Ministers Barred from Standing for Parliament.
In July last a plea by the Church of Scotland that serving ministers should not be barred from standing for Parliament was rejected by a Select Committee of the House of Commons. They recommended that there should be no change in the law. They accepted the advice of the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Fisher) that it would be much better to leave the thing alone, which would be the course of wisdom. With the Select Committee’s decision we agree. The Church of Scotland pressed strongly for a change in the law and submitted a memorandum by Sir Randall Philip, Q.C., Procurator for the Church. One argument was that the Church of England was represented by bishops in the House of Lords. We do not know at present what section of the Church of Scotland was behind this memorandum or what were the real roots from which it sprung. It is a demand which has taken some members of the public by surprise; as little, or nothing at all, has been reported of this matter from debates in the Courts of the Church of Scotland. The clergymen of the Church of England and the Church of Scotland, serving in these State connected bodies are barred from becoming Members of Parliament. Priests of the Roman Catholic Church are also barred by law. They have, as everyone should know, a first and primary loyalty to the Pope, and according to their creed, the Queen and the authority of the British Parliament would of necessity be secondary and subsidiary. This can easily be proved. Ministers of other Churches, in England and Scotland, having no official State connection, such as are called the Free Churches in England, and the Free Church, Free Presbyterian Church and United Free Church in Scotland may by law become Members of Parliament. But whether the civil law permits ministers to become Members of Parliament or not, is it consistent with their professed calling as ministers of Christ and the gospel? We are not proposing here to do anything so wrong or foolish as to argue against the doctrine and Scriptural teaching of the Confession of Faith upon matters respecting the Civil Magistrate, chapter 23. For the said Confession of Faith teaches, “It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called thereunto,” etc., and this teaching we stand by as Scriptural and very fundamental to the Establishment Principle, for which we as a Church contend. But when we approach the question of a fully ordained minister of the gospel of Christ Jesus in the active service of his professed Master, and such a man of any Church desiring to become a Member of Parliament, then this case appears to us somewhat different from the case of the ordinary or lay Christian. It may be contended by some that the term “Christians” in the section of the Confession of Faith quoted, must of necessity include ministers of religion as being Christians. Well, we surely concede that true ministers of the gospel are Christians. This is obvious. But called, ordained ministers of the gospel of Christ have certain responsibilities and obligations by virtue of their calling and office in the Church of Christ which may well preclude them, even in the light of Scripture, from becoming Civil Magistrates. And this view is one which we may deem not in the least degree inconsistent with the teaching of the Confession of Faith. For instance, in regard to the man holding the office of the gospel ministry, Paul writes to Timothy, a young minister of Christ, thus: “Meditate upon these things: give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (I Tim. iv. 15, 16). Such are to give themselves wholly to those things which in one way or another are related to the discharge of the duties which servants of Christ in the gospel are obliged to attend to. Then again, the Apostle in directing counsel to Timothy personally as a minister of Christ reminds him that “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (II Tim. ii. 4). This, of course, has its application to all faithful men to whom the doctrines of Christ and the office of the ministry have been committed. To assert that the Apostle Paul, at times, worked with his own hands, in addition to the discharge of his apostolic activities is beside the point, when considering as to whether or not a minister of the gospel should assume the duties and responsibilities of a Member of Parliament in our British House of Commons. This would virtually call for the cessation of all his duties as a minister of Christ, and a pastor of a congregation. Could any genuine minister of the gospel contemplate this? We do not believe that the Confession of Faith on the Civil Magistrate envisaged such a step by a Christian minister under ordinary circumstances. The late Rev. Robert Shaw, D.D., in his exposition on the Confession of Faith, states his view on this question thus, “But though Christ came not to exercise temporal dominion, and though he repressed the ambitious temper which then manifested itself among his apostles, and interdicted them and the ministers of the gospel in succeeding ages from holding such an office, this does not exclude all Christians from executing that function.” “That function” means the office of the Civil Magistrate. Dr. Shaw employs a very strong term when he gives as his view that Christ interdicted the apostles and ministers of the gospel from holding the office of the Civil Magistrate. We think that Dr. Shaw has used the right word. He gives Matthew, chapter xx, verses 25 and 26 as a reference, viz., “But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.” Here the Lord is addressing His Apostles and not His disciples generally. We cannot conceive it to be reasonable, practical or possible for a man to carry out the duties of a minister of religion and a Member of Parliament at one and the same period of his life. We know that other men, such as lawyers, farmers, etc., are Members of Parliament, but they of necessity have a certain freedom of action on account of their business and work being carried on by others while they attend the House of Commons for lengthy periods of the year. But the true minister of the Gospel cannot delegate the carrying out of his vows and promises to serve the Lord with devotion, in connection with the Gospel, to another, while he himself expends his energies and time on political doctrines, economies, housing, foreign policy and so on, to the exclusion of the care of precious souls. One eminent minister in England long ago was requested by a number of admirers to stand for Parliament and become their Member of Parliament. His reply by letter to this request contained the words of Nehemiah in answer to the enemies of the Jews who invited Nehemiah to confer with them, viz., “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?”
Gaelic Lecturer Criticises Section of Protestant Church in Highlands.
Mr. Alexander Nicolson, a former Lecturer in Gaelic at Glasgow Training Centre, addressed the Celtic Congress in Glasgow on the 13th of August, 1953, on “The Position of Gaelic in Scotland To-day.” He referred to the substantial fall in the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland since the last twenty years, and the decline in the youthful population in the North. Among other causes for these Highland trends, Mr. Nicolson averred that “In too many places the singing of native songs has been frowned upon by a powerful section of the Protestant Church in the Highlands.” Mr. Nicolson here refers to Gaelic songs, of course. He proceeded in his criticism of this section of the Protestant Church thus—”Such have used their influence to prohibit even the establishment of recreation halls in certain areas, their logic being that where there is a hall youth will gather, and there will be dancing and the singing of secular songs.” He adds to this, “Need one wonder . . . at the rate of decline in our youthful population in the North.” Mr. Nicolson aims his criticisms without doubt at the Free Presbyterian Church and probably includes the Free Church, especially in the Lewis area, as elsewhere some Free Church ministers have been known to favour with their presence gatherings of a Highland Society which encourages the singing of Gaelic songs. We are not at all surprised or in the least adversely disturbed by Mr. Nicolson’s worldly minded condemnation of us. Yet we have our views of Mr. Nicolson’s criticism. We conclude that the Church of Scotland is not included in this “powerful section of the Protestant Church in the Highlands,” and also that the Roman Catholic Church in this part of Scotland does not frown upon the singing of Gaelic songs. The truly Christian and Protestant section of the Church of Christ in the Highlands has as one of its chief aims the conversion and salvation of sinners, and thus their deliverance and separation from the vanities of the world. And so if young men and women, and old too, are to “sing a new song to the Lord,” then the secular song must be laid aside. We would remind Mr. Nicolson that the grace of God in the heart of a saved sinner can not delight in the songs of the unconverted and carnal world, and at the same time relish the “songs of Zion” and the spiritual praises of God. The religion of the Bible and produced by the pure gospel of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, does not go hand in hand with the singing and dancing of the worldling. And let it be noted that the section of the Protestant Church in the Highlands, opposed to Gaelic secular song singing, sees to the carrying on of the Scriptural worship of God in the Gaelic language, week by week, in many places throughout the whole of the Highlands; in this worship, the whole counsel of God is preached and the psalms of David sung in the Gaelic language. We defy Mr. Nicolson to point to any organisation in the Highlands which by its activities is doing more to preserve the Gaelic language than the “powerful section of the Protestant Church,” to which he refers. It was, to say the least of it, unfair and an impertinence on Mr. Nicolson’s part to ignore this obvious aspect of the question in his address to an audience comprised of Welsh, Irish, Cornish and Breton members as well as those belonging to Scotland. As to the influence used to prohibit the establishment of recreation halls in Highland areas because young people gather in these, to dance and sing secular songs, we have every reason to be opposed to the setting up of these centres. How often is it the case that in such halls there is dancing on the part of young lads and girls until the early hours of the morning without any supervision, and frequently there is associated with the dancing much drinking. These are circumstances which have entrapped and ruined morally not a few young people in the Highlands of Scotland. Dancing and Gaelic songs never saved a sinner, but ruined many a soul for time and eternity. The powerful section of the Protestant Church in the Highlands is certainly not to blame for helping to eliminate Gaelic as a spoken language from Scotland; and on the other hand, this section of the Church which Mr. Nicolson had the effrontery to criticise, is as concerned for the retaining of youth in the Highlands as ever Mr. Nicolson was, who apparently enjoyed lecturing in the great city of Glasgow instead of employing his gifts in Lewis, Skye, Ross-shire or Sutherland. To quote the celebrated Spurgeon: “Some are tall talkers but little doers.”
Vicar’s Defence of Duke of Edinburgh and Sabbath Polo Condemned.
The Lord’s Day Observance Society in England has as its basis: “The divine authority and perpetual obligation of the Christian Sabbath or Lord’s Day.” “In asserting the obligation of the Lord’s Day, the gospel of the grace of God through Christ Jesus should be proclaimed.” The said Society has a Birmingham and District Branch whose hon. secretary is Pastor H. E. Stonelake. Apparently the Dr. Sinclair Snaw, vicar of Bognor Regis, defended the Duke of Edinburgh’s conduct in playing polo on the Sabbath by statements from his pulpit and in the press. The following letter appeared in the Birmingham press rightly condemning the vicar. It is from the pen of Pastor Stonelake.
To Dr. SINCLAIR SNAW, Vicar of Bognor Regis.
Sir,—As one minister to another I feel constrained to make a public reply in opposition to your statements made in the pulpit and to the press in relation to your defence and support of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Sunday polo matches, also your unwarranted attack upon the L.D.O.S. in describing their rightful and respectful protest in honourable defence of the Lord’s Day in rude language as “Duke Baiting.” The violation of the Sabbath by Royalty is deplored by all true Christians, for such conduct in high places is a retrograde step towards a Continental Sunday. Sir, your defence of the Divine Law would be more in keeping with your profession of faith than the defiance you manifest in the pulpit.—I am, sir, yours in faithfulness,
H. E. Stonelake, Pastor (Hon. Sec. Birmingham L.D.O.S.).
Distress of Nations.
During the month of August last, events took place which added to the already turbulent conditions prevailing in many parts of the world. In France there arose a nation-wide strike of all classes of workers, originating with the request for more pay by post office workers. There was much loss financially to the nation, and a certain amount of distress was inevitable. Even the dead were not being buried at the period of the strike. France seems unable to obtain a settled, respected Government for any length of time. Their national elections are always held on the Sabbath Day, and it is no wonder the political structure of the nation is so fragile, insecure and changeable. There seems to be the blight of God’s displeasure upon this department in the life of France. Then there came upon the inhabitants of the Ionian Islands of Greece a terrible and destructive earthquake, with great loss of life and property, whole towns being wrecked and put on fire, and much suffering, sorrow and desolation experienced by survivors. This was and is an outstandingly solemn dispensation to these people in the providence of God, who ruleth ever by His power, and who at times maketh the earth, or parts of it, to tremble and shake in actuality. Such calamities ought to recall to us the words of the Lord Jesus, “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” That is, that we shall perish in our sins if we repent not, whether we die under visible calamitous circumstances or not. And further, there were political upheavals and disturbances in Persia, requiring the Shah of that country to flee to Italy with his wife. Then we read of his return in a few days’ time after his supporters had gained power. And almost at the same time the Sultan of Morocco was deposed and exiled by the French authorities and another appointed in his place, and all this involving a great deal of unrest among the native population of that land. Along with all this the Mau Mau menace continued to be an anxiety to the authorities in Kenya, and the terrorists a problem in Malay. Further East there has been, and continues to be, tension between India and Pakistan over Kashmir; and in Korea there is the aftermath of the war there and the problems regarding the political situation arising from the cessation of hostilities. Truly, in many corners of the world there is unrest among the people, instability and trouble of one kind or another on a large scale. Peace and tranquility have forsaken many parts of the earth. And the God of the whole earth, the God of the Bible, is almost, if not altogether ignored. The gods which are no gods, Allah, Mahomet and the rest are still revered and worshipped by millions of our fellow sinners. Practical atheism prevails in the minds and hearts of millions in, say, France, and also Britain itself. And God is jealous of His glory. He will not give His glory to another, nor His praise to graven images, and at times He manifestly comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquities in diverse ways in His divine government in providence. There will be no universal unity, peace and stability among and between the nations, no freedom from signal, vexatious and destructive judgments upon the peoples of the world until the nations, in a day of power, turn the Lord unto.
Distribution of the Bible by Balloon.
Recently it was reported in the press that the United States State Department and the West German Government have approved a plan to drop 10,000 Bibles behind the Iron Curtain by balloon. This was announced in Cincinnati on the 2nd of September. It was stated that the Bibles, which are printed in several languages, are stored in Nuremberg. This is an interesting and commendable enterprise indeed. But we would like to know who are really behind this plan, as for instance the West German Government appears to have a strong Roman Catholic bias, and it would be unusual for the R.C. Church to support the West German Government in this matter. As to the American part in the business, we remember that General MacArthur of U.S.A. when in authority in Japan at the beginning of the Korean War, began the distribution of Bibles throughout pagan Japan. It may be, that some strong, influential organisation in America is behind this action. If just the pure, unadulterated Word of God is being scattered among needy sinners behind the Iron Curtain, in this way, then may the God of the Bible savingly and richly bless the reading of it to many a precious soul in these isolated lands.
Dornoch Carnival Celebrations Opened by a Free Church Minister.
The following item of news, quoted from The Northern Chronicle of 22nd July, 1953, speaks for itself and hardly needs a comment.
“Dornoch Amenities Committee’s Carnival celebrations, which this year are being held for four days instead of the usual week, were officially opened by Provost the Rev. William MacLeod on Saturday evening. The crowning of a ‘Carnival Queen’ was dispensed with this year, and instead a ‘Miss Dornoch, 1953’ was invested with the sash of office. The young lady elected (at a recent dance), Miss Margaret Bain, was gracefully installed by Mrs. MacLeod, wife of the Provost. Miss Bain, along with her attendants . . . were conspicuous in the platform party, which also included Mr. F. G. Carmichael, President of the Amenities Committee; Provost and Mrs. MacLeod; Bailie J. A. and Mrs. Wickham; Mr. and Mrs. Charles McHardy, and Mrs G. K. Mackay. The opening ceremony was witnessed by a fairly large attendance of the public, including numerous visitors. Somewhat dull weather conditions prevailed. A pre-Carnival dance, held on the Friday evening, attracted a crowded attendance, and the dance which followed the procession of decorated vehicles on Saturday evening was also well patronised. The programme included a children’s fancy dress parade and kiddie car race, a special cinema show and treasure hunt on Monday; a fancy dress football match and a fancy dress carnival dance on Tuesday; and on Wednesday (to-day) car and cycle treasure hunts, olde worlde fayre, the grand finale being a bonfire and dancing on the Links at 11 p.m.”
I leave our readers, in and outside the F.P. Church, to judge for themselves. One thing we would say is that it had been better for the Provost, who is the Rev. William MacLeod, Free Church Minister of Dornoch, to be in his study on a preparation day for the Sabbath than opening, to say the least, a worldly carnival which had no less than four or five dances connected with it, as our readers can see. Mrs. MacLeod, the Provost’s wife, should also be better engaged than installing “Miss Dornoch, 1953,” who was “elected at a recent dance.” Has the Free Church nothing to say!—A. B.