IN the Glasgow Observer and Scottish Catholic Herald of 9th December, 1949, there appeared a report of speeches made at a dinner held by the Caledonian Catholic Association in Glasgow, on what is called St. Andrew’s Day. Priests and laymen expressed their views upon Scotland in the light of Roman Catholic desires and designs for the turning back of the people of Scotland to the blasphemies of Papal claims and the Mass, the religious bondage and superstition of past ages; from which enlightened Reformers, godly martyrs, and multitudes of pious persons were instrumental in delivering their land, in the merciful providence of God. One of the chief speakers was a layman, Mr. John Bayne, M.A., LL.B. He referred to the fact that in the minds of many people in Scotland the Roman Catholic Church was regarded as an Irish institution. We wonder if Mr. Bayne has met people who regard it as an Italian, Romish, and Vatican institution, which of course it is. Italy, Spain, Eire, and other Rome-ruled countries reveal in many ways the deadly and despotic influence of the Italian man called the Pope, who arrogantly and wickedly claims to be the vicar of Christ on earth, and impudently declares himself to be the rightful ruler of Kings, rulers and all kingdoms throughout the world, Scotland included.
“The hierarchy,” said Mr. Bayne, “have contributed much to the progress of Scotland and in maintaining the prestige of Scotland.” What a deceitful and ignorant assertion! The bishops, monks and friars of Rome in Scotland, prior to the times of reformation, only contributed to the progress of superstition and idolatry and maintained the people of Scotland in spiritual darkness. John Knox and his pious and enlightened contemporaries contributed in reality to the spiritual progress of Scotland. They acted in the light of an open Bible and preached the Word of God to the people of Scotland, and down went many of the strongholds of popery and prelates. Those who followed, by divine grace, in the footsteps of the first Reformation, aided the progress of Scotland into the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ. This progress came not by bishops or priests of the Roman Catholic faith, but by converted, godly, eminent and intellectual ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ, professing the Christian and reformed faith, solidly based upon the Inspired and Infallible Word of God. The secular education of the people of Scotland in general had its origin and beginnings from the Reformed Church. As to maintaining the prestige of Scotland from generations past until recent times, unbiased world opinion will testify to the fact that the preaching of the Gospel, family worship, Sabbath observance, the Shorter Catechism, and character moulded by regard to the Law of God, gave Scotland and the Scottish people the prestige enjoyed for many generations. The mass, confessional box, penances, begging friars, and crucifixes, etc., never, never had any part in this.
Mr. John Bayne, speaking for the Caledonian Catholic Association, further declared: “We Catholic Caledonians must consider it our greatest duty to restore the Catholic faith to our country.” We know this is the grand aim of Roman Catholics. What does it involve? The restoration of priestly rule in all walks of life, the widespread acceptance of the blasphemous mass, the confessional box, belief in the non-existent purgatory, the farce of an infallible Italian Pope and the elimination of the preaching of the pure, unadulterated doctrines of the Word of God; and much more to the same effect. This Mr. Bayne also proposed: that St. Andrew’s Day should become a feast of his Church (whatever that means), which would be spent in prayer for the conversion of Scotland. Yes, conversion, not from sin to the Saviour of the Gospel, but from the faith of the pure Gospel, the Reformed faith, to the faith of the Vatican. Let Roman Catholics concentrate, from the Pope outwards, on the question of the “conversion” of millions of communists and many atheists at the doors of Vatican City in Italy. Undoubtedly Scotland needs conversion, but not the kind of conversion indicated to the Caledonian Catholic Society. Scotland needs to be warned against the menace of Rome. Scotland needs conversion by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the raising up of men who would truly fear God and be enabled fearlessly and faithfully to preach the whole counsel of God to guilty, lost, hell-deserving sinners in our beloved Scotland; the Lord working with them, to the turning of men, women and children from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they might receive the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ; the only Priest who can forgive.
Free Presbyterians, we know, are conversant with the unscriptural doctrines and dark practices of the Roman Catholic Church; but we need to be more alive than we may be, to the dangers of Anti-Christ at our doors. When the rod of Communism is smashing organised Catholicism to pieces on the Continent, then the freedom and liberty of our democratic and professed Protestant land are being taken advantage of by the astute priests of Rome to keep in existence and if possible, to advance, the influence and power of popery, as compensation for lost territory. Let us not treat this situation with complacency, but let us witness, as occasion demands, to the precious heritage of our Christian and Protestant faith, and against the proved and centuries-old evils of Roman Catholicism. “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered,” (Ps. Ixviii, 1).
“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles” (Ps. xxxiv, 6). If that poor man did so, and had that blessed issue, why should not we do so also? David makes it a great encouragement unto waiting upon God, that others had done so, and found success.—Owen.