Concerted Prayer
What need there is to examine ourselves whether we be in the faith! What need to make our calling and election sure! Might it not be opportune for the Lord’s people to unite together in prayer for the stirring up of the work of grace in their souls. The Church on one occasion had to confess: “They made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.” This consideration ought to make the Lord’s people diligent at a Throne of grace for the reviving of the graces of the Spirit in their own souls. “Awake, O north wind, and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out.” Only as we receive an answer to this prayer can we hope to be delivered from a state of backsliding and be so restored that we may once again extend an invitation to Christ: “Let my Beloved come into His garden, and eat His pleasant fruits.”
May we continue to pray, too, for the Lord’s Cause in the different parts of the world where His servants are labouring for the ingathering of souls into His kingdom. Let us pray for labourers to be sent into His vineyard and for a plentiful harvest of souls through the Lord’s blessing.
Aged and Infirm Ministers’, Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund
By appointment of the Synod this collection was due to be taken up in the month of February. Due to the addition of ministers to the Fund and the raising of the Widows’ pensions, etc., the fund showed a deficit of approximately £700 at the end of 1974. The Committee would ask our people to secure by the generosity of their givings that this deficit will be made up this year. The fund is in every respect one worthy of our support.
“A father to the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in His Holy habitation.” Psalm 68:5.
February 1st 1975 (Rev.) Donald MacLean Convener
New Clerk and Treasurer required in Rhodesia
The Committee regret having to announce that Miss Jean Nicolson, MA, must return to Scotland at the end of March 1975 for an eye operation. This unexpected development means that the post of Clerk to the Field Committee and Treasurer to the Missions falls vacant. The Committee have asked Rev. D. A. Ross to take over the work on the departure of Miss Nicolson on a temporary basis but fully realise that this cannot be a permanent solution. The Committee would therefore appeal for someone with clerical and book-keeping experience to come forward and offer his or her services for this important post with is so essential to the smooth running of the Mission. The Committee would remind the readers of the FP Magazine also that there is still a vacancy for a teacher in Ingwenya. Such a teacher must be a graduate from a University. Any applications for these posts should be addressed to the Clerk of the Committee from whom all other information can be obtained.
(Rev.) Donald MacLean, 13 Kingsborough Gardens, Glasgow G12 9NH
Appeal for Bulawayo Church
The Committee was pleased to receive the welcome news that a site has been made available in Bulawayo for the purpose of building a Church there for the use of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The Committee is thankful to the Lord that Rev. D. A. Ross’s efforts have now been crowned with success. Like other countries there is a drift in Rhodesia of people from the country districts into the towns and the building of the Church there should be a tremendous help to those connected with our Church who have to go to Bulawayo to seek work. There is also, of course, the prospect of gathering in others who may come to listen to the gospel of the grace of God. Although the Committee are still restricted in the amount allowed to be sent to Rhodesia from this country, we feel that if there was a considerable response to this appeal for funds to build this church, we could come to an arrangement with the Bank of England Exchange Control to have the money sent out. The Committee has decided, therefore, to make this appeal and all donations should be sent to the General Treasurer. Considerable interest is evidenced when a new church is opened in the Home Country and we hope that a similar interest will be seen in answer to this appeal.
Service on Radio
The morning service on the BBC Radio Scotland programme on 31st January, 1975, was conducted by Rev. Fraser Tallach, Broadford. The service was recorded in the Free Presbyterian Church, Broadford, a fortnight earlier. We believe that this was the first occasion that a Free Presbyterian service was broadcast by the BBC. May the Lord bless His Word and open the way for more opportunities of this kind to spread the gospel.
Ballifear Home of Rest
It will be gratifying news to our friends throughout the Church to learn that the vacancy in the Home of Rest at Inverness has now been filled with the appointment of Mrs Margt. MacSwan as Matron and as she and her husband take up residence, we ask that the prayers of our people will accompany the Matron in assuming the charge of the Home with its responsibilities and duties. The Committee acknowledge the Lord’s goodness in this appointment. We hope that the new Matron will be spared to serve the Church in the work of the Home for many years to come.
The committee, however, still feel concerned that the position of Assistant Matron or Housekeeper has not yet been filled and they appeal to any lady throughout the Church who may be interested in the welfare of the aged and may feel directed by the Lord into this field of service, to write to the Matron, Mrs Margt. MacSwan, Ballifear Home of Rest, Ness Walk, Inverness. The scale of pay is up to the level which prevails in Eventide Homes or Homes for the Aged elsewhere. Nursing experience, though desirable, is not really essential. We hope that someone will respond to this appeal so that this position too may soon be filled.
A.F.M.
Committee Meetings (DV)
The following Committees will meet in the Free Presbyterian Church, Inverness on 1st and 2nd April (DV):
Tuesday 1st April: 10-11.30 a.m. Church Magazines Committee. 11.30-1300 Religion and Morals Committee. 1430-1630 Finance Committee. 1630-1730 Dominions and Overseas Committee. 1900-2100 Jewish and Foreign Missions Committee. 2100-2200 Home of Rest Committee.
Wednesday 2nd April: 10-11.30 Church Extension Committee.
Acknowledgment of Donations
The General Treasurer, Mr Wm. D. Fraser, FCMA, 20 Daleview Avenue, Glasgow G12 0HE, acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations:
Sustentation Fund: Anon, Paisley postmark £30; Anon, B., (for Pension Scheme) £20.
Home Mission Fund: M.G. £3; Anon, Paisley postmark £14.
Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund: M.G. £2; Stornoway Sabbath School £40; Anon, Paisley postmark £20; Victoria Park Presbyterian Church, Toronto (sent direct) $789.35.
Aged and Infirm Ministers’ etc Fund: Anon, Paisley postmark £7.
College and Library Fund: Anon, Paisley postmark £5.
Organisation Fund: Anon, Paisley postmark £5.
General Building Fund: Anon, Paisley postmark £5.
Dominions and Overseas Fund: Anon, Paisley postmark £14; Anon (for Mission to Italy) £100.
China Mission Fund: Mrs Tegart, Battlefield, Sask., £200; Anon Harris postmark £10; Anon £100.
Trinitarian Bible Society: South Harris Congregation £50.70; Applecross Congregation £29; Waternish Congregation £6.
Home of Rest Fund: Tomatin Congregation Harvest Thanksgiving Day collection £27.50; Daviot, Stratherrick and Tomatin Congregation £47; Raasay Congregation £95.50.
The Treasurers of the following congregations acknowledge with sincere thanks the following donations:
Dumbarton: Friend £3; Friend, Inverness £5; Mch. 4:6, £3; Friend £2; Two Inverness Friends £10; Friend at Communion £5; all per Mr T. MacRae; Envelope in plate (29.12.74) £10; W.B. per A.J.M. £5; F.P. Friend £2; Miss Maclean £5, both per Mrs Macleod, all donations for Dumbarton Manse Purchase Fund.
Lochcarron: In memory of my loved husband and family £10; Envelope in church plate £5; F. MacB. £5; In memory of loved one £5, last two per Rev. J.W.R.; Envelopes in church plate £3; Friend £10; Envelope in Kishorn church plate £5; all for Congregational Purposes; Mrs M.A. MacD. per Rev. J.W.R. £5 for Sustentation Fund; Friend, Carnoustie £5 per K.M.R. for Building Fund; Mrs J. MacR. £3 for Building Fund and £3 for Sustentation, per K. McK.; Envelope in church plate £4.50 for College and Library Fund; Envelope £5 for Sustentation Fund, £5 for Ministers Car, £5 for Blythwood Tract Society.
Plockton: Envelope in Kyle plate £10; Envelope in Kyle plate £5; both for Manse Building Fund.
Portree: F.T., Tunbridge Wells £5 per F.M. for Church Renovation; Glasgow postmark £21 per F.M. for Sustentation Fund.
Raasay: A friend, Inverarish £3; Friend, Inverarish £3; In memory of the late James MacKenzie £10, all per J.M. Macleod; Friend, Raasay £1; A Friend £2; A Friend, Inverarish £3, all donations for Manse Extension.
Shieldaig: Friend of the Cause £10 for Congregational Purposes; Anon £10 for Sustentation Fund.
Stornoway: Friend, Coulegrein £24 (£10 for Foreign Mission, £10 for Home Mission, £4 for Minibus) per Rev. J. Macleod; Two Friends, Inverness £10 for Communion expenses per Rev. J. Macleod.
North Harris: Mrs C. A. MacL, Tarbert, Harris £1 for College and Library Fund.
Stirling, Perth and Dundee: E.G., Edinburgh £5; C.F. Lochgilphead £2; Friend, Farnham, Surrey, £10, all for Church Extension and per Rev. I.R.T.