(Air a leantuinn o t.-d. 350).
Aig da uair an deigh noine, chaidh a thoir amach, maillé ri cuigear eile a bha gu fulang maillé ris, agus bheachdaich na h-uile neach a chunnaic riamh e, gu’n robh a ghnuis ni bu mhaisich ‘s ni bu chiuine no bha i roimhe. Nuair a thainig e gu bonn an fharadh, labhair e ris a mhorchuideachd a bha ‘n lathair, ag radh, “O nach robh a bhliadhnaich a ch teare san t-saoghal, nach biodh a bhriathran ach teare ann an sin. Leugh e an sin an fhianuis a sgriobh e ‘sa mhaduinn, sa theid a chuir sios aig deireadh.
Sheinn e ‘n sin cuibhrionn de’n 31 Salm; chuir e ‘n sin suas urnuigh le leithid do chumhachd ‘s do dhurachd sa thug air moran gul gu goirt; chuir e ‘n sin uaithe ad, sa chleochd. Nuair a rinn e greim air an fharadh gu dhireadh, thurit e, le guth labhar, “Cha ‘n eil ni ‘s mo do churam orm am faradh so a dhireadh, ‘s mo thilgeadh dheth, na bhiodh e orm dol dachaidh gu tigh m’athar!” Air dha gaoir a chluinntinn a measg an t-shluaghaigh, ghairm e sios ri cho-luchd-fulaing, ag radh, “A chairdean, ‘sa cho luchd-fulaing, na biodh eagal oirbh, tha na h-uile ceum de’n fharadh so, ceum ni’s fhaig air neamh!” agus air dha suidhe air an fharadh thurit e, “Tha mi ann cuid a chreid-sinn, gu ‘n luchdaicheadh comhairlich, agus luchd-riagh-laidh uasal ar tir, am teanas so na h-umhir, mar biodh iad air am brosnuchadh leis na h-easbuigean; air chor ‘s gur ann aig an dorsa-san tha ar fuil gu sonruichte na luidhe; ach is so e mo sholas a nis, gu’m bheil fhios agam gu bheil m’ Fhear-saoraiddh beo. Agus tha mi nis gu toil-ichtie leigeil sios mo bheatha, airson firinn agus aobhar Dhe, na Chumhnantan agus obair Ath-leasachaidh, a bha uair-eigin air a’ meas gloir na rioghachd so; agus is ann airson a bhi a toirt oidhearp air sin a dhion, agus freumh searbh Easbuigeachd, a spionadh a’ bun, tha an tobha so ga cuir mu ‘m amhach”—bha ‘n crochadair aig an am a cuir an inneal bais air. Air dha an sluagh a chluinntinn a’ gul, thurit e “Cha ‘n ann a gul bu choir dhuibh a bhi aig an am, ach ag urnuigh, chum ‘s gu’m biodh sinn gu h-onair-each air ar toirt troimh; gu ma beannaichte gu’n robh an Tighearna ta nis ga mo chumail suas. Mar bha mi a comain moran agaibh air son bhur urnuighibh agus bhur caoimhneas o na chaidh mo chuir am priosan, agus mo
dhiteadh, tha mi ‘n dochas nach dibir sibh mi anns a cheum mu dheireadh de mo thurus, chum ‘s gu ‘n dean mi fianuis air deagh aidmheil; agus a chum ‘s gu’m bi fios agaibh air steidh mo mhisnich anns an obair so, leughaidh mi dhuibh anns a chaibideil fa dheireadh de na Bhiobull, mo ghloir agus mo dhuais—”An neach air am bheil tart, thig-eadh e.” Chi sibh, mar an ceudna, an cuireadh—”Tha ‘n Spiorad agus a Bhean nuadh-phosda ag radh, Thig.” Thuirt e sin, agus e sealltuinn sios, “Tha focal agam ri radh ribhse, a chairdean—C’aite am bheil sibh? Cha ruig sibh a leas aon chuid a bhi caoidh, na naire a bhi oirbh, air son a chor ‘sa bheil sibh ga’m fhaicinn, oir tha mi deanamh co-chur de briathraibh Chriosd, “Tha mi dol suas chum m’ Athair fein agus bhur n’ Athair-sa, agus chum mo Dhe fein, agus bhur De-sa,” chum bhur Righ-sa, agus mo Righ-sa, chum na ‘n abstol agus na mairtearach bheannuichte, gu caithir an De bheo, an Ierusalem neamhaidh, agus cuideachd do-aireamh do ainglibh, gu lan choimhthional agus eaglais nan ceud ghin, gu Dia breitheamh nan uile, agus gu spioradaibh nam firean air an deanamh foirfe, agus gu Iosa, Eadar-mheadhonair a choimheheangail nuaidh.” Tha mi gabhail slan leibh uile, or bidh Dia ni’s solasaich dhuibh na b-urrainn dhomhsa a bith; agus bithidh e ni’s urachail dhomhsa na b-urrainn dhuibhsa a bhi dhozun. Slan leibh, Slan leibh anns an Tighearna. An deigh an comhdach a chuir air aghaidh, rinn e urnuigh ghoirid, agus air dha an comhdach a thogail a ris, thuirt e gun robh aon fhoical aige ri radh fathast mu ‘n t-sholas a bha aige ‘na bhas; “Tha mi’n dochas nach eil sibh a faicinn atharrachadh na diobhail misnich ann am ghnuis, na ann mo ghiulan; agus mar dh’ fheudas sin bhi na aobhar iongantas dhuibhse, tha mi ag aideachadh gu bheil e na iongantas dhomh fhein. Air chul neo-chiontas an aobhar mu’m bheil mi fulang, se so mo sholas nuair a bhasaich Lasarus, gu’n do ghiulain na h-ainglibh anam gu uchd Abrahaím; mar sin, ged a ta ann an so soleimteachd mhor, croich, aite bais, agus sluagh ag amharc a mach air uinneagan, tha uidheamachadh moran ni’s mo, agus ni’s soleimte, do ainglibh, gu m’anam a ghiulan gu uchd Chriosd. A ris, tha so na thulle solais, gu bheil m’ anam gu dhol gu laimh Chriosd, agus taisbeanaidh esan e gu’n smal, gu’n choire da’n Athair, agus an sin bithidh mise gu siorruidh maille ris an Tighearna. Agus a nis sguiridh mi do labhairt ri creutairn, agus toisichidh mi air mo cho-chomunn ri Dia, nach bi gu brath tuille air a bhriseadh. Slan leis an t-shaoghal’ sa thaitneasan: Slan le biadh agus deoch: Slan le grian, gealach, agus reultan: Failte air Dia agus an t-Athair: Failte air Iosa Criosd gradhach, Eadarmheadhon-
air a cho-cheangail nuaidh: Failte air Spiorad beannuichte a ghrais, agus Dia an uile sholais: Failte air gloir: Failte air beatha shiorruidh: Failte air a bhas.”
Dh’iairr e sin air an fhear-mhillidh, gu’n a thilgeadh thairis gus an cuireadh e fein a null a ghuailnibh an toiseach, ni, air dha urnuigh ghoirid a chuir suas os ialal, a rinn e, ag radh, “O Tighearn, tha mi tiomnadh mo spiorad ann do lamhaibh, oir shaor thu m’anam, O Thighearna Dhia na firinn!” agus mar so anns t-seathadh bliadhna fichead de aois, bhasaich e mar bha e beo, anns an Tighearna.
Bha leithid do thuireadh airson a bhais, leis an luchd amhairc, ‘s nach robh ach gle ghann suil thioram air sraid-ean no ann an uinneag an Duneidin aig am a bhais. Tha fear eachdaraidh ainmeil a toirt a chliu so air—”Gu’n robh e na oganach do shea bliadhna fichead a dh’aois, ionmhuinn leis na h-uile, diadhaidh air mhodh comharrachtae, agus anabharrra foghluitme. Bha e ro sgiamhach agus cumta na phearsa. Bu ghnathach leis trasgadh aon la ‘san t-seachduin, agus thug e iomadach uair roimh so sanus da chaidhean gu faigheadh e bas mar fhuair e; san uair a labh-air e mu sholas agus aoibhneas ‘na bhas, ‘s iomadh osann throm a bha aca-san a bha ga eisdeachd.
San am cheudna chaidh co luchd-fulaing Mhic Cathail, a chuir gu bas: daoine a bha air beag foghlum sa bha beo gu’n fhios do mhoran de’n t-shaoghal, gus an tug geurleanmhuinn agus fianuis air son na firinn am follais iad. Labhair iad am briathraibh deireannach le leithid do chiunneachd agus do fhoighdinn do thaobh a’ naimhdean; le leithid do mhorachd anam, do dhiadhachd, agus deagh thuisge, agus a chuir mor iongantas air na h-uile chual iad. Bha iadsan a bha eolach orra roimhe, lan dearbhta gu’n robh e air a thoir dhoibh os airde ciod a labhradh iad. Bha Iain Bhodro, Michael Shields, Sasgunach; Iain Bhilson o bhaile Air; agus Eanraic Mac-a-Chombaich, mar dhaoine a bhiodh air stairsnich neamh. Ghairm Mac-a-Chombaich airson a Bhiobuill, chuir e air ghairedean leont e, agus leubh e earrainibh freagarrach ri chor, a chuir iongantas air na h-uile. Nuair a chaidh na daoine so ghlacadh sa bhlarchath, chaidh am beatha a ghealltuinn dhoibh; ach gu feirg agus ain-iodh an ard easbuig Sharp, a shasueadh, chaidh an cuir gu bas, an aghaidh na h-uile lagh; agus bu mho na sin, an aghaidh ordugh righ Tearlach—nach rachadh tuille beatha a ghabhail anns a chomhstri. Fhuair an t-Easbuig Burnet, an duine a b’fhearr a bha na’m measg, an t-ordugh so o’n righ, agus thaimig e leis do Alba gu Sharp, a bha san am air ceann na comhairle, ach rinn esan innleachdan a dheilbh a chuir an t-ordugh san an cleith, ach an deachaidh Mac Cathail sa chompanaich a chuir gu bas.
Fianuis Agus Teisteas Huistean Mhic Cathail.
“Air dhomh le freasal araiddh a bhi air mo thoir mar so, fa chomhair an t-saoghail, ann an aobhar a ta cuir a leithid do churam air na h-uile air am bheil eagal De, agus le’m bu mhiann a bhi daingean na choimhcheagal, cha b-urrainn mi gu’n bhi fagail as mo dheigh an fhanuis sheasmhach so, mu thiomchioll aobhar agus feumalachd a choimhcheangail sin, airson gloir Dhia, agus fireanachadh m’aidmheil o’n a chainnt mhaslaich a thilgeadh air le daoine, agus mar an ceudna chum eideachadh a thoirt le mo daoine, dhoibhsan air son an do choisrig mi mo bheath’ ann an obair na ministrealachd.
Mheas mi riaghladh na h-eaglais so le Cleir, a bhi am measg priomh orduighean Iosa Criosd a shuidhich e anns an eaglais a cheannaich e le fhuil, agus a chaidh e suas an aird gu bhi buileachadh sin mar thiodhlaic oirre; air dha sin a bhi am fíor mhinstrealachd shoisgeulach na shimplieachd agus na ghlaíne air leth o innleachdaibh dhaoine; agus mar sin a’ meadhon leis am bheil orduighean eile air am fritheal-adh, agus na firinnibh is bonntachail air an deanamh eif-eachdach ann an eridheachaibh an t-shluaiigh, air an aobhar sin bu choir dha so, leis a churam cheudna, connsachadh air a shon. Thug fiosrachadh, maraon an uair a bha ‘n da chuid e aithnichte, agus air a leughadh leis na h-uile dhaoine: ni a ta fior mar an ceudna ‘n ur ceudfaithean soleimte a rinn an rioghachd da thaobh leis a Chumhnant Chinneadail, agus leis a Chumhnant agus a bhann shol-eimte, nithe a mheas mi nan eiridh agus nan athnuadhachadh mar choimhlionadh torrach air a ghealladh sin an Isaiah xlv. 5, far am bheil e soilleir, ann aite sam bith, ‘san robh athleasachaidh eaglais a tighinn air adhart gu fóirfeachd, tha iad a teachd gus a cheum sin.’ Is leis an Tighearn mise, agus sgiobhaidh fear eile le laimh do’n Tighearn’. Is ann mar sin a bha e ann an laithibh righean athleasachaidh ludah, agus mar an ceudna an deigh an aisig an ais o Bhabiloin, ann an laithibh Nehemiah. Rinn an Tighearn Iosa an gealladh ceudna so na sheadh agus na Amen dhuine, nuair a shaor e sinn o Bhabioloin spioradail; ni a ta na fhanuis ni’s dearbhta, gu’m b’iad so dearbh ghlusadan spiorad Dhe, ann ar ceud luchd athleasachaidh, gu’n robh iad gu h-araiddh air an ruineachadh ann an aghaidh glusadan spiorad an dorchadais, agus an an-a-criosd, agus a luchd taic, agus an aghaidh an dainghneachdair bu treise a fluair na grainealachdan sin le ordugh comhairle Thrent, agus leis a bhann fhuilteach sin ris an abrair gu breugach
an ceangal naomh. Agus uime sin ciod air bith masladh ata a ria dheanamh do na cumhnantan so, tha mi a meas nach eil e ni na’s lugha na bhi deanamh taire air Spioradan gras, ann na ghniomhachadh is comharrachta dhe fein, ach gu h-araidh, a bhi a deanamh a mach gu bheil a bhi seasamh dilis air taobh nan cumhnantan, a tighinn o spiorad saobh-chrabhaibh agus ceannaire, tha mi ag radh gu bheil so na pheacadh de’n aon nadur ri peacadh na muinntir sin a thuit gu’m b’ann tre Bheelsebub a bha Criosd a tilgeadh a mach dheamhain; agus sin leis an antromachadh so, nach d’thainig na Sgriobhaichean agus na Phairisich riamh cho fad air adhart ‘s gu’n d’aidich iad Criosd, na gu’n do stroichd siad iad fein dhasan na da shligibh.
Ach ged tha mi air mo dliteadh mar cheannaireach a measg dhaoine, gidheadh tha mi ‘n dochas, eadhon anns an ni so, a bhi air m’ fhaotainn dilis an lathair Dhia. Oir cha n-urrainn gniomh a bhi’s dilse do’n righ, a reir ‘s mar tha cuisean a dol a nis, na na h-uile duine a dhichioll a dheanamh gu freumh searbh graineil sin na h-easbuig-eachd a spionadh a ffreumh, oir is e freumh sin, milleadh na righchaitir agus na ducha; ‘s mar teid sin a dheanamh, cha bhi ‘n righ chaitir gu brath air a steidheachadh ann am fireantaichd, gus am bi na h-angidh so air am fuadach as a lathair. Tha mi cinnteach gu’n d’rinn iadsan tha air an diteadh a ni’s mo a chaitheamh do uine ag urnuigh air a shon, agus gu bheil an durachd gu’n seasadh a chaithir nis dilis, na na h-easbuigean a dhit gu bas iad.
Mar steidh air son ‘ur misneachadh chum na h-uile a dhleasdanasaibh an am anns a bheil sibh beo, saotharaich-ibh gu bhi air ‘ur steidheachadh ann an gradh Iosa Criosd. Bithidh an gradh so co anfhann ri bhi faicinn ni sam bith a dh’ fheuchadh ri smal a chur airsan, na air fhocal, na air oibre, agus cuirdh e thuig an t-anam gu taisbeanadh eudmhor air a shon, air a chunnart is mo, agus gu bhi cho toileach basachadh air a shon, agus a bhios iad a bhi béo chum a ghlorachaidh. Agus chum bhur misneacn-uile anns a chuis so, tha mi cuir an ceill duibh, o’n la a thainig mi ‘n tus do na phriosan, gu’n do ghleidh Dia m’anam o uamhas agus eagal bais; o na fluair mi mo chuis dithidh, agus binn bais, dh’ fhoillsich Dia e fein caochladh uairean air leithid do dhoigh, ‘s gu’n do thog e m’anam suas oscionn na h-uile easbuigean, uachdarana, cumh-achdaibh, bas, agus ifrinn, gu bhi deanamh aoibhneas agus gu bhi subhach na shlainte; agus o ghrunnnd m’anam, esan a mheas airidh, agus gu’m fuilinginn na aobhar, am pian, agus am masladh is truime; agus mar an ceudna gu dochas cinnteach comunn siorruidh maille ris fein ann an neamh.
Tha mi toirt maitheanas gu saor da na h-uile aig am bheil lamh ‘nam fhuil, a’ guidhe nach bi i air a cuir as leth na tire pheacach so, agus si mo ghuidhe gu ‘n toireadh Dia aithearachas da ar uachdaranibh, chum ‘s gu’m faigheadh iad an reite cheudna ris, a ta mise a nis a’ co-pairteachadh. Gu cinnteach tha mi creidsinn gu’n lughdaicheadh ar uachdarain a bhinn a leigeadh oirnn, mar biodh iad air am brosnuchadh leis na h-easbuigean, air chor ‘s gur ann aig an dorsa-san a ta ar fuil gu sonruichte na luidhe; gidheadh bidh an neo-thoileachas inntinn sin a bha dortadh fola cho fada ann an aghaidh an leith-sgeul a ghabhail, ‘s gur ann a bhios e na fbianuis ‘nan aghaidh ann an la an Tighearn.
Tha mi gu toileach a striochdadh da na bhas, mar an ni sin a chomharrach Dia do na h-uile dhaoine airson peacaich, agus a striochdadh da’n doigh chomharrachte so, airson mo pheacanna sonruichte.
Tha mi a moladh Dhia airson an smachdachadh athaireil so, leis an d’rinn e mi ann an cuid, agus anns an dean e mi fadheoidh na m’ fhear comhpairt iomlan de a naomhachd. Tha mi ga ghlorachadh, a chionn gu’n do ghairm e mach mi gu fulang airson ainn agus ordughean, agus ceanglaichean soleimte na tire dha, agus gu’n ghabh e’n doigh so chum mo thoirt air falbh o’n ole ri teachd. Gu’m beannaich an Tighearn a shluagh bochd uile, a ta ‘g osnaich, agus fo’ amhghar, ata mi fagail as mo dheigh.
O so amach, cha labhair mi ri fuil is feoil, ni mo cha smaoinich mi air solasan saoghalta. Slan le mo chairdean, an cuideachd a bha ro urachail ann an laithibh mo chuairt. Cha ‘n iarr mi ni’s mo solus na greine, na no gealaich. Failte air beatha shiorruidh, air gradh siorruidh, moladh siorruidh, gloir shiorruidh! Moladh dhasan ata na shuidhe air an righ chaithir, agus do’n Uan gu siorruidh! Ged nach robh mi mar so maille riut, ann an tigh mo chuairt, gidheadh rinn thu riumsa coimh-cheangal siorruidh, air a shuidheachadh anns na h-uile ni agus cinnteach; agus ‘se so mo shlainte uile, agus mo mhiann uile. Beannuich an Tighearn, O m’ anam, a mhaith m’easantuis ann am fuil a Mhic, agus a leighis m’uile euslaintean! Beannaichibh an Tighearn, sibhse aingle, treun an neart! Beannaich an Tighearn, O m’anam. Haleluiah.
Priosan Dhuneidin, 22 de mios mheadhonach a gheamhraidh, 1666.
Mar sin chriochnaich Huistean Mac Cathail a thurus ann an lan dearbhachd a chreidimh, air a sholas agus fhois shiorruidh. Do bhrigh ‘s gu’n robh roinn de’n fbianuis nach robh so thuingseach da moran de na Gaidheil, cha do
chuir mi sios uile i; ach chaidh ni’s leor a sgrìobhadh chum a dheanamh aithnichte, sa chum fheuchainn do na h-uile a leughas an cunntas aithghearr so, ciod na seorsa dhaoine a bha san la dheuchaineach ud, a deanamh fianuis agus a fulang pianadh, agus bas airson Crun agus Cumhnant Chriosd.
Literary Notice.
THE GIANT MASQUERADE: AN HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE ROMAN HIERARCHY, by the Rev. Frank C. Raynor. London: Morgan and Scott, Ltd., 12 Paternoster Buildings, E.C. 4. Price 6s.
This is one of the most fascinating books we have ever read on the Papacy. The author is a born literary artist. His keen eye has caught the light and shade in the marvellous panorama he has made to pass before the reader, and with unerring precision he describes the men and deeds of epoch-making events. With a masterly command of words he has given us a picture of the Papacy as it casts its giant, dominating form athwart human liberty and progress, and his indictment is one of the most terrible and crushing that was ever uttered against this tyranny before which kings and princes bowed until its spell was broken at the Reformation. If there is a lurking thought in the mind of any that Protestant controversialists have been too hard in characterising Romanism as the Mystery of Iniquity let him read this book. While we thus write of this remarkable book, we do not commit ourselves to Mr Raynor’s treatment of some of the subjects. Here and there are statements with which we do not agree, for instance where he says, speaking of one of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpieces—”A race that can be swept into rapture by the Zaccaria Madonna is not far from the kingdom.” Art, whatever refining influence it may have, is but nature at best, and it will never take us higher than nature. Again, the statement about the woman on bended knees in Notre Dame with her eyes uplifted to a golden cross takes too much for granted when it is said she was “in Christ.” She may have been, and probably was, as gross an idolator as any of the careless crowd who thronged the great cathedral. Such statements as these and a few others are, to us, like blots in a very fine piece of work. We miss the mention of the glorious work done in Scotland under the instrumentality of John Knox. It is to be hoped
that in the next edition, for there is sure to be a call for more editions, there will be some mention made of a country in which the work of Reformation was as thoroughly carried through as any under the sun.
Notes and Comments.
The Bolshevists.—The Russian Bolshevists are not succeeding as well as they had hoped, says the “Presbyterian Witness,” in suppressing the Christian religion. Some time ago Zinoviev, the hierarch of the Third Internationale Hierarchy, after expressing doubts about the Communist war on religion, said: “We shall pursue our attacks on Almighty God in due time and in an appropriate manner. We are confident we shall subdue Him in His empyrean. We shall fight Him wherever He hides Himself. But we must go about such a question as anti-religious propaganda more carefully in the future.” On which the New York “Post” remarks: “A little Red Ajax of atheism cautiously defying the eternal silences and the everlasting thunders. A Red speck riding for an instant on the rim of the Great Golden Wheel of God’s universe calls upon that wheel to stop its eternal circlings.” The futile efforts of these foolish people to fight against God recalls the 2nd Psalm and the fate depicted by the writer of those who in their revolt against the Divine law, imagine vain things, and are overwhelmed by the disaster which they have brought upon themselves.
The Established Church Moderator on the Bible.—Dr White, in a recent address to the Rotary Club, Dundee, dealt with that mysterious, ever-changing and elusive subject—”The Modern Mind.” In the course of his address he spoke of a return to, and confidence in, the message of the pulpit. “It was based,” he said, “not on the Scriptures, but on the Word of God which was contained in the Scriptures, in a more wonderful Bible than the Church ever possessed. It was an authority of Christ, who stood before the world of men in clearer form to-day than at any other time in the history of the Church. In other words, the beliefs of the Church which constituted the substance of the sermon were being readjusted to fit more harmoniously into the sum of modern convictions. That was the secret of returning authority.” Or, to put the matter straightly, the Church was now adjusting her creed to suit the everchanging outlook of the modern mind, while setting aside the Church view of the divine authority and inerrancy of the Scripture. It is news to us to learn that the new Bible of the scholars is a
“more wonderful Bible than the Church ever possessed,” and that Christ “stood before the world of men in a clearer form to-day than any other time in the history of the Church.” That these words should be uttered in Scotland is passing strange. That they should be uttered by the Moderator of the Established Church shows that it is possible for one to occupy the most honourable place in that Church and yet have not even a nodding acquaintance with the religious history and contentions of his native country. If this be the kind of teaching that is permissible in the new Church for which Dr White is working with all his might, then farewell to the Westminster Standards and all implied in them.
Agitation for a Tax on Betting.—A certain section of the press is renewing its agitation for a tax on betting. One sees with regret that the “Spectator,” of which better things were expected, is lending its powerful advocacy to this bad cause. In a recent issue, Canon Green, Manchester, in reviewing a recent article in that journal, says:—”I oppose the tax for the following reasons:—(1) In no country where it has been tried has it reduced the volume of betting, but rather increased it. (2) That a tax would do nothing to regularise or control betting, since in France, New South Wales, South Australia, New Zealand, and every other country where a totalisator alone is legal, and book-making prohibited, bookmakers exist and do as much, and more, business as of old. (3) That the psychological effect of a Government tax on gambling would inevitably be to produce in the minds of young people the impression that betting was a perfectly right and respectable thing. I have an immense mass of evidence on this point, too long to be summarised in a letter. (4) That to licence betting would be to produce a great vested interest most difficult to fight in the future. (5) That the practical proposals put forward by the Home Office before the recent commission were such as would fill every religious and social worker, with any first-hand knowledge of the conditions which exist in our great industrial centres, with despair.”
The Bible and the Pilgrim’s Progress.—In placing these two books together it is not intended to convey the idea that they are on the same plane. The Bible occupies a place above all books written by men, but among these “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” if not occupying a pre-eminent, certainly occupies a very high place. The Bible has been translated in part into 770 languages and dialects, while “The Pilgrim’s Progress” has been translated into 107 languages and dialects. We believe
this is a unique distinction for a book the work of men. Little did Bunyan dream when he sent forth his little book that it would visit so many parts of the world. Its scriptural teaching, its clear-cut descriptions, its touches of genius, all set forth in fine, simple Saxon, have all combined to give it a unique place in the classic literature of the world.
Church Notes.
Communions.—February—First Sabbath, Dingwall; second, Breasclete; third, Stornoway. March—First Sabbath, Ullapool; second, Portree, Ness, and Tarbert (Harris); fourth, Kinlochbervie. April—First Sabbath, Stoer; third, Greenock; fourth, Glasgow and Wick. May—First Sabbath, Kames and Oban; second, Dumfarton; third, Edinburgh. South African Mission.—The following are the dates of the Communions:—Last Sabbath of, March, June, September, and December. Note.—Notice of any additions to, or alteration of, the above dates of Communions should be sent to the Editor.
Presentation to the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall.—As intimated in last issue, Mr Macfarlane attained his ministerial jubilee on 6th January. It has been suggested that the occasion should be taken advantage of to show our appreciation as a Church of Mr Macfarlane’s faithful testimony by making a presentation to him. All who desire to join in this worthy object may have an opportunity of doing so by sending their contributions to Mr John Grant, General Treasurer, 4 Millburn Road, Inverness. This suggestion has the warm approval of the Presbyteries of the Church.
Obituaries.—We regret to learn of the death of two of our missionaries—Mr James Macfarlane, brother of Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall; and Mr Roderick Macleod—both of whom reached a good old age. Fuller notices will appear later on. We extend to their families our sincere sympathy in their sorrow.
Student Licensed.—At a meeting of the Southern Presbytery, held at Glasgow on 12th January, Mr Donald Macdonald, divinity student, was licensed to preach the Gospel.
Collection for Jewish and Foreign Missions.—This Collection is to be taken up in February.
Acknowledgment of Donations.
John Grant, Palmerston Villa, 4 Millburn Rd., Inverness, General Treasurer, acknowledges, with thanks, the following donations received up to 15th Jan. 1926.
AGED AND INFIRM MINISTERS’ AND WIDOWS’ FUND.—A Free Presbyterian, Wick, per Rev. D. Beaton, 10s.
COLLEGE FUND.—A Free Presbyterian, Wick, per Rev. D. Beaton, 10s; N. Shaw, Lighthouse, Toward Point, 5s.
HOME MISSION FUND.—N. Shaw, Toward Point, 12s; T. and M. A. Livingston, Arrina, Strathcarron, 10s.
JEWISH AND FOREIGN MISSIONS.—From “A Well-wisher”—A Living Man’s Legacy, £200; A Friend, Bute, 16s; Do., Inverness postmark, £2; Anonymous, Garloch, 5s; “Interested,” Ardrishaig postmark, 5s; Roderick Campbell, Toronto, £1; Wm. Gray, Dundee, per Rev. D. Beaton, 2s 6d; A. J. Sutherland, Applecross, 10s; a Friend, London, per Mr R. Sinclair, for Rev. J. Tallach, £1; a Friend, Inverness, £5 (£2 10s for Foreign Mission Fund and £2 10s for Rev. J. Tallach Car Fund).
SUSTENTATION FUND.—From “A Well-wisher”—A Living Man’s Legacy, £200; Rod. Campbell, Toronto, £1 15s; Mrs Campbell, Russell Hill, Purley, Surrey, 15s; T. and M. and A. Livingston, Arrina, 15s; Kenneth Mackenzie, Alderson, Alberta, Canada, £5 1s 8d.
The following lists have been sent in for publication:—
EDINBURGH CHURCH PURCHASE FUND.—Mr A. Maclean, 16 Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh, acknowledges, with sincere thanks, the following donation, per Mr J. Grant, General Treasurer—Adam Black, Brachors, Calder, 10s.
GREENOCK CHURCH PURCHASE FUND.—Rev. N. Cameron desires to acknowledge, with sincere thanks, for above—Miss M. M., Glasgow, £1; M. Nicolson, do., £1; Capt. Finlayson, do., £1; A. Lindsay, Tayvallick, £1; A. M. D. H., £1; Capt. Boyd, £2; Miss K. Macdonald, per Rev. W. Grant, £1; a Friend, Annat, 5s. Mr J. Urquhart, 12 Lyndoch Street, Greenock, acknowledges, with sincere thanks, from J. Mackenzie, Kelly Street, Greenock, £1; Alick Sloane, Nicolson Street, Greenock, 5s.
JEWISH AND FOREIGN MISSIONS.—Rev. N. Cameron desires to acknowledge, with sincere thanks, the following donations:—Broadford, 10s; Miss M. M., Glasgow, £1; A. Murray, Brora, £5; Capt. Finlayson, Glasgow, £1; Children’s Offering for Kaffir children, per Nurse Fraser, £2. For Rev. J. Tallach’s Car.—Miss J. C. Kerr, Pitlochry, 5s; Mrs and Dr Johnston, £3 3s; Mrs Mack, Applecross, £1; J. Stewart, 10s; Mrs Mackay, 5s; John Macleod, Crianlarich, £1; a Friend, £5; two Friends, £2; Friend, per Rev. W. Grant, 10s.