The Mbuma Society in Holland supports no other church in mission work, except the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. I understand that the reason for this is the confidence that they have in her, as a “sending church.” The people at the annual meeting are of one mind with the committee on this matter. There is on their part first “a willing mind” (2 Cor. 8:12). The committee have a great responsibility. On the secretary, Mr Post, and the treasurer, Mr Reijers, falls the burden of organising the “mission day” meeting. Then, outside of the committee, there is Mr Barth for one example, who spends all his free time sorting out used clothing donated by friends for Rhodesia. The labour expended on this well-intended venture by many other men and women, whom we do not know, is tremendous. Their “willingness” is demonstrated both by their support of the Free Presbyterian Church for the past 15 years and their having contributed by varied efforts over £70,000 for the collection taken on the 1st of May, 1978. This is not the total sum contributed during the year. This “willingness” is partly due to their persuasion that the missionary work they support (i.e. Free Presbyterian) is being carried out according to the pattern of Scripture. Ought we not to believe, undoubtedly, that God is providentially at the back of this movement working by the power of His Spirit? If He is, we should praise His name.
My own opinion is not based on the largeness, or the breadth, or the quantity of the work done. It is great in our estimation here in Scotland, but in Holland, the work of this Society is small when compared with that of other Societies there, and the numbers that support them. This Society with their beliefs and practice, are despised by the bulk of professed Christians in Holland. This, I believe, in our day speaks for itself. Thus it was that in Nehemiah’s day his work was despised but that did not mean that the work of Nehemiah was insignificant.
If this is God’s work, should not the thought encourage us to pray that he would preserve the remnant in Rhodesia that fear His name; that when the heathen rage, He would frustrate their evil designs, and that He would do “signs and wonders in the name of His holy child Jesus” in that far-off land (Acts 4:25-30). We should also pray that the ministers and elders who make up the mission Committee in Holland, would be encouraged in the face of opposition, and disappointments, to continue with the work if that is God’s will, in His strength. “Even the youths shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40).
Oh guard against declension in prayer: let there be no distance between God and thy soul . . . Regard that as injurious which touches the devotional fame of your mind; which abridges the hour of prayer, and removes the fine edge of its holy enjoyment.
Octavius Winslow.