(Continued from p. 125.)
Magazine Report.
—This was read by Rev. J. Colquhoun; and its adoption was moved, seconded and agreed to.
Rev. W. Grant said: “The circulation of the Magazine has gone up considerably during the past year when you take into account the circulation to the forces. By special arrangement with the Admiralty, the War Office, and the Air Ministry, a thousand copies of the Magazine are sent every month to sixteen different centres. That number, according to the last letter from the War Office, may be increased considerably, but as it is, the best distribution arrangements are made so that the Magazine is to be found on every ship in the Navy—warship, destroyer and submarine. It is encouraging that our people are supporting the Distribution Fund very liberally, so liberally that a suggestion has been made (I do not know if the Synod would approve of it), that in addition an arrangement might be made whereby suitable leaflets or tracts would be included; and there are some such available for distribution among the Forces, and these might be available to the Magazine Committee. That is merely a suggestion, but the fact that the Magazine is so widely circulated is in itself an encouragement to the past and present Editor, and to all who contribute to it. And may the Lord follow it as good seed that is being sown that it may bring forth a harvest to His glory.”
*All cross-headings marked with an asterisk (*) indicate that the Reports will be found printed in this or other issues.—J. C.
Rev. M. Gillies said: “I would like to impress myself and the brethren also with the opportunity that is now given to us to speak to 1,000, and perhaps more, of our soldiers and sailors, along with many of our own people through the pages of the Magazine. Should we not wait upon the Lord so that He would give us short pithy paragraphs that we would send to our Editor from time to time so that he might insert them in the Magazine, and thus speak to a large congregation through its pages? If we wait upon the Lord He may give us some little pieces to send. Here we, through the Admiralty, etc., can put our thoughts, as the Lord gives them to us, before our own men on sea and land facing perils.”
Synod Proceedings in Magazine.
—It was moved, seconded and agreed to, “That the August number of the Magazine be used as a Synod Magazine, instead of the former special issue; and that if any financial adjustments are necessary, they be dealt with by the Magazine Committee.”
This was agreed to after some discussion had taken place. Rev. J. A. Tallach favoured the previous years’ method of issuing the Proceedings in a separate number of the Magazine. Rev. W. Grant put forward the suggestion of printing the Proceedings and Reports of Synod in different monthly issues of the Magazine as convenient. Rev. D. A. MacFarlane made a suggestion which became the substance of the above motion, agreeable to all members of Synod.
Loyal Address to the King.
—This was read and submitted by Rev. J. A. Tallach; and its adoption was moved, seconded and agreed to.
Ministers’ Salaries.
—The Synod decided to continue, for the current year, the present salaries of ministers, notwithstanding the expressed desire of some of the ministers that their salaries be reduced. The Clerk of Synod was instructed to publish the above statement.
The meeting was closed with praise and prayer.
FOURTH PUBLIC SEDERUNT.
The Synod again met within the Church, Inverness, on Friday, the 24th day of May, 1940, at 6 p.m.; and was constituted.
The Roll was called; and the Synod again held a prayer-meeting before dealing with business.
Theological Tutor’s Report.
—Rev. D. A. MacFarlane said that this Report was brief and modified, and after reading it, moved its adoption, which was seconded and agreed to.
Rev. W. Grant said: “Students past and present will agree with me that Mr. MacFarlane does not fail to give them a strenuous session’s work. That is beneficial for them and for the Church, but it implies much heavy work for the Tutor, and we sincerely hope and pray that Mr. MacFarlane will get needed strength and that Tutor and taught will have mutual pleasure in their work. The students have a sympathetic friend in their Tutor.”
Standing Church Committees.
—It was moved, seconded and agreed to that the following Standing Church Committees be appointed:—(1) Church Interests Committee.—Moderator and Clerk of Synod, and the Clerks of the four Presbyteries. (2) Religion and Morals.—Revs. D. M. Macdonald (Convener), W. B. Nicolson, W. Grant, and J. Colquhoun. (3) Finance.—Revs. D. J. Matheson (Convener), W. Grant, N. MacIntyre, M. Gillies, A. Beaton, D. A. Macfarlane, and the representative elders of Inverness, St. Jude’s and Dingwall; Mr. J. Grant, Treasurer, to be associated with the Committee. (4) Canadian and Colonial.—Revs. W. Grant (Convener), D. A. MacFarlane, F. MacLeod, D. J. Matheson, R. R. Sinclair, with the representative elder of Dingwall. (5) Jewish and Foreign Missions.—Revs. N. MacIntyre (Convener), D. Beaton, J. MacLeod, J. A. Tallach, J. P. MacQueen, with representative elders of Edinburgh, Greenock, Glasgow, London, Oban and Kames. (6) Training of the Ministry.—Revs. W. Grant (Convener), F. MacLeod, D. J. Matheson, R. R. Sinclair, J. A. Tallach and A. Beaton. (7) Board of General Trustees.—Clerk of Synod (Convener), and Clerks of the four Presbyteries. (8) Sabbath Observance.—Revs. D. R. MacDonald (Convener), D. M. MacDonald, A. Beaton, Alex. Macaskill, Angus MacKay, with representative elders of their congregations. (9) Church Magazine.—Rev. J. Colquhoun (Convener), with Clerks of four Presbyteries.
Standing Church Collections.
—It was moved, seconded and agreed to that the following special Collections be appointed:— (1) Organisation Fund—June; notice to be sent by Rev. R. R. Sinclair. (2) College Fund—August; notice by Rev. W. Grant. (3) General Building Fund—September; notice by Rev. R. R. Sinclair. (4) Home Mission Fund—October (and May, 1940); notice by Rev. D. J. Matheson. (5) Jewish and Foreign Missions Fund—December; collection by book; notice by Rev. N. MacIntyre. (6) Aged and Infirm Ministers’, Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund—February; notice by Rev. D. J. Matheson.
Statement re The War.
—This Statement was read by Rev. R. R. Sinclair and its adoption moved, seconded and agreed to.
Rev. Jas. MacLeod said: “It is an excellent paper and shows clearly that until nations and individuals turn to the truth of God’s Word—to the law and the gospel, that we need not expect permanent peace on earth or good will toward men. Good will toward men is not the first thing, it is ‘Glory to God in the highest’ first, and then ‘on earth peace, good will toward men.’ Until nations as well as individuals will seek to give God the glory that is due to Him, how can we expect peace on earth? It grieves our people, and the Lord’s people throughout these Islands that there would appear to be an absolute ignoring of God in the public utterances of men in our nation with very few exceptions. Now the nations that will not serve God must perish, and our nation was the most foremost nation in her recognition of God’s laws and liberty of conscience, and the right of private judgment, and we have that yet in the good providence of God, but if the tyrants that have arisen up in Europe got the opportunity let us remember that we would be deprived of it. Take, for instance, the case of Holland, which was the most peace-loving nation in Europe. Within a few days of her being invaded the head of her army divulged to the whole world that at least 100,000 of the manhood of her nation had fallen on the field of battle; and how many thousands of her poor civil population—the mother with the child in her arms have perished as well as the soldiers on the field of battle! The same thing will happen to us if God will not prevent it. We have every confidence from the human stand-point in our Army, Navy and Air Force. We believe our men are braver than the Germans because a cowardly bravery is the bravery of the brute, not the bravery of the intelligent person at all. But our bravery will not save without the intervention of the God of Heaven. It is our duty to seek this. Indeed I was quite recently appealing to the little children to be on their knees praying for the Lord’s divine protection. And if that is His will, that this terrible visitation will bring Britain to a Throne of Grace as never before, and then instead of it being a curse to our nation it will be a blessing, and will, in the good providence of God, issue in a great blessing to the world. When I heard this statement read I must say I was delighted with it. There is a ring of gospel witness running through it, and would to God that the ministers of Britain to-day took up this standard among our dear people and that they would point the finger to the divine revelation of God, inspired by the Holy Ghost. Our noble King did it, but how many of the religious clergy of Britain even dare do it, and that because of their disregard of that divine revelation and their wicked criticism of God’s truth. That is the cause of our trouble, and also of Germany’s. I remember quite well the controversy that went on in the British Press regarding the infallibility, the inspiration and the authenticity of God’s Word. I was a lad, but that fearful criticism made a certain impression on my infant mind. That originated in Germany, and it came into our universities in Britain with the woeful and terrible result that the people were alienated in their minds and separated from one another, in nations, communities and families. God chastised us severely twenty-five years ago, and we did not lay it to heart. This rod which He used twenty-five years ago is now used again in the most solemn and bitter form, but if this will bring Britain back again to the law and the testimony, and to an acknowledgment of Jesus Christ, the great, the adorable and the infinite Saviour of the lost, it would be a blessing for Britain, and for the nations of the earth.”
Rev. D. M. Macdonald said: “We are faced at present with the most terrible conspiracy against the human race that ever existed. The Inquisition was bad long ago. It dealt chiefly with the souls of men and women and punished many in their bodies, but Nazism deprives men of all rights; enslaving men, women and children; imposing a semi-pagan religion on the German people with the worship of the ex-house painter, Hitler, as its aim, and the horrors of the concentration camps for all who dare oppose it. It is a very sad state of affairs that thousands upon thousands of people during the last four weeks have been sent to their death through the power of that man in Germany. It is only the power of God that can protect us. Our Army and Navy cannot protect this country from being invaded by Germany unless God will intervene and protect us. In the past Britain at times became very low and at the last moment the Most High intervened and saved her. God overthrew Napoleon’s army in Russia by snow and ice and He can overwhelm Hitler’s brutal legions easily by various means when the time comes to do so if it be His will. Britain at that time had praying men both in her Army and Navy, and godly ministers like the late Rev. Laclan Mackenzie who prophesied that Britain would overcome yet. We owe much to the prayers of these godly men, and I believe there are many prayers going up in our country at present on her behalf. God has still his witnesses in the country, and these people shall be heard, but it may be through terrible sufferings that we shall triumph. It was through the trials of His people that the Kingdom of Christ was established in different lands. In the background of all our privileges you will find the sufferings of Christ’s Church, for it is owing to their stand for truth that we possess many of the spiritual blessings we enjoy—God’s Word, the means of grace, the sacraments of the Church, and the fellowship of the Lord Jesus Himself through His people and through His everlasting gospel. All these have come down to us through the sufferings of our fellow-men and women in the past, and there is no doubt the world is passing through a period that will certainly be over-ruled for good. In China multitudes are homeless—men, women and children not knowing what to do, and yet they hunger for God’s Word, and what they are passing through is causing them to seek eternal life through the Scriptures in Christ Jesus. It is the only thing that will profit them for time and eternity.
The savage onslaught on harmless states and the reckless destruction of innocent civilians and property by Germany may be over-ruled for the good of Europe, and for the preparing the way for the establishment of Christ’s Kingdom throughout the world. We believe that He will cause righteousness, truth and justice to prevail over wrong-doing and aggression and diabolical wickedness in the end.”
Rev. W. Grant said: “The threat to civil and religious liberty is emphasised, for Nazism is a threat to our civil and religious liberty, and our statesmen are doing their utmost to meet the terrific forces against us.
They are bearing heavy burdens, and we are glad that among other things they are taking drastic steps to deal with Fifth Columnists. In that connection I was surprised to read recently that while all foreigners coming into this country require passports there is an exception. The exception was Holy Orders, i.e., priests, monks and nuns. I am not sure if that has been remedied, but I presume it has. If not, there is a serious gap in our defence measures against Fifth Columnists, especially when you remember that there is a German Embassy at our door-step in Dublin. The statement also emphasises the necessity of maintaining and defending Christian principles. That implies that there are Ecclesiastical Fifth Columnists, and in that connection it is amazing to read in to-day’s press that a professing Protestant minister had the daring to propose in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland yesterday that prayers for the dead ought to be introduced by the Church. We are glad to find that the General Assembly has, so far, put its foot down on that. We hope they will be on their guard against Fifth Columnists, not only in the State, but in the Church. These are testing times, in which we are called upon to maintain truth and righteousness whatever it will cost.”
Religious Services for H.M. Forces.
—The following motion was moved, seconded and agreed to:—”That the Clerk be instructed to write to the Secretary of State for Scotland, indicating that the Ministers of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland place themselves at the disposal of the Authorities for the holding of Religious Services in English and Gaelic, among men serving in His Majesty’s Forces at home and abroad; provided those Services are conducted according to the order and practice of our Church.”
Rev. R. R. Sinclair said: “This motion brings before my mind a difficulty which confronts Free Presbyterian Ministers on various occasions. It is a difficulty which we have when we go out beyond our bounds in the world with regard to our mode of worship, that is, our simple mode of public worship in singing of the psalms, prayer, reading of the Word of God and preaching, and the praise not accompanied by any instrumental music.
In connection with that difficulty as it arises with regard to seeking and accepting chaplaincy in the army at the present time, let no one think that ministers of the Free Presbyterian Church are not willing to do their duty to our men serving in the Forces. Some of us know what the Army and War is, but at the present time while acting according to Scripture and conscientiously we are faced with a difficulty with regard to chaplaincies. This motion shows that we are willing to serve our men in the matter of religious services if the Government will permit us to do so according to what we consider the Scriptural mode of worship.”
Treasurer and Auditors Thanked.
—It was moved, seconded and agreed to, “That the General Treasurer and Honorary Church Auditors be sincerely thanked for their continued diligence and fidelity in the work laid to their hands; and that the Auditors be re-appointed.”
Sympathy with Rev. A. D. MacLeod.
—It was moved, seconded and agreed to, “That the Synod express its sympathy with the Rev. Mr. MacLeod, Shieldaig, in his illness and would pray that the Lord in His rich mercy will soon restore him to health and usefulness in the Church.”
Day of Humiliation and Prayer.
—It was moved, seconded and agreed to, “That Wednesday, 5th day of June, be held as a day of humiliation and prayer throughout the whole Church on account of the serious state of the Nation at present.”
Rev. N. MacIntyre said: “It is unnecessary for me to impress the necessity of having such a day. The Lord is the hearer of prayer, and He tells us, ‘Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee,’ and what a sad thing it is that our nation will not appoint such a day to call upon the Lord in the day of trouble when He promises that He will answer us. I remember a few weeks ago when our ex-Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, was appealed to to have a day of prayer, his answer was that the time was not opportune yet. I notice also that the Archbishop of Canterbury suggested a Day of Prayer in September. Evidently he could do without God until September. I wonder what he will say to-day. Now, I see that the King is asking that first Sabbath be held as a Day of Prayer. I must say personally that I take no notice of that at all because the Sabbath Day is the Lord’s Day. He has hallowed and sanctified that Day for Himself, and King George has no right to go and appoint that day as a day of prayer. Why should not a week-day be appointed, and if that will be the case I have no doubt the Lord will hear our cry, and if He is with us who can be against us, but if He is against us who can be for us ?”
Next Meeting of Synod.
—It was moved, seconded and agreed to, at a private meeting sederunt, “That next meeting of Synod be held (D.V.), in the hall of St. Jude’s F.P. Church, Glasgow, on the first Tuesday after the 3rd Sabbath of May, 1941, at 6.30 p.m.”
The meeting was closed with praise and prayer.