Communions.—February—First Sabbath, Dingwall; second, Portnalong; third, Stornoway; fourth, Breaselete. March—First Sabbath, Ullapool; second, Portree and Ness; third, Lochinver; fourth, Kinlochbervie, North Tolsta and Fort William. The date of Tarbert (Harris) Communion is changed to first Sabbath of June. 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 alterations of, the above dates of Communions should be sent to the Editor.
Collection for this Month.—The collection for the Jewish and Foreign Missions’ Fund is to be taken up this month. In connection with this collection we would direct the attention of our congregations to the Appeal made by the Convener on another page of the Magazine.
Foreign Missions Fund.—An Appeal by the Rev. Neil Macintyre.—The readers of our Magazine could not but be interested in our African Mission from its very beginning. The remarkable way in which the Lord opened the door for us to enter that field, and how He blessed and prospered our weak efforts among the coloured natives of Africa, must have been a source of wonder and joy to all right-minded people. To-day there is a Macedonian cry from many places beyond the boundaries of our Mission to which the Word of God has not yet come, pleading that the gospel be sent them. This cry on the part of the poor heathen should touch the hearts of us, who have the precious privileges of the gospel, to put forth every effort by our means and prayers to help to answer that cry.
It is not, however, my purpose to give a history of our Mission or its prosperity, but as Convener of our Jewish and Foreign Mission Committee, to make an earnest appeal to our people to show their interest in the Mission by contributing to this fund as liberally as they possibly can. In an official statement from our General Treasurer he informs me that contributions, especially donations, are not up to former years. Now, when we take into consideration the extra heavy burdens that are incurred this year on our fund, unless liberal and kind friends will come forward to help with their means we may be compelled by and by to curtail our labours in our Mission field. This would be a calamity which all of us would lament. The extra heavy burdens I refer to are—the coming home of Rev. John Tallach and family for a well-earned furlough, and his returning to the Mission and the bringing to this country of Mr. Edwin Radasi to be educated for future service in the Mission, and his upkeep while in this country, as also the necessity laid upon us by the Rhodesian Government of sending out a teacher to take charge of our schools there. These extra items will, I think, justify my appeal for liberality towards our Foreign Mission Fund.
I am quite aware of the prevailing distress among our people at the present time and feel keenly for them, and I trust that nothing would move me to make this appeal but my concern for the prosperity of our Mission. If we believe, as we must do, that the Lord has honoured us as a Church in sending His Word in Africa by which even one sinner has been saved from going down to the pit of destruction, is it not our duty but also our privilege to help to spread His Word.
Contributions or donations will be gladly received and acknowledged by Mr. John Grant, 4 Millburn Road, Inverness, or by Rev. Neil MacIntyre, 4 Warrender Park Crescent, Edinburgh.
Appeal on behalf of Applecross Congregation.—An appeal is hereby made by the Applecross congregation to friends throughout the Church to help them to build a new manse, as they have hitherto been without one, and in the event of having a minister settled over them it is necessary that they should have a house for him. There is no suitable building in the district conveniently situated for let or sale, and they are therefore compelled to build a manse. Contributions will be gratefully received by Mr. John Macaulay, Ardghain, Applecross, and Mr. Murdo Gillanders, Congregational Treasurer, Applecross. This appeal is endorsed by the Presbytery—D. N. MacLeod, Moderator; D. M. Macdonald, Clerk.
The late Mr. Alexander Stewart, Elder, Glasgow.—It is with sincere regret we chronicle the passing away of this worthy office-bearer. He reached a good old age. We extend our sympathy to those who mourn his loss and to his fellow office-bearers in St. Jude’s.