Kuyper College - Echo Yearbook (Grand Rapids, MI)

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The Passion for Perfection Michael Angelo QI475-l564j was one of the greatest genii of history-a famous painter. sculptor, architect, and poet. One of his patrons was a prince who ordered a marble bust of himself. The work proceeded slowly. After making a number of weekly visits to the sculptor's studio, the prince expressed dissatisfaction with the almost imperceptible progress that was being made. He asked what had been clone since his last visit. The artist pointed to certain new lines and refinements, but the prince exclaimed they were but trifles. Michael Angelo replied: Tr1'f1c.s make IJ6'l'ff't'l'I'lllI, but jlerfeclzinz is no fI'lifff'.U His pas- sion for perfection made him the great sculptor he was known to be. This is the Jassion we advise 'ou Graduates to cultivate. The reason is not that it mav brine you . . . 7 ,D . . .. f . , a f fame, but rather that it is Jleasinv to God and the wav to greatest usefulness in the Ismvclom ol Cod. D , U I1 Our Lord said to his disciples: Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly I-'ather is perfect fMatthew 5:-185. Paul exclaims: Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if' so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus fPhilippians 3:l2j. Jesus knew and Paul knew that perfection is beyond our reach in this lile. lVe know it too, The more earnestly we strive for it, the more clearly we shall realize our imperfections. But God wants us to strive for what is far beyond the possibility of attainment knowing that the higher we aim the higher the mark which we reach. Besides, because he is Cod he has the right to require that we shall aspire to that high degree of excellence for which he made man in his own image. Wfe should cultivate the passion for perfection first of all with reference to our personal life as Christ- ians. What we are will always be even more important in the eyes of God, and even of those with whom we live and labor, than what we do as our life's task. Men will remember our example longer than our words of instruction, exhortation, or consolation. Our Hrst duty in life is to strive ceaselessly to become better Christians. YfVe shall make indifferent headway in this unless we aim at nothing less than perfection. We know we shall fall far short of the ideal but the more earnestly we strive to reach that goal the closer we shall approach it. Aim for the mountain-tops aucl you will reach the tree-tops. Michael Angelo's saying is a worthy motto in our daily work as well as in our spiritual lile. IVhitt- ever is worth doing is worth doing well, according to a familiar adage. From Cod's point of view there are no trifles in any one's life or work. For whatsoever we do, says Paul, let Us do it all to the glory of God. Anything that can glorify God cannot be insignificant. In God's marvelous work of creation there are no trivial, unimportant things. He made all things. even the very smallest, in accordance with the standard of absolute perfection. And Cod saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. Let us strive to be imitators of God by doing all our work to the very best of our ability, remembering that triHes makes perfection and that perfection is no trifle. It's the finishing touches that make a thing beautiful, whether it be a poem. a letter, a lesson, or only the sewing of a button on a garment. There are loud complaints nowadays about slovenly work in factories, offices, and other places of employment. There is little pride of workmanship in this age of mass production. Employers complain bitterly sometimes about the poor letters which clerks often write, the careless way they hle documents. or their inaccuracy in keeping track of figures or reading proofs. Are these routine matters important? Of course. Life is made up to a very large extent of little things. If we do not try to do them well, little of what we do will be well clone. Michael Angelo is recognized as one of the most illustrious men in all history. But from God's point of view your life and mine may be just as fruitful as his. He was chiseling into cold marble his conception of the prince who was his patron. If we are Christians we are reproducing in our life and work the image - a living one - of the Lord Iesus Christ. I'Ve must have a passion for perfection if we would have Christ see in us a faint reflection of himself. Let us remember the words of Paul: but one thing I do . . . I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus QPhilippians ?i:l3a, l-lb. Remember also the motto: TriHes make perfection, but perfection is no trifle. HENRY II. KVIPER Presidewzt of life Hfmnl Pave Fic r en 5

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Page Te? Reformed Bible Institute Board Members Rev. H. Kuiper CPresidentj , 2-101 Paris Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids 7, Michigan Rev, XVIII. Van Peursem QVice-presidentj 1271 Lee Street, SAV., Grand Rapids 9, Michigan Miss Gertrude Haan, tSecretaryj, 1-133 Thomas Street, SE., Grand Rapids 6, Michigan Mr. john XV. Dykstra t'I7reasurerj, 1118 Griggs Street, Grand Rapids 7, Michigan Mr. John Afnian 7-100 S. Lowe Avenue, Chicago 21. Illinois Mr. David Boyd 333 1Yest 19th Street, Holland, Michigan Dr. George Broodman 1508 Grandville Avenue, SAY., Grand Rapids 51, Michigan Miss Nell De Jonge 1122 Westnedge Avenue. Kalamazoo, Michigan Rev. R. De Ridder 33 Cross Street, Whitinsville, Massachusetts Rev. Donald Drost 389 Allen Aienue, Muskegon, Michigan Rev. Henry N. Erffmeyer 1801 S. hmerson Street, Denver, Colorado Rev. Henry Evenhouse 543 Eastern Avenue, Grand Rapids G, Michigan Mr. Mark Fakkema 10119 Lafayette Avenue, Chicago, Illinoi. Dr. George Goris 29 Kiowa Court, Grandville, Michigan Dr, J. Hoeksema 17139 Bellflower Blvd.. Bellflower. California Rev. Dewey Hoitenga 36-68th Street, SAY.. Grand Rapids 8. Micliigar 'L Dr. Oren Holtrop 262 N. Seventh Street. Paterson 2, New jersey Mr. Bernard Huiner 1433 S. 61st Avenue, Cicero 50, Illinois Mrs. Y. 1N1onsma 7111 Fuller Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids 6, Michigan Rev. Adam Persenaire R. 5, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Mr. George KI. Stob 915 North XVashington Street, 1Vheaton, Illinois Rev. G. H. Vande Riet 617 N. Riverview Drive, Parchment, Kalamazoo 15, Mich Mrs. 1-Q. F. Van Halsema 130 Division Avenue, Hudsonville, Michigan Mr. G. B. Van Heyningen 18006 Escanaba, Lansing, Illinois Rev. F. XV. Van Houten 510 Liberty Street, Lynden, Xvashington Rev. Rolf L. Veenstra 122-1 S, 60th Court. Cicero 50, Illinois Rev. Nelson Veltman 1875 Kalamazoo Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids 7, Michigan Rev. E. Visser 29114 Garlield Avenue, Highland, Indiana

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Page Twelve The Challenge H The Lord has commissioned, Go forward! He challenges us to obey, To publish the way of redemption E'er the coming of night ends the day. The harvest held waits for the reaping, Yet, millions know not about Thee, Lost souls are dying in darkness, Send laborers, Lord, but not me. Lord, I have very few talents, Neither worthy to go am I, My physical strength is deficient, Call others, but please pass me by. Lord, I am not a great speaker, So Thy message I cannot expound Nor can I with beautiful music Thy glory in praises resound. I Lord, I can work in Thy kingdom, But here at home let me stay, For Thee I can witness to others Whom I contact from day to day. There's much for me to do here, Lord, I can pray, I can give, I can teach, What more is expected of me, when Already so many I reach? But I could not elevate my will, Nor frustrate the plan of the Lord, Our God is Sovereign, thus our lives With His will must be in accord. Of no avail were excuses, For now God's longsuffering I see, He worked in my heart until finally I said, 'fLord, I'm ready, send me.' I shall never find deeper contentment Nor satisfaction that can compare With the joy of submission to jesus As in His great mission I share. WILMA VANDER B112 junior