THE Half-yearly Meeting of Synod was held in the Free Presbyterian Church, Inverness, on the 30th day of June, 1914. The Moderator, Rev. Andrew Sutherland, Ullapool, Ross-shire, conducted public worship at 11 a.m., and preached from Acts xx. 28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” After public worship was ended, the Moderator constituted the Synod with prayer.
The roll was called, and there were present: From the Southern Presbytery—Revs. Ewen Macqueen, Kames; Alexander Mackay, Oban; and James S. Sinclair, John Knox’s, Glasgow (Clerk), ministers; with Capt. Macdonald, St. Jude’s, Glasgow, elder. From the Western Presbytery—Revs. Neil Macintyre, Stornoway; Donald Graham, Shieldaig; and Andrew Sutherland, Ullapool (Moderator), ministers. From the Northern Presbytery—Revs. Donald Macfarlane, Dingwall; John R. Mackay, Inverness; and Donald Beaton, Wick, ministers. The Clerk intimated apologies for absence from the Revs. Neil Cameron, Glasgow; Alexander Macrae, Portree; D. N. Macleod, Harris; and Murdo Morrison, Lochinver. Mr. Thomas Fraser was appointed officer of Court.
The minutes of last Synod meeting were read and approved of.
Rev. E. Macqueen moved, and Capt. Macdonald seconded the motion, that the Moderator be requested to publish his sermon in the Magazine. The motion was unanimously agreed to. The Moderator thanked the Synod for their kind appreciation. He said that he did not consider any effort of his worthy of publication, but at their request, he would send his sermon for the purpose desired. It was moved by the Rev. D. Beaton that the members of Synod meet (D.V.) as a Committee on Bills and Overtures at the Manse at 3.30 p.m. The motion was agreed to. Rev. E. Macqueen moved that the Presbytery Records be examined as follows:—The Records of the Northern Presbytery
by members of the Western Presbytery; the Records of the Southern Presbytery by members of the Northern Presbytery; and the Records of the Western Presbytery by members of the Southern Presbytery. The motion was agreed to. On the motion of the Rev. John R. Mackay, it was agreed that the Clerks of the three Presbyteries be appointed to draw up the usual Loyal Address to the King. Rev. E. Macqueen moved that some statement should be inserted in the Loyal Address to the effect that it was their earnest prayer that His Majesty would not set his seal to any measure that would cause bloodshed in Ireland, where their Protestant brethren, who were loyal to the King, were standing in defence of their Protestant and constitutional rights. The Synod agreed to instruct that some such statement should be inserted in the Address.
The Synod adjourned to meet again (God willing) at 6.30 p.m. The meeting was closed with praise and prayer.
SECOND SEDERUNT.
The Synod resumed its sitting, according to terms of adjournment, at 6.30 p.m. The meeting was opened with devotional exercises, conducted by the Moderator, Rev. Andrew Sutherland. The roll was called, and there were present: From the Southern Presbytery—Revs. Ewen Macqueen, Alexander Mackay, and James S. Sinclair (Clerk), ministers; with Capt. Macdonald, elder. From the Western Presbytery—Revs. Neil Macintyre, Donald Graham, and Andrew Sutherland (Moderator), ministers. From the Northern Presbytery—Revs. D. Macfarlane, J. R. Mackay, and D. Beaton, ministers; with Mr. Charles Maclean, Inverness, elder. The Clerk intimated an apology for absence from the Rev. Norman Matheson, Halkirk. The minutes of the first sederunt were read and approved of.
(1) The Clerk read the Report of the Committee on Bills and Overtures as to the order of business. The order proposed was adopted. It ran as follows:—(1) Report of Committee on Bills and Overtures; (2) Motion intimated at last Synod re Change of Synod Meetings; (3) Report of Committee on Loyal Address to the King; (4) Reports of Examiners of Presbytery Records; (5) Appointment of Church Committees; (6) Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statement; (7) Appointment of Annual Church Collections; (8) Canadian Mission Report; (9) Foreign Mission Report; (10) Resolution anent Home Rule for Ireland; (11) Theological Committee’s Report; (12) Church Magazine Report; (13) Remits from Presbyteries; (14) Any Competent Business.
(2) MOTION RE CHANGE OF SYNOD MEETING.
Rev. John R. Mackay, in pursuance of a notice given at the Synod’s meeting in November last, moved: “That in future the Synod ordinarily meet only once in the year; and, further, that the several congregational Treasurers make good to Ministers and
representative Elders their unavoidable expenses incurred in attending the Synod meetings, and that failing the congregational Treasurers, the General Treasurer disburse the expenses out of the Organisation Fund or out of such other Fund as the Financial Committee may advise.”
In commending this motion to the Synod, Mr. Mackay said that he was not the first to suggest a yearly instead of a half-yearly meeting of the Synod; that in fact he was at first strongly in favour of the half-yearly meetings. But he was led to regard the change in the direction indicated in his motion with favour through several considerations. First of all, he was disappointed with the comparative fewness of the number of members attending the half-yearly Synod meetings as a rule. He was hopeful that if the Synod met but once a year, and at a time when Communion Services were not generally held throughout the Church, the attendance of members might be expected to improve. Another reason that urged him to move in the direction of this change was that, at present, the Synod was wont to meet both in Glasgow and in Inverness—in the former place in November, and in the latter place in June—just immediately after the somewhat exacting services of their respective Communion seasons were ended, and thus in circumstances when those taking part in the services at those centres were needing a day’s rest rather than be called upon to take their share in the Synod’s deliberations.
Of the second part of this motion Mr. Mackay explained that he had not given notice; but, inasmuch as the matter was discussed at a Committee Meeting of the whole Synod, it was quite in order to introduce it here. He knew that Congregational Funds had little margin, and that the Central Funds needed to be enriched rather than further impoverished, but he was so anxious that every excuse tending to lessen the attendance should be taken out of the way, that he ventured to urge this second part of his motion also on the Synod’s acceptance. The motion was seconded by the Rev. E. Macqueen, and unanimously agreed to.
(3) The Clerk reported that the Committee on the Loyal Address to the King were unable to have it ready owing to the limited time at their disposal, but hoped to have it prepared and forwarded immediately after the Synod. It would thus appear in the same Magazine with the Synod Report.
(4) The Examiners of Presbytery Records in turn delivered their reports, which all concurred in a favourable account of the manner in which the Records were kept. The only defect was the lack of some signatures by Moderators, which it was desirable to have supplied at an early date.
(5) APPOINTMENT OF CHURCH COMMITTEES.
Rev. E. Macqueen submitted the following motion:—”That the following Committees be appointed, and that it be distinctly
understood that each Committee confine itself to its own sphere, that each Convener consult his Committee before taking action, and that each Committee keep a record of its proceedings. (1) Theological Committee—Revs. D. Macfarlane, J. R. Mackay, and A. Sutherland, with Mr. Macfarlane as Convener; (2) Sustentation Fund and Finance Committee—Revs. J. R. Mackay, Neil Cameron, A. Macrae, E. Macqueen, and Mr. A. Clunas, elder, with Mr. Mackay as Convener; (3) Canadian Mission Committee—The Clerks of the three Presbyteries, in consultation with their respective Courts; (4) Foreign Mission Committee—Revs. Neil Cameron, J. R. Mackay, D. Beaton, E. Macqueen, and Mr. John Auld, elder, with Mr. Cameron as Convener; (5) Mission to Fishermen Committee—Revs. Neil Macintyre, A. Macrae, D. N. Macleod, and Mr. John Macdonald, Stornoway, elder, with Mr. Macintyre, Convener; (6) Magazine Committee—Revs. J. S. Sinclair, Neil Cameron, D. Beaton, and Mr. A. Fraser, elder, with Mr. Sinclair as Convener; (7) Religion and Morals Committee—Revs. D. Macfarlane, E. Macqueen, Neil Macintyre, and Mr. Charles Maclean, Capt. Macdonald, and Mr. John Macdonald (Stornoway), elders; with Mr. Macfarlane as Convener.” The motion was seconded by the Rev. D. Beaton, and unanimously agreed to.
(6) TREASURER’S ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Mr. Angus Clunas, General Treasurer, read the usual Abstract of the Public Accounts of the Church for the year ending March, 1914. Rev. D. Macfarlane moved the adoption of the Financial Report, as follows:—“The Synod adopt the Treasurer’s Report, as now read, acknowledge the Lord’s goodness in supplying the material necessities of the ministers and missionaries of this Church during the past year, commend anew to the generous sympathy of all members and adherents all the Church’s schemes, especially that of the Sustentation Fund, offer the Synod’s thanks to the Treasurer and Auditors for their valuable services, and re-appoint the same Auditors for the current year.” He said: “I am asked now for many years to move the adoption of the Financial Report. And the first thing in the motion is that we acknowledge the Lord’s goodness in supplying the material necessities of the ministers and missionaries of this Church. We ought to see much of the goodness of the Lord in this as in other things. When we remember the time we as a Church made a stand for the truth, we can recall that we ‘came out’ without a penny so far as the Church was concerned. Some predicted that our Church would soon become extinct for want of money, but we never thought that. We did not come out for money, but for truth, and we had no doubt at all but the Lord would provide for His servants and cause. The cause for which we came out gave us much thought, but not how we would be supported. We believed that the Lord would be faithful to His own promise. It is written, ‘The Lord will provide.’ And now we are in our
twenty-first year. Mr. Mackay, my worthy brother, reminded me of this not long ago. We are come of age. But the effect that this had upon me was that I felt myself young—only 21 years, so far as our Church is concerned. We had only two ministers, to begin with, and a number of missionaries, but now we are much increased, and our settled ministers are all on an equal dividend. In the old Free Church, all were not on such an equality, but we have got beyond the old Free Church in that respect. But we have to thank the Lord, not for these things alone, but for all His goodness to our souls. For myself, I cannot express all the goodness of the Lord to my soul during these years that are past. A cloud may come over that in my feeling, but the truth of it remains. I am not afraid of death, but I would like to live twenty years yet to serve my Lord and Saviour, and to be of some help to my brethren.
“The second thing in the motion is that the Synod commend anew to the generous sympathy of all members and adherents all the Church’s schemes, especially that of the Sustentation Fund. The Sustentation Fund and the other schemes are keeping pace with one another, but the Sustentation Fund is most important. We have reason to be thankful that, while other Assemblies are crying for money, we are not. The storehouse is with God, and He gives us according to our need, and it is better that we should apply directly to the Head of the Church—to go with the empty hand to Him, to whom all things belong. ‘Ask, and ye shall receive.’
“The third and last part of the motion is that the Synod offer their thanks to the Treasurer and Auditors for their valuable services, and re-appoint the same Auditors for the current year. And I think another class might be included, to whom thanks are due, namely, the collectors, who deserve well of the Church for their labours. Our special thanks are due to the Treasurer and Auditors for their constant, efficient and ungrudging services from year to year.
“I am not to occupy the time of the Synod longer, for I would rather preach a sermon than make a speech.”
Rev. John R. Mackay, in seconding the motion, said that he was indeed pleased that the prevailing note of the admirable speech in which Mr. Macfarlane had submitted his motion to the Synod was one of thankfulness to the Giver of all good for what we experienced of His kindness in His providence during the last twenty-one years. To the praise of His bountiful providence, it would need to be confessed by all that, in the matter of finance, the Free Presbyterian Church, if not opulent, had proved itself a healthy plant. There were indeed occasions when, partly at least on account of the strong tide of emigration from our shores, our people’s ability to help was strained, and he, as Convener of the Sustentation Fund, had to issue appeals more urgent than he could have wished; but his feeling now was that the worst of that
strain was past. It was something to be thankful for that the balance of Sustentation Fund at 31st March, 1914, was the best balance with which our accounts had closed in any year of our Church’s history, although, at the same time, that must not be taken to mean that there is room for our people to now slacken their efforts. The motion was unanimously agreed to.
(7) APPOINTMENT OF ANNUAL CHURCH COLLECTIONS.
Rev. D. Beaton moved that the Annual Church Collections be appointed as follows:—(1) Collection for College Fund in August—notice to be sent by the Convener of the Theological Committee; (2) Home Mission Fund (Missionaries and Catechists), first collection in October, by book from house to house—notice to be sent by Convener of Sustentation Fund and Finance Committee; (3) Organisation (General Church Expenses) Fund, collection in December—notice to be sent by the Synod Clerk; (4) Church Building Fund in January, 1915—notice to be sent by the Synod Clerk; (5) Foreign Mission Fund, collection in March, 1915—notice to be sent by Convener of the Foreign Mission Committee; (6) Home Mission Fund (Missionaries and Catechists), second collection in April, 1915, at church door—notice to be sent by Convener of Sustentation Fund and Finance Committee; (7) Aged and Infirm Ministers, and Ministers’ Widows and Orphans’ Fund, collection in June, 1915—notice to be sent by the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall. The motion was seconded by Mr. Charles Maclean, elder, and unanimously agreed to. It was suggested that the name of the Organisation Fund should be changed to General Church Interests or General Church Expenses Fund, as it was not always receiving the support it required, as one of the most important Church Funds, but no decision was meantime come to on the point.
(8) CANADIAN MISSION REPORT.
Rev. John R. Mackay, as Convener of the Canadian Mission Committee, in giving in his report, said that after the somewhat long-written report which he had, as deputy to Canada for 1913, submitted to the Synod in last November, his report just now would be brief and simply oral. As far back as when he was in Winnipeg last year, he realised that, if Mr. Gillies was to be relieved so as to join their theological classes in December of this year, it would be necessary to send one to Canada this year who would stay there at least a twelvemonth. When he returned from Manitoba to Ontario, he submitted to our elders in Ontario that it would be his recommendation to the Canadian Committee to send out this year one or other of the two young men who were about to finish their theological course in the capacity of an ordained missionary, that such a missionary might remain in the Ontario Mission (including Detroit) from May to October, and afterwards proceed to take Mr. Gillies’s place in Winnipeg
for the winter. This course, he found, would have the approval of our elders in Ontario. On his return to Scotland, and indeed before his return, he found that he himself had, in his absence, been appointed Convener of the Canadian Committee, and thus, after making his intentions known to the members of Synod last November, he appealed to Mr. Donald M. MacDonald to take up this mission work in Canada. Mr. MacDonald kindly consented to go to Canada for a twelvemonth.
The Canadian Committee met in Wick towards the end of April, 1914, and, after setting their approval to what had been done by him as Convener in furthering this business, they as a Committee took upon themselves the responsibility of sending Mr. Donald M. MacDonald forth to Canada for a twelvemonth in the capacity of an ordained missionary. Mr. MacDonald was accordingly, with as little delay as possible, licensed and ordained, and setting sail from Glasgow about the end of the first week of May was able to be in East Williams for the last two Sabbaths of May. He had had a letter from Mr. MacDonald in which he spoke of his having had a prosperous voyage, of his having been kindly met and entertained by Mr. and Mrs. R. Campbell at Toronto, and of his being encouraged by the way in which his services, as shown by the attendances, seem to be received by our people out there. Mr. MacDonald, in keeping with a programme which he (the Convener) had, after consultation with our people in Canada, drawn out, would have work to do in Ontario and Detroit up to the end of October, and after that would proceed to Manitoba. He had not had word recently from Mr. Gillies, but he had reason to think that he was continuing to do as well in Winnipeg as they had learned to expect from him from the first.
Rev. Neil Macintyre moved the adoption of the report. The motion was seconded by the Rev. Alexander Mackay, and agreed to.*
(9) FOREIGN MISSION REPORT.
In the absence of the Convener (Rev. Neil Cameron), the Clerk stated that no report had yet arrived from Rev. J. B. Radasi, Matabeleland. Possibly the report had missed a mail. He (the Clerk) had received a letter from Mr. Radasi about ten days ago, in which he stated that he was soon to forward report. In this letter, Mr. Radasi made mention of one or two things of interest. He said that he expected to give some detailed account of the conversion of the oldest son and successor of the late Chief Ngege. He also reported that the district was suffering very much from drought, and that he would require to get a new well made at the Mission, the people being prepared to meet half
* Since above report was delivered, the Rev. J. R. Mackay has received a favourable report of the Mission at Winnipeg from Mr. Malcolm Gillies, student, who is officiating there.
the cost. He hoped the Church would see its way to pay the other half—about £12 10s. The Clerk concluded by stating that when Mr. Radasi’s report would come, it would (D.V.) appear in the Magazine. The Synod agreed to ask Mr. Radasi to send his formal report some weeks before the meeting of Synod, so as to give ample time for its consideration by the Foreign Mission Committee before the Synod Meeting.
Rev. D. Beaton, Wick, strongly urged the desirability of the Church’s sending out someone (if such were available) from the Church at home, to assist Rev. J. B. Radasi in his missionary work. Various members of Synod spoke in favour of the proposal, which was brought up at previous meetings, and it was agreed to call the attention of the Church to it in the Synod Report, if so be that the Lord would incline and direct someone to devote himself to missionary work in South Africa, who, after being trained and ordained, would in due course be sent out.
Translation of Psalms into Kaffir.
Rev. John R. Mackay gave in the report on the progress that is being made with the rendering of the Psalms into Kaffir metre. He regretted that he was not able to speak in terms so sanguine as he had once used, of their having these Psalms in the market at an early date. He read a letter from Rev. John K. Bokwe, of date 15th February, 1914, which set forth that Mr. W. K. Ntsikana, whose work it was to make the first draft of this attempt of producing a metrical version of the Kaffir Psalms, had died in December last, but not before completing the work assigned him in this connection; and that Mr. Bokwe himself was nearing completion with his work of revision. All this was promising of an early realisation of the Church’s desire in the matter of Kaffir Psalms. But two months after Mr. Bokwe had written his letter, Principal Henderson, of Lovedale, wrote another letter to the effect that he found that the translation required still further revision and that some time would yet elapse before this revision was completed. Mr. Mackay confessed to a disappointment on receiving this letter. At the same time he felt that they, holding the principles which they did, could not but approve of Principal Henderson’s desire to bring the Kaffir metrical Psalms into more perfect harmony with the originals, and so, after consulting the Convener of the Foreign Mission (Rev. N. Cameron), he wrote Mr. Henderson thanking him for the services which both he and Mr. Lennox were rendering to this enterprise of ours, expressing at the same time the hope that this matter would by no means be allowed to sleep. In the meantime he desired Principal Henderson to tell him if he would be willing to print, but not publish, one or two hundred copies of the first twenty or twenty-three Psalms, just as Mr. Bokwe had handed them in to him, and that he was sure, if these copies bound in paper were meantime sent on to Matabeleland, our people up
there would reckon it a great boon. To this last letter of Mr. Mackay’s there was as yet no reply, and indeed there was no time for a reply. Rev. D. Beaton moved, and Rev. A. Mackay seconded the adoption of the report, which was agreed to.
At this point, the Moderator left the Chair, which was, meantime, occupied by the Rev. Neil Macintyre, ex-Moderator. He called the Synod’s attention to the circumstance, that it had emerged at the United Free Assembly that three Episcopalian teachers were employed at Lovedale, and suggested that it was desirable to inquire if our pupils from Rhodesia were taught or not by these teachers. Rev. E. Macqueen moved that a letter of enquiry on the subject be sent to Rev. J. B. Radasi, which motion was agreed to.
Deputy to Australia.
The Clerk read a letter from the Rev. Neil Cameron, in which he stated that he had received a cablegram from Mr. H. Grant, Clarence River, New South Wales, requesting that the Rev. Duncan Mackenzie, Australian Deputy, be allowed to remain three months longer on the field than was originally arranged. Rev. E. Macqueen moved, and Rev. J. R. Mackay seconded, that the Synod, while sympathising with friends in Australia, decide, in view of all the circumstances at home, to allow Mr. Mackenzie to remain just one month longer on the field. The motion was agreed to.
(10) IRISH HOME RULE.
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the Clerks of the three Presbyteries be appointed as a Committee to draw up a Letter of Sympathy with our fellow-Protestants in Ireland at the present crisis, and to forward the same to the Moderator of the Irish Presbyterian Church, and to the leaders of political parties. Mr. Mackay, in supporting the resolution, said the Free Presbyterian Synod was in thorough sympathy with the Protestants of Ireland, who had made up their mind not to submit to Nationalist rule on any condition. With the Protestants in Ireland, they considered that the Nationalists were not freemen, because those men dared not, on the peril of their soul, to quarrel seriously with the priest. The Synod was also at one with the Protestants of Ireland in reckoning that the Nationalists could not be depended upon for their loyalty to the British Crown, because so many of them had given expression frequently to disloyal sentiments, but specially because in the last resort, if it came to a question of loyalty to the Pope as against loyalty to the King, the Roman Catholic Nationalists were, by their religion, bound to follow the Pope as against the King.
Rev. Ewen Macqueen, in seconding the motion, endorsed what the Rev. J. R. Mackay had said with regard to the danger of giving Home Rule to Ireland. The Nationalists and Roman Catholics in general were under the supreme influence of the priests and the Pope, and the interests of the loyal Protestants of
Ireland could not be trusted to a large Nationalist majority in a Home Rule Parliament. The motion was cordially adopted.
Day of Humiliation and Prayer.
Rev. D. Macfarlane moved that a Day of Humiliation and Prayer, in view of the Irish Home Rule crisis, be appointed. The motion was seconded by Captain Macdonald, and agreed to. The Synod then agreed to appoint Wednesday the 19th day of August, as a Day of Humiliation and Prayer, and to enjoin that, as far as possible to them, members and adherents of the Church abstain from ordinary business on that day. Some members remarked that Wednesday was not the most suitable day of the week for this purpose in all localities, and it was agreed that where Wednesday was not found suitable, Thursday might be held.
(II) THEOLOGICAL COMMITTEE’S REPORT.
Rev. D. Macfarlane, as Convener of this Committee, reported the results of the Final Examinations for last session in the case of the three students. The subjects were (1) Witherow’s “Form of the Christian Temple,” (2) Fisher’s “Church History,” (3) Mitchell’s “Westminster Assembly,” and (4) “Class Lectures on Scottish Church History from 1688 to 1843.” The results were very satisfactory, each student gaining over eighty per cent.:- Donald M. MacDonald, 175 marks; William Matheson, 172; and Donald A. Macfarlane, 168. Two of the students—Messrs. MacDonald and Macfarlane—had concluded their course in divinity. Rev. A. Mackay moved the adoption of the Theological Committee’s Report. The motion was seconded by the Rev. D. Graham and agreed to.
Theological Tutor’s Report.
Rev. D. Beaton, Wick, as Theological Tutor for last session, presented his report. He makes mention of four students, the fourth being Mr. Angus Mackinnon, missionary, Laide, who was allowed, by a previous Synod, to take the Theological Classes for educational purposes. The following is the text of Mr. Beaton’s report:—
“In regard to my Tutorial Work in Divinity, I have much pleasure in submitting the following report to the Synod:-As you are aware, there were four students under my tuition during this session. The work committed to me is usually embraced under two departments. In the department of Church History some attention, at the beginning of the session, was devoted to the history of the memorable Maccabean struggle, in continuation of our study of Old Testament history during the previous session. In Scottish Church history Dr. King Hewison’s ‘Covenanters’ was used as a text-book, and the noble contentions of the first and second Reformation periods were thus passed in review.
The course of lectures dealing with the history of the post-Revolution Church were continued this session, and brought down to 1843. In this way our students had an opportunity of studying the history of the Old Testament, with the religious history of the Jews from the closing of the canon until the coming of Christ, and from thence the general history of the Christian Church to the present time. The period covered in Scottish Church history embraced all the great events in the history of the Church in Scotland. As I was specially anxious that our students should be familiar with the history of the Westminster Assembly we went over Dr. Mitchell’s ‘Westminster Assembly.’ In Church polity, Witherow’s ‘Form of the Christian Temple’ was used as a text-book.
“In the department of the Greek New Testament, the Epistle to the Romans was chosen for translation and exegesis. It was rather a stiff piece of work for a theological class, but I trust that both teacher and students reaped more than passing benefit in studying this noble and profound statement of divine truth. The usual matters connected with introduction were dealt with, while a cautious and discriminating use was made of any new light thrown on the language, and the legal terms used in the Epistle, by the researches of such scholars as Ramsay, Deissmann, Milligan, etc. Some attention was also devoted to matters of introduction in connection with the New Testament books, such as their dates, authorship, and contents.
“As Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Macfarlane were finishing their theological course, I was desirous that their attention might be specially directed to the Confession of Faith, and for this purpose use was made of MacPherson’s ‘Confession of Faith’ as a text-book. Points of difficulty were discussed, and explanations offered on statements of confessional doctrine that are sometimes called in question.
“The students did their work heartily and acquitted themselves with credit. This was all the more commendable, because it must be admitted that plenty of work was given to them, and it is to be remembered that having to supply congregations at a distance each week-end was in itself a heavy strain on men who had been working hard at their studies during the week. Written examinations were held during the session, and certificates were granted according to the place taken in these examinations.
“I would now like to take this opportunity in public of heartily thanking our young men for their generous help, ungrudgingly given, in supplying my pulpit during the session.”
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the Synod express its cordial thanks to Mr. Beaton for his very satisfactory report. Rev. E. Macqueen seconded the motion, and said that they had great reason for thankfulness to the Most High for the very capable Theological Tutors they possessed as a Church, whose qualifications were equal to any known elsewhere as Professors. The motion was heartily agreed to.
Rev. D. Beaton, as representing the Northern Presbytery, further reported that Messrs. D. M. MacDonald and D. A. Macfarlane, M.A., students, were licensed to preach the gospel at a Presbytery meeting at Wick, on Friday, 24th April, and that Mr. MacDonald was ordained on the evening of the same day in view of his going for a year as a Deputy and Missionary to Canada. The case of Mr. James Macleod, student, London, in reference to his future studies, was next taken up, and it was agreed to remit the matter to the Theological Committee for arrangement.
Rev. J. R. Mackay, M.A., Theological Tutor, intimated that his Theological Classes would (p.v.) open at Inverness at the beginning of December, 1914, and that very early after the commencement of the classes a written examination would be held in the first thirty sections of Dr. Davidson’s Hebrew Grammar. It was also stated that students will be expected to bring certificates with them from their respective Presbyteries.
(12) CHURCH MAGAZINE REPORT.
The Editor and Treasurer (Rev. J. S. Sinclair) submitted the following report:—”During the past year, ending April, 1914 (the eighteenth of the Magazine’s existence), the circulation has been well maintained. We have issued regularly not less than 2,400 copies per month, sometimes 50 more. A comparatively small number of these are as a whole left unsold. The parcels sent to agents continue much about the same, but the sale of single copies tends on the whole to increase. As to payments, we have pleasure in reporting that the greater number of our subscribers send their subscriptions with commendable promptitude. A few have a tendency to get into arrears. (Perhaps such would kindly take note.) We have received during the past year, as during the previous, upwards of £5 in donations, and between £2 and £3 from the Free Circulation Fund, for all which we tender our sincere thanks to our interested contributors. We have increased the number of Free Circulation copies during the past year. The Editor desires to call special attention to the desirability of increasing the number of Gaelic pages in the Magazine, as he believes it would help much to add to the circulation in some parts of the Highlands. They were greatly indebted to the Rev. J. R. Mackay for his labour in the translation from Latin to Gaelic of a valuable piece on the Lord’s Supper, by one of the Reformed Divines, Dr. Andrew Rivet, but if, in addition to that, some of the ministers would add monthly a short lecture or article on current topics they would materially help to engage the attention of Gaelic readers. It is a matter of much thankfulness that the Magazine is so widely read and appreciated, and it is earnestly hoped that the Lord may bless its pages to the present and eternal benefit of many.”
Rev. E. Macqueen moved that the Magazine Report be adopted, and that the Editor and Treasurer be thanked for his services.
He expressed his agreement with the proposal to have a little more Gaelic in the Magazine, and offered to give help in this direction. Capt. Macdonald seconded the motion. He said that he felt thankful to the friends who subscribed for free circulation, and would like to see this fund increased. He was helping to circulate copies in Infirmarys and other institutions in Glasgow, and could bear testimony to the appreciation that they almost everywhere met with. He hoped that the circulation would grow, and that the Magazine would be made a blessing to many. The motion was unanimously adopted.
(13) REMITS FROM PRESBYTERIES.
Northern Presbytery.—Rev. J. R. Mackay reported that this Presbytery had a remit on the subjects of Irish Home Rule and a Day of Humiliation and Prayer, but added that the remit was already exhausted by the Synod’s treatment of these subjects.
Southern Presbytery.—The Clerk of this Court (Rev. J. S. Sinclair) introduced a remit with reference to the congregation at Edinburgh. He stated that an application had been sent by this congregation, through its interim kirk-session, to be recognised as a congregation on a footing capable of giving a call to a minister. A statement of the finances of the congregation had been submitted, and while the amount promised to be sent to the General Sustentation Fund (in addition to payment of minister’s house rent and taxes) was somewhat less than had hitherto been recognised as necessary, yet, viewing all the circumstances and the distinct probability of increase in the funds, the Presbytery unanimously agreed to remit the application to the Synod for its favourable consideration. Rev. D. Macfarlane moved that the application be granted, and that the Edinburgh congregation be recognised as a regularly sanctioned charge capable of giving a call to a minister. He said that this congregation deserved every encouragement for their steadfastness amidst difficulties, and that in the capital of Scotland, where there had been many witnesses in days gone by, it was very desirable they should build up the cause. Rev. N. Macintyre seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to.
Western Presbytery.—Rev. Neil Macintyre presented a request from the Vatten congregation to the effect that the Synod grant a bonus of £5 for one year to Mr. Ronald Macsween, who had been conducting services there. It was agreed to grant the bonus desired.
(14) ANY COMPETENT BUSINESS.
Rev. Alexander Mackay spoke to a request that had been made by two men from the Isle of Soay who attended the recent Communion Services at Bracadale, Skye, to the effect that the Free Presbyterian Church would supply the people of the island with services for a longer or shorter period as they might find it
possible, there having been no religious services of any kind held in the island for some years. Mr. Mackay stated that the Rev. Alexander Macrae, Portree, and himself had each promised to go for a Sabbath to the island before the end of this year. This would mean about seven days on each occasion, as there was only weekly communication with the island.
Rev. D. Macfarlane moved that the case be referred to the Western Presbytery to consider after Messrs. Macrae and Mackay would report from personal observation how things stood in the island. The motion was seconded by the Rev. J. R. Mackay, and agreed to.
Rev. Neil Macintyre brought before the Court a proposal with regard to Mr. Malcolm Macleod, missionary, Ness. He said it was in the interest of the Church that Mr. Macleod—whose services were much valued—should devote his whole time to the work, and that he should be paid at the full rate of £32 odds per annum. Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the proposal be adopted. The motion was seconded by the Rev. A. Mackay, and agreed to.
The general business was now concluded. Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that the Synod adjourn, to meet again (God willing) in Glasgow on Tuesday after the first Sabbath of May, 1915, at the hour of half-past six in the evening. The motion was unanimously agreed to.
The meeting was closed at a little after 10 p.m. with praise in the last three verses of the hundred and twenty-second Psalm and with prayer.