INDUCTION OF REV JOHN GOLDBY TO THE SHIELDAIG/ APPLECROSS CONGREGATION
IT was very evident from the large number that gathered from many parts to witness the induction of Mr Goldby to the pastoral charge of the Shieldaig/ Applecross congregation on Tuesday, the sixth of July, that Shieldaig still holds a special place in the hearts of Free Presbyterians who value the stand made, and the witness raised, by the late Rev Donald Macdonald of Shieldaig, when, in 1893, he, together with the late Rev Donald Macfarlane of Raasay, did separate themselves from the Free Church in protest against the departures of that church from the truth.
At that time Shieldaig was a separate charge. Later it was joined with Lochcarron, and this lasted for several years but returned to the status it formerly had. Following upon the defection of many of our ministers, elders and people, in 1989, the congregations being depleted, it was decided to join Shieldaig with the Applecross congregation.
The induction on Tuesday, sixth July, took place in the Shieldaig church when the Moderator, Rev. G. Hutton, preached from the words of Acts chapter twenty and verse twenty eight, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Mr Hutton made clear the distinction between all man-made organisations and the church which alone was God-made. Not only so, but it was the purchase of the blood of the Son of God and this laid a most heavy responsibility upon such as would undertake the office of feeding the flock. It was observed further that it was the Holy Ghost alone who could make overseers worthy of the name; consequently, Mr Hutton added, in a day such as this when the Holy Ghost is much withdrawn, very few are made overseers.
After the sermon the Moderator addressed to Mr Goldby the questions required by church law to be put to ministers being inducted to a charge. These were answered satisfactorily and then Mr Goldby signed the Churchs Formula. The Moderator did then engage in prayer and thus induct Mr Goldby to the charge of the Shieldaig/Applecross congregation.
The Clerk of Presbytery, in addressing Mr Goldby, reminded him that the Lord Jesus was walking among the churches. It was He who set the stars in their places calling ministers by this title to set forth their duty to be heavenly minded and He set them in their particular place as in Ephesus, Pergamos and Laodicea. Thus it was the ministers prime duty to attend to his own part of the flock.
Rev D. A. Ross exhorted the congregation to be attentive in hearing the word of God at the mouth of the minister, for “faith cometh by hearing”. He warned them against being “disobedient and gainsaying”, observing that this was true with regard even to those that listened to the Saviour. Their duty of praying for their minister was laid before them.
The Clerk then read some messages of good will from ministers unable to attend and a few of the ministers present from other Presbyteries gave their good wishes.
Rev John Goldby then took his seat on the Presbytery and was given the right hand of fellowship by the brethren.
May all redound to the glory of God.
Rev. A. E. W. MacDonald, Clerk of Presbytery
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERY (D.V.)
NORTHERN: At Dingwall on Tuesday, 9th November, at 2 pm.
SOUTHERN: At Glasgow on Tuesday, 14th September, at 3 pm.
OUTER ISLES: At Stornoway on Tuesday, 31st August, at 1.00pm.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: Wellington, Friday, 28th January, 2000, at 2.30 pm.
ZIMBABWE: At Bulawayo on Tuesday, 12th October, at 11.00 am.
THEOLOGICAL TUTORS
AT the last meeting of Synod, the resignation of the Rev. John MacLeod, M.A., as Theological Tutor, was accepted and the Synod paid tribute to his work. The Synod appointed in his place the Rev. Hugh Cartwright, M.A., as Theological Tutor in Greek and cognate subjects.
It is expected that the Rev. K. D. Macleod, B.Sc., Theological Tutor in Hebrew and cognate subjects, will be tutoring divinity students Mr David Campbell, M.A., and Dr Douglas Somerset in the coming session, beginning in September. We trust that tutor and students will be remembered in prayer.
THE KENYA MISSION
AS was intimated in the last issue, “the Synod rescinded the decision of the 1998 Synod (that the Church withdraw from its mission work in Kenya). Steps will be taken to resume work on a limited scale”.
The Foreign Mission Committee has decided therefore that, pending the provision of an ordained missionary for the Mission, some of the ministerial members of the Committee be requested to go to Kenya, each for a limited period, to implement the Synods decision to resume the work, on a much smaller scale, at our Sengera Mission. Accordingly, the Rev. Neil M. Ross is to go to the Mission, God willing, for 10 weeks from 18th August. May the Lord bless His Word. Rev. J. R. Tallach, Clerk of Committee
EDITORS ABSENCE
THE Rev. John MacLeod, Convener of the Magazines Committee and Editor of the Gaelic Supplement, will act as Editor pro tem of The Free Presbyterian Magazine during the Editors absence in Africa. All material for the October, November and December issues should be sent therefore to the Rev. John MacLeod, M.A., 16 Matheson Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2LA. Tel: 01851 702755, Fax: 01851 702919, E-mail: [email protected]
Rev. Neil M. Ross, Editor
URGENT REQUEST FROM ZIMBABWE MISSION
A VACANCY exists for a teacher in Chemistry/Physics at the John Tallach Secondary School, Ingwenya. Please contact, as soon as possible, the Clerk of the Foreign Mission Committee, Rev. J. R. Tallach, F. P. Manse, Raasay, Kyle, Ross-shire, IV40 9JB, Telephone, 01478 660216.
Rev J. R. Tallach, Clerk of Committee
BALLIFEARY RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME
MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENT
THE matron of Ballifeary Residential Care Home, Inverness, intends to retire after a suitable replacement has been appointed. Applications are invited to be considered for the post of matron/manager. Applicants must be in sympathy with the principles and practice of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Please apply in writing for an application form and the job specification to the Convener, Mr A. N. MacRae, 20 Inshes View, Westhill, Inverness IV2 5DS, by 30th September, 1999.
Mr A. N. MacRae, Convener
TRIBUTES OMISSION
WE regret that in the last issue, on page 251, we failed to include the name of the late Mr Roderick MacCuish, elder, North Harris in this paragraph: The Synod noted with sadness that some former members passed away since the last meeting. Tributes to the late Rev. Lachlan MacLeod, formerly of Greenock, Rev. Angus MacKay, formerly of Tarbert, Harris, Rev. Alexander Morrison, North Uist, and Mr Neil Beaton, Portree, were recorded.
JEWISH AND FOREIGN MISSION FUND
By appointment of Synod, the second Special Collection in the year, on behalf of the Jewish and Foreign Mission Fund, is due to be taken in congregations during the month of August, D. V.
Mr R. A. Campbell, General Treasurer
LARNE COMMUNION
THE Larne Congregation Kirk Session has decided to change the date of the Communion from the second Sabbath in September to the first Sabbath (D.V.), this year.
Dr D. R. MacSween, Session Clerk
TRINITARIAN BIBLE SOCIETY - SCOTTISH DAY CONFERENCE
THE Trinitarian Bible Society has organised a Scottish Day Conference to be held, God willing, in Inverness in September. Two of our ministers are expected to participate. The preliminary details are as follows.
The Conference will be held D.V., on Saturday, 11th September 1999, from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm, at the Station Hotel, Academy Street, Inverness. The Speakers will be the Rev H M Cartwright (Edinburgh), the Rev M H Watts (Salisbury), Mr D Paul Rowland (TBS General Secretary). The Chairman: will be the Rev Donald MacLean, Glasgow.
Brochures and Booking Forms available from: The Booking Secretary, The Trinitarian Bible Society, Tyndale House, Dorset Road, London, SW19 3NN. (Tel: 0181-543-7857). All are welcome to the conference and refreshments will be provided.
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