advertisements of his perlormances.

One critic wrote: "An

oratorio either is an act of religion or it is not; if it is, I ask if
the playhouse is a fit temple to perform it in, or a company of
players ... fit ministers of God's Word?" Thirteen years after it
was first performed in London a friend of Handel wroted to
him " ... When in the grand choruses the whole audience
solemnly rose in joint acknowledgement that He who for our
sakes had been despised and rejected of men was their creator,
redeemer, king of Kings, Lord of Lords! To be sure, the
playhouse is an unfit place for such a solemn performance ... "
It was in an atmosphere of doubt that caused Han!iel much
anguish before the first London performance. It had been
initially performed in Dublin ten months prior without
controversy. Handel struggled with the decision to perform it
in London because the oversensitive Bishop of London might
fail to recognize Handel's efforts to distance Messiah from that
vulgar form of entertainment-"Opera". He struggled with the
title. Would it evoke charges of sacrilege?
Christ
College
We believe In the full authority of the Bible as
l!l(]lressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith.
We are Reformed in theology.
We teach a comP.rehenslve Biblical World-view
arising from the historic Biblical Reformed Faith.
God's Word is the foundation of all knowled2e.
We have a high view of God's revealed Moral
Law In both Old and New Covenants.
We believe in the ultimate of God's
Sovereign Grace which will impact tbe world.
We believe In very limited civil government,
a free enterP.rlse economic and
Christian Schooland home-school education.
We offer a Bachelors degree and an Associate
(2-year) degree, with initial in Theology,
Philosophy .I. History, Political Economy, Litera
tore, and Lbrlstian Education.
If you are interested in more information or a Catlalogue,
please write us. We also welcome inquiries concerning
potential fmancial conlnbutions. Write:
Administrative Offices
Christ College
P.O. Box 11135
Lynchburg, Virginia 24506
Christ College does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, or ellmic or national origin.
For the most part on that London premiere night, the listeners
found the music not to their liking, the oratorion, after all,
had no story. The soloists had too little to do and the chorus
too much. It was different and the audience was not ready for
it Yet we are told that at least one person of some
importance was impressed---the King. It was reported that
during the "Hallelujah Chorus" the King was so moved that
he, then the rest of the audience, stood and remained
until the chorus ended.
I think it is fitting to conclude with this anecdote: When a
nobleman complimented Handel on the great entertainment of
Messiah Handel replied, "My Lord, I should be sorry if I only
entertained them; I wished to make them better." By God's
grace, those who believe the message of Messiah will be made
better. Bibliography:
Jacobi, Peter; The Messiah Book; New York: St Martins Pre!is. 1982
Smilb, J.S. and Carlson, B.; A Gift of Music; Westchester, ll.: Crossway
Boolcs. 1978 .Q
You may think that a book about the growth of a coal
company would be uninstructive. Think again.
Otto Scott's recently published (1989) Buried Treasure
diStributed by Ross House Books, P.O. Box 67 Vallecito,
CA. 95251 provides many astute obsetvations and economic
insights for the reader.
Buried Treasure is the story of the formation and growth of
Arch Mineral over a nineteen year period (1969-1988).
Formed in a time when it was very difficult to get into the
coal industry, Arch has grown to a point when it has good
coal reserves, good contracts. for that coal, and employs 3,000
people while providing an excellent return to its investors.
The buried treasure is, of course, coal. Yet there is buried
treasure here for the discerning reader. That treasure is in the
form of economic principles that must not go unnoticed by
the wise.
God's providence is evident in the economic realm. The
company was founded in 1969 in St Louis by Merle Kelce
and Orin Atkins. However much more than two men with a
vision is needed for a company to be successful. Millions of
dollars were needed to buy reserves and set up other aspects of
the operation. Kelce, Atkins, and others had known various
(continued on page 22)
The Counsel of Chalcedon December 1990 Page 15
Apart from murder there are a host of other offences
that are subject to the death penalty: st.rilcfug or
cursing a parent (Christ condemned the scribes and
the Pharisees for setting aside this lawMatthew
15:19); kidnapping; adultery; incest; beastialty;
sodomy; unchastity; rape of a betrothed virgin;
witchcraft; offering human sacrifice; incorrigible
delinquency or habitual criminality; blasphemy;
sabbath desecration; propagation of false doctrines;
sacrificing to false gods; refusing to abide by a court
decision and thus denying the law; and failing to
restore the pledge of .bailment. Capital punishment
for these violations is prescribed m the following
books. and chapters: Exodus 21, 22, 35; Leviticus
20, 24; Numbers 15; Deuteronomy 13, 17, 21, 22,
24; and Ezekiel18. Where this is obeyed, godliness
will rule over ungodliness. Conversely, where this
is not obeyed, ungodliness will plague society.
Contrary to God's word, Satanism is not a crime in
South Mrica! Persons guilty of capital crimes are
not beyond the reach of the Gospel, but the civil
requirement of God's law remains.
Conclusion
Of all the institutions of society, God bas appointed
only the state to wield the sword (Romans 3: 7).
Since God has declared His will finally through His
Son (Hebrews 1:.12), the state is obliged to be
Christian and its first and basic duty is to ensure the
advancement of the kingdom of God by submitting
to the rule of God in His law. Even if the state is not
Christian, the institution must be respected with
obedience which is not in conflict with God's law.
In such circumstances, godly ways must be
employed to establish righteousness in the seat of
authority. In a godly, gospelbelieving
obedient and godly living will be encouraged and
promoted. The emphasis will be to make alive.
Widows, orphans, the poor, the defenceless, the
aged, servants, neighbors; aliens, and strangers will
bless the LORD that it is so! n
Buried Treasure
continued from page 15
bank officers for years in former Past
working contacts became important again as loans could
be negotiated by men on bOth sides of the table who
were familiar with each other. The Hunts and their
investment entered at just the right tilne. The company
had good management and important coal reserves as
well as long term buyers. All of this must be seen as the
result of Goo's providence.
The Counsel of Chalcedon o December 1990 o Page 22
No one knew when the company began the degree to
which environmental legislation would tlie coal
industry or that the oil embargo of the mid 70's would
decrease the availability of cheap oil and make coal again
in great demand as an energy resource. In GOd's
providence, the company began at just the right time.
The reader must also realize that economic success most
often is the result of hard work. Scott presents the
growth of the company but he also allows the reader to
see some of the hard work that was involved. For
examRle, a new chief executive officer had to be hired
when Merle Kelce unexpectedly died two months after
the company was formed. Coal reserves had to be
examined and negotiated. Mine performance had to be
constantly evaluated. Interpersonal relationships among
workers had to be handled properly at all levels. None
of this. is easy. involves botli physical and mental
labor 1f a company ts to be successful. Those who are
called to labor in one type of position cannot look down
on those who have been called to the opposite type
whether it is physical or mental. Long ago Adam and
his posterity were reminded that man would earn his
living by tlie sweat of his brow (Genesis 3:19). After
reading this book one can better understand the sweat of
mental labor.
All workers are imp<>rtant. This is a management
principle used by the Hunts, who became of
Arch Mineral. Prior to Board meetings they would
often visit the working site to get to know their
em.P.loyees and get their msight on company operations.
Evtdently they did not see themselves as better than their
employees. fustead they saw their mutual need for each
other. This is a Biblical principle that all employers and
employees would do well to adopt.
The author does an excellent job of setting the story in
the perspective of world events. How important thiS is.
The reader is consciously reminded that no company
exists by itself, removed from the interplay and
outworking of world events. Thus the environmental
movement. Middle East crisis, as well as national
economic upswings and downturns play an important
part in economic developments of Arcli Mineral.
The benefits of the capitalistic system are clearly
evident. Scott lets the benefit of capitalism speak for
itself as he develops the story of Arch Mineral's growth.
At the same time he reminds the reader of socialistic
vanity. "BY. 1983 virtually every black African nation
was in vistble difficulty. Althougl! the causes were
comectly ascribed in part to drought, decertification,
and poverty' the fact remains that despotic governments
dedicated t? socialist policies deserved more than
they recetved." (p.209). Of course wtthin the
.capitalistic system we see the importance of ' self
government, responsibilty, and the Bibhcal work ethic.
Buried Treasure provides a good opportunity for
teaching family members basic economic principle that
are being practiced. For this reason it ought to be
purchased, read, and discussed. n
Thv Word have I treasured in tflJI heart,
That I mif:ht not sin against Thee.
Psalm 119:11