18 Apr GS 1974 art 28

GS 1974 ARTICLE 28 – Address by the Representative of De Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland.

The Rev. S.S. Cnossen of Spakenburg-Noord, representing De Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland, addresses Synod as follows:

• Esteemed brethren, delegates to this Synod and advisors,
• It gives me great pleasure to address you in the name of your Sister-Churches, the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands.
• From the days your Churches were organized and even before that time our Churches have taken a keen interest in the weal and woe of the Reformed people, who left the old country.
• We were always sure that your Churches felt the same way with respect to ours.
• However, up to this time the mutual feelings of sympathy and solidarity did not result in invitations to attend each others General Synods by means of formal representation.
• Our Committee for Correspondence with Sister-Churches abroad instructed me to express its appreciation of the fact that you were the first to ask us to cross the Atlantic. This is where you have beaten us.
• Our Committee feels sorry that it could not send at least two delegates. We are aware of the fact that one man cannot very well speak for the Churches he is supposed to stand for. I am willing to make available to your assembly all the information I have concerning our Churches and also with regard to the contacts we have with Churches abroad, but even so I am confident that you have more to give than I can possibly provide you with.
• One of the things we would like to learn from you is how you manage to finish your synodical agenda in a couple of weeks whereas our Synods meet for months together. The reason for this dissimilarity is certainly not to be found in the number of entries on the respective agendas. It is most remarkable that many of the important matters, that you have to deal with, are also on the agenda of our Synod, which will convene at Kampen April 1975.
• You will have to discuss and to decide upon proposals with regard to your Book of Praise. Our Synod will take up the matters of a new rhymed version of the Psalms and of a possible enlargement of the number of hymns.
• You are going to discuss a new translation of the Heidelberg Catechism. We expect our Synod to decide upon a reproduction in modern Dutch of both the other Forms of Unity.
• The Church of Toronto asks for a decision on Women’s Voting Rights. Our Synod will find on its agenda a report of a Committee appointed by the Synod of Hattem dealing with the very same matter.
• You will have to take action upon a proposed revision of the Church Order. The Synod of Kampen is supposed to deal with a similar recommendation.
• With us most of these matters have been on the agendas of many a Synod in the past. Decisions were delayed not so much by the proverbial verbosity of the Dutch as by the sad internal struggle of the sixties for the soundness of doctrine and respect for the rules for Church-government, which the Churches have agreed upon. Almost all the energy we were able to muster was used up in this conflict of great importance for the survival of a truly Reformed Church. So many issues had to wait for final settlement.
• Stunned as we were by the pain, caused by a loss of nearly a quarter of our membership, no time was left for licking the sores.
• Much had to be done that had been left undone. And many of those men who undoubtedly had great qualities were no longer available.
• We thank God that He prospered the way of our Churches.
• Even in the midst of the strife they remained aware that they had to carry on the work that had been started in the more quiet years of the fifties.
• Particularly two circumstances influenced favourably the course of events. First of all: We had regained the solid base on which to stand.
• The confessional creeds and Scriptural principles of Reformed Church-govern­ ment are no longer subjected to doubt and uncertainty.
• And next: We experience among our people a new willingness to cope with the exceptional great challenge of this era, marked by new forms of revolutionary thought and movements. Particularly encouraging is the eagerness of young people to take their share of the burden.
• It is a matter of rejoicing that many of them further the cause of the Gospel in summertime on campings and other holiday-resorts.
• They who study at universities are well aware of their calling toward Church and society. The time that the Churches lost quite a number of this last category belongs to the past.
• Much of this spiritual recovery is due to the present situation at the Seminary of the Churches. Its professors are hard-working men. Whilst in the mid-sixties the number of those enrolled at the Seminary never was above 25, now this number has passed the 100-mark. With few exceptions they all want to serve in the ministry. The willingness to serve in the missionary work is on the increase.
• Another reason for gratefulness is the growth of the Churches as far as their membership is concerned. This growth is mostly due to the fact that our birth-rate is not diminishing. At the same time, in our country, many classrooms become empty, we have to build additional classrooms and even schools. Whilst there is more and more unemployment among teachers, we still have a shortage in this respect, though both in Groningen and Amersfoort more than 100 young men and women are being trained for the teaching of our children.
• However, though the blessings of the Lord are numerous, we are kept aware that these blessings are unmerited.
• New dangers are threatening and we have to admit that in our midst some have begun to waver under the attacks of Satan. One of the most serious threats stems from the prosperity of the country. Despite a disheartening inflation the purchasing­ power is still great and the public loves to buy. Because of the inflation there is no attraction in the saving of money.
• Of course, it is true, that because of the existing prosperity much can be done that otherwise would be either impossible to do or only with great difficulty. For the benefit of Church-life and-work, missions, schools and Christian charity close to 20 millions of guilders are made available by some 22,000 families, but even so most of these families do not have to deny themselves any of the things which make life comfortable.
• Frugality and simplicity have been replaced by the lust for moneymaking and spending. Materialism has become a sin of many a Christian no less than of non-Christians.
• Though the attendance of catechism classes is generally speaking good many of our young people think that they have no time left for the traditional young people’s societies, because they are drifting from one amusement to another. The television­ set absorbs the free hours of many of the older generation. In the ministry of the Word ample attention is given to these symptoms of degeneration of a truly Christian walk of life. Nevertheless house visiting reveals, apart from numberless indications of rejoicing in the Lord and willingness to abide by His commandments, signs that the admonitions in many a family fail to accomplish change of hearts and lives.
• So the Reformed Churches in The Netherlands on the one hand may see, in humble acknowledgement of God’s unmerited grace, how they have been led and preserved to abide by the confession of the eternal truth of the Word of our Lord. They still acclaim this divine Testimony to be perfect, restoring the soul, making the simple wise and enlightening the eyes of the blind, a power of God unto salvation of every one that believes.
• On the other hand they stand in need of the constant prayer: 0, our God, hide Thy face from our sins and blot out all our inquities; create in us a clear heart and renew within us a right spirit.
• Dearly beloved brethren, fellow-ministers and elders, I am sure it was the right thing to tell you about our circumstances, about blessings and about the shadows of sin. We certainly need one another. Correspondence must be a live thing, not just something formal.
• We hope that this Synod may become a blessing for your Churches as well as for ours.
• Do your work diligently, but use your strength wisely.
• Take your responsibilities seriously, but remember God rules over all. Be men of conviction, but do not forget to love one another.
• May the Lord bless you. May He endow you with wisdom and understanding. With consecration and courage, as you undertake the work before you. Be good servants of Christ, the King of the Church for ever and ever.

In addition to his formal address the Rev. S.S. Cnossen speaks a personal word of appreciation for the welcome in the midst of Synod.

After this Hymn 46:3 is sung.