Concerted Prayer
The state of our own nation calls for earnest prayer at the present time in view of the serious situation prevailing. The likelihood of a General Election in the Autumn is further reason for importunate prayer that the Lord would raise up faithful men in the high places of our land. Let us continue, too, to plead for the Church Overseas and on the Mission Field that the Lord would abundantly bless His Cause in those parts as well as among us at home.
Day of Humiliation and Prayer
The Synod appointed a Day of Humiliation and Prayer to be held throughout the congregations of the Church on Wednesday 16th October 1974 (D.V.) for the Confession of the present low state of true religion and to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to revive His own people and to convert sinners to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dr Cameron Tallach
At this time may we remember in a special way at a Throne of grace Dr Cameron Tallach and Family as they set out for Taiwan. They are due to fly from Gatwick Airport, London, on the evening of 16th September (D.V.). Having in view Christian missionary work among the Chinese, we do pray that the Lord will richly bless them as they go forth on this venture of faith, dependent on Him who has said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” May they be encouraged by the words of Psalm 126, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Formation of Skye Presbytery
As most of our readers know, the several congregations in Skye since the inception of the Free Presbyterian Church in 1893, formed part of the Western Presbytery. This Presbytery increased in size until there were thirteen congregations within its bounds. Apart from the gap between the size of this Presbytery and the other Presbyteries of the church, the distances travelled by the Presbyters to the Presbytery seat at Kyle of Lochalsh were considerable. Accordingly, at the last Synod in May 1974, it was agreed that a Skye Presbytery should be set up, to include Raasay and the five congregations in Skye. This motion of Synod was duly implemented, when on Tuesday, the 25th day of June 1974, within the Portree Church, the Moderator, Rev. Fraser Macdonald after reading the Synod’s motion constituted the first Skye Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
It was an historic occasion which afforded us no little gratification and pleasure, though tempered with some degree of sadness by our severance from our brethren in the Western Presbytery. We felt, however, that it was an occasion for particular acknowledgment of the great goodness and kindness of the Lord in thus adding yet another Presbytery to our beloved church.
The Moderator, by way of contrast, made reference to another historic meeting in Portree on the 14th day of August 1893 when the Deed of Separation was read and approved by a quorum of faithful men, met in Presbytery. We could not but see the two meetings linked together in the chain of the Divine Providence. In its own way, the formation of the first Presbytery of Skye is a witness to the measure with which the Lord owned and blessed the fidelity of the fathers of the church in their noble witness for the truth.
The atmosphere of peace and harmony which prevailed at the inauguration of this Presbytery was felt and shared by all the members of the Court.
It is our earnest prayer, that the same self denying, God honouring spirit of fidelity and love to the Lord Jesus, which prompted our godly forebears to separate from the ‘Declaratory Act Free Church’ may be afforded us, and that, in an age of increasing declension we may be given grace to hold fast that which is good.
Let us be encouraged to wait in patience and humility for the turning of the tide towards purity of doctrine, worship and practice for—
“When Zion by the mighty God
Built up again shall be,
In glory then and majesty
To men appear shall he.”
(Psalm 102: 16)
F.M.
Dominions and Overseas Fund Collection
This fund provides material resources for the work of the Synod’s Dominions and Overseas Committee as it seeks to co-ordinate efforts to maintain and extend the Kingdom of the Redeemer, more particularly, in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Italy.
Paul brought the Gospel first to his own kinsmen who were dispersed in all provinces of the Roman Empire. Likewise the Committee’s field of oversight includes many who may claim a connection with us in the bonds of the flesh. On this basis alone the Fund is worthy of the continued support of the people of the Church.
By Synod appointment collection is to be made in September.
“Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.” (Rom. 16: 21)
ALEXANDER MURRAY, Vice-Convener,
Dominions and Overseas Committee.
Bookroom Worker
The Free Presbyterian Bookroom, at 160 Pitt Street, Glasgow, has been staffed by part-time workers for the past number of years. The Publications Committee feel, however, that someone ought to be employed full-time. We are therefore anxious to find a person, male or female, who would like to be engaged in the work of selling Christian Literature. The work is interesting, important and rewarding. Previous experience is not essential as help and training will be given.
The terms of employment would be agreed at the time of interview.
If you are interested and feel led to this work please contact:— (Rev.) John Walter Ross (Convener of Publications Committee), Free Presbyterian Manse, Lochcarron, Ross-shire IV54 8YD. Telephone Lochcarron 337.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Skye: At Portree on 10th September 1974 at 2 p.m.
Northern: At Inverness on 24th September 1974 at 2.30 p.m.
Southern: At Glasgow on 17th September 1974 at 6 p.m.
Western: At Sheildaig on 24th September 1974 at 11 a.m.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 29th October 1974 at 4.30 p.m.
Books for Church Library
The Church Library Committee wish to acknowledge with grateful thanks the donation by Rev. John Colquhoun of over 1000 books to the Church Library. The Committee are very grateful to Mr Colquhoun for this useful and generous gift to the Library.
D.B. MACLEOD, Convener,
Church Library Committee.
Position of Ministers as County Councillors
At the meeting of Synod in September 1973 a Committee was appointed to examine the law of the Church with regard to the holding by ministers of the office of Councillor in Local Government. That Committee gave in a report to the Synod in May 1974 and was re-appointed in terms of the following motion:— “In view of the shortness of time available to this Committee and the fact that the Committee has never in fact met as a whole, the Committee be appointed for another year, and that it report to the next meeting of Synod.”
Committee Meetings (D.V.)
The following meetings will take place at the Free Presbyterian Church, Inverness:—
Tuesday, 1st October
10.00-11.30 a.m.
Publications Committee
11.30-13.00
Religion and Morals Committee
14.40-16.30
Finance Committee
16.30-17.30
Dominions and Overseas Committee
19.00-21.00
Jewish and Foreign Missions Committee
21.00-22.00
Home of Rest Committee
Wednesday, 2nd October
10.00-11.30
Church Extension Committee
11.30-12.30
Church Magazine Committee
12.30-13.00
Church Library Committee
Canadian Deputies
We are glad to intimate the safe arrival in this country on Tuesday, 20th August, of Rev. Donald Campbell, Edinburgh, his wife, and son from Toronto. A week earlier Rev. Douglas Beattie, Plockton, flew out to Vancouver. We would acknowledge the Lord’s kindness in preserving their lives while travelling many thousands of miles by air. We trust that the visits by the ministers of the Church of Canada will be blessed of the Lord to the furtherance of His Cause in that land.
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:—
Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund: Mrs E. MacLean, Applecross £5.
Dominions and Overseas Fund: Misses R. and M. Beaton, Calgary, $100 per Rev. A. Murray. Trinitarian Bible Society: M.R. MacKay, Bettyhill £1.
Home of Rest Fund: Stratherrick Friends £5; Dr W.J. MacKenzie, U.S.A. £10; Mr and Mrs Hart, Brighton £1.
Ingwenya Mission: Toronto Ladies Group $48, $42, $39, $50 Canadian; Vancouver Ladies Group $187 Can.; Mr Murdo Mackay, Wankie, $30; Vancouver Congregation $3410 Can.; Winnipeg Sabbath School 1973 $100 USA, 1974 $325 USA; Netherlands Mbuma Zending $43,672-89; Mrs A. Galderblom, London $100 Can.; Mrs Lilian Kitchen, Winnipeg $500 Can.; Friend, Tomatin £20; Miss N. Mackinnon £10.
The Treasurers of the following congregations acknowledge with sincere thanks the following donations received during July:—
Beauly: Friend £5; Inverness Friends £50; Inverness Friend £1; Envelope in plate £10, all for Church Building Fund.
Edinburgh: Anon. £10 for Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund; Anon. £12 for China Mission Fund, both in plate.
Fort William: Friend, Staffin £3; Friend, Glasgow £2, both for Sustentation Fund per Rev. J.A. MacDonald.
London: Auckland Friend £10 per Gen. Treasurer; Mr B. Walshaw £3 per R.W.M.M.; Raasay Congregation £145 per Mr MacBeath; Anon. “Passer By” remembering kindness shown £100 per R.W.M.M., all for Church and Manse Building Fund.
North Harris: Mr Murdo Gillies, Leaklee £2 for Manse kitchenette per Angus MacLeod.
Plockton/Kyle: In Plockton plate £5; In Kyle plate £2; Glasgow Friends £5 per Rev. D. Beattie; G. and C. Harvey, Blantyre £10; Friends £2, both per Treasurer; Friends, Sheildaig £5 per Mr L. MacKinnon, last four for Manse Building Fund.
Portree: Old Friend of the Cause, Portree £20; Psalm 77: 5, Lewis £4, both for Church Renovation per F.M.
Raasay: N.E. Friend, Raasay £5; Friend, Raasay £5; Friend, Inverarish £3 all for Manse Extension per J.M. MacLeod; Raasay Friend £2 for Manse Extension per Treasurer; In memory of a loved one £50; Friend, Portree £2, for Congregational Purposes both per Treasurer; Friend, Raasay £6 per Rev. D. Nicolson; Anon. £1 per R. MacLeod; Friend, Raasay £3; A Friend £3 both per Treasurer (last four for Communion expenses); Dingwall Postmark £4 per J.M. MacLeod; Raasay Friend £5 per Treasurer, both for Sustentation Fund.
Sheildaig: Envelope in plate for Communion Expenses per Mrs MacPherson.
Stoer: Anon. £5 for Sustentation Fund (Envelope in plate on 7.7.74).
Wick: Anon. £5 for Foreign Missions in memory of Rev. James Fraser per Rev. R.R. Sinclair.
Laide: Harris Friend £10; Inverness Friends £5; Mr and Mrs MacDonald, Gairloch £5; Mr and Mrs MacBeath, Raasay £10; Friend, Inverness £2; Laide Friend £6; Friend, Ullapool £2; Friend, Kenmore £2; Mr and Mrs MacAskill, Melvaig £10; Friend £5; Friend, Sheildaig £5; Friend, Glasgow £10; Laide Friend £100; Two Friends, Finsbay £15; Friend, Tolsta, £5; Friend, Tolsta £2, all for Laide Manse Building Fund.