THE following notes deal with only a few matters which may be of special interest to our readers. News of these Assemblies on a more extended scale must be looked for elsewhere.
ESTABLISHED CHURCH.
UNION PROPOSALS.
The chief matter before this Assembly was the report of the Committee on Union with the United Free Church. Lord Balfour of Burleigh was the leading speaker. He moved the adoption of a deliverance receiving the report reappointing the Committee, and sending down the Report to the Presbyteries along with the Report of a Minority in the Committee, who objected to the terms of “the Draft Articles declaratory of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland.” Mr. John M. Macleod, C.A., Glasgow, seconded the motion. There were several amendments. One of these was by the Rev. Malcolm M’Callum, Muckairn, which, among other things, called for modifications of Articles iv. and vi., “which as drafted arrogate to the office-bearers of the Church despotic lordship and unfettered independence incompatible with national religion, and with the authority of Divine truth, and invalidate the rights of the people in the appointment and call of ministers to vacant parochial charges.” The amendments received very scant support, the Moderator declaring, amid loud applause, the deliverance carried by an overwhelming majority. Mr. M’Callum was observed to enter his dissent. He duly tabled the necessary shilling.
Remarks.—Our readers will understand that this is not the end of the Union business. The Committee are to consider suggestions and to report to next General Assembly. A good deal of discussion will arise in Presbyteries during the coming year. To all appearance the vast majority of the Established
Church ministers and other office-bearers are favourable to union on a very lax doctrinal basis. A man may believe almost anything on doctrines of vital importance, and hold all the emoluments in the prospective Union Church without the risk of interference.
SABBATH OBSERVANCE.
Sir Mark J. M’Taggart Stewart, Bart., submitted the report of the Committee on the Lord’s Day, and complained of children frequenting picture galleries instead of going to the Sabbath schools. He also said that the Burgh Police Act was not strong enough in regard to the shutting of refreshment places and ice cream shops on the Lord’s Day. Lord Haddo, who seconded the adoption of the report, suggested that ministers could do a great deal by devoting one of their sermons occasionally to the great danger of letting the rest of the Sabbath disappear from their midst. Mr. Crabb Watt, K.C., struck a different note. He said he had seen a great deal of the Continental Sunday, and he had seen people very happy and enjoying themselves after Church in the Continental countries in a perfectly legitimate fashion. Professor W. P. Paterson moved that the Committee draw up a pastoral letter on the subject, for consideration at General Assembly. He said that they should not indulge so largely in mere criticism, depreciation, and lamentation. He would like to see a positive programme of edifying Sunday observance with the element of joy thrown in. It was agreed to remit the whole matter to the Presbyteries for consideration.
The Moderator (Professor Nicol) closed this Assembly with an address, in which he touched on a number of subjects bearing on Church life and work. While he deprecated extreme departures from received doctrine, he did not say anything that would fully satisfy those who desire to adhere closely to the faith which was once delivered to the saints.
UNITED FREE CHURCH.
The Moderator of this Assembly (Dr. George Reith) took as the subject of his opening address, “The Church and Social Problems.” While he delivered himself of much truth as to the relations of rich and poor, employers and employed in our day, he did not sufficiently recognise that there must be a return to the whole truth of the Scriptures from first to last, before there will be a moral revival or a spiritual revival. The Spirit of God must descend in power upon the consciences of high and low, bringing them first to the acceptance of, and obedience to, all divine precepts before there will be genuine uprightness between man and man. The erroneous presentation of doctrine in the pulpit, and the neglect of discipline in relation to the pew, are evils that nurse hypocrisy and dishonesty, and prove a bar to anything like true revival. Dr. Reith should seek first a revival among the ministry of the Church.
FOREIGN MISSION WORK—LOVEDALE COLLEGE.
In a discussion on this subject, Prof. J. A. Paterson made enquiry as to how many teachers at Lovedale were Episcopalians, and the information was forthcoming that there were three, occupying prominent positions and receiving substantial salaries. The matter was passed from, as something not calling for any special attention or reform.
DECLINE IN SUPPLY OF STUDENTS.
Rev. Dr. Fairweather, Kirkcaldy, submitted the report of the College Committee. He said that the decline in the supply of students had proceeded along with the decline in the Central Fund. Scruples about signing the Westminster Confession of Faith, even with the relief afforded by the Declaratory Acts, were keeping back some of their ablest and most sincere young men from the ministry of the Church. We have no hesitation in telling Dr. Fairweather that his Church is much better without such young men. There are too many unbelievers occupying the office of the ministry already.
SABBATH SHOOTING AT BISLEY.
Dr. Patrick Mackay, who submitted the report of the Committee on Presbyterian Chaplains in Army and Navy, said that the Church would best serve the nation by protesting emphatically against the growing disregard for the Sabbath shown by the military authorities, indicated by the opening of the Bisley ranges on Sabbath afternoons, and the arrangement of Staff rides on Sabbath. He thought it would only be kind to the authorities and fair to the men, on whose conscience pressure was sometimes laid, if the Church pointed out that disaster and not efficiency lay along that road.
THE COMMITTEE ON PRAISE.
Mr. William Cowan, Edinburgh, in presenting the report, said that he did not altogether regret the reduction in the Carnegie Organ Grants, as they had not always been an unmixed blessing. Rev. W. Macintosh Mackay, Glasgow, advocated solo-singing in congregational praise, and suggested that an endowment fund be formed to provide for paid singers, but his remarks were greeted with signs of dissent. Mr. D. S. Riddoch, Glasgow, said that the praise was not a thing to be dictated by a choirmaster, or to please a choir.
UNION DEBATE.
Rev. Dr. Young moved the adoption of the report of Committee on the subject of Union with the Established Church. Provost Thomson, Montrose, seconded the motion. Rev. Dr. Whitelaw, Kilmarnock, moved an amendment, which was seconded by the
Rev. J. W. Pollock, Galashiels. According to report, there voted for Dr. Whitelaw’s amendment only between seventy and eighty, mostly elders and older men, in a house of about one thousand. The terms of the amendment were:—”That the Assembly receive the report and reappoint the Committee, instructing it to make clear to the Church of Scotland Committee that any plan of union to be just and satisfactory to the United Free Church, must provide, not only for the complete spiritual freedom of the Church, but also for the equality of all Churches before the civil law.” The terms of the deliverance, which was enthusiastically adopted, were to the effect that the Assembly express their satisfaction with the extent to which the Committee have gone in their deliberations with the Church of Scotland Committee, and authorise them to continue conference with that Committee and to report to next Assembly, concluding thus—”The Assembly anew commend the whole subject of Presbyterian reunion and the high interests of the kingdom of Christ and the people of Scotland therein involved, to the serious and prayerful attention of the whole Church.”
This Assembly was closed with an address on general topics by the moderator, Dr. Reith. While he said a few things of value from the evangelical standpoint, he failed (as we might expect) to raise a testimony for the whole counsel of God as set forth in the Scriptures.
FREE CHURCH.
The Moderator of this Assembly (Rev. Finlay Macrae) delivered an opening address on “The Forces the Church must fight.” Mr. Macrae’s line of remark was almost throughout sound and appropriate, though not as vigorous or trenchant as it might be. There was one expression in regard to the Papacy to which some of his hearers might take exception. He said that it held “among its tenets a number of sound scriptural doctrines.” This statement is rather unqualified. True, the Church of Rome holds the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, and declares a certain belief in the atonement of Christ and future punishment, but all these doctrines are so mixed up with other unscriptural tenets that their soundness is lost, to any practical purpose, so far as the creed of the Papacy is concerned.
GENERAL FINANCES.
Mr. D. M. Smith (elder) submitted the report on this subject. He complained that the younger people were not filling their fathers’ places in the matter of supporting the Church’s schemes. On the subject of the Sustentation Fund, some members advocated that all ministers should be put on the same footing instead of the three grades, as at present. Mr. A. MacNeillage (elder) spoke highly of the servant girls for their liberality to the funds.
CONSTITUTION OF ASSEMBLY.
Professor Bannatyne spoke in support of an overture from the Edinburgh Presbytery to the effect that the Assembly should extend the number of the representatives from Presbyteries to include all ministers of charges and professors, as well as retired ministers and professors, and an equal number of elders from the various Presbyteries. He argued that the adoption of the overture would safeguard truth and orthodoxy. After discussion it was agreed, by a majority, to remit the overture to a Special Committee to consider and report to next Assembly.
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO MINISTRY.
Considerable discussion arose in regard to an application for admission on the part of the Rev. James M’Neill, Dunoon, who had been hitherto an Established Churchman and a Congregationalist. Principal M’Culloch moved that the application be granted, and the motion was seconded by the Rev. George Mackay, Fearn. Mr. Archibald MacNeillage (elder) moved a direct negative, and said that it was not known that Mr. M’Neill ever darkened the door of the Free Church in Dunoon, except when he was paid to preach in the pulpit. He frankly did not believe in an attachment to their Church of that kind. Rev. Donald Munro seconded the motion. Mr. Robert Reid, of Killellan, also supported Mr. MacNeillage’s motion. He said he had an opportunity so recently as the previous Sabbath to hear the applicant preach in Campbeltown, and it was evident from his preaching and prayers that Mr. M’Neill (as was admitted) was not brought up in the Free Church. Amongst other things, he had given them a quotation from Tennyson, “There is more faith in honest doubt than half the creeds.” Though that was a statement by a great poet, Mr. Reid took leave to say it was a lie (applause). Rev. Alexander Stewart, Edinburgh, said that the general bearing of the young man had given him an impression of a most favourable character. After a warm discussion, a motion was eventually carried, by 54 votes to 13, to refer the case to a Special Committee who would report to the November Commission.
ORDAINED MISSIONARIES.
Prof. J. K. Cameron spoke in support of an overture from the Presbytery of Edinburgh to the effect that ordained missionaries be raised to all the privileges of ordained ministers in the Church, such as sitting in all the Church courts, etc. Rev. D. Maclean moved, and Mr. A. MacNeillage seconded, a motion in favour of the overture. Rev. A. Stewart moved, and Rev. Deas Logie seconded, that they depart from the overture. The latter motion was carried.
THE LOCHRANZA WINDOW.
This subject was again before the Assembly. A motion was carried to the effect that, as the window embodied a figure representing Christ, it should be removed. An amendment by the Rev. Deas Logie, simply to have some changes made upon the window, was lost.
BAZAARS AND SOIREEES.
The following overture was submitted from the Synod of Moray:—”Whereas there are congregations in our Church that have bazaars, sales of work, soirees, and socials, and whereas these things are sources of grief to many within our Church, it is hereby humbly overtured by the Free Synod of Moray to the venerable the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland to take these premises into their serious consideration, and take steps to discourage anything savouring of secularity in connection with the cause of God.” Rev. Roderick M’Cowan, Kiltarlity, moved the approval of the overture, and the motion was seconded by Mr. Macinnes (elder), Broadford. Rev. E. Macleod, Dornoch, moved that the overture be referred to a Committee to report to next Assembly. Rev. D. Maclean seconded. Mr. A. MacNeillage (elder) moved that the Assembly sympathise with the objects aimed at by the overture, and recognise the dangers attending practices savouring of secularity; but in respect that liberty in dealing with such things as are named in the preamble to the overture had always been the practice of the Free Church they refrain from passing any opinion thereon, but counsel, kirk-sessions, and deacons’ courts in all things to have regard to the avoidance of offence and to the great ends of the gospel. Rev. Deas Logie seconded the motion. Professor Kennedy Cameron moved that the Assembly pass from the overture, and the Rev. R. Macleod, Knock, seconded. After considerable discussion, Mr. M’Cowan and Mr. E. MacLeod withdrew their motions. “A vote was then taken between Mr. MacNeillage’s and Professor Cameron’s, when the former was carried by 23 votes to 18.”
VACANCY IN PROFESSORSHIP.
It was decided by the Court that the vacancy made in the College by translation of the Rev. John M’Leod, M.A., to the Free North Church, Inverness, be not filled up meantime, but that temporary arrangements be made “for the efficient discharge of the work of the Chair during the coming year.”
The Assembly was closed with an address by the Moderator on the Work of the Church of Christ and the spirit in which the Work should be done.
I THINK it a sweet thing that Christ saith of my cross, “Half mine;” nay, that I and my cross are wholly Christ’s.—Rutherford.