An Introductory Comment.
It is sometimes observed, even by such as are friendly readers of these “Notes and Comments,” that the comments are generally of a critical nature, and we readily agree that this has been so, and are keenly conscious of this fact. Nevertheless, it does appear to us that on account of the general low state of religion and morals throughout our own nation, and further afield, there are few really outstanding events and happenings in the affairs of the Church at large and the world, to invite favourable notice and comment by way of commendation from a spiritual and moral point of view. These observations may appear to some to flow from a restricted and limited appreciation of what is going on here and there in the world; but we are humbly conscious of seeking to keep to our Scriptural standards and witness for Truth as a Church in our outlook and Comments.
New Catechism Criticised within the Church of Scotland.
Some of the questions in the new draft Catechism prepared by a Committee of the Church of Scotland were severely criticised at a recent meeting of the Linlithgow and Falkirk Presbytery of the Church of Scotland. Rev. Alexander Cameron, Slamannan, said that the draft had taken 13 years to produce and that the “mountain had brought forth a mouse.” He said that it was a harmless thing that would not even offend the devil. Another minister of the aforesaid Presbytery, the Rev. William B. MacLaren, said on the doctrinal teaching that some of the questions in this new Catechism were positively banal; that is, commonplace and stale. Now here we have a production for the children of Scotland and their religious education which has been welcomed in many quarters, yet it is strongly criticised by responsible persons inside the Church of Scotland. No wonder we have difficulty in finding material upon which to comment favourably when the above is the case.
The Folly of Educated Men.
Last March it was reported that Professor M. Drennan of Cape Town University said in Johannesburg, South Africa, that parts of a man’s skull found recently at Hopefield in Cape Province were estimated to be at least 150,000 years old. We wonder by what “infallible” tests this estimation was arrived at? And we wonder what basic benefit to mankind the finding of such a skull can possibly be? Is it another endeavour to get evidence at all costs to bolster up the evolution theory and regain the recent loss of prestige among the searchers after dead men’s bones. Let God and the Book of Genesis be true as to the account of Creation and man’s origin and every man a liar. One would think that intellectual men would not have time to trifle away on such speculation and nonsense. But the fact is that the greatest spiritual ignorance, unbelief and atheism can go along with intellectual brilliance. “The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”
Strictures on Roman Catholicism in Belgium and Argentine.
Whether or not Communistic influence is at work in Belgium, and a dictatorial spirit in operation in the Argentine, the fact which interests us at the moment regarding these two nations, so far apart in the world, is the action by their governments mitigating against the Roman Catholic Church. In Argentine, President Peron, at the end of March, cut five “holy” days from Argentine’s annual national holidays. This action was said to be needed to help industrial output. All religious holidays have been eliminated except what is called “Christmas” and “Good Friday.” These steps have been taken, coinciding with the tension between the Peron regime and the Roman Catholic Church. Then in Belgium a draft Bill was introduced to the Parliament of that country in March proposing to annul State subsidies to Roman Catholic schools, and to ban any further opening of such schools except on the grounds of social or economic urgency. This had the effect of stirring up the Roman Catholic opposition to such a pitch that soldiers and police were on special duty throughout Belgium because of hostile demonstrations, rioting and threats of more violence by masses of students and others. Of course, the priests were behind all this rioting and threats of force against the Belgian Government. As an additional note to all this, the Teachers’ Union in France came out on a 24-hour strike recently, protesting against a new plan for farm training schools, which they feared would bring these schools under Roman Catholic influence. When we quietly review and consider the situation to-day as affecting the Pope’s Church and its influence, it is obvious that devastating and undermining blows have been and are being given to anti-Christ before our eyes. Although we in Protestant Britain and in America are giving so much freedom and latitude to official and organised R.C. propaganda and activities, nevertheless in other parts of the world the power of Pope and priest is being restricted and condemned.
Minister Supplies Music for a Dance.
Rev. Norman Birnie, parish minister of Monquhitter, Aberdeenshire, was recently reported to be out of favour with young dancers in his district because he refused to let the piano in his Church Hall be moved from the floor of the hall to the platform for dances. But he soon came back into favour, according to a press report, which relates that when snow held up the band which was to play at a club dance at the end of March, Rev. Mr. Birnie stepped in and supplied the music. For almost four hours he played reels and modern dance tunes on the piano. And doubtless if his Church services on Sabbath were a minute over the hour in length there would be plenty dissatisfaction. But four hours for dancing! This professed Minister of the Gospel conducts his Church choir as well. This conduct is all so common to-day. The Church and the world are all mixed up together. In fact, the vain, spiritually ignorant world has taken possession of the Church; that is, its offices and activities, etc. And as to the puerile “Tell Scotland Movement,” kept going by Rev. Tom Allan, the Rev. Allan has not even begun yet the real work of telling Scotland the whole counsel of God. In relation to this Note and Comment, many ministers in Scotland need to be told that they are unconverted, should resign the office of the ministry of the Gospel, and seek other employment.
Evangelistic and Evangelical.
Some years ago we drew attention in our magazine to how the noun “evangelist” and its cognate adjective “evangelistic,” had fallen on evil days, especially since the time of the Moody and Sankey so-called “revivals” in this country, and had become distinct and separate from the words evangelical and evangelicalism. Some professedly orthodox evangelicals, outside our Church, did not like the distinction, and regarded it as rather “odd” and “queer,” but these very people seem to be at last realising that we were nearer the mark than they at first were willing to give us credit for. One significant proof of the substantial correctness of our view, in this connection, is that Modernist ministers of the Church of Scotland, and elsewhere, warmly welcome the so-called “evangelist” of the present day, and express themselves as cordially willing to co-operate with him in the furtherance of his so-called “evangelistic campaigns,” whereas the surest way to kindle the ire and resentment of these Modernists is to mention the name evangelical and evangelicalism. Thus they will not hear mention of the everlasting immutable Scriptural doctrines of free and sovereign grace—the doctrines used by the Holy Spirit to save sinners—preferring the so-called “light thrown on the Bible by Modernist scholarship” with its “assured results,” falsely so-called. One outstanding aspect of the work of the much-advertised and popular present-day “evangelist” is that, notwithstanding the signing of hundreds and thousands of “decision cards” following the “evangelistic campaigns,” the supposed “converts” do not appear to emphasise witnessing for a Scriptural Sabbath observance, nor for the defence of evangelical Protestantism.