Extracts from the writings of the late Rev. NEIL CAMERON.
“WHEN the Assembly of 1893 refused by an overwhelming majority, to repeal that Act (the Declaratory Act), the Rev. Donald MacFarlane came forward, and read and tabled a protest against the drastic changes enacted, and declared that he, and such as would follow him, would adhere to the original Constitution of the Free Church of Scotland, and that he did now and then separate himself from the so-called Free Church, claiming all his own rights, and that of them who might follow him, to all that belonged to them as loyal Free Churchmen.” (New Year’s Day Lecture, 1920.)
“No alternative was left then for any who loved purity, integrity of conscience, an infallible Bible, the whole doctrine of the Free Church of Scotland, as set forth in her standards, and a complete deliverance from all the innovations then foisted on the Declaratory Act Church, but to separate at once from being any longer in her fellowship and under her jurisdiction. So, at that Assembly immediately after the result of the vote was declared, the Rev. Donald MacFarlane rose and read his protest, which he left on the table of the Assembly. Thus a separation was constitutionally made.” (New Year’s Day Lecture, 1926.)
“It is by hard striving that the Cause of Christ has been hitherto maintained in the world. He fought many a battle for His poor Church, and surely we may take courage, and count the accusations of men of little moment, when we know that Christ will settle the contention when He shall appear ‘in flaming fire, taking vengeance upon them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ The Word of God is worth contending for, for let men take from you all you possess, but if you keep the word of His testimony He may bless it to your eternal salvation, but lose the truth, and though you should gain the whole world, you will lose your soul. The Spirit tells us in this Psalm that the enemies were laughing at the calamities of the poor Church. Never mind the laughing, which will be like the crackling of thorns under a pot. Keep your thoughts fixed upon eternal laughing in the exceeding joys at the right hand of Christ. Don’t be ashamed of Him. Don’t allow your countenance to blush before His enemies. Who will be ashamed of Christ or His Church at the last day? There shall be no laughing or mocking Him then. Christ and His bride are going through the land of Moab now, and you need not expect liberty to walk upon the king’s highway, except by the strength of His arm. But ‘the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their head; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’ Arise, O Lord, and plead the Cause that is Thine own!” (Sermon, Psalm lxxx. 12, 13).—W. MacL.