GS 1965 ARTICLE 223: Closing remarks

The chairman then speaks the following final word:

“Dear Brothers,

We have come to the end of this Synod.

A few more moments and this Synod will once again be a thing of the past. It no longer exists and our task as representatives of the Churches is over.

Then the task and calling of the Churches has come to subject our work to its judgment, that is, to subject it to the judgment of Scripture and to the agreements we have made on its basis.

That determines the nature of my closing words.

I am not allowed to enter into the assessment of the work we have done. We will have to leave that assessment to those who gave us our task, the Churches, who sent us here. We will not overreach.

I have a different task.

I may and must express the great gratitude that lives in the hearts of all of us to the Father of lights, who has day by day given the strength for the large amount and often difficult work that the Churches placed on our shoulders.

No one was prevented from doing his job by illness. No one has been taken away by Him. We were allowed to start this Synod together with Him, He now also grants that we may end this Synod together. His gracious hand has laid itself protectively over us from moment to moment.

However, there is more.

In His great goodness, the Lord has wanted us to experience the loving care of the brothers and sisters of the Church in Edmonton. For the sake of the progress of the work of our exalted King, much work has been done by them.

Houses were hospitably opened to us, so that we could rest from our daily labor. During and between the sessions of the Synod, we were exceptionally welcomed and cared for by the sisters in the kitchen. Some brothers have shown great zeal in taking care of the finances of this Synod and arranging the travel arrangements for us brothers delegates. All this will not be quickly forgotten by us.

However, there is more.

In His great grace, the Lord has permitted us to do our work in the unity of faith, in which the Son of God gathers, defends, and preservesHis Church.

Many matters were placed before us.

Many have been the struggles to come to responsible decisions. We discussed, tested each other’s arguments. We have considered and weighed. In all this it was clear that we are bound by the one binding to the Word of our God and to the Three Forms of Unity and the Church Order we have adopted, which underscore that binding to the Word of the Lord .

As servants of the Most High, we then acted in faithfulness to that one valid binding in the Churches of Christ. Decisions were taken to preserve the Churches in this country by that precious commodity, the unity of faith. In this, the Lord has strengthened us and comforted us extraordinarily.

It has been the most beautiful thing we have experienced here.

We can’t help but lay all our thanks and worship before Him, Who sits on the throne and the Lamb. God be the honor and the glory and the power for all eternity.

I would like to mention one more thing.

Decisions have been made in connection with the difficulties in the Church at Winnipeg. I express the wish and prayer that these decisions, after review, may be blessed by the Lord for the salvation of His Church, which has been purchased by the precious blood of His own dear Son. That peace and pleasant rest and mild blessing may bring her joy.

And now we’re going home.

We won’t see each other again for the time being. With homesickness we will sometimes think of the pleasant days we had here.

But we find our support and strength in one thing: I believe a holy, catholic, Christian Church, the communion of saints.

In all this, we will not forget one thing.

The admonition given to us at the opening of this Synod: Therefore, my brothers, be steadfast, unshakable, abundant at all time in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not vain in the Lord.

Then the future is ours, because it is the Lord’s.

Then we will also be able to see Him one day, whom we cannot see now, but still love wholeheartedly.

Brothers, the Lord be with you.

I ask that you now read with me Revelation 5: 8-14.

Then Rev. H. A. will lead us in thanksgiving prayer, after we have sung Psalm 89:1, 7, and 8.”

After this, Rev. Scholten reads the indicated verses, and the verses of Psalm 89, mentioned by him, are sung.