Committee Debts.—The seconder of a motion, Dr. Scott Dickson, Old Monkland, for the appointment of a “Solicitor of the Church of Scotland,” pointed out that there was a debt due by various Committees amounting to “the disquieting figure of £71,000.” He concluded by saying: “It was no wonder that in some cases congregational giving was dwindling when they saw the methods that were adopted to persuade people to give to God by bribing them with a little amusement for themselves.” In connection with Dr. Scott Dickson’s remarks, a letter appeared in the Scotsman from the pen of Dr. J. Cromarty Smith, in which he says: “For many years past we have adopted a policy in the way of trying to get money for the Church’s work, a policy which is at once weak, short-sighted, and un-Christian. When money is wanted we get up concerts, dramatic entertainments, and even whist drives, and other unbecoming methods of raising funds for the work Christ has entrusted to His Church. The inevitable consequence is that we have succeeded in teaching people not to give
unless they get something in return. In our returns and schedules annually we have used the phrase ‘Christian liberality,’ although much that was given was not ‘liberality’ and savoured very little of ‘Christianity.’ This is not the fault of the Church’s people only. It is the fault of us ministers, office-bearers, and others responsible. When money is needed we immediately begin to cudgel our brains as to what we can do to bribe people to give, how much we can screw out of them by getting them to come to some entertainment, which in nine cases out of ten can be very much better given by those whose business it is. We send from door to door to sell tickets and implore people to come, and when they come they very naturally care more for their own amusement than for the object we have in view. If we were to put an end to all this silly and un-Christian way of helping the Church we might reasonably hope for a return of the time when people gave liberally and joyfully, asking nothing in return. This would be for the good of their own souls and for the true prosperity of the Church’s work.” It is encouraging to know that a man in Dr. Cromarty Smith’s position takes his courage in both hands and roundly condemns the “silly and un-Christian methods” which have such a vogue in the Church of Scotland.
Highlands and Islands.—Reference was made to the depopulation of the Highlands when the report of the Home Board was submitted. It was stated that the younger people were being drawn to the industrial centres and that the last census had shown that the proportion of older people was higher throughout the Highlands than in the rest of Scotland.
Foreign Missions.—On Thursday (20th May), the Foreign Missions Report was submitted by Rev. Joseph Muir, Edinburgh, Convener. The serious financial situation was brought before the Assembly. Mr. Muir said that for the second time since the Union the contributions had increased but despite this increase there had been a deficit for the year and the debt on the Mission Fund was now £35,000 and on the Women’s Foreign Mission
£16,845. In appealing to the Assembly to realise the gravity of the situation, Mr. Muir said one way of meeting the situation was the abandonment of one or more of their great mission fields but this abandonment meant that there was no Church or Missionary Society in all the world able to take their place and care for the Church and institutions they left, except one—the Church of Rome.
Lapsing Members.—Dr. Cox, in explaining a draft Act anent the keeping of Communion Rolls, called attention to the alarming rate of the falling away of members from the Church. During the last ten years the Church had lost some 170,000—the equivalent of the whole population of Dundee or Aberdeen.
Judicial Commission on Discipline Cases Appointed.—It would appear that the Church of Scotland with all its legal and ecclesiastical machinery of long standing is finding that its procedure in cases of discipline is somewhat involved. The suggestion was made that a Judicial Commission be appointed to deal particularly with cases of discipline affecting character or conduct. It was proposed that the decision of the Commission on the facts would be final but that it should not pronounce sentence. It was to act as a jury and the Assembly would act as judge whose function it was to pronounce sentence. It was unanimously agreed to that these recommendations be sent down to Presbyteries for their consideration. This should prove a golden opportunity for the amateur ecclesiastical jurists who favoured our Church in the columns of the Northern Chronicle and Northern Times with their ill-digested views of church procedure. It is a pity that such knowledge should not be utilised when and where there is need for it even though it is only appreciated by those who imagine they have it.
Maintenance of the Ministry.—The Rev. Dr. J. R. Forgan, joint-convenor, submitted the report of the maintenance of the Ministry Committee. He pointed out that while the minimum stipend of £300 with a manse was maintained that unless the shrinkage in the congregational giving was arrested that they
would be under the necessity of reducing this minimum. Throughout the five years prior to last year, he pointed out, there had been a total shrinkage in the givings to this Fund of some £35,000, making an average diminution of £7,000 a year. Last year the decrease had been £4,000 and as men who were thankful for small mercies, said Dr. Forgan, they were hopeful that this was the turn of the tide. One speaker pointed out that £400 was the minimum aimed at in 1929 but notwithstanding 350 unions of congregations effected they had not yet got beyond £300.
Kirkmabreck Union Case.—This notorious case, which has been agitating the courts of the Church and which went to the Court of Session, throws light, with many other cases, on the unreality of the 1929 Union. The session clerk, four elders and 290 others signed a petition that it was contrary to the Christian faith and principles that they should be compelled to unite with Trinity Church congregation, Creelton. Negotiations were carried on without success. Much heat was engendered which was of anything but a Christian kind. Finally an appeal was made to Caesar and the Court of Session decided against the dissentients. During the discussion in the Assembly considerable confusion seemed to arise in connection with a motion presented. The Procurator and Dr. Bogle differed on the procedure and there seems to have an amount of confusion to which we are strangers in the proceedings of the smaller church courts. A motion to the effect that Kirkmabreck and Creelton Trinity congregations be united was passed by an overwhelming majority. We wonder what ailed the newshawks of the Rothermere and Beaverbrook press when they did not seize on this case for serving up something sensational to their readers. They certainly had more material to work on for their lively imaginations than they had in other cases which they worked to death.
The Assembly acted wrongly.—A lively discussion took place in connection with the Assembly’s instructions to the Maintenance of the Ministry Committee in connection with certain Exchequer grants. Some of the members made it plain that there was
bungling in the matter and considerable difference of opinion was expressed as to how the bungling could be rectified. It would be well that some of our people would particularly note that this great Church with all its ecclesiastical and legal officials may at times find itself in a position that had such things happened in smaller bodies it would be immediately set down to sheer incompetence.
Movement towards Union.—Principal Martin, in submitting the report of the Committee on Inter-Church Relations, which was read for him by the Rev. Dr. C. W. G. Taylor, said that the Committee had a modest success to report. Certain branches of the Scottish stock still considered the present isolation to be for them the better way, but there were others who agreed that the time for that was passed. The Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Original Secession Church and the Free Church were of one mind with him there. There was no idea of union proper. The day might come, however, when the banners of all the regiments of the Presbyterian army would hang furled side by side in the ancient kirk over the way [St. Giles]. All we would say to this is that a mighty change will have come over the Church of Scotland if the Churches named remain true to their historic position before their banners hang furled side by side with that of the Church of Scotland. Or, if the Church of Scotland remains as she is, an extraordinary deterioration must have taken place in these Churches before the situation envisaged by the Emeritus-Principal is realised. The Free Presbyterian Church is one of the branches of the common Scottish stock which considers the present isolation best for them. The conference with the Anglican Church must now be regarded as definitely closed, said Dr. Martin. It certainly is not before time. It would appear that Dr. Martin is learning a few lessons in his explorations in the hinterland of the Union movements, for in a reference to the coming Edinburgh Conference of the Faith and Order Movement, he ventured the hope that the Conference would not attempt too much.
Later in the debate it was made manifest that there is still a hankering after the Anglican Church by a considerable number in the Church of Scotland and Dr. Martin reported that the Church of England was “aware of their great willingness and anxiety to have matters carried farther.” Dr. John White, one of the most prominent of the ecclesiastical engineers for union in the Church of Scotland, said that they had been waiting for two years to go on, not only with representatives of the Anglican Church, but likewise with representatives of the Scottish Episcopal Church and it was they who had at the present time refused to proceed farther. We presume that when the day longed for by many of the leaders and file of the Church of Scotland comes the banners of the Church of England, Scottish Episcopal Church, Church of Scotland, Free Church, Reformed Presbyterian Church, and the Original Secession Church will hang unfurled in St. Giles if Dr. Martin’s ideal is realised. As one reads these speeches it seems incredible that men with a full knowledge of the historic background of Presbyterianism in Scotland should dream such idle dreams.
Divorce (Scotland) Bill.—On Monday (24th May), Lord Alness’s Bill was discussed in a comparatively small house. Dr. D. P. Thomson submitted a supplementary report of the General Administrative Committee. There was considerable discussion on the Bill. At length Lord Salvesen moved a motion expressing approval generally of the proposal to extend the grounds of divorce in so far as the provisions of the Bill, in the opinion of a Committee to be appointed ad hoc, satisfy under each head the condition that the facts requiring to be established import that the union of parties in marriage has already been destroyed. Lord Salvesen’s motion was carried by a large majority. Some of the speeches in the Assembly seem to indicate a departure from the Confessional doctrine on Divorce and one would have wished a more united and clearer testimony against some of the provisions of the proposed Act.
Attitude to War.—There was considerable discussion on this subject. The Pacifists in the Assembly made their voice heard and on seconding an amendment the seconder suggested that the House should divide “to show on which side the great majority of Christians in the Church of Scotland were,” but on being appealed to he withdrew his request.
Education (Scotland) Act—Section 18.—This is a perennial subject of discussion in the church courts but hitherto nothing has resulted but protests being sent up to the authorities who pay no attention to them. The Education Committee were criticised for what was described as a recommendation to do nothing with regard to the amendment of Section 18. Dr. W. A. Guthrie moved that the Assembly, while welcoming the educational advantages that had been secured for all Scottish children through the operation of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, renew their expression of sympathy with the widespread dissatisfaction created by Section 18 of that Act, and declare that it could not be regarded as a permanent settlement, but ought to be amended to bring it more into harmony with the Protestantism of Scotland. He declared that the 1918 Act had failed to provide a really national system of education, and had undoubtedly accentuated the cleavage into separate communities. It has sharpened bitterness. Sectarian strife was almost unknown in Scotland before the passing of that Act. The bitterness arose through the fact that the Act had brought about a vast enrichment of the Roman Catholic Church. It had subsidised Roman Catholic teaching and the Roman Catholic atmosphere, and it had perpetuated sectarian schools. Our gracious King had sworn to uphold the Protestant faith and to defend the Presbyterian Church in Scotland. The Roman Catholic Church deliberately aimed at the overthrow of both of these, and that notorious Section 18 was their spearhead. No country in the world had dealt so generously with the Roman Catholics as Scotland had done. Dr. Guthrie’s motion was carried in the Assembly.
It is almost incredible that in a Protestant country, and Scotland of all countries, that Protestants should be paying for the instruction of Roman Catholic doctrine in Roman Catholic Schools and let it not be forgotten that this applies to all Free Presbyterians who are paying education rates.
Other Matters.—When the report of the Committee on Church and Nation was presented, pool-betting, Sabbath desecration, irregular marriages, church raffles, were condemned.
Juvenile Delinquency.—On Wednesday (26th May), when Rev. F. D. Langlands, Convener of the Committee on Christian Life, presented his report, he said that the prevalence of juvenile delinquency in our land was simply appalling, and one of the most disquieting features was that it was to be found amongst boys who belong to better-class homes and have been educated at good schools. He laid the blame on parents, whom he charged with unconcern whether their children were keeping late hours or bad company. He said he had a talk with the Chief Constable of his own town, who said it was his opinion and the opinion of every Chief Constable in Scotland, that the prime cause of juvenile crime to-day was the lack of parental control.
Spiritual Healing.—A motion to the following effect was agreed to by the Assembly on Wednesday, 26th May :—“That the crave of this overture be granted—namely, that a Special Committee of 15 members be appointed to consider the advisability of providing a voluntary diploma course along such lines as psychology, psycho-therapy, spiritual direction, and spiritual healing for ordained ministers of not less than five years’ experience in a pastoral charge, and to report to next General Assembly.”
The General Assembly ended its deliberations on Thursday, 27th May, with an address by the Moderator.
FREE CHURCH.
Sabbath Schools.—On Tuesday night the Rev. J. M. Maclellan in submitting the report of the Welfare of Youth and Publications
Committee commented on the declining population particularly in the country places and pointed out, in this connection, that the number of scholars in their Sabbath Schools tended to get less. He referred also to the tendency on the part of parents to leave the religious instruction of their children to others. Family worship and home training in the ways of God were, he said, in the majority of cases, things of the past.
Sustentation Fund.—The Rev. William Macleod in submitting the Sustentation Fund Report paid a tribute to the liberality of the people. The givings showed an increase on last year though there were defaulting congregations which failed to come up to the minimum promised. These meant a loss of £429 to the Fund. An equal dividend of £245 for ministerial salaries was fixed.
Finance Committee Report.—In Submitting this report Mr. Donald Macarthur said that the total income of the Church for the year was £50,955—£25,643 from interest on invested capital and £25,312 from congregational givings and individual donations. He made reference to the debit balance of £1,441 on Foreign Missions and said that they could not go on year after year accumulating deficits.
Visit of the U.F. Moderator.—Rev. Alfred Merriweather paid a courtesy visit to the Assembly and gave an address. What sympathy there can be between the Free Church and the United Free Church we fail to understand, and these courtesy visits are somewhat of a mystery when the gulf between the churches represented is so wide.
Visit of Moderator of the Church of Scotland.—On Thursday Dr. Macfarlane visited the Assembly. This was the first visit of a Church of Scotland Moderator since 1900. Professor Maclean welcomed Dr. Macfarlane warmly, both for his own sake and as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. “We welcome your visit as a gracious act,” he said, “by which you recognise the existence of a little sister
Church seeking to do what you are doing, within its own restricted province. I assure you that this Assembly is sincere in its offer of thanks, that it will do its utmost to maintain the brotherhood that is symbolised by your presence here in all undertakings that are consistent with our definite witness. We give you the assurance, along with the gratitude, of this General Assembly that any undertakings for the advancement of the cause of our Lord in that kingdom of the North to which you have referred will be entered by us heartily, always bearing in mind that we are the Free Church of Scotland. We thank you warmly, and we feel that this is an event which is not the outcome of human devices, but the revelation of a purpose of the Most High that brethren who confess the one Lord should at least manifest to the world—as I think they have been doing more than the world has given them credit for—that they are brethren.” We make no comment on the speech but leave our readers to form their own judgment. We cannot help wondering, however, what the Disruption Fathers would think if they had been present notwithstanding the qualifications made by Dr. Maclean.
Public Questions.—The Rev. Duncan Macdonald, Glasgow, submitted the report on Public Questions. Obscene books and pictures, Sabbath-breaking and profane swearing were strongly condemned. Rev. Murdo Campbell, in speaking on the report, said: “The biggest enemy of Bible service and evangelical work to-day was not materialism, or even paganism but Romanism,” The Rev. Murdoch Maephail, Kilbrandon and Kilehattan, took exception to the statement in the Committee’s report that “We all would prefer that a man should be a Roman Catholic than that he should be an atheist.”
Training of the Ministry Committee.—Our readers will remember that considerable heartburning was caused by the action of this Committee and the claims put forward for their action. A Special Committee had been appointed by last Assembly to consider the functions of the Training of the Ministry Committee. Professor Maclean moved the adoption of the Special Committee’s
report but an amendment by Rev. William Macleod, Dornoch, to the effect that the report be received, thank the Committee and affirm that the training of the ministry was regulated by certain specified Acts of Assembly, was carried. He said that the paragraph in the Special Committee’s report describing the Training of the Ministry Committee’s “responsibility for admission and dismissal of students was very like the Act which had already been repealed.” “This report,” he added, “is committing us to a position upon which the Church decided with no uncertain voice last year.” Mr. Macleod’s amendment was carried by 19 to 17 votes—a vote which indicated a large cleavage of opinion on an important matter.
Church Music.—Rev. J. M. Maclennan in submitting the report of the Psalmody Committee said that if the Free Church was to hold her own, she had to attend to her preaching and praise. The Rev. A. R. Fraser, Dundee, said that it was his opinion and that of others that the present standard of congregational praise in the Free Church had failed, and failed pathetically, to justify the position which they as a Church had taken up on this matter. “I would venture to say,” said Mr. Fraser, “that unless something very drastic is done to remedy the present state of our congregational praise, the sooner we abandon our present position the better, and that would be a step which I would agree to only with the utmost regret.” According to the Scotsman report there was some dissent, mingled with slight applause, when Mr. Fraser said he had evidence for saying that their cause was being detrimentally affected by the present state of their congregational singing. Principal Macleod said he was not sure whether Mr. Fraser meant their position as a Psalm-singing Church, or as a Puritan Church with no instrumental accompaniment. “I hope I shall not live to see the day,” he said, “when questions of that kind are raised in the Free Church of Scotland.”
The Assembly ended its deliberations on Tuesday, 25th May, with an address by the Moderator.