Persecution of Christians in the Chad Republic
During the last year foreign missionaries have been expelled from the Chad Republic in Central Africa while national Christians have come under terrible persecution. President Tombalbaye of the Chad Republic has led a National Movement for Cultural and Social Revolution. In connection with this he has re-introduced old tribal initiation rites and required his people to submit to them. Christians who objected to a return to such practices have been treated unmercifully, suffering the most barbarous tortures before being put to death. May we remember at a Throne of grace these persecuted Christians, as well as others in Communist lands and elsewhere who are persecuted for righteousness sake.
Portugal
Changes have come in Portugal which seemed to herald at the outset a new era of freedom to the people of that land. It appeared as if a time of religious liberty was to be ushered in through the coup of last year, and a season of opportunity for the spread of the Gospel. Since then, however, it is becoming clear that the Communists are doing their utmost to get control of Portugal. If they succeed the freedom of the Portuguese will be short lived and they will be subjected to the merciless creed of an atheistic power. May the Lord in His mercy prevent this and overthrow the power of Communism in this and so many other lands.
Scottish Divorce Laws
Many efforts have been made to try to bring the Scottish Divorce Laws in line with those of England and so make easier divorce possible. A further attempt has just been launched by Mr Robin Cook, Labour MP for Edinburgh Central, who has introduced a Private Member’s Bill aimed at doing away with the matrimonial offence and making irretrievable breakdown of marriage the only ground of divorce. We hope the Government will not agree to give the Bill the Parliamentary time which would be necessary in order to complete its different stages.
Common Market Referendum
The Prime Minister has promised to put the issue of Common Market membership to the country in a referendum to be held before the end of June (DV). It is to be hoped that the people of Britain have had their eyes opened to the illusory advantages of Common Market membership and that they will come out decisively in rejection of membership. If our nation in her time of need will only turn to the Lord and cease to look to alliances with other nations as the only hope of national survival, a new era of blessing and prosperity could speedily dawn for this backslidden nation of ours.
Archbishop of Canterbury’s Enthronement
With pomp and ceremony Dr Coggan, 101st Archbishop of Canterbury, was enthroned on 24th January in the presence of many dignitaries of Church and State, including for the first time since the Reformation representatives of the Vatican. In his sermon Dr Coggan warned that the Church is in for a time of tribulation and declared that “our radical sickness calls for a radical cure and that can only come by way of the Cross.” He called for world co-operation by the churches and maintained that “our divisions will have to go.”
How heartening it would have been had Dr Coggan taken the opportunity to call the Churches back to the Bible and the simplicity of Apostolic practice for there can be no true unity apart from a return to Biblical truth. Should such a genuine return to Biblical principles come about how much of the pomp and ceremony and false worship so common in the Church of England would have to be discarded.
Government and Lottery Bill
Mr Graham Page, Conservative MP for Crosby was persuaded to withdraw a Bill he sponsored in the House of Commons to allow local authorities to run lotteries on the undertaking from Mr Oakes, Under-Secretary for the Environment, that the Government would bring in its own Bill within a month. It is sad to think that the Government is taking the initiative in promoting an extension of the sin of gambling by allowing local authorities to run lotteries. What need there is for moral leadership in the high places of our land. May the day speedily come when leaders in state will reject these evil practices with abhorrence and cease to countenance what are in effect works of darkness.