THE half-yearly meeting of Synod was opened in the hall of St. Jude’s Church, Glasgow, on Tuesday, November 15th. The retiring moderator—Rev. Alexander Stewart, Edinburgh—preached at 12 noon on Judges vii. 20—“The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.” Thereafter he constituted the Synod with prayer, and the roll was called. There were present:—From the Western Presbytery—Revs. George Mackay, Stornoway; Neil Macintyre, Glendale; and Alexander Macrae, Portree (ministers); with Messrs. Neil Mackinnon, Portree; Alexander Maclellan, Rona; Duncan Mackinnon, Bracadale; Finlay Macdonald, Shielaig; and John Macdonald, Gairloch (elders). From the Northern Presbytery—Revs. John R. Mackay, Inverness; and Ewen Macqueen, Bonar (ministers); with Mr. Angus Mackay, Rogart (elder). And from the Southern Presbytery—Revs. Neil Cameron, John Robertson, Alexander Stewart, John Macleod, and James S. Sinclair (ministers); with Messrs. Archibald MacColl, Glasgow; Duncan Crawford, Oban; and John MacNeilage, Glasgow (elders).
The minutes of last Synod were read and approved of, and Mr. Angus Fraser was appointed officer of court. It was moved, seconded, and agreed to that the moderator be asked to publish his sermon in the Magazine. He then intimated that his year of office had expired, and thanked the Synod for the courtesy he had received in the discharge of his duties. It was moved by the Rev. John R. Mackay, and seconded by the Rev. George Mackay, that the Rev. John Macleod, Kames, be appointed moderator for the current year. Mr. Macleod accepted office, and thanked the Synod for the honour conferred upon him. It was then proposed that the Rev. James S. Sinclair act as clerk, in Mr. Macleod’s place, for the year. Mr. Sinclair accepted office. At this stage the Rev. John R. Mackay moved that the report of the Committee on the Bible and the Higher Criticism and Creed Subscription should be read by the convener, the Rev. Neil Cameron. This was agreed to, and Mr. Cameron read the report. Mr. Cameron was thanked by the moderator, in name of the Synod, for his diligence as convener. It was then agreed that all the members of Synod meet in committee, in this hall, at 3.30 p.m., to draft the final form of this deliverance, and also to sit as a Committee on Bills and Overtures. The Rev. Messrs. Cameron and Sinclair were appointed to examine the records of the Western Presbytery.
The Synod adjourned, to meet again (D.V.) at 6 p.m., and the sederunt was closed with praise and prayer.
The Court met in the evening at the hour appointed, and was constituted with devotional exercises by the moderator, the Rev. John Macleod. The sederunt was the same as at noon, with the addition of Mr. Donald MacCallum, Kames, and Mr. Walter R. T. Sinclair, Edinburgh, elders. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved of. The clerk read the report of the Committee on Bills and Overtures as to the order of business.
- Report of Committee.
- Report of Examiners of Records of Western Presbytery.
- Report of Committee on the Bible and Creed Subscription.
- Mr. Macrae’s Report of Visit to Canadian Mission.
- Business in connection with Students.
- Interim Report of Finances.
- Foreign Mission Report.
- Various Resolutions.
- Competent Business.
It was agreed to adopt the order of business recommended by the committee. Rev. Neil Cameron gave in the report of examiners of the records of the Western Presbytery, and stated that they had pleasure in reporting that the records were neatly and correctly kept. Mr. Cameron also delivered the report of the Committee on the Bible and the Higher Criticism and on Creed Subscription, and said that the committee had agreed on the following deliverances:—
(1) THE BIBLE AND THE HIGHER CRITICISM.
“The Synod, viewing with alarm the infidel and rationalistic teaching promulgated at the present time from theological colleges, pulpits, and the press concerning the inspiration and infallibility of the Old and New Testaments, feels it its duty to reaffirm what it believes to be the undeniable truth concerning the infallibility and Divine authority of the Scriptures, to protest against the treatment which the Bible is receiving at the hands of rationalistic writers, and to press upon all to whom its words may come the soul-ruining effects which are certain to follow from the rationalistic view of Scripture, so far as this view finds footing anywhere. For, even as to the Church of God under the Old Testament dispensation were committed the Old Testament Scriptures (Rom. iii. 2), so to His Church under the New Testament dispensation are committed the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and it is the duty of the Church of Christ now, whatsoever suffering it may entail, to preserve in its integrity for the present generation, and to hand down unimpaired to future generations the sacred deposit. The Lord Jesus Christ is that Prophet of whom it is written that whosoever hears Him not, shall be destroyed from among the people (Acts iii. 22-23), and He most unmistakably and very frequently testifies that the Scriptures of the Old Testament are, not only as to their matter, but also as to their words, of Divine authorship and authority. He promised to His apostles under the New Testament that the Holy Spirit should be their infallible guide into all truth, and the New Testament Scriptures, being themselves, as the result, the best demonstration of the fulfilment of this and similar promises, are certainly and equally with the Old Testament Scriptures to be received by His Church as of Divine authorship and authority. The Synod, therefore, emphasises anew, in accordance with the Confession of Faith, its firm belief in the infallibility and inerrancy of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, both as to matter and form, and declares also that it cannot recognise as members those that do not endorse this belief. The Synod would point out in regard to the teaching of the Higher Critics that under the influence of a naturalistic bias it subverts the history of the Church of God as that is given in the Scriptures; that it denies to a large extent the testimony of the Scriptures themselves as to the human instruments through whom the sacred writings have come to us; and that it strikes a blow at the infallible authority of our blessed Lord; and, notwithstanding the extent to which this rationalistic teaching has found acceptance in professing Christian Churches, it is a view of the Scriptures that has its springs in the unbelief of the unrenewed heart, and the arguments with which it is supported are in the main a mere begging of the question; or, in so far as they have any appearance of solidity, they have been over and over again sufficiently refuted by believing students of the Word not less renowned for scholarship than its unbelieving assailants. Now, to men who profess that the light of nature affords all the knowledge of God that is necessary unto men’s happiness, all this may seem of little consequence, but the Christian people ought to bear in mind that in order to the happiness—that is, the eternal salvation—of sinners we need the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, that that knowledge is not available to sinners save through the medium of the inspired Word, and therefore that so far as the efforts of Rationalists are successful and the inspiration and authority of Scripture are discredited, Satan, the ‘father of lies,’ has his wish, and precious immortal souls reap the consequences in being deprived of that Word which is able to make them wise unto eternal life.”
(2) CREED SUBSCRIPTION.
“The Synod also, considering the dishonest and degrading manner in which the most solemn promises and engagements relative to subordinate standards are violated by many that hold office in Presbyterian Churches, the great reproach brought thereby on the name of Christ, and the reflection cast upon all honourable office-bearers, feels bound to restate what is the real nature and implication of those engagements, and what is expected of all office-bearers of this Church in this connection. The solemn promises and declarations made at ordination—commonly called ordination vows—are made not so much unto men as unto God, and are therefore of the like binding obligation with an oath, and ought to be made with the like seriousness and religious care. The Synod, therefore believing that the Westminster Confession of Faith, as received by the Church of Scotland in 1647, is found pthteo the Word of God, and agreeable thereto, cannot accept the view that this Church will at any time be at liberty to depart from the doctrine, government, mode of worship, and discipline which the said Confession sets forth, and which all office-bearers have solemnly engaged to assert, maintain, and defend. The Synod expects of its office-bearers, as honourable men, that whenever they are conscious of having ceased to believe in any of these doctrines and principles, or to approve of the mode of worship, which they have vowed to maintain, they should lay down their office and not help to deprive the Church of its peace and purity; and, finally, it expects of the Church itself, through its courts, to see that in this connection its discipline is observed wheresoever in any case such honourable dealing does not appear to characterise any office-bearer whatsoever.”
Rev. John R. Mackay moved the adoption of the deliverances. Mr. Archibald MacColl, elder, seconded, and remarked that the resolution on Creed Subscription, where it touched on violation of solemn engagements, had reference to other Churches, and that they were thankful that they had confidence in all their own ministers. The motion was agreed to. Rev. Ewen Macqueen here questioned the Moderator as to whether the resolution on Creed Subscription altered to any extent the Church’s constitution. He was assured that it added nothing to the constitutional obligations already undertaken by office-bearers, and being simply a reaffirmation of the Church’s present relation to its standards, was in no sense different from other resolutions of Synod.
Rev. Alexander Macrae then read the report of his visit to Canada as the Church’s deputy to its mission there. One part of his report referred particularly to difficulties that had arisen in connection with the administration of the estate of the late Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, of Lucknow, who had bequeathed the residue of his estate for the benefit of “the Free Presbyterian Church in Canada in connection with the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.” Mr. Macrae detailed the steps taken by him in Canada in connection with this matter. A report from Mr. Forrest, convener of the committee appointed by the Kirk Session in Canada to look into the matter, was also laid before the Synod. The Synod approved of the course that had been adopted with a view to vindicating the clear and rightful claims of the Church to the said legacy, and also approved of action that had been taken by the Southern Presbytery to facilitate these claims in the Canadian courts. On the motion of the Rev. George Mackay, seconded by the Rev. Neil Cameron, the Synod expressed much pleasure with Mr Macrae’s interesting report of his work in Canada, and requested that he should hand in the report for publication in the Magazine.
In connection with the subject of the theological education of students, the Moderator stated that two matters were to be considered. The first was an application from Mr. Roderick MacCowan to have the two irregular sessions taken at the divinity classes at Inverness recognised as valid attendances. This was agreed to. A committee, consisting of the Revs. J. R. Mackay, E. Macqueen, and J. S. Sinclair, was appointed to enquire into the particulars of Mr. MacCowan’s University course, to see to the entrance theological examination that had been omitted, and to report to next Synod. The second matter was the allocation of divinity students for the ensuing winter under the tutors. It was agreed that three of them should spend the winter with Rev. Mr. Beaton, Wick, and the others with Rev. Mr. Macleod at Kames, Messrs. Norman Matheson, Donald Graham, and John Sinclair going to the former.
The Clerk next submitted the interim financial report, which had been forwarded by the treasurer, and which showed a balance in hand of the Sustentation Fund that justified an allocation of salary at the previous rate. In order to avoid overdraft, the treasurer was instructed to delay payment of £5 to each of the ministers until the necessary funds were in hand. A general finance committee, representative of all the Presbyteries, was appointed, consisting of the Rev. Neil Cameron and Mr. W. R. T. Sinclair, from the Southern Presbytery; Rev. George Mackay and Mr. Neil Mackinnon, from the Western; and Rev. J. R. Mackay and Mr. Clunas (convener), from the Northern Presbytery. The Committee was authorised to settle any financial questions that came up between meetings of Synod.
The next business was the Foreign Mission report. The Clerk stated what steps he had taken to ascertain if any metrical Psalms in the language of Kaffraria could be got for use in public worship by Mr. John B. Radasi, our prospective missionary to South Africa. He had to report no definite success as yet, but was still corresponding on the subject. Rev. John R. Mackay reported as satisfactory the examination of Mr. Radasi in theology and Hebrew, and the Court decided that his ordination should (D. V.) take place the following evening.
The Synod now proceeded to consider business under the head of “Various Resolutions.”
Rev. John R. Mackay moved the following deliverance on “Current Misrepresentations of Doctrine”:—”The Synod, in view of the misrepresentations which at the present time are gaining currency, would take occasion (1) to repudiate as baseless calumnies the assertions that the teaching of the Confession of Faith is inconsistent with a free gospel call, that that call cannot be preached by those who object to the statements of the Declaratory Act of 1892, and that a simple acceptance of the Confession of Faith implies the subordinating of the Word of God to the Confession; and (2) to declare that, while taking grave exception to the words of the said Declaratory Act, which deny the ‘foreordination of men to death irrespective of their own sin’ as words lending themselves to a Pelagian interpretation, the Synod does not hold that the grounds of such foreordination are in anything else than blameworthiness on the part of the sinner.”
Rev. Neil Cameron seconded the adoption of this deliverance, and it was unanimously agreed to.
The following resolution was also submitted and adopted:—”The Synod would impress upon all its members the duty of attending its regular meetings, or, in the unavoidable absence of any member, of sending to the Clerk a letter of explanation. The Synod would urge upon ministers to request congregations under their charge to pay the travelling expenses of representative elders. If a congregation cannot, owing to other heavy burdens, meet these expenses, the Synod hereby authorises the General Treasurer to have the same paid out of the Organisation Fund—that is, at the request of the moderator or interim moderator of said congregation.” It was pointed out that this fund had no balance in its favour, and a collection for it was appointed, the Clerk to fix the date.
At the time of separation in 1893 no notice was taken of the new formula for deacons, which was generally objected to by the party in the Free Church opposed to innovations. The following declaration on the subject was unanimously agreed to:—”The Synod declares that the new formula for deacons, passed by the Free Church of Scotland in 1884, forms no part of the constitution of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.”
In regard to the recent decision by the House of Lords in the Church case, Rev. John R. Mackay moved the following resolution, which was seconded by the Rev. Alexander Macrae, and adopted:—”The Synod cannot pass unnoticed the decision of the House of Lords of 1st August, 1904, in the great Scottish Church case. The Synod would express its sincere satisfaction with that decision, inasmuch as by it the highest court of appeal in this land has sustained the view which has always been held in this Church, that the Establishment principle was essential to the original Free Church constitution. The Synod would also express its satisfaction that by this decision the Barrier Act of 1697 has been so interpreted as to do away with the semblance of reason which the respondents in this case sought to give for that extravagant and despotic claim of Church power advocated by them. The Synod earnestly hopes that no future legislation will overturn these features of the decision.” Some discussion took place in regard to this resolution, in the course of which some members, while expressing satisfaction with it so far as it went, held that it was rather inadequate to meet the situation. They indicated much unwillingness to dissent, but stated their intention to do so with reasons.
The Clerk (Mr. Sinclair) then brought before the Court a correspondence he had with the law agents of the United Free Church in reference to an untrue and misleading statement made by their counsel in the recent Church case in the House of Lords, which reflected upon the orthodoxy of the ministers who originally constituted the Free Presbyterian Church, and practically denied that ever they or any others were ejected from their churches and manses at that time. The clerk stated that as the result of the correspondence he had received a letter from the Law Committee of the United Free Church, expressing great regret for the statement complained of. The Court agreed to record this letter in the minutes, at the same time not endorsing the statements in it which describe the two ministers as having ceased to be ministers of the Free Church of Scotland, or as having no title to retain their churches and manses. The letter is as follows:—
31 Charlotte Square,
Edinburgh, 14th November, 1904.
DEAR SIR,—
The United Free Church of Scotland.
Bannatyne and Others v. Overtoun and Others.
With reference to the letters which have passed between us, we brought yours of 26th October before the Law Committee, and in reply we are instructed to state that the committee desire to express their great regret that the statement you complain of should have been made by counsel at the hearing in this case in the House of Lords. It is the case that two actions were raised by the Free Church of Scotland in January, 1894, against ministers who protested against the Declaratory Act, and formed the Free Presbyterian Church. These actions were raised to have it declared that the defenders, having ceased to be ministers of the Free Church of Scotland, were not entitled to retain possession of the churches and manses occupied by them. In any future issue of the authorised report of the case the statement will be corrected in a footnote.—We are, dear sir, yours truly,
(Signed) COWAN & DALMAHOY.
One of the sentences of the footnote proposed is:—”Those ministers of the Free Church of Scotland who protested against the Declaratory Act, and formed the Free Presbyterian Church, were not proceeded against for heresy.”
The objectionable statement or statements referred to were dealt with in an article in the Magazine for September (page 187). (We confess to a slight mistake in this article, as to the date when Messrs. Macfarlane and Macdonald were dispossessed of their churches and manses. This happened more than “two months after” the Free Church Commission met in August, 1893, namely, in the spring of 1894. We also omitted to note the case of our people at Millhouse and Kilfinnan, near Tighnabruaich, Kyles of Bute, who were similarly deprived of their property.)
Mr. MacColl drew attention to the importance of having the Magazine issued in good time—a week before the beginning of the month, if possible. Rev. J. R. Mackay also emphasised the desirability of this. Mr. M’Neilage made a brief explanation of some of the difficulties that sometimes stood in the way. There was universal agreement that an effort should be made to have it out in better time. Rev. Neil Macintyre reported what steps had been taken to supply the congregation of North Uist, and the Synod confirmed his action in appointing Mr. Charles Mackinnon as missionary there at the average missionary salary. Various matters in connection with the working of the Western Presbytery were remitted for settlement to that Presbytery. Messrs. Fraser, Maciver, and Maclean, the auditors of the previous year, were re-appointed to audit the Synod’s annual accounts, the report of any two of them to suffice.
The Synod adjourned to meet again (God willing) the following evening at 7 o’clock. The meeting was closed with prayer.
The Synod met again on Wednesday evening, the 16th, at the hour appointed, and gave special instructions to the Southern Presbytery to meet and proceed with the ordination of Mr. John B. Radasi. The Synod was adjourned, and the said Presbytery was constituted with prayer by the Rev. Neil Cameron, moderator. The ministers and elders from other Presbyteries present were associated with the Presbytery. Rev. John Macleod preached from John viii. 36, “If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Thereafter, the Rev. Neil Cameron, moderator, addressed to Mr. John B. Radasi the questions (suitable to his circumstances) appointed to be put to ministers at ordination, and he having returned satisfactory answers to the same, and having signed the Formula in the presence of the congregation, the moderator, after special prayer, did, in name of the Presbytery and by authority of the Divine Head of the Church, ordain and set apart to the office of the holy ministry, as a missionary of the Church, Mr. John B. Radasi. The moderator and other ministers and elders gave him the right hand of fellowship. He was suitably addressed by the moderator as to his duties and work. The meeting was closed with prayer.
The Synod now resumed its sitting, and the minutes of the meeting of the previous evening were read and approved of. The Rev. George Mackay, Stornoway, tabled the following dissent in connection with the resolution adopted in regard to the decision of the House of Lords in the Church case:—”We, the undersigned, on behalf of ourselves and as many as agree with us, while satisfied with the resolution of Synod, so far as it goes, feel called upon to record our dissatisfaction (1) that it does not sufficiently recognise that the judgment of the House of Lords in the Church case, and the circumstances attending the same, may justly be regarded as a remarkable indication of the divine displeasure against the majority of the Free Church, who entered the Union of 1900, for their grievous betrayal of truth; and (2) that it makes no direct reference to the present Free Church as the instrument, under divine providence, through which the decision has been obtained, and contains no adequate expression of kindly feeling towards it in its present difficult position.—(Signed) George Mackay, minister at Stornoway; Alexander Stewart, minister at Edinburgh; James S. Sinclair, minister at Glasgow; Walter R. T. Sinclair, elder, Edinburgh; John M’Neilage, elder, Glasgow.”
Rev. Mr. Robertson asked whether answers to the dissent would be drawn up. Rev. Neil Cameron remarked that there was practically nothing to answer, as it did not object to the terms of the resolution so far as they went. It was agreed simply to record the dissent. It was also decided that the deliverances on the Bible and the Higher Criticism, etc., should be published in the press, and, if necessary, paid for as advertisements.
The Clerk read a friendly letter (published elsewhere) brought by Mr. Macrae from the Associate Synod of North America, which began correspondence with this Synod some time ago. On the motion of Mr. Cameron, Messrs. Macleod and Sinclair were appointed to answer this communication.
Some business was then transacted in connection with the sending out of the Rev. John B. Radasi to Matabeland (Southern Rhodesia), South Africa. The moderator intimated that an opportunity would be given to friends to shake hands with Mr. Radasi at the door of the hall at the close of the meeting.
The Synod then adjourned to meet again (God willing) at Inverness on Tuesday after the first Sabbath of July. The meeting was closed with prayer.
Acknowledgment.
Rev. Mr. M’Farlane, Dingwall, begs to acknowledge with thanks 25s., received from a friend in Australia for the Dingwall Free Presbyterian Manse Fund.
Rome’s Revenge.
Mr. Dickie, the Established minister of Springburn, who protested against the erection of the altar in Barnhill Poorhouse, has received a reminder of the nature of the conflict he has undertaken. Last Sabbath bombs and dynamite were discovered in the church at Springburn.
We trust none of our readers will conclude that any serious difference of opinion is implied in this statement. The question was one of expression more than anything else.—ED.