April 4 Today in OPC History

On April 4, 1964, Raymond Zorn, the stated clerk of the Reformed Churches of New Zealand (RCNZ) wrote the Thirty-first (1964) General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) that was set to convene on April 28. Mr. Zorn expressed the deep gratitude that the RCNZ had for the OPC’s “clear and uncompromising stand for the Reformed faith in your part of the world in a day when declension from the Faith and apostasy seem to threaten from all quarters.” Mr. Zorn then thanked the Assembly for its sending the Rev. Thomas Tyson, “who makes the third to join us in the world we are doing here in seeking to establish a faithful Reformed testimony in this distant part of the Lord’s vineyard.” The other two ministers from the OPC who had joined the RCNZ to help the mission were Mr. Zorn himself and G.I. Williamson. Mr. Zorn also thanked the Assembly that Committee on Foreign Missions General Secretary John Galbraith was planning on visiting in late August. Mr. Zorn stated, “His coming, we feel sure, will do much, not only to strengthen the mutual ties that exist between us in the Reformed faith, but will moreover do much to quicken the interest of our churches in our mutual missionary endeavor.” He then closed, “Be assured of our prayers that our Saviour and King of the Church will bless and guide you in all your deliberations in order that all the business of your Assembly may rebound to the glory of our Triune God.”

Picture: Ray and Edith Zorn