Church Notes

Resignation of Rev. John Colquhoun, Glendale

At a meeting of the Western Presbytery held in Kyle of Lochalsh on Tuesday 12th of March 1974, Rev. John Colquhoun intimated his resignation from the pastoral charge of Glendale, Vatten and Waternish. As Mr Colquhoun now felt unable to do the pastoral work of the congregation, the Presbytery regretfully accepted the resignation, which was to take effect from the end of April.

As Mr Colquhoun lays down the burden of his pastorate after 40 years of unbroken service, his many friends throughout the Church and beyond its bounds will wish him much blessing in his retirement and desire that the Lord may spare him, if that is His holy will, for many years of continued usefulness in His cause.

Ordination and Induction in Rhodesia

The Rhodesia Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met on Friday the 15th March, 1974, in the church at Ingwenya at 2 pm to ordain and induct the Rev. D. A. Ross to the Bulawayo charge.

Bulawayo was raised by Synod to a sanctioned charge at their meeting recently. Mr Ross after satisfying the Foreign Missions Committee as to his desire and suitability to labour among the Africans in the Townships of Bulawayo was accepted and sent to Rhodesia, himself, his wife and their two boys.

A big congregation made up of people from most of our Mission stations in Rhodesia gathered for the occasion. The Moderator of the Rhodesian Presbytery, the Rev. P. Mzamo conducted public worship. He preached an appropriate sermon from words in Matthew 28 v 19,20.

Mr Mzamo stressed the work of the gospel ministry as a duty to those who are:—

1. Commissioned by the Lord to do His work.
2. That the Lord does set aside such as are to do the work of the Gospel.
3. The place in which they are to labour is also determined and in the context it is the whole world including Bulawayo in Rhodesia.
4. The promise the Lord gives His servants: “Lo I am with you always even to the end of the world.”

When public worship was ended the narrative of steps taken in preparing the call was read and Mr Ross answered the questions which were put to him by the Moderator satisfactorily, after which the formula was signed in the presence of the congregation.

Mr Ross was then solemnly ordained to the office of the Christian Ministry and in the Name and Authority of the Great Head of the Church and the Presbytery. He also inducted the new minister solemnly to the Bulawayo Charge. The rest of the Presbytery joined in giving Mr Ross the right hand of fellowship.

The Moderator addressed the new minister as to the work of the ministry. He pointed out the importance of faithfulness to the Lord, His Word, the congregation and the conscience. He advised Mr Ross of the danger of beginning well but gradually becoming more and more like the rest of the professing world.

Rev. A. Ndebele addressed the congregation as to their duty towards the ministry in general and to the newly ordained minister in particular.
He stressed the need of:—

• a) Thankfulness to the Lord for such a gift.
• b) The dangers of seeking to undermine the work of the ministry.
• c) The advantage of a moral and spiritual support to the ministry in the attendance on the means of grace and the attitude of the congregation to the worship of God.
• d) Prayerfulness for a blessing to follow the preaching of the Word.

The proceedings were brought to a close by singing Psalm 122, and after the benediction Mr Ross shook hands with the congregation at the church door as they retired.

Mr Ross enters this important sphere of his life’s work with the prayers and good wishes of the friends of the church, who will follow his labours in the Gospel with interest and prayerful hopes that he may be long spared to serve his master in this foreign land.

Religion in Rhodesia is in a sad state and the gift of a Calvinistic minister to us is of far superior value to all the experts in politics, medicine, and advanced learning in technology and Science.

We earnestly pray that Mr Ross’s labours in Bulawayo will be abundantly blessed by the Lord to the ingathering of lost souls and to the edification of believers throughout the Mission.

Aaron B. Ndebele,
(Clerk to Rhodesia Presbytery)

Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)

Western: At Kyle of Lochalsh on 25th June 1974 at 11 a.m.

Northern: At Inverness on 25th June 1974 at 2.30 p.m.

Deputy to Canada

Rev. Alex. Murray left Prestwick Airport on 22nd March for Toronto, Canada. Mr Murray is expected to stay in Toronto for about 8 Sabbaths and also pay a brief visit to Vancouver before returning to this country on 21st May (D.V.). We know that he will desire the prayers of the people of the Church that he may be prospered of the Lord in the work to which he has been sent and also that he may be preserved during his journeys.

Funds Closed

The Deacons’ Court of the Scourie and Kinlochbervie Congregation wish to intimate that the Scourie Church Building Fund and the Kinlochbervie Manse Fund are now closed. We would take this opportunity of renewing our thanks to all those throughout the Church who generously contributed to these Funds.

J. Tallach, Moderator.
D. Macleod, Treasurer.

Meeting of Synod

The annual meeting of Synod will begin on Tuesday 21st May 1974 at 6.30 p.m. (D.V.) in St. Jude’s Church, Glasgow, when the retiring Moderator will conduct public worship.

Acknowledgment of Donations

From 1st May 1974 would all Treasurers of Congregations please send all acknowledgments of donations for the Magazine direct to the Editor at F.P. Manse, Lairg, Sutherland, and not to the Printers. Acknowledgments must reach the Editor by the 1st of the month for insertion in the following month’s Magazine.

Correction

In the article on “The Westcott and Hort Cult” which appeared in the March issue of the Magazine, the word “Pharisees” at the beginning of the last paragraph on page 84 should have read “Revisers.”

Young People’s Conference 1974

The Young People’s Conference for 1974 is to be held, the Lord willing, at Kilravock Castle, which is situated twelve miles east of Inverness. It is expected that the Rev. A. MacPherson, Editor of the Young People’s Magazine, will deliver most of the papers.

Dates of Conference: 23rd, 24th, 25th July 1974.
Age group: 16-30 years of age.
Conference Centre: Kilravock Castle.
Conference tees: The fee per person, full board, will be about £5.75, of which a deposit of £1 should be sent with application to attend, to: Rev. M. MacInnes, 5 Kempshott Rd., Streatham, London SW16.

Rev. M. MacInnes, Conference Secretary

Acknowledgment of Donations

The General Treasurer, Mr Wm. D. Fraser, F.C.M.A., 20 Daleview Avenue, Glasgow G12 0HE, acknowledges the following donations with sincere thanks:—

Sustentation Fund: “In memory of Mr & Mrs MacKenzie, late of Fearn and Harris,” £200. Mrs A. Bonollo, Seattle, £6.96.

Home Mission Fund: “In memory of Mr & Mrs MacKenzie, late of Fearn and Harris,” £200.

Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund: “In memory of Mr & Mrs Mackenzie, late of Fearn and Harris,” £82; W. Bruce, Bower, £5.

Home of Rest Fund: Mrs J. J. MacKenzie, High St., Ardersier, £5; Mr F. MacLean, High St., Ardersier, £5, both per Rev. A.F.M.; Mr & Mrs Donald MacLeod, Achiltibuie, £10; Two Residents, for petrol, £2; Estate of the late Miss Catherine R. Tallach, £501.12; Mrs M. Johnstone, Slough, for petrol, £1; Mrs Finlayson, Shieldaig, £1; “Donation received In Loving Memory of Duncan and Roderick Gillanders, Plockton.”

Bookroom: E.M., St. Judes, Glasgow, £2.

Library Fund: Mr MacLean, Dundee, 50p.

The Publications Treasurer, Mr R.W.M. MacKenzie, C.A., Hilton of Cadboll, Fearn, acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations —

Free Distribution Fund: J. Friesema, Rock Valley, Iowa, £1.50; Mrs D. Cameron, Glenochil, 70p; Mr Densel, Arizona, £1; Mrs De Malmanche, Papatoetoe, £2.63; M. Macdonald, Sleat, 20p; J. Van Sweden, Iowa, £3.20; Mrs McIntyre, Wiarton, Ontario, £10.82; C. Mackenzie, Diabaig, 20p; A Friend, Delhi, Ont. Postmark, £8; N. Macdonald Valtos, £1.20; A. Kirsop, Fort William, 20p; M. MacLeod, Snizort, £2.90; K. MacPherson, Gisborne, £1.63; D. Campbell, Finsbay, £1; M. Munro, Garve, £2.20; W. Macdonald, Balintore, Fearn, £2.20; J.M. MacKinnon, Point, £1.20; Mrs C. Canty, Papatoetoe, N.Z., £5.20; Mrs F.A. Nicolson, Braes, Portree, 40p; Miss A. Macaulay, Lochs, £2.20; M. MacIver, North Tolsta, 20p; Miss Mackay, Achmore, 30p; C. MacKinnon, Luib, Broadford, £2.20; J. MacLeod, North Tolsta, 30p; M.G. Campbell, Applecross. 90p; Rev. A. Mackay, Tarbert, £1; M. MacKenzie, Gairloch, 90p.

Publication Fund: Mrs MacKillop, Dieraclete, Harris, £2.20.

Welfare of Youth Fund: Broadford Congregation, £10.

The Treasurers of the following congregations acknowledge with sincere thanks the following donations:—

• Beauly: Aberdeen Friends, £10; Friends, £20; Tomatin Friend, £5, all for Building Fund.
• Dumbarton: “In loving memory of the late Malcolm MacCuish, Ardlui, £20; A.N., Glasgow, £2, both for Dumbarton Manse Fund per T. MacRae.
• Fort William: Friend, Drimnin, £5; Mrs Munro, Glenmoriston, £2, both for Congregational Communion Expenses; Mr & Mrs MacAulay, £1.50; Mrs Morrison, Tolsta, £2, both for Mini Bus per Rev. J. A. McDonald.
• Kinlochbervie: Mr & Mrs T. MacKay, Kinlochbervie, £50 for Car Fund; Miss M. Morrison, Poolewe, £3 for Car Fund. £2 for Communion Expenses; Mrs A. Hughson, Inverness, £5; Mr & Mrs H. MacKay, Perth, £1, both for Communion Expenses.
• Loch Broom: From the estate of the late Donald MacLean, Edina, Missouri, U.S.A., $1,000; Passers-by, £1.
• London: Stornoway Congregation, £203; Mrs Isabella Zeigler, Houston, Texas, U.S.A., $20; Finsbay Congregation, £170; Passer-by, Finsbay, £5; Dingwall Congregation, £100; Friend, Dingwall, £7; Miss Jessie Morrison, Tarbert, £5; A Well Wisher, £10; Following all for London Church and Building Fund: North Tolsta Congregation, £108.50; Gisborne (N.Z.) Congregation, £200; Fort William Congregation, £197; Anon., London, £8.26; Inverness Congregation, £400; Glasgow Congregation, £351.50; Mr & Mrs Fraser, Inverness, £5; Auckland (N.Z.) Congregation, £30; Mr J. Cumming, Glasgow, £2; Miss B. Campbell, Thurso, £10; Anon., Glasgow Postmark, £14.10, all per Rev. M. McL.; Friend of Cause in London, £50; Mrs McGhee, Edinburgh, £20; Pastor R.J. Moore, Streatham, £5; Anon., Bradford, £10; With All My Heart, £1; Miss MacDonald, Kneworth, £10; Mrs Craighead, Kneworth, £5; Edinburgh Friends, £5; Beauly Congregation, £63.15; Mrs Kirkham, Leeds, £5; Anon., London, £100; Mr H. Van Vliet, Holland, £1.
• North Harris: Mr & Mrs MacLennan, Finsbay, £5 for Manse Kitchenette; Mrs Allan MacLeod, Bayhead, Meavaig, Harris, £10 (£5 for door collection and £5 for Communion Expenses), both per A. MacLeod; Mr & Mrs A. Morrison, 2 Kenedy Terr., Tarbert, Harris, £2; Mr & Mrs D. MacLeod, Tarbert, Harris, £10, both for Manse Kitchenette per Rev. A. MacKay; Miss Flora MacAskill, Kyles Scalpay, Harris, £2 for Communion Expenses per A. MacLeod; Two Friends, Finsbay, Harris, £5 for Manse Kitchenette per A. MacLeod.
• Oban: Portree Friends, £10 for Congregational Funds per Rev. M. MacSween, M.A.
• Plockton/Kyle: Friend in Drumbuie, £5; Mrs Piper, Glasgow, £5, both for Manse Building Fund per Rev. D. Beattie.
• Portree: Haggai, Chap. 2, verse 8, £30.20 per F.M.; Anon., Church Plate, £2; Anon., £2; Kenneth MacKenzie, Kingsburgh, £5; C.G.S., Stornoway Postmark, £10; A Friend, £3; Miss J. Matheson, Inverness, £10; Portree Friend, £5; Edinbane Friend, £10; Miss Margaret Matheson, Glasgow, £5, last 6 per F.M., all for Church Renovation; Anon., £5; A Friend — Mercy rejoiceth against Judgment, £5, both for Communion Expenses; A.M., £1 for Sustentation Fund per F.M.
• Rogart: Anon., £5 for Church Renovation per D. MacLennan.
• South Harris: “Friend,” Leverburgh, £10; Mrs E. Campbell, Leverburgh, £5; Anon., Northton, £20, all for Congregational Fund; Friend of Cause, £10 for Sustentation Fund, all per Alexander MacLennan.
• Stornoway: “Friend of the Cause,” £1 for Congregational Funds, Per Dr N. R. Gillies.
• Strath: Anon. in collection plate, £2 for Luib Car Fund.
• St. Jude’s, Glasgow: Mrs Walker, £3; Mrs Piper, £1; W. 215, £2; Anon., £2; H. McA., £2; F.P. Friends, £5, all for Bus Fund; Mrs Graham, Milton, £5 for Sustentation Fund; Anon., £1.50 for London Church & Manse Appeal; Anon., £2 for Home Mission Fund; Anon., £2 for Congregational Fund; Anon., £1 for Bible Training of Youth Fund, last three per A.G.
• Waterish: From Friend, £1.50 per Wm. Macleod; From B., £2.
• Auckland: Mrs MacKenzie, Wellington, $100; Anon., Stornoway, $62.40; D. & M. McGrail, Wanganui, $50; Mr J. MacRae, Auckland, $100; Friend, Stornoway (Ps. 72v19), £5.