One reward that comes from researching and writing these posts is the discovery of details previously unknown to the writer. Plus, with having to find something attached to a given date, we are often prompted to address people or events that we might have otherwise overlooked. Today we have one such example.
The name of George S. Christian shows up a few times among the collections preserved at the PCA Historical Center, and I’ve often thought of trying to find out a bit more about him. We have no known photographs of him, and from the few writings and items of correspondence that we have, there is enough to spark some interest and make us wish we knew more about the man. George Spaulding Christian was born in Philadelphia, PA, on April 16, 1917. He completed his undergraduate education at both Lehigh University and the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1941. From there, he next attended the Princeton Theological Seminary, 1941-43, and completed his seminary education at Faith Theological Seminary, graduating with the Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1947. A gap in the biographical record may indicate a term of military service during the years 1943-1945. Further work was completed at Westminster Theological Seminary, where he earned the Th.M. degree in 1951.
Rev. Christian was ordained by the Presbytery of New Jersey (BPC) in June of 1948, but there is no record at hand as to where he might have served from 1948 until 1951, when he was called to serve as pastor of the Faith Presbyterian Church of Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania. This was an unaffiliated church, one of many which seemed to hover in the Bible Presbyterian orbit, but which never formally became part of the Bible Presbyterian Church. George served this church from 1951 until 1957. Then on April 23 of 1957, he transferred his credentials into the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, being received by their Presbytery of New Jersey.
Again, the available record has a gap from 1957 to 1959. Leaving pulpit ministry for a time, he worked as an instructor at the Bell Telephone Laboratories from 1959 to 1965. The time from 1966 to 1983 is also lost to our record, but in 1984 Rev. Christian returned to pulpit ministry with a call to serve as teaching minister at the Emmanual Presbyterian church (OPC) in Morristown, New Jersey. He remained at this point until 1991, at which time we presume he retired. George breathed his last and entered glory on February 26, 2008, at the age of 90.
Words to Live By: To quote George Christian: “From the writings of Charles Hodge, revered spiritual father of us all, let us see the significance of subscribing to the Westminster Confession of Faith ‘as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures.’ Let us see reflected herein the answer which centuries of Presbyterian history gave to this question. Let us look into a matter settled long ago, a matter which admits of no question, of no doubt.”
It was said that in most colonial homes in America, Presbyterians owned at least several books for use by and for their families. The first one was, of course, the Bible. And contrary to many expectations, that Bible version was not the King James Version, but rather the Genevan Bible. Remember, the King James version was introduced because of the Reformed foot notes of the Genevan Bible. That introduction was marked by mistakes, such as the inclusion of the Apocrypha into the first edition of the King James Version. It was left out in the second edition, and indeed, to cause people to buy it, the printer of the version placed on the flyleaf “Authorized Version.” All these caused the many Presbyterian and Reformed Christians to bring the Genevan edition to the shores of America.
A second book essential for early American immigrants was the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms. These were studied in many a home, with catechetical instruction and memorization being part and parcel of family devotions.
Another important book was Thomas Boston’s “Four-fold Nature of Man.” This was clear theology as it explained the state of innocency, the state of sin, the state of salvation, and the state of glorification.
A fourth book would be a commentary, such as Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible. This would enable the husband and father of the home to explain the Word of God in daily devotions to the family members gathered morning and night.
Last, a history book of the church to explain God’s providential ways in the church in the past was helpful to remind the church members of what had been done by the Lord of history, and what could be expected by the Lord to extend His church in the present age.
In light of the existence of this last book in colonial homes, this contributor would like to recommend to our readers the importance of having the book by Henry Alexander White, entitled “Southern Presbyterian Leaders 1683 – 1911” in their homes. Reprinted by the Banner of Truth Trust, White’s book does an excellent job of making his readers familiar with the rich heritage of southern Presbyterian leaders. Since all of the conservative Presbyterian and Reformed churches have significant churches and leaders today in the South, his roll call of men, movements, and events cannot be surpassed today. So felt Dr. Henry White, when in his preface written on April 15, 1911, “the work and character of Presbyterian people of our Southern Commonwealth” must be known by all Christian Presbyterians. Therefore, it is recommended that you purchase this book for your home libraries to know and understand the past great people in the southern church. As we see what make them the men and women of their day and age, it will help us to follow their example of commitment to the Word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ.
Words to Live By: Remember Joshua in obedience to the Lord placed stones on the banks of the Jordan to not forget the Lord’s power in enabling Israel to pass by faith that seeming obstacle into the promised land, so we need to be reminded of those who have gone before so that we can by faith successfully confront anyone or anything who and which might confront us today.
It seems every generation experiences at least one major catastrophe which, for that generation, defines our nation’s character and conduct. That tragedy then can be seen to offer spiritual lessons about life in general.
Back in the early nineties of the last century, most of our readers can remember what they were doing when the Twin Towers in New York City were destroyed by two planes under the control of Islamic terrorists.
Before that, many of our readers can relate exactly where they were when an assassin killed President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas in the early part of the nineteen sixties.
In 1912, an unthinkable catastrophe happened on April 14 when an ocean liner named the Titanic sunk while on her maiden voyage, with the loss of over a thousand of her passengers. The ship was supposed to be unsinkable, with one construction expert going so far as to make the foolish claim that God Himself couldn’t sink her. But it did sink when it struck an iceberg. And as you might expect, all over this land ministers took to their pulpits to reflect on this terrible loss of life.
One such minister was the Presbyterian pastor of Washington Heights Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., the Rev. William D Moss. The latter preached on the tragedy, using a text from Psalm 29:3 “The voice of the Lord is upon the waters.”
His message spoke of the common responses of blaming this and that for this terrible tragedy. Was the cause the builders who constructed the great ship? Was it an Old World government that failed to properly govern the laws for ships in a new century? Could business corporations be held responsible, when they vie with other corporations for supremacy of the ocean? Are there individuals who should be held responsible, such as the president of the company, or the captain of the great vessel herself? Even back then, people were quick to blame other people.
In the studied conclusion of this particular Presbyterian minister, the loss of this great ocean liner ultimately came down to a matter of speed, the necessity of traveling faster and faster from one location to another. There was no stopping or slowing down, even as the great vessel entered into an area of icebergs. After all, nothing could sink her, or so they thought.
And then the Rev William D. Ross spread out the sin of speed in people’s lives, speaking to the spiritual needs of his own congregation, sparing no one, even including the teaching elders of many a congregation in our land in his aim. Ross’s words particular regarding pastors provide a terrible description of many ministers of our age as well. Consider his words:
“The minister of religion who thinks more of members than individual souls, who makes speed to add names to a church register, caring less that they also be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life; anxious that respectable individuals be chronicled in his yearly report; and caring less to how dividends are raised or to what object they are contributed; content when the wheels of ecclesiastical machinery go smoothly around, even if tradition usurps the place of the Cross in homes and hearts under his care; who is ambitious merely for his own church and denomination and hesitates not to have success through the depletion of other religious institutions about him – that man is an individual who has also claimed that he has looked upon Calvary! And he is the land equivalent in daily life of this tragedy on the ocean.”
Other callings in one’s life receive the minister’s application as well in words equally convicting. You can read the entire sermon online, for those of our readers who are interested [though this is a rather poor scan of the document and somewhat difficult to read]. But let us, who look upon unthinkable catastrophes in life—and this is our Words to Live By— remember there are no accidents within the framework of God’s sovereign rule over earth. He either decrees or permits them for His own glory and our good. We do well to heed them in our lives, for His glory and our good. In all things seek to make the Lord your God the center of your life, and all else will fall into its proper place.
THE SCHOOL & FAMILY CATECHIST by Rev. William Smith (1834)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism Q. 94. What is baptism?
A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.
EXPLICATION.
Baptism. –This word properly signifies washing, sprinkling, or pouring out, for the purpose of cleansing.
Washing with water. –This points out the cleansing efficacy or power of the blood and Spirit of Christ; for, as water cleanses the body, so the blood of Christ purifies the soul from sin, when it is applied to the conscience of the sinner, by the Holy Spirit, in the exercise of true and saving faith, on the part of the former.
In the name of the Father, &c. –This signifies, not only, that we are baptized by the authority of the glorious Three-one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; but that, in this ordinance, we are solemnly dedicated or given up to him as our God and everlasting portion, and that we profess, and are bound, to be his servants for ever.
Signify and seal. –Point out, and make sure, in the same manner as a seal fixed to a writing, confirms the deed contained in it, and makes it binding in point of law.
Our ingrafting into Christ. –Our close and intimate union to Christ, here pointed out by the figure of ingrafting branches into a tree.
Partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace. –Sharing in the blessings and privileges of the gospel of Christ, such as the pardon of our sins, the sanctification of our natures, and such like.
Our engagement to be the Lord’s. –Our making a solemn promise, by which we seriously bind, or give up, ourselves to the service of Christ, and to remain always at his disposal and direction.
ANALYSIS.
In this answer we learn six things concerning the nature of baptism :
1. That it is a sacrament, or religious ceremony, in which washing with water is used. –Acts x. 47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized.
2. That this washing with water is in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. –Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
3. That this washing signifies our ingrafting into Christ. –Rom. vi. 3. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death. –Gal. iii. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.
4. That it is also intended to point out our partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace. –1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, –and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
5. That it is also significant of our engagement to be the Lord’s. –Rom. vi. 4. We are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
6. That this washing with water, not only signifies our partaking of these benefits, and our being thus engaged to be the Lord’s, but it also seals, or ratifies and confirms the whole. –Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had.
Lastly, a little extra something today, sent along by my co-author, Rev. David T. Myers, courtesy of Mary Spraitzer:
How the Virus Stole Easter By Kristi Bothur [With a nod to Dr. Seuss 😊]
Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land. People were sick, hospitals full, Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.
As winter gave way to the promise of spring, The virus raged on, touching peasant and king. People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen. They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.
April approached and churches were closed. “There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed. “There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out. No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.”
Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest. The world was focused on masks and on tests. “Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed. “Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.”
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went. The virus pressed on; it just would not relent. The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed. The virus still menaced, the people, estranged.
“Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling. “They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming. “They’re just waking up! We know just what they’ll do! Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo.
“That noise,” said the world, “will be something to hear.” So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear. And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies. It started down low, then it started to rise.
But the sound wasn’t depressed. Why, this sound was triumphant! It couldn’t be so! But it grew with abundance!
The world stared around, popping its eyes. Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise! Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small, Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all! It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same! And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine Stood puzzling and puzzling. “Just how can it be?” “It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies, It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.”
Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before. “Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.” And what happened then?
Well….the story’s not done. What will YOU do? Will you share with that one Or two or more people needing hope in this night?
Will you share the source of your life in this fight? The churches are empty – but so is the tomb, And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom. So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer, As the virus still rages all around, everywhere. May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people.
May the world see the church is not a building or steeple. May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, May the world find Joy in a time of dejection. May 2020 be known as the year of survival, But not only that – Let it start a revival.
One hundred seventy years ago, Presbyterian congregations were largely ignorant of the Church’s own Standards. Are we much better off today?Witness this quote from 1840:
“The Presbyterian Board of Publication have issued a correct edition of the Confession of Faith, and they are now selling it at the lowest possible rate, without any regard for pecuniary profit ; their principal aim being to circulate it widely through the Church.—It will be readily admitted that every Presbyterian should be at least partially acquainted with the standards of his own church, and yet how many are there who have never made these the subject of a days study? It is wholly inexcusable in pastors to have families under their care who are not provided with the Confession, especially when a little exertion on their part, might supply the defect. Will not Pastors and Sessions at once resolve that every family in the Presbyterian Church in the United States shall, before the expiration of two years, be provided with the Confession of Faith of our Church?”
[excerpted from The Charleston Observer 14.8 (11 April 1840): 2, col. 3.]
And on that note, let me next direct you to an article written a few years ago by my friend Barry Waugh. All through 2017, Mr. Waugh was writing a monthly article for his church’s website, in observation of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. His entry for the month of April that year was on the importance of catechism for the Reformation. He began:—
The books that would most likely come to mind for those with some knowledge of the literature of the Reformation might be Martin Luther’s The Bondage of the Will, his translation of the Bible into German, or his work on the New Testament book of Galatians. In the case of John Calvin one might think of Institutes of the Christian Religion, which was published in several editions and languages, or possibly his commentaries on many of the books of Scripture would come to mind. These works by both Luther and Calvin were written primarily for ministers, teachers, and those involved in the debates about doctrine in their era, but one of the most influential types of publications for reform was the catechism. The word “catechism” comes from the Greek language and it describes a text used for oral instruction which most often followed a question and answer format to teach essentials. In conjunction with Bibles translated into the common languages of the nations, catechisms were used to train believers in the fundamentals of faith, salvation, and Christian living. In the picture accompanying this article, Martin Luther is teaching his catechism to children in a classroom to provide them with doctrinal instruction.
In 1529, Martin Luther wrote his small catechism. It was a simple edition that included among its subjects the Ten Commandments, Apostles’ Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, other prayers including one for grace at the table, and some additional important topics for Christians. In his preface, Luther said that he wrote the catechism because during a visitation of churches in area towns he found that the people knew “nothing about Christian doctrine” and even some of the pastors were “quite unfit and incompetent to teach.” He encouraged ministers to use the catechism to teach adults but “especially … the young.” Luther’s catechism provided a concise and simple way to bring reform to a considerable portion of the people. The doctrine in Luther’s catechism is not in full agreement with that of Presbyterians today, so it is not the best source for teaching their children. In the Presbyterian Church in America (P.C.A.), the catechisms composed by the Westminster Assembly provide essential truths. However, Luther’s catechism is historically important because it provided basic instruction for the people, and it was the first catechism written by a married former Catholic priest who had children that could learn from its teaching.
Family & Private Daily Scripture Readings, Morning and Evening: