THE Editors of this book inform us in their Preface that “the reminiscences recorded in the present volume” are those of the late Rev. Gustavus Aird, D.D., Creich, and that “these are the only literary remains of his that probably will ever be given to the public.” In view of these statements, it seems very strange that Dr. Aird’s name does not appear on the title-page, and that the sole credit of the work is there given to the late Rev. John Noble, Lairg, who simply prepared to some extent the materials left by Dr. Aird. If the Editors thought that by this device they would exalt Mr. Noble and the interests represented by him, impartial readers will be inclined to say that they committed a tactical blunder. The presence of Dr. Aird’s revered name on the title-page would have only added some distinction to the other names that appear, while its deliberate exclusion makes them suffer a positive loss in the eyes of the public, as the latter will warrantably feel that an injustice has been done to Dr. Aird’s memory. The chief contents of the book are his, and his name ought to have been the most prominent in connection with it.
* Religious Life in Ross: By the Rev. John Noble, late Free Church Minister of Lairg, Sutherlandshire. (With Memoir and Introduction.) Edited by Rev. J. Kennedy Cameron, M.A., Professor of Systematic Theology, Free Church College, Edinburgh, and Rev. Donald Maclean, Minister of St. Columba Free Church, Edinburgh. Price, 5/- net. Postage, 4d. extra.
Nothing would have been more fitting than a Memoir of Dr. Aird prefixed to the other contents, but this also is conspicuous by its absence. Indeed, people would have felt that they had made a real acquisition if they could have placed in their bookshelves a work distinctly known as Dr. Aird’s, but, as things are, their satisfaction is considerably modified.
Mr. Maclean writes a long “Biographical Sketch” of Mr. Noble, and an instructive “Introduction” on “The Highlands before the Reformation.” Apart from debatable questions, these pages are pretty well written. With all due deference, however, it must be said that he indulges in rather exaggerated praise of Mr. Noble, who was not by any means such a bright star in the religious firmament as Mr. Maclean describes him to be. We also strongly dissent from the views given of the separation on account of the Declaratory Act in 1893, which led to the formation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and hope to handle these opinions in another article at a later date. One of the best things in the biography is a letter written by Mr. Noble, when he was a student in the Free Church College, Aberdeen. This letter, dated February, 1881, condemns very clearly and pointedly the “higher” critical teaching that was even then being given in the Free Church. Professor Robertson Smith was at the moment under libel, but amazing to think of, the lecturers that the Church appointed in his place for the time being, and whom Mr. Noble was compelled to sit under, were little different in their views from Professor Smith himself.
The main body of this work, which deals strictly with “Religious Life in Ross,” consists of upwards of 250 pages of interesting and valuable matter. The whole of Ross-shire is not traversed; it is only what is known as the Synod of Ross that is handled, comprising the Presbyteries of Dingwall, Tain, and Chanonry, in other words, of Easter Ross. The period covered is from the Reformation down to the Disruption of 1843. The field, though limited, is a very rich one, and Dr. Aird gives very interesting notices of distinguished ministers and “men” who flourished in this part of the Lord’s vineyard in days of old. The book is, in this respect, a companion to Dr. Kennedy’s “Days of the Fathers in Ross-shire.” Many of the same names are taken up by Dr. Aird, but the narratives, as handled by another pen and in somewhat different forms of expression, do not savour of mere repetition, but possess a distinct individuality and worth of their own. Many details, notes, and incidents, of a valuable character, are also supplied by Dr. Aird that are not to be found in Dr. Kennedy’s otherwise more notable work. Some eminent ministers and worthies, indeed, are here described, of whom no account has appeared hitherto. Altogether we have been much charmed with this part of the book, and notwithstanding defects in the other parts that have been noted, we cannot but wish the volume an extensive circulation. It is well and attractively bound, and
contains portraits and illustrations. Every person interested in the religious history of the Highlands, who can afford the price, would do well to procure a copy. The following are some of the eminent ministers who are sketched:—Rev. James Fraser of Alness, Dr. Stewart of Moulin and Dingwall, Rev. John Mackillegan of Fodderty, Thomas Hog, William Stewart, and Andrew Robertson of Kiltearn, Charles Calder, and Dr. Macdonald of Ferintosh, John Porteous of Kilmuir Easter, John Balfour, Patrick Buchanan and Alexander Macadam of Nigg, William Forbes of Tarbat, Dr. Angus and Charles Mackintosh of Tain, John Kennedy of Redcastle, John Macrae, “Macrath Mor” of Knockbain, Hector M’Phail and Donald Sage of Resolis. Other worthies are:—Hugh Ross or Buie of Alness, Alexander Ross or Og of Edderton, Donald Skinner or Og of Fearn, David Ross, Hugh Ross, John Ross MacEan, and Donald Mitchell of Kilmuir, John Gair and others of Logie, William Munro and his wife, and Alexander Vass of Rosskeen, etc.
The volume is not without a number of typographical errors, which, it is hoped, will be corrected in a second edition. For example, on page 22 of Sketch of Mr. Noble, the second line from the top seems to be wanting; page 66 of “Religious Life in Ross,” “1886” should be “1686”; page 77, “Dr. Donald Bayne” should be “Dr. Ronald Bayne.” It is stated on page 171 that “Mr. Buchanan’s ministry at Nigg was from 1764 to 1802,” and that he died in “1788.” On page 210, middle paragraph, the line beginning “call,” etc., is entirely out of place; page 225, the tenth line from top should be eighth. As a matter of fact, on page 78, “the late excellent John Munro, minister of Halkirk,” should be said to be “great-great-grandson,” not “great-grandson,” of John Munro, Caird, of Kiltearn. These examples of errata will suffice.
Protestant Notes.
German Roman Catholic Newspapers.—In Germany there are 500 Roman Catholic newspapers and periodicals, 255 of these being daily. They claim to have nearly seven million subscribers, a number more than double what it was eight years ago.
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.—A carefully abridged edition of this standard book of Protestantism may now be had for a penny. It is published by Mr. J. A. Kensit, and may be had from him at his book-shop, Paternoster Row, London. It contains 24 pages and is illustrated.
Protest against Roman Catholic Processions.—The following resolution, carried unanimously at a public meeting in the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, presided over by Pastor Jacob Primmer, has been acknowledged by the Prime Minister and the
Secretary for Scotland :—“That this large public meeting of the citizens of Edinburgh strongly condemns the extraordinary action of the police, both in Motherwell and Liverpool, in tolerating Popish processions in the streets in defiance of the law and protecting the same, and at the same time apprehending Protestants for proposing to hold Protestant public meetings and loyal processions; that we reprobate the action of the authorities in helping Rome in her deliberate defiance of the statute law, while suppressing Protestants in their exercise of the religious liberty bequeathed us by the Reformers and Covenanters; that we demand that the law shall be equally enforced against every transgressor, and that the illegal and cowardly policy of suspending the law guaranteeing religious liberty in the interest of the disloyal Papists shall cease; that copies of this resolution be sent to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Secretary for Scotland, and the Lord Advocate.”
Notes and Comments.
The Calvin Celebrations at Geneva.—July 10, 1509, was an epoch-making day in the history of Reformed Christianity, for on that date was drawn the first breath of a life which, though not destined to be a long one, was fraught with an incalculably beneficent influence on the future of Churches and of States, not in Europe only, but throughout the whole world. The 400th anniversary of the birthday of John Calvin is this week being enthusiastically celebrated by a representative international convention in the city of Geneva, the principal scene of the distinguished Reformer’s imperishable labours, in association with the erection there of a memorial of the Protestant Reformation, in the design of which he occupies the place of honour. In the movement for the provision of this historical monument Geneva itself has given a noble lead by raising a contribution of £8,000. This sum represents rather more than one-fourth of the total cost; but it must be remembered that while Geneva rightfully claims the prestige of having been most closely associated with the personal presence of John Calvin during the production of his colossal theological writings, his powerful influence and profound literary labours placed the Reformed Churches, far beyond the limited boundaries of Switzerland, under deep and lasting obligation. England and Scotland, especially, are in this respect under a heavy debt to the memory of God’s eminent witness. At a time when the doctrinal basis of the blessed Reformation is being called into question, and is openly repudiated by Sacerdotalism and Rationalism on both sides of the Tweed, it is certainly wise and well that the personal part taken by the greatest of the Continental Reformers in furthering in our island the cause of the spiritual revival of the sixteenth century should be placed in the forefront.—English Churchman.
Lord’s Day Observance Society.—The Lord’s Day, the quarterly paper of the Society, contains the following on “Sunday League Finance”:—”A recent report of this notorious Sabbath-breaking organisation, which makes it its business to transform the weekly day of Holy rest into a weekly Bank-holiday, supplies one or two interesting items respecting the sources of its funds. Subscriptions and donations amount to about £400. The profit of £1,500 on £51,500 expended on Sunday railway excursions is balanced by a loss of £560 on an expenditure of about £28,000 on Sunday concerts; a further loss of £250 on Sunday bands; and an unrequited outlay of £31 on certain performances in metropolitan workhouses; which last, according to the founder of the League, ‘cost the League hundreds of pounds.’ It further raises a sum of £706 for charities. It may, therefore, be pointed out that the League’s operations put a sum of £51,510 into the hands of railway companies and £28,000 into the pockets of those who let places of entertainment and those who perform in them, all of which comes under the head of ‘private gain’ or ‘trade profit,’ while it contributes £700 to some twenty-four charities and disburses £31 in entertaining workhouse inmates. This is a not uncommon result of philanthropic Sabbath-breaking.”
“Not Fit for Home Rule.”—Speaking recently at a meeting in Claremorris, Dr. Healy, Archbishop of Tuam, said Irishmen claimed the right to Home Rule. They had the right to it, but he hoped they would not get it, till they knew how to conduct themselves at their meetings, and they ought not to get it till they were fit for it. In the assemblies of their people half the time was spent in scolding without any Christian feelings. Before he mixed himself up in their disreputable politics, he should like to see the people conduct themselves like decent Christians, and refrain from abuse. They were not now fit for Home Rule, and he had evidence of this in Dublin, Cork, and, he was ashamed to say, in the west of Ireland.
The Devices of Satan.—A writer in the Vanguard has some pertinent criticisms on the downward trend towards irreverence characteristic of these times. “Novel writers,” he says, “and theatrical companies are becoming almost as religious as the churches. Religious titles are given to their novels, and afterwards many of these stories are enacted on the stage. Religious titles are used as a bait to catch the unwary. But the subtlety of the serpent does not end there; his purpose is to destroy the distinction between the true and the false, in order to render the power of Gospel truth invalid. Blessed are they who are not ignorant of his devices (2 Cor. ii. 11). Let us notice a few of the religious titles of plays advertised by the music halls and theatres: ‘The Christian,’ ‘The Sorrows of Satan,’ ‘The Sign of the Cross,’ ‘The Saint and the Sinner,’ ‘The Power of
the Cross,’ ‘A Brand Plucked from the Burning’ (a play in which Salvation Army officers are represented; also in connection with this play, pictures are displayed representing sin and salvation), ‘The Return of the Prodigal,’ ‘The Kiss of Judas,’ ‘The Hypocrites,’ etc., but the most flagrant of all placards seen by the writer is one in which the sentence, ‘The End is Coming,’ is printed in large capitals. In almost every play a gentleman in clerical attire appears, often as the object of satire and ridicule, and, alas! too often in the audience too there are to be found many who bear the name of ‘Rev.,’ some of whom recommend their congregation to attend the play-house in order to learn moral lessons (often from immoral actors and actresses).”
Church Notes.
Communions.—Dingwall, first Sabbath of August; Portree, second; Lairg, and Broadford (Skye), third; Staffin (Skye) and Plockton, fourth; Strathy, second Sabbath of September.
Acknowledgments.—Mr. Murdo Mackay, Strathy Point, acknowledges with thanks the following anonymous donations towards Strathy Church Building Fund:—”F.P. Friend,” Lochcarron, £1; “Friend,” Perthshire, Ballinluig Postmark, £1; For Strathy Free Presbyterian Church Building Fund, £1; “A Friend,” Balvraid, Dornoch, 5/. Rev. N. Cameron begs to acknowledge, with thanks, 10/- from “A Friend” in aid of St. Jude’s Building Fund.
The Magazine.
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