Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church was the scene of the Mass Meeting on April 30. A rather large crowd of young people turned out for an enjoyable evening of Christian fellowship. The evening of fellowship served to strengthen the unique prominence of unity which is prevalent among our Protestant Reformed young people. As an occasion of this type is not only a Christian duty but also a very distinct privilege, we may well urge the continued attendance at such meetings.

Tom Newhof opened the meeting with prayer and then led in the singing of several Psalter numbers. After the reading of Ephesians 4:1-16, the King’s Ambassadors sang two selections: “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord” and “I Want My Life To Tell.”

The speaker for the evening was Rev. H. Hanko. Rev. Hanko chose The Unity of the Church for the subject of his speech. He dealt with the subject under three aspects: What it is, How it has been manifested in the past, and How it has been preserved today. The following is a brief synopsis of his speech:

We believe in one Holy Catholic Church. The Church is one because it belongs to Christ. The unity of the Church is not external, but is spiritual. However, a problem arises here because of the fact that saints exist in churches which do not possess the truth as we do. Nevertheless, it is possible for unity to exist because the life which is in Christ becomes the life of the Church. The fulfillment of the unity will be accomplished at the final return of Christ and nothing can ever affect it. This unity is manifested in the confession of the

truth of Scripture and thus becomes evident to the world.

Since God establishes and maintains the fundamental unity, we never need concern ourselves about it. However, there are many who oppose the truth and the unity, thus a “split” within a denomination does not promote a lack of unity, but instead reveals that a lack of unity was present. Mere external unity never establishes real unity.

Although in the past the saints often had to fight bitterly because of their common confession, God always preserved his faithful “seven thousand.” The Church has always been a militant Church.

We, as Protestant Reformed youth, have the purest manifestation of the truth. As we are one with the Church of all ages, we have a great heritage and must strive to keep it. Although God establishes and maintains the fundamental unity, we must strive to achieve the institutional unity of the Church. This can never be done by compromising with and joining other denominations, but only by remaining within the Protestant Reformed Churches.

During recess, refreshments were served. After recess a debate was given on the subject: Resolved, That We as Protestant Reformed Young People Should Take an Active Part in Politics. Ken Schipper and Dave Engelsma were the affirmative speakers and Karlene Oomkes and Henrietta Poelstra the negative speakers. After a quintet of girls from Adams St. School favored us with a song, we sang several Psalter numbers and Rev. Schipper closed with prayer. The Mass Meeting was over.