MINUTES OF SECOND SYNOD OF THE
BIBLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
November 14, 1939
The second General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church
was convened in the Bible Presbyterian Church of Collingswood on
November 14, 1939, at 2 P.M. The General Synod was opened with a
service conducted by, and a sermon delivered by the Moderator of
the first General Synod, the Rev. J.U.S. Toms of the New Jersey
Presbytery. After the sermon the Supper of the Lord was
administered by the Moderator of the previous Synod, assisted by
the Rev. H. McAllister Griffiths of the Presbytery of the
Philadelphia area.
The Synod was then officially convened when the Moderator of
the first Synod led in prayer.
Roll
The roll was called and resulted as follows:
| Ministers present: | Presbytery |
| Arcularius, P. B. | Philadelphia |
| Bufflor, M. N. | New Jersey |
| Chapin, D. C. | Not assigned to any presbytery yet |
| Faucette, A. F. | Great Lakes |
| Griffiths, H. McA. | Philadelphia |
| Hamilton, Frank | New Jersey |
| Hanna, J. W. | Great Lakes |
| Harris, R. Laird | Philadelphia |
| Jorgensen, D. | New Jersey |
| Koonce, A. J. | Great Lakes |
| Laird, H. S. | Philadelphia |
| Lebron-Velazquez, J. R. | Puerto Rico |
| Lipscomb, J. | New Jersey |
| MacRae, A. A. | Philadelphia |
| McIntire, Carl | New Jersey |
| McIntire, Blair | New Jersey |
| Misicka, J. F. | New Jersey |
| Myers, D. K. | Great Plains |
| Pearson, M. A. | Iowa |
| Toms, J.U.S. | New Jersey |
| Wall, Peter F. | Iowa |
| Wortman, V. V. | Iowa |
| Young, G. D. | Philadelphia |
| Ruling Elders: | |
| Wilson, J. K. | New Jersey |
| Stam, P. | Chicago |
| Rue, J. H. | New Jersey |
| Mecuwsen, Otto | Great Plains |
| Fuller, M. D. | Great Plains |
| Davenport, O. G. | Great Plains |
Upon completion of the roll, nominations were opened for the
office of Moderator for this second General Synod. The Rev.
Harold S. Laird, D.D., of the Presbytery of the Philadelphia Area
was nominated by the Rev. Carl McIntire of the Presbytery of New
Jersey. The nomination was seconded by the Rev. M. N. Buffler of
the Presbytery of New Jersey. Dr Laird spoke. It was moved by the
Rev. Frank Hamilton of the Presbytery of New Jersey, and
regularly seconded that the nominations be closed. Dr. Laird was
then, on motion of the Rev. M. A. Pearson of the Presbytery of
Iowa, elected by acclamation.
After a few remarks regarding the office of the Stated Clerk, the
Rev. H. McAllister Griffiths, of the Presbytery of Philadelphia
Area, nominated the Rev. G. D. Young of the Presbytery of the
Philadelphia Area for the office of Stated Clerk. The Rev. R.
Laird Harris of the Presbytery of the Philadelphia Area moved
that the nominations be closed. The motion was duly seconded.
When put to the vote it was passed.
Dr. H. McAllister Griffiths of the Presbytery of the Philadelphia
Area presented the docket. The Rev. J.U.S. Toms of the Presbytery
of New Jersey moved that the docket be accepted as read. The
motion was regularly seconded and passed. Refer to paper A for
this document.
The Rev. Carl McIntire, pastor of the Bible Presbyterian Church
of Collingswood and member of the Presbytery of New Jersey, made
a speech of welcome to the members and their friends. Mr.
McIntire outlined something of the program for the entertainment
of the members and their friends during the three-day sessions of
the Synod.
It was moved by the Rev. J. W. Hanna, of the Presbytery of the
Great Lakes, and seconded by the Rev. D. K. Myers, of the
Presbytery of the Great Plains, that the reading of the minutes
of the First General Synod be deferred until the morning of
November 15.
Communications
The Clerk read the following communications:
1. Hereafter called paper B, letter from the Ohio Regional
Conference, the Fundamental Churches of America, Wilkinsburg,
Pa., dated October 26, 1939, and signed by Mr. Paul M. Coll,
Vice-President, and W.O.H. Garman, Chairman of Committee,
relating to the consideration of the general subject of
affiliation.
2. Hereafter called paper C, letter from the session of the
Covenant Presbyterian Church of the Bible Presbyterian Church of
Grove City, Penna., dated November 11, 1939, and signed by F. A.
Schaeffer, Jr., Moderator of the session, and Fred G. Hall, clerk
of session, relating to issuing letters to modernist controlled
churches.
It was moved by the Rev. M. A. Pearson, of the Presbytery of
Iowa, and regularly seconded that the Moderator appoint a
committee of three to read these documents and to give their
report as to the manner in which these letters should be dealt
with. The motion was passed.
The following were enrolled as corresponding members:
Mr. Sibloy, elder from Seattle, Wash., on motion; Dr. M. Stanley
Black, of Wenona, N.J.; and Mr. Floyd Graft, of Pittsgrove, N.J.,
on motion; Mr. Woods, of St. Louis. The Rev. D. C. Chapin asked
concerning the eligibility of Mr. Woods, Bible Presbyterian non-active elder who had come with the delegation from St. Louis. It
was moved that Mr. Woods be received as a corresponding member.
It was moved by the Rev. M. N. Buffler of the Presbytery of New
Jersey and regularly seconded that the Synod adjourn to convene
at 9:30 A.M. on November 15.
Respectfully submitted,
G. D. Young
November 15, 1939, Morning Session
After a devotional period conducted by the Rev. Joseph F. Misicka
of the Presbytery of New Jersey, the Synod was convened with
prayer by the Moderator, at 9:50 A.M.
The minutes of the session of November 14, 1939, were read. The
Rev. J. U. S. Toms of the Presbytery of New Jersey suggested that
the phrase, "retiring Moderator," be changed to read, "the
Moderator of the previous Synod." With this change the minutes
were approved as read on motion of Ruling Elder J. H. Rue, of the
Presbytery of New Jersey.
The Moderator, acting on the motion made at the session of
November 14, appointed the committee to receive, examine, and
report on the letters known as papers B and C. The committee is
as follows:
The Rev. F. A. Schaeffer, Jr., of the Presbytery of the Great
Lakes, the Rev. H. B. McIntire of the Presbytery of New Jersey,
and Ruling Elder Mr. Peter Stam, of the Presbytery of Chicago.
The Moderator also appointed a committee composed of the Rev. J.
W. Lipscomb of the Presbytery of New Jersey, and the Rev. James
W. Hanna, of the Presbytery of the Great Lakes, to receive,
examine, and report upon the minutes of the presbyteries.
Discipline
The consideration of the Book of Discipline, (attached as
Document D), being next upon the docket, it was moved by the Rev.
M. A. Pearson, of the Presbytery of Iowa, seconded and passed
that this document be considered soriatim by chapters. Pending
the arrival of the Chairman of the Committee, the Rev. Carl
McIntire of the Presbytery of New Jersey, a member of the
committee, commenced reading the document. It was moved by Ruling
Elder J. H. Rue of the Presbytery of New Jersey, a member of the
commmittee, commenced reading the document. It was moved by
Ruling Elder J. H. Rue of the Presbytery of New Jersey, seconded
and passed that Chapter I be adopted as read. Chapter II was
read, and on motion of Ruling Elder J. H. Rue of the Presbytery
of New Jersey was adopted as read. The motion was passed. Chapter
III was read. It was moved by the Rev. J. U. S. Toms of the
Presbytery of New Jersey that this chapter be adopted as read.
The motion was not put to vote. The Rev. M. A. Pearson of the
Presbytery of Iowa a substitute motion that further consideration
of this chapter be deferred until later. Motion was passed.
From ll until 11:30 the Synod met in a prayer meeting led by the
Rev. M. N. Buffler of the Presbytery of New Jersey.
Minutes
After prayer meeting, the Rev. H. McAllister Griffiths of the
Presbytery of the Philadelphia Area presented a summary of the
minutes of the First General Synod. It was suggested by Ruling
Elder Mr. Peter Stam of the Presbytery of Chicago that those
minutes, together with those of the current Synod, be published
in some form as soon as it be practical, so that each Presbytery
might have them in a complete form.
The Rev. M. A. Pearson moved that the Synod adjourn at the
discretion of the Moderator. Motion was seconded and passed.
The consideration of the Book of Discipline continued with the
Rev. H. McA. Griffiths reading from Chapter III. It was moved by
the Rev. D. K. Myers of the Presbytery of the Great Plains that
the Rev. H. McA. Griffiths of the Presbytery of the Philadelphia
Area and the Rev. F. A. Schaeffer of the Presbytery of the Great
Lakes confer upon, and recommend a possible change in Chapter
III, Section 2, prior to the Synod's further consideration of the
chapter as a whole.
On the word of the Moderator the session adjourned at l2:25 P.M.
The Rev. M. A. Pearson of the Presbytery of Iowa dismissed the
session with prayer.
Synod picture was taken at 12:30 P.M.
November 15, Afternoon Session
The Synod was convened at 2:30 when the Moderator led in prayer.
The Moderator appointed Ruling Elder Peter Stam, Jr., as the
Vice-moderator. Mr. Stam took the chair, as the Moderator retired
from the session.
It was moved and seconded that the Synod go on with the
discussion of the Book of Discipline. Motion was defeated.
The Synod proceeded to the order of the day, the reports and
testimonies of the commissioners. These were limited to about
five minutes each. All the commissioners who had answered the
roll spoke with the exception of those who had to leave before
having the opportunity of speaking, namely, Ministers: Laird,
H.S., Philadelphia; Chapin, D.C., Chicago; Wall, Peter F., Iowa;
and Lebron-Velazquez, J.R., Puerto Rico, who will give his report
on November 16; and Ruling Elders: Wigfield, R.S., New Jersey.
At 3 P.M., in the absence of the Rev. C. D. Chrisman, it was
moved by the Rev. Frank Hamilton, Presbytery of New Jersey, that
the popular Bible Study period be passed over for the present,
and that the Synod continue with the reports and testimonies. The
motion was seconded and passed.
The Rev. M. N. Buffler moved that we receive fraternal greetings
from the Rev. Newton C. Conant, on behalf of the continuing
Methodist Protestant Church. Motion was regularly seconded and
passed. The Rev. Mr. Conant brought greetings.
Office of Clerk
The Rev. H. McA. Griffiths, of the Presbytery of the
Philadelphia Area, submitted the following motion: Resolved that
the Clerk of the General Synod be elected to serve until the
convening of the next General Synod, to conduct correspondence,
issue extracts and certifications on behalf and in the name of
the General Synod, and that the Clerk be authorized to draw upon
the Treasurer of the Committee on National Missions for necessary
expenses incurred in carrying out these authorizations. The
motion was regularly seconded and passed.
The Rev. J. U. S. Toms, of the Presbytery of New Jersey, read a
testimony from the Rev. F. E. Beatty, of the Presbytery of the
Pacific Northwest.
It was moved by the Rev. M. A. Pearson that the Moderator appoint
some one to draw up and submit to the Synod all suitable
resolutions. Motion seconded and passed.
The Rev. A. J. Koonce of the Presbytery of the Great Lakes moved
that the Synod adjourn to reconvene at 9:30 A.M., November 16,
1939. Motion was seconded and passed. After the singing of one
verse of "Blest Be the Tie That Binds," the session was dismissed
with prayer by the Rev. V. V. Wortman, of the Presbytery of Iowa.
Respectfully submitted,
G. D. Young
November 16, 1939, Morning Session
At the close of the devotional period conducted by the Rev. J. R.
Lebron-Velazquez, of the Presbytery of Puerto Rico, the Synod was
convened by prayer of the Vice-moderator, who presided in the
absence of the Moderator.
Through the Rev. M. N. Buffler, of the Presbytery of New Jersey,
the apologies of Ruling Elder J. H. Rue were received for his
unavoidable absence in this session.
The minutes were read. A correction was made in that after the
word "seriatim" there be added "by chapters." The minutes were
adopted as read with this change.
The Vice-moderator appointed the Rev. J. U. S. Toms, of the
Presbytery of New Jersey, to draft and submit appropriate
resolutions.
The Rev. H. McAllister Griffiths, of the Presbytery of the
Philadelphia Area, reported as chairman of the Committee on
National Missions. The report consisted, first, with a
consideration of the activities, second, with a consideration of
the present needs of National Missions. The Presbyteries of
Puerto Rico and the Pacific Northwest had been received by this
Committee. The chairman reported that they had made no attempt to
urge any churches to enter our affiliation. Concerning the
disbursements of funds, it was stated that the fund received
during the past year had been largely designated to particular
churches and men. The chairman asserted that, if we are to grow
as a church, we must spend on home and foreign missions. He spoke
of how some of the brethren are sacrificing much for the sake of
carrying on their work. He recommended that the National Missions
Committee investigate the present needs of our brethren, and make
some plans of providing for them, and then to investigate the
vacant fields. No definite action was taken on this
recommendation.
It was moved that the Moderator appoint a committee to audit the
books of the National Missions Committee and to summarize for the
brethren their financial work. The motion was passed. The
Moderator appointed the Rev. R. Laird Harris, of the Presbytery
of the Philadelphia Area, and Ruling Elder, Mr. Presley Edwards,
of the Presbytery of Chicago.
It was moved by the Rev. M. A. Pearson, of the Presbytery of
Iowa, that the National Missions Committee be highly commended
for their work during the past year. The motion was regularly
seconded and passed.
The Rev. Mr. E. A. Dillard, of the Presbytery of the Philadelphia
Area, moved that the Rev. James M. McCoy, of the Eastern
Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, be invited to sit
as a visiting delegate. Mr. Dillard also moved that the Rev.
Edward Huff, of the Evangelical Union of South America, a
missionary to South America, be received as a visiting delegate.
The motion was seconded as a unit and passed.
The Moderator replaced the Vice-moderator, Mr. Peter Stam, as the
chair.
Southern Church
The Rev. H. McAllister Griffiths, of the Presbytery of the
Philadelphia Area, gave a report concerning our fraternal
delegate, the Rev. Carl McIntire, of the Presbytery of New
Jersey, who had been appointed to bring greetings to the 1939
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. Dr.
Griffiths stated that he had written the stated clerk concerning
this appointment, had received a communication from him inviting
our delegate to come, and had later sent to the stated clerk a
copy of our resolution of the first General Synod. On receipt of
this communication a request was received by Dr. Griffiths that
our delegate be asked not to come for the present.
It was moved by the Rev. M. A. Pearson, of the Presbytery of
Iowa, that the Rev. H. McAllister Griffiths, of the Presbytery
of the Philadelphia Area, the Rev. Carl McIntire, of the
Presbytery of New Jersey, and the Rev. E. A. Dillard, of the
Presbytery of the Philadelphia Area, be appointed a committee to
consider our sending another fraternal delegate to the
Presbyterian Church in the U.S., and report to this General
Synod. It was regularly seconded and passed.
It was moved by the Rev. V. V. Wortman, of the Presbytery of
Iowa, that we, through the clerk, send fraternal greetings to the
Grace Brethren group of Winona Lake, Indiana. The Rev. J. U. S.
Toms, of the Presbytery of New Jersey, moved an amendment that
this General Synod send greetings to the Eastern Conference of
the Methodist Protestant Church. The amendment and the motion
were seconded and passed.
Puerto Rico
It was moved by the Rev. M. N. Buffler, of the Presbytery of New
Jersey, that, in the absence of the Rev. H. G. Welbon, of the
Presbytery of the Philadelphia Area, we suspend the order of the
day and hear from the delegate of the Presbytery of Puerto Rico,
the Rev. J. R. Lebron-Velazquez. This report included an
excellent summary of the churches' needs and prospects of the
work in Puerto Rico. Especially prominent in the report was the
desire of these brethren to publish a paper in Spanish, rent an
office for this work, and broadcast the Gospel over the air. It
was stated that this need could be met at the cost of $98 a
month.
The Vice-moderator took the chair.
It was moved by the Rev. M. A. Pearson, of the Presbytery of
Iowa, that: The Committee on National Missions of the Bible
Presbyterian Church shall be composed of twelve members, not more
than five of whom shall be members of any one presbytery. They
shall be divided into three classes. The terms of four members
shall expire in 1940, four in 1941, and four in 1942, but each
member shall continue in office until his successor is elected.
These successors shall be elected as their predecessors' times
expire. No one may be re-elected as a member of the committee to
succeed himself until after an interval of two years, except by a
two-thirds vote of Synod. But after an interval of one year, he
may, in case of vacancy, be elected to fill out the unexpired
term. The committee shall elect its own chairman and secretary,
who shall serve but one year, and may at their own discretion
elect one, not a member of the committee, as treasurer, who shall
serve as long as the committee may desire. The motion was
regularly seconded and passed.
National Missions
The Moderator took the chair. Nominations were opened for the
various classes of the Committee on National Missions. The
Moderator appointed as tellers the Rev. D. K. Myers, of the
Presbytery of the Great Plains, the Rev. D. Jorgensen, of the
Presbytery of New Jersey, and the Rev. J. F. Misicka, of the
Presbytery of New Jersey. The voting ballot resulted in the
election, by majority vote, of the following:
| Class of 1942 | Ministers: Dillard, E. A., Philadelphia;
McIntire, C., New Jersey; Griffiths, H. M.,
Philadelphia.
Ruling Elder: Stam, Peter, Jr., Chicago |
| Class of 1941 | Ministers: Myers, D. K., Great Plains; Laird,
H. S., Philadelphia; Lipscomb, J. W., New
Jersey.
Ruling Elder: Chamberlin, W. A., New Jersey. |
| Class of 1940 | Ministers: Faucette, A. F., Great Lakes;
Jamison, M.; Wortman, V. V., Iowa.
Ruling Elder: Edwards, Presley, Chicago. |
The Rev. J. W. Lipscomb, of the Presbytery of New Jersey,
reported for the Committee on Presbyterial Reports. He stated
that only five reports had been received out of the nine. The
recommendation of the Committee was as follows: That entire
records be made available at General Synod for inspection and
increased common knowledge of significant developments in the
presbyteries. It was moved by the Rev. Peter F. Wall, of the
Presbytery of Iowa, that the report be adopted as read. The
motion was regularly seconded and passed. It was moved by the
Rev. E. A. Dillard, of the Presbytery of the Philadelphia Area,
that the recommendation be adopted. The motion was regularly
seconded and passed.
The Rev. J. U. S. Toms, of the Presbytery of New Jersey, reported
for the Committee on Resolutions. The following resolutions were
submitted:
Independent Board
Resolution l: That this General Synod recommends the Independent
Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions to the ministers and
members of the Bible Presbyterian Church as a suitable channel
for carrying out the Great Commission to go to the uttermost
parts of the earth, and that they support it by their gifts and
prayers. It was moved by the Rev. A. J. Koonce, of the Presbytery
of the Great Lakes, that this resolution be adopted as read. The
motion was regularly seconded and passed.
Faith Theological Seminary
Resolution 2: That this General Synod commends to the support and
prayers of the church in the great work of theological education
the Faith Theological Seminary, of Wilmington, Delaware, for the
training of young men for the Christian ministry. It was moved by
the Rev. E. A. Dillard, of the Presbytery of the Philadelphia
Area, that Resolution 2 be adopted. The motion was regularly
seconded and passed.
Separated Life
Resolution 3: It was moved by the Rev. H. McAllister Griffiths,
of the Presbytery of the Philadelphia Area, that we adopt the
following resolutions of the previous General Synod:
Separated Life. "In conformity to the Word of God and without
adding thereto any rules binding the conscience, we do hereby
urge our membership to lead a holy life separated from worldly
sin. We hold that the participation in games commonly used for
gambling sets a snare for our young people, introducing them to
gambling associates and leading themselves into this evil
practice. We hold that the patronage of the commercial theatre is
not conducive to the development of the spiritual life. We hold
that the promiscuous familiarity between the sexes in modern
society in the modern dance and in other modern social customs
sets dangerous temptations before the young. We urge all
ministers and Christian leaders among us to discourage these and
other worldly practices among the Lord's people, and to give
their Christian testimony uncompromisingly against all forms of
sin."
Intoxicating Beverages
Intoxicating Beverages. "We, the members of this Assembly, in the
interests of making clear our position on this particular matter,
namely the questions of a Christians relation to the use of
intoxicating beverages, and with no slightest intention of
setting ourselves up in judgment on the conscience of any man
where the Word of God has not bound him, do desire to declare
that we deem it wise to pursue the course of total abstinence;
and furthermore, we lament the widespread tendency of the
American people toward intemperance, and we are unalterably
opposed to the modern saloon and the liquor traffic in general,
which, as now carried on, is associated with and leads to sinful
abuses, and is subversive of the general welfare of society." It
was regularly seconded and passed.
It was moved that we accept the gracious invitation of the Bible
Presbyterian Church of Collingswood to hold the Synod meeting
here next year. The Rev. H. McAllister Griffiths, of the
Presbytery of the Philadelphia Area, moved a substitute motion
that the Rev. Carl McIntire, of the Presbytery of New Jersey, be
appointed to confer with the ladies of the Women's Missionary
Societies with reference to having a common meeting place for
these two groups next year. The motion was regularly seconded and
passed.
The Rev. Peter F. Wall, of the Presbytery of Iowa, moved that the
Synod adjourn until 2 P.M.
The session was closed with prayer by the Rev. D. Jorgensen, of
the Presbytery of New Jersey.
November 16, Afternoon Session
The Synod was convened with prayer by the Rev. A. A. McRae, of
the Presbytery of the Philadelphia Area.
The Moderator appointed the Rev. A. A. McRae, of the Presbytery
of the Philadelphia Area, as the acting Moderator.
It was regularly moved, seconded, and passed that the Rev. C. G.
Taggart, and the Rev. G. W. Toms, of the Eastern Conference of
the Methodist Protestant Church, be received as corresponding
members.
It was regularly moved, seconded, and passed that the Rev. A. L.
Lathom be received as a corresponding member.
The Rev. J. U. S. Toms, of the Presbytery of New Jersey,
continued the report of the Committee on Resolutions, submitting
Resolution 4 as follows: That the second General Council on
Resolutions, submitting the wisdom and love of God in all His
dealings, records it sorrow at the departure from this world of
the Rev. Colin C. Weir, of Wilmington, Del., a member of the
Presbytery of the Philadelphia Area, and its loss of his wisdom,
sympathy, and services; and that the Clerk of the Synod be
instructed to write a letter conveying our sympathy to his widow
and children.
It was moved by the Rev. E. A. Dillard of the Presbytery of the
Philadelphia Area that the report be adopted as a whole as
amended.
The Rev. R. L. Harris, of the Presbytery of the Philadelphia
Area, reported for the committee to audit the books of the
treasurer of the Committee on National Missions. The report is
attached as paper E. It was moved by the Rev. M. A. Pearson, of
the Presbytery of Iowa, that the report be adopted as read.
Motion was regularly seconded and passed.
It was moved by the Rev. M. A. Pearson, of the Presbytery of
Iowa, that this Synod refrain from further consideration of the
Book of Discipline, and that as it now stands the Book be
provisionally adopted until the next General Synod. The motion
was regularly seconded and passed.
It was moved by the Rev. H. McA. Griffiths, of the Presbytery of
the Philadelphia Area, that the Clerk of Synod by instructed to
have printed and distributed additional copies of the Book of
Discipline to all ministers and churches. Motion seconded and
passed.
It was moved by the Rev. M. A. Pearson, of the Presbytery of
Iowa, that the Rev. H. McA. Griffiths be appointed to convene the
Committee on National Missions. Motion seconded and passed.
It was moved by the Rev. H. McA. Griffiths of the Presbytery of
the Philadelphia Area that the Committee on National Missions be
authorized to function ad interim of the Synod meetings, to
receive and disburse moneys for the promotion of the church, with
power, at its discretion, to appoint a field secretary. The
motion was seconded. An amendment was moved by the Rev. M. A.
Pearson, of the Presbytery of Iowa, that the Committee on
National Missions also be empowered provisionally to fix the
boundaries of existing presbyteries, and to report to the next
General Synod. The amendment was regularly seconded and passed.
The motion as amended was passed.
The Rev. J. W. Hanna, of the Presbytery of the Great Lakes,
reported for the Committee on National Missions, that the Rev. J.
A. VanGorkom should be enrolled as a member of Synod, having been
accepted by the Committee on National Missions.
The Rev. VanGorkom was received by the Moderator, and spoke
briefly.
The Rev. Carl McIntire, of the Presbytery of New Jersey, reported
concerning his conference with the officers of the Women's
Missionary Society Conference. They suggested that three women
and two men meet and report later in the evening, giving their
recommendation as to a suitable place and time for a joint
meeting of the Synod and their conference next year. It was moved
by the Rev. J. U. S. Toms that we appoint a committee to act for
the Synod in this matter, the committee to announce their
decision to the members of the Synod at a later time, said
committee to consist of the ministers: Laird, H. S.,
Philadelphia; Young, G. D., Philadelphia; McIntire, Carl, New
Jersey. The motion was regularly seconded and passed.
The Rev. F. A. Schaeffer, Jr., of the Presbytery of the Great
Lakes, reported for the Committee on Communications. Concerning
Paper B the following resolution was submitted: That this Synod
forward the following communication to the Rev. W. O. H. Garman,
chairman of the Committee of the Ohio Regional Conference of the
Fundamental Churches of America, Wilkinsburg, Pa.: "We appreciate
your offer of fellowshipping together with us and trust this may
be realized from time to time. We hope that individual ministers,
churches, and presbyteries may find opportunity for profitable
conference, and since you speak for a regional unit, we suggest
your writing to the stated clerk of our unit geographically
corresponding, namely, the Great Lakes Presbytery, the stated
clerk being the Rev. A. J. Koonce, Enon Vallay, Pa." On motion of
Ruling Elder Peter Stam, Jr., of the Presbytery of Chicago, the
recommendation was adopted as read. Motion seconded and passed.
Question of Letters
Concerning paper C, communication from Covenant Presbyterian
Church of Grove City, Pa., the committee submitted a report. On
motion of the Rev. H. McA. Griffiths, of the Presbytery of the
Philadelphia Area, the following was submitted as a substitute
for the committee's report: That the session of the communicating
church be informed that since a church letter is an expression of
fellowship, we answer the questions of the Covenant Presbyterian
Church as follows:
1. Question: Should a particular church of the Bible Presbyterian
Church send a letter to the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., in
behalf of a member who desires to affiliate with this body we
believe to be apostate? Answer: No.
2. Question: Should church letters be granted to other
denominations which are controlled by Modernists? Answer: No.
3. Question: If church letters should not be granted to
denominations which are controlled by Modernists, what rule is to
be used to judge whether a denomination is in that category?
Answer: Consult the Word of God, and the provisions of our Form
of Government, Chapter 2, Sections 3 and 4, which are an
expression of the Word.
The Rev. H. McA. Griffiths, of the Presbytery of the Philadelphia
Area, reported for the committee on sending another fraternal
delegate to the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. The following
recommendations were submitted:
Southern Church
1. The General Synod expresses its sincere regret at the decision
of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. in
declining to receive the fraternal delegate from our church, and
expresses its willingness again to consider exchanging fraternal
delegates, if our brethren of the South desire to reopen the
matter.
2. The committee be continued to consider possible action in case
the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. desires to reopen the matter.
3. It was moved by the Rev. A. A. McRae, of the Presbytery of the
Philadelphia Area, that the report be adopted. Motion was
regularly seconded and passed.
It was moved, seconded, and passed that the Rev. Merril T.
MacPherson, of the Church of the Open Door, Philadelphia, be
received as a corresponding member.
The Committee on Resolutions presented these further resolutions:
Christian Beacon
1. That this General Synod express its gratitude and sincere
thanks to the staff of the Christian Beacon for their devoted
service in making this paper possible. We thank God for the
establishment of the Christian Beacon and the news of the Bible
Presbyterian Church contained therein.
Resolution was adopted on regular motion, seconded, and passed.
2. That this General Synod express its hearty thanks to the
session and trustees and the women of the Bible Presbyterian
Church of Collingswood for the cordial hospitality received. We
thankfully acknowledge God's blessing and grace on this meeting
of Synod.
Resolution was adopted on regular motion, seconded, and passed.
It was moved by the Rev. D. K. Myers, of the Presbytery of the
Great Plains that the quorum of the Committee on National
Missions be set at three (3). Motion was seconded and passed.
It was moved by Ruling Elder Peter Stam, Jr., of the Presbytery
of Chicago, that, if there be not enough to pay the full
traveling expenses of the delegates to the Synod, the amount on
hand be prorated according to the amount expended by each
commissioner submitting a report, with the understanding that the
Committee may use their discretion in any cases of special need.
Motion was seconded and passed.
The minutes of the session of Synod of November 16, 1639, were
read. With certain minor deletions they were accepted as
corrected. Regularly moved, seconded, and passed.
At 6 P.M. it was moved that the Synod be dissolved. The vote to
dissolve the Synod having been taken, the Moderator offered
prayer, and then said: "Let this Synod now be dissolved, and I do
hereby dissolve it, and require another General Synod,
constituted according to the Form of Government of this church,
to be held at a place and time to be chosen by the committee on
next place of meeting."
While standing, the members sang the Doxology in praise to
Almighty God from hearts full of gratitude for His blessing.
Respectfully submitted.
G. Douglas Young (Signed)
Paper A
DOCKET
SECOND GENERAL SYNOD
of the
BIBLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
November 14, 15, 16, 1939
held in
Bible Presbyterian Church of Collingswood
Haddon Avenue and Cuthbert Boulevard
Collingswood, New Jersey
Tuesday - November 14
| 2 p.m. | - | Service of Worship with Sermon by the Moderator
of the First General Synod - The Rev. J. U.
Selwyn Toms
Observance of the Lord's Supper |
| 3.30 | - | Recess |
| 3.45 | - | Election of Moderator, Clerk, and Other Business |
| 8 p.m. | - | Popular Meeting for Evangelism
Dr. D. C. Chapin, Presiding Dr. Harold S. Laird, Speaker |
Wednesday - November 15
| 9.30 a.m. | - | Devotional Service led by the Rev. Joseph F. Misicka |
| 9.45 | - | Consideration of the Book of Discipline |
| 11.00 | - | Prayer Meeting led by the Rev. M. Nelson Buffler |
| 11.30 | - | Continuation of Consideration of the Book of Discipline |
| 2.00 p.m. | - | Reports and Testimonies of Commissioners |
| 3.00 | - | Popular Bible Study led by the Rev. C. D. Chrisman |
| 3.45 | - | Continuation of Reports and Testimonies |
| 7.45 p.m. | - | Classes of the School of Missions of the Collingswood Church |
| 8.00 | - | Popular Meeting for Missions
Dr. H. McAllister Griffiths, Presiding Rev. Alonzo D. Hitchcock, Speaker |
Thursday - November 16
| 9.30 a.m. | - | Devotional Service led by the Rev. Lebron-Velazquez |
| 9.45 | - | Reports of National Missions Committee |
| 11.00 | - | Prayer Meeting led by the Rev. Henry G. Welbon |
| 11.30 | - | Miscellaneous Business and Adjournment |
| 2.00 p.m. | - | Women's Missionary Conference |
| 7.30 p.m. | - | Popular Meeting under Auspices of Women's
Missionary Conference
Rev. Edgar Archer Dillard, Speaker |
Paper B
The Ohio Regional Conference
The Fundamental Churches of America, Wilkinsburg, Pa.
October 26, 1939
The Bible Presbyterian Church
c/o The Moderator,
Collingswood, N. J.
Dear Brethren:
Greetings and Christian felicitations from your brethren in the
Ohio Regional Conference, Independent Fundamental Churches of
America, meeting in the Callender Memorial Church, Wilkinsburg,
Pa.
We have followed with prayer ful interest the portrayal of your
experiences as recounted in the Christian Beacon and other
papers. Our hearts were made glad by your refusal to compromise
your testimony and by your unswerving loyalty to the Lord Jesus
Christ and the Word of God which to us has been one of the bright
spots in these dark days of apostacy and rampant modernism.
One thing that no doubt lies heavy upon the hearts of all of us
is that our fundamental brethren withdrawing from their
denominational affiliations previously held have been forced by
circumstances to band themselves into so many little groups which
often maintain very little fellowship with each other. The
advisability of more concerted action on the part of all these
groups and a closer fellowship is no doubt apparent to all.
It is our belief that we have something to offer our brethren in
the Bible Presbyterian and Methodist Protestant Churches. The
Independent Fundamental Churches of America is not a denomination
but a fellowship of fundamental brethren. To become affiliated
with us it is by no means necessary to sever denominational ties.
In fact many of our members are in denominational churches. If
you are at all inclined toward the idea of bringing these three
groups together for the purpose of fellowship we would be most
happy to go into this matter with your representatives. But it
should be clear to all that we are not asking the Bible
Presbyterian or the Methodist Protestants to relinquish their
denominational identity, nor are we suggesting organic union. We
are though asking that you as a denomination consider the
advisability of having the three groups mentioned get together
occasionally for a joint conference. Also we wish to extend a
hearty invitation to the members of the Bible Presbyterian Church
to become affiliated with The Independent Churches of America. We
would be honored most highly to have such loyal saints of God in
our fellowship.
Praying God's richest blessing upon you in these dark days of
your trial of faith, we are,
Your brethren in Christ
The Ohio Regional Conference,
Independent Fundamental Churches of America
Paul M. Coll
Vice President.
W. O. H. Garman
Chairman, Committee
Paper C
COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The Bible Presbyterian Church
of Grove City, Pennsylvania
Rev. Francis A. Schaeffer, Pastor
November 11, 1939
Dr. H. McAllister Griffiths
Clerk of General Synod
The Bible Presbyterian Church
Dear Dr. Griffiths:
The Session of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, The Bible
Presbyterian Church of Grove City, hereby requests the General
Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church to give a direct ruling on
the following questions:
1.-Should particular churches of the Bible Presbyterian Church
send a Church letter to a Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. in behalf
of a member who desires to affiliate with this body that we
believe to be apostate?
2.-Should Church letters be granted to other denominations which
are controlled by Modernists?
3.-If church letters should not be granted to denominations which
are controlled by Modernists what rule is to be used to judge
whether a denomination is in that category?
| Signed |
| Fred G. Hall | F. A. Schaeffer, Jr. |
| Clerk of Session | Moderator of Session |
Paper E
Report of the Committee Auditing the Books of the Treasurer of
the National Missions Committee.
1. It is the pleasure of the auditing committee to report that
the figures shown in the Treasurer's book from November, 1938, to
and including October, 1939, are correct and that the balances
shown are true.
2. The committee respectfully suggests that hereafter the
Treasurer may also note the designations specified by donors as
well as the fact that certain funds were specifically given. It
is also suggested that for a complete audit the cancelled checks
should accompany the books.
3. For the information of the Synod the Committee submits the
following abstract of the Treasurer's figures:
| Receipts as follows: | |||
| Gifts from Church A. . . . . | $2383.30 | ||
| Gifts from Church B. . . . . | 275.00 | ||
| Gifts from Church C. . . . . | 175.00 | ||
| Personal & Miscellaneous | 84.05 | ||
| Total. . . . . . . | $2917.35 | ||
| Disbursements as follows: | |||
| To Pastor A. . . . . . . . . | $660.02 | ||
| To Pastor B. . . . . . . . . | 150.00 | ||
| To Pastor C. . . . . . . . . | 399.96 | ||
| To Pastor D. . . . . . . . . | 958.41 | ||
| To Pastor E. . . . . . . . . | 300.00 | ||
| To Pastor F. . . . . . . . . | 150.00 | ||
| To Pastor G. . . . . . . . . | 60.00 | ||
| Misc. Office Expense | 11.90 | ||
| Total | 2690.29 | ||
| Balance. . . . | $227.06 |
Certified. . . .
The Auditing Committee 11/16/39.
P. W. Edwards
R. Laird Harris