Errata.
We regret there were some very awkward misprints in last issue, among which are the following:—”Professed earnestness” instead of “profound,” page 2; “benited” instead of “benighted.” page 3; “Retimalism” for “Rationalism,” page 4; “Thought” for “Trouble,” page 12.
Opening of Assemblies.
The Assemblies of the Established, United Free, and Free Churches were opened on Tuesday, the 18th May. There were sermons by the retiring moderators, Drs. Russel and Howie, and Rev. D. M. Macalister, and addresses by the new moderators, Drs. Gillespie and Robson, and Rev. Angus Galbraith, Lochalsh. The Free Church Assembly was closed on the 22nd. We expect to have some further notice of these courts in next issue.
Visit of King and Queen to Scotland.
Their Majesties King Edward and Queen Alexandra paid a brief visit to Edinburgh and Glasgow during the month. Their visit was hailed with acclamations by the public, and was attended with the usual demonstrations of loyalty and goodwill. It is not incorrect to say, however, that sound Protestants would have accorded the King a warmer welcome had he not been so recently forgetting his Protestant obligations in cultivating the friendship of the Pope of Rome. Among other incidents we notice that the Rev. D. M. Macalister, the retiring moderator of the Free Church, was presented to King Edward at a levee held at Holyrood Palace.
The National Church and Dissent in the Highlands.
Dr. Norman Macleod, presiding at the Highland breakfast in connection with the Assembly in Edinburgh, gave expression to his concern at the present divided state of Presbyterianism, in the Highlands especially. His remedy is that the Free Churches should merge themselves in the National Church, whose principles Highland Free Churchmen profess to hold dear. Far be it from us to discourage any devout and patriotic aspiration after a reunited Presbyterian Scotland. At the same time it is wiser and kinder to say that, as matters now stand in the practical conduct of the National Church, resolved adherents of the Westminster Standards in respect of doctrine, discipline, and worship would neither be useful nor happy in the present Establishment. Neither would Dr. Story and Professor Cooper abide the interference with their innovations which would inevitably ensue were the suggested amalgamation to take place.
Samples of Romanism and Ritualism.
Mr. Fanstone, of Brazil, writes as follows in The Christian of last week:—”On Feb. 22 this year 214 copies of the Bible were publicly burned in the city of Pernambuco, in front of the most popular Romish Church in that city. I will quote a few lines written by the priest himself who burned the books. I give a literal translation from the Provincia, a daily paper, dated March 1:—‘Burning of Bibles.—As had been announced, there was realised in the square of the Church of Penha, on the 22nd ult., at nine o’clock in the morning, in the presence of more than 2000 people, the burning of 214 volumes of the Protestant Bible, amid enthusiastic cheers for the Catholic religion, the Immaculate Virgin Mary, and the High Priest Leo XIII., cheers raised spontaneously by the Catholic people, who, far from being scandalised, applauded the act, etc.’
The Rev. H. H. Leeper, Vicar of St. Stephen’s, Devonport, recently started a Parish Magazine, and its contents indicate the kind of meetings and entertainments provided for the benefit of the parishioners. In the last issue Mr. Leeper, in announcing an Easter tea, says:—“After the tea there will be a social evening, which shall include dancing, singing, games, and provide amusement for everyone. The old who are beyond dancing, and the young who belong to the shy and awkward squad, will be able to enjoy themselves in various games. There will be a room set apart for smokers, where also games will be found.” The Vicar also announces a dramatic entertainment at the “Theatre Royal, Clowance Street, under distinguished patronage,” a musical play, and a bazaar next October. With reference to the organ, he remarks that “like a good many people, it would be the better for a new inside. Upon the result of the bazaar depends whether it will have it.” One new hymn-board has been given. “We have ‘gone tick’ for the other,” is Mr. Leeper’s mode of expression.
The Motor Car Craze.
The latest mania of the frivolous section of society is the motor car. Most of our readers have seen the reckless contrivance, manned by persons of outlandish garb, tearing furiously through the centre of the village, and evoking the prophecy of a fatal accident from the scared beholder. The fatal accident has not failed to come. On Sabbath, May 24th, 127 large motor cars started to race from Paris to Madrid. Before they reached Bordeaux 24 casualties occurred, eight of them fatal. The French authorities forbade the further prosecution of the race on French territory. The project on any day would be an exhibition of abandonment and folly, but on the Sabbath it was unspeakably mad and criminal. One English transgressor was burnt to death by reason of his inability to escape from under his overturned car. On certain stretches of the highway a speed of 88 miles was attained. Persons who thus court destruction are not always kept from the dreadful goal toward which they hasten. No doubt motor cars and other modern contrivances, considered abstractly, are clever interesting things capable of use and profit to mankind, but there is much to provoke the God of Heaven to destroy a civilisation thus perverted to mere purposes of sin and selfishness.