“The Western Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, met at Kyle of Lochalsh, note with profound sorrow the passing away on 6th January, of one of their number in the person of Rev Archibald Beaton, Minister of Gairloch, in the 60th year of his age. Mr Beaton, with his parents, came to reside at Camustinivaig, Braes, Portree, while he was still a child, and at an early age indentified himself with the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, regularly attending the services held at Braes. When he left home to earn a living he took up a sea-faring life, and by dint of hard work and application to study he gained his Master’s Certificate. He was, however, destined for the most noble calling in which one can be employed, that is, to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ to perishing sinners, and, having passed through the Glasgow University and attended the Divinity Classes of the Church, he was licensed to preach the Gospel in July 1933, and the following November he was ordained as Minister of the Free Presbyterian Congregation of Gairloch where he remained till his lamented death. Mr Beaton laboured faithfully and diligently not only in his own Congregation but throughout the Church at Communion seasons where his services were very acceptable.
“In his preaching, he manifested that he was a lover of the old ways and the good paths where the most eminent Reformers and Covenanters walked. He never spared himself where the Cause of Christ was concerned, and, as a pastor, he manifested deep sympathy with the sick and afflicted.
“He was most regular in his attendance on Church Courts and the meetings of Synod Committees of which he was a member, and was a useful member of the various committees with which he was connected.
“Two years ago his health broke and a serious operation became necessary. Though afterwards he was able to preach, the
recovery was only partial, and after suffering much discomfort he quietly fell on sleep in a Glasgow Hospital. All who were intimately acquainted with him mourn for him, but ‘sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.’
“He left a widow and four children to whom the sympathy of the Presbytery goes out. May they experience the grace and comfort of the Lord who ‘relieveth the fatherless and widow’.”
John Colquhoun, Presbytery Clerk.
The General Treasurer.
On the instructions of the Synod, the Finance Committee, at its last meeting, accepted with regret the resignation of Mr John Grant, who for the past 38 years has been General Treasurer of the Church. The Committee resolved to include in its minutes the Tribute drawn up by the Synod to Mr Grant. Readers of the Magazine will have an opportunity of reading this Tribute when it appears in the Synod Proceedings.
Mr Grant’s resignation will take place from 30th September, 1960.
In view of Mr Grant’s resignation, the Committee, on the instructions of the Synod, have divided the work formerly done by the General Treasurer. The new General Treasurer will look after all the Funds of the Church with the exception of the following:—
Publications Fund; F.P. Magazine Benevolent Fund; Free Presbyterian Magazine Fund; Young People’s Magazine Fund; Mrs M. M. MacFarlane Bequest Fund.
These Funds will be looked after by the Publications Treasurer, to whom all contributions to these Funds should be sent. The Committee are glad that Mr John Grant has accepted the appointment as Publications Treasurer. As already intimated, Mr W. D. Fraser has been appointed as General Treasurer.
Both these appointments will take effect from 1st October, 1960.
GENERAL TREASURER—Mr W. D. Fraser, 34 Duneath Street (bottom flat), Glasgow, C.4.
PUBLICATIONS TREASURER—Mr John Grant, 4 Millburn Road, Inverness.
Donald MacLean, Convener, Finance Committee.
An Appeal — Welfare of Youth Fund.
We begin this appeal by quoting verbatim the motion that was unanimously passed at last meeting of Synod, which is as follows:—
“That the Bible Training of Youth Committee be authorised to send a notice to the F.P. Magazine drawing the attention of our people to the opening of the Welfare of Youth Fund, and appealing for contributions to this fund for prizes and awards for young people doing the Scripture and Catechism Exercises.”
The Bible Training of Youth Committee, having as their supreme object the temporal and Spiritual good of our dear boys and girls, together with the absolute necessity of keeping them interested in the Bible as the only rule to direct them, and through which alone their souls can be sanctified for eternity; do hereby earnestly appeal to all our congregations to help augment the above said important fund; thus enabling us to procure sound and evangelical literature for those children taking part in the Scripture and Catechism Exercises in our Young People’s Magazine both at home and abroad. Books are very expensive.
Our boys and girls are the future upholders of our beloved Church, therefore let us do all we can to establish them in “the Faith once delivered to the Saints,” Reformation principles, and our distinct and separate position as a Church, for which we hope, and would seek to pray, they will cleave unswervingly when we ourselves are silent in the grave.
Contributions will be gratefully acknowledged by Mr John Grant, 4 Millburn Road, Inverness.
John A. Macdonald, Convener.
Disturbances in Bulawayo.
The recent rioting in Bulawayo caused some concern and the Clerk of the Jewish and Foreign Mission Committee wrote the High Commissioner at Rhodesia House, London, on the matter. The following is the relevant part of the reply:—
“The position is that disturbances took place within the African Township at Bulawayo and not in the surrounding district. All is peace and quiet now, and it is not anticipated that any trouble at all will take place in the rural areas and it is hoped that there will be no further trouble in Bulawayo itself. I think, therefore, you can rest assured that the work of your Mission will not be disturbed.”
Yours faithfully,
(Sgd) W. V. Brelsford, Director of Information