The latest issue of the Records opens with a very informative article on Scripture Exposition in Scotland in the Seventeenth Century by Rev. Charles Christie, B.D. He deals in a very interesting way with the fine enterprise of David Dickson, which resulted in the issue of commentaries by Ferguson, Durham, Hutcheson, Nisbet, and himself which were highly prized in their day and still are by those who appreciate sound doctrine. Within this series twelve of the New Testament books were dealt with and sixteen of the Old Testament. The Rev. D. Beaton has a paper on “The Marrow,” and the Marrow Controversy in which he deals at length with some of the leading points raised in this famous Controversy. In another article, “Church Union in 1641,” by James D. Ogilvie, there is much interesting information given on the efforts made by the Scottish Commissioners, particularly Alexander Henderson, to bring about that uniformity of worship in England and Scotland which was the devout desire of earnest ecclesiastical leaders of that time but which was not realised.
A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF HENRY MILES, TOGETHER WITH SERMONS AND LETTERS AND JOTTINGS FROM TIME TO TIME. London: C. J. Farncombe & Sons, Ltd., 30 Imperial Buildings, Ludgate Circus, E.C. 4.
This book is what it professes to be a brief sketch of the life of Mr Henry Miles. A number of his sermons are given, which are of the experimental kind, and also jottings from his diary. The book is excellently produced, and contains edifying and instructive teaching on spiritual matters. The need of Christ’s righteousness for the sinner totally ruined and the necessity of regeneration by the Spirit are emphasised.
Notes and Comments.
Cost of Glasgow Roman Catholic Schools. — At a meeting held recently in Glasgow the Rev. James M. Brisby made reference to the amount of money received by the Roman Catholic authorities, owing to the provision made in the Education (Scotland) Act 1918, for the transferred voluntary schools. In Glasgow alone, he said, for the furniture and equipment of Roman Catholic schools they had to pay out of their rates over £43,000. In addition, there was a rental for 37 Roman
Catholic schools of £25,374, which they had got to pay whether they liked it or not. In Glasgow there were 61 members of religious Orders — nuns and Marist Brothers—and they received a salary per annum of £26,929. It was very plain that that was a subsidy to endow the Roman Catholic Church.
Rome’s Holy Year.—Great preparations are being made in Rome to receive the great multitude of visitors expected to visit the city in connection with the various celebrations of the Roman Catholic Church. Already it is estimated that four millions will be attracted by the special spiritual favours offered by the Church and the gorgeous pageantry of the Vatican functions. The Holy Year is ushered in and closed by the opening and walling up again of the so-called holy doors in St Peter’s, St John Lateran, etc. The Pope in great pomp proceeds to the so-called holy door of St Peter’s and taps the door three times with a golden hammer. The Holy Years were observed every hundred years, but as they were very useful for filling the papal coffers the period was reduced by Clement VI. to 50 years, then to 33 by Urban VI., and to 25 by Paul II. in 1470. The idea being, so said these astute financiers, that every man should have an opportunity at least once in his life of profiting by the special indulgences granted. The golden hammer, too, is a successful financial magnet for the Vatican as subscriptions are made by the faithful for its purchase.
The Bishop of London Helping the Romanizers—The Bishop of London officiated at the re-opening of the Church of St Magnus the Martyr, whose rector is a notorious Romanizer. The service, according to the account in the “Morning Post,” included the blessing by the Bishop of the (Russian) Ikon of Our Lady and of the Crucifix and Altar Cross (from Bethlehem). In blessing the Ikon (image) the Bishop said:—”Almighty and everlasting God, who dost not forbid the making of images of Thy Saints, that as oft as we look upon these with our bodily eyes, we may with the eyes of our soul meditate on their holiness and good deeds; vouchsafe, we beech Thee, to bless and sanctify this image made in honour and in memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ; and grant that whosoever shall study to venerate and honour before the same the most Blessed Virgin Mary may obtain from Thee grace in this present life and eternal glory in the world to come. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen” Mr J. A. Kensit wrote to the Bishop, protesting against the Romanizing services conducted in
this Church. It is simply deplorable that such a condition of things should be permitted in a Protestant Church and under the sanction of a prelate.
Church Notes.
Communions.—February—First Sabbath, Dingwall; third, Stornoway. March—First Sabbath, Ullapool; second, Portree and Tarbert (Harris); third, Lochinver; fourth, Kinlochbervie. April—Fourth Sabbath, St Jude (Jane Street, Blythswood Square), Glasgow, and Wick. May—First Sabbath, Kames and Oban. June—First Sabbath, Coigach; second, Shieldaig; third, Dornoch, Glendale, and Lochcarron; fourth, Gairloch and Inverness.
Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund Collection.—This Collection by the Synod’s appointment is to be taken up this month.
Acknowledgment of Donations.
John Grant, 30 Duncraig Street, Inverness, General Treasurer, acknowledges, with grateful thanks, the following anonymous donations up to 13th January 1925.
SUSTENTATION FUND.—Per Rev. M. Morrison—Friend, Walkerville, Ontario, 12 dollars; A. M., Lochgilphead, 10s.
COLLEGE FUND.—Per Rev. M. Morrison—Friend, Walkerville, Ontario, 10 dollars.
FOREIGN MISSION FUND.—Per Rev. M. Morrison—Friend, Walkerville, Ontario, 8 dollars.
HOME MISSION FUND.—A Well-wisher, Toward Point, 5s.
ORGANISATION FUND.—A Well-wisher, Toward Point, 5s.
JEWISH AND FOREIGN MISSIONS.—“M,” per Rev. N. Cameron, 10s; a Friend, Inverness, £2; a Friend, Inverness postmark, £1.
The Magazine.
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