THE RESURGENCE OF ARMINIANISM. By Rev. Kenneth A. Macrae, M.A., Stornoway, published by The Northern Chronicle, Inverness (price 1/6d.).
This is a booklet of 32 pages, written by the Free Church of Scotland minister of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. The author deals at the outset with the doctrine of Arminianism, such as the Universal Extent of the Atonement, the Rejection of Predestination, the Denial of Man’s Total Depravity, the Arminian View of Faith and the Denial of the Perseverance of the Saints. He declares that Arminianism is sharply at issue with Calvinistic standards, such as the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter Catechism in respect to fundamental doctrines, and to our mind the author makes this unquestionably clear. For example, he states that “The full-blown Arminian makes no secret of the fact that he believes that every man by nature possesses the faculty of faith, and that it lies entirely with himself as to whether or not he will exercise it. If he does he will be saved: if he does not he will assuredly perish . . . salvation is in his own hands.” Later on the author declares, “Saving faith is not a faculty common to man, but the sovereign gift of God” (Ephes. ii. 8). He states that the Arminian system is definitely not Scriptural, and that it quotes Scripture copiously but it does not treat Scripture fairly. Rev. Mr. Macrae gives a brief survey of the historical facts regarding the entry of Arminian preaching and doctrine into Scotland some 70 years ago. He refers to Moody and Sankey, the American evangelists, and the fact that the late Dr. Kennedy of Dingwall sounded an alarm against their Arminian doctrine. Mr. MacRae refers to the most hurtful effect of the introduction into Scotland by these men, of hymn-singing on a large scale in public worship, and in the then Free Church. A “Hyper-Evangelistic” party arose in the Free Church leading up to the introduction of the Declaratory Act in 1892, under Dr. Rainy. In this part of his booklet Mr. Macrae argues that the Declaratory was not aimed at obtaining vantage ground in the then Free Church for higher criticism, but at the Calvinistic articles of the Confession which, he says, “Were so obnoxious to the Arminians.” But we would interpose here to state that Section IV of that Act did give liberty to higher criticism. Another point dealt with by the author is regarding the Formula of Subscription signed by ministers and office-bearers of the Declaratory Act Free Church. He avers that Dr. Rainy and his party were to have the Formula adjusted so as to make the measure binding (that is the Declaratory Act) upon all who might henceforth be ordained. But, Mr. Macrae says they took fright at the action of Revs. Donald Macfarlane and Donald MacDonald, who founded the Free Presbyterian Church in 1893, and proceeded no further with this project till 1900. Now we find here an argument to cover those who remained in the Declaratory Act Free Church till 1900, and then formed the present Free Church of Scotland. But we, as Free Presbyterians, disown this view out and out, and hold that the Act was binding upon all ministers and office-bearers in the then Free Church from 1892 to 1900. This can easily be proved to the satisfaction of unbiased minds. “At Dorcs the pastor-elect was not allowed to record a statement to satisfy his conscience that he signed the Confession without any regard to the Act” (F.P. Magazine, Vol. I., p. 46). This is but one case. In coming to the application of his subject and argument to the present state of matters in the Free Church, the author declares: “So far as some Free Church pulpits are concerned, a robust Calvinism has given place to a colourless presentation of the doctrines of grace, which will neither satisfy a Calvinist nor offend an Arminian.” He also records further severe strictures upon the practice of ministers in the Free Church who hold services in other denominations with hymns and organs. He sharply criticises his Church’s magazine for proferring reproofing counsel to those in his Church who sought to voice objections to the aforesaid practice. He says he would not be surprised if certain brethren of his would produce a new Declaratory Act, that is, in the present Free Church. He charges many of the Free Church people and some ministers with a lack of regard for the testimony of their Church. In the concluding part of the booklet, Mr. Macrae gives the facts regarding the recent so-called Lewis revival with a view to warning people against Arminian teaching, and at the same time he exposes statements by the leader of that movement which were not founded on fact. The content of this booklet is certainly a timely warning against unscriptural Arminian teaching.
—Editor.
LIONEL THOMSON, by the Rev. F. MacDonald, M.A., North Tolsta.
The records of grace are always interesting and instructive to the Lord’s people. As an evidence of the sovereignty, and at the same time the tenderness of grace, this is especially so in the case of the very young. In this little book an account is given of these evidences as noted in the case of a young child, Lionel Thomson, who was called away at the early age of five years. The Rev. F. MacDonald, who knew Lionel personally, writes in an interesting and touching way, pointing out the marks of grace as seen in the character, conversation and conduct of this interesting child. The brief record cannot fail to attract and affect any person who reads with spiritual understanding. We wish the booklet a wide circulation, and hope that a copy of it will reach the hands of every young person in the Church—and many outside the Church.
Copies are to be had from the Rev. F. MacDonald, M.A., Free Presbyterian Manse, North Tolsta, Stornoway (6d. per copy; 7 ½d. by post).
—J. A. T.