CONGREGATION OF TARBERT, HARRIS.
AT a time when benevolent friends of the cause of Christ are so frequently asked to help to defray the cost of congregational buildings, and to promote well-deserving schemes at home and abroad, it becomes a matter of the utmost difficulty to add another to the many appeals already made. Dire necessity, therefore, arising from the present urgent circumstances, and most pressing needs of the above congregation, compel them to respectfully seek aid.
The congregation has been vacant, except for a very short interval, since 1893 until last autumn. A substantial and commodious church and manse have been built, the debt on which still amounts to close on £600. The people are very willing and liberal, according to their means, and will, no doubt, make a determined and praiseworthy attempt to get rid of this heavy debt. However admirable the results of such efforts may be on the part of a people composed, for the most part, of crofters, cottars, and fishermen, it will take them a long number of years to pay it without outside help.
A further and, indeed, chief reason why this appeal is made just now is that the congregation must, as soon as possible, enlarge their church accommodation in South Harris, which they cannot do until this debt—which ties their hands, hinders the work, and retards the growth of the congregation—is at least considerably reduced. In the large and populous district of South Harris, stretching along the shore from Finsbay to Geocrab, there are three meeting-houses, but none of the three can now accommodate the people when favourable weather enables them to assemble for worship on the Lord’s Day. To see willing worshippers of all ages, after walking several miles to the place of worship, having to stand outside or return home without being able to take part in the service, gives keen disappointment, and strongly appeals to one’s sympathy. They earnestly appeal to the liberality of Christian friends and sympathisers everywhere for help, and especially to natives of Harris.
Contributions will be thankfully received and acknowledged by Rev. Donald MacLeod, Free Presbyterian Manse, Tarbert, Harris, or by Mr. Donald Bethune, Seaview Cottage, Tarbert, Harris.
The Western Presbytery cordially endorse this appeal.
(Signed) A. MACRAE,
Interim Moderator.
ANDREW SUTHERLAND,
Interim Clerk.
CONGREGATION OF DINGWALL.
THIS congregation have, in the midst of many difficulties, kept together, and adhered faithfully to the testimony raised in 1893. Early in May, 1903, a minister was settled over them, and soon thereafter a manse was built at a cost of £800, and a church at a cost of about £300. By the aid of Christian friends the congregation—small in numbers and not wealthy—were enabled to pay cost of church and to reduce cost of manse. There is still a debt of about £500 on the manse. As the congregation are not financially in a position to clear off this debt, they venture to appeal to Christian friends again for contributions to enable them to pay it.
It may be mentioned that the people forming the congregation are true representatives of the original Free Church, and though occupying a separate position from the other sections of the large congregation over which the great Dr. Kennedy was once the worthy pastor, they are faithfully adhering to the principles, doctrines, and mode of worship which that eminent servant of Christ held and practised without wavering all his days as a minister, and to which, if he were still living, he would, we believe, steadfastly adhere, notwithstanding the changes that have taken place in the Free Church since he has been taken away to his eternal rest in heaven.
The congregation, therefore, though small in numbers, are worthy of being helped and encouraged in their struggles to maintain unbroken, in Dingwall, the continuity of the original Free Church, according to its creed and constitution as settled in 1843.
The Nórthern Presbytery cordially endorse the above appeal, and strongly recommend it to the liberality of Christian friends.
(Signed) D. MACFARLANE,
Moderator.
JOHN R. MACKAY,
Interim Clerk.
Contributions will be thankfully received and acknowledged by Rev. D. Macfarlane, Free Presbyterian Manse, Dingwall, or Mr. Murdo Urquhart, Treasurer, Craig View, Craig Road, Dingwall.
The Magazine.
Notice to Subscribers.
We respectfully remind subscribers that April is the last month of the Magazine year, and the payments due for past and future will now much oblige. Address all such to Rev. J. S. Sinclair, 248 Kenmure Street, Pollokshields, Glasgow.
Subscriptions Received for Magazine.
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