Letter to Princess Anne
Your Royal Highness,
We have noted with deep regret intimation in the public press of the Royal European Film Premiere of “Jesus Christ Superstar” in aid of the “Save the Children Fund” which your Royal Highness has agreed to favour with your gracious presence.
We recognise the worthy object for which this Royal European Film Premiere is intended—that is, support for the “Save the Children Fund”—and we are gratified that Your Royal Highness is ready to give your patronage to such a worthy cause.
We deeply regret, however, that the name of our beloved Royal Family should be associated with, and that any member of the Royal Family should countenance with their Presence the daringly blasphemous film “Jesus Christ Superstar”.
We humbly plead with Your Royal Highness to reconsider this matter in the light of the great dishonour to the Lord Jesus Christ which Your Royal Highness’s action would involve.
May God grant Your Royal Highness wisdom and light from on High, a view by faith of the real Lord Jesus Christ, and everlasting salvation through His Name.
On behalf of the Committee, etc.,
(Rev.) John MacLeod.
Conference at Kilravock
Kilravock Castle, steeped as it is in religious history, was opened to the public as a Christian Guest House in 1967. The castle is situated near Inverness, and a more suitable centre for a Youth Conference could not be dreamed of. It was in these magnificent grounds that young people from as far apart as Wick and Greenock gathered on the afternoon of Tuesday, 24th July.
Before dinner we were welcomed by Rev. M MacInnes, Conference Secretary, in the new conference hall recently opened in the castle grounds. After dinner he introduced the Rev. R.R. Sinclair, who gave the first paper on “Search the Scriptures”. There followed a short break, then discussion of the subject began. The speaker had asked for free, even provocative comment, and the discussion proved that the request had not fallen on deaf ears. After worship, the family of thirty odd returned to the castle for supper, then retired to most comfortable rooms to sleep.
The first paper on Wednesday morning was on “Free Presbyterian Church Principles”, again given by Mr Sinclair. This paper and the discussion which followed were most useful, providing a clear and reasoned statement of the Church’s position, especially from an historical point of view.
The afternoon was free, but some took advantage of an offer from Miss Rose—”Kilravock the Twenty-fifth”—to show us round the castle. Especially interesting were details of how the castle had provided a refuge for Covenanters, sheltering under the Christian kindness of Miss Rose’s ancestors. In the evening we heard an interesting paper from Mr MacInnes on “The Doctrine of Creation”. The ensuing discussion provided young people with the opportunity to express some of the difficulties they encountered in school and at university in studies related to this subject.
The final paper, for which Mr Sinclair once more took the platform, outlined some answers to the question “Who is my neighbour?” Again discussion was lively, and ranged over many different aspects of the subject. After lunch we gathered in the lounge for an informal discussion about the conference itself, and the decision was unanimous: it has been a real success.
Gratitude was expressed at the close of the conference to those who had expended so much effort to ensure its success. But it would not exaggerate our indebtedness to them, to express our thanks here again.
J.T.
Day of Prayer
In view of the general ungodliness pervading the land, and our own need to confess our sins and to plead the promise “When the enemy cometh in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall raise up a standard against him”, the Synod agreed that a day of prayer be appointed to be held on Wednesday, 17th October, or Thursday, 18th October 1973 (D.V.).
Meeting of Synod
At the meeting of Synod at Inverness in May it was agreed that the Synod adjourn to meet again (D.V.) on Tuesday, 4th September 1973, in the Inverness Church at 11 a.m. in private, and at 6 p.m. in public.
We crave the prayers of the Lord’s people throughout the Church that the Synod may be guided by the Lord in all its deliberations and that all that is done may be to His glory and for the advancement of His Cause.
Divinity Classes
The classes in Systematic Theology and Apologetics commence on 11th September 1973 in Glasgow (D.V.). Messrs D MacLennan and J. Brentnall, B.A., are expected to take these classes. The prayers of the Lord’s people for Tutor and Students are desired so that the blessing of the Lord would rest upon them.
Services in Winnipeg, Canada
The Dominions and Overseas Committee regret that for reasons beyond their control, the services in Winnipeg have to be discontinued meantime. It is hoped that this situation will be a temporary one. As soon as circumstances permit a Deputy will be sent and timely notice given of a resumption of services (D.V.).
D. Campbell, Convener.
Death of Miss Grant, Grafton
Miss Grant, the oldest member in the Grafton congregation, took a stroke on Sabbath evening 15th July and passed away a week later. She was 86 years of age and had been a member since the age of 16 during Rev. Walter Scott’s ministry in Grafton. An obituary of this worthy lady will appear (D.V.) in a future issue of the Magazine.
Ordination and Induction at Gisborne, New Zealand
The Australia and New Zealand Presbytery was to hold its first meeting on 21st August. It was due to meet again on Thursday, 23rd August, for the ordination and induction of Rev. J.A.T. Van Dorp to the pastoral charge of Gisborne, New Zealand.
Call to London
The Southern Presbytery at its meeting at London on 3rd July sustained a call by the London Congregation to Rev. MacInnes, M.A., Ullapool. At its meeting at Kyle of Lochalsh on 24th July the Western Presbytery agreed to Mr MacInnes’ translation. The date of the Induction has yet to be fixed by the Southern Presbytery.
Committee Meetings (D.V.)
The following Committees will meet in the Free Presbyterian Church, Inverness:—
Tuesday, 2nd October 1973
| | |
|——————|—————————–|
| 10.00—11.30 a.m. | Publication.. |
| 11.30—13.00 | Religion and Morals |
| 14.30—16.30 | Finance |
| 16.30—17.30 | Dominions and Overseas |
| 19.00—21.00 | Jewish and Foreign Missions |
| 21.00—22.00 | Home of Rest |
Wednesday, 3rd October 1973
| | |
|————-|——————|
| 11.30—12.30 | Church Magazines |
|————-|——————|
Concerted Prayer
In connection with the proposals for concerted prayer, adopted by the Synod in May 1972, we would commend to the prayerful consideration of the Lord’s people the Overseas part of our Church, particularly the congregations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. These congregations have a special claim on our prayerful support, separated as they are by many thousands of miles from the Church at home. Satan would dearly like to see the witness of our Church quenched altogether at home and abroad or married in some way or other. Consequently he will be particularly active in trying to discourage the hearts of the Lord’s servants and people in those distant parts. May we, then, be instant in prayer on their behalf that the Lord may protect His Cause at home and abroad from the machinations of the Evil One.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Southern: At Glasgow on Tuesday, 18th September at 6 p.m.
Northern: At Dingwall on Tuesday, 30th October at 2.30 p.m.
Western: At Kyle of Lochalsh on Tuesday, 6th November at 11 a.m.
London Communion
Owing to the uncertainty of the date of the induction of Rev. M. MacInnes to the London congregation and the possibility that it may take place in mid-October, the London Kirk Session has decided to defer the Communion from the third Sabbath of October to a later date. Intimation will be given of the new date in a later issue of the magazine (D.V.).
Rev. D. A. MacFarlane Resigns
At a meeting of the Northern Presbytery on 21st August in Dingwall the minister of the Dingwall and Beauly congregation tendered his resignation from his charge to the Presbytery on the grounds of continuing and increasing ill-health. Thus in the northern part of the Church the eminently spiritual and gracious ministry of one of our best known ministers who laboured in this part of the vineyard for more than 43 years came to an end. Mr MacFarlane was in the 60th year of his ministry in the Church which included the pastorate of the large combined congregation of Creich, Bonar, Dornoch and Rogart, where his ministry began in 1914, and a further 8 years at Oban before coming to Dingwall in May 1930. The Moderator, Rev. R. R. Sinclair, spoke feelingly of their years of association in the bonds of the Gospel and in the work of the Church Courts, and declared that Mr MacFarlane had set before his brethren an inspiring and note-worthy example of what a godly minister of Christ should be. The Dingwall elder reported that the congregation with great reluctance had acquiesced in the severance of the pastoral tie with their beloved pastor, as it was becoming obvious that Mr MacFarlane would no longer be able adequately to attend to the congregation’s needs. The medical certificate also confirmed this belief.
The Clerk then read the Presbytery’s Tribute which seemed to sum up in short compass the reasons for the esteem in which our worthy friend is held by his brethren in the ministry:
“The Presbytery received with sincere regret the resignation of Rev. D. A. MacFarlane from the charge of Dingwall & Beauly, made necessary by deteriorating health and wish to enter into their records this appreciation of the character and the many valued services that Mr MacFarlane was able to give over the long period of about 60 years to the Cause of the Redeemer among us.
The varied positions in the Church in which he was called to serve, as pastor, teacher of our students and member of the Church’s committees, he filled with distinction. This court in particular has reason to recall with gratitude his services, for her counsels were enriched by the sage and weighty contributions which in the Lord’s providence he was able to make in the difficult matters which often came before the court.
Mr MacFarlane’s kindly and self-effacing bearing, his patience and invariable courtesy towards his brethren and his prayerful love and zeal for the advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom were among the many qualities which endeared him to the Lord’s people. The Dingwall manse, where Mrs MacFarlane presided with simple dignity, was throughout his ministry the well known centre of hospitality which was enjoyed so often by members of this Presbytery and by our people at large.
As he goes into retirement, the Presbytery offer Mr MacFarlane and his like-minded partner in life their good wishes and pray that both may be spared to enjoy well earned leisure from the more active labours of the Lord’s vineyard.”
The moderator then presented Mr MacFarlane with a nest of tables in walnut of traditional design, the gift of his brethren in the Presbytery. He took also the opportunity to include Mrs MacFarlane in the good wishes and prayers which accompanied the gift, for it is no exaggeration to say that the Dingwall manse has enjoyed a deserved reputation as being a home where unsparing hospitality was dispensed in rich measure to the Lord’s people and others. Mr MacFarlane in acknowledging the gift confessed how much he had been touched by the Moderator’s opening prayer when reference was made to the sad occasion of his departing from their midst. He turned for a little in reminiscent mood to incidents of the past, and made in characteristic fashion depreciating remarks about himself and his services. Finally, the Moderator called on Mr MacFarlane to pray when he gave expression to his fullness of heart and poured out in the Lord’s presence his gratitude for the preservation granted him in the Lord’s merciful care over him through long years in the Master’s service.
We learn that Mr & Mrs MacFarlane intend to spend their retirement in Inverness which is not too far away for an occasional visit to the old congregation where once again their former pastor may declare to them, as opportunity offers, the glad tidings of salvation. It is hoped that Mr MacFarlane will not completely sever his official connection with the Church or end his relations with his brethren, but that he may still, as strength permits, take his seat on Presbytery and Synod. May the years of retirement bring much needed quiet and rest and may our friends enjoy much of the Lord’s presence in the years ahead which in the Lord’s kindness may be granted to them.
A.F.M., Clerk