The Synod resumed its sitting, in terms of adjournment, on Wednesday, 24th May, at 2.30 p.m. The meeting was opened with devotional exercises, conducted by the Moderator, Rev. M. Gillies, Halkirk.
Southern Presbytery.—Revs. Neil Cameron, St. Jude’s, Glasgow; D. Mackenzie, Kames, ministers; with Mr. Andrew Sinclair, formerly John Knox’s, ruling elder.
Northern Presbytery.—Revs. Ewen Macqueen, Inverness; Donald Beaton, Wick, Clerk; Donald A. Macfarlane, Lairg; William Matheson, Chesley, Ontario; Malcolm Gillies, Halkirk, Moderator, ministers; with Mr. William Couper, Wick, ruling elder.
Western Presbytery.—Revs. Neil Macintyre, Stornoway; Donald Graham, Shieldaig; Donald M. Macdonald, Portree, ministers.
An apology for absence was sent by Rev. D. N. Macleod, Harris.
The minutes of the first sederunt were read and approved.
(1) REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON BILLS.
The Clerk read the report of this Committee as to order of business. The order recommended was adopted.
(2) REPORTS OF COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY LAST SYNOD.
1. Report of Committee on Church Documents.
The Rev. Neil Cameron, Convener, submitted the following report:—The Committee looked over all the resolutions passed by the Synod, and copied out those which they considered binding on the Church, but owing to unavoidable pressure of other urgent work they have not been able to have the matter so far advanced as they would like to have it before presenting it to the Synod. The Rev. D. Beaton went over carefully Sir Henry Moncrieff’s Practice of the Free Church (fourth edition), and marked paragraphs, sections, and Acts which he considered not to be binding on the Free Presbyterian Church, and forwarded this to the Convener, but owing to pressure of other duties the Committee had no time to revise the work done by Mr. Beaton. In the opinion of the Committee, a Committee should be appointed to give a final revision to the two branches of the work referred to above. And they would suggest that typed copies of the resolutions, referred to above, and also a list of the suggested omissions and changes in Sir Henry Moncrieff’s Practice, be sent to each member of the Synod, so that they may be in a position to deal finally with the matter at next meeting of Synod.
The Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved that the same Committee be re-appointed, and that the payment of the typing of the documents be paid out of the Organisation Fund.
2. Legacy Committee.
The Rev. Neil Cameron, Convener, gave in a report on the John Knox’s Tabernacle Trust Funds, which was unanimously adopted.
3. Committee Appointed to Draw up Protest against Government’s Connivance with Popery.
The Rev. D. Beaton gave in the report of this Committee, and read the resolution drawn up by the Committee, and which had appeared formerly in the Magazine. The report was unanimously adopted.
4. Report by Western Presbytery re Missionary for Obbe.
The Rev. N. Macintyre read a communication from Rev. D. N. Macleod, suggesting that in the circumstances the matter be left over for the current year.
Rev. E. Macqueen moved that Mr. Macleod’s suggestion be carried out; this was seconded by Rev. D. M. Macdonald.
5. Relation of West Coast Missionaries to the Free Presbyterian Church.
On hearing a confidential report from Rev. D. N. Macleod, it was decided to leave the matter as it was before.
6. Waternish Missionary.
The Rev. N. Macintyre reported on the Waternish missionary case. The Synod agreed to the Western Presbytery’s decision.
(3) APPOINTMENT OF CHURCH COMMITTEES.
The following Church Committees were appointed for the year:—
1. Training of the Ministry and Theological Committee
Rev. E. Macqueen (Convener), D. M. Macdonald, and D. A. Macfarlane.
2. Finance Committee
Revs. N. Cameron (Convener), E. Macqueen, N. Macintyre, with Messrs. Charles Maclean and Alexander Macgillivray, General Treasurer, associated with the Committee.
3. Canadian Mission Committee
Revs. D. Beaton (Convener), N. Macintyre, D. Macdonald, and William Matheson.
4. Jewish and Foreign Missions Committee
Revs. N. Cameron (Convener), D. Mackenzie, and M. Gillies.
5. Church Magazine Committee
Revs. N. Cameron, D. A. Macfarlane, and D. Beaton (Convener).
6. Religion and Morals Committee
Revs. D. M. Macdonald (Convener), D. Graham, and M. Morrison.
(4) APPOINTMENT OF CHURCH COLLECTIONS.
It was moved by the Rev. D. M. Macdonald, and seconded by the Rev. D. Graham, and unanimously agreed to, that the Church Collections be taken up as follows:—(1) Aged and Infirm Ministers’, Widows’, and Orphans’ Fund in June—notice to be sent by Rev. E. Macqueen; (2) College Fund in August—notice to be sent by the Rev. E. Macqueen; (3) Home Mission Fund (Missionaries and Catechists), first collection by book from house to house in October—notice to be sent by Rev. N. Cameron; (4) Organisation Fund in December—notice to be sent by Rev. D. Beaton; (5) General Church Building Fund in January, 1923—notice to be sent by the Rev. D. Beaton; (6) Jewish and Foreign Missions Fund in February, 1923—notice to be sent by Rev. N. Cameron; (7) Home Mission Fund (Missionaries and Catechists), second collection in April—notice to be sent by Rev. N. Cameron.
(5) THEOLOGICAL COMMITTEE’S REPORT.
Rev. Ewen Macqueen gave in this report, as follows:—The two students studying theology at Wick, Messrs. MacLachlan and Roderick Mackenzie, were now ready for their final theological examinations. Rev. N. Cameron moved that the Synod adopt the report and accept of the sessions given to the study of theology of the above students, and that the following subjects be set for examination:—Old Testament: Green’s Introduction, the Canon—examiner, Rev. D. M. Macdonald; Epistle to the Romans—examiner, Rev. D. A. Macfarlane; Owen on the Holy Spirit—examiner, Rev. E. Macqueen; Scottish Church History (1733 to 1843)—examiner, Rev. N. Cameron. The motion was seconded by Rev. E. Macqueen, and unanimously adopted.
(6) THEOLOGICAL TUTOR’S REPORT.
During session 1921-1922 there were two students studying theology—Messrs. John Maclachlan and Roderick Mackenzie, M.A. In New Testament Greek the subjects dealt with were the translation, the exegesis, and the outline of the argument of the Epistle to the Romans and the Greek text of the New Testament. In Church History use was made of Fisher’s History of the Church from the earliest period of Christianity to the present time. In Scottish Church History lectures were delivered dealing with the period from 1733 to 1843. In order that the students might have the subjects required for their final theological examination, the subject of Old Testament Introduction was dealt with during the session, use being made of Green’s Introduction to the Old Testament—Canon and Text.
I have again to thank the students for their kindness in the help ungrudgingly given in supplying my pulpit during the session.
Rev. Ewen Macqueen moved the adoption of the report, and thanked the tutor for his work. This was seconded by Rev. Donald Graham.
It was suggested by Rev. N. Cameron, in view of a statement made by Mr. Beaton as to the desirability of appointing another tutor, that the Presbyteries should give consideration to the question of the appointment of an additional tutor.
(7) LOYAL ADDRESS TO THE KING.
The Rev. N. Cameron read the following draft of Loyal Address to the King, drawn up by the Committee appointed for this purpose. The draft Address was adopted, on the motion of Rev. Ewen Macqueen, seconded by Mr. William Couper:—
“A LOYAL ADDRESS BY THE SYNOD OF THE FREE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
To HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, GEORGE V., King of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc.
May it Please Your Majesty,—
We, the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, met at Glasgow, desire to renew our annual expression of loyalty and goodwill towards your Majesty’s person and throne, and of constant and prayerful anxiety for the welfare and prosperity of your Majesty’s reign.
We would express sympathy with your Majesty on account of troubles at home and in your Majesty’s dominions overseas, largely due to labour unrest, instigated by Bolshevik agencies and other causes, and our prayer is that our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all power in heaven and earth has been given, would overrule these troubles, so as to bring spiritual and temporal prosperity and peace to these distracted countries. The grave condition of things in Ireland must also cause your Majesty the keenest anxiety, and we, as your loyal subjects, earnestly pray that our Lord, by causing the light of His glorious gospel to shine, would bring peace to that distracted land.”
The Synod adjourned to meet again at 5.30 p.m. The sederunt was closed with praise and prayer.