Princess Margaret’s expected visit to the Pope.
The press at the end of April announced that H.R.H. Princess Margaret would be taking an official journey to Italy at the end of that month, and that during her stay, she would certainly see the Pope. The Princess is now in Italy, as we write this note, but there is no further news as to her visiting the Man of Sin. We trust that God, in His good providence, toward the young Princess and our nation—a professed Protestant nation—will prevent this taking place. If the matter is arranged and gone on with, then the Princess will lose the respect of many of the citizens of her own country. His Majesty the King, will bear a large portion of responsibility in permitting his daughter to personally countenance the head of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope claims temporal power and authority over all Kings and rulers—an arrogant and impudent claim. On the other hand, the throne of Britain is founded upon the principles of the Protestant faith. We have long ago repudiated the claims and dogma of the Vatican. And as a member of the Royal family, the Princess has a duty to respect outwardly at any rate, the principles upon which her father’s throne rests, and the strong views of many of his Christian and most loyal subjects.
A disgraceful Speech Broadcast.
On the evening of the 29th April, the B.B.C. broadcast speeches by several notable men of the world, made at the banquet of the Royal Academy of Art, in London. Among those present were the Archbishop of Canterbury and Mr. Winston Churchill. Sir Alfred Munnings, the retiring President, was also one of the speakers. In criticising some forms of modern painting and sculpture, he spoke vehemently, and more than once took the name of God in vain and used other terms of a most unbecoming character. Apart from the subjects with which he dealt, his speech was, in parts, apparently, a disgraceful exhibition, and this was heard by, no doubt, millions of listeners. The B.B.C. have a duty to the public that appropriate measures shall be taken that the like shall not happen again. “The Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh His name in vain.”
Scottish Playing Fields Association and the Sabbath.
Major E. S. Fiddes, secretary of the Scottish branch of the National Playing Fields Association, speaking in Edinburgh on the 2nd of May, made statements which clearly indicated that he is no friend of the Christian Sabbath nor of the religious and moral welfare of Scotland’s youth. Regarding his “Sunday” games proposal, he said that there must be no interference with Church services. But his unholy proposal is exactly what will encourage neglect of Church services, poorly enough attended already in these times. “We must face up to this question of Sunday play,” he declared. “We cannot just sit back and do nothing on the Sabbath . . . I think the day is coming when Sunday games in Scotland will be accepted,” he said. If Major Fiddes had a grain of real understanding as to God’s commandment “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy,” he would not be confronted with the man made (and devil made) problem of sitting back and doing nothing on the Sabbath. He, and the Youth of Scotland will need all their Sabbaths, yea and their weekdays as well, to seek preparation to meet that God who says, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” Because the Youth of Scotland have no heart for a right observance of the Lord’s Day, then Major Fiddes’ reasoning leads him to propose measures which shall encourage and demonstrate this deplorable state of affairs. The youth who play games now on Sabbath will assuredly grow up to be men and women without a Sabbath and without religion of any kind. The Sabbath and even a passing interest in true religion have almost disappeared as it is. The responsibility for assisting to wholly paganise Scotland, through the Youth of the country, will rest, in part, upon the shoulders of Major Fiddes if he actively pursues his wicked proposals; and he will have to meet the Lord of the Sabbath face to face when He comes to judge the world in righteousness.