977. This is where the

whole problem lies. I believe Synod1977 made an error. It has been ap-pealed in earnest for nearly 20 years.The Synods should have adhered tothese Scriptural arguments andrescinded the 1977 decision. Then wewould not have had the Denver prob-lem either. How can we even suggest toDenver to stay in the OPC when weourselves are not prepared to have fullrelationship with them even though wecall it the true church. Talking aboutcontradiction to its highest point. Isometimes get the feeling that we areliving in the same times as before theReformation of 1944. Synods just refuseto listen to appeals that just don’t goaway. Let us not become trapped inwrong decisions but clear obstacles in aScriptural manner. Then only can wereceive the Blessing looked for withother churches to become one with us.

Yours in Christ,G. van Iperen

CORRECTIONto Rev. K. Jonker’s letter to the edi-tor, Vol. 45, No. 10 – the end of thesecond last sentence should readActs 1977 not 1997. Our apologiesfor this error.

250th Anniversary Committee Synod of the Reformed Church in the U.S.By Rev. Robert Grossmann

The Synod of the Reformed Churchin the United States will hold its 250thannual session at Eureka, South Dakotaon May 20-23, 1996. The ReformedChurch in the U.S. (RCUS) was a Ger-man immigrant Protestant denomina-tion whose first churches were organizedby the Rev. John Philip Boehm in easternPennsylvania in 1725, and whose firstsynodical assembly was held at Philadel-phia on September 29-31, 1747. By thistime the original three congregations hadgrown in number so that the first synodwas attended by four ministers andtwenty-eight elders. Among the fourministers was Rev. Michael Schlatter, aSwiss, who had been sent by the Classis

Amsterdam in Holland to organize abroader assembly among the GermanReformed in North America. At this timethe Palatinate home of the German Re-formed was under Roman Catholic dom-ination and could not provide the need-ed support and government.

The present-day Reformed Churchin the U.S. is a remnant of the muchlarger denomination which grew in-creasingly liberal during the nineteenthcentury and finally became swallowedup in the modern ecumenical move-ment of the twentieth century. In 1934the Eureka Classis, only one of the fifty-eight classes of the RCUS, refused tojoin with the rest of the denomination in

merging with the Evangelical Synod ofNorth America. This Eureka Classiscontinued the name and theology of thehistoric Reformed faith while the restof the denomination became a part ofthe Evangelical and Reformed Church,which itself merged with Congregation-al churches in 1957 to form the UnitedChurch of Christ. The Eureka Classisslowly gathered and founded other Re-formed congregations around the Unit-ed States, and in 1986 once againformed a synod made up of four class-es containing some forty churches.

The 1996 Synod meeting willfeature special thanksgiving worshipservices, the publishing of a 250th

NEWS RELEASE


William Webster, The Church of Romeat the Bar of History (The Banner ofTruth Trust, PO Box 621, Carlisle Penn.,17013, USA; 1995), 244 pages; hard-cover; $41.00 Can.

In recent years there has been aconcerted effort amongst some to findcommon ground between Protestantsand Roman Catholics.1 Not a few havequestioned the legitimacy of this move-ment seeing the fundamental doctrinaldifferences which exist between thetwo.2

In his book, William Webster, aChristian business man in Battle Ground,Washington and founder of Christian Re-sources Inc. makes a significant contri-bution to the debate.

Rome has always claimed that informulating and maintaining her doc-trines she has the weight of both Scrip-ture and history (or tradition) on herside. In an unemotional but patientmanner Webster succeeds in showingthat Rome’s position is untenable.

In Webster’s wide ranging analysishe puts to the test Rome’s teaching con-cerning: the authority of Scripture andthe rule of tradition, Mary and the ado-ration of the saints, the sacramental sys-tem and the fundamental issue of faithand justification.

The author convincingly demon-strates that in all these areas and others

Rome deviates from the clear teachingof Scripture. He also devotes a largepart of each chapter to an examinationof the writings of the early “church fa-thers” as well as the decisions of someof Rome’s own councils. In each in-stance Webster must conclude thatthese in no way can be used to defendRome’s claim to a “changeless creed.”On the contrary, Webster clearlydemonstrates that Rome has aban-doned the truth the “fathers” once con-fessed. Some of its doctrines are of re-cent vintage and have little or nofoundation in history at all.

Far from being tentative in his con-clusions Webster is straightforward,mincing no words. Some examples:

Unless we also would deny Scrip-ture, we must affirm that the Ro-man Catholic Church in its teachingon tradition is no longer trulycatholic, but is Roman. ( p. 33)The veneration of Mary, promotedby Roman Catholicism is pure idol-atry, for God alone is worthy ofsuch devotion. ( p. 88) To shift the basis of justificationfrom the imputed righteousness ofChrist to a human righteousness isto pervert the Gospel of JesusChrist. ( p. 143)

This book is not a complicated theo-logical treatise. While it will certainly

appeal to students of history we mayall benefit from it. It provides real assis-tance in understanding of, and speakingto, our Roman Catholic neighbours.

Webster has included thirteen ap-pendices containing historical state-ments such as, The Writing of the Fa-thers on the Meaning of the “Rock” andKeys of Matthew and The Teaching ofthe Council of Trent on justification.

It is clear that Webster considersRome to be guilty of violating the rule ofSola Scriptura. Rather than looking forcommon ground between truth and er-ror Webster would call Rome to repen-tance. For the final authority is not his-tory and tradition or the church, butthe infallible Word of God. Only God’struth can set men free. We can onlyconcur with Webster’s refreshing ap-peal: “Turn from error and embracethe truth. Come to Christ in true Biblicalfaith and be saved.”

1I think of Evangelicals and Catholics To-gether ( ECT) a 1994 statement, signed bymany evangelicals which declared that,“Evangelicals and Catholics are brothers inChrist and have a common faith, a com-mon witness and a common ecclesiasticalvision.” 2A recent critical assessment of the ECTstatement is Protestants and Catholics DoThey Now Agree? By John Ankenberg andJohn Weldon. Harvest House Publishers; Eu-gene, Oregon 97402 USA; 1995.

BOOK REVIEW

By C. Bosch

The Final Authority

anniversary book, and greeting to andfrom other Reformed denominationsfrom around the world with which theRCUS is in correspondence and fellowlabor. The anniversary book, entitledYou Shall Be My People, features chap-ters on the history, theology and influ-ences of the RCUS. Edited by Rev.Robert Grossmann and Rev. NormanHoeflinger, the book’s eight writers haveserved a total of over 200 years in theministry of the denomination. A hard-back book of 240 pages, it will be avail-able at the Synod meeting at a price of$13.85, or can be mail-ordered.

The RCUS conducts home missionworks across the United States and for-eign mission work in Zaire, the latter incooperation with the ReformedChurches in the Netherlands (Liberat-ed). It holds fraternal relations with thisDutch church, as well as with the Re-formed Presbyterian Church of NorthAmerica, the Orthodox PresbyterianChurch and the Reformed ConfessingChurch of Zaire. It is a member de-nomination of the North AmericanPresbyterian and Reformed Counciland the International Council of Re-formed Churches. It holds the Heidel-

berg Catechism, the Belgic Confes-sion and the Canons of Dort as itscreeds, and emphasizes a strict or“conservative” understanding of theteaching of the Bible.

The Christian community is invitedto join this historic celebration. Thosewishing to attend the historic 250th ses-sion of the RCUS Synod are invited tocontact the host pastor, Rev. HermanVan Stedum, P.O. Box 287, Eureka, SD57437 (605-284-2396) for schedulingand lodging arrangements. The an-niversary worship service will be heldon Wednesday evening, May 22.


Dear Busy Beavers,How are you all doing? Are you looking forward to

summer? I sure am! Here are some puzzles to keep youbusy!

SACRIFICESSacrifices are often spoken about in the Old Testament.

God commanded that sacrifices be offered on certain occa-sions. Match the person with the sacrifice.

SSCCHHOOOOLL WWOORRDD SSEEAARRCCHH by Busy Beaver Sarah Schulenberg

E K S P E L L I N G F S O EX G I C W A E C N E I C S RL M A T H E J O M P K I P AR E A D Y O G R A M M A R SP E N C I L O H H L R N S EI V A Z D N A L B Q U C Q RF R E N C H M C G R P E N T

Word listSchool Grammar Math ReadSpelling Pencil Science EraserFrench Pen

ANIMAL WORD SEARCH by Busy Beaver Diane Nobel

E F F A R I G B B CM F P I G O T I E OU I P E S H A R K UW H A L E H C D O GR O R T D O I S L AA R X R O D G W K RT S U U N E O O T RK E W T K F M C I IM O U S E T L R E A H W L C Y A K D E PT L B E A R E E D D

MURDERERS by Busy Beaver Deanna Wierenga

1. Who was a murderer from the beginning? ____________ John 8:44

2. Who was the 1st murderer?____________ Genesis 4:8

3. Which well-known O.T. man killed an Egyptian?___________ Exodus 2:11,12

4. Who killed the Israelite boy babies?__________ Exodux 1:15,16

5. Who killed Jesus?_____________ Mark 10:33,34

6. Who helped to kill Stephen and how?___________ Acts 7:54-8:1a

7. Who was Herod forced to kill?___________ Matthew 14:8-11

8. Who killed James the brother of John?___________ Acts 12:1,2

9. Which commandment tell us we must not kill?_______________

JUNE BIRTHDAYSWe wish all these Busy Beavers a very happy birthday!

OUR LITTLE MAGAZINE

By Aunt Betty

1. Abel, Genesis 4:3-4

2. Noah, Genesis 8:20

3. Abraham, Genesis22:1-19

4. Aaron, Exodus 29:38

5. Solomon, 1 Kings12-13; 62

6. David, 2 Samuel6:12-13

7. Jesus, Hebrews 9:23-28

8. Christians, Romans12:1

9. Jacob, Genesis31:49-55

10. Samuel, 1 Samuel16:2-5

a. Offer bodies as livingsacrifices to God.

b. Offered sacrifices in theTemple.

c. Offered sacrifice beforeanointing David as king.

d. Offered His life as asacrifice.

e. Offered the first of hisflock.

f. Offered sacrifices dailyas God instructed.

g. Offered sacrifice beforeleaving his father-in-law.

h. Offered sacrifice forsafety of his family afterthe flood.

i. Went to offer his son fora sacrifice.

j. Offered sacrifice for safereturn of the ark ofcovenant.

Word listfish cowswhale birdsturtle deergiraffe owldog pigcat yakmouse donkeyrat cougarshark emubear horse

Tanya Meints 1Rebecca Kruisselbrink 6Gregory Spriensma 7Felicia Oosterhoff 8Lee-Anne Vanderwoerd 9Eric Vandergriendt 12Mary Ellen Van Doornik 14Jason VanderHorst 16Jennifer Post 16Melanie Spanninga 17

Jennifer VanderVelde 18Jocelyn Schoon 22Deborah Voorhorst 24Twyla Vanleeuwen 25Reuel Feenstra 27Bonita Feenstra 27Renee Kruisselbrink 29Jocelin Van Doornik 29Lori Oosterhoff 30


EARLY CANADIAN EXPLORERS AND SETTLER by Busy Beaver Miranda Barendregt

A F W I N N I P E G T R E B L I G Y E R H P M U HY G J M I R A N D A S T C P R N A D A M R T Z U IZ M Y S L D T E R P O Y H I I S A T Y T A I G H LX M E Z J L O R E L L E R K Q U V D Z W C U I E DS A S Z E B E R N A R D I E B I L L I E E R L A ZA R L Z S B A Y W X F V S Z B S O B W N S C B T MM T E Z S M A N I T O B T A H E O K O N E O Z H LU I K Z S I E U R D E M O N T S K T Y T U U S E AE N Y O M E L E R R E I P Z Q W S A Z Y Q R T R CL F R O Z T I M O T H Y H M I K E A H T C E I T TD R N O I S H E R E N E E N A J E A N T A L O N NE O E B Y D A Y N A B N R B Z J E Z B O J U D U OC B H A B I T A N T S A C A D I A N S B W R E O MH I A B A S A U L A H J O J B B C D E A O S B C LA S D A L A A S L A E E L E I F E R I C S S O N AM H A B I C D P R H N N U S J A M E S N S U I X CP E M Y D E M O I J R T M U N O P Q R H T B S S TL R D F A A B K L M Y I B Y R O N Z E O U M W P NA G O G H E C Z F F H N U S T I U S E J V U J P OI R L C D C O U R E U R S D E B O I S P P L A I MN A L E Z A U X A R D A I G E C A Z Y I S O C H EE N A L L N N J N D S K S I L L A W N R O C Q P DI P R L L T T E C I O K J H F D B O M H U J U M SD A D A A H F A I N N I P E T E R N E P N O E A IA G O S G O R N S A B R E N D A O T S P P R S I UZ R M A R N O Z D N Q D Y R S T T E U A V D C L QF A A L A Y N E R D W N R X Y E V S Z M M A A L RE N A E L B T X A M B E D C N O E D E A K U R I AJ D F D E I E T K A G H N A G H R I J I Y N T W MT M K T U L N L E G M N E I U O E P Q L L R I L NZ A S R M L A T U E V J R W H X N Y Z L E A E G AX B C E A D C E F L G E E F L O W S E M A J R H IY I J B S K O L M L M N V O P Q R S T I U V W X KT Y Z O A B U C D A E C A N A D I E N W F G H I IW T K R I M Z N O N P Q L O U I S H E B E R T R V

That’s all for this time!Love to you all,

Aunt Betty

Words to FindLeif EricksonVikingFerdinandAmerigo VespucciJohn CabotChristopher ColumbusFrancis DrakeHumphrey Gilbert

Martin FrobisherJacques CartierSieur de MontsSamuel de ChamplainSamuel ArgallHenry HudsonLouis HebertJesuits

HuguenotsAdam DollardCanadienCoureurs de boisJean TalonAcadiansHabitantsHenry Kelsey

Count FrontenacPierre Le MoyneRobert de la SalleWilliam PhippsCornwallisJames WolfeLa VerendryeMarquis de Montcalm


CLARION ADVERTISEMENTS

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!The Lord has greatly enriched our lives by entrusting to us anothercovenant childJULIA CÉZANNE was born on April 17, 1996.A sister for Alyssa, Kyle, Rianne and ReeceBob and Debby Lodder (nee Krikke)31465 Springhill Place, Abbotsford, BC V2T 4K1

For Thou didst form my inward parts, Thou didst knit me together in mymother’s womb. Psalm 139:13Earl and Sylvia Schouten (nee Kampen)We thank the Lord who has richly blessed us with another covenantchildBRADLEY ROBERTBorn March 8, 1996A brother for Ian, Eric, Christopher, Philip374 - 5th Conc. E. RR 1, Waterdown, ON L0R 2H1

With thankfulness to the Lord, who made all things well, we arepleased to announce the birth of our fourth daughterDEIDRE CHANTÉBorn April 2, 1996Gerald and Kelly WattelVanessa, Michaela, Angela30th grandchild for John and Dirkje Koster11th grandchild for Lein and Corrie WattelBox 648, Mount Brydges, ON N0L 1W0

With thankfulness to the Lord we joyfully announce the birth of ourdaughterJADE MARGARETBorn April 7, 1996Paul and Jeanette Wendt9th grandchild for John and Margaret de Leeuw10th grandchild for Hank and Diny Wendt34623 Baldwin Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7H9

Psalm 139With thankfulness to the Lord who made all things well, we joyfullyannounce the birth and homecoming of our sonBRADLEY KEITHBorn December 8, 1995 (3 months premature)Came home March 27, 1996Ralph and Joanne Elzinga2nd grandchild for Dirk and Alice Hulst3rd grandchild for Keith and Linda Elzinga403-3055 Glencrest Road, Burlington, ON L7N 2H4

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!With joy and thankfulness to the Lord, Who has made all things well,we announce the birth of our fourth sonMACKENZIE RENÉAllan and Mirjam Schulenberg (VanderBrugghen)A brother for Alaric, Taylor, BradenApril 2, 1996Box 1651, Carman, MB R0G 0J0

We give thanks to our Father in heaven for blessing our marriagewith the precious gift of our first child, a sonTYSON JOHNBorn April 1, 1996John and Marian Blokker (nee Hoeksema)11 Northridge Drive, Smithville, ON L0R 2A0

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15With thankfulness to our heavenly Father, who has made everythingwell, we joyfully announce the birth of our daughter, whom we havenamedJANAYA ROSEBorn on April 27, 1996Chris and Tara Borst (nee Van Gorkum)First grandchild for Ted and Hennie Van GorkumEight grandchild for Mrs. A. Borst93 South Esk Drive, Hadspen 7290 Tasmania, Australia

We thank the Lord, the Creator of life who has again blessed us witha covenant childJAMES BERTBorn January 26, 1996Henry and Marilyn Breukelman (nee Boes)Jolene, Randy, Tracy57 Oswego Park, Dunnville, ON N1A 2W2

I praise Thee, for Thou art fearful and wonderful. Wonderful are Thyworks! Psalm 139:14We praise the Lord for the precious gift of our daughterANNA-LYNNE JENNELLEBorn May 14, 1996Rick and Angela Byker (nee Hummel)#36-45640 Storey Avenue, Chilliwack, BC V2R 3C5

With thanks to God who has blessed us with so much we would liketo announce the birth of our daughterALANNAH MARIKABorn May 19, 1996A sister for Hudson7th grandchild for both the Stoffels and Geertsema’sJoanne and Derek StoffelsBox 3305, Smithers, BC V0J 2N0

Births


Thankful to our heavenly Father who has answered our prayers, wewould like to announce the birth of our second child, a daughterANGELA MARIEBorn March 30, 1996A sister for LucasBen and Karen Van WijkC21, S8, SS1, 1970 Nadina Place, Houston, BC V0J 1Z0

Our family has been richly blessed by the precious gift of anothercovenant child. We thank the Lord forMICHAELA BREEANNBorn March 4, 1996A sister for Christopher, Lisa, Kaitlyn and JoshuaAndy and Debbie Blokker (nee Vansydenborgh)RR 3, Wellandport, ON L0R 2J0

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4With thankfulness to the Lord, weJOHN VELDKAMP and EVELYN BOSCHtogether with our parents, would like to announce our engagement.April 19, 19964720 - 133 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5A 3H4

1971 – June 4 – 1996The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him. Lamentations 3:25aPraying the Lord will continue to bless them both according to His will,we joyfully announce the twenty-fifth Wedding Anniversary of our dearparents and grandparentsLAMMERT and MARIANNE JAGT (nee Vermeulen)Their thankful children and granddaughterWaterdown, ON: Marc

Debbie and fiancé Brad AlkemaAimee and Mike Ludwig

HannahKristenJoelAshlea

21 Carl Crescent, Waterdown, ON L0R 2H4

1961 – June 9 – 1996I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as Ilive. Psalm 104:33CHRISTIAAN and CAROLINA NOBELS (nee Van Huisstede)With thankfulness to our heavenly Father who has guided andblessed our parents and grandparents, we are happy to announce their35th Wedding Anniversary. We pray the Lord will grant them manymore years together in health and happiness.With love,Smithville, ON: Ron and Carol Schutten

Michelle, Kristi, Jamie-Lynn, LauraHamilton, ON: John and Jennifer Nobels (nee Hordyk)

Christiaan, Benjamin, JoshuaRR 1, Cheltenham, ON L0P 1C0

1971 – June 18 – 1996It is the LORD who goes before you; He will be with you, He will not fail youor forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8BEN and NANCY MEERSTRA (nee Vandermolen)For twenty-five years the Lord has graciously guided and blessed ourparents’ marriage. We thank Him for all that He has given us throughthem and pray that His unfailing love will continue to be theirstrength and stay.Ottawa, ON: Shona and John Doornbos, DevonSt. Marys, ON: Chandra Meerstra and Peter VanderboomSurrey, BC: Alex Meerstra and Karen MoeskerSt. Marys, ON: Colin Meerstra and Laura Breukelman

Sharon MeerstraLindsey Meerstra

20 Thames Road, RR 1, St. Marys, ON N4X 1C4

1971 – June 12 – 1996This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.Psalm 118:24With thankfulness to our heavenly Father for keeping them in Hislove and care, we wish to announce the 25th Wedding Anniversary ofour dear parentsWILLIAM and LYDIA SCHULENBERG (nee Bruinsma)We pray that God will grant them many more years together andcontinue to strengthen and guide them.Their thankful children:Beamsville, ON: Marty

Cherie Schulenberg and Pete BuikemaJamie Schulenberg and Michelle VanhofJoni

To celebrate this event, an open house will be held Saturday, June 8,1996 from 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at The Heritage Room, BeamsvilleFairgrounds, Ontario St., Beamsville.4538 Bartlett Road, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B1

1971 – May 29 – 1996We give thanks to our heavenly Father who has blessed our parentswith 25 years of marriage.JOE and HILDA DEVRIES (nee Dover)It is our prayer that He will grant them many more years together andcontinue to strengthen and guide them.With love from their children and grandchildren:Edmonton, AB: Colleen and Glenn VeenendaalAbbotsford, BC: Shelly and Richard Slaa

Michelle TylerEdmonton, AB: Denise DevriesRR 2, St. Albert, AB T8N 1M9

1966 – May 21 – 1996In the house of the righteous is much treasure. Proverbs 15:6aWith thankfulness to the Lord for His love and guidance, we are happyto announce the 30th Wedding Anniversary of our dear parentsBERT and JANE KOMDEUR (nee Endeman)We pray that He may continue to bless your marriage and surround youwith His loving care. With love from your children and grandchildrenDundas, ON: Mark and Susan

Calvin, Tyler, Dale, CoryBrampton, ON: James and Sharon

Chevon, RiannaAllen and KerryJulie

40 Lakecrest Trail, Brampton, ON L6Z 1S6

Anniversaries

Engagements


1956 – June 5 – 1996I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8bWith great thankfulness unto the Lord, we hope to celebrate with ourdear parents and grandparents their 40th Wedding AnniversaryAUKE and FENNIE MEINTS (nee Post)Houston, BC: Andy and Jan Meints

Tanya, Brenda, Marcel, Ashlee, KyleJack and Regina Meints

Jesse, Brett, Byron, CodyClarence and Sharon Meints

Justin, Dwayne, Graham, LindseyHenry and Bonnie MeintsTiemo and Shelly Meints

Courtney, QuinttenJane MeintsClarinda Meints

We pray that our heavenly Father will continue to bless them withgood health and happiness in the coming years.Box 121, Houston, BC V0J 1Z0

1956 – May 26 – 1996The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Psalm 23:1With joy and thankfulness to our heavenly Father, we hope to cele-brate the 40th Wedding Anniversary of our parents and grandparentsJAKE and NELL VANDERGAAG (nee Vanderee)May the Lord continue to watch over them. He has blessed us richlywith their love and wisdom and care.Thank-you Dad and Mom, Opa and Oma.Richmond Hill, ON: Mariann and Andrew Baartman

Edward, Neal, Kent, David and BrentLondon, ON: Gerald and Nancy Vandergaag

Amy, Luke, Kendra, Ryan, Kyle, Jodi,Danielle and Laurenne

Clearbrook, BC: Wendy and Nick MansBruce, Beth, Michelle, Hannah and Kristina

Beamsville, ON: Sharon and Henry SalomonsJames

Aldergrove, BC: Yolanda and David BaartmanDaryl, Rebecca and Andrea

Their address is: 128 Indian Creek Road, Chatham, ON N7M 5J6

1961 – June 16 – 1996Psalm 100:4,5With joy and thanksgiving, we hope to celebrate the 35th WeddingAnniversary of our parents and grandparentsKLAAS (Casey) and JANE KIEFT (nee Vanderveen)We pray that the Lord will continue to bless them in their life togeth-er with good health and happiness in the years to come.Best wishes and lots of love from their children and grandchildrenBurlington, ON: Vince and Greta Kieft

Laura, Bryan, Rosalyn, StefanieHillsburgh, ON: Andrew and Marie Kieft

Alan†, Rachel, EvanLangley, BC: Dave KieftBurlington, ON: Dorothy KieftGrand Valley, ON: Christine Kieft and Steve HoffordBurlington, ON: Tim Kieft581 Dynes Road, Burlington, ON L7N 2V4

Spakenburg 1941 – July 4 – 1996 DunnvilleIn Thee, O LORD, do I take refuge. Psalm 71:1aWith joy and thankfulness to our heavenly Father, who has kept themin His care and guided them through the years, we hope to celebrate,the Lord willing, the 55th Wedding Anniversary of our parents,grandparents and great-grandparentsLAMMERT AND HENDRIKA HOPMAN (nee Duyst)Their thankful children, grandchildren and great-grandchildrenDunnville, ON: Fenwick, ON:

Clarence and Ann Hopman Margaret and Taco VanderVeldeLawrence Brendan

Aaron, Dillan ArenRobert and Joanna Jordan

Kelvin MarisaHelena AlexaRouelJulian Dunnville, ON: Cyrus Art and Cheryl Hopman

NicholasBeamsville, ON: Yvonne

Bert and Elsa Hopman NadineTheo AndreaGus ChristopherErikaTesha Richmond Hill, ON:

Hetty and Karl VeldkampBrantford, ON: Brianna

Allison and Bernie Schutten RachelleRodney HarrisonDuaneNathan Landsdown, ON:Neil Wilma and Shane Cutler

1956 – May 9 – 1996I bow down toward Thy holy temple and give thanks to Thy name forThy steadfast love and Thy faithfulness; for Thou hast exalted above every-thing Thy Name and Thy Word. Psalm 138:2With gratitude to the Lord, we announce the 40th Wedding Anniver-sary of our dear parents and grandparentsBAS and RUDIE VANDERBRUGGHENWe pray that the Lord in His steadfast love will continue to bless them.Winnipeg, MB: Els and Aat Vreugdenhil

Kirsten, Erica, Jaclynn, Aren, MarkMount Hope, ON: Frits and Lieke VanderBrugghen

Tamara, Jeremy, Reuben, Melissa, SebastianSmithville, ON: Wilma and Henry Vis

James, Sarah, Jessica, Denise, Daniel, Kelvin, Kurtis

Burlington, ON: ReneAncaster, ON: Pete and Janese VanderBrugghen

Robert, Eric, Todd, Dana, Adrienne, Joshua, Nicole

Vineland, ON: Rudy and Cindy VanderBrugghenBenjamin, Caleb

Carman, MB: Mirjam and Allen SchulenbergAlaric, Taylor, Braden, Mackenzie

1339 Snake Road, Burlington, ON L7P 4Y7


Ulrum June 23, 1910 – Coaldale May 2, 1996For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoeverbelieves in Him should not perish but have Eternal Life. John 3:16After a lengthy illness the Lord took home His child, my belovedwife of more than 50 years, our aunt and sister in the LordMARTJE VAN SETERS (nee Geertsema) “TANTE MAR”

Neil Van SetersJake and Elma Van SetersHugo and Betsy Van SetersJan and Geertien VandenbergArie and Margaret Van SetersPeter and Janey Van SetersNellie HiemstraJoanne and Bill Vander HeideJake (Jr) and Mickey Van SetersCasey and Martha Van SetersNelly and Harold VriendGerald and Marg Van SetersHugo and Shannon Van SetersLiz NewmanAneta and Allen Van DykJoyce and John Van DykRuby and Peter De GrootRon Van SetersHarriet and John Van RaalteKaren and Jim Van SpronsenAnja LantingEmily Vegter

May we be comforted with the promises of Lord’s Day 1.

On May 2, 1996 the Lord called unto himself after a long blessedlife our sister in the LordMAR (Tante Mar) VAN SETERSbeloved wife of our brother Cornelis (Uncle Neil) Van Seters

Hank and Ann BakerJan and Lemien DeemterElsie KalmaJohan and Wanda KnolHerman and Ann HoogerdykGeessien TamsHank and Alice TamsBill and Coba Van DierenMargareth Van DykReg and Diane VersteegIte and Jane Veurink

The Lord is our brother’s help and guide. Lord’s Day 1

June 23, 1910 – May 2, 1996The Lord took unto Himself our beloved TANTE MAR VAN SETERSHer only comfort in life and death was that she was not her own butbelonged to her faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. May the Lord givestrength and comfort to Uncle Neil who loved her very much.She will be missed by:

John and Geertine VandenbergClarencePaulineDwightHenryMarco

2211 - 20th Avenue, Coaldale AB T1M 1J5

Axel: July 31, 1925 – Langley: April 27, 1996During his whole life he expressed his assurance that he wouldwalk on that highway which in Isaiah 35:8 is called “The Way ofHoliness.”The Lord took unto Himself, after a lengthy illness my husband,father, stepfather and grandfatherJACOBUS HAMELINKpredeceased by his first wife Aaltje ZijlstraLangley, BC: Gerrie Hamelink, Van Wijk (nee Klos)Smithers, BC: Joe Hamelink

Auke and Tineke HamelinkLangley BC: John and Heddie Driegen (nee Van Wijk)

John Van Wijk†Eric Van Wijk and Tami

Aldergrove, BC: Rick and Margaret Meyer (nee Van Wijk)Seattle, WA: Trudy Rountree (nee Van Wijk)Chilliwack, BC: Marc and Nicole Van WijkHouston, BC: Ben and Karen Van Wijk

and 20 grandchildren21749 - 49A Avenue, Langley, BC V3A 6C4

The Lord took into glory after a long illness our son-in-law andbrother-in-lawJACOBUS HAMELINKat the age of 70husband of Gerrie Hamelink (Van Wijk) nee KlosWe remember him as the gentle and kind man portrayed in Titus 3:2

Mrs. H. Klos (nee Vos)Allie Bruinsma (nee Klos)Wicher and Rie Beugelink (nee Klos)Bert and Eke Klos (nee Van Assen)Annie van Dasselaar (nee Klos)Henry and Clasina Klos (nee deJong)Jake and Rita Kuik (nee Klos)

Obituaries

THANK-YOUWe sincerely thank everyone who shared our joywith us for the special blessing of our 55th WeddingAnniversary. John and Francien Oostdyk


COME TO THE BEAUTIFUL BULKLEY VALLEYThe Ebenezer Canadian Reformed School of Smithersand Houston has a possible temporary high school po-sition available from September till December 31, 1996.Duties consist of replacing the Social Studies/Busi-ness teacher who is on a study leave. Familiarity withMicrosoft Works will be considered an asset. Appli-cants with qualifications in other areas will also beconsidered.

We will also be in need of a

MATH/SCIENCE

teacher for the coming school year.For inquiries contact:

Henk Van Beelenat (604)847-3492 (school)

(604)847-5924 (home) or (604)847-3912 (fax)For contract information call

John Verhelst at (604) 846-9367Applications should be directed to the Secretary of theBoard Ingrid Dykstra

Box 3700, Smithers, BC V0J 2N0

The Covenant Canadian Reformed School Society invites applications for

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS with specialties in English and/or Biology

duties to commence September, 1996.For information contact

The Principal: Mr. Joop HarthoornPhone: (403) 674-4774 (school)

(403) 674-6457 (home)and/or

The secretary for the BoardMrs. Margaret Otten

Box 67, Neerlandia, AB T0G 1R0Phone: (403) 674-6031

Fax: (403) 674-4883

EBENEZER VILLA, HAMILTON, ONTARIOWe invite inquiries from our church members aboutour unique senior citizen home.We offer:• Rent geared to income, if qualified.• Located right next to the Cornerstone Church on

Stone Church Road East, Hamilton, Ontario.• For all church services audio video directly

connected from Cornerstone Church to all apart-ments and lounge.

• Limited home care available to all residents.• Spacious library with Dutch and English books.• An active care committee arranges for regular enter-

tainment events and a weekly coffee social.• Regular Bible Study in Dutch by Rev. Cl. Stam.• Weekly shopping trip• City transportation nearbyCall: Ike Vanderwoude at (905) 639-8110

orTony Vanderhout at (905) 692-3986

or write: Ebenezer VillaP.O. Box 20052Upper James Postal StationHamilton, Ontario L9C 7M5

The MOST news on the Netherlands and the Dutch in Canada

and the U.S.A.

Ontario Edition: P.O. Bag 9033, Surrey, BC V3T 4X3tel: (416) 287-6487 (between 12:00 & 8:00 p.m.)

Western Canada: P.O. Bag 9033, Surrey, BC V3T 4X3tel: (604) 532-1733

U.S.A.: P.O. Box 313, Lynden, WA 98264-0313tel: (604) 532-1733

the Windmill

Ask for our list of book titles by Piet Prins, W.G. van de Hulst and others


WALINGA INC.We are expanding our operations in CARMAN, Man-

itoba and have openings for the following trades.

MACHINISTS,– To set-up and operate conventional machines.– Also require someone for Programming and oper-

ating CNC machines.– Must be flexible and able to operate various ma-

chines in a Cell.– Apprenticeships available.

EQUIPMENT MECHANICS,– For building and rebuilding Blowers, Airlocks, Hy-

draulics, etc.

PLATING SYSTEM OPERATIONS,– For our in-house, “Hard Chrome” Plating depart-

ment

• Training programs available.• We are looking for ambitious self-motivated and

quality minded team players, that also have the de-sire to learn various trades.

• We offer excellent remuneration and a completefringe benefit package.

Please send your resume to: WALINGA INC.

RR 5, Guelph, ON N1H 6J2Att: Cor Lodder

Ph. #519-824-8520Fax #519-824-5651

WALINGA INC.We are presently looking for an energetic innovative

MARKETING ASSISTANT

Preference will be given to: Experience and Agricultural background.

Please send your resume to:

WALINGA INC.RR 5, Guelph, ON

N1H 6J2Ph. (519) 824-8520

Attention: Terry Medemblik

• CONTENT DIGITAL SAMPLING ORGANS• DOMUS HOME ORGANS ($6,995.00)• DUTCH CD’S and TAPES• LESSONS• NOW ALSO PRE-OWNED PIANOS

T H E M U S I C G R O U PWillem Van Suydam, General Manager

Open:Monday-Wednesday

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.Thursday-Friday10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

5205 Harvester Road #2Burlington, ON L7L 6B5

Tel./Fax (905) 631-1929 1-800-376-7199

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CAMPAIGN CALGARYThe congregation of the Canadian Reformed Church in Calgary and the Tyndale Christian School Society have em-barked on a project to construct a facility for church and school. Growth in the school and the cost of renting otherfacilities have put the congregation under pressure to begin construction as soon as possible. Our congregation hasalready purchased property and surpassed the challenge of pledging $50,000 to the new building. Our goal is toraise an additional $200,000. We prayerfully ask for you to support us by:

1. A financial contribution2. Considering a move to this beautiful city

*many jobs available*enthusiastic congregation and school*affordable housing costs

If you wish to know more about this project, contact either:

John Hoogerdijk 1-403-590-0791or

Harry deBoer 1-403-285-7075

You may also send E-mail to [email protected]

CLARION, MAY 31, 1996

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clarion · clarion, may 31, 1996 243 meditation by h.j.j. feenstra be wise with wisdom! climax...

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