Towards the end of July events in Northern Ireland overtook the Government and forced it to act decisively against the I.R.A. As a result the I.R.A. was deprived of its control of certain areas of Belfast and Londonderry. It is regrettable that a fearful carnage had to take place before such action was initiated. It is time that the Government ceased to look over its shoulder for the approval of world opinion for its actions in Northern Ireland. Let the Government act according to righteous principles whether it will receive the approval of world opinion or not. This will mean an all out effort to bring to justice all who seek to subvert law and order in Northern Ireland and all who have perpetrated horrible crimes against innocent civilians and against the forces of law and order.
It is sad to think that the policy of the Government in Northern Ireland has become so suspect in the eyes of Protestants that the most solemn assurances by men in high office, such as the Prime Minister and Mr. Whitelaw, Minister for Northern Ireland, “that the status of Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom will not be altered except by consent,” have become meaningless. The Government will have a far greater task ahead to allay the suspicions of the Protestants than in removing whatever fears the Roman Catholic community may have.
Church Notes
London Communion
The London Kirk Session wish to inform interested friends that the date of the winter Communion has been altered from the 1st Sabbath of December to the 3rd Sabbath of October for this year, and that the weekday services will be held in the Alliance Halls, Palmer Street (next to St James’ Underground Station) instead of in the Birdwell Hall as formerly. The services will be as follows (D.V.):— Thursday, 12th October, 7 p.m., Friday, 13th October, 7 p.m., Saturday, 14th, 3 p.m., Sabbath, 15th October, 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m., Monday, 16th October, 7 p.m.
The Sabbath services will be held in St Michael’s Hall, Eccleston Place, S.W.1 (opposite Victoria Coach Station).
Rev. J.A. Macdonald, Fort William, and Rev. Alex. Murray, Applecross, are expected for the Communion (D.V.)
Day of Humiliation and Prayer
The Synod agreed that a day of humiliation and prayer be held throughout the Church on Wednesday 11th or Thursday 12th October 1972 (D.V.) to confess our fearful national sins in Church and State and implore the Lord to intervene according to His promise “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him”. Isaiah 59: 19.
Student Licensed
At a meeting of the Western Presbytery at Kyle of Lochalsh on 1st August 1972, Mr Douglas Beattie was taken on trials for licence and afterwards was licensed to preach the Gospel.
Ordination and Induction at North Tolsta
At its meeting on 23rd August 1972, the Outer Isles Presbytery ordained and inducted Rev. Duncan Maclean to the pastoral charge of North Tolsta.
Ordination and Induction at Plockton and Kyle
The Ordination and Induction of Rev. Douglas Beattie, to the pastoral charge of the Plockton and Kyle of Lochalsh joint-congregation will take place at Plockton on 12th September 1972 at 7 p.m. (D.V.).
Ordination and Induction at Aberdeen
The Ordination and Induction of Rev. Edward R. Rayner, B.A., to the pastoral charge of the Aberdeen congregation will take place at Aberdeen on 6th October 1972 at 7 p.m. (D.V.), when the Moderator of Presbytery, Rev. R.R. Sinclair will preach and preside.