President Eisenhower and Peace
The United Nations Assembly in New York, began discussions on international questions and problems in the latter part of September, and at the time of writing, President Eisenhower had delivered a speech before the Assembly. Well-known rulers and personalities from all over the world were present, such as Krushchev of Russia, Tito of Yugoslavia and many others. President Eisenhower, of course, dealt with outstanding questions such as disarmament. He expressed genuine humanitarian views when he declared that there were hundreds of millions of people in the world suffering from hunger and malnutrition, although his own and other countries were producing food in surplus. He said: “This paradox should not continue. The United States is already carrying out substantial programmes to make its surpluses available to countries of greatest need.” He stated that his country was ready to join with other members of the United Nations in a scheme to provide food to member States. These are most commendable statements. But the part of his speech which referred to peace was similar to the speeches of politicians in general. He said: “Only through the United Nations can humanity make real and universal progress toward the goal of peace with justice.” This expression of opinion, devoid of any reference to God, the moral law, or the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, is in the view of all intelligent Christians, just empty words. The next day Krushchev of Russia, delivered a lengthy speech, described as an angry speech, which was anything but a contribution to even an atmosphere of ordinary peace in the Assembly. The United Nations is composed of men, who are atheists, idolaters, pagans; and many steeped in superstition, and others professing Christianity. And, the professing Christians, as far as we know, leave the God of the Bible and Christ, the Prince of Peace, outside the deliberations of the United Nations. Even national, international, social, superficial peace is not to be attained for humanity through a man contrived organisation and without reference to Christ, His gospel, His claims upon men and nations and His divine power. The wonderful words uttered at the time of the Saviour’s birth with regard to the blessings He alone could bring to the earth, need to be recalled by President Eisenhower, Prime Minister MacMillan and all the leaders of the nations viz., “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and goodwill toward men.”
Mr MacMillan to Travel on Lord’s Day to America
As we write, it has been announced that the Prime Minister, Mr MacMillan, is to fly to America on the Lord’s Day, 25th September, to speak to the United Nations Assembly, a week later. How much better it would be for Mr MacMillan to spend the Lord’s Day, before leaving for momentous political meetings, in acknowledging and worshipping God, consulting the Bible and praying for divine guidance. He thinks to save time for talks and consultations during week-days by unnecessary travel on God’s Day. No Christian Sabbath, no Christian example, no Christian witness! This does not promise well for progress in the cause of peace in these times of conflict, tension and confusion in many parts of the world, as far as Mr MacMillan’s contribution is concerned.
Armorial Bearings for Moderator
In a recent issue, we referred to the provision of new armorial bearings for use by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. We published a letter from “The Scotsman,” by Rev Dr Whiteley of St. Giles, in which he severely criticised the use of such bearings. Now we find that in an article in a recent issue of the “Heraldry Gazette,” the Moderator’s new armorial bearings are said to include symbols “inseparably connected with the heraldry of the Roman Church.” The article further states “Nobody would think twice before identifying the arms as those of a Roman Catholic Archbishop.” Yet the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, said in Edinburgh sometime ago, “The hat in the bearings is just an ordinary minister’s hat with a shepherd’s crook.” But apparently his disarming words are now exposed as a most unsatisfactory explanation of these emblems which he himself included in these armorial bearings. The whole matter savours strongly of another move by pro-Anglicans or even Anglo-Catholics within the Church of Scotland, to introduce anything they possibly can which is aimed at undermining Presbyterianism in Scotland. The article referred to, also states that the shepherd’s crook incorporated in the design on the ecclesiastical hat has become a “universally accepted symbol of abbot or bishop.” And all this has been produced at the request of a special committee of the Assembly—an assembly specially celebrating this year, the Quarter-Centenary of the Scottish Reformation of 1560. The enemy is working within the gates, as these trifles and toys have nothing to do with Jesus Christ and His gospel.
Report on Artificial Insemination
A Government Commission of Enquiry into A.I.D. has reported to the Government, and recommends that artificial insemination by donor should be strongly discouraged but not made a crime. One thing is suggested that A.I.D. without the husband’s consent should become a new ground of divorce—or judicial separation in England. This deplorable evil has been dealt with and exposed in a Memorandum by a Committee of the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church and printed in the Synod Proceedings of 1959. This Memorandum was sent to the Government Commission on the subject. It seems that it is becoming almost impossible to expect a Government Commission nowadays to come clearly out against what is immoral and a social and deadly evil and condemn it out and out. Thus this modern invention of the devil will continue to be practised unhindered. Our view is that in the course of time this evil practice will have some serious effects in the case of those born after this manner or in the persons of their children, that is, mentally and physically. We may be entirely wrong and laughed at by medical and scientific opinion. But from the moral point of view, other sins are known to have serious physical consequences in the children of sinning parents. “Be sure your sin will find you out,” applies not only to individuals, but also to society. Whatsoever men sow that shall they also reap, because God is not mocked.